FUN – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Valentine’s Day – What’s Love got to do with it?

What do rock concerts and Valentine’s day have in common?

They both begin with a spontaneous emotion but over time the performance becomes ritualized and people anticipate the expected songs/gifts and they both must deliver.

Head’s up to men everywhere – women like to be spoiled every day of the year.
Romance is natural and not something forced, and gifts should be unexpected instead of expected. So don’t save it only for one commercially enforced day of the year. Holidays imposed upon us for the sole purpose of profit making are not expression of a loving sentiment. However, it’s a not so subtle reminder to show appreciation for those we love and sometimes for those we don’t.

Having once lived in Japan I remember a few customary rituals to do with their version of Valentine’s Day.

First off, there’s White Day – the male counterpart to Valentine’s Day in Japan, where the tradition is that women give expensive chocolates to men they’re romantically involved with, and cheaper chocolates to their coworkers, bosses and sometime older brothers.

Giri-choco (義理チョコ) is a custom where woman give chocolates to male colleagues. It’s an unspoken obligation to give chocolates to your boss.

Whereas Honmei choco (本命チョコ, or “true love chocolate”) is inspired by romantic interest and given to husbands, boyfriends, or a potential love interest.

Here’s a sprinkling of some of my favourite Valentine quotes:

“It is not love that makes a relationship complicated; it’s the people in it who do.” — Unknown

“I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s Day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours, I watched whatever I wanted on TV.” — Tracy Smith

“Valentine’s Day: the holiday that reminds you that if you don’t have a special someone, you’re alone.” —Lewis Black

“You can’t buy love, but you can pay heavily for it.” — Henny Youngman

“Remember, your Valentine’s card shows you care enough to send the very best, even though you’re too lazy to put it in your own words.” — Melanie White

“One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” — Oscar Wilde”

outside a restaurant in Palm Springs

“If Christmas is considered the most wonderful time of the year, then Valentine’s Day is most definitely the LOVEliest day of the year.” – d. king

ENJOY!

Header Photo: d. king **(if you receive this via e-mail you can click on the title to get the full screen.)

FUN

IN with the New Year!

Meditating is something I’ve been wanting to do more of. We found a good spot on top of a monastery Christmas Day with a view. The monastery wasn’t open because all the Monks got covid, but we enjoyed the grounds and the peace and quiet. Also the dragonflies.

Here’s how I spent the remainder of 2022

This was in Oceanside, CA. We were on our bikes and came across the house used for filming in the original “Top Gun.” This is an exact replica of the Kawasaki motorbike that Tom Cruise rode in the movie. We felt the need to get on it.

An excellent tortilla soup and fancy french toast in Carlsbad, Ca.

First day was foggy but there’s a dreamy quality in that.

Layla met up with some tigers on a mural in Carlsbad.

Planning to get my feet wet with a few other exciting ventures this year. One step at at time.

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis

FUN

Spring is in the Air

At times like this I wish I owned a boat…or better still; a yacht!

The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC) is one of the world’s premier yacht clubs. You must be a member to have lunch or dinner there or to go to any of the events. I’ve been many times before but the last time I stepped inside was almost five years ago. At that time it was not my most pleasant experience. This time I danced.

Brochure for Fashion Show **“Yes we Cannes”**

Last week a group of us (courtesy of our mutual friend Tammy) sat together for a Ladies Spring Fashion Event which included a lovely dinner, cocktails, fashion show and dancing to DJ music.

L-R: Tammy, Janice, Isabel, Debbie, Stephanie + her mom Julie. (Jennifer + Randi not shown).

A wonderful evening with fresh French fashion (think Isabel Marant) to wear perfectly on some boat, good company, food, champagne and energy.

Of course we Cannes! But what we cannot do is leave a whole cookie intact for too long.

It was delish!

FUN

Monday MOD Mood

A few pics from this past weekend here in Palm Springs. It was the last weekend of Modernism.

Friday was the famous Mccormick Car Auction preview day. I went, I walked, I wished!

Saturday; the Curated Vintage Event at Temple Isaiah (same location for Studio 54 fashion show I attended the week prior). Vendors from all over. It’s always good.

Saturday & Sunday a vintage trailer show for collectors from all over the USA, or just gawkers like me.

Sunday there was a huge Modernism yard sale outside h3k home and design.

As for Monday…

Palm Springs was one of the most restrictive jurisdictions in the United States regarding mask wearing but as of today; NO MORE MASKS in California. Let’s give it up for lifting this restriction finally.

YAY!

FUN

Monday Mood: getting in the mood

for Christmas

Only in Palm Springs will you be able to find Christmas Tree Ornaments in the likeness of fashion icons such as Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld, music legends like John Lennon, TV idols like Lucille Ball and sex symbols like Marilyn Monroe. And of course other frivolous and fabulous embellishments to adorn your modern day tree.

ornaments available (or were available because believe it or not, they sell out fast) at just fabulous. A one stop shop for all things you never knew you needed but you definitely want.

https://bjustfabulous.com/

Photos: d. king

FUN

Monday Mood: Musings

What a difference a year makes

Reflections on where I was and a few of the things I was doing last February,

Some things I’ll be missing this winter – sunsets like this, restaurants like this and vintage shopping with friends like this.

**Happy Hour with Friends.** This was at **Tac/Quila,** Palm Springs

Celebrating Chinese New Year at **Jake’s**

VINTAGE SHOPPING with the SPECIALISTS

**This collection was (is) the ticket! So much fun.**

Miss the Caftan Crowd (minus Bernie)

Like they say…there’s always next year!

FUN

Feel Good Feelin’ Music

I’ve been meaning to post something about my talented, beautiful singer/songwriter friend Jenni Doyle ever since I first met her in Palm Springs the last time I was there. She and her husband live in Vancouver and also have a home in Palm Springs.

I feel like I’ve known Jenni a lot longer than I have because I’ve heard so much about her through two friends that we’ve both known forever, although these two other friends have never met. Our mutual friend Susanne has written lyrics to some of Jenni’s songs, while our other mutual friend Michael, wrote music for her album “Night Angles.”

Talk about a small world and having something in common aside from our love for dogs and Palm Springs.

Her single “**Only One Cook**” was filmed at philanthropist Joe Segal’s breathtaking waterfront mansion in Vancouver and directed and edited by Dave Benedict. Jenni’s make-up by Safina Kataria. Photo from her website.

Jenni has been entertaining people since the ripe age of two, when she donned her first pair of tap dancing shoes. After her early years in musical theatre and dance, she was accepted into Canterbury High School for the Arts in Ottawa, which then led her to Vancouver where she studied acting at Vancouver Film School. In the years to follow, Jenni was one of the top 25 finalists out of 4,000 girls, to make it onto the Global T.V. reality show “Popstars.”

This experience propelled her into the music industry, where she worked with producer/songwriter John Dexter (Carly Rae Jepsen, Bif Naked, D-Cru). She recorded two songs on the D-Cru album “Into the Future” which was released in stores across Canada. She went on to sing in a duo called “JeLL” where they performed their “Night Angles” songs and “The Star Spangled Banner” live on ESPN in Los Angeles.

Jenni has also had the honour of singing “Oh Canada” and performing her Shania Twain act in front of thousands of people at B.C. Place.

With **Gloria Macarenko**, longtime host of CBC Vancouver’s supper-hour television newscast at 6:00, and **Tina Turner and George Michael lookalike** performers. Jenni does a **tribute to Shania Twain**. That’s her up on the screen.

Jenni also shared a heartwarming story about meeting her cute little Shih Tzu named Bella. This is her second Bella. Her first Bella passed away from cancer at a fairly young age. Jenni loved the dog and was completely heartbroken. About two years after Bella’s passing a friend suggested it was time Jenni get another dog. She wanted another Shih Tzu. When she went to look at a litter of pups one got very excited, ran right up to her and jumped into her arms. The owner said the dog’s name was “Bella.” On her birth certificate was written “Bella Comes Back.” True story!

I just heard this song Feel Good Feelin’ for the first time yesterday. I thought since the title has Feel Good in it, how appropriate for an uplifting Friday note. Hope you enjoy it even if you’re new to country music. Be sure to check out the Kelowna, B.C. scenery (and the tattoo on her arm in the very beginning).

Have a great weekend! The last one before Christmas.

https://www.jennidoyle.com/

FUN

Fun on the Farm

I love unexpected afternoons that end up on a positive note.

Last week we happened upon a dog training farm in Duncan (located in the District of Cowichan Valley) on Vancouver Island complete with sheep, lambs, ducks and one wily border collie.

And, as I happened to have one Shetland sheepdog in the hatchback of my car, I thought it a good idea to see how she would respond to the little lambs that were silently grazing behind a fence. Especially since knowing that the breed (sheltie for short) are herding dogs that originated from Scotland’s remote and rugged Shetland Islands. Known to be easy trainers and world-class competitors in obedience, agility, and herding trials, I was dying to find out how she’d react.

We took Layla out of the car and held her as she watched and sniffed, all the while appearing calm and disinterested.

Anyway, before we drove off we stopped by the farm which goes by the name Ash Farms and has been in the family for generations as we learned from Linda, the owner, who came out and greeted us. As luck would have it, she’s a dog trainer with a specialty in training them to herd sheep and ducks.

A light went off! After chatting with Linda for several minutes I decided to take a trial training run from her to find out if Layla has what it takes. Even though I don’t live on a farm and don’t plan to buy sheep anytime soon.

My imagination led me to believe that Layla would start chasing them around the pen in circles while nipping at their hind legs and I expected that it might get out of control.

So Linda, with the help of her very smart border collie Jock, was more than patient to find out if Layla has a natural instinct. Jock helped to show Layla a few tricks. They showed us that there’s a method – and it starts off slow with an eye to follow the sheep.

We learned a few things.

For instance, we found out that instinct to herd is largely inherited, not learned. Like ballet or piano, it’s better to start them off young.

Therefore, instinct is a response to stock that no amount of training can create. However, the greatest instincts are not useful without a willingness to work with the handler. Trainability is as important as good instinct, so the greater level of working accomplishments by the parents, the higher the likelihood the offspring will achieve these skills. Without attention to this in breeding, it is all chance.

Ahhh…makes sense now. Her parents never herded farm animals.

So we took a chance. It was worthwhile nonetheless. Layla needs to be more wolf like in her approach so that the sheep are afraid of her. They were not. They kept their eyes on her though.

Layla has potential but seemed distracted and would need more lessons without me hanging around. For now she’ll go back to chasing squirrels and Canada Geese – something she prefers.

Besides…Layla has her own little lamb.

Photos: d. king

FUN

Feel-good Friday: a little Bergman

Here’s a healthy dose of subtle darkness. The person watering my plants might not find it humorous, but I do.

I just hope to God they’re alive when I get back. No pressure!

Adapted from The Seventh Seal (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman.

This Film Noir is about a man seeking answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague. The photo is from a movie still, and the text is not the original (as if). The original title was Det sjunde inseglet.

On a lighter note…I had the pleasure of finally meeting country recording artist Jenni Doyle. We have mutual friends who’ve been trying to get us together forever and finally Wednesday night we did manage to meet up. She has a wonderful voice and I have her CD “Grateful Heart.” Among her many accomplishments she’s sang “Oh Canada” in front of thousands of people at Rogers Arena and a Shania Twain tribute. But that don’t impress me much!

I look forward to our next visit. I intend to do a separate blog on only her very soon.

With Jenni Doyle at **Palm Canyon Roadhouse** in Palm Springs. Then on to **Sammy G’s** from there for a delicious dinner. Moez, her lovely and handsome husband, accompanied us.

Have a wonderful weekend y’all

FUN

McCormick’s Car Auction

Here goes.…some cool classic, exotic and/or vintage cars (and people) seen over the weekend.

Seeing everything in **Red**+White. Photos: d. king

With friends Gary & Ramona. Gary buys, re-stores (if need be) and re-sells classic cars.

Ramona stands by whatever this is. We’ll call it the mean, green road machine. You can say it captured our attention.

Rest of the Weekend:

There was some fantastic ART for sale Saturday at the official opening of the ART Hotel. These two pieces were my favorite. Cacti is by Zach Fleming & the Abstract is by Gerald Patrick. It was a fun afternoon with live music, wine, art, some collectors + a few new friends.

This is hotelier friend Tracy Turco wearing a vintage dress with Marilyn Monroe all over it and a great pair of heels (deserving of a closeup). The hotel itself is very funky. Tracy outfitted every room in her personal colorful manner – all differently. She put guitars in every room. Some come with turn tables + records. Now OPEN for business. Tiki hotel is in the works.

Then: