Father, I Can Not Tell a Lie: I Cut the Tree

The cherry tree myth is one of the oldest and best-known legends about George Washington. In the original story, when Washington was six years old, he received a hatchet as a gift and damaged his father’s cherry tree with it. 

In a strange way this story was a part of my childhood. Growing up we had a large cherry tree near our garage. Once a year, one of our neighbors would drag over a ladder, pick a load of cherries and then bake yummy cherry pies.  We always got the first pie and it was delicious. 

I just went on Google Earth to look at my childhood home. I am sad to report that the cherry tree is gone. Guess the ghost of George Washington cut it down. 

 

Hillside Road

It seems the older I get, the less brave I am. For example, I absolutely hate being a passenger when the driver (Tony) is speeding, as he usually does. I tend to close my eyes and hope for the best. But despite my fear of speeding, as a child I loved sledding down Hillside Road after a winter snowfall. The faster the better. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I was never a brave child. But I do recall my mother shared that as a toddler they actually had to tie me to the crib because I used to crawl out when no one was looking. I wish I could recapture that brevity, but alas at least I have the memory.

 

Geraniums symbolize Friendship, Protection and Happiness

For the last 10 + years we have had white azaleas in the front yard. Azaleas are nice flowers, but they never added anything to our mid-century ranch. Recently a memory from my childhood resurfaced and I recalled how much my mother loved the geraniums that grew on the side of our house. I asked Raoul, our gardener, if geraniums would do well in place of the azaleas and he enthusiastically said YES! The front yard would be the perfect spot to grow geraniums.

That is, until he planted 4 tiny pots of geraniums. I was so disappointed because they looked so lonely and I lamented how they would never look as good as my memory.

And then as if by magic, they started to grow and filled the front lawn with vibrant coral/red flowers. The memory is now perfect.  

A gift from Cassandra

Life is not made of the number of breaths we take, but of the moments that take our breath away.

SOURCE UNKNOWN

Our true home is the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment.

THICH NHAT HANH

My favorite piece of music is the one we hear all the time if we are quiet.

JOHN CAGE

You and I are flesh and blood, but we are also stardust.

HELENA CURTIS

 

Start Spreading the News

Every New Year’s Eve at 9:00 PM PST, Tony and I watch the ball drop in Times Square. After a quick kiss we attempt to dance to NY NY. I never tire of our ritual and as we sip our prosecco we laugh and dream about the upcoming year. Will we finally get rid of the orange turd? Can we plan for a future where equality matters? It’s a bit early to celebrate 2027, but not to early to plan my trip to NY. I’m ready. Set. Let’s GO!! 

 

Three strikes and you’re out!

I was never a big fan of the Dodger Baseball team. What happened last Thursday confirmed my decision not to support the team. The Dodgers went to the White House to celebrate their 2025 World Series Win, and the owners of the team gifted the OT* a world series ring, jersey and hat. All the players who attended smiled at the cameras and shook hands with the OT*. However, there were three brave players who chose not to attend.

Introducing my new favorite baseball players - Kike Hernandez, Mookie Betts and Edgardo Henriquez. They had the courage to stand up for democracy and not bow down to the OT*.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

*OT Orange Turd

 

Aunt Jean’s Gift #1

When my wonderful Aunt Jean at 90+ young decided to move to a retirement home, she began giving away some of her beloved belongings. Because she and Tony shared a deep love of martinis, the first gift she gave me was a martini glass for Tony. She didn’t remember who had given it to her, but whoever had, obviously knew her well.

At the time, nearly 10 years ago, I was a wine drinker. If I ever indulged in a martini, it was a Lemon Drop. And then as if by magic, everything changed a year ago when I tasted an Espresso Martini. Indescribably delicious. I will admit that I did steal Aunt Jean's martini glass from Tony. In my defense it wasn't entirely my fault. I blame the crime on Trader Joe’s for selling $10 bottles of pre-mixed Espresso Martinis. 

Yes, I love the martini glass, but the best gift she gave us was her love. We miss her.

Life is a journey enjoy the ride

In the 62 years that I have been driving, I have owned nine cars. My first car was a 1964 Ford convertible and my last/current one a 2007 black hatchback Yaris. I’ve never been a car aficionado, but there is one car that I always dreamed of owning - a vintage Volkswagen van. For me the van, decorated with flower decals, will always be the quintessential symbol of the 1960’s - an era that celebrated the ideals of peace and love forever. I will admit that I was never a true hippie. Rather just a pseudo hippie, but despite my advanced age, inside I still feel that calling of nature and harmony.

I know I will never own a VW hippie van, so last night I came up with the brilliant idea to transform my Yaris into a hippie car. And how to do that? Why just order a packet of daisy decal stickers. My goal is to decorate my Yaris to resemble a real hippie car.

When I told Tony my plan he immediately broke out in song – "If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair…"

Ummm, to complete the picture, maybe I also need a flower for my hair?

 

 

Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!

During the day, seeing squirrels in the backyard is the norm. It is only at night when the wild animals visit. No, not lions, tigers and bears but skunks, racoons and one very friendly black cat.

But, over the last week or so, we have seen three very young and very happy skunks playing in the backyard as if it was recess in the school playground. The very next day, one very large racoon, we assume was the mama, and 2 smaller racoons decided to explore our backyard for a late afternoon snack. And of course, the black cat who stops by every day, his/her favorite spot being under the lemon tree for a nice long snooze fest.

According to AI, during the summer wild animals are more active during the day due to longer daylight hours and warmer temps. I humbly disagree. I think they just wanted to say hello. 

 

Puttin on the Ritz

I’ve decided to visit London’s Ritz Hotel instead of Oz. I tried to Dance Tap through Life, but life is hard enough wearing tennis shoes, no less tap shoes.  Just a bit of searching on You Tube and I found a beginner Puttin on the Ritz tap class. Less challenging, but oh so much more fun. I ain’t no Ginger Rodgers, but I’m proud that at 79 ½, I am learning how to tap dance.

 

"Ode to a Lemon" by Pablo Neruda 

A poem that explores the beauty and significance of a lemon, using rich imagery to convey deeper meanings about nature and life.

The freezer is stocked full with lemon loaf, lemon brownies and lemon ice cubes. Since the lemon tree is currently overproducing, I am always seeking new ways to use my favorite fruit. 

Some of the more interesting ways I found on the web include: 

•  Freshen your fridge by placing lemon halves inside
•  Clean cutting boards by rubbing with lemon
•  Deodorize garbage disposals with lemon peels
•  Use lemon juice to remove stains from fabrics
•  Mix with baking soda for a natural cleaner
•  Brighten dull aluminum cookware with lemon
•  Freshen laundry by adding lemon juice
•  Clean glass surfaces for a streak-free shine
•  Apply lemon juice to lighten dark spots on skin
•  Use lemon peels to repel pests in the garden

I can get behind some of these, but waste a precious lemon to kill some bugs? No way. Ummm, might be time for a Lemon Drop Martini. I think Pablo would agree. 

 

DOLLAR TREE SHOPPING LIST

1. Two One pail for the garden

2. Two tubes of Creamy Petroleum Jelly

3. Two bottles of Comet Classic All Purpose Cleaner

4. One bottle of Liquid Bleach

5. One Two small + one large glass bowls for storage

6. Any/all colors of Essie Nail Polish

My list was ready, and I was one of the first customers when the store opened on July 1st at 8:00 AM. Didn't find everything, but that didn't matter. It felt wonderful shopping at the $1.00  $1.25-$1.50 TREE.

 

No Spend June Update

I only made it to June 13th. But in my defense, it wasn’t my fault. I repeat – it wasn’t my fault. Obviously, Old Navy heard about my No Spend June and took it as a challenge.

This is how they did it. I had been looking for new sleep shirts to be purchased on July 1, 2026. They had to be blue, and they had to have great graphics, preferably NYC. And, most importantly, they had to be on sale.

Regularly $16.99, now $6.00 each! Should I break my No Spend June? I went to my financial advisor, Tony, and we discussed the pros and cons. Bottom line, Old Navy won.

 

YoKo OnO 

It was a perfect day. Sunday Brunch at Massilia's and then off to The Broad for the Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind exhibition.  

I was always under the assumption that Yoko wasn't really a talented artist in her own right. Yoko, please accept my apologies. She is one fabulously talented woman. Highly educated and although I don't always understand conceptual art, I do appreciate her gift of expression.  

Let me try and explain the above photo. Part of the interactive exhibit was for visitors to nail something (?) onto the exhibit board. There were notes, receipts, dollar bills and just random odds and ends. One of the suggestions was to wrap a strand of hair onto a nail. Hence the photo of me pulling out my hair. Not out of intense frustration, but as a piece of art.  

 

Lost and Found

In the last years of her life, I was in charge of my mother's care. After I moved her out of her condo and into a care facility, I sold her condo. I divided the contents of the condo between my sisters and I and then sold/donated what was left. One thing I kept was her vintage jewelry box filled with costume jewelry from the 50’s.

There was so much chaos in cleaning out the condo that somehow the jewelry box of costume jewelry never made it to my townhouse. I didn’t care about most of the jewelry but there was a set of bunny pins, that I never saw my mother wear but that I loved dearly. I never knew whether she had bought them herself or if they were a gift, but she kept them for years, so I assumed they were special to her.

The other day I randomly thought about the pins so went on Ebay and there it was. Vintage Rhinestone Rabbit Bunny Head Brooch Pin Prong Set Costume Jewelry 1950’s. Did I buy it? No. But I had a lovely visit with a long-lost friend.

 Fridge Tour?

Happened upon a new thing for me on "YouTube" - refrigerator tours. I did wonder if these videos were real life or just pretend because most had perfectly organized shelves with matching containers full of freshly washed fruit/veggies. Everything was in clear containers, some even labeled. A few pertinent questions, why would a clear container filled with identical yogurt cups need a label and why are there never any half-filled bottles?

For us, the contents and order of our fridge depend upon the day. I typically shop on Sunday morning, and by Sunday afternoon every shelf of the fridge is filled and somewhat (?) orderly. By Wednesday the fridge is a bit messy and by Saturday it’s nearly empty.

After pondering it a bit, I think I’d be open to tours on Monday morning. Starting at 9:00AM. Wanna sign up?

UPDATE: Due to circumstances beyond my control (lack of interest), all tours of our fridge have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

 

Truth Stranger Than Fiction

The other day I happened upon a list by Rotten Tomatoes of their top 50 films of all time. I wondered if any of mine were on the list, so I scrolled and scrolled until I almost reached the bottom and there it was - number 47 - Spotlight.

Spotlight, with a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, is on MY top 5 list of favorite movies. I have it taped and I watch it several times a year. It never ceases to amaze me that a group of dedicated people from the Boston Globe managed to uncover a secret decades-long coverup of widespread and systemic child sex abuse by numerous priests of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.

The acting, the passion, and the horror this film portrays is gut wrenching. It took years for the truth to emerge, but in the end, it did. Obviously, pedophiles still exist. (White House) And cover-ups continue. (Epstein Files) When will it ever end?

 22 Year and Counting

Traditional gifts for the 22nd wedding anniversary are typically made of copper, symbolizing durability and flexibility. Two characteristics of a long-lasting marriage.

Since I am currently on my "No Spend June," I couldn’t take the easy route and go shopping for an Anniversary gift. But hey, I’m a crafty gal and open to the challenge. Can I make something that would celebrate our marriage at zero cost?

I started by searching for 22 copper pennies. Found them. Next, I had to clean them with vinegar, salt and water. Done. Lastly, make an Anniversary Card.

PS. Tony loved the gift, and we celebrated at North Italia - pizza plus a Lemon Drop Martini for me and a Dirty Martini for Tony. A perfectly delicious afternoon!

Ain't She Sweet

For close to ten years, I worked at the Motion Picture & Television Fund. I liked the job but was never passionate about the organization.

However, one thing I did love was working for/with my boss Andrea. She was a very special person, and I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to know her. She always made me feel as if I had the ability to reach the stars. She also had the talent of asking people questions and then listening, as if what they said was important.

We have lost contact, but I occasionally see her post a photo, so I know she is doing well. That makes me smile.

 

Another reason to support Minnesota

I never tasted an avocado or dinned on Mexican cuisine until I moved to LA in the 70’s. I remember my first Mexican meal. After just one bite I was hooked, line and sinker. Where have you been all my life?

A few years ago, I heard about Taco Tuesday. I found out that the phrase became popular in 1989 when Taco John’s, a restaurant chain in Wyoming, began using it to attract customers on typically slow Tuesdays.

A lot has changed since then. They currently have almost 400 restaurants in the Midwest, and their headquarters are located in Minnesota!

I have tried endless times to make tacos, but the shells drive me crazy. They just fall apart so easily that I always served Tacos with a fork. Which got me thinking. How about a deconstructed taco? So, I invented Taco Tuesday Salad. Iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, tofu sprinkled with taco sauce, corn, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes all topped with a generous serving of guacamole.

I know, I know it’s not original but damn, it is so DELICIOSA!

 

You Can Try, But You Can't Break My Spirit

I am officially onto my 9th week of healing from my proximal humerus break. I still can’t use roll on deodorant without a ton of pain, but it seems every week there are definite improvements.

I no longer wake up during the night in pain, so it’s farewell for the need of ice packs. I am also now able to lie on my side and sleep. Granted just for short periods of time, but hey, that is a win. Lastly and more importantly, I no longer need pain pills.

I wish I could say that every week I saw improvement. Not so. However, I am healing. And that is a Mastercard Moment.

 

NO SPEND JUNE

A no spend month is a financial challenge where you commit to eliminating all non-essential purchases for (choose one) 28/29/30/31 days to reset your spending habits.

By focusing on core necessities, you can effectively curb impulse buys (Dollar Tree/Amazon) and build financial discipline while identifying areas where your money often disappears on items you do not truly need. (You mean I didn't need that new cactus purse charm?) WRONG!!

 

 

The other day Tony asked me if I wanted him to pick more lemons...the rest is history. Introducing Traditional British Lemon Curd!

Ingredients

3 large lemons (zest and juice)

¾ cup sugar

3 eggs

½ cup butter (cut into small pieces)


Directions

Step 1 – Prepare the Lemon Mixture

In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs.

Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Step 2 – Cook the Curd

Place the saucepan over low heat.

Stir continuously as the mixture begins to thicken.

Add the butter pieces gradually while stirring.

Continue cooking until the curd coats the back of a spoon.

Step 3 – Strain and Cool

Remove from heat.

Strain the curd through a fine sieve for a smooth texture.

Pour into a jar and allow it to cool before refrigerating.

 

TWO 79 YEAR OLDS GO ON A DATE

We don't go to the movies often, so when we do I give a silent prayer that the flick is worth the time and money. BINGO! The Sheep Detectives was wonderful! We topped the day off with a Lemon Martini and Italian Chocolate. Who needs to go to Italy? Not us :-)

 

TAP DANCE UPDATE

Let's Do the Time Warp Again ✔

I am proud to report that despite a broken arm I aced the 3-minute routine. To celebrate the occasion, I purchased a pair of Rocky Horror Picture Show Socks to go with my Time Warp t-shirt. 

Excited to start my next routine. Dancing Tapping Through Life. 

Lemon Brownies

INGREDIENTS

3 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

lemon zest from 2-3 lemons

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp unsalted butter

1/3 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup flour

2 + 1/2 tbsp lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt butter & white chocolate chips in microwave. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, add sugar, eggs, lemon zest. Whisk. 

3. Add melted butter/chocolate to the egg mixture. Whisk.

4. Sift flour into the batter and add lemon juice. Whisk.

5. Transfer the batter into lined/greased 8x8" pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

6. Cool on wire rack.

LEMON GLAZE

1 cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar

2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

7. Combine lemon glaze ingredients and glaze evenly over brownies. 

8. Allow the glaze to harden.

SLICE & ENJOY!!

 

The Three Bears

A few months ago, Miriam Webster's word of the day was Goldilocks.  I was surprised to read that Goldilocks is a noun - a person with golden hair - and not just the name of the 3 bears nemesis. Goldilocks is also part of the email address of my cousin Ellen Betty, who was born just a few weeks after my birth.

My childhood is filled with memories of the two of us. Getting into trouble. Laughing. Dancing. And always wishing we were more than cousins. We wanted to be sisters.

We have lost contact and although I have tried several times to reconnect, Ellen Betty was never ready. Now at 79 I don’t hold on to the hope that she will ever be ready. So, instead of feeling sad, I savor the happiness I feel knowing we got to spend our childhood together.

 

WEIRD?

When I was around 13 my parents gifted me a bedroom redo. I remember going with my mother to a large furniture store in Newark, NJ to pick out new bedroom furniture. The store was owned by the Schaffer family, and my mother and Mrs. Schaffer, who worked at the store, immediately hit it off and became good friends.

The Schaffers had one child, a son named Bill who was brilliant, but a bit weird. Since I was also a bit weird, we quickly bonded. We used to talk on the phone, and I remember one night he asked me what my favorite word was. Back then it was witticism - a cleverly witty and often biting or ironic remark. I loved the way it sounded and of course loved the meaning.

Looking back, I wonder how normal it was to have a favorite word. Favorite song, yes. Favorite color, favorite movie star, even favorite food, but favorite word?

Although I don’t have the gift of verbal dexterity, since January I have subscribed to Merriam Webster so every day I receive an email with the new Word of the Day.

Told you, I’m weird.

 

Remarkably Bright Creatures

A couple of weeks ago, I saw the trailer for Remarkably Bright Creatures. I was immediately hooked, line and sinker. Since the film wouldn’t be out for a week, I wasted no time and purchased the book on Kindle. The book was delightful and I was halfway through when the film was released on Netflix.

I assumed the film would be as good if not better than the book, but I was wrong. It lacked the character development of the novel and felt a bit flat for me. But what I missed most were the wonderful soliloquies of Marcellus the octopus.

Octopuses are such intelligent characters, and I just hope viewers who loved the film take the time to read the book. I promise, you'll be glad you did!

BTW my favorite octopus is Cassandra Rosebeetle – photo above.

 

 

Beach Therapy

Beach books are usually light, engaging novels that are easy to read while relaxing by the water. I am definitely not at the beach, but figured a light, engaging novel is just what the doctor ordered while I recuperate from my accident.

My first read was Yesteryear and although I was at first hesitant to spend $15 for the Kindle version, I bit the bullet because the reviews were really good. The book was a fast read and for that I was thankful because the story was neither believable nor memorable. The writing was okay, but the ending was bizarre. Worth the price? Definitely Not. Would I recommend it? Definitely not.

#2 was The Love of My Afterlife and it cost me $2.00. Yes, the price was better, but it was just plain awful, like a very bad romantic movie on Hallmark. Not deterred, I went on the hunt for an inexpensive Beach Book that was well written and could capture my heart.

#3 We are Not Like Them. Cost was just $.49 and I literally could not put the Kindle down. The novel told the story of two lifelong friends - one white and one black. It explored important themes through social commentary and believable relationships. Five Stars *****

This unscientific experiment proves you get what you pay for ain’t always true!

 

Dreams Do Come True

Because it wasn’t commonplace in the 80's to have an ultrasound when you were pregnant, I had no idea if I was carrying a boy or a girl. It was no secret that I dreamed of having a blond-haired blue-eyed baby girl, but no one knew how scared I was that my dream wouldn't come true.

It’s not something I’m proud of, but my fear was I wouldn’t be able to love a baby boy. I carried my deep dark secret the entire pregnancy as I did everything possible to prepare for the birth of a boy. His name was to be Daivid. We painted the nursery a pale yellow and I knitted an aqua sweater and bonnet to take him home from the hospital.

Forty-six years later, I can close my eyes and still hear the doctor say, “Congratulations, you have a daughter.” My dream came true at 2:34 PM when Cassandra was born.

 

Mets - 5 

Angels - 1

My very first baseball game was a double header at Shea stadium in 1964. What I cherish about the day was that although most of us in the bleachers were strangers, we sang together, we cheered together and for a few hours we were the best of friends. That was the day I fell in love with the Mets.

This past Sunday we went to Angel Stadium for a duel between the Angels and the Mets. They Mets have been having a not so good season so far, but I had faith they could make a huge comeback from a very bad April.

I had a hard time clapping every time they hit a homer, but pain be dammed.

                            E. E. Cummings

                            Poems

                            1923-1954

42

love is more thicker than forget

more thinner than recall

more seldom than a wave is wet

more frequent than to fail

it is most mad and moonly

and less it shall unbe

than all the sea which only

is deeper than the sea

love is less always than to win

less never than alive

less bigger than the least begin

less littler than forgive

it is most sane and sunly

and more it cannot die

than all the sky which only 

is higher than the sky

 

Maud Lewis

Back in the 70's, I had a friend named Henry. He was a sweet guy whose hobby was creating folk art paintings. No shading and very simple stick figures, but oh so pure and innocent. I wish I had his talent but no matter how many times I tried, my paintings never resembled his.

Fast forward 20+ years and by chance I discovered Maud Lewis. A Canadian folk artist, her life was like a novel. Disabled and a life filled with poverty and heartbreak, but she never gave up. In 2017 one of my favorite actresses Sally Hawkins starred in the film Maudie. It is one of my top ten movies of all time which is fitting since Maud Harris is also one of my top ten favorite artists.

Back in 2025 one of my goals was to complete several paint-by-number kits. I painted Frida, RBG and retro Volkswagen bus. Mission accomplished, but I was left with close to 50 small tubs of paint. Then I happened upon a few tiny canvases on easels for just $1.25 each at the Dollar Tree. Kismet. 

My new goal is to copy a Maud Lewis painting with just a tad bit of EllenB flair. Wish me luck!

 

“I paint flowers so they never die.”

I discovered Frida Kahlo in the 1970's. It wasn’t just her art that fascinated me, but her life story. She endured endless physical pain and yet she transformed her suffering into extraordinary art. At close to $55 million, she holds the record for the highest amount paid for any artwork by a female artist.

I went to the Frida Kahlo Immersive Experience when it came to Los Angeles. One thing I loved about the Experience was seeing dozens of girls wearing Frida Kahlo accessories, like flowers in their hair and Frida Kahlo t-shirts. Count me in, because I wore my Frida earrings and bracelet.

I have seen every film made about her plus, have read and own countless Frida Kahlo books – from her biography to her cookbook.

I have learned so much from Frida. She had a lifelong philosophy of courage and determination. And most of all, she taught me to take off my blinders and see the world as she did – in full color.

Thank you, Frida.

 

FOUR THINGS THAT HELPED

1. SLING - At Urgent Care, after X-rays confirmed my broken arm, the nurse brought in two slings. A size small and a size large. I was in so much pain that I didn’t ask but assumed they were out of medium slings. I was fitted with the large sling…and it was, Large. Too large. I was in so much pain that I could barely talk, so didn’t complain. But the very next day I went on Amazon and ordered a size medium sling.

2. PJ’S - My sleep outfit has always been an Xtra Large T-shirt and cotton pants. But because I couldn’t bend my broken arm, putting on a T shirt was impossible. I ordered 3 sets of the cheapest short sleeve button down pajama sets I could find on Amazon. They do the job, and I am looking forward to donating these to goodwill.

3. SHORT SLEEVED BUTTON-DOWN SHIRTS - Prior to the accident I practically lived-in long-sleeved flannel shirts. I tried rolling up the sleeves on one of my shirts, but I still couldn’t bend my arm enough to get the shirt on. I ended up purchasing my first Luau shirt off Amazon. Wish I was vacationing on the beach in Hawaii instead of recuperating in Canoga Park!

4. A CARING HUSBAND - Every day since the accident Tony has made me breakfast, lunch and dinner. At night he brings me ice packs. He never complains. He has done all the shopping. All the laundry. He has been encouraging and sympathetic. I could go on and on, but I think you get the drift. BTW I didn’t find him on Amazon, but Veggiedate.com.

 

How I broke my humerus

It was a normal day. Up at 6:00AM, breakfast and then off to the Beehive for an hour on the Treadmill. Next on my TO DO LIST was a quick Target trip for household paper goods.

Made it home and started unloading the car. Our indoor ladder is barely 3 feet high, but I needed to be on the top rung to stack the 2 large 18 rolls of toilet paper in the garage. One down and holding onto the 2nd packet and as I tried to place it atop the first it slipped and instinctively, I tried to catch it. Missed.

It felt as if I was falling in slow motion, but it only took a few seconds for me to land on the hard concrete floor. 

Screams. Blood. Tears. 911.

 

 

Follow Your Heart - I did!

I have a long history with the Follow Your Heart Cafe. I first heard about it in the 1970’s and although I didn’t live in the San Fernando Valley, I drove the distance to sit at their counter and dine on one of their vegetarian delights.

My first date with Tony was at FYH. What I remember about the night wasn’t the food or conversation, but that in the parking lot he gave me a rose from his garden. Our visits to FYH continued throughout our relationship. So much so, that we chose to have FYH bake our wedding cake.

Twenty-four years may have passed and we still love FYH. And Tony still picks me flowers from our garden. Yesterday it was a gardenia.

On Saturday to celebrate my first outing since my accident we had brunch at FYH. Some things never change - lots of love and laughter. 

 

 

Elderly Young at Heart Perfume

My all-time favorite perfume is Shalimar by Guerlain. I wore it for so many years, that it became my trademark. After my divorce I switched to a vanilla perfume. It was expensive but it was worth it to smell like a cookie. I say that because I once attended a play where the lady in the seat directly in front of me, turned to her companion and said, “I am craving a chocolate chip cookie!” In retrospect, I think I might have used just a tad too much perfume that night.

Over the years I went from $$$ perfume to $ Bath & Body Works Calypso Clementine Perfume Spray. I love the scent of orange blossoms, and it fitted my “retired elderly” lifestyle. But then everything changed last August when I went to NY and discovered Desert Kush by Dilo. I know zilch about the psychology of perfume, but it made me feel young again. 

I then started thinking about the power of something as simple as a scent and wondered if there was such a thing as a school for budding perfumers. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather! There are actual schools in France and throughout the US where you can learn the art of perfumery.   

I now have a new respect for the complexity of perfume. I used to only wear perfume when I went to work or someplace special. Not anymore. Someone worked damn hard to create Desert Kush and I will proudly wear it every single day.

 

Why Did I Buy It?

When I go shopping with my daughter Cassandra, I seem to lose the rational part of my mind. I’ll try on something, she’ll say it looks great you need to buy it, and I do. More than once I have regretted my purchase, but the one item I can barely look at is the infamous Kelly green top.

I literally don’t know what came over me. First off, it’s a color that I never wear. Secondly, it’s huge. Thirdly, it’s not my style. And fourthly, it cost $350!!!!!

Hurts to admit, but I have NEVER worn it. Once I tried to sell it on Poshmart, without success. Every now and then I take it out of the storage bin and sneak a peek. Nope, still hate it.

So, to sum up this sad blog post, what would I do with the $350 if I could take back time? What else, but go on another shopping adventure with Cassandra.

 

Why Did I Sell It?

Years ago, while in NYC, I happened upon a wonderful little shop called Bettie Paige. Bettie, the quintessential pin-up star from the 50’s, was a playboy model and winner of the prestigious Pin-up Girl of the World contest. Her style was the essence of sexy, and her clothing represented her naughty girl style.

It was a fun shop filled with retro clothes, and I ended up purchasing a retro, light-weight leopard cardigan sweater with ¾ sleeves. Perfect for Los Angeles.

I loved the sweater, but I didn’t wear it much. Actually, “much” is an exaggeration. I only remember wearing it once. Several years later, during a closet declutter, I decided to bid farewell to my Bettie sweater and listed it on eBay where it sold in a matter of days.

A few more years passed and while looking for a new purse on Amazon, saw this darling yellow purse (see photo above). Click. Love the purse and immediately went to look for my leopard sweater. And then I remembered. I sold it.

It would have made such a cute outfit. Picture it: black boots, jeans, leopard sweater and my yellow purse with leopard trim. Cause that is what it will always be – just a picture in my head.

Next up – Why Did I Buy It?

 

This is a Story

We love The Broad Museum. It’s been around since 2015 and is dedicated exclusively to postwar and contemporary art, emphasizing works created primarily from the 1950’s onward.

It offers free general admission with a small fee for special exhibits. A few years ago, we saw a wonderful exhibit of Keith Haring and last week we went to the Robert Therrien exhibit that featured 120 pieces of his art from simple drawings to super large pieces.

One thing I love about his work is that he chose to leave most of his works untitled. His reasoning was that the viewer was supposed to figure that out for themself. Okay Robert, I christen this exhibit Alice EllenBee in Wonderland Wonderful!

 

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Last week I suffered a bad fall. Diagnosis: Closed nondisplaced fracture of greater tuberosity of left humerus. Despite my depressingly painful condition, I am going to a baseball game today, well, sort of. Hot dogs, fries and watching 42 from the comfort of my bed.

42 is the story of Jackie Robinson, starring Chadwick Boseman, and one of my all-time favorite films. Once a year, on April 15th, the MLB honors Jackie Robinson on the anniversary he made his major league debut. The year was 1947 and it ended approximately 80 years of baseball segregation.

Thank you Jackie for making a major impact on all our lives. 

 

Kennedy #3
Jackie and Me

Many years ago, when Jacqueline Kennedy was in the White House, I read an article about her iconic fashion style. She admitted to the writer that whenever she found a clothing item she loved, she would buy it in several colors.

I don’t know why that sounded like a brilliant idea, but from that moment forward, her clothing philosophy became a part of my life. Case in point shoes. I love Naot shoes and bought 3 identical shoes in different colors. T- shirts – I have the same one in 5 colors. But I don’t stop at clothes. Placemats – I have the identical set in grey, yellow, black and blue. I could go on and on but think you get the idea.

As I often do, I checked with Google to see what this peculiar trait might mean and found out it runs the gambit. It could be as simple as a way to express my style, or OCD, where individuals feel compelled to acquire multiples of the same item, even if unnecessary.

Well, that’s a relief. I know it’s not OCD, because I definitely needed 3 pairs of identical shoes, 5 identical t-shirts and 4 identical sets of placemats!

 

Kennedy #2

My mother loved JFK. She not only kept up with the daily news, she also kept up with the state of their marriage. I recall the day my mother told me that Jackie and JFK had had a fight. I asked how she knew and she smiled and said, because during an outing together neither JFK nor Jacqueline looked at each other. Not once. My mother knew because she and my father fought. A lot.

The day he was shot my mother was heartbroken. I remember my parents having a long conversation about whether we should all go to Washington DC for the funeral. They eventually decided not to go because of the crowds, but our family mourned together in my father’s den watching the news. No smiles that day.

Three horrific events. The assignation of JFK, the Northridge earthquake and 9/11. All three have left a scar on my heart.

 

Ring-a-Ling

It was rather windy the other day and our windchime was singing a song that brought to mind a sweet memory. The sound of the Good Humor truck calling out to all the kiddos on the block that dessert was now being served.

The Good Humor man knew not only our names but also our favorite icy delights. We were also friends with the Fruitman and the Milkman, who both made weekly deliveries to our house.

My favorite delivery truck however was the Dugan’s Bakery man, who delivered my all-time favorite cupcakes. Each box contained six vanilla cupcakes, which meant that my two sisters and I each got to devour two. No cupcake I have ever tasted since, as ever been as good as Dugan’s. The secret was the frosting. It was one inch thick and tasted like a chocolate candy bar. Nirvana.

Tonight we had TJ’s Red Velvet Chocolate cupcakes for dessert. Yes, they were decadently delicious, but not as good as Dugan’s.

 

Kennedy #1 

I was in 9th grade when JFK ran for President. It was an exciting time, and life was filled with endless possibilities.

My boyfriend at the time – and all through high school – was Mark S. He was not only dreamy looking, but also smart as a whip. Truly, my first love.

Anyway, back to the story. Mark and I went to the JFK headquarters in Elizabeth and managed to score a stack of free bumper stickers. We then spent the afternoon going up and down our neighborhood sticking bumper stickers on every car parked on the street. To our relief no one caught us in our act of criminal mischief. 

I remember the night JFK won the election. One of my school friends was a gal named Julia. She had long brown hair and she told me that if Kennedy won, she was going to dye her hair red. On November 9th she walked into class with bright red hair. It was temporary dye so eventually her brown hair returned.

We may have been too young to vote, but together our voices mattered.

 

Treasure Hunting

The other morning, I needed to pick up a few things at the mall. First stop was Sprouts, and as I walked there, I was surprised to see a line forming at the store FIVE BELOW. It was not even 9AM and FIVE BELOW doesn’t open until 10.

When I left Sprouts, the line had grown and curious as to why this was happening, I asked one of the gals who was in line. She shared that everyone was there early to buy a popular viral stuffed animal. I just laughed, shocked that anyone would arrive one hour early for a bit of fluff. And then I remembered.

The year was 1985 and the must have toy of the moment was the Cabbage Patch doll. The only place to find one was at Toy-R-Us and I, along with every other mom in the neighborhood, would stand outside the store before they opened in our quest to find this chubby cheeked doll. By the end of 1983, nearly 3 million dolls had been adopted, making it the most successful new doll in toy history.

Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky moms because I never managed to adopt a doll for Cassandra. I don't think it scarred Cassandra for life, but me? That's another story. 

Third time is a Charm – No Kings #3

Two days ago, and just 1.2 miles from our house, thousands convened to express our opposition. Some like me have been protesting since last April, but for many, this was their first protest. All ages attended, from babies in strollers to seniors in wheelchairs. Democrats, Republicans and Independents were welcomed with open hearts.

There were signs, music and a strong sense of comradery. Eight million people around the world in 6 continents spoke with one voice. We the people stood together to proclaim the United States of America is a Democracy, not a Monarchy. 

 

When Life Gives You Tangerines Part Two

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." Henry Ford

After much thought and careful consideration, I decided to begin my Tangerine Dream by making glazed tangerine muffins. Sounded yummy and with an easy recipe I figured I'd have them in and out of the oven in no time flat. No pun intended. 

The first step was to cut the tangerines into small pieces (skin included) and blend until liquified. This is where the easy peasy did a U-turn. The reason I had a problem was because these tangerines were very tiny and overflowing with very tiny seeds. So, when I removed the seeds there was little left of the tangerine segments. Obstacle, yes. But I was determined to not let this minor (or so I thought) inconvenience ruin the inaugural Tangerine Dream event.  

After about a half-hour of prep, and since there were no raw eggs in the mix, I tasted the batter. Sadly, all I could taste was the sugar, so I added more tangerines. Cut and blend. Cut and blend.

Shall we cut to the chase? In the end, I was left with a sink full of dirty dishes and a dozen rather awful tasting muffins.

Moral of the story...dreams can become nightmares or use larger tangerines.

 When Life Gives You Tangerines...

Tangerine Jam. Tangerine Marmalade. Tangerine Tarte. Tangerine Cheesecake. Tangerine Sorbet. Tangerine Cake. Tangerine Pudding. Tangerine Jello. Tangerine Cupcakes. Tangerine Muffins. Tangerine Upside Down Cake. Tangerine Pound Cake. Chocolate Dipped Tangerine Slices. Tangerine Mousse. Tangerine Cookies.

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