Continuing the birthday fun, a world of thanks, dear Debra, for celebrating Terri & me at Chef José Andrés’ Agua Viva at The Conrad. Love the terrace there!

And special thanks for the lovely Hydrangea that is now planted for years of enjoyment!

Well, May was the last Calligraphy class with Master Tang before our summer break. Be sure to mark your calendars because we resume in September!

It’s always delightful when Wondrous Carol Soucek King mentions everyone who has a birthday that month, and then Graham Lance Richardson sings a birthday salute to the month’s birthday people! I was especially delighted as May is my month (as if you couldn’t tell!)

Dear, thoughtful Carol is always so marvelous in remembering everyone’s accomplishments, and I’m especially touched when she mentions my books and scarves!

Sweet Patricia Ferber is the Poet Laureate for the Salon.

Here’s her lovely piece on Gratitude.

        GRATITUDE

Being thankful, being kind

filled with the ardor of gratitude.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Relationships and friendships are near and far

cherished with appreciation and gratitude. 

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Awareness of others different from you.,

Respecting each other, creating anew.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Listen, oh spirits from faraway places, 

as we rejoice in deep gratitude. 

For all that has been and yet to come,

on this beautiful Sunday morning,

Mother’s Day.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

–Patricia Ferber                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Because it was Mother’s Day, Patricia composed the following:

In Honor of All Beautiful, Loving Mother’s

You filled my heart with kindness.

You filled my heart with love.

You were my inspiration

in moments of self-doubt.

Giving me hope and courage 

for what was not.

Turning into laughter, unsettling thought.

My heart rejoices when thinking of you,

treasuring memories of moments in time, 

and so very grateful for you, being you.

Happy Mother’s Day. 

Yet again, dear Carol generously treated her ‘Salon Stars’ to a delightful dinner at El Portal!

Then it was time for another amazing evening with the incomparable Tom Backer at Ca’ Del Sole! Even the manager was delighted!!!

Delighted the three bears came by looking for Goldilocks!

After 30 minutes in the Loquat tree it was time to stroll on the roof before a nap!

Spotlight at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill was absolutely wonderful, and great fun catching up with Lisa See.

Comparing ‘bear’ stories!

Well, it was finally here, so at the stroke of midnight on May 18th, I was summoned to the studio, and can you believe???

That day Curtis and Yi-lin surprised me for sure…

Really surprised as I was still in my jammies…Kita didn’t mind at all!

Then Wondrous Carol Soucek King had a beautiful luncheon for me at Avra with Susi, Amy and Veronica.

Can you believe three cakes?

Dear Amy made the incredible Marzipan Princess Cake and floral arrangements for all of us!

Adorable Emilia and David, my precious new next-door neighbors, stopped by when I got home!

Thank you Music Center, for the magical fantasy of ‘Alice, Down the Rabbit Hole,’ Moses Pendleton’s newest creation featuring MOMIX. It’s always great fun seeing a production with LA students! Special thanks Debra and Rob!

Thank you dear Debra! Terri, Peggy, and I were entranced!

Afterward, Veronica treated me to lunch at José Andrés’ Agua Viva at The Conrad.

Herbie Yuen, Violet’s nephew, is Executive Chef at Osteria Mozza, so guess who got first-class treatment!

Sandie Reilly is also a May baby, so we both got cake!

I wish you the happiest of days…each and every day as this May blog is to be continued with much much more…..