Earthquake Preparedness

Several years ago when I was producing and co-hosting a tv talk show, we had a lady on demonstrating a survival kit in case of an earthquake. I ended up buying one. Then, not long ago, it dawned on me that the food and water meant to last for years had surely expired by now. Since we were preparing for a long road trip, we decided to update our kits, which we did a month ago.

The Red Cross has great information on what to do, where to go, what should be in your kit. Check it out.
Now's the time. Today was a wakeup call. We're about five miles from the epicenter of this 5.4 quake today.
I was in the car in Pasadena, so I didn't feel it at all. Not even an aftershock. But, it's a little disconcerting when you get home and see all the pictures on the wall askew, the photo frames on shelves fallen, opening the kitchen cabinets carefully, because glasses are leaning on the door, ready to fall out.

Funny thing...as I washed my favorite champagne glasses last Saturday after our company left, I remember thinking as I put them way up on that open glass shelf above the bar, "Gee, I hope these don't get broken in an earthquake." It's one of the few shelves that not a single thing moved. We shouldn't be so attached to material things, I know.

Text Messaging Etiquette

I read an article today from a mom who just got into text messaging so she could communicate with her teenage/adult children. It was humorously written saying how she liked it because it eliminated "the attitude and rolled eyes" from her kids.

This reminded me of one of my plays I did where a girl in the front row text messaged through the whole first act. I wasn't aware of it because usually you can only see the first couple of rows because it's so dark, and I don't look so I won't be distracted. However, I did notice when I was attending the theatre recently that it was distracting to me as an audience member to see someone texting near me during the production.

It's gotten so bad that apparently when the announcers give their welcoming speech now, they not only tell you to turn off your cell phones, but ask that you refrain from texting during the show. Next, we'll probably have to check them upon arrival.

I'm just now getting into texting because it's how my agent notifies me that I have an audition.
It will be a while I'm sure before I get so addicted.

Past Lives

My friend, Mary, who lost her mom at age ten, asked me recently if I had read, "Many Lives, Many Masters" by Brian L. Weiss, M.D. I had certainly heard about this New York Times Bestseller. It was probably on my list to read.

Since Borders sent me a coupon for my birthday (isn't that nice), I decided to forego any further procrastination and buy it. I was surprised to see that this was the 20th Anniversary Edition.

What a good book! It's the true story of a prominent psychiatrist, his young patient, and the past-life therapy that changed both their lives. I read it in one sitting...well almost, I read the epilogue this morning. I'm more prone to liking books that may give me some insight as to why my brother died two weeks before his 16th birthday or why my beautiful mom's life was cut short at age 46.

Of course, it doesn't hold all the answers, but it certainly gives one something to ponder about our own mortality, or in this case, immortality. This may be something to check out if you have lost someone close to you. I think it might bring comfort to someone who has a terminal illness. I know it's a difficult subject to write about...truthfully, it is for me, but I'm mentioning it for the same reason Dr. Weiss decided he had to write the book. It may help someone.
And it did.

Songs of the Heart

(Be sure to read my post on Taos below if you read these in sequence.)
Since I have been telling you about the parks we've visited over the years, it brought to mind an experience I had at The Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park a few years ago.
Reservations at the resort are made a year in advance at this popular resort. An evening dress code is observed here.

We were enjoying appetizers and champagne before ordering dinner in this grand hotel's huge dining room, with a giant vaulted ceiling, massive peeled-log trusses and 24-foot plate glass windows. A beautiful haunting melody was being played on the piano at the far end of the room. It went straight to my heart. I can't remember ever having that exact experience before. I asked our waiter to please ask the pianist the name of the song he just played. I had to know. It was Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings.

Upon further investigation, I learned that this is the song Eric wrote the lyrics to in memory of his son, Conor, who tragically fell out of a New York City apartment window in 1991. Conor was only four years old.

If you have a chance, download on iTunes or listen to it on You Tube - Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven. We all have our own way of dealing with pain, don't we.

Taos, NM

If you see a guy over 50 who doesn't have a long grey ponytail, then it's a sure bet he doesn't live in Taos. All the great artistes from this place sport one. I love this town!

There's historic Ledoux Street (where arts and style come to live). In the winter, Taos Ski Valley offers lots of activity. Some extol it as "the Soul of the Southwest."

We stayed at The Historic Taos Inn. Every room is decorated differently. All with so much charm. It was such a welcome relief after the usual motor inn chains at which we had been staying the past two weeks. Although we were only there one afternoon and evening, we made good use of our time. Visited quite a few shops with wonderful art and gifts. But, clearly, with 600 businesses and lots of sites we didn't see in Taos, we need to schedule more time and come back.

In the lobby of the Inn, for the cocktail hour, there was a terrific trio, playing western music: a lady bass player who also sang, and two fellows who played guitar, one also playing the mandolin. I wish I gotten their names. They were from another part of the state but drop by for an occasional gig here. Usually I like to hear recognizable songs...but there was probably one one song out of the hour-plus set that I knew. It didn't matter...they were thoroughly entertaining.

Since we had gotten up and wanted to leave early before the dining room was open, we asked some locals for breakfast recommendations. Michael's Kitchen provided a great morning walk. Oh my, if we hadn't been eating cinnamon rolls almost every day at the breakfast buffets provided at all of our stays, we could have partaken of the wonderful bakery items they had on display. Couldn't even apply them directly to the hips. There was no room. They have over 250 menu items to choose from for breakfast and lunch.

If you love Santa Fe, you should check out this enchanted town too.