Winter Fire

There aren't many frigid cold days in LA, but when we have them, it's a treat.

Hope

Even though we are in a recession, a plant with green leaves soaking up the rain in Southern California gives me hope.

Hope

Even though we are in a recession, the world is already better because of President Obama.

Recession and decay

Looking at winter leaves reminded me of the recession we're in. It's a slowing down when nature retreats and saves it's energy for the spring.

Award Season

It's Academy Award Season.  One of the fun things about this time of year is watching old movies of winners and losers.  My favorite so far is the 1968 classic, The Subject Was Roses.

It has the stilted feel of a play-made-into-a-movie, but is a powerful film in many ways.  Three years after a massive stroke left Patricia Neal in a coma for 21 days, Neal appeared as the mother in the movie.  You can see the pain of her life on her face and she has a very slight limp that adds to her sad beauty.

Based on a Pulitzer Price-winning play, The Subject Was Roses, also stars a very young Martin Sheen who won a Tony Award for his role as Timmy on Broadway.  Jack Albertson plays the dad and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as winning a Tony for his work on Broadway, were he starred along with Sheen.

The story centers on World War II veteran Timmy Cleary's return home after three years in the army.  He's changed, but his parent haven't.  Old disappointments and years of hurt surface between them with Timmy in the middle, only this time, Timmy sees himself and his parents through mature eyes.  The dynamic in the family has shifted as the sensitive young man and his long-suffering parents grapple with their lives and the changes in relationships that must come. Beautifully written and exquisitely acted, The Subject Was Roses is stunning in it's old fashioned storytelling power.

...Writing a Book

Someone asked about the book I'm allegedly writing that I wrote about earlier on this blog. Well, of course, as soon as I decided to write a book, I got a job.  An all-consuming one that left me exhausted and unable to work and then come home and write a book.  I'm no J.K. Rowling who raised 2 little kids as a single mom, had a full-time job AND wrote one of the most entertaining series of books EVER.

I count myself lucky, nonetheless, because I love my work and I have a job.  Oh, and President Obama will be sworn in days from now. 

The Beauty of the Dilapidated

Winter in LA

Oranges Are the Only Fruit

Can't get enough of those red barns

Red Barn

Wisconsin Farm

Christmas Tree

This year, Christmas in Wisconsin.  Nature provided the snow and family provided the cheer.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Cemetery