Well, here we are already … nearing the end of September. And with tomorrow being the first day of Fall, I think summer camp is coming to a close. But what a summer it has been! Between trips to Salem, I’ve managed to have a summer filled with family, friends and fun on the water!
My Summer Adventures
Weddings, Rosie Memories and Sharing Recipes
I was at a wedding last week, sitting next to a nice couple who I had never met. So to make introductory conversation, I asked the woman if they have kids (often a good place for me to find common ground) and the flood gates opened. We talked all about her FOUR teenagers and my now adult children. I could relate to so many tales she shared about their successes and struggles.
It is funny how life works, or maybe it’s MY brain … but now, as I look back on those years, I have these rosie memories and think it was a breeze. Haha, I know that is not exactly the reality, but it seems to be a nice way to remember it. And what I have found to be true is that you realize, in hindsight, that many of the things we angst over as parents were really not that big a deal.
Don’t Panic: The Amazing Aftermath of Tackling Your Fears
So here I am in my 50s, and I’ve never gotten over my fear of public speaking. Couple that with the fact that, despite my career choice, I’ve never been a spotlight seeker and you’ll begin to see why the thought of this past week has been a source of terror for me for the last few months.
As some of you probably know, I was honored by CASA of Los Angeles this week at their annual gala. It was a fantastic event – thanks to many of you for your support of me and your contributions to this incredible organization – but the road to the gala was not an easy one for me, and I thought I’d share a little of the journey with you.
About Last Weekend – Daytime Emmy Fun
This past weekend was the Daytime Emmys … always a fun time, but even more so now that it’s become a whole weekend affair. Now that I’ve had a few days to unwind from all the excitement, I thought I’d recap a few of the highlights.
My Sister’s Perfect Garden Party
My nephew recently got engaged, and last weekend, my sister threw him and his fiance an engagement party at her house. As I’ve shared here before, I love to host parties … and I especially love take advantage of the gorgeous Southern California weather by hosting outdoor parties. So, I was in absolute heaven at this party, which was an afternoon BBQ, hosted outside in my sister’s gorgeous yard. The whole thing was so lovely, and I got so many great party and entertaining ideas, that I thought I’d share with you all too!
Attention, Tone & Subtext: A Communications Challenge
When I started PLANK, I mentioned that there might be some random musings … well today is one of those days.
I was thinking the other day, as I was learning my script for Days of Our Lives, that it’s very interesting how you can take any sentence or phrase and say it at least 10 different ways … all with different subtext. As an actor, this is always interesting to explore, and there are even acting exercises dedicated to this very thing.
This plays out in our everyday lives, too, in how we interact with people. As actors, we consider our character’s motivation and make conscious choices about how we deliver lines. But in life we often let emotion alone drive delivery … and sometimes our intention is lost in the mix. Our communications can so easily be misunderstood, especially in today’s world where texting and emailing sometimes replace actual face-to-face conversations.
You Asked: Mary Beth Takes Your Questions … Part 2
Last month, I asked for some questions and you guys sent in so many good ones! I tackled a bunch in an earlier post, but there were so many, I wanted to come back and take on a few more …
Once again, thank you all for your questions and your continued support!!