20 Things to do (instead of acknowledging the ceremony in D.C.) on 1/20

Listen to Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Honor Michelle Obama’s refusal to attend the inauguration* by reading her memoir Becoming. Screen a David Lynch marathon. Spend some quality time with your tweezers in a mirror with good lighting. Write a check to an organization you believe in - Planned Parenthood, the Damien … Continue reading 20 Things to do (instead of acknowledging the ceremony in D.C.) on 1/20

Kingsolver is my Queen

I am in the midst of a royal obsession - reading and/or listening to Barbara Kingsolver’s entire catalog of work. Currently, I’m listening to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a book I read many years ago with some resentment. I mean, how wonderfully privileged must one be to be able to leave one state and travel to another … Continue reading Kingsolver is my Queen

My Wicked ways

Many years ago I read Gregory Maguire’s book, Wicked, and I absolutely despised it. While there were moments when I eagerly turned the pages, the truth was I just wanted the story, and the book, to be over. I’ve never read anything else he’s written and was also successful in avoiding any of the hype … Continue reading My Wicked ways

Notes from a retired party planner

Somehow, ok, maybe it’s because I’m good at it, I’ve become quite the “milestone birthday party planner (MBPP). Through the years I’ve planned three 50th birthday parties (my mother’s dessert & cordials festivities, my ex’s Tuscany/London celebration and my own DeFazio’s & wine shindig) and, in recent years, two 60th birthday fetes, one of which … Continue reading Notes from a retired party planner

Finding kindness

Just a moment ago, I deleted a comment I had made on a childhood friend’s post with photos showing she at a recent DJT rally. My comment was a single key stroke - the emoji of vomiting. Later, during my shower, I reconsidered my needlessly confrontational comment. What was the point? Was I going to … Continue reading Finding kindness

A Beautiful reason to have come home

The first musical I ever saw on Broadway was Grease in 1980. I don’t remember much of the show, but I do recall being mesmerized by the costumes, dancing and singing and, really, isn’t that what a musical is all about? On Sunday afternoon I was in the audience for a production of Beautiful: The … Continue reading A Beautiful reason to have come home