tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post8577095827331170406..comments2024-03-14T04:01:02.005-04:00Comments on THE DOWNEAST DILETTANTE: 'What God Would Have Done if He'd Only Had the Money'The Down East Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-56652218448006372062011-05-14T14:49:14.634-04:002011-05-14T14:49:14.634-04:00Shaw may have said it first, but George S. Kaufman...Shaw may have said it first, but George S. Kaufman used the quote to describe Moss & Kitty Carlisle Hart's renovation of their Bucks County farm--moving full-sized trees, etc. This is now a corporate center, on Rte. 202, south of Buckingham Friends Meetinghouse. Hart's renovation war stories became the inspiration for the 1940 Kaufman & Hart comedy "George Washington Slept Here."Ed Lawlernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-14536832144971835712010-08-10T22:47:48.455-04:002010-08-10T22:47:48.455-04:00Your title quote does appear in Citizen Kane, but ...Your title quote does appear in Citizen Kane, but it was originally uttered by George Bernard Shaw about William Randolph Heart's <i>San Simeon</i>. Kane was of course based on Hearst and numerous details of Heart's life made it into the movie.<br /><br />I've always assumed that Shaw had a rather dim view of God's sense of aesthetics.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04042518977571229924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-16322638402140918462010-06-27T19:06:14.099-04:002010-06-27T19:06:14.099-04:00I'll sit next to you at dinner any time.I'll sit next to you at dinner any time.Rose C'est La Viehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193872186283731567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-30133100798207093502010-06-25T11:41:37.336-04:002010-06-25T11:41:37.336-04:00Ah Rose, you are too kind. There is so much in my...Ah Rose, you are too kind. There is so much in my posts only because I'm one of those story tellers who can never seem to figure what I should leave out, and never knows when too end. It shows up particularly badly at a dinner party.....The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-85356794926898452682010-06-25T07:51:48.335-04:002010-06-25T07:51:48.335-04:00Whilst losing myself in this landscape, two things...Whilst losing myself in this landscape, two things stuck out in your post. 1. " A digital camera is a dangerous thing in the hands of the chronically over-stimulated." and 2. The sign warning against the intrusion of those flaming bicycles that loom up behind you or approach with arrogance. <br /><br />I am so chronically over-stimulated that I can't get anything done. Unlike you. You put so much into your posts.Rose C'est La Viehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193872186283731567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-29826506625022045952010-06-25T04:00:58.004-04:002010-06-25T04:00:58.004-04:00BTW I think your quote was Steve Wynn's. Las V...BTW I think your quote was Steve Wynn's. Las Vegas is without doubt removed from Mt. Desert, but some of the fortunes that built the cottages were equally outsized in their day.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-15142630016309958972010-06-25T03:56:52.625-04:002010-06-25T03:56:52.625-04:00Truly a more idyllic place is not seen on the East...Truly a more idyllic place is not seen on the Eastern Seaboard. I'm grateful for the trips I took there while in college. Would that the entire island chain was declared a national monument. I think the view from Cadillac Mt. particularly excellent: squint one's eyes and perhaps a sense of a real 16th c. Arcadia is visible. I don't believe he ever visited, but Edward Abbey would have certainly approved of the banishment of motor cars from the Park (though as a purist he would have quibbled with the bicycles, horses, and carriages). No matter, and thanks kindly for permitting me another remembrance of splendid vistas.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-33425538814314266732010-06-23T14:26:01.622-04:002010-06-23T14:26:01.622-04:00Anonymous Atlantan, couldn't agree more about ...Anonymous Atlantan, couldn't agree more about MS and the Edsel Ford estate. The place was languishing on the market, future uncertain, when she came along.<br /><br />And as for your next business trip, I actually intend to start a little mini-series of recommended sites to visit for the architecture, design, and garden interested soul.<br /><br />thanks always for stopping byThe Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-26823490716285003922010-06-23T09:15:43.100-04:002010-06-23T09:15:43.100-04:00I'm an Atlantan and it is no secret how oppres...I'm an Atlantan and it is no secret how oppressively HOT the south is in the summer. For some reason business trips to Maine just happen to fall in August, go figure :)<br /><br />I will have to agree the Bar Harbor area is absolutely gorgeous!! Especially on top of Cadillac Mountain looking out to the sea. The three times I visited the temperature was in the low 70's which was a great treat for me indeed. The views are totally inspirational.<br /><br />I very much enjoy this blog and I will definately take note of the places to visit the next time I get up to Maine. The place is an undiscovered treasure. And the lobster pounds, I could go on and on....<br /><br />And love her or hate her, thanks to Miss MS, the Edsel estate is still standing and in good keep. If there were others like her mayb e some of the other estates would be still standing..... MS "gets it", obviously others don't....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-19702305596002819412010-06-22T14:48:10.354-04:002010-06-22T14:48:10.354-04:00fasinating post. I have been on those roads, lovel...fasinating post. I have been on those roads, lovely. Thank you for this interesting bit of info..<br /><br />yvonneLa Petite Galleryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553902574516930172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-30718489217368331442010-06-22T09:21:37.945-04:002010-06-22T09:21:37.945-04:00Stefan, Agreed, isn't the boathouse a great li...Stefan, Agreed, isn't the boathouse a great little building?<br /><br />Barbara, LOL, they may be the only hikes I take this summer, also, as I get awfully, terribly busy in July & August. The garden post will come in early August, when it hits high season.<br /><br />Home Before: Some of the correspondence about the roadside plantings is quoted in the above referenced "Mr. Rockefeller's Roads"<br /><br />Raina, I've just sent you an email on the first subject, and thanks for the compliment. It was a sunny day, except everytime I snapped a picture. Go figure.<br /><br />Jeff: You are correct, thank you.<br /><br />Anonymous, one warning: the interiors do not live up to the extravagant exterior, unfortunately.<br /><br />Turner, nice as the porch is, my bank statement always tells me otherwise.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-12884914463516637652010-06-22T07:39:29.624-04:002010-06-22T07:39:29.624-04:00dilletante - you are my favorite blog -first, i la...dilletante - you are my favorite blog -first, i laughed for five minutes at the quote - i want the bumper sticker.<br />i had friends in northeast harbor and the son and i mountain bikes those roads around long pond so many times. to sit on that porch, you feel like a rockefeller. i think the perfect manifestation of their immaculate good taste is summed up in the boat house railing - even the details are in good taste.<br />a side comment on martha - as my girlfriend pointed out when i made a snide comment about miss m, if it wasn't for her, home decorating for the masses would be a dead art.<br />(to put myself in the right mood, i'm listening to bix on youtube as i post this.)<br /><br />anyone who has any chance of coming to maine has to experience acadia and the best way to do that is the carriage trails. ded is right about the views and vistas. they are way beyond spectacular. foot is a good way but if you're short of time, you can rent a bike or horse if so inclined and cover a lot more territory.<br />btw, are the rockefeller gardens still open and, if so, when? as the thuja gardens caretaker once said to me, thuja shows what a lot of money can do and the rockefeller gardens show what a s**tload of money can do.<br /><br />security word def - "cycxu" - cyberese for "sucks to be you"Turner Pack Ratshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611044946684881118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-74192787716290614342010-06-21T21:26:56.497-04:002010-06-21T21:26:56.497-04:00"some of you will be asking what the demolish..."some of you will be asking what the demolished house looked like"...I'll be damned if you didn't read my mind! All I have to say is WOW can't wait for that post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-42456636254434202432010-06-21T16:01:49.160-04:002010-06-21T16:01:49.160-04:00Wasn't your title quote from "Citizen Kan...Wasn't your title quote from "Citizen Kane?" That sticks in my mind for some reason. <br /><br />The reporter visits Jed Leland, Kane's ex-friend, to find out more about the recently deceased Kane, and they were discussing Kane's Xanadu and Leland said something like "It's what God would have built, if he had the money..." <br /><br />I could be completely off, but I think I've seen CK enough to identify that quote with that movie. Forgive my ignorance if I am mistaken...Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-76260044950813311092010-06-21T10:03:03.056-04:002010-06-21T10:03:03.056-04:00I'm guessing ole Martha could drive a four-in-...I'm guessing ole Martha could drive a four-in-hand with her left pinkie.<br /><br />Simply gorgeous photos, TDED.Raina Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01095323923070587294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-71391464048927515512010-06-21T09:32:02.745-04:002010-06-21T09:32:02.745-04:00I have just started reading the Bulletins of Reef ...I have just started reading the Bulletins of Reef Point Gardens. Would love to have been in the back seat listening to Rockefeller and Farrand discuss the "naturalization" of the estate.home before darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272062955786414729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-13198316041737039192010-06-21T08:18:25.014-04:002010-06-21T08:18:25.014-04:00This is my favorite place on the whole island. I ...This is my favorite place on the whole island. I read Abby Rockefeller's biography when I was barely out of high school, and became enamored with The Eyrie and its surrounding property. The mysterious grassy roads that used to lead around to the house, the massive old trees, immaculate forest (yes, they rake the woods), ferns and bunchberry everywhere, and the Cobblestone Bridge fill the senses. Little Long Pond itself is charming, quiet, and so beautiful from every angle and in every season. I can't wait to read your future posts on the house and garden!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08681252244812467184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-68749978117150694972010-06-21T03:03:55.591-04:002010-06-21T03:03:55.591-04:00Looks beautiful, and sounds as though you had a ve...Looks beautiful, and sounds as though you had a very rewarding visit. How very smart was John D. Rockefeller Jr in wanting to avoid motorised vehicles. Perhaps today partial restriction is the best answer.columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764365428633038329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-45774710896912843382010-06-21T00:13:56.336-04:002010-06-21T00:13:56.336-04:00Yours are the only hikes I will be taking this sum...Yours are the only hikes I will be taking this summer. Thanks. Can't wait to hear about the garden. BarbaraBarbara Wells Sarudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15277378178650355645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185045903146972312.post-10719328357489525952010-06-20T23:56:31.746-04:002010-06-20T23:56:31.746-04:00what a beautiful area and hike. LOVE that boathous...what a beautiful area and hike. LOVE that boathouse. You mentioned delicious food but not what it was! Do share.ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.com