From Eswatini to Flatbush

The Ezulwini Valley in the Kingdom of Eswatini, a.k.a. Swaziland

I am learning from many sources during my Africa sabbatical, and today's lesson was truly unexpected. On the way to my morning row, I caught -- as I often do -- a few minutes of The New Yorker Radio Hour. From this I learned that the actor Richard E. Grant -- of whom I have been only vaguely aware -- is, like me, somewhat smitten with a certain young entertainer from Flatbush.

No, not that one. She's from Minnesota. The one who is young for a person born a year before my parents were. New Yorker contributor Rachel Syme tells the story of Grant's passion for Barbra in a very geographic way, taking him to Streisand landmarks in New York City and sharing the story of the time he invited her to use his family's home in the Esulwini .  Valley as a retreat from the madding crowd.

Hear the entire charming tale at Dear Barbra, It's Me, Richard E. Grant.