Hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars...

A December Sunset from our patio- wow! We can't believe it is already February. The holidays came and went. We enjoyed some rest and a visit from Leigh's mom. We took her to historic Solvang and Pismo Beach to see a Monarch butterfly grove. It was good to see her. The girls loved their time with MaMa.

In January we had the rare opportunity for a night away without the children so we chose to spend it in Hollywood. We drove around Beverly Hills and Bel Air oohing and ahhing at mansion after mansion. The one we wanted to see was completely blocked- the Beverly Hillbillies mansion. It is located right next door to the Reagans- not the Dryesdales. Our minds wondered back to days gone by when Lucille Ball lived next door to Jimmy Stewart, etc. What must it have been like? Raquel Welch and Jack Palance seemed to have modest homes by today's standards. Of course, I'm sure they have more than one. The most interesting thing we did was visit several "famous" cemeteries. We saw the tombstones of many a famous folk and were surprised to see the simplicity or complete absence of others. Roy Orbison is buried in an unmarked grave. A small patch of grass marks the spot. Family members never returned to purchase a headstone. George C. Scott is also in an unmarked grave. The grumpy old men (Lemmon and Mattheau) are buried together. Marilyn Monroe's plaque had people's lipstick kisses all over it. Dean Martin had a fresh dozen roses in his vase. Donna Reed was noted with a small plaque on the ground reading "Wife and mother" with a small, withered plant beside it. It was striking that one could have it "all" and still die with nothing. Another cemetery actually backs right up to the Paramount Pictures studios. The irony was too rich. The contrast too stark. Funny, I don't think Hollywood gets it.