When I landed in Utah 20 years ago, I though cowboys were a thing of the past and only revived occasionally for a B movie. So I didn't know what to make of it when they kept popping up everywhere, complete with pointed boots and white hats.
Once I came to grips with the fact that cowboys were still around, I actually expected to see a few Indians turn up now and then in full regalia. Consequently, when that didn't happen, I was bewildered. I am willing to admit this was sheer stupidity on my part.It took me awhile to get acclimated to my new surroundings, and of course everything seems perfectly clear now.
Well, they did until yesterday. I bought an issue of Town and Country magazine. I expected to get some helpful advice on how to decorate my living room and instead got a dose of the real world.
After finally adjusting to the shock that there are still cowboys, I was stunned to find out that there are still debutantes.
And debutante balls!
Am I the only one who thought this was just stuff that glitz novels are made of?
Did you know that the high point of the French deb season was when 21 young ladies from Europe's oldest and finest families modeled at the Hotel Crillon? Among the chosen were Princess Caroline of Murat, a descendant of Napoleon, and Lady Sophia Hamilton, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Aber-corn.
Next year they plan to include a ball, "you know, like London's Queen Charlotte's Ball," and three American debs.
Will they put an ad in the paper? - "Three models wanted. Only American debs need apply."
An ad in the magazine offers real estate on Fisher Island, once the "splendid winter estate of the Vanderbilts." Prices start at $800,000 and top out at $6 million.
A full page is dedicated to readers who want to join the Town and Country Board of Advisers. The questionnaire asks your income (over $400,000?), the current market value of your primary residence and wants to know how many additional residences you have (weekend, vacation home, condo, townhouse, apartment, etc.)
Interestingly, the questionnaire doesn't ask how many children you have, if you carpool or recycle your garbage or if you could spot a debutante at 300 yards.
I don't think I've ever seen a debutante, but then I can't be sure. They're not as easy to spot as are cowboys.