A Monarch Viewing Road Trip

The Monarch Butterfly population has experienced an unexpected resurgance this year, the opposite of what scientists predicted after populations declined precipitously in the past several years. Now is the time to take a Covid-friendly road trip to witness the bunches of butterflies that are hanging around our coastline. Mating …

1.17.22

2 popular LA Conservancy Tours for February: Paul Williams + Modern Skyline

February 16/Virtual 6:00 PM

I participated in this virtual tour on February 2, and thought it was really interesting – the LA Conversancy is repeating it twice this month, because of it’s popularity. I learned so much more about an …

1.14.22

On the Couch (January/February Reading)

Lots of wonderful authors released books at the end of 2021, but these are the titles which are are rising to the top as we start 2022.

Irish Enlightenment

Our book club deliberately chose a happy title to begin the …

1.14.22

Get Ready for the Gilded Age

Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.
ALISON COHEN ROSA

Julian Fellows is back, just in time to rescue us from our Omicron blues. A new series The Gilded Age debuts on HBO on January 24 – here’s the trailer to whet …

1.14.22

Games, Pods, Bits + Bobs

** It turns out that Northern California is doing a much better job than we are at reducing water use, according to Cal Matters: “Californians used nearly 7% less water in their homes during November 2021 compared to November …

1.14.22

The 57 Bus is a YA Novel about Big Issues

I have fond memories of re-reading titles such as “The Scarlet Letter” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” alongside my kids during their high-school English classes. Going back to investigate the classics is a satisfying pastime but most of all, it’s …

1.12.22

January Goals: Darn You Omicron

My goal is simply to make it through the month without meeting Omicron – so I’m sequestered once again. Choosing a 2022 day planner gave me a jolt of energy but otherwise I’m feeling foggy, even though the sky is …

1.7.22

Start Your Year with Lonesome Dove

I’ve led my book club down many risky reading paths over the past twenty years. Sometimes, my choices arouse vociferous resistance and when I’ve led the group astray, I readily beg forgiveness. But more often than not, trying something out …

1.5.22

Salt in My Soul, the documentary

It’s 2022. If you are looking for inspiration about how to live your life with more intention this new year, consider spending a few hours with Mallory Smith, a young woman whose short life casts a long legacy of gratitude. …

1.3.22