Friday, September 30, 2011
Recovery Continues
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Positive Feedback
This enthusiasm sends me a glimmer of hope, considering the panty liners story was part of a submission.
We'll see if Travelers' Tales feels the same.
- PJ
Monday, September 26, 2011
My Life in LA
Here’s the same, in early evenings.
Living in southern California is nice, but, like the view from my balcony, my routine is not what some imagine as typical. At work, some years back, a visitor from Georgia saw me with a Snickers candy bar and snarled, “I thought y’all out here only ate granola.” Weekdays, I leave for work at 6:55 a.m. and then see only the walls of my office building for most of the day. Since 1979, I’ve visited Disneyland just twice (about as often as I’ve eaten granola). I don’t “live” at my gym, shop on Rodeo Drive, or go to nightclubs (my lights are out by 9:30 p.m.). I’m not vegetarian or vegan (how I wish I could find good fresh rabbit, reasonably priced!). I’ve not had a facelift, and my hair is natural salt & pepper (more salt, these days). I’m a native and I fit in, because, as they say, here anything goes. I do wish there were more people here from the world of publishing, though.
The French family who visited last summer told me I’m lucky to live here. I accept.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ah, the Medical Insurance Wait
Still no official resolution to the $19,237.00 medical insurance threat imposed on me, many weeks back. My doctor’s staff stepped in, called the surgery center, and I made a co-payment. The amount, I’m told, was the normal co-pay I’d have made if the surgery center was in-network, and it seemed reasonable. But my insurance statements still don’t show the re-billed amount, my co-payment, and a write-off.
Is the stress of this prolonged resolution creating a new medical problem? If it is, I’ve at least reached my out-of-pocket maximum, for the year.
- PJ
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Panty Liners
Monday, September 19, 2011
Foie-Gras- Follow-up to last France post
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Dressing for France
- PJ
Friday, September 9, 2011
Melancholy
I sit and think of my second book. The Other Half, I like to call it: Tales of life on the farm where I grew up, the other side of my family. Oh, I started it, some time back. But I open the document and my heart sinks. If Half Italian is going nowhere, why bother with this second collection? Too bad, such funny stories. The Gas Thieves; Getting Stuck in the Walnut Dryer; The Pet Alligator; Stealing Farm Workers Lunches; so many tales, to give people a lift. We need a lift these days, as our economy, our investments, and our spirits gloom.
It’s Friday evening. I’ve closed The Other Half, and won’t open it again today.
All is not lost; the sun still shines outside, radiant, over my Little Tuscany. A pleasant breeze comes in, through the open window.
- PJ
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My Thought for the Day
Oh, what I'm learning, from that family blowup.
-PJ
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A New Sense
Six weeks from today I’m off to France. My thoughts are just that, unrealized, but akin to children running into warm beach water in summer: many and happy. In this moment, I’m thinking of chocolate ganache tarts, available in some patisseries, perfect for a five-bite mid-afternoon snack.
The day before yesterday, Labor Day, I saw “The Help,” which I highly recommend.
But, will I ever be able to eat chocolate again, the way I could before?
- PJ
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Living
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thinking & Rocking vs. Clicking
Clearly, this situation is not the same. In 1987, I faced a career choice that would affect the rest of my life. Now my decision is: am I wasting my time? What to do, that’s more productive?
For now, I still believe in Half Italian, and I still enjoy this blog. No responses yet to my recent email queries, or the one to France magazine, last June. Who knows what the folks at Travelers’ Tales will think of my submissions? I won’t know that until sometime next year.
Ever heard of “Castle Rock” by Ernie Fields? I wonder how long it took for that to come out on 45?
- PJ