Archive for April, 2012

Shine On Harbison Poole!!!

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

It’s entirely possible I had some learning problems.  Or did I?  I got by in school, barely.  School was never inspiring except during recess and lunch.  For me, it was all about being social.  In fact, I don’t think I ever stopped talking while in my classes.  Math and Science really threw me.  They both still do.  They are like a foreign language.  I got by though and my report cards usually were all B’s, C’s, or even some D’s, and always an A in PE.  I almost got an F once in Dunker the Flunker’s second grade math class and that is when my mom when into full-blown protect-her-child-mode.  She showed up at school with the results of my IQ test to prove… not sure what?  But, it worked.  Then in high school, I actually did get an F and it was in a filmmaking class.  Again, my mother showed up at school to fight that grade.  This time, she lost. You get the idea; I maintained a strong C-plus average.  Hey, I didn’t know I was there to learn.  I assumed I was there to sharpen my already A-plus social skills. (more…)

Missing My Dad

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Some days are just harder than others.

Today I’m listening to my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs.

I had the Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town album’s in the 70’s and I would play them over and over in my dad’s apartment.  I would watch his foot, the one that was attached to his brace start to move to the beat of the music.  One day, he said “Who is this guy, he’s very talented”.  “Bruce Springsteen Dad, isn’t he great?”

Some days are just harder for me.

I miss sharing the love of music.  I miss sharing the love of food.  I miss sharing the love of people.  I miss my dad! (more…)

Burying the Hatchet

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

From left: Billy Vera, Alan and Kris Duke, Rita Coolidge

I cannot trace the exact moment, but somehow we started off on the wrong foot.  And like a big wave, our discontent swelled over time, neither of us knowing the origin of it.  We had both dug our heels in the sand.

When my sister-in-law, Kris, turned the big 4-0, my brother threw her a party.  A really big one.  Kris had always been a fan of Rita Coolidge, so naturally, Alan booked Rita for a private concert to honor his wife.  He went all out.

As the big day approached, my one-day-to-be-husband urged, “You should really get along with Kris.”  I agreed.  I thought it was time to bury the hatchet.

So I did.

I went to a hardware store and bought a hatchet.  I also purchased a beautiful gift bag that I filled with sand.  Actually, cat litter.  Where else can you get sand?  And I buried that hatchet. (more…)

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

When I first met my husband, I told him that I’m part Native American.  I’m also half Jewish.  This is when he said to me “ You don’t live on a reservation…you make them”.

I’m sorry, you will not be able to make a reservation at Wolf in Sheeps Clothing, a new pop up restaurant on Abbott Kinney.  Well, I mean you can if you are a party of 6 or more.  Since I am a huge micro-manager, my suggestion is to go, leave your name if there is a wait and walk around going in and out of the great stores.  They will even call you when your table is ready.

Sign on for Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

It’s rare that I’m blown away by a restaurant.  And I have become the town crier about this one.  Which is funny because the woman who once coined me the town crier since I just like to share all my finds– is the one that called me late one night, sated, having to tell me every detail of her experience.  She mentioned that they only serve beer, wine and water and I chose to ignore hearing this.  So, the very next evening when I dragged my husband to an early dinner there, I tried, but failed in ordering my iced tea.   The waitress informed us that once they get their permanent location, they will serve tea and coffee.  I asked if anyone would object to me running out to fetch a drink.  I came back quickly with my iced tea.  I was already in love with the whole casual atmosphere and attitude of the place and of the staff. Nothing like the snooty wait staff at some of the other restaurants on the block. No, I’m not naming which one (you know who you are). (more…)

Eulogy for Laurie Susan White

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

This is the eulogy that I wrote for my friend Laurie.    I don’t love public speaking and in the end, I chickened out.  At the time, I did send it to Laurie’s parents.  I am sharing it here on my blog with you in honor of my old friend’s birthday, April 4’th.  And because I know Laurie Susan would have really enjoyed and been supportive of my blog.

Hello, I’m Fredde Duke.  Laurie called me her B.F.  Best Friend.  I first laid eyes on Laurie in High School, the year was 1970 and she and her then B.F., Carrie Fisher had just gotten these disastrous haircuts.  They were profoundly ashamed, and actually spent some days not even bothering to come to school to save face.  Those haircuts were in fact, probably the very first shags.  Since both Carrie and Laurie couldn’t bear to be “seen”, they went out and bought these very sort of Ali MacGraw-Love Story knit hats to cover their heads and I thought they were just the most stunning, stylish girls, so I just had to get to know them.

the infamous shag

I went out to breakfast with them one school morning at Nibblers.  They were only 14 years old and already ditching school.  I was impressed.  I myself hadn’t starting doing this until at least 15.  I was a senior and our paths didn’t cross again for some years.

I had the “happening” pad on the beach.  Laurie Sue (what she liked to be called) would often come to visit.  Sometimes she would be gone for hours, she had wandered down the road to Ricci’s (Martin) and she would usually reappear.  But, not always. (more…)