Tea with Grace

I am honored to have represented the Arts at the dedication ceremony of The Island Sand Paper's new Purple Heart Theater. The special guest was Senator Bill Nelson's wife, Grace. She is a beautiful person inside and out. I had the opportunity of attending a tea with her and other fine ladies of the community. She spoke of all the third world countries she has visited and the rewarding insights she gained by connecting with tribal women. She spoke of all the crops being wasted here in Florida and how she is trying desperately to utilize the waste to feed the hungry. Like her name, she is full of Grace and compassion for the needy, not only in this country but in the world. She spoke of government uniting as the only way to clean up the economy and what we as Americans are facing. She has hope for the future and spoke highly of Bill Clinton and everything he has done for the world, also. I came home that day, so proud to be a woman in America. Even though Life is not the best for us all right now, we are still able to stand above many countries that only know life as struggle. I am so grateful to be able to put food on my families table tomorrow, and to give thanks every day. Happy Thanksgiving!

The play, the play, the play! Oui Vei!

The play, the play, the play. That is all that is going through my head these days. Well, besides the 30 something pages of lines that I have yet to put to memory. Have about 15 pages so far, hidden in my ol' noggen. I had to replace my director, so I ended up directing myself, as well as playing the leading lady role. Everythings cool though. Well, except for some obvious stress that I am venting here. On The Hard is an original piece by my friend Fay Graetz. I met her in a screenwriting class and had the opportunity to read for her play with an audience. I really loved the idea and told her that I would work on getting the play out there. Good for my word, I did. Rewrites, rewrites and rewrites abound. Now I am happy to say that we have ourselves a very interesting, sometimes funny, dramatic piece. Besides the two leads, there are four characters, that only by living on the beach could I help my actors develop. Here's a little blurb about it.

On the Hard is a two act play about a husband and wife (couple?) infected by a dream to cruise the Caribbean. They’ve sold everything and moved aboard a fixer-upper in a backwater boat yard in Florida. It is a story about the ebb and flow of wanderlust, love and commitment.

Life is good with a new president, a play in the works, my classes filling up and a wonderful man that supports my endeavors. So if any of you happen to be down here in the tropics, the production dates are as follows:

November 28, 29, 30 and December 5, 6, 7
Friday and Saturdays at 7pm Sundays at 2pm

For more info and tickets please see: http://www.islandartsfoundation.org

President Obama

What nice words soon to be spoken. I am so happy and proud to be an American and to experience such a wonderful historical event. Hope! Change! Woo! Wee! Wish I could elaborate on the subject, but I have to go. The Arts are calling me.

The Voyage of Life

Life is a voyage. The winds of life come strong
From every point; yet each will speed thy course
Along,
If though with steady hand when tempests blow
Canst keep thy course aright and never once let go.

The Voyage of Life,
By Theodore Chickering Williams

This poem is in the play, "On The Hard"

Halloween 08

As you must know by now. I love Halloween. This year I did a spoof on Sarah Palin. The button I am showing says, "Women for Obama", as I winked and blurted out "You betcha"! It was a hoot. It was a fun time at "The Veranda" that afternoon. The Veranda is two old houses put together that were built in the late 1800's. What a beautiful historic restaurant downtown Fort Myers. It is owned by a friend of mine whom he and his son also own the Rib City Grill franchise. If you remember, my sister has two in Utah, along with my brother who owns one. The people that gather there are Lawyers, Judges, Business owners, Mayors and mostly Republicans. Well, that's Florida. Even Joe Biden has been spotted at The Veranda. Why, am I plugging the Veranda, well, I just moved on from a two-year bartending gig there. I will miss all my customers, but I am now happy to say that I am joining a group of creative artist at The Island Sand Paper and The Island Arts Foundation. So starting monday you can find me working away at promoting my play and other festivities at The Island Arts Foundation Building on Fort Myers Beach. Saving gas by riding my bike and giving my time to benefit the Arts. http://www.islandartsfoundation.org and http://www.islandsandpaper.com. If anyone is interested in promoting the Arts in Florida, please drop by, call or email me there. Lots of fun things are happening on our little strip of Paradise. Check it out!