Mother's Poinsettias

Do any of you remember my Mother's pale green poinsettias? They grew six feet tall outside our kitchen window. All of the visitors from the Midwest and the East were in awe.

A Change in Altitude

When reading Anita Shreve's A CHANGE IN ALTITUDE I was constantly wondering what was happening next and wanting to keep the heroine from her self-destructive actions. In other words, I was really involved.

Shreve's words are beautiful, her settings divine. This saga takes place in Kenya. I now know more about the places and events she describes, but not to the exclusion of my caring for the story or the characters. Having read three of her books, I want more.

Maira Kalman

This was illustrator, author, and designer Maira Kalman's first museum show. Mary-Laure and I met at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles to see it. It was our first time at the Skirball, and certainly won't be our last.

Kalman is the artist of many covers and drawings for THE NEW YORKER magazine. She is also the illustrator of many books for children and adults. Always true to her own personal style, it enchants as she depicts her viewpoint of contemporary life.

According to the NY TIMES, Kalman's new book, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, investigates our history and the current workings of our democracy. Exemplified by her playful style and rambunctious penmanship, the subject matter becomes all the more meaningful.

Can any image of Abraham Lincoln ever express how important he has been to us?

Noah's Ark

It is a wonder to experience the Noah's Ark room(s) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles...and, plenty of children have discovered it. Many of them were there when we visited. They didn't even notice us, being so involved interacting with the exhibit.

This permanent award-winning exhibit has been the talk of the town. I defy any age to explore the interior of this gigantic ark, filled with animal sculptures, re-purposed from everyday sources, and not be excited.

If you are a child at heart---go. If you know children---take them. This is hands-on experiential art at it's best.

The 1000 Journals Project

We went to the museum and were invited to create!

Mary-Laure and I chose colored pencils and created our page(s) in a journal selected from the many. Next, the journals will be sent to destinations unknown as this project circulates from one artist's hand to another.

During the last ten years these journals have inspired extraordinary public dialogue as they have traveled around the United States and the world.

Rooftop Sculpture Garden at SFMOMA

Magdalena Abakanowicz's "Five on a Bench" 1980-90, burlap, resin and wood

Louise Bourgeois' "Spider " 1995, steel

George Segal's "Chance Meeting" 1989, cast 2004, bronze aluminum & steel

Ellsworth Kelly's "Steel I" 1973, weathering steel

Christmas in Thousand Oaks

Betty and I are flanking two of the lovely dancers before their performance of "An Irish Christmas"

in Thousand Oaks.

And, who would have ever thought that an outdoor ice skating rink was just a block away. Not a speck of snow, but plenty of ice for lots of fun.

Continuing our confusion, we had treats at P. J. Changs, in the shadow of copies of the terra cotta sculptures from Xian, China.

Kate's Royal Ring

Yes, 'tis true---this is a genuine eighteen carat sapphire and diamond ring on my hand. No, I am not engaged to Prince William of the United Kingdom. But it is very like the ring he just gave to Kate Middleton.

We had a special "upstairs" opportunity at the Kazanjian Brothers, jewelers. What fun it was to be in the lovely rooms playing with all the trays of sparkling jewels.

This privilege was arranged by Rich for his mother, Margaret, and me. Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills, was being decorated for Christmas. We posed in front the famous fountain with the infamous Southern California faux snow, er...icebergs!

Having lunch at Barney's would have been enough fun!

Thanksgivng 2010

We feel so lucky to have been included in such a beautiful celebration of Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

"Hello Dolly"

The Pepperdine University students from the Music and Theater Departments were remarkable in their version of "Hello Dolly." Based on Thornton Wilder's play, THE MATCHMAKER, it is no wonder this talented student production was so professional. Many of the teachers have vast experience in the field and generous support is provided by both The Mary Pickford Foundation and Dorothy D. Stotsenberg of Malibu. Mrs. Stotsenberg's late husband, Edward, was Pickford's certified public accountant for over 40 years and served on the Mary Pickford Foundation Board.

As always, she was there.

More Books

I am reading everything I can find by Isabel Allende, Anita Shreve and Jeanette Walls. What amazing story tellers they are (even when they tell their own). Allende's, "Daughter of Fortune," is an absorbing tale taking the main character through perils from Chile to California's gold fields. "The Sum of Our Days," is a no-holds-barred memoir. Speaking of telling it all---Jeanette Walls', powerful book, called "The Glass Castle," is the true story of the author's victory over unspeakable circumstances. After this, and her grandmother's story, entitled "Half Broke Horses," I am so looking forward to reading more from Walls. "Sea Glass," by Shreve, was revealing from a real and historical perspective. I couldn't put it down. All three of these authors present the unique plight of women with insight.

The impresario, Jerry Weintraub, teaches the lessons of creating something from nothing, in his autobiography, "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead." A dear friend has recommended, Dan Brown's, "The Lost Symbol." That's next.

Sculpture Then and Now

These sculptures can all be found at the newly-changed Palm Springs Art Museum.

Knowing artists created these works more than 2,000 years apart is boggling.

Zapotec Mortuary Urn, 600-900 A.D., fired clay w/ traces of red paint

Karen LaMonte, "Pianist Dress Impression," 2005, cast glass


Veracruz, Mexico, "Standing Xipe Figure in Flayed Skin," 300-900 A.D., Ceramic

William Morris, "Medicine Jar (corn with crow and cricket)," 2005, blown glass

They're Back

These darling hummingbirds visit occasionally to partake of Dick's treat.