Sharon Gless got the role I auditioned for - how's that for competition?

http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/weeklong-runs#318 Starts Friday Sept 25

So they asked me to do a cameo (only they called it being an extra). I'm in two scenes - the woman in the wheelchair in the park, and playing bac… Read full post »

From my office window, I can see the Sears Tower.

When I drove home from work that day eight years ago very soon after I had arrived at my office (I actually did not drive home, not wanting to be alone with the TV - I went to a dear… Read full post »

C'est moi! Just a little more glamorous. Read full post »

Did you know there are ice hotels in Scandanavia-Quebec-Alaska? Sleep on an ice bed. Walk on an ice floor. Brrrrrrrr - I don't get it.

This is an ice bar in just a regular (gorgeous) hotel in Stockholm. Would much rather have had that Swedish vodka  in a glass tumb… Read full post »

Walking into the room at the Hermitage in St. Petersberg in which Matisse' "Dance" was displayed! I was almost bowled over by the magnificence of this painting. It's about 9 by 13 feet - the picture I snapped (below) reflects both my total  ignorance about my new camera… Read full post »

Now this is the way to enjoy Stockholm - an outdoor cafe, my daughter and son-in-law, some Swedish meatballs and a smorgasbord. What a beautiful day and what a wonderful memory. Read full post »

Glorious Russian Orthodox Church in Helsinki with unknown kid. Lots of steps up to that church, but it isn't as high up as the city hall/state church. Helsinki has a fairly small old town - a gorgeous state library, and a really good outdoor market. Had a good time… Read full post »

This is me in Rostock, Germany. The city (village?) square. In the background is a medieval church that survived the WWII bombings, thus, the oldest horological clock in Europe (or anywhere I suppose) is on the inside. However, I couldn't learn anything about it because the guides spoke… Read full post »

Outside the whatever (maybe St. Mary??) church in Lubeck (I think). With my daughter Ericka and the goat devil. Who knew the Germans had a sense of humor?

The Baltic : so much to see and do and so little energy to do it with.

I have… Read full post »

I'm off to a Baltic cruise, will be back on July 15 - if I can figure out how to, I'll post some pictures and maybe even blog.

Daddy, we hardly knew ya’ (Part 1)

I entered this in the Father's Day contest. It's part of a much longer piece that I haven't even begun to finish. I start it up every year or so, then put it away, as it's too much all at once in every way.… Read full post »

I've found a few writers who are new to me tday - and I want to introduce you to my oldest daughter, ripple baruch.  She has a unique voice and lives up on a mountain in Montana. If I knew how to link, I would. I always thought she should be a… Read full post »

1. Dolly needs reborn accessories (wha-a-a-t? It’s a baby doll called reborn that some people treat like real babies)
2. Dolly needs her space (absolutely)
3. Dolly needs faith (goes without saying)
4. Dolly needs pi
… Read full post »

My mother had been unconscious for days, but still she was holding on. My sister and I had been there in her room at the nursing home, sometimes together, sometimes spelling one another, but one of us was with her all the time.

Once we sang to her to pass… Read full post »

As the tears flow freely
I will remember you
Your witches mark
Was beautiful

Namaste

After having lived with a pack rat for 18 years, the first time I got rid of stuff, I had to rent a full-sized dumpster. I had a garage sale that profited almost enough to pay for it.

My second big ridding was when I moved from that 8-room house/3 car garage into… Read full post »

There has been a great deal of soul baring writing on OS.  Sad, difficult,  pictures of mothers and fathers who are unable to give or love.  Heartbreaking tales of children mistreated, mothers and fathers hated.

I am going to add my own tale of woe and hope, in particular because… Read full post »

There is an amazing ocean of change that has occurred in playthings and toys - what I think is necessary for my grandchildren, what I thought was necessary for my children, and what I actually played with when I was a child.

Myself, I had very few toys - some balls, some… Read full post »

I was a freshman in college. It was in early spring. I had been dating a young red haired man with the (to me) incredibly romantic name of James Llewellyn, oh, the Welsh. Though he’d been very respectful, I thought he was TOO reticent and a bore besides (hope he doesn’t… Read full post »

If I have to pick one movie that's my favorite of all time - I guess it's Tootsie.

1. Dustin Hoffman in drag - TV producer: "I'd like to make her look a little more attractive, how far can you pull back? Cameraman: How do you feel
   
   
… Read full post »

  Gold-colored metal award brooch in the shape of three stalks of wheat with heart shaped pendant picturing a ranch house and yard in relief.

You probably won’t recognize this if you were born after 1960, but it’s my Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow award, which I store i… Read full post »

Just got back from Barbados and San Juan PR -  the best joke I heard (I'm sure it's hoary as can be)

What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages?  -- Bilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages? -- Trilingual

What do you call… Read full post »

My mother was a liar and a egomaniac and I loved, loved, loved her and forgave her when I was about 60 years old and she lived another 6 years and it was much nicer even though she was dying with Alzheimer's.

Two of my girls would say they love, love,… Read full post »

I think they're the same thing - panel trucks and sedan delivery trucks. Someone older here??? Confirm or deny???