The good doctor Thomas Horowitz

Last year I managed to decapitate a mole on my shoulder in the course of some overly enthusiastic yard building.
It was worth it. I love my yard.



Here are a couple of shots of it - still a work in progress, of course.


Being one to let nature take it's course on most things, I neglected the angry mole until it got REALLY mad. Finally, a couple of weeks ago I went to see my wonderfrul GP, Dr. Thom. (If you've read my book, you know who he is.) As well as being a great doctor, and a good friend, he's one of the most vocal and active physicians in the county on behalf of Dr. Sharon Mitchel's work with AIM - also mentioned in my book. He took one look at my festering mole and said, "Let's see what's going on here." A quick biopsy and a return visit and the bad boy was carved away with no fuss or pain. When I went back to have the stitches removed last week, the HIV panic was at high tide. My great pal, Cindi Loftus, asked me if I would ask him about it, so I did. Our interview is presently posted on her news page. Take a look if you're interested.

Barns & Noble at The Grove, L.A....

...is the biggest damn book store I've ever seen. The Writers' Society event that took place last Saturday (June 13th) was staged in their special events area on the third floor. Jon E. Directo (that's his real name) the Community Relations Manager, and Tony Toledo, the GLAWS president, made it all go like clockwork. Lights, cameras, action! Tony just sent me this picture he snapped during my turn. I have simply GOT to remember to stand up straight when I do these things.
A very huge THANK YOU to Jon E., the store, GLAWS, and all my wonderful pals who braved the crowds and the late hour. I didn't go on until 8:45 - and I'm usually in bed by 9. Having you there to laugh in all the right places really made it work for me.

BARNES & NOBEL APPEARANCE

ALERT THE MEDIA
The Lady-writer in the floppy hat
has been invited to read from her memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It, at a Barnes & Nobel book store!!!

Next Saturday night (June 13th) The Barnes & Nobel at The Grove, Fairfax Ave. and 3rd in Los Angeles, will host a select slate of GLAWS members - Ray Bradbury and yrs trly included - at a reading/book-signing event from 7 to 9pm. How 'bout dem apples! I'm not scheduled to read until 8:45, but I'll be there from 6pm on to enjoy the other readings.

Another piece of news that should have been posted DAYS ago - mea culpa, mea culpa:
One of my favorite authors, Charles Shea LeMone did an interview with me!

I fell in love with a Rastafarian cab-driving detective named Solomon Priestly in Shea's smashing crime novel, Dance in the Street. When I found out my friend Jim Morris (another fine author) KNEW him, I just had to get in touch. A vigorous e-palship ensued. Next thing I know, Shea asks to do an interview with ME.
Here's a bit about him and his newest work:
Charles Shea LeMone, the author of several mystery and romance novels, grew up on “the most dangerous corner in North Philadelphia.” This novel, Corner Pride is based on his life. He now lives on a remote mountaintop in Virginia where he writes and leads workshops on creative writing. He hopes to one day open an art center in his old neighborhood. He can be contacted at his Website: www.allwordman.com Oh. Here's the link to the interview.
What a guy.

YIKES

Just learned that the link to cinema retro in last post was incorrect;
This one WILL take you there. An interesting site to explore and a very nice interview that Graham Hill did with and for me.

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/3275-GEORGINA-SPELVIN-A-DEVILISH-DELIGHT!.html

New Interview

Graham Hill took this snapshot of me after our lunch date at the Beachwood Cafe. Of course, I didn't have my camera along to get a shot of him, but, trust me, he's a darling man - a bit reminiscent of our beloved Benny Hill, but calmer. Who's Graham Hill?
Well, he is someone who has always loved HOLLYWOOD, it's history and it's movies. Having moved to the United States from England, just to work in HOLLYWOOD. He tracked down all the locations and movie sets he had grown up with. And in doing so, became a HOLLYWOOD historian.
He's nowhere near as famous as a Leonard Maltin, but he has written numerous articles for magazines including CINEMA RETRO, for the British and American Film Institutes and many others. Has given tours and lectured on studio history and even produced documentaries such as MATINEE RANCH and HOLLYWOOD ON PARADE.

Graham maintains a huge research library of books and DVD's on HOLLYWOOD and all it's classic movies and TV shows. He feels honored that he has met so many stars, directors, writers, stuntmen etc., people who's names he always remembered from childhood...

Imagine my delight when he contacted me and asked if he could interview me! He and his lovely wife, Gina, met John and me for lunch one day and we've been pals since. He has gifted us with many dvd's of amazing collections of Hollywood "bests."

Here's a link to the interview.
http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/3275-GEORGINA-SPELVIN-A-DEVILISH-DELIGHT!.html#extended

I feel like I have no right to be so pleased with my life on this Memorial Day when so many who made the supreme sacrifice are being duly honored. But I can't help it. I am so fortunate - and so grateful.

Bon Voyage, Marilyn

Here is a recent portrait taken by the talented Mr. Steve Zambrano of our recently departed pal. He brought it - and another he had shot of her with her daughter, MacKenna - to the fairwell party said daughter and the Devine M's best friend Peggy arranged at Zuma Beach on - appropriately - Earth Day, April 22nd. Hearing all the great stories and parting words from a host of those who knew her so much better than I, was wonderful. It was a somber day, but the lovely lavendar festooned dias and 57 - count them - 57 lavender baloons framing it made for a festive feel in spite of a chilling and unremitant wind. The balloons were in celebration of the almost 57 years she was with us - April 22nd being her 57th birthday. Two very talented sculptors, whose names I didn't get - damn it - had been out on the chill beach since 6am building a sand replica of our lady of the Green Door. If any of you have pictures from the occasion - especially of that sculpture - please email them to me. Several folks there said they would send pictures, but I've not received any as yet, and I just couldn't let another day go by without posting this small tribute to that so much larger than life personality - our beloved Ms. Chambers. Bon Voyage, Marilyn.

Marilyn Remembered

A new star graces that firmament we can't quite reach. Though, sometimes, it truly seems we actually can, and do. At least it often seems that way to me. Especially in my garden. Yesterday morning I was getting feelings of excitement from my two best biker buds - Iron Mike and Pegleg Flix. I often "hear from" them out there. Couldn't make out any clear "messages." Oh, I don't actually hear voices or anything. Don't call the funny farm - yet. It's sort of imaginary email. Anyway, I couldn't think of what was making me think so of the aforementioned "biker buds." Then I felt a wave of "Wow" from old Henri Pachard - who will always be Ron Sullivan to me. Not until I opened up my email shortly thereafter did it all make sense. The Devine Ms. Chambers had arrived! No wonder "the guys" were in a twitter. Now, please don't think I do not feel sorrow. Well, some sorrow - especially for her daughter - and for her multitude of friends and fans - but I feel more a sense of gratitude that I got to meet her a few times. I was even in her (I think) last film. Just a cameo walk-on, but I thank my good buddy Veronica Harte, who was directing it, for that perk. I'm very proud to be able to say, "Yes, I was in one of her movies."

Naturally, I thought back on the weekend she, Chuck, and I spent in Chicago with the indominable "Professor Irwin Corey." He, she, and I were guest judges at a nude beauty pagent. Chuck rode shotgun. Much hilarity ensued, as I recount in my book, The Devil Made Me Do It.
Alas, that was about the longest time I ever got to spend with her.



Here we are at one of the "company picnics" where I was honored to present her with a Lifetime Achievement Award from her peers.





She was a true original. The sweetness of her nature permeated every corner of any room she entered.

I raise my glass of Perrier to you, Dear Lady of the Soap Box. Happy Trails.