under desert skies

Serena and I awoke on Tuesday to a perfect Desert morning, she for the first time ever. The skies are blue and clear, palm trees framing our vista of the mountains. Fall is here.The temperature has moderated. I worked in the garage yesterday and it was comfortable. This is the perfect time of year to be here.

We are in Palm Springs. It's always been one of my favorite places, and for fifteen years I have told myself if I could figure out a way to make a living here, that I'd move in a heartbeat. With the imploding LA economy, the time is right to try it if I ever will. An opportunity arose and we are here.

Serena loves it here, she adjusted in a nanosecond. The drive out was uneventful, thanks to a kitty cocktail that allowed her to carelessly slumber, stirring only occasionally to offer a sleepy howl of vague concern. This from the cat who can't be driven around the block. Ahhh, better living through chemistry. I've gotten her a harness, so she can be allowed to explore her fenced-in backyard. I think she'll love it.

So all is well in the World O' Jeff, and in a brand new setting to boot. The strife of Los Angeles will fade into the past. The future is new and very exciting. I'm happy to have you all come along for the ride.

It's like the season where Lucy went to Hollywood, but of course, in real life Lucy had a fabulous mid-century ranch home on Thunderbird. It's about three miles from here. There's so much mid-century here, I'll have my sunday drives booked for weeks to come.

A toast to new beginnings. Lift your glass high.

song to the moon

It's Flicka. Of course it's Flicka. I'm referring to Frederica von Stade, the mezzo-soprano from the land of the Sopranos. That's right, she hails from good old New Jersey USA. The fact that the Jersey Girl has a name derived from German Royalty (just like Liz!) and a voice to match makes her the perfect choice.

I've been obsessed with the haunting beauty of Song To The Moon. It's a lovely piece about the yearning of a young girl, but I'm picking up an additional meaning. To me the aria is about the longing for change, and right now the one longing is me. But change is happening, and I will keep you all informed.


From Dvorak's Rusalka, the aria is interpreted by Martha Kate Lind:

In the beginning of the aria, Dvorak uses large arpeggiated chords to invite the audience into the fairy tale land of Rusalka. The good-natured old Spirit of the Lake, Jezibab, is enjoying the singing of the Wood Nymphs, when his daughter, Rusalka, approaches him sadly. She tells him that she has fallen in love with a handsome young prince and wishes to become human in order to know the bliss of union with him. Deeply saddened, the Spirit of the Lake consents to her request, and leaves. All alone, Rusalka sings this beautiful aria, confiding in the moon the secrets of her longing.




Here's a translation:

Silver moon upon the deep dark sky,
Through the vast night pierce your rays.

This sleeping world you wander by,
Smiling on men's homes and ways.

Oh moon ere past you glide, tell me,
Tell me, oh where does my loved one bide?

Oh moon ere past you glide, tell me
Tell me, oh where does my loved one bide?

Tell him, oh tell him, my silver moon,
Mine are the arms that shall hold him,

That between waking and sleeping he may
Think of the love that enfolds him,

May between waking and sleeping
Think of the love that enfolds him.

Light his path far away, light his path,
Tell him, oh tell him who does for him stay!

Human soul, should it dream of me,
Let my memory wakened be.

Moon, moon, oh do not wane, do not wane,
Moon, oh moon, do not wane....

bible quotes

From Dan Savage, a brilliant reminder that we can hurl isolated bible quotes out of context, too..

sunday drive: palm springs modern

There are few places on the planet I enjoy as much as Palm Springs, even in the desert heat. The topography, the mountains that seem to tumble right up to the edge of town, the flora, Excaliburs in parking lots, Hollywood Empire, and of course the incredible examples of mid century modernism. Fortunately, owing largely to the Palm Springs Modern Committee and the late ninteies resurgence of MCM as the chicest architectural style upon the earth, a decent percentage have, like ourselves, managed to survive.

Here's the quickest of overviews- including, mid-century intact and interpreted, and my favorite house on the planet- the incredible Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra (1947). This is just a primer- much more to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Palm Springs Modern:

billionaires for weathcare

Via the Rachel, an awesome clip of "Billionaires for Wealthcare", a grass roots group of Health Care Billionaire CEO's and talk show hosts who have the most to lose from Health Care Reform. Here they are in Washington thanking the Fox News Crazies:



Visit the Billionaires and offer their support here. Donate now- keep those CEO's in their billions!

twelve on twelve: from boise

I'm not consistent with twelve on twelve, but it does present the opportunity to create a photo essay from my trip to Idaho. Unnarrated, to allow you all to expand your creative writing skills. So with that, here's twelve thousand from Boise:

on this day

We are reminded that the wonder that is modern air travel can be literally hijacked to become a vessel of mass destruction.

May all those affected find peace.


AA11 Boeing 767-223ER N334AA MSN 22332 Delivered 4/13/1987.
North Tower


UA175 Boeing 767-222ER N612UA MSN 21873 Delivered 4/8/1984.
South Tower


AA77 Boeing 757-223 N644AA MSN 24602 Delivered 5/8/1991
Pentagon


UA93 Boeing 757-222 N591UA MSN 28142 Delivered 7/1/1996
Shanksville, PA