Judy's Homegrown Blog

I found out that Gary Louris and Mark Olson are playing at the Coronet on April 11th. I tried to buy tickets. I haven’t heard from the Coronet yet: they have a funky way of selling tickets. Basically, you leave your sensitive credit card info on a message machine and hope they charge it up right.

I’ll be returning from a week-long trip in Boca Raton to visit my mother-in-law, Gloria, the night before Gary’s concert, so I may be a bit jetlagged while attending the concert. But I promise to stay awake. I hope my husband likes their music and doesn’t want to leave early.  I’d like to talk to the ex-Jayhawks so that I can tell them that I chose a few of their tracks for my screenplay’s soundtrack.

I believe everyone should have their own soundtrack for their life. That way, when you meet someone or want to know someone better, you can find out what’s going on in their life, and more importantly, what kind of music turns them on. And vice versa. I use music to inspire me in my writing; it works like a charm. I wonder if my writing would ever inspire someone to write music?

When I write, the best stuff is always a little embarrassing. That’s why I hardly ever give it out. I write like I’m talking to you or else stream-of-consciousness, like you’re in my mind. That’s why I don’t give it out very often. There’s an energy I have to give away to be writing publicly, like this blog. So I have to assume no one reads it and then I can give it away. I’m nobody. I’m nothing! (I’m laughing!)

Sarojni, thank you for helping me edit my press release for the Fruit Exchange! You can visit Sarojni at http://www.longbeachgreenguide.com/

Sarojni is doing some amazing networking through her website which features “green” companies that care about the environment and your health as they go about their business.

Tomorrow, Jillian and I take Uncle David and cousin Chloe to Disneyland! Jill is taking a day off from school to celebrate her 8th birthday a little early at the World’s Happiest Place. We hope there won’t be too many people who have the same idea tomorrow, so we can get on the rides immediately without having to use a special pass.

On Sunday, we will be buying rose bushes at the South Coast Rose Society meeting for thier annual rose auction and sale. I’m looking for the following varieties: Fragrant Cloud, Pretty Girl, Eve, Alec’s Red, Pretty Girl, Barbra Streisand, and maybe Voluptuous, Mardi Gras, or Sheer Bliss. Of all these, I’m really most interested in Eve because it’s been elusive to me. I’ll also look for a McCartney climber, which is named after the Beatle.

Today, while talking to my dear friend, Sarojni Mehta-Lissak, I remembered that my launch of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Fruit Exchange Group never had much fanfare. She recommended that I write a press release and give it to our two local publications here on the hill. It’s time to get the word out! We need to exchange some fruit!

I’ve been sick these last couple of days with… I don’t know what. It’s a virus, it makes my body ache all over, it’s a sore throat, a sniffling nose, a throaty voice, and tiredness. Even though today was a restful day, I…

…made Kohlrabi Curry with basmati rice. It was just what the doctor ordered, spicy and tasty.

Oh, and yes, I already had made my homemade Jewish chicken soup with matzoh balls. Most of it went into the freezer, but a lot has already made me feel like when I was growing up: well taken care of by a Jewish Mom.

Oh, and Lauren Dore, I’ll be getting back to you soon!

I have a special night planned for my husband on Valentine’s night, but it’s a secret, so I can’t divulge any more here. Suffice to say, it’s very Valentiney. There is a distinct possibility that I could write what I’ve planned and he won’t find out anyway, because he probably doesn’t read my blog.

I’ll be taking a retreat in March called Art Trek, a program that helps parents learn just enough about art to teach our kids in their schools for Parent Participation. The retreat is held at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, which I’ve heard is a beautiful spot for contemplating life and art and all things inspirational. There, I will be doing Life Drawing, Mosaic Tile, Acrylic Painting, Stone Sculpting, Watercolor, and Gourd Work among other things. Maybe it will give me a new way of approaching my creative writing, and make the right side of my brain come alive!

A fellow Spanish student has requested I give her a copy of my screenplay (who hasn’t written a screenplay in LA?) because her daughter wants to become an agent. Maybe within the next decade, as she makes her ascent in the business world, I’ll go along with her? I haven’t given up on writing, as I will be attending a meeting for a well-established (read: old) writer’s group called Southwest Manuscripters. I pity the people who will be editing or slamming the chapters I write for Grow Your Own.

I have a poem for anyone who’s interested. It’s by William Butler Yeats, and it’s one of my favorites:

I am content to follow to its source

Every event in action or in thought

Measure the lot; forgive myself the lot!

When such as I cast out remorse

So great a sweetness flows into the breast

We must laugh and we must sing,

We are blest by everything,

Everything we look upon is blest.