THERAPY FOR THE SOUL

The day before yesterday I treated myself to an hour long sample of heaven. A new store called “Let’s Massage” opened about a mile from our house. Lou wondered if it was the type where the massage has “a happy ending”. It was indeed “a happy ending” but certainly not the kind he was referring to!

The past few years several of these massage parlors (for lack of a better word) have opened in Northern California. They are all run by Chinese people and offer several types of massage. My favorite is the foot reflexology which also includes your whole body. Who knew? I certainly didn't - and you are fully clothed for the entire hour.

This was one hour, the first half of which focused on my entire body while my feet soaked in an herbal bath. My massage therapist, Susan (I doubt that’s the name her mother gave her but it's what her name tag said), started with my face and head. It was soothing and relaxing to just sink into the sensations.

There was quiet new age music in the dimly lit room. The scent of the aroma therapy bath was almost intoxicating. It was kind of flowery, kind of fruity, kind of sweet. I realized that I had been trying unsuccessfully to pinpoint the scent for 15 minutes and finally decided to stop it and just enjoy the heavenly aroma.

Susan worked her way from my head to my neck to my arms and hands, all of which was delightfully pleasurable. When she left the room for a few seconds I snuck a peek at the clock. Yaaayyyy! Still 30 minutes left!

I did not discover the pure joy of having my feet rubbed until later in life when I met Lou. Now, it is really close to the top of my life’s little pleasures list. As Susan spent the latter part of our hour working on my feet and legs, I remember thinking how fortunate we are to live in a place where this kind of sensory delight is available to anyone for a relatively inexpensive fee.

The grand opening special price for this hour of indulgence was a mere $21 plus a tip for Susan. Next month the regular price will be $30 – still a bargain in my book. I’ve only recently discovered that a little selfish pampering can go a long way toward soothing the soul.

These types of establishments seem to be popping up all over. If you happen to see one in your neighborhood, I highly recommend treating yourself to an hour of massage therapy – it’s good for you and it’s good for your psyche.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD - REVISITED

A couple of years ago, we traveled to Southern California for a week on what we called our “Hooray for Hollywood” tour. We saw all the big landmarks, searched several cemeteries for graves of the stars (yeah, I know it’s a little weird but we both love it) and thoroughly experienced the TV & movie making industry touring all the big studios. We attended a taping of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, a sitcom called “’Til Death” and were in the studio audience for a “Dr. Phil” show.

The only thing that we REALLY wanted to do but couldn’t was get tickets to see a taping of “Two and a Half Men” – our favorite TV comedy.  Well, Lou had apparently been checking periodically to see if tickets were available to this most sought after sitcom taping. He finally found some and surprised me with them for Christmas! Of course, the gift from “Santa” to Kathy & Lou included an all expense paid long weekend in LA-LA Land.

We found a great deal on the Sheraton Universal on Hotwire AND I discovered that tickets were available to a new show called “The Talk” which is kind of like “The View” only without all the politics. Lou didn’t want to go since he said he’d be the only man there (which was not true – there were about ten men J) until he found out that it is filmed on an old studio which does not give tours. The only way to see any of the studio was to go to a taping.

Our room was three floors from the top....thank goodness there were no earthquakes!

Sacramento, the Bay Area and most of northern California has had a cold, wet winter and lately lots of foggy, dreary days. The LA forecast was for 78-80 degree weather and bright sun. They were wrong – it was in the mid to high 80s for our entire trip! We were sweating like crazy and dying of the heat in the middle of January! What’s up with that? By the third day of their heat wave, the bright sunny skies had given way to the brown layer of smog that covers Southern California much of the summer.

We arrived at Warner Brothers Studio for the “Two and a Half Men” taping where the security rivaled that of the Pentagon. Our ticket printout was compared with our names on their list and driver’s licenses at which point our right hands were stamped and we were issued a numbered placard. We were then marched across the street in numerical order to the studio entrance where we went through a metal detector and those of us with purses had them thoroughly searched. Cell phones and cameras were not allowed!

After being led single file to Sound Stage 25 where the taping takes place, we went through ANOTHER metal detector and our purses were searched even more thoroughly a SECOND time. Heaven forbid that Al Qaida should attempt to give us “what for” by taking out Charlie Sheen and the cast of “Two and a Half Men”!

Fortunately, all the security must have done its job since we witnessed an uneventful taping and had a great time. It’s fun to see how the making of a TV show works. Both of us wished they would tone down all the corny game playing between takes and let us just watch the process.

We took a tour of Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Saturday morning since neither of us had seen the inside of the ornate movie house. Of course, we explored the hand and footprints of all our favorites in front of the theater. I must be getting old since many of my favorites – George Clooney, John Travolta, Cher – are now immortalized there along with the old classic movie stars.

The tower of Grauman's Chinese Theater.



George Clooney's feet and hands in cement.



Cher is the latest star to have her foot and handprints immortalized.

The rest of Saturday and Sunday were spent exploring all of the sights Lou found that we missed the first time – old buildings, Olvera Street, Union Station, Frank Lloyd Wright houses, the Greystone Mansion, Paramount Ranch (where Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman was filmed) and Valhalla Cemetery (where Oliver Hardy and Curly Joe, one of the six Three Stooges ????, are buried…..call me crazy, but I don’t get it). We couldn’t find Curly Joe’s grave since our sunlight was running out, the office had no clue how to find it and there were two big graveside funerals going on. Lou is emailing the president of the Three Stooges Fan Club as I type to find out where it is. I guess it’s a guy thing.

A home designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank's son) - Diane Keaton once lived here.

Detail in the textile block Ennis House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Shakespeare Bridge in Los Feliz.

The Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills - now a city park.

Some of the Mexican goods for sale on Olvera Street.

A building in the western town of Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Saturday night we headed to the Universal City Walk where we had dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s – a very nice meal – and Lou had a ball taking pictures to add to his neon sign photo collection.

This was a rotating sign that Lou timed just right when he snapped the photo.

Another of the numerous neon signs throughout the Universal City Walk.

While looking for a place to have breakfast the next morning we stumbled onto a Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant in Burbank which happened to be the 6^th one built back in 1949. A Big Boy double decker hamburger was one of my favorite treats on every trip to Southern California since way back in the 60s – so we ended up going back for dinner. Yep, I had a Big Boy and they are still REALLY good! Plus we took a bunch of photos of the neon signs all lit up at night.

Of course we had to take our picture with Bob!

Bob's Big Boy on Riverside Drive in Burbank all lit up at night.

Ever since I found the tickets, we have been watching “The Talk” which stars Sharon Osbourne (Ozzy’s wife), Holly Robinson Peete (Celebrity Apprentice runner up), Sara Gilbert (of Roseanne fame), Leah Remini (King of Queens) and Julie Chen (not real sure who she is). A live studio audience show is totally different than a sitcom taping but both were lots of fun. We caught a couple glimpses of ourselves when we watched our recording of the show at home.

The shows and sightseeing were loads of fun but I’ve got to say that there are WAY too many people down in SoCal. No matter where you go it is crowded and every road is jammed with cars – it doesn’t matter what time of day it is, there is tons of traffic. Not to mention a lot of really strange people milling about.

Our GPS is about four years old which must be 90-something in electronic years because she is losing her mind. Half the time she was more confused than we were and I had to override her navigation often. I’m adding a new travel rule to my list – always have a back up old-fashioned map and/or Mapquest directions when driving in unfamiliar territory.

After fighting the busy streets and crazy directions of our demented GPS, Lou was close to freaking out when we finally pulled into the hotel parking garage each night. We both felt like we'd been through the wringer. I think he flat-spotted my tires and stopped my heart a time or two but we managed to survive southern California and have a wonderful weekend getaway! Lou did a great job of dodging traffic and keeping us out of harm's way.

Thank you, Santa. J

WORLD SERIES TROPHY

Here is further proof that we may well be just a little nuts - or a lot nuts. Lou heard that the San Francisco Giants World Series trophy was going to be in Sacramento today as part of its tour around the state and the country. His internet detective work figured out the locations and times.

I took the afternoon off work and we headed out to City Hall to wait in line with hundreds of other diehard Giants fans to see the famous trophy. It was pretty damn cold today – my toes and fingers were numb by the time we closed in on the trophy after an hour and a half in line.

The line in front of us waiting to see the Giant's World Series trophy

The line behind us waiting to see the trophy

We both wore our World Series Champions shirts and pretty much everyone in line was adorned with some sort of Giants shirts, jackets or hats. The orange and black was out in force. The line snaked almost around the entire city block. Often times someone in a car would call out, “What’s going on?” or “What are you waiting for?” We would all holler the World Series trophy or something similar. Some people nodded their understanding and others rolled their eyes and said, “What?”

At one point a couple of people started answering the queries with, “They’re giving away free Justin Bieber tickets.” It was a jovial crowd who all had a couple things in common – we loved our Giants and were just a tiny bit crazy to brave the cold and the crowds!

After an hour and a half, we entered City Hall for our photo op with the trophy. They took professional photos (which I’m sure will cost a pretty penny when we check them out tomorrow on their website) and would take ONE photo with your camera. But you had to have the camera ready, your coats off and any props you wanted with you ready for your 10 seconds with the trophy.

It took some doing and some cropping to get a photo without people

Another view of the trophy

Lou and Kathy enjoying our 10 seconds of trophy fame

All in all it was a nice conclusion to the Giants wonderful World Series year. Just realizing that Timmy, Brian, Buster, Aubrey, Boch, and the rest held this same exact trophy high over their heads as they sprayed champagne throughout the locker room celebrating our World Series win brought chills to my spine. What a great year – and, for us, a fitting conclusion to their magic story!

KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

The Kennedy Center has finally caught up with us Baby Boomers! Many years ago I remember watching the Kennedy Center Honors and thinking this is kind of boring and stuffy and old. I probably grabbed the clicker and changed channels before too long. I didn’t relate to any of the honorees.

Well, tonight was finally my night to watch – of course, I still switched channels during some of the middle but the beginning and ending was definitely my cup of tea! They honored Oprah Winfrey and my favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney.



Oprah and Paul at the gala

I absolutely love Oprah and have watched her show for much of its 25 years. I know the stories of why Julia Roberts, John Travolta and Sidney Poitier all spoke on her behalf at the gala. This is truly a woman who should be honored – she makes all of us feel like we have a friend to chat with each day.

They closed the show by honoring Paul McCartney. A myriad of singers did renditions of Beatles and Wings songs – but the highlight was Steven Tyler taking the stage in his flamboyant Steven Tyler style. In no time, he had the entire audience on their feet, swaying and rocking out to a medley of Paul’s songs.

Everyone – Oprah, Stedman, Paul, Julia, John, Sidney, President Obama and Michelle, Steven, the other performers, the audience – stood and sang the familiar refrain we all know, “Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey, Jude” over and over while waving their arms back and forth above their heads. Now that’s what I call a Kennedy Center Honors show!

CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

After days of heavy rain, strong wind and cold temperatures, today dawned clear, sunny and bright blue. It was far too nice of a day to stay inside so Lou and I headed to Old Sacramento for a walk along the river. Old Sacramento is several square blocks of old restored buildings housing tons of shops and restaurants on the Sacramento River.

Even though it was still chilly out, it was really nice to have to wear our sunglasses for a change! This was a great day to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. I was having fun just snapping pictures of anything and everything.



Some interesting angles and blue sky - the first in several days!




A tree with some unusual bark patterns and the last remnants of fall.



The paddle wheel of the Delta King - now a hotel and restaurant.



The historic Tower Bridge across the Sacramento River.



At the end of the river walk there is a street light museum of sorts. They have preserved street lamps from every era of Sacramento history and put them all in one area of the walkway. Here are a few of the early city lights.

Along the way we saw several turtles – we watched one for several minutes as he struggled to climb up on a log and relax in the sun. An informational sign said they were Northern Pacific Pond Turtles. I had to repeat it to myself several times to remember the name. Things just don’t stick in my head like they used to.

This is the guy who finally made his way onto the log.

These three were totally enjoying the morning sun - just like us.

I absolutely loved that the designers of the new river walk thought of our four-legged friends in their plans. There were several water fountains which had an adult size fountain, a child fountain and a dog fountain at the bottom. What a great idea!

One of the doggy-friendly drinking fountains.

The trees along the river which usually grow out of the riverbanks are now partially submerged since the water level is really high. We are supposed to have a break from the torrential rains that have been pounding California until Christmas night but there is more on the way.

The water level is closing in on the Tower Bridge.

You can see the trees "growing" out of the river.

Following our stroll we had lunch at a small café before heading back home. Sometimes it is the simplest things that can lift your spirits and give you a real feel for what Christmas is all about. I know many people think that you must have a white Christmas, but being a California girl through and through there is nothing like a bright, beautiful, sunny day to get me in the mood for the holidays.

MY ROCK 'N ROLL MOMENT

Most women of “my age” have a favorite Beatle.  Ask any woman in her 50s, 60s or 70s and I’ll bet she’ll answer without hesitation – mine was Paul. All of us have our favorite rock stars who we swooned over growing up. I was madly in love with Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, in my teens. All four walls of my room were covered with magazine photos of him – and I was starting on the ceiling (literally) when I moved on.



Mark Lindsay - Then



Mark Lindsay - Now

I have to confess that as a 60 year old, I’m still a hopeless rocker. Sure I like Katy Perry, the Black-Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga but to quote Bob Seger, “Give me that old time rock ‘n roll. That kind of music just soothes my soul.” Cranking up the car radio and singing along (badly) with all the old rocker bands is on my list of life’s little pleasures.

During the early 80s I went through a “country phase” in my music preferences – hey, didn’t most of us?  One of the 80s rocker bands who I discovered  later in life was Aerosmith.  Now their front man, Steven Tyler, is a new judge of American Idol. Most people have someone famous who just floats their boat – often times for no logical reason – mine is Steven Tyler.

Steven Tyler in one of his better pictures!

He is certainly not classically handsome, nor is he particularly attractive. In fact he is a bit strange and quite bizarre, but there is something about that man that just seems undeniably sexy to me. It makes no sense and if I share that with someone the usual response is to twist up their face, raise an eyebrow and say, “Really?”

Anyway, several years ago, Lou and I saw Aerosmith in concert. I bought the tickets and sprung for pretty good seats on an aisle about 10-15 rows from the stage. The venue has a grass area up in the back and they had set up a stage for the band to do a few numbers up in the “cheap seats”.

It became apparent that Aerosmith, and STEVEN TYLER, were going to walk up the aisle right next to where we were seated to reach that stage. I immediately pushed Lou to the side and made him switch seats with me since he was on the aisle. The mob of security guards slowly and dramatically inched their way up the aisle engulfing the band members.

Steven Tyler was surrounded by people with his head down. I thrust my hand out as he came by and somehow touched his hand. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it! I could feel his ring as his cold, somewhat boney hand grasped mine. I screamed and jumped up and down like a 16 year old, “STEVEN TYLER SQUEEZED MY HAND!  STEVEN TYLER SQUEEZED MY HAND!”

Here I was in my mid fifties bouncing off the walls because Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith, squeezed my hand. Lou kept telling me to calm down and I kept saying, "NO!" Hey, how many of you have had your hand squeezed by a celebrity who you thought was unbelievably hot????  I hope he doesn’t disappoint as an American Idol judge…..and those of you who aren’t sure who he is will be able to see him on Idol this season. After reading this, you will no doubt scrunch up your face and think, “Really?”

Yeah, REALLY.

THOUGHTS OF COSMO

When I met Lou 9-1/2 years ago I became “stepmom” to Lou’s two 5 year old cats, Cosmo & Nova, who were sisters. Of course, I soon came to love them as if I’d adopted them as kittens myself. Nova is still with us but Cosmo died a year and 7 months ago from complications of her diabetes.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about her a lot and decided to write down some of my thoughts of Cosmo. As anyone with a pet knows, they each have their own distinct personality and immediately work their way into your heart.

Lou took this picture of Cosmo - he calls it "Kitty Head Rest"

Cosmo was the epitome of the curious cat. She loved everything that I did, especially if it was in the kitchen! Within seconds of walking in the kitchen to start dinner or get a glass of water, I’d turn around and there was Cosmo – sitting in the middle of the floor watching my every move. I told her she should be able to do it all by herself since she watched so much.

Cosmo lived to eat! She loved her Fancy Feast “supplement” (certain ones were better for her diabetes) and would meow like crazy when it was time to eat. If I opened a can of tuna for myself, Cosmo could smell it across the room. She would go nuts until I gave her a small bite. She would eat anything, literally – plants, curling ribbon, ice cream, flowers – we had to be really careful to keep things out of her reach. She was a chubby cat but could get up on tables and counters with ease if there was something she thought she wanted to sample.

One time years ago, I was watching football and eating some Cheez-Its from the box. Cosmo really wanted one so I gave her just a corner of one and she loved it! From that day on, if I brought out the box of Cheez-Its, Cosmo was all over me wanting a bite.

Treats were one of Cosmo’s greatest pleasures in life. She learned the words “treat time” and would run to the cabinet and meow as soon as I said them. Actually the treats gave us some control over her since we could get her out from under any bed or behind any furniture by rattling the package and calling out, “Treat time!” I’m so glad that I gave her treats (more than I should have sometimes) because she enjoyed them so much.

She was such a good kitty about her shots and blood tests. About two years before she died, she was diagnosed as diabetic. With diet and a certain type of insulin she went into remission a few weeks later. I found a wonderful Feline Diabetes website that offered education and support from members.

We needed to monitor her blood sugar and did frequent blood tests by pricking her ear to get the drop of blood. I would sit at the table and she would sit on my lap with her front paws on the table while I did the blood test. The diabetes returned about a year later and sometimes we would have to do blood tests every hour all day to get a “curve”. She was so tolerant and never fought it once she learned the routine – and of course, the instant it was done she was meowing at the cabinet for a treat!

Nova was always the dominant one early on. Nova would smack Cosmo or jump on her for no reason at all. Cosmo would just passively walk away. But a few years before she died something changed and Cosmo suddenly started fighting back. I always said that she went through menopause and just like every other post menopausal woman she wasn’t going to put up with the bullshit anymore! Occasionally she even instigated the conflicts. At times they would be hissing and rolling around on the floor until we broke them up and sent them to opposite corners – then two minutes later they were snuggling together on the chair!

Cosmo & Nova curled up on the couch

I swear that Cosmo would set me up to step on her so I’d feel sorry for her and give her an extra treat. She would come right up behind me while I was cooking so that when I turned or backed up, I’d bump her or step on her. Of course, I would almost fall down trying to avoid hurting her! She would meow really loudly when I barely even touched her – then run to the cabinet. I know it was all to get that extra treat.

We’d walk in the kitchen at night and turn on the light – there was Cosmo laying on her back in the dark on the floor with all four feet up toward the ceiling. She loved to have her belly rubbed. Sometimes I wondered how long she was laying there patiently waiting for one of us. Cosmo loved to be held like a baby, in your arms on her back. She would stare up at the lights for the longest time with a childlike fascination. And if you rubbed her belly at the same time, she was in heaven.

If I sat a glass of water on the coffee table, Cosmo would often take a drink of it. She would check out the glass of soda or cup of tea and, of course, milk. We had to be careful or she’d drink it all. One day, I had a glass of wine on the coffee table – Cosmo walked over to it and I thought “let’s see if she tries this”. She sniffed, looked at it, then took her head and just knocked it over – fortunately it was white wine and not red!

These are just a few of my recollections of Cosmo Renee. I gave them both middle names (Nova’s is Marie) when I “adopted” them so that when I came downstairs and someone was on the table I could yell, “Cosmo Renee Padgug, get down!” or “Nova Marie Padgug, off the table!” Nova knew when she was doing something wrong. Cosmo either didn’t know or just didn’t care.

One of my favorite photos of Cosmo with all the presents!

I have such wonderful memories of “my kitty girl” and still miss her. Her ashes have a place of honor in our living room. Years ago I bought little Christmas stockings for Cosmo and Nova to hang over the fireplace with mine and Lou’s. I still put Cosmo’s up this time of year since I feel that she is with us in spirit. A little corny, I know, but she is my sweet stepcat and I love her.