The Reynolds Still Gentlemen's Club!

No. 1

Of course I write much about guy this and that stuff, Reynolds Still IS about a GENTLEMAN'S STANDARD OF LIVING!  Nevertheless, there are so many creative woMEN amongst us boys that should be part of the Reynolds Still Gentlemen's Club and happy to include them! 

  

No. 2

Art by Merryl Jaye

I want to extend a one up acknowledgment to my all time favorite jazz artist, Diana Krall as one of the guys. Playing jazz since the age of 15, this gifted jazz artist has been a favorite of mine for more than a number of years. If I were to recommend ONE compilation of her incredible music catalog to my readers it would have to be Live In Paris. It's as smooth as butta!

She flies me to the moon baby!

Best regards,

Reynolds

This Man's Best Friend...

Every story you read has a beginning and end,

this one is no different, it's about my best friend.

Once upon a time, sixteen years before

the MOST handsome dog arrived at my door.

I NEW when I saw him, he was meant to be

to share a friendship of love, God gifted him to me.

Years we’ve spent, together we’ve grown

with Albert my dog, I was never alone.

Always there if I needed him, at my side he stood

no friend more loyal, like a "good boy" should.

We'd play chase the shadow and one, two, three.

I'd whistle his name and he'd come to me.

As I look at him there, how lucky I've been

to go thru life with this wonderful friend.

Though years have now passed he's aged and can't see,

so now I am there for him as he's been for me.

I've known for sometime we'd have to say our goodbyes.

I'm just not prepared with tears in my eyes.

So to finish my story about THIS man's best friend

it's breaking my heart to utter those words.....the end.

Albert, I am already missing you more than you know!

".....here boy!"

Reynolds Still

A House on the Heights

No. 1

I’ve never thought I was a man of today but always someone who had lived a life of notoriety, creativity and fascination from years past. Maybe that explains my attraction to those that were lucky enough to live MY bygone years! Reynolds Still is not someone whose claim to fame is “well read” but have always been very intrigued by those rock stars of years past who were literary giants! Steinbeck, Hemmingway, Capote lived a life of what rock stars live today…..glamour, excitement and SCANDAL!

No. 2

Capote, the name itself is marketable. A man of incredible literary talent and the king of self promotion, this man has always been of great fascination to me. An American author of literary classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, Truman Capote was unquestionably a man of creative talent with words.

No. 3

A pop culture icon, most don’t realize that he was a marketing genius able to promote his own persona well beyond his gift. I’ve read countless stories about his life and lifestyle. His friendships with the well to do along with the lavish social gatherings he fashioned translate into infamous tales for those like me intrigued with a glamorous yet scandalous past! You can only imagine the wheels of my imagination spinning when I came across the Brooklyn town house that Capote once lived in now for sale!!! A bit formal it seems for a “rock star” however, my mind is spinning with the thoughts of talking walls!!!!!

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If you’re a Capote fan as am I, it is worth a skip over to HERE to read in short about his life!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Not Just Another Firecracker…

No. 1

Around the Reynolds Still manor, we celebrate much more than fireworks on the 4th of July. We also celebrate the birth date of a true FIRECRACKER, my mother Dorinda Jean. Happy Birthday MOM.  Isn't she perty!!!

Best regards,

Reynolds

It's A Grand Ole Flag...

No. 1

10 things you probably didn’t know about the American Flag…

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1. Good ole Betsy Ross was not the designer of the American National Flag. Believe it or not, it was Ralph Lauren! I’m kidding…that honor goes to Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

2. Until 1905, commercial advertisements were allowed to be printed directly on the flag! Thank GOD that was thrown by the wayside, otherwise we’d be seeing “Always Low Prices at Wal Mart”! Ugh!

3. 13 star flags still qualify as an official flag.

4. Before the 1920s, flags were often HUGE so that they could effectively serve their purpose as signals. Most were between 8 and 20 feet long. Some even measured 35 to 45 feet. Yikes! Try putting that on a flag pole!

5. Small printed flags that were hand held on sticks were referred to as parade flags or hand wavers. In the 19th century they were made in a never ending variety of diverse designs.

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6. There was no officially sanctioned pattern for the stars on the American flag until President Taft passed an executive order in 1912. Apparently he felt the design had run amuck!

7. The flag had no official shape until 1912. Before then it could have been square or long and skinny shape.

8. Many old flags have rows or columns of stars, but more interesting patterns include stars placed in consecutive circular wreaths and something known as the “Great Star”, which placed the individual stars in the form of ONE big star. Talk about a collector’s item. I’ve got mine!!!

9. Modern flag ethics didn’t emerge until the 1890s when veteran groups became vocal about the symbolic value of the flag. Before then it was admired but wasn’t idolized as it is today.

10. Because old flags came in so many designs, it has become popular to frame and display them as art and history.

No. 9

Probably the MOST plagiarized theme ever, we should all respectfully PLEDGE OUR ALLEGIENCE to the good ole red, white and blue!  Thanks to Jeff Bridgman for providing the FUN facts about the American Flag. 

Best regards,

Reynolds

Mister Crunchy…

No. 1

The French, those clever fellas, can turn anything ordinary into extraordinary. If you’ve never tried a Croque Moniseur, you are really missing out on a major lip licker!!! Croque originates from the verb "croquer", to crunch or bite hungrily while Monsieur translates as "Mister." So the loose translation of a Croque Monsieur is "Mister Crunchy."  Simply put it’s a fancy French name for a disgustingly good HAM AND CHEESE! Easily made, here’s how…

 

No.2

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups hot milk

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• Pinch nutmeg

• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

• 16 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed

• Dijon mustard

• 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin

No. 3

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.

To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.

Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot. This recipe serves 8 hungry guys!

Jouir…..that’s French for ENJOY ya'll!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Love Hate Relationship!

No. 1

It’s a funny thing! Anyone familiar with Reynolds Still KNOWS that I detest reading! My mind just doesn’t sit still long enough to be able to concentrate on anyone else’s imagination. However, what most DON’T know is that my most favorite room in any house is the LIBRARY. Who would have thunk it!

Photo No. 1 was borrowed from the COOLEST guy ever, The New Victorian Ruralist.

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The KING, Ralph Lauren!

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The End!

Best regards,

Reynolds

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

No. 1

Every Sunday morning, I have this ritual that clears my head and opens my mind in order to start my work week with pure thoughts and a cheerful disposition. Early to rise, I throw on my running gear and head out the door to run a 5K! Yes, believe it or not, it’s the freedom of my run, RUN FORREST RUN, that makes me a happy, HAPPY man. This morning as I ran thru my favorite area, my mind seemed focused on a time gone by. All the old buildings, the older architecture, the aged homes with all the character seem to be the NEW minority. Looking close at all their detail and creative architecture, comparing it to the structures newly built or remodeled left me with a feeling of melancholy. I ask you, growing up, weren’t we taught to

R-E-S-P-E-C-T our elders???

 

No. 2

 Tall slender windows and metal shutters.

 

No. 3

 Amazing stonework.

 

No. 4

 What caught my eye on the backside of this building were the windows.  There were several more windows and all of the bottom windows were detailed glass.  Amazing!  I wonder if anyone even realizes they are there?!

 

No. 5

 

No. 6

 Looking at these doors, I wondered where they led to many years ago?

 

No. 7

 Demolished the building, but for some reason kept this tower.

 

No. 8

WHO doesn't want a round window AND a round SCREEN!  I want one!!!

 

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No. 11

Interesting curve I thought with fired bricks.

 

No. 12

 Don't you know a Reynolds Still once lived here?!

 

No. 13

 And here!  This home is actually a favorite of mine.

 

No. 14

 This will make you sick!  There are 3 sets of doors on this incredible structure.  This is an AFTER photo where all the wonderful patina was removed.  UGH!  What were they thinking?!?!

 

No. 15

 Photo of an original, untouched door.

 

No. 16

 Don't you know a Reynolds Still lives here?!  The resident has a very handsome cobblestone roof.  How often do you see that?

 

No. 17

 And here?!  Can you see the whippet guarding this Reynolds Still door?

 

No. 18

Copper panels from the exterior facade of the infamous PRICE TOWER!

 

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No. 20

 We should ALL have 3 doors to choose from!  Mmmm, I'll take door number 2.

 

No. 21

 Copper support post at the Price Tower.

 

No. 22

This is something I covet!  COVET!  A fancy word for I WANT THAT!

 

No. 23

You have no idea how hard it is to run and take photos at the same time!  Can you pat your tummy and rub your head?!  I jest!

Best regards,

Reynolds