She Has Just Turned 70!

I think she qualifies as a grande dame don't you? Barbra has been around for a long time.  Do you remember this outfit?  I do!  That is very telling.  It created a furor in 1969 when she won for her Fanny Brice role in Funny Girl. That movie melted our hearts and dazzled our eyes with the costumes and her larger-than-life persona.

I guess what I love about Barbra Streisand is her will and her Independence.  She leads the life that she wants without apology.  Why would anyone apologize for having created a small street of shops to display her collections?  Ms. Streisand has talent, money and an eye for beautiful things.

I watched The Way We Were last night and found myself crying at the end, just like I did all those years ago when it came out (you just didn't/don't miss a Streisant movie) She IS Katie in that movie who lets go of her true love because she can't let go of being herself.

She's an original...

Happy Birthday Babs!

Bisous,

Stella



The Shadow of the Wind

What a novel!  From what I understand, this is Carlos Ruiz Zafon's first novel for adults.  For anyone wanting a taste of Spanish literature, for anyone who likes a touch of the Gothic novel, for anyone who likes a mystery, this is the novel for you!

A little bit on the hefty side, this novel takes you through forty or so years with the main character Daniel Sempere, through a search for himself, through the work of an all but disappeared author.  Set in post-Spanish Civil War Barcelona, the reader is taken through its streets and neighborhoods as though strolling through Street View in Google Earth.  One of the things I liked best about this book is that the reader gets immersed in the story and is hardly able to put the book down.  It is not an easy read, the reader has to do a little work, but not too much, just enough to play the sleuth along with Daniel.

This book is full of rich well-developed characters.  My favorite Fermin, a rehabilitated street person who's approach to life and wisdom are second to none.  Humour, tragedy, action, mystery, murder and dark versus the light are features that will keep up your interest and develop your admiration for the author of this staggeringly beautiful read.

Bonne journée,

Stella

My Friend C

A couple of years ago, I wrote about my friend C being as brave as the Amazon warriors of times past.  She has lived with cancer for the past eight years. 

She is not doing well.  The cancer has spread and is no longer controllable. 

48 years ago in September, I sat in grade one and noticed this pretty, tall, blond, slim girl in a knit sailor suit.  I remember her legs were long in their white knee highs.  She had a bow in her hair and large, soft brown eyes.  Her look was shy and timid. 

Her eyes and look haven't changed but there is an underlying fatigue of one who has been too long on the battlefield.

When we were 14 when Neil Diamond's Hot August Night album came out.  This song is for her.



Stella

Simply Sympli

About two years ago, I discovered this clothing line.  I absolutely love it!  All the pieces are made of a heavy jersey fabric that drapes so well.  Pieces come in a multitude of styles and colors.  I always feel pretty when I wear my Sympli outfits.  I have three and am about to get a fourth and fifth.

I'm getting this one to travel to Europe this summer.  The pants will be the cropped version of this style.  The color is yet to be decided.

Don't assume that this line is only for middle-aged women, it has really funky looks for the young and slim, and even not so slim.  Sympli is slimming too.  The cuts are so clever as to conceal most lumps and bumps and make the wearer look fabulous darling!  You can dress it up or down and always, always be comfortable. With or without great jewelry, women look like women in these.

Here is a video of theSympli line feature on City TV in Canada. Sympli is a Canadian line made out of Vancouver. You can access their website here for more information on styles.

Enjoy!

Bisous,

Stella

What about April Showers?

This is what we woke up to this morning.

I am having a snow day!

Have a good one!

Stella

Inventory

I had a good Spring break.  Not great, but good.  I did some mending and ironing, washed my fridge, visited my friend at the hospital.  Then I travelled with my sister to visit our almost 91 year old Dad who is still living in his home. He was not feeling well and was a little crotchety.  We spent a good 6 or 7 hours cleaning the house...

I had some quality time with V., finished reading l'Ombre du vent (more about this next time) for my next reading circle. We saw two movies:  Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Tintin on Apple TV. 

V. and I also made the decision to help his daughter with a down-payment for a home.  So we visited a property and had a long talk with her and her husband about it.

V. and I are wanting to see our chicks settled so that we can begin our new lives together in retirement. This past year, our oldest son T. has entered medical school, our youngest D. took a year off from his studies, earned money and bought a car, cash and now V.'s daughter may be buying a home. D. is heading back to school this fall and V. may be flying out to visit T. in Anguilla during his semester break.

At the end of August, T. will be half way through his 16 month basic medical sciences program.  We Skyped with him last night and could see that he is getting very tired.  The pace is accelerated and studying takes up most of his waking time. He is passionate about medicine.  Thank goodness.

August will also mark our return from France and my niece's wedding in Banff.  God willing, all will go well and everyone will be in the right place at the right time.

I am finding that I am getting a little anxious about the future.  Hoping that T. makes it through, that D. finds his niche and that M. finally gets a home.  Mostly, I pray that my darling V. stays healthy so that we can finally enjoy our time together in retirement.

Enough said about the past and the future. 

Today is a bright, sunny day in Alberta.  Temperatures are mild.  It's Monday and being back to work after a week of holidays is good. 

I am a lucky girl.

xo Stella