Today I notch another year in my age belt. For the past few birthdays I’ve tried to dress to remind myself that I can still pull off an outfit that’s appropriate for someone in the middle while making me feel hip at the same time. My 2016 horoscope predicts a fantastic year ahead….hopefully I will be able to dress accordingly!
Yesterday David Bowie passed from this life into the next. It was my privilege to see him perform in the 70’s and 80’s and I was never disappointed. His thoughtful interviews showed his remarkably inquisitive intelligence as he continually worked to evolve his music, paintings, and acting for our pleasure (and his).
Having had my fair share of relatives grapple with complex cancers, I can only marvel that his last days were spent creating his final piece of art, Blackstar. Cancer treatments are never easy, and 18 months is a long time to battle the cancer beast. I am in awe of the energy, determination, and creativity that he embraced until the very end.
His artistic legacy aside, I find myself most touched by his love for the beautiful Iman. In public they always commanded the limelight but privately, Mr. & Mrs. Jones shared a largely ‘normal’ life (raising children, sharing meals, reading the paper on a Sunday afternoon, and all of the other mundane things that make up a life with those one loves).
As an artist and as a human, Bowie inspirited me in ways I did not realize until his death. Thank you Mr. Bowie…rest in peace wherever you might be.
I am not a big one for making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I’m all about seeking inspiration through books, movies, fashion, travel, and art. I started off 2016 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to view the Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life exhibition. I’m still confused by the ‘modern’ selections but the pieces from the 1700 and 1800’s were breathtaking. I was so excited by the art that I have taken my paints and papers out of storage and am attempting a few still lives of my own. How about you? Do you make resolutions? I’d love to hear what you have in store for 2016…
Merry Christmas everyone! My boys gifted me with some wonderful presents with a final gift left to open. It’s a 13 hour rainy road trip that ends in Philly for a week spent with my family – the BEST gift of all. I am looking forward to eating my momma’s cooking, catching up on lots of Netflix and movies – Star Wars! The Revenant! The Big Short! – playing cutthroat Scrabble games, and talking late into the night. Here’s wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas too!
While I patiently wait for Santa to leave a while sleigh full of 2016 reading under our tree I borrowed a few library books to occupy me until the 25th. I just finished with The Expats (implausible yet enjoyable) and am in the middle of The Dust That Falls from Dreams (unexpectedly good). After that, I’ll toss a coin and see if I open The Taming of The Queen (who doesn’t love a fictionalized historical romp about Henry’s babes) or Thank You, Goodnight. What are you reading now? Any books you hope that Santa brings for you? I’d love to know…
Earlier this week my husband and I marked twenty years of marriage. Tonight, we finally get to celebrate in style with a lovely dinner at The Standard. I’ve only been there to see a Katy K sponsored burlesque show in the 90’s, so I am excited to finally get to pop the cork on a bottle of our favorite champagne and share a meal together.
In 1995 I took the biggest gamble of my life and married my beau of 7 years in Las Vegas. We exchanged vows at The Little White Chapel drive in window surrounded by children, family, and friends from around the globe and were serenaded by an Elvis impersonator singing ‘Love Me Tender’. We pawned our rings afterwards to dance – and bet – the night away. Twenty years later it remains my favorite wedding I’ve ever attended (and marriage remains a crapshoot every day!)
Even though it feels like fall outside there are only 20 days until Christmas. One of the things that gets me into the giving season is adopting children from the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. This year we have chosen a 9 year old boy and a 3 year old girl and I am beyond excited to buy WWE toys for the young man and baby dolls for the little lady. Do you do anything special to get in the giving spirit? I’d love to know…
It has been a year of incredible highs and heart wrenching lows and through it all I remain immensely grateful for those that have walked the path with me. Thank you.
My big sis gave me a Nordies certificate a while back and I just found it buried in a stack of filing. I took myself shopping and while I saw much to like (clothes! bags! shoes!) it was the Ivanka Trump ‘Tenice‘ pump that made me cash in my gift. This is going to be my ‘go to’ shoe for the holidays…and beyond.
The Grey Goddess 