That’s a wrap for Susannah Mars
The pic above is from a movie I enjoyed working on, Cellar Door. You can stream it now, but only if you like scary suspense! Last week, I worked on another movie, In Spite of Ourselves. It’s a sweet movie about a young man who is trying to become a stand-up comedian and whose father has dementia. He also meets a love interest in Oregon. It’s written and directed by Josh Loeb, whom you may know from the restaurant world. When you do a day on a movie or a television show, you are called a “day player.” When your gig is complete, the 1st Assistant Director will shout out on set “That’s a wrap for Susannah Mars!” Everyone cheers. It’s the film version of a bow. When they did that for me last week, it took me back to the pure admiration I have for my dad, who guested on, gee, I don’t know, more than a hundred TV shows, not to mention his other work. Will and Grace, Magnum P.I., Malcolm in the Middle, Murder She Wrote. I could go on. Walking on a set where there were close relationships in place. He’d show up, the new kid on the first day of school, and do his thing with Jimmy Stewart or Bette Davis, to name a few. To have created memorable roles under those circumstances, I miss him terribly and remember him with deep love and admiration.
Wrapping paper
Thirty-one years ago, Ron Crosier employed Bill Wells to assemble a concert for his sixtieth birthday. Ron wasn’t my friend then but has become one over the years. Bill called Steven Dahlke, and Steven Dahlke called me. At least, that’s my vague recollection. Somehow, we all ended up at “the big green house,” in Northwest Portland and performed a private concert for Ron’s nearest and dearest. The proceeds from that party went to The Cascade Aids Project, and my music relationship with Bill Wells was born. There were many concerts in the same place, with various artists after that. I’ll sing a concert for Ron’s friends to honor his ninety-first birthday with Stephanie Lynn Smith this month. Ron has been a constant and fervent supporter of the arts and a treasured friend. When Olivia was studying Pacific Coastal Northwest Plank Houses, he brought models and a talk for her elementary school class from the Portland Art Museum, where he was a docent. He was awarded with the honor of National Arts Educator here in Oregon. Ron is a humble and wonderful human being, and I am so happy to celebrate him this month. If you want to celebrate the arts this month, and we need each other more than ever, look at this video from Portland Center Stage or Artists Rep, and offer what you can.
Can’t wrap my head around
The election. I feel a profound sadness. I will be an ally. The remedy? Love. I just performed with the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir at Augustana Lutheran Church. The loving welcome I felt and the music, led by the magnificent LaRhonda Steele, set my heart back on track. The great work begins once more.
Wrapped around her little finger—paw?
This girl. She brings me such joy and an instant sense of tenderness. There are a lot of doggy antics in my future.
Let’s wrap this up
My friend Merideth Kaye Clark shared this link to a This American Life episode. It gave me hope that humans with different political views can find connection points. It’s an introduction to a couple who are opposed politically and found a path to generous conversation through an independent news site titled Tangle News. Maybe you’ll find the podcast or Tangle News to be helpful too.