Even during a global pandemic, there are places to visit to escape the fears of a virus and the humdrum of a lockdown. I know a vista not far from Palos Verdes and South Bay; a beautiful drive along the coast through Orange County. Crystal Cove is a beach community that has quite a Hollywood legacy. The locale is a stretch of coastal cliffs and a beachfront cove situated between Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Laguna Beach
Read MoreFor those of you who watch cooking shows, it's always fun to see when a Chef makes a mistake, as known as an "Oops"! (I don't say "Oops"- I usually swear. My sister Louise always admonished me and said, "Christine, please don't use "vowel (foul) words". I remember, as a child, fondly watching Julia Child's television cooking programs with my mom, Pat Brown, and remarking that Mrs. Child unabashedly continued with her presentations without skipping a beat after an "Oops".
Read MoreThere’s no doubt about it… You’re affected by the company you keep!
I’m reminded of Benjamin Bert’s 1970’s song lyrics:
“One evening in October when I was five-fifths sober…
My feet began to stutter so I lay down in the gutter
And a pig came up and lay down by my side.
We sang ‘it's all fair weather when good fellers get together’
Read MoreIt’s ironic that the impetus for writing the biography of the late Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver) was triggered by the death of another cast member from the show. In April 2013, Frank Banks (Lumpy) passed away. After watching the story trend for several days, I realized that there was still a great interest in the show and the characters. But I also noticed that Ken Osmond, as the memorable and conniving Eddie Haskell, did not have a biography penned.
Read MoreSacred Solar Astrology August 2020 Forecasts - Welcome to August 2020
Read MoreAs we move through the last days of July, we are greeted by the vibrant magnetism of Leo season, which began on the 23rd. A fixed fire sign, Leo is the superstar of the zodiac, the natural performer bringing charisma, creativity, and showmanship to midsummer.
Read MoreFree at last, but not so fast! After being cooped up for what felt like forever, we could not wait to start socializing again. Then, just as soon as we started settling into the groove, the numbers sky-rocketed and we were told to rein it back in. There's no doubt, we're experiencing an impossibly confusing, anxiety-ridden, stress-inducing time in our history, but we don't have to let it get the best of us. Let’s not succumb to a potentially short fuse and instead borrow a page from the City of Beverly Hills’ summer slogan reminding us that, “Being Kind is Always in Season.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we all adopted this motto and acted with grace throughout our communities, our cities, and our world-at-large? While the future may be uncertain, we will persevere if we remember our manners - those wonderful social cues that keep us connected and our relationships in good stead. Whether at home or out and about, here are seven surefire ways minding your manners makes a positive difference during Corona and beyond.
Read MoreAugust 26 is “National Dog Day” that celebrates “man’s best friend” from mixed breed to pedigreed pooches, so it’s timely to recall some famous dogs from the silver screen featured prominently or as “hero” of the story, from courageous Rin Tin Tin , loyal Lassie, charming “Asta” of the popular “Thin Man” series, and many more fanciful K9 characters.
Read MoreOnce you’re aware of your Higher Self you can easily call on it whenever you need clarity and guidance. This wisest part of you is eager to be of service. Shakti Gawain (1948-2018 “Creative Visualization”) puts it this way; “When you connect with your Higher Self you’re on top of the world… and able to move mountains… You fall in love with yourself and the world… and channel infinite energy…”
Read MoreThis time I thought we could go for a stroll through the beautiful English countryside and look at life outside London and the major tourist areas.
I grew up in a very small place called Keepers Corner, about 30 miles or so south of London and very much in the country but only about 6 miles from what has become London’s second airport, Gatwick.
Read MoreIt was a beautiful morning and i had the beach all to myself.As the sun was rising, shimmering gold hues of warm light reflected across the sand. I took a deep breath and inhaled the salty ocean air. As I slowly exhaled, I felt all my worries disappear.
Read MoreAs an ex-Brit, ex-Londoner, and a background that included being the Director of PR for the (now departed) San Pedro home ported “SS Azure Seas,” and as the Manager of Publicity for (then LA based Continental Airlines) in a career that’s taken me to 51 countries around the world, and of all the places I visited, why did I chose to live and work in this exquisite American geographical location called Palos Verdes?
Read MoreIt’s hard to talk about travel in the time of coronavirus but we know that things change and we hope that soon we’ll be able to travel. During my long career in the film business I traveled to Europe quite a lot. My favorite European country is Italy. I’ve traveled all over Italy and was fortunate to spend four magical months in Rome.
Read MoreSitting on my porch, sipping my steaming masala chai (Indian spices infused in my tea), I felt the first of the many sprinkles of rain. I closed my eyes and drifted back to God’s Own Country – Kerala. Instantaneously, I was transported to Coconut Lagoon, CGH Earth, a Heritage 5 star resort nestled in the heart of Kerala’s serene backwaters in a sheltered and enchanting cove in Kumarakon.
Read MoreI’m reminded of the lyrics of a 70s song “Counting flowers on the wall; that don’t bother me at all. Playing solitaire ‘til dawn with a deck of fifty-one. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo… Now don’t tell me I’ve nothing to do…”
Read MoreMushrooms are one of my favorite vegetables because they are so versatile. You can substitute a grilled portabella mushroom for the meat you normally put in a hamburger and you can make soup and powders with dried mushrooms. The possibilities are endless.
Read MorePearls without boundaries for designs without limits.”
Pearls, past and present
There was a time when pearls were white, cream, pink, golden, black off round or baroque. They were stored in boxes and brought out for special occasions. Today, lifestyles are less formal where pearls are integrated into everyday life.
Read MoreThere aren’t too many places where you will find a dog park located along a street with one of the most gorgeous views of Catalina Island. Enter - The Rancho Caninos Dog Park located within Point Vicente Park / Civic Center adjacent to the tennis court. The half-acre park is separated into small and large dog areas and has a cedar chip surface.
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