We may be the last people on the planet to begin watching the excellent series The Sopranos. I am surprised that it has taken so long for us to view the murder, mayhem, sex, lies, cheating, cruelty and overall gangster behavior. But after the first few episodes we had to stop for a while. I realized we spent most of our days obsessing over a guy playing a gangster in the White House and I really didn’t want to then spend our evenings watching a guy playing a gangster in New Jersey. A few weeks later we came back to the show. But the analogy seems right. Tony Soprano and Donald Trump are very much alike. They both play the part of a New York, tough-guy goodfella layered with a smooth-talking charm and a blood-thirsty ruthlessness. Family, loyalty and power is everything. They never forget a slight and will seek out brutal revenge eventually. Nothing will get in their way of gaining as much money, power, and domination as possible. They both teach us brand new ways to be cruel. At least Tony Soprano is going to a psychologist. Because we are only in the middle of the first season, we will see how that works out.
I have long been aware of the long running series South Park. I have seen bits and pieces of it over the years but never have been a loyal fan. I am delighted to see how recently they have been ruthlessly skewering Trump and his out-of-control administration. A recent season has gone after Kristi Noam and her ICE Follies One episode show ICE agents making a raid on heaven to pick up frightened Latino angels. This is both horrifying and hilarious to watch but this kind of humor is one of the things the Trumpers really seem to fear. They love being called fascists and horrible but are terrified of being made fun of, especially in front of a large TV audience. Just ask Stephen Colbert.
We are now engaged in some serious “deep hanging out” at our cabin in the woods in Vermont. There is some guilt in doing nothing while our country is falling apart. But we hope to use the month here to gather our strength and clear our minds for the hard work ahead when we get back to San Francisco. Before we return, we will be traveling, photographing, and working for six weeks in England and other parts of Europe. More on that later. In the meantime, here are a few photos from our arrival in sweet New England.
Library Road Trip 
Good to hear your thoughts Bob. And – the big news here – Wild Kingdom is coming in a week to do three episodes in Alaska and one will be on salmon and eagles and the mine. Took two years to make this happen…
Hope everyone is well.
Gershon
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Hello Bob & Ellen! I was planning a trip to New England – Boston, Cape Cod, and Maine – for October. Then I got this crazy idea from a friend: accompany her on a trip to Turkey. A real autumn experience would be wonderful, but Istanbul, Cappadocia, Karakoy!I’m moving money & appointments now, so hope in the next couple of days to be dreaming of balloon rides and spice markets.I’m glad to see you are both well and deeply Vermonting. I’ve never been to Vermont, either. The East Coast is largely a mystery to me. I can’t even remember where Long Island is in relation to…well, anything. But drop me in Manhattan and I always find my way to the theater district. I’ve begun writing a book. A mystery. It is still a mystery to me whodunnit, but that will come after I’ve decided who of my cast of characters dies and how. (This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to people living or dead is probably maybe not intentional.) XO Mary McFadden
Thanks for the update and look forward to what happens in your trip abroad! Yes these times are exhausting in the constant authoritarian take over. You know it’s bad when the illiterate, incompetent and historically uneducated take over the arts and theatre!! The have already loaded us with science deniers!Enjoy your respite in Vermont and being with land that responds to your care. I spend my time home surrounded by my brother’s cats and a yard ringed by nearly 90 year old trees for solace.Onwards and best to Ellen and Walker!Xo Catherine
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Thank you for your update. It’s always a pleasure to follow you and Ellen.
Going to Europe …. looking forward to see your itinerary.
Lis and I will spend Christmas and New Year in San Francisco. We arrives to Los Angeles 10th December for a road trip to Phoenix arriving to San Francisco the 19th.
Do you have any suggestions what to see and what to experience – we have no other plans scheduled beside the dates.
Hope to see you both again for a cup of coffer somewhere in San Francisco at Christmas
All the best
Lars
Hi Bob and Ellen, Thanks again for sharing your Vermont experience. We have just returned from New England and can appreciate doing nothing, although we bopped around a lot. We’re off to Greece and Turkey in 10 days on a small cruise ship with Richard Dawkins as the lecturer ( as well as some time on our own). Hope to see you after all our and your travels. Have fun and stay safe. Love T and K ❤️❤️
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This is such a lovely, serene spot. Thanks for sharing, and have a peaceful time! Love, Marcia
Hi, Bob, Ellen,
Not only have I failed to watch Soprani, I am not confident I even would know how. I know it’s a great show, tho. Love your photos- the placid waters, the old mirror with a memory theme- but very successful, especially like the rock in the water- saw the Noguchi show at the Clark last week- am sure he would have agreed.
 
My reason for the trip was the Berenice Abbott show and lecture- interesting, not revelatory- surprised at her uneven printing- the curator assured me that even those she hadn’t printed, she initialed approval. I had not been consulted.
Assuming your plate is full up there, but let us know if you would like company for a day. The Clark can’t be too far (?)- worth a visit for the Noguchi and the Room of Her Own show about British women artists: https://www.clarkart.edu/microsites/a-room-of-her-own/about-the-exhibition/introduction And I stayed at a gem of a motel, the Villager, for $111, near the Cozy Corner Restaurant, famous for lasagna and fish and chips.

Dave
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Bob,
I loved this one. I’ll add just a brief note.
I was reminded that in 1941 Berthold Brecht wrote a play called “The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui.” It portrayed a Chicago gangster with a remarkable resemblance to the then-Chancellor of Germany. Yet another illustration of the notion that history may not repeat, but it does rhyme.
Enjoy your remaining time in New England, and safe travels to Old England. Can’t wait for your next Library Road Trip after you get there.
Best,
Jay
It’s always good to see your newsletters. I began watching The Sopranos also and I agree with you about the similar ruthlessness of Trump. The main difference though, is that he has none of the self-reflection of Tony Soprano nor does he care to analyze that. I have been addicted to the Gilded Age and see a lot of similarities between that and the times we’re living through. I also have a renewed enthusiasm for South Park!
I certainly can’t blame you for wanting to get away from it all in Vermont. I’ve been trying to take short trips away from the news but can’t go very far because I’m caring for my husband who’s dealing with Parkinson’s and dementia. I find that I’m getting away through reading and television series. I also continue to work in my consulting practice, and find that having a sense of purpose around how the arts can change people’s lives gives me a large amount of respite.
I so enjoy your newsletters and wish you and Elizabeth all the best!
Barbara Goldstein
408-582-3947
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