Alex aka Muscato
@cafemuscato.bsky.social
Retired diplomat, but not particularly retiring; working on aging disgracefully. I split my time between deserts: Palm Springs and Cairo. Always up for champagne, good music, or gossip about the Lunts. Parlor pink; lapsed Presbyterian. He/Him.
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
November 17, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
[I wouldn’t argue that it’s _good_, necessarily, but of its kind it’s definitely perfect.]
There are few things lovelier than dappled sunlight on a full-blown rose… (2019)
November 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
There are few things lovelier than dappled sunlight on a full-blown rose… (2019)
To celebrate the birthday of the great Edna May Oliver, be sure to protect your lamb, solve a comedy murder or two, bitch-slap a Murdstone, stare down one of those flighty March and/or Bennet girls, and generally prove yourself both memorable and invaluable.
November 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
To celebrate the birthday of the great Edna May Oliver, be sure to protect your lamb, solve a comedy murder or two, bitch-slap a Murdstone, stare down one of those flighty March and/or Bennet girls, and generally prove yourself both memorable and invaluable.
I will always remember the little frisson I had, one morning in 1989, when I opened the newspaper and read ”Zita, Last Empress of Austria-Hungary, Dead at 96.”
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
November 7, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I will always remember the little frisson I had, one morning in 1989, when I opened the newspaper and read ”Zita, Last Empress of Austria-Hungary, Dead at 96.”
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
It felt like some kind of bulletin from a lost world.
Ever since, I’ve had a sneaking fondness for her.
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of that gift to the writing of comic poetry, Queen Marie of Roumania.
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
October 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of that gift to the writing of comic poetry, Queen Marie of Roumania.
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she leapt into her role as Crown Princess and then Queen of her country's still-new royal family, playing a significant role in Balkan politics...
Farewell to Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand, gone to Fabulon at 92.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
October 24, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Farewell to Sirikit, Queen Mother of Thailand, gone to Fabulon at 92.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
The less said about her lamentable son the better, but there’s no question that she could carry off polka dots like nobody’s business.
Before the day ends, take a moment to remember birthday girl Constance Bennett, the brittle, dressy sophisticate whose life’s work was the care, feeding, maintenance and promotion of one Miss Constance Bennett.
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
October 23, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Before the day ends, take a moment to remember birthday girl Constance Bennett, the brittle, dressy sophisticate whose life’s work was the care, feeding, maintenance and promotion of one Miss Constance Bennett.
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
An actress best described as “beautifully photographed,” she managed, over 60 years…
On the birthday of the Divine Sarah, dare to live large, be a polymath, persevere, and should old age at last catch up with you, dance on one leg and blithely play 18-year-olds.
October 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
On the birthday of the Divine Sarah, dare to live large, be a polymath, persevere, and should old age at last catch up with you, dance on one leg and blithely play 18-year-olds.
The weather, having turned just a tad raw and colder, a little red seemed in order
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
October 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The weather, having turned just a tad raw and colder, a little red seemed in order
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
If nothing else, the very pleasant Little Gay Pub around the corner from my hotel 100% delivers, name wise.
Diving into an evening of contrasts as I treat myself to two things wholly unavailable in Palm Springs.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Diving into an evening of contrasts as I treat myself to two things wholly unavailable in Palm Springs.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
First off, half-a-dozen truly superb oysters, nicely paired with a crisp Sancerre.
Like Sophy Curson just down the street from here! Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale, with a gentle reminder that it’s from sizes 2 to 16 only.
October 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Like Sophy Curson just down the street from here! Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale, with a gentle reminder that it’s from sizes 2 to 16 only.
Four days in and Philadelphia continues to please.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
October 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Four days in and Philadelphia continues to please.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
I’ve now engaged the (nonexclusive) services of a very peppy woman called Loretta (henceforward Loretta Our Broker).
Today she showed me two lovely flats wildly above our means; chastened, on Thursday she’ll take me places rather more possible.
It’s the birthday of the delightful star of stage and television, the much-beloved St. Arlene of Francis.
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
October 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
It’s the birthday of the delightful star of stage and television, the much-beloved St. Arlene of Francis.
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
In her honor, let’s all try just that little bit harder to be charming, to sparkle, and to ponder upon the age-old question “Are you currently performing on the legitimate stage?“
I am truly, genuinely right now in my childhood public library, and That Book is still on the shelf (and still bears the stamps of the five+ times I checked it out in the mid 1970s.).
October 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I am truly, genuinely right now in my childhood public library, and That Book is still on the shelf (and still bears the stamps of the five+ times I checked it out in the mid 1970s.).
…if not pleasant, at least tolerable.
October 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
…if not pleasant, at least tolerable.
This trip to Egypt has been too short. I fly tonight, returning to the US, or what remains of it, and were it not for the prospect of eventually seeing The Mister, I‘d be tempted just to stay right here.
October 4, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This trip to Egypt has been too short. I fly tonight, returning to the US, or what remains of it, and were it not for the prospect of eventually seeing The Mister, I‘d be tempted just to stay right here.
In a corner of our favorite Thai restaurant in Cairo, all the more incongruous for being at the mall.
September 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
In a corner of our favorite Thai restaurant in Cairo, all the more incongruous for being at the mall.
Living the mall life in Cairo.
September 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Living the mall life in Cairo.
Doctor I trust more than RFK, Jr.
September 7, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Doctor I trust more than RFK, Jr.
Godspeed to the Duchess of Kent, who has shaken off this mortal coil at 92.
September 5, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Godspeed to the Duchess of Kent, who has shaken off this mortal coil at 92.
Baby does like a good hotel executive lounge…
September 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Baby does like a good hotel executive lounge…
We’re staying at a favorite spot from the old days—our first time back in 13 years. It’s a quiet little hotel (that just happens to have as its lobby a two-acre tropical garden).
So far, three people on staff have come up to say welcome back…
So far, three people on staff have come up to say welcome back…
September 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
We’re staying at a favorite spot from the old days—our first time back in 13 years. It’s a quiet little hotel (that just happens to have as its lobby a two-acre tropical garden).
So far, three people on staff have come up to say welcome back…
So far, three people on staff have come up to say welcome back…
There are few places on earth more neutrally serene than a hotel executive lounge at 5 AM.
August 25, 2025 at 3:03 AM
There are few places on earth more neutrally serene than a hotel executive lounge at 5 AM.
Night in a garden…
August 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Night in a garden…
Good night, Cairo.
August 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Good night, Cairo.