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Joan Rivers RIP
In 1977, I got hired to play a small part in Joan River’s movie, Rabbit Test. Most actors worry about ending up on the cutting room floor (showbiz-speak that means you may get paid for acting, but your part might get cut out of the movie before it hits theaters).
Me in 1976. Joan loved the braces so I got the part! I was 34 at the time, working for KABC-TV. Everyone thought I was brave for wearing metal in my mouth at a TV studio where image is everything!
“Workable” is not the same as “working at!”
I know it doesn’t sound very romantic to say that your most personal relationship is workable. But when I hear people say that it takes “work” to keep a relationship going–as if it’s a constant struggle without which it would fall apart–I must comment.
It was Christmas Eve 2011. We found this little guy—abandoned, cold and starving—on the hill behind our house. We took him in, fed him and got him physically well. He bonded with me and bit everybody else, finally giving Charley a deep puncture wound on his hand. Some relationships–despite our investment of time, effort and desire–just don’t work out because they weren’t workable to begin with.
Valentine’s Day—Again!
I think there must be something inherently wrong about being a love and relationship expert and not writing a blog on Valentine’s Day! So before I get an angry email, here goes!
On Valentine’s Day 1987—two weeks before our wedding—I gave Charley a beautiful bouquet along with several large balloons, each with words of love emblazoned on it.
Charley and me on a cruise ship about 12 years ago. Not one of those 10-story hotels on the water, but a lovely and sleek ship reminiscent of bygone days.
Trust
We are all familiar with the expression, “unconditional love,” usually in association with an ideal way of demonstrating one’s love for another (or vice versa). It is certainly used to describe the love and affection demonstrated by our beloved animal companions. Your pet dog doesn’t care if you have body odor or can’t speak the King’s English. If you’ve been half-way decent, your pooch will still cuddle with you and look longingly into your eyes as if you can do no wrong.
And how good that feels!
Our dear Roxy! All 110 pounds of her! Unconditional love in both directions. We adopted her as an eight-year-old. So sweet and just a perfect fit for our lives!
Make Your Ex Right!
At some point during my first marriage (we’re talking 40 years ago here), my husband made an observation that prompted him to comment that, in his opinion, I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time–an expression that clearly predates the electronic age and one’s inability to multi-task.
Despite some rocky times in our relationship over the years, Dad and I had a chance to have many good conversations before he passed away last October. For me, the focus was on acknowledging all the right and good things he had done. And the recognition that no matter the choices he made–even the ones with which I didn’t agree or understand–he had done the best he could. It made his passing less painful and, as much as possible, more fulfilling.