Only Days Away

Mr. Vande Velde, front right, trains for tight conditions.
Franca Pedrazzetti for The New York Times
NYTimes.com
The 2008 Tour de France starts on Saturday, July 5th.

FAREWELL SWEET TASHA

Beloved children's book illustrator, doll maker and gardener Tasha Tudor died on Wednesday at her home in Marlboro, Vt. She was 92.
NYTimes.com

Tasha Tudor's home and beautiful garden in Vermont. When I lived on my three small acres in Virginia I always dreamed of a life like Tasha's. It wouldn't have been an easy life to follow, as she milked goats, spun wool and cotton. and hand dipped her candles for her home, but it would have been full. She will be missed by her family, friends, and most of all her readers and all the admirers of her life.

A LIVESTRONG LOVELIFE

MOVING FAST Lance Armstrong, with Kate Hudson on the handlebars, and, from left, Tory Burch, Ashley Olsen and Sheryl Crow.
Illustration by Stephen Kroninger; Photographs, From Left, by Charley Gallay/Getty Images; Peter Kramer/Associated Press; Chris Pizzello/Associated Press; Lucas Jackson/Reuters; Dave Hogan/Getty Images

FUNNY!!
NYTimes.com