Broadway Memories Part Two

You may not know his name, but bet you are familiar with his most famous Musical – Wicked. According to Wikipedia, "Stephen Schwartz is one of the most successful Broadway and film composer/lyricists of his generation."

Back in 2014 I was in NYC to visit my daughter. We were meeting at a bistro called Chez Josephine, which is named after the famous singer/dancer Josephine Baker. I was pleasantly surprised when Jean-Claude Baker, Josephine Baker's son, greeted me at the door.

We chatted a bit and I shared that my daughter and I were here to see the revival of Pippin. He then asked if I would like to meet the lyricist and composer of Pippin, Stephen Schwartz. I immediately said yes, not knowing he was sitting at a table by himself, just a few feet from where I was standing.

After the introduction he asked me to sit down. I am pretty sure it was because he was afraid I might faint. I gushed, he smiled and it was a magical Broadway moment I will never forget.

 Broadway Memories Part One

In the early sixties, I was part of a group of girls who would head off to NYC every Saturday to see Broadway shows. It’s hard to believe now, but back then you could purchase a standing room ticket for $3.50.

After the show you would find us at the stage door waiting for the stars to emerge. We were all excited after seeing “How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying” to see the star of the show Robert Morse, exit with an older man with glasses. I got Robert Morse’s autograph and then asked the bespectacled older man if I could have his autograph. I gushed (what can I say, I’m a gusher) that he was wonderful in the play. He immediately looked over at Robert Morse and together they laughed. It seemed odd because I hadn’t said anything funny, but I was so thrilled to have captured two autographs that I didn't give it another thought. 

That is, until we were comfortably seated on the bus heading back home to Elizabeth, NJ. As I gazed through the Playbill (the show program) I couldn’t find a photo of the older man. Then I saw it. He wasn’t IN the show, but he was a star. He was the writer of the play, Abe Burrows, and had won a Pulitzer Prize for the book.

I have experienced many embarrassing moments in my life, but this is the only one that still makes me chuckle. I made both Robert Morse and Abe Burrows laugh. Out loud. I was a comedian, not just a naive girl from Jersey!

 

At the End of the Rainbow

Public Safety Alert - City of Los Angeles Emergency Alert: The National Weather Service has forecast that a major storm will impact the City of Los Angeles beginning Monday, February 16, and is expected to receive 2-4 inches of rain. Get ready for the storm and take extra precautions during the rain.

I have 4 umbrellas, one raincoat and we have moved the newly painted chairs, new cushions and new table umbrella into the garage for safe keeping. Now it's time to think about the end game. The rainbow. 

In 2012 a video of Katy Perry popped up on my YouTube feed. It was from a charity event called “Night of Too Many Stars”, hosted by Jon Stewart. Proceeds of this event went toward autism programs in schools and services all over the country. Katy Perry sang "Firework" and was accompanied by Jodi DiPiazza, an eleven-year-old music prodigy who just happens to have autism. Sorry Katy, it was Jodi who was the star.

Since first seeing that video, I have followed Jodi on YouTube. Just recently a new video of hers appeared on my YouTube feed. Jodi has grown up and is a beautiful young lady. But what made the video so very special is the song she wrote – "At the End of the Rainbow".  

Jodi, YOU are the rainbow. 

Remember someone you loved

When I saw the kit for the Heart Basket pictured above, I just had to give basket making a try. Over the years I have crafted hundreds of things – from quilts to jewelry - and have had no trouble selling or giving them away.

But this basket ain’t going anywhere. I take it out just once a year. Can you guess which holiday I commemorate? Yep, it’s my Valentines Day Basket.

This year I am doing something different with my sweet basket. Instead of filling it with candy, it will have just a slip of paper. On it will be the name of a loved one I have lost all contact with. For 2026 it will be Susan Roller. She was my college best friend, and I remember her joy for life, her talent and her beauty. 

Happy Valentine's Day Susan.

 

ebay vs. Marketplace

I currently have 3 items for sale on ebay and 4 on Facebook Marketplace. Both sites drive me bonkers. However, I seem to have a short memory, because when I sell an item from either site, I seem to forget all the hassle I went through to make the sale.

There are similarities. For both I need to take a photo and write up a description for the listing. But that’s where it ends. Let's compare.

Marketplace

PROS

1. No shipping.

2. No commission. 

3. Get paid in cash.

CONS

1. The endless messaging from perspective buyers.

2. The bargaining – sometimes it’s just $5 but often it’s ridiculously higher.

3. The countless no shows – last guy said he would be here at noon. Then he revised it to 2. Then 3. Then 4. Then he never showed up!

ebay

PROS

1. I can charge more $.

2. No endless bargaining.

CONS

1. I have to pay a commission to ebay.

2. I have to pack the item for shipping, which means I also need to purchase shipping supplies.

3. I have to drive to the post office – granted it’s just a mile, but even so.

4. Frequent extra shipping costs - because I usually or rather often underestimate the cost to mail.

Not even close. Hands down, Facebook Marketplace for the win.

 

They Made It!

I’ve always had an affinity with peace. That’s why my one and only email has always been peacenpassion@yahoo.com. When I heard about the 19 Buddhist monks and their rescue dog, Aloka, walking from Fort Worth Texas to Washington, D.C. I was impressed but not surprised. Buddhist Monks are known for devoting their lives to peace and compassion. In these trying times we need more monks, not ice agents.

What a week – Bad Bunny and his message of Love and the Buddhist monks with their message of peace. Mr. Rodgers said it best – look for the helpers. 

Extraordinary people are all around us.

 

No Explanation Needed

Pre-covid I usually went to the gym 3 times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And, because Trader Joe’s was just steps away in the same shopping mall, I would do all my shopping during the week.

Then Covid hit. No more gym and no more Trader Joe’s. Originally, we used Instacart, but after a few months Trader Joe’s opened from 8-9 AM for senior shoppers. Armed with a weekly shopping list, rubber gloves and masks, we were usually the first in store and first finished with our shopping.

Over the years, even though the threat of covid had vastly diminished, we continued our once-a-week shopping trip. We chose Sunday as our shopping day and as before, we were usually the first in store and the first finished with our shopping. It was just a habit, not a necessity.

I didn’t think much about our routine until recently. Although I was no longer a gym rat, I was now out and about several times a week and was shopping not only at Trader Joe’s, but Sprouts, Ralphs and even Whole Foods.

Then a miracle happened. This past Sunday I awoke to see the heavens open, and I heard the angels sing. I finally realized that we didn’t need to shop anymore on Sundays. My trips during the week gave us a full fridge and pantry. Sundays are now officially Pajama Day. 

Amen.