Today is Sunday which for me usually starts with coffee, the newspaper and the Tv Program “Sunday Morning” where I always find the stories interesting and fun. Todays show featured a Nutcraker Designer, a Dancing Patrolman, the weekly featured musican was Sting, and interview of the beautiful Sofia Loren and a creative holiday story about Ugly Holiday Sweaters where two guys came up with the idea to buy and sell ugly christmas sweaters, which by the way is a huge success. As I sipped my coffee,  I muttered under my breathe “why didn’t I think of that.”

My Sunday morning rituals always include a breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast, love that smell wafting about, let’s me know its the weekend and I’m not in a hurry to gulp the coffee and grab that breakfast bar as I head out the door.

But this morning something else inspired me -

I got to thinking about the piles of work on my desk, the laundry that needed to be done and the house that needed to be cleaned and my mind wandered to the idea of play.  My inner child seemed to be calling out and telling me to let go of all the “shoulds” and get in some play time today.  So about now you are wondering, why then am I sitting here at my computer writing this blog post??  Well, before I dart off the play, thought I might inspire you to schedule some play time into your life.  Play is valuable to the soul and to nurture that child within that we seem to take so seriously, play tells us to let our hair down and do something that brings us joy just because…hummm, maybe play needs to be added to your “should” list, I added it to mine today!

See ya, off to play!  Happy Sunday.

A couple of days ago I was able to connect with some girlfriends in Chicago for a short getaway. The trip included tickets to see a taping of the Oprah Show at Harpo Studios. We came upon the tickets through a connection of my friend Mary.

We received first class treatment when we arrived at the studio where we were invited into the Harpo Executive office area where we were to wait and would be escorted to the studio where the show is taped. While we were waiting, we admired the exquisite artwork that filled the walls, from a painting of Oprah depicting her in the movie “Color Purple” to the African masks that lined another wall. We waited on some comfortable sofas and were talking about our good fortune when Dr. Memhet Oz walks by and says hello on his way into a conference room. He has a warm smile is very handsome and appears shorter than we had imagined. We know the show we are seeing is a Dr. Oz segment and so he was obviously preparing with staff. As short while later who walks by but Oprah herself!! She kindly stops for a minute to say hello and generously poses for a picture with us.
Even Oprah says there are no coincidences in life and I don’t think this was a coincidence either!

After the taping of the show we were taken back to the executive offices to collect our purses and were each presented with a gift bag of items featuring the Oprah logo including a pink gym bag, ball cap, t-shirt, and coffee mug. This trip I was “Living My Best Life” (to quote Oprah) with my girlfriends and enjoying that camaraderie of friendship we have know for so many years. I understand the value of girlfriends and what meaning they bring to my life, I hope you do too!

L-R JoAnne, Judy Oprah, Deena & Mary

I enjoyed the evening breathing in the salt air while viewing the second largest seaport in America – Long Beach, CA Harbor. We enjoyed a narrated tour of this incredible port where you see cargo ships coming and going and thousands and thousands of containers on the docks. All that merchandise we buy from overseas, especially China and other Asian countries – Yup, its off loaded right here in Long Beach.

ship headed into the port

container ship docked

Sea Launch Ship-takes satellites to the equator to launch into space.

Containers on the docks

Today was a gorgeous day and I spent time at the water’s edge surrounded by some of the most beautiful ships in the world! The historic Festival of Sail LA, hosted by the Port Of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Maritime Institute, sets the stage for a tradition of tall ship visits. There were all types of vessels, including a Fire Boat and the US Coast Guard Vessel Barque.

Today we attended a local event in Long Beach, Ca called “Taste of Long Beach”, an event where local restaurants set-up tents and served food all afternoon. We strolled, ate and schmoozed with the locals. Dorothy, a member of the Holt campaign Team, introduced Gabriella to many people who attended the event, so it turned out to be a casual way to have fun and meet the voters at the same time. Sometimes campaigning gets far too serious, so today was a pleasant change.

Money raised from the event will go to an organization called Children Today, which provides community based services to children and families facing homelessness.

pictured: Dorothy, Gabriella and two chefs from local restaurants

Now that I’m back driving the freeways of Los Angeles, I can’t help but hum the song by Randy Newman called “I Love LA” where he sings about L.A.’s Century Blvd, Victory Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd -”we Love It” ….”roll down the windows, put down the top, from the west side to the east side…we love LA!” If you’ve never spent any time in LA, you really are missing out on a truly unique experience, if you look past the 10 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic, the $4.59 per gallon gas and you’re not in a hurry to be somewhere, you see a city filled with diversity in its people, places and things to see and do. LA is filled with opportunity and wonder – yep, there’s no place like LA, I Love it!

PS. Thank God for the car pool lanes!