Here Comes Question #4--"When Did You Know For Sure That David Was 'The One?' "

                                      This is a joyous query, unlike the last.   I am sure many readers have wondered about this, so I  will  share this with all, including those who, like I at one time,  felt consigned  to terminal  spinsterhood.

                                        It goes like this.  A friend of mine suggested I join Match.Com, which I was unwilling to do, at first, because the whole online thing intimidated  me.  I finally decided, having nothing to lose, and having tried all else, to  give it  a try.

                                     

                                         Things did not go well in the beginning, and I became very frustrated.  I gave up, when  I came  upon this attractive,  seemingly nice guy--I will call him  Joe, though that might have been his real name, anyway.  What caught my eye about him was that he lived in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, which I knew very well, because that is where my Aunt Martha and Uncle Jack lived, during my growing up years.  So, I got in touch with this guy, who was equally intrigued that I was someone who had heard of Cedar Grove.  Now, I had not  gotten around to posting a  picture, but, since he asked me  to, I  did.

                                            I heard back from him, but the message was anything but positive.  In retrospect, I will say, to his credit, it was  to the point.  Almost too much.  His response was something like, "I am sure you are a very nice guy, but you are  just not attractive enough for  me."

                                                Well, I was crushed.  But I had been writing my blog for three years by this time, in  2010, so I fired back with a response of  my own; something like, "Thank you for letting me know in advance how genuinely superficial you are."

                                                    And that was  that.

                                                    For six weeks, I stayed off the site, with money going down the drain.  Finally,  I did some thinking outside the  box.  The way this worked was they sent you pictures and info. of  guys they thought  you/I might be interested in.  But, what, I  thought,  about the ones  they did not send?  I began to search there, and, this is  the  truth, the  first pic  I happened upon was David!

                                                       We began a tentative correspondence on the site,  then he suggested we  meet.

                                                         The date was May 8, 2010.  It was an omen, because two years before, on this very date, I had attained my dream of seeing "The Song Of  Bernadette" on the  big  theater screen; specifically, the Walter Reade at Lincoln Center, then having a Jennifer Jones  Retrospective.   It also was/is the birthday of one of my favorite coworkers.

                                                          On said date,  in 2010, it was  pouring rain.  I had my rainbow umbrella, which I called my "Umbrella Of Cherbourg" umbrella, named after one of the most  romantic movies ever made.    We met  at the Riviera Cafe, near Seventh Avenue South, which is now defunct.  It was meant to be casual;  just drinks  and talk, but it turned out  to be  longer, and evolved  into  dinner.  We just clicked.  He walked me to  the station; I was then living in Woodside, Queens, and, while functional, was not happy about it.  He was living on Bethune Street, in the West Village, but  don't go  thinking glam, girls; it was a narrow,  several floor walkup.  Murder on my feet and back.  Even my walkup  in  Woodside was easier to navigate.

                                                             Phone conversations followed.  So did  a  second  date.  After  that, when David walked me to the subway station--Christopher Street, of  course,  because we returned again to the Riviera Cafe--he said  to me, "Have a good evening, dear."  No one had ever called me "dear," and the warmth in which he said it told me, then, that he was "The One."

                                                                A  picnic followed, sometime after, then we went  to  his place.  And,  save  for  my heart ablation last year, we have been together, since.  We were married  on January 10, 2017.

                                                                That's it,  girls, plain and simple.

                                                                 So,  those  who may think yourselves terminal spinsters,  stop  thinking that way.

                                                                 Look what  can happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      

What I Have Read Lately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  For some reason, readings get lengthier  for me in the Summer, darlings, so I  do  not have too  much to report here.  The  last  book  posted was  "The Damage," by Caitlin Wahrer, but since  then---

                                                                            

                                            "Moonflower Murders," by Anthony Horowitz--This was SO satisfying, darlings.  I have learned, by now, that when I see a new Anthony Horowitz  book on the table,  I reach for it instantly.  This turns  out to be a 608 page murder mystery, which,  like  the Sixties  CERTS  commercial  is "Two--two--two books  in  one."  The one chronicles the  cover's title,  where the daughter of the hotel  owners has  vanished, and no one has any idea what has happened--or have  they?  Then, there is a book within  a book.  The title features featured character Susan Ryleand, literary agent to  the late, fictitious writer  Alan Calloway, whose novel "Atticus Pund Takes The Case" was supposedly read by the vanished heiress, and gave her clues to a murder that took place there, years before.  The reader must read  this book,  too.  The story was gripping and harrowing; the denouement disappointing, as the culprit turned out to be a suspect almost always the case in this genre.  But getting there is  so much fun, it  is  well worth  it.  I was guessing up  till the  revelation; a rarity, for  me.  What else can I say, except I look forward to the next Anthony Horowitz??????????????????????????????

                                                                            

                                          I liked the author's previous novel, "The Nest, " and this was a "Read With Jenna" selection, which I tend to do better with than Reese's books,  which tend  to be more, well, chick-flickish.  However, she can scoop out a good mystery and suspense novel.

                                         The title refers to a struggling NYC theater company, run by Flora, and her husband, Julian, who are struggling to survive in the New York  theater world, and Sweeney gets  this  right, because,  hons,  I have been there.  The trouble starts when Flora accidentally finds  a  wedding  ring that should be on her husband's finger, but isn't.  Why?  And why hasn't Flora noticed, until now?

                                             Then there are their friends, a married couple named Margot and  David.  He is a pediatric cardiac surgeon; she a steadily working actress, but  no A-lister.  Circumstances cause them  to  move from  NYC to  LA,  and the drama is played out on both coasts, offering the pros and cons of living in either.  I am committed--maybe in more ways than one, darlings--but  I will  go  with NYC.  It  would be fun to chat with Blake or Taylor at  the Chateau Marmont,  but, hell, they can  come  here,  can't they?

                                                The  author lives up to  the  promise of  her predecessor.  Engaging,  dramatic,  sweeping in its  way, and getting both environments and  lifestyles  right, "Good  Company" is  not just  a great Summer read,  but one that will  last  beyond, as,  from  a  literary standpoint,  it is exhilarating in its detail.

                                                 That's it  for  now, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!  More to come; for sure, post colonoscopy.

Girls, Here Are Blake Lively's Shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Again,  these put us all to shame, but we  have something to aspire  to.    I need shoes  for  every occasion, especially if NYC is slowly coming back,  and I have  to look  my best.  You know, like  Dolly Levi, returning to the Harmonia Gardens.

                                        So, I thought Blake's shoes alone deserved  a post!   Here they are, though my favorites are  the  white high  heels with  the  rainbow colored gems, seen  in  the  "73 Questions" video, which, of course I also need converted into a men's loafers.

                                          Why don't shoe designers simply save  time, and  design a male counterpart  to their creations for women??????????????????????????????

                                              We ARE supposed to be  gender fluid,  darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, I Need Someone Who Can Take These Christian Louboutin Shoes, And Make These Into A Pair Of Men's Loafers! Can Anyone Do That???????????

                                                     I  mean, girls,  they are by Christian Louboutin!  Aren't they simply fabulous??????????  Divine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      But, like,  these  are for women.  I need these in a men's loafer.  Is there a staffer  at the outlet  store who can find  me a pair, or  have  them  custom made?  I mean,  suppose  I have  to make an important appearance?  Like  in Manhattan?  Or  at  The MET Gala??????????????

                                                          It is high  time I  attended  this  last.  But clothes make  the  guest!

                                                          I need  to  get  hopping,  shopping!

                                                           Post colonoscopy plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiety Still High! Colonoscopy Countdown Continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Eleven More Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And with that, darlings, it is time for our Nancy Kelly hysterical scene  of  the  week.  Here she is, in  "The Bad Seed," frantically searching for  Rhoda,  because who knows what she is up to, or where she could be doing it??????????????

                                     It is  the  exact same apprehension  I feel about my colonoscopy.  Thank God, I have Nancy to  help me channel my hysteria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       In spite of  the  psychopathy she faces, Nancy, nevertheless, is dressed in elegant  Fifties regalia, thanks to costume designer Moss Mabry.

                                        I must be sure to follow her example,  when the eleventh hour comes!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, It Is My Pleasure To Give You A Glimpse Of Something We Have ALL Wanted To See--Blake Lively's Closet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              I know, girls, I know.   Doesn't it just put ours to shame?

                                              But,  really, darlings, I am sure all of us, at one time or another, have had mornings, when we  open our closets, and  throw up our arms, in exasperation!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know  I have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               I can't recall the last time  I bought a designer clothing item.  I am just winging it on years of luck.  Besides, I would  not even be seen at KOHL'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Blake's closet is not exactly my color scheme, but the selections,  oh,  my GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Just look, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It makes me want to go  to my closet  and sift  through stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Guess what we will all be doing, tomorrow, dolls?????????????????????

Two Questions For Dan Levy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I don't know if Dan Levy reads this blog, but let me tell you, girls, he should, as it would certainly keep him informed.

                                            The other day, while watching Joe Sabia grill Dan on his "73 Questions," I thought of two I would ask,  myself.

                                              The first I direct to the girls--namely, gay guys, on here.  How can someone as bright, talented, personable, and,  yes, cute, as Dan,  still be single?  On one hand, girls, he is on the market, so snap him up!!!!!!!!!!   On the other hand, why hasn't anyone done this, already???????????

                                                Could this have something to do with trips to Japan?  Maybe he is a Rice Queen!  Nothing wrong with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  Actually, I think the answer lies more  with Redmond, his adorable dog.  Anyone interested in Dan has to pass  inspection by  Redmond.  And I am  sure his standards are high! He keeps Dan from perdition's path!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   The other question--something I relate to--is books.  For sure, a book is  an essential in my bag, whenever I am on the go, but really, Dan, Joan Didion???????????  JOAN DIDION????????????????????????????   Oh, come on, now!  Sure, the woman can write;  I have read several of her books, too.  But inspiring and uplifting?   Come on,  Joanie is one  big DOWNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I mean, if you are going to go with her,  then resort to the Depressive's Self-Medication Kit--Didion, Sylvia Plath, and Virginia Woolf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        There are better things out there,  Dan.  Like this blog,  for instance,  or "Valley Of The Dolls," which are pretty much the same, when I think of it, and do make others and myself laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         I  think you would  enjoy "The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And  Clay," by Michael Chabon.  I have read it three times--Jewish NYC history, a comic strip empire,  superheroes, stories within stories.....WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          So, those are some questions Dan should have been asked.

                                                           And, now, he has, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!