IMAGE GALLERY
Some of the photos below were taken during my perambulations through the wild places mentioned in my book, but most are pictures of me expecting to be congratulated for putting on clothes. Suitable for framing, shrines, or dartboards.




Me at an AIDS charity fundraiser this June. I really like my rumpled, lightweight, inexpensive, knockabout summer linen suits: they have a laid-back but dapper quality to them. Summer is about putting yourself and others at ease, so the notion of an uptight, perfectly tailored bespoke summer suit seems not only silly but downright antisocial. A summer suit should be perfectly imperfect, I think; I need a summer suit that is suitable attire for picking up tipsy friends off the lawn, and carrying large snapping turtles off the road. The pocket square-cum-nipple orchid was a gift left by the stylist from Interview when they shot me at my house this spring. Thank you, Miguel!




Rose Callahan came down from Brooklyn this spring, and spent a cloudy afternoon in my house. I love this gaudy electric blue robe with its dragons--it goes well with the navy blues and orange-reds. You can see more here.




Here I'm wearing a wonderfully cozy gift: a made-to-measure blue velvet jacket from Duchess Clothier, and my favorite pair of black watch plaid bespoke trousers made from Holland & Sherry wool, courtesy of Lord Willy's of New York.




At Bartram's Garden this spring, giving a lecture to a class from UPenn about the nonsense in my book, which was part of their curriculum. I brought along one of my terrarium gardens which held Venus Flytraps--one of the many plants the Bartrams had introduced to cultivation.




In my library wearing my made-to-measure blue velvet suit from Duchess Clothier, with one of my new shirts from Simone Abbarchi of Florence. Click picture or follow this link to my journal for more images.




Photo courtesy of the lovely and talented Rose Callahan.




In my den wearing my made-to-measure slate blue windowpane-pattern suit from Duchess Clothier, with one of my new shirts from Simone Abbarchi of Florence. Click picture to see larger image, or follow this link to my journal for more photos and preening blather.




Lounging in my house wearing my favorite indoor shoes (the soles hint why they are strictly indoor--click to enlarge). Linen rumples are a delicious summertime indulgence. I just love summer--I can watch it from my window for hours.




If you've ever wondered what a larval popinjay looks like, or perhaps even "how long I've been Whimsy," look no further. Here I am at my father's knee, five years old. Wish I had his shoes now. I remember enjoying that suit--belted jacket and all. The trouser cuffs are a bit wide, but the break isn't bad.




Getting ready to preside over a friend's wedding ceremony. Such an occasion calls for a dignified, impeccable execution, and so nothing less will do than my very best bespoke suit, made for me by Lord Willy's. One has to look as though they're worth the free drinks, you know. (Yes, yes, the pocket square may not exactly toe the line, but it's a wedding, not a funeral.)



In front of my tailor's, Lord Willy's, in my bespoke Blackwatch tartan two-piece. The thrift boots have a plummy sheen, which I love.


On the parlor floor. Yes, this is my favorite suit. (Photo: Laura Pedrick/NY Times).


Puttering in the garden a la Rip Van Whimsy. The ridiculous wooden clogs are actually quite practical--comfortable, airy and tough. The hat keeps my face out of the sun's rays (I've had run-ins with Old Man Skin Cancer once or twice). The ascot is, of course, gloriously indefensible.


Photo by Adam Wallacavage for Swindle.


People ask about them, so here: Custom labels for all my Lord Willys suits. Only ten thousand labels to go, I'm told.


Reading at Obscura Antiques, NYC. Had to hire a rickshaw bike to arrive on time. Made for quite an entrance.


A dignified male Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii), photographed by Whimsy.


A lovely scarf made by Michelle McCoskey, artist, friend and queen of crochet. Thank you, Michelle!


Ar.


Franklinia tree (Franklinia alatamaha) at Bartram's Garden.


Flying "Ol' Moth-n-Bugs".


A profile, soon to be...


Dandy candy!


Illustration by Silenceinspades.


A male Luna moth (Actias luna), emerging from cocoon. Photographed by Whimsy.


Luna moth (Actias luna), drying its wings. Photographed by Whimsy.


This was taken during my "cocaine years."


Pitcher plant (Sarracinea flava) in my bog garden.


At a summer garden party. The theme was Roman, but this is as close to a toga as I get. I figured with all the tipsy half-naked gay boys in togas and riding giant golden swans, I may as well camp it up. Won a prize for best dressed, we did--got the gold resin cast David to prove it. My vote was with the old queen in the mini-toga picking up change in front of the young clones. That's the spirit, old girl!


Greek musicians in a gazebo surrounded by black swans, with living stauary. (Yes, I know, but this is my life.)


A midge in paradise.


Pink Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium acaule).


I might have just said something smartalecky. I do recall getting slapped.



(Photo courtesy of Rose Callahan)

My favorite shoes. So precious. Limited to indoor use. Just the thing for a knight of the carpet.


Round leafed sundew (Drosera rotundiflora) Photographed by Whimsy.


Grass Pink orchid in my bog garden.