'Tis the Season

Couldn't resist decorating the tree after Thanksgiving. Nancy's beautiful angel on the top was the inspiration.

Chinatown

Chris, Pam, Joan and I were looking at avant-garde art in the galleries that have revitalized Chung King Road. We were joining other members of The Group, which benefits the Otis Art Institute. Los Angeles based author, Lisa See's, favorite dim sum restaurant was where we lunched. And, did we do lunch...and do lunch...and do lunch! Of course, we couldn't resist visiting the author's family import and export shop (a favorite for any Chinatown visit). Pam bought lots, announcing, "but...I never go to department stores."

54th Wedding Celebration

Could there be a better way to celebrate 54 years of marriage than with the one I love than at the Walt Disney Concert Hall? It was our first time to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic's exciting new conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. At only 28 years of age, he led the orchestra in Mozart's Symphonies # 38 in D ,"Prague," and #41 in C major, "Jupiter." He, and guest violinist, Gil Shaman, were almost entwined as they performed a work by Berg. The music critic for the L.A. Times cautioned the 12-tone concerto, written in "memory to an angel," almost excessively beautiful.

When performing, myself, at a now-torn-down orphanage near the same site on Bunker Hill years ago did I ever think that I would experience such beauty as Gehry's architectural masterpiece...never? And, nearly 70 years ago, having French-dipped sandwiches at Phillippe's, near the Union Station, could I think it would still be possible, now...never? What a memorable day!

Mr. Murdock's Orchids

In the conservatory, at the end of the allee of nature-sculptured boulders at Ventura Farms in Thousand Oaks, are these orchids. I took so many photos of the gorgeous flowers that it was impossible to pick favorites. Finally, I share with you these four photos, of the beautiful spot.

Joe's Back!

We are dancing to Natalie Cole's version of Come Rain or Come Shine. Joe Giamalva, our revered teacher has been gone for a month and we sure did miss him. In that time he directed a brand new show, being written while in rehearsal, called Fred and Ginger. It played to full houses and got standing ovations. Then he directed our fellow dancer, Joan Benedict-Steiger, in her one-woman show, The Loves of My Life. I heard her report that the Gardenia dinner theater in Hollywood has already invited her back. Seems impossible, but he also directed The Golddiggers

for a special performance at the Thalian's annual show. We are proud of you, Joe, and are glad you are back!

Stars Go Hollywood

Every year, around this time, the STARS give their annual luncheon and grand affair at the Riveria Country Club, in the Pacific Palisades, which celebrates their gift to scientific and medical research. Over the years, including matching grants, their considerable efforts have contributed one-half million dollars to that end. It is always grand, lovely, and is shared with good friends.

Sculptures Made by Nature

This allee of monumental boulders lead to the conservatory of the Ventura Farms in Thousand Oaks. My friend, Jan, treated me to a day of bliss enjoying the beauty at this Arabian Horse Farm. The owner described having traveled to Thailand to find, and have excavated, these monumental boulders beneath the River Kwai in Thailand.

Tai Hu rocks are legendary stones sought by Chinese scholars. Little did I know, when first appreciating them in the gardens in Suzhou, China, that I would continue to see them in the United States. One was just being righted, with scaffolding, at the new Chinese Garden at the Huntington Gardens and Library in Pasadena, California, when I first visited. And, of course, there is one in the owner's California Well-Being Institute and Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village, beautifully installed in the center of a pond.