Postcards 2011

Postcards are silly and old-fashioned (kinda like me) but I adore them. I love sending them and I love getting them. When I receive one I put it up on the refrigerator at home, looking at them with every visit for soda, cheese, or ice cream (Okay, I eat better than that but I’m just saying).

If it’s a place I have been, I can reminisce about my time there and enjoy hearing about how my friend or family member enjoyed being there too. If I haven’t been there, I get to fantasize, to arm-chair travel, if you will.

In 2011, I only received a few gems of this dying activity so I wanted to share them here.


London, England – My dear friend visited London this summer and said the Royal Wedding was maddening and all over the city. This postcard is evidence of that. Made me feel kind of regal getting it! Hi Kate!


Yosemite National Park – I haven’t been to Yosemite in over 15 years, and the summer of 2011 was a perfect time to visit. There was huge snow run-off and the waterfalls were breath-taking. Well, that’s what I saw on the news and what I surmise from this postcard and my friend's comments on the back.


St. Gallen, Switzerland – I have a friend that is waaaaaaaay more experience at travel than I am. He’s been to parts of Europe that I will never visit (but not for lack of trying). But with this lovely postcard from a small town in Switzerland, I can visit by way of my imagination!

So if you're reading this and you know me, keep those postcards coming!

Carol Channing: Larger Than Life

A new documentary on the Legend comes out in January 2012. Can't wait. I got to see Ms. Channing back in the mid-90s while she was on tour in the revival of "Hello Dolly" (what else?) While her public personna is a little too wrapped up in Dolly Levi, I still think she's fun and look forward to seeing this film. Watch the trailer:

Cougar Day

12/23 A day when women of a certain age are celebrated.

Golden Globes 2012

My favorite category this year?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"
Kelly MacDonald, "Boardwalk Empire"
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
Evan Rachel Wood, "Mildred Pierce"


Boy, I'm torn who I would cheer for in this category. I watch "American Horror Story" and revel in each scene with Ms. Lang. Her fiery dialog and scorching delivery chews the scenery with even the most subtle glimpse or wince.

But Ms. Smith (a classic) in "Downton Abbey" zips every humdinger line of dialog like an arrow to the comedic and dramatic heart. I'm not sure what I meant by that last bit, but I know she's real good.

Here's hoping one of the ladies picks up the trophy this year.


Another terrific category:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Hugh Bonneville, "Downtown Abbey"
Idris Elba, "Luther"
William Hurt, "Too Big to Fail"
Bill Nighy, "Page Eight"
Dominic West, "The Hour"

While Mr. Elba deserves this win ("Luther" is riveting!), I'm posting it here just as an excuse to upload another picture of him. (Cheshire cat grin)

City of Paris Tree

Not a San Francisco native, I had never heard of the department store City of Paris. Heck, I didn't know there was anything in the space before Neiman Marcus (aka Needless Mark-up).

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble on this story. Below is a repost of a Peter Hartlaub "SF Chronicle" blog post that can be found here. (click here)


I love these old pictures.


Oh lala...sexy maniquins...

Laura Nyro

She's being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2012. Woo hoo!


I'll be honest as I didn't discover Ms. Nyro on my own. I have "the Mister" to thank for introducing me. Holy cow, she's written all the cool songs for all the cool people. I'd call her a singer's singer.

I find that Laura's music is not for background mood music, but music that demands to be listened to. "New York Tendaberry" was just such an album and really knocked me out.

I scoured YouTube but there's just not many clips of Laura singing live. This clip is a good one - just her.



A rocking good time (if that's the right words) can be found on this album with LaBelle (thanks Mister).


It's all a "Stoned Soul Picnic" to me!

Holiday Cheer

Impossible holiday cheer!

It's like watching a much younger version of myself.