From my favorite Billy Collins poem, Dancing Towards Bethlehem:

“If there is only enough time left in the final minutes of the 20th century for one last dance, I would like to be dancing it slowly with you, say, in the ballroom of a seaside hotel.”

Such a gorgeous idea — time hurtling forward while you’re swaying together at the edge of the earth. Once, T and I danced in this ballroom at The Breakers on Palm Beach. After, we went outside and watched the waves crash onto the beach.

These paintings by Janet Hill remind me of this romantic, dressed-up ideal.

Bernadette in black.

portrait of Ms. Frost

Elegance is timeless.