Snap shot

Click here to see what I see.

In real time

Take-out dinner, a new batch of CDs--I don't think I've ever been so glad to stay home alone on a Saturday night.

Sitting at the sidebar

From the tip of Manhattan, here's The Uptowner by Donald Byrd.

A midlife must

Walking through a P-Town parking lot, I spotted a beautiful long-haired lesbian in cowgirl jeans climbing into her brand new, bright yellow Mustang.

"Oh my God!" I said, "I want that car!"

A huge smile of contentment spread across her pretty face.

"It's my menopause car!" she exclaimed.

Right then I decided, no matter how impractical, no matter how unlike me it would be, when the time comes--it's gonna be my menopause car, too.

Striking out

Annie and her friends insisted I explain what it means when a boy gets to first, second, and third base.

Me: "First base means kissing, second base means touching, third base means, uh... more touching, and reaching home plate means having sex."

Giselle: "I think I'd rather be the umpire!"

Leaving the Cape

Alien to me

Me: "I'm sorry, I just don't know how you guys can stand a place like Six Flags."

Annie: "Mom! Six Flags is like our mothership!"

Brief intermission

My new friend Luke Lehman is back home in Santa Cruz after his musical, R U Prime successfully made it through New York's Fringe Festival. Click here to read what the west coast is saying about his east coast experience. 

Dwell

My brother's place in P-Town.

In real time

The photo is yesterday's--now sitting across the room from Annie. The past and future rush in, but it all stops when I see my girl--laughing with friends, blossoming beauty, life be good to her, be good to her.

In real time

The girls return from a walk on the beach, the sun sets on my blanket and on the Cape.

Please send help

By the pool, trying to write a best-selling novel while tending to 3 eleven-year-old girls who never stop talking.

Role reversal

Annie: "Oh my God, I just realized something!"

Me: "What?"

Annie: "We're tourists!"

In real time

City girls hunt for crabs, me under the umbrella--lunch and my laptop, an ocean, a sky, and a little bit of time.

To the cape

I won't find love in P-Town, but I'll love being there for the next 5 days--sunning, swimming and catering to Annie and her friends.

Bringing laptop and camera, will blog.

xox

Sitting at the sidebar

I recently emailed a friend of mine and said: Secret: I'm home listening to the band "Chicago"... and I'm loving it. Please don't tell anyone.

And she, a woman of musical talent and impeccable taste replied: "I won't tell anyone you're home listening to "Chicago," if you won't tell anyone I'm home listening to "Supertramp."

For this beautiful New York City Sunday, here's a little something to please, anger, remind, or just make you smile.

For D.M.G.

When I get that feeling

Leaving the festival today, Annie and I stopped at the drummer's circle in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park. I'd been listening with my eyes closed for some time when Annie gently tapped me on the shoulder.

"Normally I wouldn't interrupt your musical healing," she said sweetly. "But I'm really tired--can we go home now?"

Sitting at the sidebar

I like "Breezin'" by George Benson, but I love "Breezin'" by Gabor Szabo and Bobby Womack. (It's the original)

Where you'll find me

Today.

Values

Me: "I'm so excited to get my sofa!"

Annie: "Mom, what you need to get is a life."

Me: "You don't understand, getting a sofa is getting a life!"

To the moon

I live on 181st Street, but this morning I will travel 76 blocks to the Silver Moon Bakery, just for coffee.

Battle of the bands

A neighbor in the building across the way is playing some God-awful, top 40 R&B at full volume...but I'm playing Cannonball even louder.

In my dreams

Last night I dreamed I was stranded in a windstorm in a foreign country. I walked the streets seeking refuge, and from a nearby tent I heard a jazz band playing a familiar song. I ran in its direction, but the song ended before I could reach the tent. Still, I was left feeling one step closer to home.

It's on the sidebar this morning.

Kitchen morning light

Friends & high places

The place: The roof-top at 55 Central Park West.

The event: Suzanne's birthday party.

The guests: Jazz musicians and composers, two painters, one theatre director, a rock star, a chef, and me.

Ritual

When I get home this late, in the elevator I unstrap my shoes, unhook my bra, take off my jewelry and take out my keys.

Secret

I sleep with Louis every night.

In my dreams

Last night I dreamed I received a call from a Frenchman who owned a restaurant in Malaga, Spain. He told me the people there were all fans of my blog, and that I was invited to be a guest any time.

I dreamed I was driving down a California highway when I spotted a wounded seagull on the side of the road. I pulled over and the bird, with gratitude in its eyes, hopped into the backseat of my car.

I dreamed my daughter decorated my feet with colorful strings and silver charms.

Seeing things

This morning at 8:09 am., I saw a hot air balloon traveling west across 72nd Street.

I love coffee, reason #45,212

After I drink it, not only do I have the confidence to write my novel, I am certain it will become a best-seller.

Apartment life

I resent having to listen to other people's music, and think they should be grateful to listen to mine.

Life as she knows it

For more recent images, visit Snap Shot.

Sitting at the sidebar

Something for Saturday.

Hidden meaning

Annie made a paper-maché ladybug, and I flipped it over on its back.

"What's this?" I asked.

"That's just newspaper," Annie said.

"No sweetheart," I replied. "That's music."