Friday, March 29, 2013
I Think She's Hanff-ish
And I mean that as a compliment. When I saw the woman that Amy Poehler was a sit-com writer, I was thrilled. That's what I wanted to be when I grew up -- I just missed by a little. And by that I mean a mile or two. Irma acts how I've always thought that my hero, Helene Hanff would act like -- if I had ever met her. Helene is my favorite writer ever. And I think Irma sounds like what I imagined Helene would sound like. She even looks like her. And afte watching this interview, she's my hero as well. And did I mention I love Amy Poehler? She rocks. Go sister!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The Age Of Diana
I am fascinated with weddings. I love looking at photos of weddings. I love seeing all of the small tidbits that each bride picked out to wear and to decorate their wedding venue. I've never seen one that wasn't beautiful. And you have to admit, this photo is gorgeous. The horses. The guy in tails and top hat. It's all so very elegant and delicious. It's just exactly how I remember Princess Diana's wedding. When Diana was planning her wedding, she went over the top. And then all of the rest of us did too. We fell in love with the puff-shouldered dress. Even those of us who looked like linebackers in puff shoulder dresses wore them for special moments because we wanted to feel like a princess.
And so I am grateful for several things. First, that I didn't get married in 1982 because I wouldn't have been very selective about the man I married when I was so young. And second, because I would've married in a dress that would've been a (much) cheaper model of the one shown above because I would've wanted to look like Diana on my wedding day. I'm glad I didn't marry until after Kate planned her wedding to William. Kate is a commoner who understands refined understatement. It probably doesn't hurt that her family got rich being party planners either. So when she planned her wedding, she decorated Westminster Abbey with trees and walked down the aisle in a simple lace dress. She saved me from being a puffy sleeved disaster.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Winter Is Over
It's been really cold in southern California. And by really cold, we mean that we've had to wear coats over our sweaters. Cold is weather in the 30s here. It's not cold enough or likely to snow. And we won't ever be able to match the negative numbers that cities like Minneapolis and Fargo wake up to every morning for month after month. But the one thing we can do is complain about the cold snap just as loudly as they would in the northern climes.
How cold was it in LA? I refused to have dinner on the patio at our favorite restaurant one night. Sure, the heaters there made it feel just was warm as a summer's night, but since I came to the restaurant wrapped up in my winter coat, I wasn't about to eat dinner or sip red wine outside. I wore my Uggs to work several days in a row. And I used the cold and dark night for an excuse not to exercise several nights in a row.
Unfortunately, winter is now over in SoCal. The days are getting longer. It's light out almost until 5pm now -- which gives me plenty of time to exercise outside. And it's going up to 80 today. So I can walk in the sunshine and enjoy the roses that are about to bloom. I also no longer have an excuse to sip red wine and will need to get back on my diet in order to lose weight now that sweater season is officially over.
It was fun while it lasted.
How cold was it in LA? I refused to have dinner on the patio at our favorite restaurant one night. Sure, the heaters there made it feel just was warm as a summer's night, but since I came to the restaurant wrapped up in my winter coat, I wasn't about to eat dinner or sip red wine outside. I wore my Uggs to work several days in a row. And I used the cold and dark night for an excuse not to exercise several nights in a row.
Unfortunately, winter is now over in SoCal. The days are getting longer. It's light out almost until 5pm now -- which gives me plenty of time to exercise outside. And it's going up to 80 today. So I can walk in the sunshine and enjoy the roses that are about to bloom. I also no longer have an excuse to sip red wine and will need to get back on my diet in order to lose weight now that sweater season is officially over.
It was fun while it lasted.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Starting Here, Starting Now
So here we are starting another year...and since this year ends with a three, I know that I'm going to be having an "Oh" birthday in October.
Oh no!
At the start of each year, I've always tried to set some goals for myself. Last year they were all about my writing. I wanted to finish a novel and start something new and go to the writer's conferences and pitch my book. I did all that and yet when I look back on last year I think that it was all about different things. Starting a new job, traveling for work, getting married...none of those activities had anything to do with being a professional writer.
And so as we start another year, I wonder if I should set goals in other parts of my life in order to make certain that I will work on my writing this year. I've always wanted to be a writer, and yet it's the one part of my life, the one part of my daydreams that I pay the least attention to.
So I've been having a hard time trying to decide what to do and what kind of goals to set. And while I've been standing here unable to make a decision, an entire week has gone by. I've got to get a list. I've got to set some goals. But in the time I take to do that, I could be writing...
Hmmmm......
This could take a while.
Oh no!
At the start of each year, I've always tried to set some goals for myself. Last year they were all about my writing. I wanted to finish a novel and start something new and go to the writer's conferences and pitch my book. I did all that and yet when I look back on last year I think that it was all about different things. Starting a new job, traveling for work, getting married...none of those activities had anything to do with being a professional writer.
And so as we start another year, I wonder if I should set goals in other parts of my life in order to make certain that I will work on my writing this year. I've always wanted to be a writer, and yet it's the one part of my life, the one part of my daydreams that I pay the least attention to.
So I've been having a hard time trying to decide what to do and what kind of goals to set. And while I've been standing here unable to make a decision, an entire week has gone by. I've got to get a list. I've got to set some goals. But in the time I take to do that, I could be writing...
Hmmmm......
This could take a while.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Acts Of Kindness Harder Than You Think
I was horrified when I heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. The first thoughts that flashed through my mind after I heard the news were for the parents. The moms who had probably already purchased and wrapped presents "from Santa" and had them hidden in closets throughout their home for children who would not be there on Christmas morning. I can't imagine their sorrow.
The tragedy hit close to home because my husband grew up in Newtown, CT. I had heard him talk about Newtown. It was idyllic. He had recently visited his childhood home. He showed me photos. His precious memories of Newtown are different from how most of us will remember it now.
I was disgusted every time I heard a newscaster talk about the "26 people murdered" in Newtown. Tell the truth, I thought. They were all babies. Even the teachers who protected those little souls were mostly in their twenties -- their heartbroken parents also in mourning for them.
I felt so hopeless and outraged that such an act could happen -- and so helpless. So I took on the challenge to commit 26 acts of kindness in honor of those precious angels who lost their lives. I'm sorry to say that as of now I'm only up to fourteen. Turns out I'm not very kind. Or this being kind thing is a lot harder than it looks. I'd also like to add in my defense that I'm not prepared to be kind. I don't carry cash with me, and I don't often go to Starbuck's where I could purchase a cup of coffee for the person behind me in line.
I have bought meals for the local food pantry. I've given change to a lady at the hair salon who didn't have enough to pay her bill. I've bought a bale of hay for the local animal shelter and contributed money for homeless pets. I've also given money to the homeless man outside of Vons and a kid selling candy in front of the mall. Still, it doesn't all add up to 26 acts of kindness.
I will not be deterred. I guess it's going to take me a little more time. I thought I could complete all 26 acts by the end of the holidays. But I'm going to need until the end of January. I want to honor each and every one of those angels. It is the very least I can do. Until then, can I buy you a cup of coffee?
The tragedy hit close to home because my husband grew up in Newtown, CT. I had heard him talk about Newtown. It was idyllic. He had recently visited his childhood home. He showed me photos. His precious memories of Newtown are different from how most of us will remember it now.
I was disgusted every time I heard a newscaster talk about the "26 people murdered" in Newtown. Tell the truth, I thought. They were all babies. Even the teachers who protected those little souls were mostly in their twenties -- their heartbroken parents also in mourning for them.
I felt so hopeless and outraged that such an act could happen -- and so helpless. So I took on the challenge to commit 26 acts of kindness in honor of those precious angels who lost their lives. I'm sorry to say that as of now I'm only up to fourteen. Turns out I'm not very kind. Or this being kind thing is a lot harder than it looks. I'd also like to add in my defense that I'm not prepared to be kind. I don't carry cash with me, and I don't often go to Starbuck's where I could purchase a cup of coffee for the person behind me in line.
I have bought meals for the local food pantry. I've given change to a lady at the hair salon who didn't have enough to pay her bill. I've bought a bale of hay for the local animal shelter and contributed money for homeless pets. I've also given money to the homeless man outside of Vons and a kid selling candy in front of the mall. Still, it doesn't all add up to 26 acts of kindness.
I will not be deterred. I guess it's going to take me a little more time. I thought I could complete all 26 acts by the end of the holidays. But I'm going to need until the end of January. I want to honor each and every one of those angels. It is the very least I can do. Until then, can I buy you a cup of coffee?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Have A Little Faith In Me
For my birthday, my BFF put a book on my Kindle called "Mr. Churchill's Secretary." She described it to me as "WW II Nancy Drew battles Nazis" -- so what's not to like? And I have to say so far, I am not disappointed. It is a delicious read. So delicious, in fact, that I got up before 6am this morning to feed the cats (what I like to call "doing the cat rodeo") make a cup of tea and return to be to indulge myself in another chapter. Of course, I am fascinated enough with the deliciousness of the book that I've been doing a little research about the author -- Susan Elia MacNeal -- who it turns out is a total smarty pants who has a wonderful literate education -- so it's no wonder that she's created such a delightful book. And a brief peek at her blog lead me to believe that she is a kindred spirit. Especially when it comes to matters most feline. No need to wonder what I'll be doing tomorrow morning before dawn. No calls please, I'm reading...
Thursday, October 18, 2012
A Good Dog
It's that time of year. There are too many rescue animals who need forever homes. It's time to start thinking about adopting for the holidays. And Duke is just another reason why your home should have a pet.
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