September 23
In celebration of both Windy and Caleb’s birthdays we ate a yummy dinner at Chez Jay, walked through Tongva Park, and saw a super-fun magic show at the Santa Monica Playhouse.
Compared with my sisters, I’m tall! That’s a unique experience, to be the tall one. Caleb is so tall that’s a whole ‘nother story.
Lona, me, Caleb, Windy
That’s Kai of course, on the left in each picture, and his new friend Titan. Cynthia watches Titan twice a week and Kai and Titan are So Cute together. They pad around the house keeping track of Cynthia’s every move wherever she goes.
cc.
September 21
It was Rome’s birthday, omg 14, and she had a fine festivity at the art studio where she works. We all made something out of clay. I’ll take a picture of my clay art tomorrow.
class.
September 22
One of my tenants came to my door today ashen-faced with blood pouring from his hand. I had a quick peek and then oh yes, we went straight down to the emergency room.
We were in and out in less than two hours, with an x-ray, five stitches, and encouraging words. Having experienced all those emergency room visits with Hartley in the last few years at the UCLA hospital in Santa Monica, I was reminded how much less crowded it is at Saint John’s, and even practically peaceful.
September 20
I’ve been home for a week now and finally finished with all the trip pictures which are available in the Baltic and N&E Europe section.
Google Fi worked like a champ. I used data freely, maps especially, and it worked seamlessly on every street I visited in Russia-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus-Sweden. Really, I couldn’t believe it. Every border I crossed the phone piped right up “Welcome to ((all these countries, even countries I FLEW over!)) we’ve got you covered!”
And the total cost? Less than $35 per MONTH. You do have to watch out for phone calls – use wifi with the phone on airplane mode or pay $.20/minute which is ok for a quick message but no good for chatting. On wifi it’s free to call the US and very reasonable to other countries, but be sure to check. All texts are free.
I’ve been working on my 8 hour time change and I seem to be normalized, time-wise, which even in the best of circumstances is not particularly predictable.
I’ve seen my sisters, gone to Monday Night potluck, had a bbq feast from Tom, Nancy came over…I don’t remember what else.
I spent hours fishing through the internet because I want to replace the light in my dining room.
And also I’ve spent hours thinking about this landscape of dead grass and ancient bushes. One of these days I’m going to do something about it! Now I’m thinking a couple of fruit tress? and a loose low hedge at the sidewalk? Take the bushes out and extend the porch?
It was Lilly’s birthday, TEN! On Thursday (we’ve change to Thursday’s for this school year) we spent the entire afternoon at the Del Amo Mall, Shopping with Lilly’s birthday money. She’s the one who did her 2nd grade biography project on Coco Channel, she does know her taste!
ln.
July 30
My last Tuesday for a while and we lived it up at the movies. It was fun!
July 27
Big day at the Open House the day after the funeral, more pictures available from Lona that I’m going to get asap.
Asap seems to be a long time coming because of all the busyness including but not limited to me getting ready to be gone for six weeks.
Celina cooked a dinner for us that made me weak in the knees. Oh Celina, YUM! It was 105 in the valley and the pool was bathtub warm. Thank you!
David, Frankie, Paul, Joanne, Celina, Celina’s mom, Ronald, Steven.
..this guy, Jubilant Sykes, a friend of the family from their church in LA, and everyone agreed, we could listen to him sing all day long.
July 26
The family hired a videographer to tape everything on the day of the funeral so I didn’t feel any need to take a lot of pictures. Here’s a very short summary of how it all went.
The red building in the center of the picture is The Old North Church, modeled closely after the 1723 church in Boston, where we held the service. Just in front of the church is the interment plots for both Hartley and Lona. The reception was in the Hall of Liberty, the white building in the foreground.
It was especially convenient to have everything so close at hand, the church, the cemetery, and the reception, and for their part Forest Lawn did a really good job.
internet.
Inside the church. The pastor from the family church in Honolulu did the sermon, Lucas sang in Hebrew and English, Christa and Charis did a sign-language performance, Caleb spoke at length, and then there was..
The graveside service was especially interesting in that they had a few people come up to read verses from the bible followed by songs sung by the congregation.
Then everyone took the two minute journey to the reception for food and stories of Hartley.
July 22
Here’s me and Lona finishing off everyone else’s chicken bones. Are you done with that? We got it from our mother.
And that’s Lona on July 4th, greeting her 20 year old grandson Caleb come to visit. She got that from our mother too.
July 23
Angela’s pictures from Beach Day! Cali said she wasn’t going in the ocean. She didn’t like the ocean, it was scary. Lilly took her by the hand and led her into the sea.
And then Cali caught a couple waves on the boogie board and that was it, Cali Black: California Girl.
ak.
Rome joined in after work. She has been working at an art studio, the best summer job a thirteen year old ever had.
Lilly, Cali, Rome
July 20
First order of the day – The Really Awesome Improv Show, a really awesome improv show at Second City in Hollywood.
What a totally recommendable show for kids and adults alike although adults are unlikely to go without a kid they certainly could, and wouldn’t be sorry.
Lilly, Rome, Cali, Windy
Lilly raised her hand at EVERY opportunity and got picked for the biggest part an audience member could have. She was AWESOME.
Everyone who is both old and LA born will not need me to tell them that this is Miceli’s, “fine Italian food since 1949”.
Next, a stroll up the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Grauman’s Chinese for some star power. But not really so much star power, just streets absolutely PACKED shoulder to shoulder or more like nose to nose streets full of people.
Followed by Ice Cream at the Roll Up Ice Cream place. Nice day guys.
July 19
Cali and the Pacific Ocean.
We had a fancy day – a tour of the Marion Davis house and then lunch with Lona and Evelyn at the Annenberg Beach Club, open and welcoming to all who can wait for a seat.
Then we had lunch at the once hippy-dippy and now neutra-foodie-chic Inn of the Seventh Ray.
Sharon, Windy, Cali.
July 17
Roxi spent the day with Lilly today so I called Roxi’s Grandma Pauli and we all went to lunch and then to the beach. I wish I got some better pictures because those girls were taking on the waves with delighted enthusiasm.
Roxi and Lilly made up a dessert menu, we made our selections, and they served up..
..super-fun desserts with a check, the price being rendered in hugs, kisses, and high-fives.
July 16
All set now.
The funeral will be July 26 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with a reception following. On July 27 we’ll have an open house at the apartment in Marina del Rey.
Hartley’s brother Brent and his wife Donna came to the hospital, including Lona, Trevor, and Caleb.
I had always lusted after Burt and Charlene’s coffee table cat and now I’ve got one too!
On the day Hartley fell into the coma Windy and I were out with Burt and Charlene at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi.
I’m going to leave this on top for a while and add pictures below it because unfortunately I already forget to whom I’ve told what.
July 10 Hartley became unconscious with what turned out to be a brain bleed. The neuro-surgeons at UCLA concluded that nothing could be done to restore even minimal function. He is on a breathing machine awaiting further decisions.
July 11 the Palliative Care team will be consulting with Lona and Trevor this morning. I went to Forest Lawn and brought back all the info and photos for an informed decision regarding burial, service, and reception.
July 12 Hartley died around 5pm today surrounded by his family who were all praying and singing hymns and telling Hartley how much they loved him. It was perfect.
July 13 The Hawaii family is still here and we spent most of the day working on the funeral, figuring out ‘things’. It’s like a wedding in that you spend too much because it’s worth it for the memory, but you do it in a few days.
July 9
Caleb is passing through, visiting with his grandparents, and I got a great afternoon of lunch at Ye Olde Kings Head since he’ll be leaving for Oxford soon.
We walked around for a while and then..
(self-portrait)
July 8
Monday in the valley but this is on 2nd Street and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica.
We might not recognize it. It’s a Book Store, and they’ll buy your books. Check it out online at bookmaster.com.
July 7
Another fun-filled Sunday with Marsha thanks to the fruits of the pleasure she takes from charity silent auctions. Today – Polo in Santa Barbara!
But first we met Michi at a restaurant of her choosing and everything we ate was delicious.
Michi didn’t want to go to polo but Nancy came and YAY for that. We had a delightful visit and..
(self-portrait)
The announcer was particularly entertaining so I wanted to see her vantage and there she was in the cheap seats having a grand ol’ time.
July 7
From Cynthia: “The police shooting of Philando Castile in a St Paul suburb made national news a few years ago when his passenger girlfriend made a Facebook live stream video of his shooting death – the officer thought he was reaching for a gun when he was actually reaching for his ID that the officer had asked to see. Philando even said he was reaching for his ID.
“I sit on this bench often when I bring Kai and I thought the school was honoring him because he worked for the St Paul school district – it is in the school park where I take Kai after school hours located 2 blocks away from me and I just learned that the reason the bench is here is because this was the school where Philando worked as a cafeteria supervisor when he was shot.”
July 6
Bonnie and I drove down to Santa Ana today to visit the Bowers Museum. I can’t remember that I’ve ever been here before.
We came to see..
..’Now open at the Bowers Museum in its U.S. west coast premiere: Guo Pei: Couture Beyond.
‘This exhibition showcases the iconic work of world renowned couturière designer Guo Pei. Featuring more than 40 breathtaking pieces from her most bold runway shows, the masterpieces on view underline the artist’s impact on the fashion world and beyond.
‘For over 20 years Guo Pei has been dressing celebrities, royalty and politicians from around the globe who turn to her for show-stopping creations.’
From a Vogue article about the opening festivity:
‘Classifying these pieces as clothing wouldn’t be accurate: Firstly, they aren’t meant to be worn; and secondly, as Guo herself informed earlier that day at a press preview, “These are not pieces of my clothing. I make clothing, but in these galleries, you will find my art.”’
We ate lunch at the restaurant there and then enjoyed a stroll through the rest of the museum. It was a lovely outing, thanks for the idea Bonnie!
July 5
I got in the car this morning, got out this afternoon, came inside, and then ticked 6 things off my to-do list. What a satisfying day.
July 4
Brigitte and Knut found this while traveling through Lubeck, Germany. Thanks guys!
Today I wanted to go room by room, clean every surface and do all the moving-out-to-storage that needed to be done. I didn’t get through every room but I did get through most of the rooms. I have so many rooms now, living/dining combo, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, service porch. Still so many rooms compared to my studio life!
Wednesday was my second summer Tuesday with the girls, we switched, and I’m lovin’ these summer days.
July 2
Happy Birthday to ME..Thanks Jo Ann! Several things: note it is cut in half, we Shared it. I wish I had asked her to lower it so the full glory would shine against the black top. Lastly, I know, the glasses glare, which I didn’t notice at the time and couldn’t have done anything about even if I had.
We also had a scrumptious taco lunch at a place I had never visited before and now will be a part of my regular rotation.
July 1
Cynthia sent me these. WOW, how spectacularly cool is this! And he’s going to be 16 in a week!!
mh.
Ann had the ladies over for Monday potluck, ready to celebrate. We did spend some time moaning over the State of the Union, something we Never do, but the group was small with no dissenters.
June 30
Ooh La La, Faaancy! Marsha buys this event in a silent auction at her church. They’ve been doing it for a number of years, and she invited me to join her and..
We heard origin stories on many of the beautiful and historic tea cups and tea pots.
Here’s our hostess Kate on the left and her husband Eric attending to our every desire.
Thanks to all for a most memorable afternoon.
..a lovely group of ladies from her church. Delightful church ladies, and Michael.
Judy, Kathleen, Michael, Felice, Marsha, Lee, Kate, Karen, and Laura.
June 29
Merlyn and Hilda got back from their latest European vacation and they put on a dinner feast and slide show. It was great – hors d’oeuvres, then WWII military sites in England and France, then dinner, then a tour around Germany, then dessert.
And wine pairings. Merlyn had decided to go for wine pairings which greatly added to the festivity.
Thanks guys!
June 28
I had lunch with Boban today which was totally cool and we didn’t bate each other with politics or religion. He even seemed to have had a slight turn-around on Trump but I didn’t engage so as not to spoil the mood. I was pleased with myself actually.
We didn’t go to Rose Café but since I didn’t take a picture where we where and since I didn’t use this picture before when I went here with Sharon..here it is now.
Then I got my hair cut and I’m happy with the result so YAY on all fronts.
June 27
Both Susie and I were so glad we saw this show. Remember when I went to the Underground Museum in South Central on Washington Blvd. where they were showing a very large collection of Roy DeCarava photographs. There were some here too.
The guy who was greeting guests at the Underground had just left the Broad. He had been working on the Soul of a Nation show and his opinion was that the whole thing was too shiny. I see where he got that idea because all the work is presented in a decidedly We Are A Fancy Museum way. That being said the collection was very much worth the time to have a look and to think about.
I was looking at the picture and this woman walked into the scene and I had a little-mini-flip-out. I asked oh please look how you look, will you be in my photo? She said ‘Sure!’ and we did several.
And here’s the text that goes with the art. It’s actually serious stuff but I being me couldn’t resist adding this lighthearted woman in the Super Girl dress.
I couldn’t show the other picture mentioned here as it’s very large and very full-frontal.
Today at last the magic worked and we were ushered directly into Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013).
It’s best to arrive very early in the day for the best chance to get in.
You get exactly 45 seconds on the platform with a constantly changing display. Wow.
June 25
My first summer day with the girls and we had so much fun I don’t know if I can even remember all that we did. Lilly, she sure can strike a pose.
Visiting, looking at Lilly’s school projects and Rome’s pictures from her Girl Scout camping trip, then Lunch…
Soo many samples, Sampletown USA.
After the market we went to the library, then to get ice cream…
June 24
Maxine, you are The One, the maker of Party.
The Monday ladies had a birthday festivity for me and Ann, the June birthdays, and it was so nice, thank you all!
Also I got to have lunch with Darryl and that was a treat too.
June 26
Sharon and I walked at the beach and then she bought me a super-birthday-lunch at Rose Café that has transformed itself from a cool funky local Venice Beach hang into a cool chic trendy Venice Beach hang. The food and the venue are decidedly recommendable.
Then I buzzed out to West Hollywood to a Russian visa expediting service and like the woman told me on the phone, it was ‘dead easy’ and well worth the money considering how much I didn’t want to do it myself.
June 23
I’m home now and back to making this all happen.
The map shows a general outline of my itinerary, every spot a potential highlight. I’m getting close to the wire on the Russian visa which has to be my next order of business.
A-St Petersburg, Russia
B-Tallinn, Estonia
C-Riga, Latvia
D-Vilnius, Lithuania
E-Minsk, Belarus
F-Stockholm, Sweden
G-Kiruna, Sweden..Lapland, above the Arctic Circle
H-Umea, Sweden..and travels along the High Coast
I-Eslov/Malmo, Sweden
J-Copenhagen, Denmark for my flight home
June 22
A Midsommar’s Eve..and that’s how they spell it in Sweden, here being Tony and Lill’s 30th annual blow-out attended by a small army of their friends and family some number having left already and some having yet to arrive.
So you know after my visit to the Baltic states I’m going to spend 12 nights with Lill and a few of her friends in Sweden. The whole event got started because these two are getting married in Sweden. I’m coming home before the wedding but I do appreciate that they contributed to this adventure for me.
There’s more to this story but I have to clarify the details with Ingalill.
June 21
The view from our back door where chairs would come and go depending on who was watching the kids.
A SUPER highlight for me. The house had a rack full of wetsuits including an XXL Shortie, perfect and despite the freeeeezing cold that kept even the kids out of their bathing suits, I got to have a run at boogie boarding and it was SO FUN!
June 20
First ten then nine adults and four children appear at these tables three times a day. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Breakfast. Lunch. ETC!
June 19
Hail hail! Here’s the connection: my friend Marsha’s daughter Kelly’s college roommate, the roommate’s family including brother, husband, two kids, and mother-in-law, the roommate’s husband’s sister and her family, and also Kelly’s current roommate.
Here are their names: Crystal, Renee, Mike, Bryan, Sharon, Wai, Marsha::Connor, William, Tyler, Lorelai, Kelly, Kris
More soon!
Santa Barbara Nancy always finds me a fancy new flying pig for my birthday. It’s true, I might not remember if she kept sending the same one year after year. It’s always a fresh new pleasure!
June 18
These two selfies, this one and the one below, are on my new phone that has a setting whereby it will take a picture itself when it finds that everyone is smiling. Crazy, right?!
I got to have a Happy Birthday dinner with the girls tonight, thank you all, and it was FUN.
When Christa held the camera her head still looks normal..it would be cool if I could figure out this selfie technology..
Rome, Oliver, Angela, Lilly, me
June 15
Lilly’s dance recital, always a delight. And since this was the day before Father’s Day we had a lovely Congratulations Lilly and Happy Father’s Day Darryl and Gary dinner complements of D&A.
Basically these days or rather these years all these festivities are complements of D&A. Lucky dog me.
June 17
Christa, Lona, me, Windy. 25, 77, 72, 68. We sisters are getting on alright, and Still cute. Christa and I like to be together in June since we share a birthday. Happy Birthday sweetie!
Old Town Riverside has a great architectural history, it’s a history lesson just walking around. I’m going to list here the dates and styles of some of the buildings all within these few blocks:
Mission Inn 1902-1932 built in many styles over the years and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Old City Hall 1924 Spanish Renaissance Revival.
Riverside Metropolitan Museum 1912 Italian Renaissance.
First Congregational Church 1913 Spanish Renaissance Revival.
Universalist Unitarian Church 1891 Gothic Revival.
First Church of Christ Science 1901 Mission Revival.
Riverside Art Museum 1929 Beaux-Arts.
Union Pacific Railroad Depot 1904 Mission Revival.
And many more in the same vein. We loved it.
