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.

LA Times Festival of Books

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS) has accepted me as a member! Not only that, I am one of the authors to be represented at their booth - #631 - at the forthcoming LA Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus in Westwood.

I'll be there with books to sell and handouts to hand out on Saturday, April 25th, from 4 to 6 pm and again on Sunday, April 26th, from noon until 2pm. Be sure to let me know if you are there because of reading this. I actually do try to keep track of that sort of thing. Details of the event can be seen here.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Spring Equinox. It's Easter, it's Passover, it's flowers all over the place and I just love it.