An Actual Answer To The Julia Child's Monogrammed Pin Question

It's my birthday today. (I know, that's not the answer to the question about Julia Child's pin, but I'm getting there.) Kindnesses are happening today, phone calls from friends and family, none the less appreciated for their familiarity. It is clear to me that 53 is a most uneventful of birthdays. The real significance is skeins of affection, drawn about me like a knitted shawl. I don't know what brought me that image but since I can't even begin to knit for myself the metaphor is apt.

Kindness, however, has extended to the Internet. The Queen of Cashmere emailed me to let us all know she has the answer to our questions about the monogram pin that Meryl Streep wore in Julie and Julia. (See? Just takes a little time.)

"Not long ago, I spoke to Ann Roth, the Academy Award winning costume designer who transformed Meryl Streep into Julia Child. The pin was commissioned for the movie using Julia Child’s initials and was inspired by one in Ms. Roth’s personal collection. She was unsure if Mrs. Child had actually owned a monogram pin of her own — though we agreed it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination. Ms. Roth, a dynamic octogenarian, was definitely amused to think that anyone found monogram jewelry newsworthy as it was a look from a bygone era and one she remembered well."

Ha! Ms. Roth, little do you know. And the Queen, along with her hotline to Hollywood royalty, has a secret source of diamond monogram jewelry for the 21st century. With photos that may incite a riot of desire.

As another surprise, Peonies and Polaroids, not knowing it was my birthday today, wrote me a thank you note. So nice. A thank you note is almost never a mistake. Exquisite manners are almost always good for all involved.

The rest of the kindnesses I'm experiencing are more random, maybe unmeant, probably unseen, still felt. I read many blogs. I comment where I have something to say. Sometimes people send me emails. Sometimes people comment on what I write. This has made my life richer in ways I could not have predicted. To you all, many thanks.