For Pat

I have been remiss in sharing and am back. What really surprised me is how many actually are reading this thing so I hope I don't let you down. So this is for Pat. My sweet grad school classmate and friend who I adore and have since the first day I met him. He's getting married next week to a gal who looks like she will make him happy. Thanks for the wedding postcard Pat! It's hanging over my makeshift desk at my studio in Orlando. Yes, I'm in Orlando acting in the stage version of A CHRISTMAS STORY. Playing the mom. The narrator in the show is Ian Petrella who played Randy (the little brother "who can't put his arms down!") in the film. He's a very nice guy and is doing a great job in the show. The two boys who play my sons delight me to no end. Not only are they completely professional, they are funny, bright and kind. Me likey them.

So a bit about what's been going on. This fall I slowed down enough to realize that I think I've been mildy depressed for awhile. My natural inclinations are good at hiding things like this even from myself however, I'm working on my life in a way that I haven't in awhile and it's a very good thing. Or should say that God is working. I'm cooperating. Being in Orlando has been such a blessing. I spent ages 3 - 13 in Titusville, Florida (think NASA, Cape Kennedy, rockets and shuttles, beaches and hurricanes).

Titusville is only 50 minutes away and to get there you drive by Christmas, Florida which is strange and delightful and I like to stop at one of the local places every time I drive by.

Road in Christmas, Florida

I love America. As I was driving from LA to Orlando (yes, I drove) I thought that you shouldn't be allowed to be president of the US unless you've driven across country at least twice. As I was driving I kept thinking, "Wow. Obama, you are in charge of all this. I know it's overwhelming, but it's such an honor." I wish he'd ride back with me so he could see what I see.

Anyway, back to Titusville. I have reconnected with a group of people who were very influencial in my parents life and in mine. Most of them are in there 70's and they rock. They have shown me a great deal of love and have given to me the benefit of their experience that is enriching my life immensely. The Burdine's threw me a morning coffee with a group of ladies that was so charming and fun. We had a great time catching up.

I've also had a great time just hanging out in quirky places, cemetaries which I love and old down towns, state parks and historical locations. One of my dreams is to spend a year road tripping America. God, did you hear that? "Yes. I did."

More later my friends as I share more about my Florida adventures.

Falling

Ninety degrees today in beautiful downtown Burbank where I live with a killer roommate (killer as in capital K Kool versus a bloodthirsty lady; she also hates the letter K being used for a word like kute or krazy so she may cill me) in a house built for little people in the 1920's. (mini-ode to Faulkner finished) My mind is like a tree full of red, yellow and orange leaves as I declare this day officially fall. Now for folks like me who will be spending fall in LA; Thanksgiving and Christmas in Orlando, Florida (playing the mother in A CHRISTMAS STORY for Gramercy Theatre), fall must become a state of mind. I'm a fall kinda girl. All the promise of the holidays with none of the stress or let down they may bring. In my heart, fall is the scene from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD when Gem and Scout are coming home through the woods after a carnival in which Scout has appeared as a squash (I think). The wind is blowing danger all around them, haunted by racism and the changing south. Ok, fall to me is a crisp late afternoon in Greenville, Mississippi by the fabulous graveyard surrounded by the brick wall and dripping with ghosts disguising themselves as hanging moss from ancient trees. That's what I long for. The mystery, the snap of cool air and an ache in my heart. What is fall to you? By the way, the above painting is by the exquisite Wyatt Waters of Clinton, Mississippi.