Perfect Harmony

When I was a little girl, my mom used to sing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" all the time.  I so enjoyed listening to her voice and would try to harmonize with her.  The melody was simple and beautiful, an easy song for a child to learn and love. 

I was delighted as could be whenever Coca-Cola's commercial featuring this wonderful song aired on television.  I already knew all the words (yay!), except for a few minor changes courtesy of Coke's clever marketing people.  Even better, it was the first time I had seen a TV ad full of people who looked like me.  40 or so years later, the ad still brings a smile to my face.

And, yes, I'm still a Coca-Cola girl.

Mrs. American-Commuter

Tuesday, on my way home from work, I was surprised to see that the Halal meat store was gutted to the studs. Hmm, when did that happen? I wondered how long the building had stood like that, unnoticed though I pass it twice a day, five days a week. I looked at the other drivers stopped in traffic next to me. Not a single person was looking at anything other than the view out the windshield. I made a mental note to pay more attention to my surroundings on F Drive, the street on which I spend the majority of my commute.

Happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah!

Chanukah gift giving wouldn't be complete without the gift of Adam Sandler:

Mrs. C and the Dreidel

Yesterday I received a package and a letter from my dad:  

I remember Mrs. C., your kindergarten teacher, gave you a dreidel. I had never seen one of those before either and so this was new to me, too. As I recall, Mrs. C. also taught you a little Jewish history to go with the dreidel. Anyway, while walking around the JCC, with some of the most beautiful arts and crafts on display, I ran across this dreidel. I thought of Mrs. C and had to get this for you for Chanukah.

The Manifester

On Wednesday evening, S. and I were fortunate enough to see a screening of California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown.   This inspiring documentary was written and directed by the former governor's granddaughter, Sascha Rice.  The film illustrates how deeply Governor Brown loved our beautiful state, proven through his resolute efforts to promote progress on every level.  He had visions of an efficient, flourishing state, where civil rights and first-rate education were standard for its citizenry.  More than four decades later, his remarkable achievements continue to propel California.

http://patbrowndocumentary.com/trailer/index.html

http://patbrowndocumentary.com/home/index.html

Happy Friday!

A classic holiday treat, The Fruitcake Lady:

The Highlight of 2012

I was asked today, “What was the highlight of your year?” The year is, of course, not yet complete, but I can still answer unequivocally that the highlight of 2012 was my cousin, P.’s, wedding. The ceremony and accompanying three-day celebration were very, very special in every imaginable way. For their festivities, P. and R., the bride and groom, chose a private-lake reserve, nestled among majestic redwoods and peppered with lovely cabins and tranquil spaces for camping. A hiking trail bordered the spring-fed lake and there were canoes for exploring the nooks along its serpentine periphery. Each day I plucked and ate apples from one of the fruit trees growing on the property; deer ate those that speckled the grass underneath. At night I would gaze in awe at the plentiful stars, warmed by the campfire, good whiskey and the presence of friends old and new. That Saturday P. and R. made their pledge, under the aegis of a canopy of heritage oaks and their friends’ and families’ effusive love.