Hard to believe it, but I’m back—I thought I would devote this week to more writing. After spending a week in Los Angeles with my good friends Renata and Janine and then after Christmas, 10 more days with them and with another good friend, Irina (met her for the first time!)in Mexico, it is hard to say how I feel about my life. It certainly does seem a great deal more boring than I had realized before taking on this wonderful adventure. I am having trouble dealing with the emotions since coming back—sometimes I am sad, sometimes empty, sometimes angry at my “nothing” life—and I am trying to get over that. In fact, writing this post helps me a great deal, and so does singing my favorite songs! I will get over this eventually. I hope you are not too bored with the petty details of my life, but writing it out helps and these friends I got to know like sisters, I met them because of classic movies! Now, none of them share their favorite actress with me (I think we all know who my favorite actress is). In fact, we all met because of my second favorite actress, Irene Dunne, and it’s interesting how this actress has brought me together with several friends, but especially with these friends. In fact, I have never felt such a close kinship with any friends before, and that’s what makes it so devastating for me. One is from Mexico, one is from Germany, and one is from Israel. How do we overcome an obstacle like that? Of course, the only way is to visit each other whenever possible, but we are not made out of money. If there is one thing we’ll always have, it’s classic movies!
When I was in Los Angeles, I visited Roz’s star, her grave, her footprints, and her house. In fact, many interesting things happened in these instances. I love seeing her star because I know how much she deserves it and all I can say is, Roz is truly the best! There was no one like her. I love seeing her handprints and footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, too, because it really amuses me how much longer her thumb was than mine when I attempt to fit my hands into her handprints. And something that really reflects her sense of humor and sense of fun is what she wrote in the top of her cement square: “Auntie Mame was here.” It makes me sad that the “was” is starting to fade, but let’s face it. This was over 50 years ago when she made history with her footprints, handprints, and signature in cement.
Me putting my hands in Roz’s handprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater
When we visited her house, believe it or not, friends, the gates opened while we were standing there! Yes, we finally got to see Roz’s entire house (and yes, it’s the same one she lived in! I recognize her blue shutters). There is a very high hedge in front of the house, so it was very hard to see much of her house, but when a man came up in a van, told the person inside the house that he was there, the doors “magically” opened for him. I say “magically” because my friend Renata claims that she had the “power” to open those gates for me—ha, right! It was unbelievable. I just happened to be standing there when the gates opened, and I got to sort of stand where the gates would be and marvel at the house Roz once lived in… before the gates closed again, that is!
Me acting silly before the gates opened…
Roz’s house!
I consider myself so lucky to have friends like this that I can share classic movie things with, and do “classic movie” related things with without them thinking I’m totally bonkers. I am also lucky to live in Southern California. I am only 2 hours away from Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City—all the places where these things are located for Roz fans to see.
Speaking of which, I had to be in awe at Roz’s grave again. I had seen it before, but why is it so massive? A huge statue of a cross and it’s on some kind of pedestal with steps in front of which Roz and her husband Freddie are buried. There was a lone purple flower growing, also, in the vine that grows up the statue. As well, someone had left two candles on her grave and I have since wondered who left them. It’s good to know Roz has other fans—I know she has, but I never see any proof of it when I am in L.A. I feel like I’m the only one paying attention to her star or footprints, so still, the proof exists =)
You can see the candles there.
R.I.P.
Sorry if I wrote much too much, guys, but I really felt like writing today. I just wrote this out now without looking over it, so please inform me if there are any errors! Thank you! I’ll get back to you soon later this week. I have more to tell 😉 Have a great week!
I absolutely adore these people!! <3
Way cool post Desiree! Sounded like you had a most amazing time. Thank you for sharing your adventures with Irina, Renata and Janine. I like when you said if there’s one thing you guys will always have, it’s classic movies. And you are so right. Loved all the pics you included on here as well. Just a wonderful post to share with everyone. Thank you again Desiree.
Must reply!! This really is a thoughtful comment. Thank you so much, Monty. And thank you so much for taking the time to read it. It makes me happy that you did that. And I love to share my adventures. They usually didn’t have anything to do with Roz, but well, we came together because of classic movies, after all!
Desi! It was one of the sweetest things I’ve read lately! I can understand you feelings so well, because I feel exactly the same. The trip made me think my life isn’t half as interesting and exciting as I would like it to be. But we have to move on and look forward and I am sure we have many good things in our future and that one day we can meet again!
And I will be forever grateful to classic movies (Irene Dunne in particular) for bringing me together with such wonderful people as yourself, Rena and Janine!
awwwwwwwwwwwwwww this is the best post EVER, ever and ever!! Of course, you forgot to mention how much I cried for Roz U.U hahaha but omg, reading this makes me live again all those wonderful days! I love you so much and I really feel we’re sisters despite our different nationalities and cultures and all that and yessss, after all we will always have classic movies =D and Irene is amazing for causing all that U.U haha hopefully we can see each other again when it’s Roz’s bday so we can also throw a bday party for her haha xD
Ps. yes, I had the power and the gates opened cause I am cool U.U
Love youuuu!!
Oh, wow! I had no idea you guys lived so far from each other! I was already happy for you because you got to get together and have so much fun, but now I see why it was especially meaningful.
I don’t think I need to tell you that I completely and totally agree with everything you said about Roz, and with how you feel about her. 🙂
Sorry you’ve been sad, and I hope you and your friends can get together again sooner than you think!
Thanks for the post. Good to have you back. 🙂