Today, I got up and after my morning tea, decided I’d drive up Coldwater Canyon to Tree People to take a hike. I had gone with my USC pals the previous week, and during the hike, Judy, our intrepid organizer of said hikes, remarked, “Why don’t you hike here all the time?” At the time, I thought it sounded like a great idea, so this morning I ventured up the hill again. Last weekend we’d arrived at 7:30 to find plenty of parking, but today it was closer to 9:30 and there was still plenty of parking! Kismet!

It’s a beautiful loop, about 3.16 miles, and today I was tracking the downhill/uphill numbers so that I could share them with my brother Don to try to entice him to go next week on one of our days. We have been walking twice a week around the Hollywood reservoir for several years and recently he has added a weighted vest that his daughters gave him for his birthday. He carries an extra 20 pounds willingly and manages to make it around the 3.34 mile loop. Anyway, the Tree People loop is great. The first 1.38 is all downhill and then you start back uphill quite steeply until about 1.74. From 1.74 to 2.54 it’s gently uphill with some stretches of sun and good views. There was nary a cloud in the sky today. It was getting warmer as I climbed, but still, it was a beautiful walk. There are always a lot of Angelinos on the path, and many dogs as well. Take sunscreen and water, though this is one of the most shaded walks I’ve been on.

I’ve been puttering along for a few weeks, volunteering at the food bank, and enjoying the biweekly luncheons I have with my dad after I get home from the food bank and he gets here after playing 18 holes of golf with my brother, Don. We grab lunch and then head off to his physical therapy at Vargo PT, the same folks who helped me rehab my knee after surgery in 2025.

In addition, I’m working long distance with my dear friend, artist Yehuda Hyman as he puts the finishing touches on Dancing Into Roses. It has been so much fun to be a small part of his creative process. When we chat by phone, he always makes me feel like I’m contributing significantly to his artistic endeavor. In two weeks from today, I’ll be traveling to New York to be more hands on with the process. I’m so excited to get to see my dear friends in New York. I welcome any can’t miss theatrical recommendations. I am already planning to go see The Imaginary Invalid with Bill Irwin – can’t miss that!

Puzzle season has officially started at my house. It took me about three days to do this one, which was a gift from my friend Steph. What do I like about puzzling? It is so relaxing. You’re only really able to look at the colors and textures and shapes of the pieces and breathe. It takes you right out of the messy political miasma we find ourselves in. And I just finished a fascinating book by Steven J. Ross called Hitler in Los Angeles. The thirties were a very scary and unflattering chapter in our history as a city, and in particular, in the south park area of downtown Los Angeles, which was a hot bed of KKK and antisemitism. Due to the courage of many men and women in Los Angeles, some terrible plots were squelched. It’s a really gripping read. It had been a gift to my husband from his stepson Frank several years ago and recently noting that Steven J. Ross had another book The Secret War Against Hate coming out, I thought I better read the first one first. Good choice. Just started reading Swan Song, by Charles Spencer about his sister, Diana Spencer, aka Princess Diana. So far it’s very moving.

Just moving into the fall with some purpose and some sheer enjoyment of being retired and choosing the things that bring me joy. Hope you are able to find some joy for yourselves as well.