I think it's a good day for you to read a story.  And I think you'll like this one...

Roman Fever is a short story by Edith Wharton.  It's basically a catty, shallow conversation between two life-long girlfriends that eventually reveals some serious underlying tension and unspeakable secrets. 

Girls like me will love the way Wharton's story recognizes the way we females use language with smiles on our faces and malice in our hearts.

From the table at which they had been lunching two American ladies of ripe but well-cared-for middle age moved across the lofty terrace of the Roman restaurant and, leaning on its parapet, looked first at each other, and then down on the outspread glories of the Palatine and the Forum, with the same expression of vague but benevolent approval.

Continue reading here...

Joe proposed to Laurel on a mountain top - and things only went up from there.  Last Saturday, the two outdoors-loving lovers said "I do" on a warm, perfect day in Santa Rosa.

I arrived at the gorgeous Wikiup Ranch & Stables to find both the bride and groom's families working together to set up the entire wedding.  It was a fun morning filled with laughter, sweet cousins, good food, beautiful hair & makeup, and lots of excitement. 








The groom was given a small welcome party by his friends and groomsmen...



Joe covered up his new tattoos with a great suit... all the while getting more and more anxious to see his bride.


He couldn't have imagined how beautiful she would be!



Finally... the wait was over.

If I've ever seen a man in love...







The wedding parties took some time to relax before the ceremony began.








And the two became one.




Let the party begin!






Laurel & Joe: you are such a beautiful couple.  The deep love and respect you hold for one another radiates from your eyes and smiles.  One day with you and the skeptic would believe in soulmates.  Love to you...

I've been working through On the Road by Jack Kerouac this week... and I fall more in love with it every day.

Before I began the book, I read about his methods concerning writing.  They're beautifully liberating.

Here are a few of my favorite "essentials" from Kerouac's Belief and Technique for Modern Prose:

Scribbled secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for your own joy

Submissive to everything, open, listening

Be in love with your life

The unspeakable visions of the individual

Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition

Write in recollection and amazement for yourself

Accept loss forever

No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge

Write for the world to read and see yr exact pictures of it

and my favorite...

Something that you feel will find its own form



It's true.

Last Saturday, Shoshana & Vicente sweetly and tearfully exchanged vows at Jack London Square.  They share a gentle, quiet demeanor that was described more than once (and by different people) on the wedding day as "angelic."

This soft-spoken pair is certainly not lacking in words to say - between them they speak English, Hebrew, and Spanish.  It's as if they save most of their words for each other... Where they are otherwise shy or choose to be reserved, they become chattering lovebirds when they come together.

I joined Shoshana in her home, early in the morning of her wedding day.  She beamed whenever someone entered the room - her mother, her flower girls, her bridesmaids... she was just so happy to be getting ready to marry the love of her life.  I stayed close as Shoshana had her hair and makeup done... watching her sip coffee and play with her hands in nervous, excited anticipation.









Shoshana looked stunning... and she was finally ready to go meet Vicente.  We did a first look at the wedding site - it was perfect.

Vicente was just aching to see his bride!

We eventually let him turn around...


It's a brand new world.









I have so many more moments to share from this beautiful day... I hope I'll be able to share them soon.

All my love to you, Shoshana & Vicente. 
The Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you...

Rachel Elaine Green is my new found old friend.
I've literally known her for her entire life - but during the past month, I feel as though I've met Rachel for the very first time. 

Ray works at this chic, quirky little shop in downtown Oakland called Urban Indigo, where she envisions and produces incredible window visuals.

Recently a little bird told me that Ray was trying to build her design portfolio.  I looked around my rather boring, yellow, bare-walled room for 20 seconds and hurried right over to email my new designer. 

Tall, pretty Ray and I met for our first date at Peet's -- where we discovered that we're basically the same person.

"You love succulents too??"

"I've always wanted a 4-post bed also!!"

I knew it.  She was perfect for me.  And for my room.  I've given Ray complete control over the whole project.  So far, she's done amazing things... and I'm so excited to see the process unfold!









I love changing my room -- and I am so excited to have Ray's beautiful mind working to transform it for me.

More to come...