Happy to report, first of all, that both my husband and I are now healthy - and busy with all the myriad projects this Season brings. I'm happy to be back at the keyboard, and want to share three unique ways the Holiday spirit has been infused in me for this year.
The first is the result of our hosting a small group of people last Saturday night that had us up into the wee hours. We didn't mind the days we spent getting the house decorated, both inside and out, to prepare for this early December festivity because we both look forward to this magical time of year and all it allows us to share. We were rewarded with the best gifts of all; the fun, caring and respect of people whose love and friendships we cherish. As we were cleaning up in the early morning, we talked about all the special conversations we'd shared throughout the evening, the delicious foods brought to the buffet table, and, best of all, the camaraderie and laughter of all present that sparked our Christmas spirit.
Secondly, last night we both were onstage rehearsing for It's A Wonderful Life - The Radio Play with the Wheaton Drama theatre company. (I am playing Ma Bailey and R.J. is doing all the sound effects with fellow actor, Peter Lemongelli. Oh, yes, and our son is the director.) Even if you are a theatre veteran, not many have been involved in a production of a re-created radio show. It is set in the 1940's - we will be costumed appropriately and all the technical aspects are done so the audience is immersed in that period - which adds to the overall fun of being part of it. The most fun, though, is working with a group of experienced thespians and singers who know how to present a polished performance to an audience. Better still, these are special friends that can create a journey to opening night a memory in itself.
We worked until late in the evening because we had to infuse all the technical aspects and background music with at-the-mike readings. That involved lots of stopping and re-doing, which can be tedious. But no one openly voiced irritation or grumbled about the hour. Instead, we laughed and kibitzed and made it through, and, as we drove home in the bone-chilling night, we were warmed by knowing we're a part of a talented something that adds to our Christmas mood.
Lastly, as I read Facebook posts this morning, there was one from my former Entertainment boss at Walt Disney World in which he shared videos of another unique moment from my past (1991). Watching these short films brought tears to my eyes, and lots of reminder images to my brain.
Each year, at the Florida Magic Kingdom, the Cast Members (as employees of Disney are tagged) would experience a special night just for them and their families. While they enjoyed this private party, management people would work in special capacities to allow the employees to have their Christmas fun in the Kingdom. Those of us in Entertainment spent that night sharing our talents. I went back into a character costume, and my boss and his co-working buddies, many of whom were celebrated musicians in their own right, became the Exec Band.
It's been almost twenty years since I left my Disney career, but those videos had me feeling like I was there again. Sadly, one of the members - also one of my Entertainment bosses - passed away this year, and that made my viewing even more touching. What struck me was how it evoked so many other recollections of what it meant to be a part of that Christmas fantasy world, and to create memories for others who took the Christmas spirit home with them because of those efforts.
With all three experiences captured within a week, how could I not be completely absorbed in this Season of Love, Joy and Peace? Especially when it all came to me as the result of so many friends.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Still Here - Sort Of!
I really do have all good intentions of posting on this site at least once a week, as promised. I also have an ever-growing list of topics that I plan to share. Yet, I am also aware that it has been nearly two weeks since anything new appeared on my blog. Let me tell you why.
About two weeks ago, my husband succumbed to some kind of cold/virus bug, and is still recovering. That meant I was playing nurse to him - and he is never ill, so it was stressful for me as well - while trying to work on my novel edit, etc.
Then, one week ago yesterday, I was felled by a virus bug that has resulted in a painful sinus infection. No book editing, no journal entries; in fact, not much of anything going on for me except lying in bed wishing I wasn't sick. Oh, yes, and I am in early rehearsals for a play that opens in January and I had to miss those as well!
So, dear followers, I have not deserted my good intentions; they've just been postponed a bit. However, husband and I are now ambulatory, carrying tissues and lozenges in our pockets and swallowing immune support pills, so think positive thoughts for both of us. I should be back soon with a more interesting post!
About two weeks ago, my husband succumbed to some kind of cold/virus bug, and is still recovering. That meant I was playing nurse to him - and he is never ill, so it was stressful for me as well - while trying to work on my novel edit, etc.
Then, one week ago yesterday, I was felled by a virus bug that has resulted in a painful sinus infection. No book editing, no journal entries; in fact, not much of anything going on for me except lying in bed wishing I wasn't sick. Oh, yes, and I am in early rehearsals for a play that opens in January and I had to miss those as well!
So, dear followers, I have not deserted my good intentions; they've just been postponed a bit. However, husband and I are now ambulatory, carrying tissues and lozenges in our pockets and swallowing immune support pills, so think positive thoughts for both of us. I should be back soon with a more interesting post!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Kudos for "The Cotton Candy Road Trip"
It's my intention to include, on my resurrected blog, my comments on books I've recently experienced. It pleasures me that the first of these I'm going to tell you about is written by a friend and fellow actor, Pam Turlow.
Pam takes you on a dual journey in her non-fiction work titled The Cotton Candy Road Trip (love that title!). You not only ride along with her as she travels to over forty vintage amusement parks, but you are also privy to her personal journey of life during the three years it took her to write this volume.
Writing in a voice that is true to her nature, one is caught up in all her discoveries, taken on her many twists and turns, not only on amusement park rides, but in her thoughts on the dreamers and doers she encounters that shift her perspective, and, ultimately, her life focus.
I encourage you to seek out The Cotton Candy Road Trip and add it to your list of books to read. I promise you will be rewarded with lots of smiles and, perhaps, a new outlook on your own goals. That's what happened to me, anyway.
Pam takes you on a dual journey in her non-fiction work titled The Cotton Candy Road Trip (love that title!). You not only ride along with her as she travels to over forty vintage amusement parks, but you are also privy to her personal journey of life during the three years it took her to write this volume.
Writing in a voice that is true to her nature, one is caught up in all her discoveries, taken on her many twists and turns, not only on amusement park rides, but in her thoughts on the dreamers and doers she encounters that shift her perspective, and, ultimately, her life focus.
I encourage you to seek out The Cotton Candy Road Trip and add it to your list of books to read. I promise you will be rewarded with lots of smiles and, perhaps, a new outlook on your own goals. That's what happened to me, anyway.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Celebrating My New Beginning
November 1st: a new month and a new beginning for this blog. Before the end of this month, if all goes according to plan, my first novel, "Ribbons" will be published. In the last year, I have focused on my life rather than my work. It has enabled me to grow creatively because of all the new and renewed paths I have taken.
Today I just want to thank my loyal followers for waiting for me. In the coming months, there will be lots to read in here including my journey as a published novelist, teasers about the new novel I'll be working on, promotions and comments, theatre involvement, and, of course, new stories about my home and family.
This post would be much too long if I were to detail all the positive happenings in my world over the past year. Family and friends, both old and new, have rewarded me with the support and love that have helped me find my new creative energy.
So, stay with me. At least once a week, I will post something new to share with you. For now, it's back to final editing on "Ribbons".
Today I just want to thank my loyal followers for waiting for me. In the coming months, there will be lots to read in here including my journey as a published novelist, teasers about the new novel I'll be working on, promotions and comments, theatre involvement, and, of course, new stories about my home and family.
This post would be much too long if I were to detail all the positive happenings in my world over the past year. Family and friends, both old and new, have rewarded me with the support and love that have helped me find my new creative energy.
So, stay with me. At least once a week, I will post something new to share with you. For now, it's back to final editing on "Ribbons".
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
"Turn Around"
The title of this post refers to a '60's song lyric that seems appropriate to my state of mind these days. Yes, it's been over two months since I last wrote in here, but I can justify that absence in the next few paragraphs, I believe. And some of the words of that touching song I keep hearing say it much better than I: "Turn around and you're tiny, turn around and you're grown...."
My focus, my energies, and my good excuse for not writing seem to center around my children and theirs. First, there was the trip, with our two teen-age grandsons, to Walt Disney World in Florida (anticipated in a June post). A glorious ten days that created lifelong memories for all four of us, as we were re-introduced to a place my husband and I called home for almost two decades. Second, we have watched our son perform in two stage productions that never fail to have us saying, "I can't believe that talented man is our son!" Third, I spent ten days in Wisconsin, again with our older grandsons, that allowed their mother and her significant other to vacation, and allowed me a unique way of enjoying teen-age perspectives, as well as seeing our daughter renewed by her respite. Lastly, I am now getting one day a week with our youngest grandson - an "old soul" at five-and-a-half - who gives me a few hours of energizing escapism.
True; I've not written anything new recently. I have been working on the editing of my first novel, which is nearing completion, and hope to see it published in the next few months. And, in re-reading some of my last posts here, I'm confident that my attitude about writing hasn't changed. In my May 21st post, I reflected that nothing worth doing is easy. On May 30th, I resolved that I would never stop pursuing new things. Both thoughts remain true. I've just detoured to gain a new way of seeing. And that "new way" has evolved because of what I've gained from my children and grandchildren.
I won't bore you with all the mental paths I took during this period. I'll just say that the happy consequence of my recent experiences, and the time luxury I had to reflect, is the jist of all this. I am now beginning to enjoy a much more relaxed approach to all avenues of my life. Author John Milton's quote resonates with me now: "Reflection is wisdom's best nurse." I don't feel I've lost anything; just the opposite. I'm taking much more notice of the so-called simple pleasures, and it affects how I'm living each day. It may mean less writing output per week but what does get onto the page will be the better for it.
My focus, my energies, and my good excuse for not writing seem to center around my children and theirs. First, there was the trip, with our two teen-age grandsons, to Walt Disney World in Florida (anticipated in a June post). A glorious ten days that created lifelong memories for all four of us, as we were re-introduced to a place my husband and I called home for almost two decades. Second, we have watched our son perform in two stage productions that never fail to have us saying, "I can't believe that talented man is our son!" Third, I spent ten days in Wisconsin, again with our older grandsons, that allowed their mother and her significant other to vacation, and allowed me a unique way of enjoying teen-age perspectives, as well as seeing our daughter renewed by her respite. Lastly, I am now getting one day a week with our youngest grandson - an "old soul" at five-and-a-half - who gives me a few hours of energizing escapism.
True; I've not written anything new recently. I have been working on the editing of my first novel, which is nearing completion, and hope to see it published in the next few months. And, in re-reading some of my last posts here, I'm confident that my attitude about writing hasn't changed. In my May 21st post, I reflected that nothing worth doing is easy. On May 30th, I resolved that I would never stop pursuing new things. Both thoughts remain true. I've just detoured to gain a new way of seeing. And that "new way" has evolved because of what I've gained from my children and grandchildren.
I won't bore you with all the mental paths I took during this period. I'll just say that the happy consequence of my recent experiences, and the time luxury I had to reflect, is the jist of all this. I am now beginning to enjoy a much more relaxed approach to all avenues of my life. Author John Milton's quote resonates with me now: "Reflection is wisdom's best nurse." I don't feel I've lost anything; just the opposite. I'm taking much more notice of the so-called simple pleasures, and it affects how I'm living each day. It may mean less writing output per week but what does get onto the page will be the better for it.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Perfection Praised
I know it isn't unusual for a parent to brag about their kid. Frankly, I find it odd when they don't, and I worry about the parent/child relationship there. But this post isn't being written for that reason although I, and my husband, are constantly proud of both of our adult children and their accomplishments.
Last Friday night, we were in the audience of an excellent production of the Stephen Sondheim musical play, "Assassins". In the role of John Wilkes Booth, a major part in this work, was our son, Sean. From his first entrance (I later realized), I divorced myself completely from the mother/son connection and witnessed a performance I later complimented as "brilliant" - that wasn't maternal flattery; he was brilliant.
To his credit, he has been performing since the ripe old age of 7, and has seriously studied and honed his acting craft continually. He began by searching out the greats onscreen, both past and present. More recently, he had the tutelage of an exceptional acting coach. He prepares for each role with a passion and energy that never fails to impress me. And he's always dead on and fun to watch on the boards.
But this portrayal struck me like no other. His singing voice, his command of his body to create the legendary figure, the timing and modulation of his words - everything he did on that stage - took me out of myself and drew me into the drama. It wasn't until his curtain call that I found myself thinking, "I gave birth to that man!" It was a moment of ego I revelled in.
Anyone who acts (as our whole family has done for decades) knows it isn't often that one watches another actor and encounters memorable excellence. Yes, there are many fine actors who never fail to entertain and impress with their skill, but it is exceedingly rare when they can make you totally forget who they are and envelop you in the character they're portraying. Perfection is its name, and, when you see your own flesh and blood achieve that, it definitely needs to be lauded.
Bravo, my son!
Last Friday night, we were in the audience of an excellent production of the Stephen Sondheim musical play, "Assassins". In the role of John Wilkes Booth, a major part in this work, was our son, Sean. From his first entrance (I later realized), I divorced myself completely from the mother/son connection and witnessed a performance I later complimented as "brilliant" - that wasn't maternal flattery; he was brilliant.
To his credit, he has been performing since the ripe old age of 7, and has seriously studied and honed his acting craft continually. He began by searching out the greats onscreen, both past and present. More recently, he had the tutelage of an exceptional acting coach. He prepares for each role with a passion and energy that never fails to impress me. And he's always dead on and fun to watch on the boards.
But this portrayal struck me like no other. His singing voice, his command of his body to create the legendary figure, the timing and modulation of his words - everything he did on that stage - took me out of myself and drew me into the drama. It wasn't until his curtain call that I found myself thinking, "I gave birth to that man!" It was a moment of ego I revelled in.
Anyone who acts (as our whole family has done for decades) knows it isn't often that one watches another actor and encounters memorable excellence. Yes, there are many fine actors who never fail to entertain and impress with their skill, but it is exceedingly rare when they can make you totally forget who they are and envelop you in the character they're portraying. Perfection is its name, and, when you see your own flesh and blood achieve that, it definitely needs to be lauded.
Bravo, my son!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thoughts About Nora Ephron
I will never presume to be even half the writer she was. She was one of the best ever, and to say I admired her is a gross understatement. She was a heroine to me. Hearing the news this morning that she has left this earth much too early produced sincere tears.
Her words inspired me to work harder at my craft. I watched her movies over and over - especially Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail and her last, Julie And Julia, finding new reasons every time to laugh, and learn. There are lines of hers I quote often in my everyday life: "It's a sign!" (from Sleepless),and "I cannot help myself (from You've Got Mail), just to name two (you have to know the movies to understand the quotes). She created characters that never leave your brain; heatwarming, complicated and always humorous.
Her essays made me laugh, too, but also gave me thoughts to ponder, and, sometimes, she did both at once. For example, this particular quote on aging: "Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth. You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldn't have to if it had a neck."
How could anyone who puts pen to paper (or fingertips to a keyboard) not be motivated by that kind of writing? And a lovely addition to her legacy as a writer are all the positive comments I've heard today from those who knew her personally; she was a good person, a true friend and someone who lived life in a way just as original as the characters she gave us.
My hope was that I would be enjoying new books and screenplays of hers for decades to come. Whenever I saw her name in a credit, I knew I was in for a writing lesson and entertainment that would not disappoint. I always hate it when special people leave us too soon. That couldn't be truer today.
Her words inspired me to work harder at my craft. I watched her movies over and over - especially Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail and her last, Julie And Julia, finding new reasons every time to laugh, and learn. There are lines of hers I quote often in my everyday life: "It's a sign!" (from Sleepless),and "I cannot help myself (from You've Got Mail), just to name two (you have to know the movies to understand the quotes). She created characters that never leave your brain; heatwarming, complicated and always humorous.
Her essays made me laugh, too, but also gave me thoughts to ponder, and, sometimes, she did both at once. For example, this particular quote on aging: "Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth. You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldn't have to if it had a neck."
How could anyone who puts pen to paper (or fingertips to a keyboard) not be motivated by that kind of writing? And a lovely addition to her legacy as a writer are all the positive comments I've heard today from those who knew her personally; she was a good person, a true friend and someone who lived life in a way just as original as the characters she gave us.
My hope was that I would be enjoying new books and screenplays of hers for decades to come. Whenever I saw her name in a credit, I knew I was in for a writing lesson and entertainment that would not disappoint. I always hate it when special people leave us too soon. That couldn't be truer today.
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