Lightning Fast Delivery

Saturday morning at 11ish I dropped off a little care package for Natalia. She just texted me to say it arrived! Way to go, US Post Office! It's tough having so much distance between us but FaceTiming helps a lot. She just mailed me an extra copy she had of a Sharon Salzberg book and didn't even know that I had cooked up a package to send her way. Oh us Gemini gals are so in sync with eachother. The box I sent was full of just silly stuff like a vintage bookmarker (from my vast collection!), some little notebooks, a couple books I had (the Dalai Lama one and another on meditation) plus some other random stuff that I picked up at different shops. I'm so glad it made her so happy and arrived on the last day of our month of daily meditation!

Last Weekend in February

Yesterday I met up with the big brother in Wayne, PA for lunch at Teresa's Café, where we ate pizza and had a real conversation versus our usual surface talk about movies, TV shows, and stuff like that. After lunch we went shopping at Main Point Books where I picked up My Love Story by Tina Turner and Carry On by John Lewis and Wayne grabbed The World of Dracula puzzle. As we left Main Point and were gonna head over to the parky lot, I said, in a mock-Old English accent while gesturing grandly, "Shall we to the crosswalk?" At that moment a couple was getting out of their parked car in front of us and the woman, very blasé, said "We shall." Wayne and I chuckled and as we turned around the man said "I will allow it" or something like that and I offered a flourished hand and a bow and, continuing in my faux accent said, "Why thank you, my liege..." and the four of us cracked up. I love moments like that. What could have been another fleeting and meaningless blip in our day quickly turned into a laugh and a smile shared with strangers.

Today I was supposed to visit with Emily and the kids; it would have been the first time since October. We make plans to get together and then something will come up and one of us needs to reschedule and it's become a cycle. This morning I woke up to a text saying that Ana wasn't feeling well and we would need to push our hang out to mid-March. Since this has always been our relationship, it doesn't bother me at all when these things happen. Yeah, it's disappointing but it doesn't make me angry like how I feel with Ashlee ignoring me. So I texted back saying it was 100% fine and then I hopped into my clothes and dashed out the door to see the 1:30 showing of Casablanca at The Colonial!! This year is the 80th anniversary of its release and I had it marked on my calendar but decided to abandon it so as to see Emily. But in the end I got to see it and had a great time. Casablanca is one of my favourite films of all time and seeing it with an equally excited audience and Brett Miller playing the organ (he ended with, what else, As Time Goes By!) was a wonderful experience.

Natalia's Meditation Space

This month Natalia and I both signed up for 28 days of meditation with Sharon Salzberg. I've tried meditating and chanting before with very little success. It just never felt like it was for me. Sometimes I would get distracted in my thoughts but more often than not, I was expecting to come out of the meditation feeling calmer, more at peace, and with a clearer mind, but never felt any of that. Same thing happened this time around. Yeah it was a brief time where I was not watching something or on a device, however that was pretty much all I got out of it. I'm interested to hear from Natalia on our next FaceTime date. I think I got more out of this video she sent me of her surroundings on one of her meditation sessions. 

Absolute Horror

Moggy

From the time I was born Moggy was there. I'd be swinging on the lamp post (or scutting the back of the coal lorry) and she'd be sitting there at the window her dog beside her, watching the kids and the people. She had six kids herself and she was left a young widow. She'd wash the dead or anything to earn a shilling to rear them and if she never had a shilling she was always in good form. She'd go around for a few glasses of stout at Corbetts and would come around singing.

Back to Ida's

When Bishop and I were having lunch the other day we popped in to Ida's Bookshop. It's still a lovely place and I'm glad I was able to pick up a couple books and support a local seller, but I wish that the person at the front desk was more engaging (Jen Stellato and Fred Dannaway set the bar high), rather than lost in her own world until I clearly interrupted. That's one of those small, insignificant moments that I love - little interactions with strangers where you connect over something you share in common, like books, and exchange a chuckle and a smile that makes the rest of the day a bit easier. Definitely a missed opportunity on her part, since few people are as fun and chatty as me and Bish. I doubt I'll return, but maybe we can check out Harriett's, the sister shop, sometime soon.

Cameo + Maria Bamford = February 2022 Donation

I signed up for another Cameo video, this time from Maria Bamford!! A portion of the amount paid goes to Downtown Women's Center. I had to write a blurb to give her some idea of what to say but I was pretty clueless. I didn't know what to ask so this is what I said: 

Oh geez, pretty much everything you say is hilarious or inspiring! Um, how about a book recommendation? Or who was your first celebrity crush? I dunno, whatever you want, angel pants! xo 

Then I waited a few days and just when it had completely slipped my mind, a text came through alerting me that the video is complete. Check out this little snippet:

Downtown Women's Center

The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women.

DWC is built on a friendship that grew between an outreach worker named Jill Halverson and Rosa, a woman experiencing homelessness at the time. This friendship inspired Jill to open DWC and establish a community through which the lives of women like Rosa could be restored.

In the 40 years since Jill’s extraordinary act of compassion, we’ve reached thousands of women and transformed countless lives. Today, DWC manages 119 units of permanent housing across greater Los Angeles, and has grown to serve more than 5,400 women annually. We provide a wide array of resources to decrease barriers and end homelessness for good for all women, including female veterans and their families, women with severe physical and mental health concerns, and survivors of domestic violence. 

Our Housing First and trauma-informed service model includes:

• Access to basic needs and resources through our Day Center, where women can receive three daily meals and access to showers, restrooms, mail, laundry, and telephones.

• On-site housing and supportive services, with our 119 units of permanent housing across two residences making us one of the largest housing providers for women in the country.

• Community-based housing services, provided in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and various private foundations and corporations.

• Health and wellness services, including individual and group counseling, medical care, mental health services, preventive screenings, Trauma Recovery Center services, and enrichment activities.

• Job readiness and employment training, as well as job placement services and transitional jobs at MADE by DWC, in partnership with LA:RISE.

• Advocacy training, to empower women to become successful advocates for themselves and others by participating in press interviews, public policy meetings, lobby visits with legislators, fundraising events, press conferences, and more.

• Public education and volunteering, with a volunteer program that engages over 5,000 individuals annually.

• Research and evaluation, to continue to push the envelope on creative solutions to ending homelessness by providing real-time data on needs and impacts (see the DWC 2019 Los Angeles City Women’s Needs Assessment here).

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Sunday with Bishop

Yesterday afternoon Bishop and I met up in Audubon to gorge ourselves on some LesbiVeggies again. Their Sunday hours are 12-3 and at 1 we walked up to find it was locked and the lights were out. No note on the door and nothing posted to their IG page. Totally lame. We went across the street to Abbie Road since our visit there in December was a big hit. We chatted for a bit with Bob the owner (such a nice man), grabbed some CDs and then drove to Collingswood to have a delicious lunch at (where else) Healthy Garden. Afterwards, and for the third time this month, I went in to Bespoke. Bish had never been and is a big-time plant lover, and I needed to see my favourite French Bulldog. We approached and right there in the window was Griffin sleeping in a chair and soaking in a sun puddle - adorable! We then went to Ida's and finally chatted for a bit by our cars. We are already planning a trip to Princeton next month and frankly, I can't wait. The more time with Bishop, the better life is.

January 2022 Donations

American Heart Association

I received a text saying that Bailey was trying to raise money at school for the American Heart Association. I immediately dashed over and tossed some cash into her pot. Here's what Bailey's page said: 

I’m participating in my school’s Kids Heart Challenge and raising funds to help everyone have healthy hearts. I’m also learning things like how to keep my own heart, brain and lungs strong, how to save a life with Hands-Only CPR, the warning signs of a stroke and ways to de-stress.

I’m really excited and hope you will help me save lives by donating!

And this is a bit of info from the American Heart Association's website:

The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed.

From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 40 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 2,800 employees. Learn more about our impact over time.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Our size and scope let us have real impact. The AHA has invested more than $4.8 billion in research, making us the largest not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government. Learn more about our life-changing funded research breakthroughs.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

I'm Moving to Rhode Island

...of only for that conversation area!!!

 

Late Night Pit Stop at Mel and Scott's

I wanted to drop off a care package to Mel tonight and got the bonus treat of seeing the whole family and goofing around with Bonnie, their gorgeous pupper, and the wee ladies - Evelyn and Lacey. Scott even took our pic!

Homeless Jesus

Saw this in Antwerp back in 2019. I was just walking past an alcove on Kammenstraat (turns out it was Gemeenschap van Sant'Egidio) and immediately this piece caught my eye. Just stunning.

Phony Lisa

Look what Amy and Don bought me!!

The Best Way to Celebrate the Month...

...is purchasing Maya's Cookies' Black History Collection, of course! I love how much thought went in to this - see for yourself:

A collection inspired by strength, resilience and Black excellence! Celebrate Black History Month with The Superhero, The First Lady, and Uncle Nearest. Each box contains 2 cookies of each flavor.

The Superhero - Inspired by Black Panther and Chadwick Boseman. A black-out dark chocolate cookie, rich and complex. 72% Extra Dark Kanda Chocolate chunks get added to our creamy chocolate dough and finished with a dusting of silver and purple edible glitter. 

Featuring Kanda Chocolates, a Black-owned, Woman-owned company sourcing straight from Ghana. Shop Kanda at KandaChocolates.com

The First Lady - Inspired by Michelle Obama, her mother Marian, and generations of Black girl magic. Using Cabernet Sauvignon from a Black-owned, vegan winery, Maya soaks marionberries in the delicious jammy wine. The compote then gets swirled into our classic sugar cookie dough with sweet white chocolate and a hint of lemon.

Uncle Nearest - Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. His legacy lives on through the Most Awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020 and 2021 blended by his great-great-granddaughter, Master Blender of the Year, Victoria Eady Butler.

The Uncle Nearest cookie contains whiskey candied pecans, caramel chips and chocolate chips enveloped in brown sugar dough (with an extra splash of Uncle Nearest for good measure).

Shop Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey at UncleNearest.com

And just so youse know, Maya's Cookies are vegan and they are dee-lish!!

Fourteen Days of Romance Movies

I thought it would be fun to watch one romantic/love story film a day leading up to Valentine's Day. It turned out to be kind of a disappointment, since not every movie was exceptional. I think if I do this again I'll research in advance and set up way more winners. 

* Love Affair - I hadn't seen this Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer classic in at least ten years. I love the both of them, especially Miss Dunne and this was a nice way to kick off the next two weeks.

* The Russia House - I think I was in high school when I last watched this. The only thing I remembered was the very end and the look on Michelle Pfieffer's face as she went tearing down the gangplank into the waiting arms of Sean Connery, whose joy and excitement matched hers. It's a solid film but that last scene still got me choked up.

* Sylvie’s Love - I wanted to see this film but I always hesitate on films centered on the Black experience. Mostly because I want it to be 100% free from racism and just be a "normal" story about a happy couple with their ups and downs. Same goes for gay films, too. I want it to be uplifting and without any struggle. (Unrealistic, I know, since life is all about struggle and overcoming/dealing with hardships of all sorts.) That said, I'm so glad I watched Sylvie's Love because it was really well done and littered with gorgeous people in fantastic threads surrounded by beautiful music, and a storyline that was just what I needed. 

Before Sunrise - This movie was good but I saw the second film in the trilogy first and didn't get around to this one until years later. I prefer Sunset out of the three films.

* Before Sunset - I remember seeing this in the theatre and being swept away by the conversation and being able to act as that proverbial fly on the wall to their every word. A fantastic concept and so well done.

Before Midnight - Ugh, this movie made me think that all relationships are doomed to have some really seriously shitty times. Just wasn't what I had hoped for.

* The Magic of Ordinary Days - A favourite of Nana Irma's and the one that inspired her love of Skeet Ulrich. A really good Hallmark film that made up for the last Before.

Made for Each Other - I figured Jimmy Stewart and Carole Lombard, how could I go wrong? Well, it was a let down. That mother-in-law needed a punch in the face or a ball gag. But when Jimmy Stewart broke down crying begging for help to save his son's life I spouted out the water works big time. 

* Love at First Bite  - How freakin' funny is George Hamilton? This was such a fun, light movie that I managed to watch off YouTube for free and it had me LOLing more than once. Just loads of fun.

Minnie & Moskowitz - Gena Rowlands is always top notch in every role but why her character of Minnie put up with so many demented and abusive men is beyond me. Seymour Cassel was so believable as a crazy parking lot attendant with unbelievably gorgeous hair but he was out of his gourd mental.

♥ Return to Me - One of the best written, best acted, and best conceived romantic comedy ever made. It's a family favourite and never gets stale. A stellar film.

♥ La belle et la bête - This is in my top five fave movies of all time. It's unique, lush, and just gorgeous. Jean Marais as The Beast is unbeatable. 

* Doctor Zhivago - Here's another one I hadn't seen since I was a teenager. I had forgotten just how fine an actor Omar Sharif was and just how heartbreaking the ending was.

♥ Somewhere in Time - One of the all time greatest romance films of all time. Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour made for a stunning couple and Richard Matheson's script is as wonderful as his novel. Oh and the music....John Barry's score is pure perfection.

* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Books to Set the Valentine Mood

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Somewhere in Time by Richard Matheson

Love Monster by Rachel Bright

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

Dirty Pretty Things by Michael Faudet

Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve

I Explain a Few Things by Pablo Neruda

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The Book of Love by KC Jones

Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin

Brunch with My Galentine and Her Valentine

Amy and Don were in Philly for a wedding and this morning we met up in Collingswood for brunch and chit chat. Even though Amy and her hubby have been together for over 25 years, I really don't know Don and have only had maybe two conversations with him. Frankly, I was dreading meeting up with them as I have no clue what to say to him and I always got the impression he didn't care for me. So I got to Healthy Garden way early so I could pick where to sit and feel a bit more in control and ready for when they arrived. Amy, of course, greeted me with a great big hug and I almost went to shake Don's hand when he initiated a hug. That instantly put me at ease and we wound up having a really nice time together. We even got to stop in to Bespoke (which always seems to be unbelievably busy!) and I got to see my one true Valentine, Griffin. 

(Isn't Griffin just gorgeous?!)

De Jax

Check out this adorable Valentine that Jax made for his papa in Spanish class!

Hola Papa

Tú eres inteligente

de, Jax

hard-working

cariñoso

comico

bondadoso

From Bishop

Love from Happy Recipients

I’m forever worried that my posties and notes and cards will get lost in the mail. What a relief that they reached their destinations!

Bishop and Pax got theirs!