Monthly Archives: August 2026

A Couple of Things…

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Photo of Linda Perry and Don Hardy J.

1. The nearby Ojai Playhouse offers free movie tickets (trusting people will spend money at the concession stand) and I saw there was going to be a screening of Linda Perry’s documentary, “Let it Die Here.” I couldn’t pass this up especially since Perry and the director, Don Hardy Jr. would be conducting a Q&A afterwards. The film originally came out in 2024. If you’re not familiar with Perry, then hopefully you are with 4 Non Blondes and their iconic song, “What’s Up.” The song still gives me chills to this day. I was moved by her story and cried several times by her profound vulnerability shared in the film. I highly recommend it. #TissuesRequired
Also…I was the first to ask questions.

artwork for Let it Die Here

By the way, Linda Perry is a prolific songwriter and producer having worked with Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson, all shown in the film. Dolly said something along the line that that working with Perry felt like a momentous occasion, akin to collaborating with Elvis. And it is noteworthy that the song made popular by Christina Aguilera, “Beautiful,” was written by Linda Perry.

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can’t bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can’t bring me down, oh no
So don’t you bring me down today

2. Everyone’s a comedian. #SillyVandalism

3. Speaking of a sense of humor, my Alexa (with a male British accent) has taken to responding with an, “Aye Aye Captain” when I ask for a lamp to be turned off. #SillyAlexa

4. Living at the beach is a charmed life…that is until the neighbor behind you has a short-term rental and the visitors are laughing it up having a great old time at 2:00 am Monday morning!! #NotCool

However, during this latest heatwave, there’s nothing like dropping everything, and dashing down the lane to the beach to jump in the ocean to cool down! #LoveItSoMuch #WorthIt

5. Not gonna lie, I’m feeling pretty good about myself! #ExceptionalCredit

6. We lost Dolly, then Tim. I know celebrities have agreed to die in threes, so I’m holding my breath for the next one…though one could argue Hayden Panettiere was the first in a run of 10 days.
There has been a ton of coverage on the incredible life of Dolly Parton, she was one of those people who deserve all the accolades sent her way. A true treasure. I was going to say National treasure, but did you see England’s changing of the guard tribute? OMG!!! Check it out:

I do have to say I have a little bit more connection with Tim Curry as I saw him in concert in the 70s in support of his album, Fearless. I’m sure I still have it in my album rack. He was such a charismatic performer. Of course my first introduction to him was his role as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. We use to go to Hollywood to see midnight showings of it where the audience sang along and some dressed up and acted out different parts.
But then I had the opportunity in college to take a school trip to New York City to see several plays. Well that was the year Tim Curry played Mozart along with Ian McKellen as Salieri in the Broadway play, Amadeus. I believe the year was 1981. It was such an amazing play. Quick set up: You enter the theater where the curtain is up, but the stage isn’t lit, but you can see a chair with a rumpled blanket on it, center stage. Everyone comes in and takes their seat, and while the lights in the audience go down, the lights on the stage go up, and the spotlight hits the chair where Ian McKellen had been sitting the entire time!!! He starts his dialogue with his disdain for Mozart while trying to hide his jealously for his clearly more talented rival. The movie was good, but I’ll never forget that play!
Curry had a paralyzing stroke in 2012 and never fully recovered and had to use a wheelchair ever since. In recent years he continued to do voice over work and did interviews and his mood appeared uplifting.

“I’ve had the time of my life revisiting my favorite memories over the past couple of years,” Curry told PEOPLE in April prior to publication. Referencing one of Frank-N-Furter’s most famous lines, he added, “I’m shivering with anticipation to share them with you.” (see full article)

artwork of Tim Curry's album Fearless
photo of construction crew kitten wearing hard hat

7. Could this be any cuter?!!! A construction crew found the lost kitten caught in heavy equipment and recused it. See full story from KTLA below:

8. I was a little worried that I might doze off while catching a tribute band for all things Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young called Deja Vu. So I had no alcohol prior, and instead had an Arnold Palmer (ice tea and lemonade). Boy was I wrong. The fully plugged-in band was on fire rockin’ the venue, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. I had never been to this venue before, but the staff was super nice and helpful and the room only has 78 seats which includes a balcony, so no seat has a bad view. I didn’t need to worry about that as I had a single seat in the third row.

Yes, the band was fabulous, and yes people did have minimal conversations during the performance, but my latest gripe is cologne. Ack!!! Stinky stuff. If you ever wonder if you have too much cologne (men) or perfume (women) on, the answer is going to be YES!!!

Photo of tribute band called Deja Vu

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” – Oscar Wilde

Thanks for reading!

A Couple of Things…

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1. I recently took another trip up north. This time the destination was Graham, Washington for a baby shower. You know this has to be special to travel 1,116 miles…for a baby shower. Also, if you know me, it has to be special for me to attend ANY baby shower. Well it’s my dearest friend Linda’s son and wife’s first baby.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t 100% thrilled about going as I just went to Portland last month, but I’m so happy I did because I had a blast! For starters, we flew up to Portland out Santa Barbara which is a fuckin’ cakewalk. Then Linda’s sister, Candy picked us up and took us to her home where I finally got to meet her husband Morris. It was as if we had all been friends for years, no topic was taboo. Great food, drink and conversation!

Candy drove us the next day up to Graham, Washington where we spent a couple nights at a local Comfort Inn. and while the motel was clean and safe, the neighborhood not so much. Tip to the wise, GoogleMap your destination and use the street view to get a lay of the land.

photo at baby shower
Left to right: Mama to be Isabella, Linda, Candy, me with proud papa above, Nicolas
Nicolas tuning his sitar.
Nicolas did a performance for us on his sitar, totally self taught. It was beautiful. I wish I could share the video here.

It was great to catch up with Linda’s family and the baby shower turned out to be delightful. I was dreading the games, but they were short and not embarrassing at all; well at least not for me. During baby charades, I picked (slips of paper out of a bag), “baby’s first steps” which everyone got right away. Then Morris walked in just in time and we basically coerced him into playing and he picked “giving birth.” Yeah, you get the picture. He was a good sport about it, I’ll give him that!

photo of Mt. Rainer
While leaving Graham, WA, I took this photo of Mt. Rainer.

We arrived back in Portland Sunday afternoon and my daughter Sydney and mate, Nate came for dinner which was the icing on the cake! #AwesomeTrip

2. I found an article about the best and worst place to place your cat’s litter box and that reminded me of one of the perks of being pregnant, other than bringing a new life into existence, is that someone else needs to clean out the litter box.

Vets say this is the worst place to put your cat’s litter box

Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes primarily due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can have serious health implications for both the mother and the unborn child.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in cat feces. 

3. My good friend Maggie brought up a very good point recently about our mutual friend Carlos. He’s quite adept at being a Wingman but exceptional when it comes to being a Cockblocker when required. #WorthHisWeightInGold

4. Have you ever wondered what is the best sleep position? Well you can read this article I found on MSN.com. I looked it up after having a conversation with Morris (#1 above) who is a retired doctor who specialized in migraines. He mentioned that if you sleep on your left side, it help with your brain. The article backs this up. ““If you’re lying on your left side, it may actually be better for clearing the waste product in our brain,” he says [Dr. John Saito]. This is called the glymphatic system, a brain’s specialized waste clearance network that washes away harmful metabolic byproducts, including proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, while we sleep. 

I tend to start on my left, but it’s a crap shoot after I fall asleep.

5. I just heard the Los Angeles Lakers are being sold again for a record $12.5 billion, just 14 months after it was bought for $10 billion. I guess the NBA Board of Governors must still approve the sale (next meeting in September), but tell me this, doesn’t this sound like house flipping. And who will pay the price? Yep, the fans.

6. Speaking of basketball. I’ve started back with regular visits to my chiropractor earlier this month and he was determined to get me back on the court. He asked if I was still shooting and I told him no because I haven’t been able to hit a three-pointer since my knee replacement (10 years ago now!). He started working on my hips, knees, ankles and feet. I’m back on the court and first things first as I’m working on the muscle memories of just making a basket and little by little gaining more distance. We’ll see and you know I’ll report when it happens!

7. I’ve been taking full advantage of the summer weather here at the beach. Inland it’s a heatwave, at the beach…it’s just beautiful. Got Maggie out for a ride up the coast, and Linda out kayaking in the Channel Islands. One works your legs, the other your arms.

Pam and Maggie wearing bike helmets
Linda kayaking

8. There are a number of tribute bands I enjoy and some I tolerate; however, you will never ever see me at an ABBA tribute band show. #PersonalChoice #TrueDat

ABBA album cover
photo of movie poster

9. Who the hell has seen the movie, The Drama? I need someone to discuss it with. You can see it on HBO Max. #CommentBelow

By the way, I no longer envision Edward Cullen when I see a Robert Pattinson movie. #ThankGod

National Treasure official artwork

9. The Hollywood Reporter reports “National Treasure 3” is finally real and the director confirmed they have a script. (see article)

I don’t know why I’ve seen the original and #2 so many times. I guess I find them ridiculously fun!

From my favorite quotes file: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

A Couple of Things… Farewell Sweet Jackie

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I’m terribly sad to report the worst case scenario for Jackie (Patient 26-519). On Monday, August 10, 2026, the Ojai Raptor Center’s official message started with…”It is with profound sadness that we share that Patient 26-519 passed away in the early hours of this morning, following more than three weeks of intensive medical care.” They also said their team is heartbroken as is all the followers of the Big Bear Eagle Cam. (Facebook) Their message continued with more details giving a better understanding of what happened, but after all is said and done, it is an extremely bittersweet moment losing this magnificent bald eagle as Jackie and Shadow made a huge impact on the lives of so many people who adored watching the Big Bear Eagle cam the last few years. We witnessed Jackie and Shadow lay their eggs and we waited for the eaglets to emerge. We saw how both parents kept them safe and provided fresh fish from the lake to feed on, and then we watched as their offspring left the nest.

It’s been a privilege to watch in real time wildlife in the real world as oppose to the zoo or wildlife refuge.

While Jackie’s passing is heartbreaking, we are reminded it is the circle of life. I find comfort that while Jackie could have been left to drown in the lake or worse, succumb to another attack, she was rescued by kind humans. She was fed and kept safe while the Ojai Raptor Center did their absolute best to treat her.

Also, never forget, the popularity of these eagles helped to raise the $10 million required to purchase the land at Big Bear Lake so developers couldn’t build on it. It will now be preserved for future generations of eagles to come.

I know I’ve shared the YouTube link before, but here it is again. Do note, the nest is empty for the season. Hopefully Shadow will return with a new mate this winter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

#SoarFreeJackie #RestEasyJackie

A Couple of Things…

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1. Another year older, another year wiser…well maybe not, time will tell. The birthday dinner this year was share with my good friend Eve Mimiaga who is also a Leo, but her birthday isn’t until August 3. We had a delightful time and then while most went home, Carlos, Maggie and myself went out for a night of dancing (sorry no photography or video allowed for that!).

Birthday dinner at Prime

2. The Ventura County Fair opened this past week. The night before day one, I was invited for what they call a “Fair Tasting” event, so you know, they offered up a bunch of deep fried food and crap you wouldn’t normally eat. It was super fun and they even ran the Ferris wheel for all attendees for free.

photo of Big Bear Lake

3. While Jackie the Eagle continues treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center, other good news was revealed. Earlier this year, the non-profit organization, San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust had launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to raise $10 million by July 31, 2026, to save Moon Camp from development. They raised just about half the funds required when a gift from Anna and Greg Brockman (co-founder and president of Open AI) donated $5.5 million. Now the 63 acres will remain undisturbed forest and the planned luxury housing development of 50 homes is axed.
The SBMLT can now purchase the property and have remaining funds to cover closing costs, taxes, legal fees and maintain the land.

4. Issues with bugs? Avoid introducing toxins in your home and try this out.
Homemade roach/ant spray
2 cups of vinegar, distilled
2 cups of water
3 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
3 tablespoons table salt
Spray Bottle
Mix ingredients together, add to a spray bottle; shake well before spraying each time.
Source: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/homemade-roach-spray-good-for-ants-and-other-bugs-too-43527424

5. I’ve always been a lover of radio since I was a little girl. The sense of community and music I loved was always a source of endless joy. Radio, whether it be AM or FM, has changed over the decades with most people opting for paid music services such as Sirius…but not me. I love local radio. This mime explains it all:

Placard about radio shared experience

My own career in radio in the 80s and 90s was not just about music that people loved, but it was about being a part of the community. #MissItDearly

6. While watching previews before seeing The Odyssey, my friend Mr. Mimiaga noted the upcoming scary movie, “Other Mommy” staring Jessica Chastain, should be “Other Mother” because that would rhythm. #TrueDat #MissedOpportunity

7. So yes, I saw The Odyssey. My main concern was the length of the movie vs the size of my bladder. I took a per-emptive tinkle and I did just fine. I will avoid spoiler alerts, so must the basics. With the movie just under three hours I was delighted to find I never almost dozed off as the pace kept me engaged. I was impressed by the acting by such a stellar cast. I did not see it on an IMAX screen, but did pay the extra $3 dollars for XD (Xtreme Digital) at the local Cinemark in Oxnard and it was fabulous. I will definitely watch it again when it comes available on streaming services. #Worthy #OscarBuzz

8. I had a conversation with male friend about how I’ve never been a fan of movies such as Troy, Braveheart, Black Hawk Down, 300, Gladiator, and I guess I need to include Lord of the Rings (I tried watching it several times and always fell asleep within 15 minutes; the same can be said for 2001: A Space Odyssey).
But there are testosterone driven movies such as Fight Club, The Accountant, and now The Odyssey which I do love. #GoFigure

9. One more side note…Though I haven’t yet read The Odyssey, I felt I’d seen a lot of the supernatural events previously. It turns out the same themes and monsters in a mythical land were used in the 1958 fantasy film, 7th Voyage of Sinbad. It used to run on TV weekend afternoons and I’d be fascinated by it as a child.

From my favorite quotes file: “The main reason women are crazy, is that men are stupid.” – George Carlin.