Legally Blond CopyCat

I found this post because someone tweeted the photo about Reese Witherspoon's 'plaid face plate.' Much to my surprise when I clicked on the link, I discovered they were talking about her iPhone case -- I have the same one. And I love it! It is one of my most prized possessions. The HMA picked it out for me. He said it was very "Nancy Drew." That was all I needed to hear -- wrap it up, I'm taking it home. And now I know that not only is Reese Witherspoon one of my very favorite actresses (and a part-time resident of Ojai), she also has very very good taste. Hazzzah! And just in case you were starting to think that I was the craziest cat lady you know -- the New York Times proves you wrong.

I Want To Be Alone

I spent too much time at home this weekend. That's the word according to Roxy. Usually she looks forward to my company when I get home at night. But at the end of a long weekend, I could tell she was like, "lady you have got to go back to the office because you're driving me nuts." I think everything she does is more adorable than the last and want to get a photographic memory of it. She just wants to get her beauty sleep.

My Little Grass Shack

I thought you might enjoy the view from the front porch of my little grass shack on the north shore of O'ahu. No, I have not recently become a home owner. And no, I'm not currently in Hawai'i. (I've returned to L.A. in body, but not in spirit.) A piece of my heart will always be there. On the first morning that we were in Hawai'i, the HMA and I went exploring. We drove up the coast and rounded the point until we came to the ghost town of Lai'e where we found this beach. It was like something out of all of my favorite movies -- from "Romancing the Stone" to "Jurrasic Park." I couldn't believe I was standing there with the waves lapping at my toes. There was a little creek that ran into the ocean near the beach. On the other side of the creek we could glimpse the roofline of a Japanese-style house nestled into a lush tropical jungle. We were both enchanted by the beach and returned to take photos on our last day on the island. If I was going to build a little grass shack, this is the spot. Have you ever?

On The Sunnyside Up Side Of The Street

It's the day after the primary election here in California. I've been election central for the past 24 hours -- cranking election results out of my living room until after 11:00pm last night. Fortunately, I have two assests. One is a little feline named Roxy who loves to have her people gathered in the living room. She alternates her time between cavorting with her toys, and curling happily into a sleeping donut next to you on the sofa. There is nothing nicer than a sleeping cat. Last night we discovered she snores! My other asset is the Handsomest Man Alive. He enjoys my "work-from-home" election results coverage -- throwing himself into it by yelling numbers from the sofa and manning the controls of the television, flipping from channel to channel for the latest results. Good times.

Sit Down And Say Cheese!

It's Friday. I think that's a really good thing. And I found this video online a couple of days ago that absolutely delighted me. I watched it several times and decided that you might enjoy it too. It will take your mind off of all those horrific photos of oil-covered animals from the Gulf. And while we're on the subject of animals -- I thought this New York Times article was well-done and instructional.

Funky Cold Medina

I'm in a funk today. One that I won't soon be able to shake. There is only one thing that can change my mood -- dancing in the streets. Com'on! Shake your groove thing! We're riding on a grooveline tonight...I'll stop now and let you enjoy the booty shaking treat.

Kiss A Vet

Today while I was out for my morning stroll, seven military prop planes flew overhead in a diamond formation. It was a wonderful reminder that it is Memorial Day. Because this national day of remembrance always falls on a Monday at the end of May, Memorial Day has become a national day of BBQs. It isn't necessarily a bad thing -- especially if you have a secret passion for ribs and potato salad. (That would be me!) Memorial Day weekend has also become the unofficial kick-off of the summer vacation season, as well as the first time you can wear white pants -- according to some. Personally, I try to avoid white pants. I can't wear them and not spill something like red wine or chocolate ice cream on them. But I digress...


A week ago I was at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It's a very sobering experience. Both my dad and stepdad were vets -- but neither were at Pearl Harbor -- and I still found the trip out to the Arizona memorial to be sad and solemn. When the boat arrived at the memorial, we were instructed to stay seated until all the Vets and their families onboard had disembarked. I thought this seemed like the least we could do for these brave soldiers. One of the most poignant parts of the memorial is a small monument near the main memory wall that marks the internment of the soldiers who lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor but requested to spend all of eternity with their brothers on the Arizona. I was glad to see so many people there honoring the memory of the fallen soldiers -- and it wasn't even Memorial Day -- but I think it's even more important to remember to honor the soldiers who are still in harm's way every day in service to their country. They make bravery seem like an everyday kind of thing -- I can't imagine being that courageous every day. I honor them as well on this day of remembrance.