An Ode to Pasadena
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. Our hearts go out to all who’ve been affected by the Los Angeles fires and other natural disasters. We have friends who recently evacuated Santa Monica due to the Palisades fire, and family members who fled their home due to the Eaton fire. California holds a special place in our lives, as we’ve visited loved ones in the area many times over the years.
AN ODE TO PASADENA
In fact, our ties to LA go way back. My husband and I, as young newlyweds, chose to be married in S. Pasadena and honeymoon in California. We’d known that we wanted to hold our ceremony in Los Angeles county, so that my grandparents could attend the wedding without having to travel to the East Coast. I’m so happy that they could celebrate with us! Here we are together on our wedding day:
We feel lucky to have been married at the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena. Our outdoor ceremony was blessed with aqua skies and warm rays. (The noon sun may have been a tad too warm, as hubby humorously recalls a bead of sweat vying for his attention during the wedding vows!)
NOSTALGIA LANE
Since our nuptials, the property was acquired by Langham Hotels . We visited last year when we were in the area for our friends Janice and Craig’s beautiful wedding. We enjoyed a generous brunch buffet with family and then took a nostalgic stroll in the courtyard where we were married.
Here are “then” and “now” photos, with 27 years in between!
So our thoughts are especially with LA at this time. Once news of the fires reached us, we checked on those we know in the area, and on our beloved Langham Huntington. Evacuees say that the hotel has been a refuge, even allowing pets (As an aside, the doggie program sounds pretty luxurious: $135 includes use of a “Langham pink porcelain pet bowl, a plush pink bed pillow, box of treats, signature branded bandana and room deep cleaning.”)
PETS OF PASADENA
Speaking of pets, the Pasadena Humane Society is seeking donations for emergency animal response to support the 400+ cats, dogs, birds and other pets that they’ve taken in and are caring for. Here’s a link if you’d like to help.
TRAVEL THROUGH FICTION
With so much change afoot, you may be seeking an escape into fiction.
What exotic locales have books transported you to? I've loved exploring the French wine country, the Amalfi coast of Italy, and Asian cultures through books.
Now, I’ve teamed up with authors who write books that will take you places. Page through this list and let me know what you find. For instance, check out my author friends, Kathryn Brown Ramsperger’s A Thousand Flying Things, James Conroyd Martin’s Fortune’s Child and Push Not the River, and Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger’s The Girl from the Mountains. Always Orchid is in there too, ready to take you to NYC and China!
SPECIAL GIFT
For a sweet story set in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea, please take a look at Kel Summers’ Carmel series. Readers have praised her prequel, Summer in Carmel, as “inspiring, informative, and just plain enjoyable to read” and “great clean coastal romance books expressing love, hope and the power of healing for all women out there and men too.” Kel is offering you, my newsletter readers, a complimentary gift copy here!
Let’s end where we started, lifting up our spirits in solidarity with those who are facing hardship, in California and elsewhere. May fiction, hope, optimism, and empathy play some role in brightening your corner of the world!
As always, I’m wishing you joy, meaning, and orchids…
P.S. Barnes & Noble has invited me to sign my Goodbye Orchid series in Woodland Park, just in time for Valentines Day. If you’re local to NJ, please mark your calendars and come visit!
Saturday Feb 8th
12-2pm ET
Barnes & Noble Woodland Park
