Across the lane from where I live are very old and tall Eucalyptus trees. They have provided shade, a sound buffer and a wonderful aroma in the air. Today, my neighbor has taken the action to take them down. I’m sure her reasons are valid and I have no issue with that aspect of the process. What disturbs me is knowing that where they once stood is now a big gaping hole. Instead of a habitat for the owls and hawks who made them their home and the squirrels who romped from branch to branch, only the memory now remains. Joni Mitchell’s lyrics come to mind: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”. 

Here’s documentation of my week-long tree surgeon time.

I love the new Great Gatsby film by Baz Luhrmann with the incredible score by Jay-Z. This is a love story with a somber ending. A tough one to swallow in these troubled times of ours. We all want a happy ending and this story delivers unrequited love. But Jay Gatsby’s love for Daisy is So Big it consumes me like a caramel lollipop. He, Leo, is so handsome and convincing of his undying, unwavering love for Daisy, you really only want him to be loved. That is the message that emanated from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story in The Roaring 20′s and is still pervasive almost 100-years later. The decadence and the impoverished; the gangsters; their muses. What have we to learn but that Love is the Answer. Gatsby would have wanted it that way… Beauty and Love.

Baz Luhrmann, ‘Great Gatsby’ Director, Explains The 3D, The Hip Hop, The Sanitarium And More

The Gatsby Collection at Brooks Brothers

My little granddaughter was born in the Chinese Astrology Year of the Rabbit. She is my very own Bunny!

This little pink bunny symbolizes the joy children receive celebrating Easter with the ritual of Easter Egg Hunts, dipping cooked eggs into colorful food dyes and digging through their Easter baskets finding jelly beans and chocolates.

Vivid memories of mine are reading the Easter Story to my son when he was only three and his response to the story of Jesus’ Resurrection. At the time it was his favorite story!

I tried to expose other beliefs to my children as well as the Jewish faith we inherited. I have never ‘practiced’ religion; my preference is Universal Wisdom which may paint a bigger picture for an individual in making their own decisions as they enter into their belief system for their life.

Freesia

I’ve always  thought of this day as welcoming the Lamb of Spring and saying farewell to the Lion of Winter. Better days ahead…the cold is gone for another year. Time for planting seeds and tending the garden. Bulbs such as freesia (my favorite), daffodils and hyacinth reveal their beautiful flowers and pungent scents.

I know two people born on this day. My Swedish girlfriend, Margareta Sjodin, I met while living in Malibu in the mid eighties. She is an artist and actress who played the Swedish version of Goldie Hawn from “Laugh In”. I went to Stockholm one summer as her guest with my youngest daughter. We spent ten fascinating days adjusting to the northern lights that keep the night skies in twilight. Every morning we would walk the 700-year old cobblestone pathways, cross the nearest bridge next to the Baltic Sea and enter the Grand Hotel’s breakfast buffet. Even in summer the winds can be chilling so I must admit our American diet called for deliciously fresh and hot French fries as well as Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam to help keep us warm. As I strolled through the nearby Royal Palace I had a close call when my toe stepped over the line that a Royal guard made in the gravel with his bayonette! Evenings in old town Stockholm are filled with music in the streets and people gathering to dance. Every day at noon for one hour the Royal armed guards and orchestra march through the streets proclaiming it is, indeed, noon! Bra!

“Buena Vista Social Club” Album Cover

The other person I know who celebrates his birthday today is Ry Cooder. I met Ry when were both 21. My first husband was producing his albums then – long before his standout award-winning “Buena Vista Social Club” project. I was there in the early days listening to his stories of recording with the Stones and Captain Beefheart. Used to save wine bottles for him. Sometimes the neck of the bottle would fit his finger perfectly so he could customize one to play the winsome sounds of Bottleneck Guitar. He honored  Depression-era musicians who used this technique to amplify and texturize their instrument. Ry’s masterful playing won him a reputation of being the best! He always reminded me of a young Gary Cooper albeit with one eye. Yes, Ry has a glass eye.

Significant to William Shakespeare and Julius Caesar and to me personally, the Ides of March is a day to remember..

I still love receiving cards for my B-Day. My girlfriend in Hawaii has a collection of vintage cards her mother left her when she passed away. One arrived in my mailbox just before I embarked on a marathon of travel to the Monkees Convention. In 12 days I slept in four different beds and visited three states, not including a layover in Atlanta, GA on my way home.

Two more cards from lifelong girlfriends and a lovely, most thoughtful card from a fan in Canada.

More charming than an e-card or email, even though I deeply appreciate those as well, there’s something to be said for a Hallmark Moment. Sound like a girl thing? I like cards from guys too! Received a special one this year. Putting pen to paper somehow makes a deeper connection with our hearts.

The Year of the Snake

Celebrated Chinese New Year with my friend and doctor, Lan Kao.

We went downtown to Chinatown to a Buddhist Temple set up for a major fire works. And OMG, they blasted off not once, but three times while we we there. Rolls of firecrackers were hung on poles and lit. Lan told me it is Chinese custom to bring in the New Year with a bang! And, it chases away evil spirits, too.

She led me into the Temple where three Buddhas were enshrined. One for protection, one for compassion, one for justice. Thousands of offerings such as oranges and dollar bills were arranged beneath the Buddhas. Everyone in attendance carried multiple incense sticks to offer to the Buddhas. 

The grand finale was the Lion or Dragon Dance. Four young men from a Kung fu school wore these elaborate costumes and tantalized the worshippers by opening their mouths to receive offerings of money.

At last the ceremony ended and the entire congregation was fed a Buddhist diet of green vegetables and white rice. For luck there were the auspicious Chinese noodles. 

Lan has been my acupuncturist for nine years. We met in Hawaii and now we’re both living in the City of Angels. I absolutely adore experiencing different cultures, especially with friends.

Kung Hei Fat Choy 

Note: Cloudiness in pictures is due to the enormous amount of smoke from burning incense in the Temple.

 


Read Festival Write-Up in L.A. Record

Been too under the weather to see them any sooner than last night. Got all bundled up in our 40 degree weather. 88 degrees in Hawaii for 15-years… takes some doing to get used to the cold. Mandeville Canyon, a road in West L.A. has some of the best lights. Here are some samples:

This is a familiar area for me. Had a family friend who lived in Mandeville. Next main road is 26th Street. That goes straight to the Brentwood Country Mart, an enclave for west-end shoppers who stand in line at the BBQ Chicken place inside a courtyard around a fire pit. These were my old stomping grounds when I was raising my family. Quick trips to the toy store, then a basket of chicken and their delicious seasoned french fries. Xtra BBQ sauce for dipping, please!

My friend Marlene’s father owned the grocery store there, but I didn’t know that then. Took me many years to reunite with her and discover how small the world really is. No wonder I felt like “The Mart” was a home away from home.

Being back in L.A. rekindles these memories, especially when I visit these same places now and occasionally still see a familiar face. I love traveling the roads of my old haunts, still so alive with young families enjoying all the same things I did.

Happy days in 2013! Make them that way through patience and perseverance.

New Years Resolution

Fill You Heart With Joy

Once You Have Cleared Your Fears

Create the World

You Want To Live In

The spirit of giving is a natural phenomenon. Truly, doesn’t it make you feel good when you’ve thought of someone, then see their response when you deliver your message of good will or a big package with a shiny red ribbon?

My Holiday Wish for All is to retain this Spirit throughout the year and give from the bottom of your heart.

I Love You, Donna

                                            Shindig Christmas Special (aired 12-23-64)