Mae's 100 Day Project

I boarded the Greyhound at the Port Authority Bus Station in New York en route to Bemidji, Minn., with about $40 in my pocket, gifts from the actors at the North Jersey Playhouse for my 16th birthday. My destination was the only summer stock company that accepted me as an apprentice. I later understood why: this company did not require an audition, which I had dutifully prepared for other companies to which I applied but was roundly rejected, and I had only submitted my resume in pencil. Having spent the prior four years as an apprentice at the Playhouse, then in Fort Lee under the direction of the late mystery writer Robert Ludlum, I felt it was time to get some experience a little further afield. My friends at the Playhouse were supportive, but dubious about such a big step for a young girl, but I was determined to try my hand at what I romantically conceived to be the summer stock experience. Little did I know that what awaited me in Bemidji was more like indentured servitude. The b...

I found my people, my people arrived, confluence in San Francisco. It started in the Modern Times Bookshop (a feminist place)- I was seeking a roommate. Joan Mankin (Joan Mankin - Wikipedia) responded. We bonded and from Joan I met an amazing crew in the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Friends. Friends from Berlin were making films in California. Rosa Von Praunheim, Werner Schroeter who introduced me to Christine Kaufmann- we became really close friends--and then a friend from Santa Barbara- introduced me to Paul who brought Danny Schechter into my life. All the while I was attending college and working at Buena Vista School where I met lots of others. This was a really great time-creative, joyous and all have individual stories.. plus one about Janis Joplin. I had so many adventures, and great times in San Francisco.. and so sharing pictures.. each has a memory and a story.

It seems so long ago that Barack Obama-was elected President-not once but twice. Those days are long gone, but I keep memories of calls for tolerance, the importance of education for all, and yes Michelle's vegetable garden. Of course there is complexity, however, the spiral of Hate since he left office cannot or should not be denied. What does that mean? Answering my question, it means keeping on- and as yesterdays Pride demonstrated- keeping on big time. Long ago, I chose a life of curiosity-wanting to know people from around the globe. In fact, a favorite childhood hobby was reading the encyclopedia. My hope was to travel the ancient Silk Road- spend time in tents, learning from wise elders, while drinking either mint tea or strong coffee.  It is so sad to see all those bloated one's spouting venom-but such is such is--Remembering- and will keep marching- the retirement will have to wait... we have work to do.

I am my own influencer, make my own choices, don't get in the way of others, and those that so infringe from their lofty towers-better watch out-I know their kind- all too well.

As a child and for many years I dreamed of India. Probably, the India of books that I read and tales of Buddha and various wandering Yogi's. When I had the opportunity- I did not go via a van in the late 1960's with a boy friend-or when I chose to volunteer at an orphanage in Vietnam. I am sorry about the first and not about the second. Ironically, many of the families that I work with are from South Asia-and I have gotten to know quite a bit about the history and languages in that amazing and complicated country. Last night I had a dream- that I was in a Happy Place- and a woman who was obviously from India came through the gate with lots of people and we celebrated-it was life as I want it to be and so often has not been since becoming a homeowner.  People take themselves too seriously- and the sense of Mine is great- ah well- the Party was great -- and who ever this woman was I really appreciated the joy that came with her...Mother India. 

The book arrived from the Weekly Reader-Summer book club. "The Swans of Ballycastle", and turning the pages could not believe therein. The story was of 3 children whose mother died, the girl was the oldest followed by 2 younger brothers. Their father owned a shop and was too busy to care for them. After a time he married a woman who was abusive.  The children became depressed and frightened- and then sitting by the Irish sea they saw Swans (this is shortened)- and learned about the island were time stood still.  This was as place for people whose circumstances dictated the conditions of their life- they were not guilty and it was not their fault. Suffice to say the children chose to become Swans- once they went back to Balleycastle and realized 100 years had gone by. This book, which I have 2 copies now and traveled to Balleycaste when I rode my bike in Northern Ireland had such impact on me. It was so healing to read it was not my fault that my mother and grandparents died. ...

This jacket was going to be worn in 2020.  before lives interrupted-- can I recapture?

I always had an affinity for kids, probably because I listen. It continues to bring me such joy to know them and support a path of discovery. I love this upside down picture of Liz and then Lalo--her eldest--our souls met--as nurturers- and rebels.  Lalo, was given doors to creativity, to explore as were his sisters. Now as an adult he is a professor teaching Anthropology at an Ivy When the picture was taken he was in preschool. Lalo was teaching us as they do when you listen and when they choose to share- in the best of relationships irrespective of age is reciprocity.

I became a homeowner rather late in life. Having property never interested me. Perhaps if I had an interest- I would have avoided some foibles. In the mid 1990's I along with a partner, we opened a school in Trenton. The work was difficult and the partner had no background in education. Additionally, preferred Golf to work. Naturally, they bailed- leaving one funding source. The school thrived and this funding source also bailed- leaving me to exit the house where I was living in Princeton.  My daughter was in the apartment that I rented in the West Village in the 1970's and no way she would move. It was a difficult time, and my then secretary suggested Bucks County. The only time that I was there was to buy vitamins in New Hope. And so I looked in that very development and purchased my first home. Gosh did I make it beautiful, built amazing shelves, gardened for everyone, and installed a wood burning stove-this is still my favorite dwelling. However, it was run by an associati...

"What becomes a Legend Most" was one of the most successful advertising campaigns of all time. Photographer Richard Avedon, highlighted amazing Diva's wearing or clutching a  Blackglama. The photos were amazing- as were the legends. This brought me to the recent Peloton I guess it was PR or somewhere that called some of the coaches legends after being featured in Time Magazine. Then I read an interview with Cody Rigsby who said he lost a bit of himself after Dancing With the Stars.. now I really respect Cody and how with a sweetness and good humor came forth during COVID to really help others.  I worked in a theater that employed :"Stars" as a teenager- and my stage manager and life long friend assigned each of us apprentices to a star and these were big ones... he wanted to teach us not to be impressed- to know people as people... this culture tends to make deities and then trash them... and so I decided to share some legends.