I Will — 6:20 am

Parcel 6 Evening Sky — 7:50 pm

Westminster Abbey — 6:00 am

You're invited. Coverage begins at 3 am.

Proof

Is everybody happy now?

National Poetry Month

There is no Frigate like a Book

by Emily Dickinson

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry –

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll –

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears the Human Soul –

Illustration by T.F. Šimon, Vilma Reading a Book, 1912.

Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Snow

1950 – 2011

National Poetry Month

The 2011 National Poetry Month poster, designed by Stephen Doyle, features the line "bright objects hypnotize the mind" from Elizabeth Bishop's poem "A Word with You." Bishop was born February 8, 1911, so The Academy of American Poets is celebrating her centennial.

Happy Easter

Photo: Vollenweider, Switzerland

Good Friday

Giotto di Bondone

Lamentation

Scenes from the Life of Christ, 1304–1306

Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy

Aunt Betty's Matzo Balls

Everyone who's tried Aunt Betty's matzo balls loves them. Aunt Betty says that her recipe is quick and simple . . . and she's happy to share it with us.

Makes 18 to 20 matzo balls

1 cup matzo meal

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

4 large eggs

4 tablespoons light olive oil or vegetable oil

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Break the eggs in a separate bowl. Add oil and stir gently with a fork until just mixed. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with the fork. Place in refrigerator for an hour or until batter is firm.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. (During cooking the matzo balls will grow to at least twice their size, so it's more important that the pot be wide than deep.)

Take the chilled matzo ball batter from the refrigerator. With a teaspoon pick up enough batter to create a 1- to 2-inch ball. Make each ball by rolling it between your palms, then gently drop it into the boiling water. When all of the matzo balls have floated to the top, lower the temperature to a rolling simmer. Do not stir because the matzo balls are fragile. Allow to cook for 40 minutes.

Remove the matzo balls with a slotted spoon. Place in chicken soup or broth and serve.

Aunt Betty's Quick Tip: You can save yourself time and effort by ordering chicken broth from your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Fall Back?

Spring is here . . . so are the leaves from last fall.

University Place — 11:08 am

Bill Cunningham New York

He who seeks beauty will find it.

— Bill Cunningham

I've always thought that the publishing business must have the quirkiest, most original, most resourceful, most extraordinary cast of characters around. Of course I would think that. Well, on Sunday I had the good fortune to see the documentary Bill Cunningham New York, which is playing at the Ritz at the Bourse in Philadelphia, and I wasn't disappointed. Bill Cunningham is all that and more—much more. He's a lovely, gentle man who truly lives for his work. If you can catch this film, you should. It's being held over at the Ritz at least through April 21, or you can click here for more theater locations.

Photo: First Thought Films / Zeitgeist Films

Runaway Train: Architectural Guidelines

Princeton Landing is fast becoming a place where function trumps form and where a lack of understanding of our governing documents reigns. The latest infraction to the bylaws is a new sign designating the common area between Parcels 11 and 12 as pesticide-free.

Policy Resolution No. 22 sets the architectural review procedures and guidelines for our community. It states that "Judgments of acceptable design are to be based on . . . Design Compatibility. . . Compatibility is defined as similarity in: architectural style, quality of workmanship, use of material, color, and construction details." The architectural style of the new sign is more compatible with colonial-style architecture than with the contemporary design of the community. The color of the sign is white with burgundy lettering—clearly not in keeping with our guidelines for color. Have we just added two new colors to our palette?

While we're on the subject of signs, the sign at The Smith House languished for a long time with only one finial.

Now that we've added the new white sign with finials, the remaining finial on the Smith House sign was replaced with yet another incompatible architectural detail.

To add to all of this, one might question why the Smith House sign—which is badly cracked (click on the photo below)—was not replaced or properly refurbished before we spent Association money on a new sign that is not in keeping with our architectural guidelines.

In fact, one might question the addition of a sign to the common area at all since Section N of PR 22 states, "No signs of any type are permitted on the homes, lots, or common areas at Forrestal Village (Princeton Landing)."

The Association is responsible for maintaining the architectural integrity of Princeton Landing. Signs that add visual clutter and are not consistent with the overall look of Princeton Landing don't enhance the appearance of our community.

National Poetry Month

"This is a Letter" by Rebecca Dunham

National Poetry Month

Poetry

I, too, dislike it.

Reading it, however, with a perfect contempt for it, one discovers in

it, after all, a place for the genuine.

— Marianne Moore