Please Don't Feed The Bears

I may have failed to mention it here, but the Handsomest Man Alive and I have been on diets for five weeks. So far, we've been very successful. But I must say that I'd commit some acts of mayhem for a full picnic basket. Ah, well. Who wouldn't?

A Walk In The Woods

This time of year I often romanticize being in the northwoods of Michigan. I love fall. It's my favorite time of year. I love candy corn. I love apples. I love haystacks. I love hayrides. I love pumpkins and gourds and squash. I love Halloween. But sometimes I forget that Southern California is doing its best to put on a show for fall. It's just a lot more subtle than the Maple leaves of the north. Can you believe this photo was taken a mile from my house? I can. I'll be walking up that path tomorrow morning. Yay! And did I mention that there's a gourmet food truck festival in Valencia this weekend? Double yay!

It's Raining Balls Of Yarn

I honestly didn't think I'd have time to post today. It's Monday and it's been a doozy. And then I saw this video. I know it's just a television commercial (but it's from New Zealand.) Some of my favorite videos lately have been commercials. I fell in love with the little piggy who goes 'Wheeeee' all the way home in a Geico ad. And then there was there's the new Honest Abe Geico commercial. But this commercial really hit home, it's probably because I live with a kitten who truly believes that every day is Christmas morning.

A Bright Light In The Darkness

Balloon Fiesta from Michael Salisbury on Vimeo.

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of hope.

Keep Your Eye On The Bird

There was 24 hours last week when Roxy was ready to move along and find another lady to live with. On Friday, an inspector was due to come in and inspect the furnace (yes, I do have one in hotter-than-H-E-double hockey sticks LA) and replace the smoke detector. In order to prepare for the visit, I decided to prevent Roxy from inadvertantly running away from home should the front door be left open by the inspector by putting her in the bathroom before I left for work. Unfortunately, Roxy knows how to open the bathroom door. Or so she thinks...in her jumping attempts to open the door, she locked the door.

I called the HMA on the way to work and he had to come over and find Juan (the lovely maintenance man) and get him to break Roxy out of the slammer. The HMA has a soft spot for Roxy. He called me on the phone and told me that she was quivering when she was released from her confinement. I could read-between-the lines enough to understand that they were both none too happy with me. And then on Saturday, the nice ladies who clean my place showed up with a vacuum cleaner. Roxy hid out between the pillows on the bed until the coast was clear. While she was in hiding, I washed her red sofa blanket. It's no wonder that she spent all day Sunday stretched out in the middle of the living room sleeping in relaxed comfort on her blanket. It's cold, wet and cloudy here in LA...and I've been looking forward to a fire in the fireplace all day. I wonder what Roxy will think of that? I wonder if she'll share her blanket?

Meanwhile, we've been watching a cop show on the A&E network called "The Glades." The main character is very blithe and breezy. At first, I didn't like it -- but the show has grown on me and I'm completely obsessed. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered that the guy playing a Chicago cop who moves to Florida -- is actually Australian. Say what?

It's Like A Whole Different Sex

R.I.P. Tony Curtis -- aka Josephine. I remember seeing him at an appearance before a screening of "Some Like It Hot" at a theatre in downtown Los Angeles. He so enjoyed being a movie star. They started the movie and he wouldn't leave the stage. He was still standing there when his credit came up on the screen at the beginning of the movie. The crowd gave him a standing "O." I've never seen anyone enjoy it more.

Happy Birthday, Betty!

We're sending out best wishes from the west coast to the northwoods. I hope that you're better about sharing your toys than Roxy...but then you know what an only child is like. Hey! Where's the bird?