I have all my doors open, and the screens in place, and the birds are singing, and the magical month of April is upon us! I love it!

HI THERE, I’VE DECIDED TO LET ALL OF MY FRIENDS KNOW AT ONCE, SO I DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO EACH INDIVIDUALLY. I AM NOT GOING TO MOVE TO SANTA BARBARA AFTER ALL! IT WAS TURNING INTO TOO MUCH “DOWNSIZING”, AND I WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT TO A GREAT DEAL OF REMODELING WHILE LIVING THERE! I’VE DONE THAT A FEW TIMES BEFORE, AND I’M JUST NOT UP TO MONTHS OF WOOD AND PLASTER DUST AND INCONVENIENCE ANYMORE. SO, AS SOON AS THE WORK ON THE MASTER BEDROOM AND BATH AND DRESSING AREA IS FINISHED, I WILL PROBABLY PUT THE HOUSE BACK ON THE MARKET. MEANWHILE, I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL HERE TRIMMING DOWN ALL I’VE ACQUIRED THROUGH THE YEARS! I WILL CONTINUE THAT PROJECT! NOTHING IS IN VAIN, AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT, “ALL THINGS COME TOGETHER FOR GOOD.” TALK TO YOU SOON.

Someone reminded me recently of the saying, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Well, I’m laughing, and relieved. As I traveled back and forth for the remodeling work and looked around at all that needed to be done in the near future, I knew I would not be comfortable. On top of it, my Mom had died right across the street, and though it’s a few years, the memories are still vivid. But, the strange thing is that after I made the decision, a peace came over me that I have not felt for a long time. It is, as I just wrote to my friend, Robin, as if I have been in some sort of trance for a long period. A certain urgency has disappeared and I feel free to live my life NOW as it comes. I am so truly blessed right where I am, minute to minute. I love the angel with the beatific smile that rests above my front door, and the island of green off my terrace where birds flock and chatter, bathe, eat, and groom. Suddenly I appreciate the simplicity of partaking in common pleasures with a few friends, and sharing the general ups and downs of this wondrous and baffling life we are all making our way through. I look forward to what is yet to unfold.

I also am looking forward to the show in Denver! That will be great fun, I know. Seeing old friends and then visiting with my daughter, Jane, and son-in-law, Robert, who live in Colorado Springs. I am going to do an interview on a morning TV show there on the 14th.

I had an excellent meeting with Jonathan Prince (Writer/Producer) for the pilot of “Wilder Days” for ABC. They settled on Marsha Mason to play the Mom of a rather dysfunctional (what else is new?) family. I liked Mr. Prince. He was quite a gentleman. You know, I’m not sure I would be happy with the series routine anymore. So many hours in dressing rooms and drafty sound stages and it is dark by the time you leave to go home..and dark when you arrive at the studio at 6:00 a.m. for makeup. Glamorous? I think not! But, acting. Creating a role, reflecting life’s many fascinating moments. Words once grasped from the page, live in the Actor’s mind as visions which are then revealed through his/her eyes and voice. Amazing things can happen and it is most exhilarating. BUT, that can become as addictive as any drug! Acting is like doing a freefall into the passions of the Universal Soul (Wow! ‘Hope you know what I mean.) It can also squeeze out any other life from the Actor’s soul if he does not guard against the seduction of being a conduit for these many passions only. He must not forget he has a life of his own to be lived beyond that of the written page. I guess obsession of any sort is dangerous. But boy, isn’t it human?

The computer and the internet have brought me so many gifts. Among them, new friends, like Robin Woo, who has a fascinating site...Sanctuary, and my renewed acquaintance with an old friend and stunt coordinator, Gene Le Bell (GeneLeBell.Com - the official Web Site of "Judo" Gene LeBell! ) ......... Gene coordinated most of the stunts on the “Honey West” show. A real pro, and highly regarded in the industry. I hope to see him at the next stuntman’s convention! These men were my idols when I was a young woman in the business. They always looked after the Actresses like Knights in Armor! They were gentlemen with quite an “esprit de corps”..So, new friends and old come through the wonderful door of the internet.

I went to a wonderful luncheon for the Hollywood publicists last week at the Beverly Hills Hilton. They were also celebrating MGM’s 75th anniversary, so invited many of us who had been under contract there at different times. Howard Keel, Mickey Rooney, Cyd Charese, Margaret O’Brien, Gloria De Haven. Quite a gathering. Denzel Washington was on the dais, as was Angela Lansbury, to give out awards to Public Relations folk.

I saw my dear Maggie as well, while in town. She is working hard doing the E Commerce for Mole Richardson (The Hollywood lighting company) and just moved into a new apartment. Naturally, I have a Mom’s concern for her welfare and suggested some nutritional ideas because of her hectic schedule. Deaf ears? I hope not!

So, it’s back and forth to Santa Barbara till the house is finished and sold, which should be soon, and when that’s all done, I will start getting the new book together.

Meanwhile, Spring is here. Let’s make the most of it. I’ll close with a poem I wrote for my millennium calendar in celebration of this special time:

THE GARDEN’S GIFT
Hours of showers
Bring bowers of flowers.
Our radiant gardens grow.
If indeed we doubted seed
This miracle does show,
That patient Wisdom knows the way
To carry out the plan
Of beauty’s pattern deep within.
‘Tis true as well with Man.