This book is dense… I’m very… VERY slowly making my way through it. But it’s thought provoking and rich, moving me even deeper into a place of complex mystery and wonder.
I made a last minute, impromptu trip to Valyermo, CA this weekend to visit one of my favorite places on earth, Saint Andrew’s Abbey. October was a rough month… extremely rough… I needed to get away and recenter. I flew in to Burbank Friday morning, drove straight to The Abbey, spent two nights there, and then flew straight home. Sorry, LA friends that I didn’t announce my trip; this was much needed personal therapy.
My stay was amazing. I’m still processing everything I experienced while I was there… and I’m already longing to go back. When I’m at The Abbey, I find myself… every time. I might share some of what I processed while I was there… or I might not… for now my experiences there were personal, special, and sacred. I think I want to hold it all closely for a bit longer.
I’m so grateful for how perfectly the stars aligned to make way for this last minute, much needed trip.
Great evening with @theideasinstitute ! I had so much fun sitting on the panel to discuss THE EXORCIST, a film I’ve always loved but now love even more. #theexorcist #film #cinema #alamodrafthouse
Got to return to my cinematic teaching roots. This was a few weeks ago when we screened Joan Didion’s PLAY IT AS IT LAYS. We had a great female driven conversation about the film… everything from nihilistic existentialism to motherhood. All in preparation for CURIOUS IMMERSIONS, which was tonight. Pictures to come. @theideasinstitute #curiousimmersions
Today, we said goodbye to our sweet little Minnie. She came to live with us after eleven years of working as a movie dog in LA, and only two weeks after we said goodbye to our girl, Maddie.
We tried to make Minnie’s “retirement” years as fun and relaxing as possible. She earned it! Magazine covers, commercials, TV shows… She’s more famous than I’ll ever be!
Minnie was a force to be reckoned with! Our little tank. The potato. Burrito. Little Miss Pearl. But she was also a hilarious little ball of fun energy. She cuddled ferociously and brought us so much joy.
She made the lockdown a bit more tolerable, and after we moved back to Missouri she reminded us of our home in California. I never considered myself a “tiny dog” person, but Minnie changed my mind. As tiny as Minnie was, she filled the whole house.
Today is the first day we’ve been without dogs in 18 years; it’s a bizarre feeling. Minnie was our final California pup, one of our last connections to another time and place. It feels like we’re saying goodbye to so much more than just our precious Minnie.
We’ll miss you, Tiny One. We’re so glad we got to be your parents for the final chapters of your life. The house is so empty without you. Say hello to Maddie and Sammy for us. We love you so much, our sweet little girl. ❤️
Best pre-Christmas treat ever! I’ve been to Australia three times, and each time I brought back as much of this nectar as I could squeeze into my suitcase. Thanks #TheEnglishShop in St. Charles for including this Aussie treat alongside a bountiful supply of Marmite!
