Sometimes I want to write more than just journalistically about my experiences as a reporter. That is why I started to write down my thoughts, observations and emotions beyond scripts for radio, print and TV. This experiment is a lot of fun and scary at the same time. But, as they say, you have to get out of your comfort zone.
Brainstorming with a successful writer, I am excited about all the possibilities ahead of me, and frankly just by the fact that I am sitting here with her. This is L.A. living at its best: We are just minutes from the beach, sitting among donkeys, ducks and dogs, surrounded by mountains, avocado trees and ancient sycamore trees. She gets up to feed the ducks and I walk with her ...
All day long whenever I turned on the radio, I heard about Washington and "THE MEMO". When I turned on the computer, I read about "THE MEMO". I heard people being angry, upset, confused and fed up. It was time to take a break. I stepped outside to take a walk along the creek close to our house. I looked around while I was walking, and I got happier with every step. I heard and saw
JOGGERS - fast and slow, well-toned and chubby,
DOG WALKERS- one trying to teach a tiny dog to sit, another keeping a slow pace with her Saint Bernard and a giant Scottish Sheep Dog,
Marthe Cohn was a spy. A 24 year old Jewish spy for the French army who crossed the border to Germany from Switzerland. She spoke German fluently, was just a bit more than 5 feet tall, blond, and determined to do everything in her power to help end WWII. It is eye opening how much power a small, young woman can have once she dares to take this power seriously!
I met Marthe and her husband Major in their house in Rancho Palos Verdes. She told me her story of being one of the most unlikely spies in history. She had to change her identity, become Martha Ulrich, German patriot, orphan, looking for her fiancé Hans, a missing soldier.
Walking through my neighborhood, I see a lot of changes. Real estate prizes not only going through roofs but through the sky.
Locals creating new stores: pottery, coffee place, seafood restaurant.
30 year old businesses working hard to stay afloat: lawn mower repair shop, second hand instruments, Oaxacan specialty store.
So it is January. Medical bills coming in. For care after running into a light pole. For a root canal still making my jaw hurt and cheek swollen. Taxes due soon. Freelance journalism not really being a source of solid income.
If it all gets a bit overwhelming, I take out this card, I randomly pulled out of a Rumi Oracle card set while at a work shop in Esalen.
Then I start listening to my heart. And tell my mind to take some time off. It helps. A lot.
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