HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

(That’s the December full moon over Ojai’s Topa Topa Mountains.)

“On the Twelfth Day of Christmas…Fa La La”…

I am writing this to you as I wing my way back from East to West, having just wung West to East to sing at the wedding of two of my dear pals , Rosita and Beth, at Carnegie Hall. What a place for a wedding reception! More tuxedos and elegant gownage per square inch and happy faces than you can shake a peppermint stick at. It was a supreme happiness for more than one reason. They adore each other AND are now legal as well as emotional mates.

I don’t believe I had truly appreciated the importance of allowing EVERYONE to have the basic rights of matrimony until I was there listening to the speeches and seeing the joyous determination on the faces of everyone involved. Tidings of great joy!

AND we saw the astounding performance of CHERRY ORCHARD, starring John Turturro and Diane Wiest and my own dear pal from long ago, Danny Davis. At LAST I understand Chekov! I have studied, even done scenes from…but now at last I understand.

I think I am about wung out. Just five days ago I returned from the annual journey to the far side of the world, to New Zealand, where, to misquote MS. Joanie Mitchell…

”It’s coming on Summer,
They’re blooming up trees”

Thanksgiving while the birds are mating in the Pohutakawa trees…always a tad surreal and always lovely. And this time, bittersweet. My dear pal Intan lost her battle with cancer just three days after I got there. But luckily for me, I was able to hang with her a few times, sing her some songs, we made each other laugh hugely, and on December 1st I jumped into the BRISK Pacific ocean on the first day of NZ summer with her husband and we swam…FAST!… In honor of her swim to the greater mysterious sea that surrounds us all. Read more…

Goodies and Gossip

FAVORITE BOOKS:

The NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern…my favorite book of the last ten years!

AT HOME by Bill Bryson…hilarious and fascinating history of the house

THE GLASS CASTLE …whew! That’s all I have to say.

MOVIES…

ANIMAL KINGDOM…Australian gangsters…look out!( and bring a translator)

TV…

HOMELAND…yow! Best thing on TV, I swear!

BOARDWALK EMPIRE…double yow!

Goodies and Gossip

My friend and glorious warbler, Gloria Loring, sent this to me, and I thought it appropriate to pass along.

A New American Holiday Tradition
I love the idea of a new American holiday tradition. This idea was sent to me by Ron Mazak and I’m so excited to share it with you.

As the holidays approach, giant factories overseas are kicking into high gear to provide us with cheap goods – merchandise that is often produced at the expense of American jobs, which we sorely need.

This year we Americans can give the gift of genuine concern for each other. It’s time to think outside the box – the gift box, that is.

How about giving gifts produced by our neighbors and sold by local businesses, gifts that will help our economy? Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Maybe a gym membership – a good gift for anyone thinking about improving their health. Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you gift certificates.

How about the gift of help with someone’s home? It could be flowers from the local nursery planted in the spring, a lawn mowed for the summer, a driveway plowed, or gift certificates for rounds at the local golf course. There are local owner-operated restaurants that offer gift certificates. What about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember, this isn’t about big national chains; this is about supporting hometown Americans who are trying to keep their doors open. Read more…

Goodies and Gossip