migraine or is it meegraine? back in Los A ngeles after a few days in Pitsburgh which was almost in bloom. 

The Dog!

Been awhile since my last post but need to keep blogcurrent so today's subject is "Hudson: The Dog"

An essential part of Los Angeles living,I have learned, is to rescue a dog. All the "best" people do it and even define their goodness by how many times they have "done" it. The word rescue is now a noun as in: "He's a rescue." Thinking about Nick Nolte's character in Down and Out In Bev Hills and wondering is he would have been a "rescue."

A few days before Christmas and not even a month after settling in to the house on Comstock Avenue, we jumped the shark and "rescued" a dog from an auspicious corner on Montana Avenue. we named him Hudson (homage a la NYC)and except for the fact of his turning into Cujo every time the doorbell rings he is perfect. Ally holds him like a baby and kisses him and I am in charge (no surprise her) of grooming. Harry was jealous of the new baby and forged an uneasy peace with him in January. Gary's boys have accepted him and have even dogsat.

TT came to visit and after a rocky start , they came to tolerate one another. Cousin Jack got nipped on the hand and was a really good sport about it. Gary is the alpha parent and in charge of discipline and training (I'll let you know how that goes shortly.)

Anyway all is good, the California ground shook yesterday and the dog gave a little warning, but since he is the dog who cries wolf every time anyone comes within 50 feet of the door, we did not heed his warning. See attached pic and enjoy. Love from Los Angeles,Susie

sewing

Being able to do something with your hands and a bit of fabric and bits of string....wow! Definitely underrated . I was compelled to take a sewing class this week. Compelled mostly because , if not now, when and because they keep delaying the upholstery class which  sounds like a really useful skill. Any way, my point is that today's bit of  grace came when I had to do and re-do the fringe on a pillow three times. Grace , not because I finally did it correctly but because I realized there is truth in straight seams. I have a new found respect for the handiwork of sewers and finishers and quilt makers--so much so that I came home and ordered a pillow from the John Robshaw event at One Kings Lane. Aha!  

The Harry's

They came. They got to LAX like big boys and threw their small bags into the back of my new Passat Wagon (well new to me but actually 2007 old.)  They wanted to do all things L.A. and we managed to fit in: Pizzaria Mozza, Griffith Park Observatory, cocktails at The Casa Del Mar and the Sunset behind the Ferris Wheel on the Pier. A few hours on the beach, a quick stop at In & Out, a trip to Venice, a documentary screening, a cool party on a terrace with a view of the Pacific and a bunch of Santa Monica natives, Hollywood Blvd. Got turned out of the Roosevelt Hotel , a whole night at the Chateau Marmont(without the parental unit) and a long late sleep in after that. I am tired just thinking about what we did and then did not do (we waited in traffic for an hour and then could NOT get into the Getty parking lot and we wanted to hike more (a Lie). Anyway -- I had a great time showing the Harry's my new version of L.A. and I think they had a great time doing it (especially the part at the Chateau!)

The Getty

The Getty. I fell asleep waiting in line(as usual). Thank goodness Ally was manning the wheel. We took the tram up the hill and saw some fairly contemporary photography, checked out some old masters, a few impressionists but mostly dug the garden. The building is situated in the most spectacular way and when you leave the rough stone (old world) and smooth white (new world) edifice you can feel the "clash of the Titans" that must have occurred between the Richard Meier the architect and the landscape architect (whose name escapes me because it is almost my bedtime or cocktail hour....whichever....whatever.) Anyway--I love the Getty garden and the otherworldly cactus Garden. Nothing indigenous here - but lots of genius I think.

xoxox Susie

Ally, Gary & Kay's Birthday

May 22. A big birthday for those featured at right. So glad to have Ally here and she was glad to celebrate with Kay and Gary. The cake is famous in these parts. It is a real strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. It comes from a traditional bakery in Chinatown and Gary's son drove for 2 1/2 hours in friday afternoon traffic to retrieve it. Bless the boy because it was a big hit. A big fat yummy hit.

Kay dove into it and even the fat phobes enjoyed it.

xoxoxo

IN & OUT

 In New York, I wouldn't dream of eating a Big Mac, let alone wait in a long line to eat a Big Mac but here in L.A. the In & Out Burger is King and I have paid my respects more than once. And get THIS? You can order it "protein style" which means it is wrapped in iceberg lettuce thus saving the carb calories. As Cindy Adams sort of says: Only in L.A. kids....."

xoxo