We all have that thing in our wardrobe we have spent too much money on. A guilty pleasure, something we really really wanted. Maybe a watch, a ring, a bespoke suit? Spending too much money is relative, if you love it then it wasn't too much money. But what do you feel guilty about buying? What is your story? Mine is a Fedora. I have at least a dozen fedoras of various qualities and looks. I am a thrifty person so I usually look for very good deals in vintage Fedoras. However, recently I found a vintage Mallory beaver felt chocolate brown fedora from the mid 1940s in nearly mint condition (I thought) on ebay. It cost 4 times what I would normally spend but it was exactly what I wanted. When I got it in the mail I sent it directly to McLaughlin & Hayes in Milwaukee for a full professional cleaning and reblocking. To my annoyance as could be expected the hat band stitching was rotting off the hat and it had to be replaced and restitched and the original band reinforced. The restoration bill cost more than the hat, which was 4 tines more than I should have spent. A little over $450.00 for a fedora....Oops...but I got what I wanted. I will send photos when I get it back. What's your story?

Still very cold in Wisconsin a couple days after our two day blizzard. Went with a charcoal camel hair jacket, merino wool vest, my dad's clip on bow tie from the 1950s. He will be 90 in a couple weeks so I am celebrating by wearing some of his vintage ties this month.

More of Koo King or Chow Fo Mee! Put eggs carefully in carafe of drip coffee maker add the water for a pot of coffee. After the drip cycle ends soft boiled eggs can be retrieved from carafe at 3 minutes. Hard boiled eggs at 10 minutes. This will vary slightly whether eggs are room temp or still cold. For hard boiled eggs, put retrieved eggs in cold water to stop cooking process. Yes, you can make coffee at the same time. The taste of the coffee will not be affected and you will increase the calcium level in your coffee. When I lived in a motel with no kitchen, a coffee maker and an iron became my cooking appliances.

Cooking. It Worked! I experimented last night and I enjoyed the result. I brought 4 jars (1.5lb each) commercial spaghetti sauce to a simmer. I used Rao. In the meantime I soaked 1lb dry linguini in warm water for 30 minutes. I added the now wet linguini to the pot with the sauce. Approximately 20 minutes later I had a lovely spaghetti dinner. The cooking time may vary. On the electric cooktop I'm not sure of the actual temp. Check for doneness. Al dente is what I prefer. The noodles have texture and not baby food soft. Try it, you'll thank you!

A couple months ago the Society reminded me of my obligations as a gentleman when a buddy had to deal with the death of his mother. I thank the Members for helping me deal with that dilemma. Tom died yesterday. 87 years old and married to the same lady for 67 years! Seemed happy. Tom died 2 hours after his wife died yesterday. Sounds like a very committed relationship. A marine of stellar value. Oo-Raa