Martin Guerre

In 1996, the writer/composer of my favorite musical Les Misérables debuted a new show in London. It was based on the true story of Martin Guerre (Circa 1548) and although it didn’t rival Les Miz, I immediately bought the CD and fell in love. I was turning 50 and Cassandra asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate my birthday. She suggested a party, but I told her my dream was to fly to London and see Martin Guerre. She said why not? And so, off we went to London.

It was a perfect mini holiday. The play was memorable and afterwards Casey and I went to the stage door where we got to meet the star, Ian Glenn. Once home I sent him a thank you note. Imagine my surprise when a few weeks later I received a postcard from Ian Glen thanking me!

Last week I happened to see an article about the "new" musical Martin Guerre. It was being revived in London after 30 years, just in time for my 80th birthday. Although I won’t be heading off to London, I do get the opportunity to relive the memory. 

That is gift enough.

 

Let's Party

For the last year and a half, I have been making bracelets to give away at protest rallies. After making over 1000 bracelets, I have finally run out of steam…and letters.

I dream of the day when the orange turd departs this world. And no matter what time it is, Tony and I will head down to Victory/Topanga for the party. I will be handing out these bracelets. My very last bracelets to celebrate the end of fascism and the return to democracy.   

 

BOO!

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. Halloween is also my most difficult holiday of the year. Here's why I feel so tortured during this very scary season. 

Whenever I go shopping in the month of October I have to wear blinders. Target is the worst. Last week I made a quick trip to Target and temptation was on every aisle - Halloween ghost plates, Halloween black cat shirts, Halloween skeleton earrings...I think you get the idea. The problem is if I could, I would decorate me and every room in my house – both inside and outside - with bats, goblins and pumpkins. 

But at my age, I just can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on costumes and decorations to use just once a year. So, I just take out my bat sweater and earrings for that one special day of celebration. And we eat Halloween candy. 

Sadly, no one knocks on our door and screams Trick or Treat.  Guess the spirits that roam the earth on October 31st are on a diet!

 

911 Glitter Fire

One of my favorite Halloween memories happened in the late 1970’s. It started innocently enough when I went to get the mail. I opened the mailbox and saw a cardboard mailing tube. Curious, I didn’t wait until I returned to our condo but opened the tube in the entryway. As I did, the tube spewed glitter and black plastic spiders. So many that I literally had to go to my condo, grab a broom and sweep up the Halloween confetti.  

But back to the tube - It was an invite to a costume party given by a friend, and I immediately went into costume mode. I spent weeks searching for 2 fireman costumes which included hats and boots. We looked adorable and the party was amazing. But I do have regrets. I so wish I had at least one photo. 

Think this one will have to do.

There's Never Too Much Love

I love my little 9’ x 12’ backyard shed. Originally, it was my craft studio, but it has morphed into our home gym. Both Tony and I use the treadmill at least 4 times a week. He listens to music while I watch films on Netflix and Amazon. 

The room is filled with my favorite things. Frida, RBG, and of course pictures of Cassandra. Still, I needed just one more thing to make me smile. So, I purchased a small magnetic board where I could post photos. Currently I have 2 of Cassandra with her 2 loves – Sean and Whitney, 1 of Tony with his love - baseball and 1 of me at Yoko Ono’s Art Show, which I loved. 

 

It’s Tap Time - With the Family

Who would ever have thought that little ole me would be tapping my heart out twice a week? It's getting easier and I'm having more fun. To be honest, each lesson is just 30 minutes, and I am taking the easiest class on YouTube. But what matters, is that I am not allowing my age to determine what I can or cannot do. I think The Adams Family, who loved their bizarre hobbies, would have approved of my tapping. 

“So get a witch's shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We're gonna pay a call on
The Addams Family.”

 

The falling leaves drift by the window... Nat King Cole

Fall has always been my favorite season of the year - Halloween, Thanksgiving, flannel pj’s and falling leaves. Growing up, a common Fall ritual was dumping bundles of fallen leaves into garbage cans and setting them on fire. The scent of smokey leaves is still one of my favorite scents. Yes, I knew it was a fire hazard, but I had no idea it was also a health and environmental hazard.

It seems that when galvanized steel heats up, it releases zinc-oxide which can cause a disease called Metal Fume Fever. This condition can result from exposure to the toxic fumes produced during the heating process. Symptoms resemble those of the flu, and typically include muscle aches, chills, nausea and fever.

Eventually burning leaves in garbage cans was banned, but no one can ban my memory.