You Heard Me!

Ericka and Karin

Attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) always managed to outsmart and outwit the "bad guys" in the popular television series, Perry Mason , which ran from 1957-1966 and produced 271 shows.  Paul Drake (William Hopper), his always hunky and  always cool private investigator, managed to dig up the most obscure information , along with, Della Street (Babara Hale), Perry Mason's dedicated and very hot secretary. Della Street often aided Perry in detecting various shades of lipstick and trendy fragrances, sometimes worn by the murderer. Filmed in black and white, the show had a certain noir feeling, although the sets appeared awkwardly staged at times. With his quintessential wry smile, Perry Mason's large eyes would fixate on the criminal and using his deft skills, he would often shake them into a blubbering confession. There was always a surprise revelation at the end of the hour and when justice was served and the murderer was trapped, we all felt good. His arch ...

WHAT A CROC! Diesel fuel in Sonoma County, CA hits $4.59 per gallon! Yes, I know! I should ride a bicycle (yeah, yeah, yeah), but it's not just my individual use that I'm thinking about-especially since I drive very little. Truckers use diesel fuel and guess how all of your food gets to your local grocery stores? Rising food prices, along with all of the other passed-on costs, will pinch the proverbial pocket now, more than ever. Oh, and by the way...how 'bout we drill in our own backyard for a change, rather than continuing to be hamstrung by the Middle East and North Africa?

BACK TO BLACK...

New Year's Eve-1962-63, San Francisco, CA (my mother, Helena, second from right). Time to find a hat and glamorous frock! I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year! May your troubles be small ones and your happiness' be many.

Elliott, there will never be another you...I want to imagine that you and Oscar are now jamming up a storm and that there's plenty of ice and Scotch whiskey there. Few people make a dent so large and deep in the lives of people as did Elliott Charnow. Those of us who knew him as music teacher and mentor are now reflecting on all of the significant contributions he made to us. Personally, I would not be at all who I am today, nor would my children without this wonderful man. It is not only through his musical influence and guidance that we were blessed, but his ability to convey humor and insight to all who knew him. His extraordinary wit and charm made learning and playing music a joyful experience, one that was exponentially gratifying. There was not one person under his tutelage who did not strive to perform to the best of their ability under his baton. He raised the bar for excellence and treated us, mere teenagers, as professionals. Expecting us to be on time, learn the mus...