July 2008 Archives
An angel in Waiting, by Machel Penn
Sometimes unexpected things happen in life. Like you learn something that you never thought you would. Your day happens against our plans. You step out into the morning light and find a new song is ringing in your memory. You discover that what you thought you lost along the way was something you never really wanted. You find out that this life you are living is just about the best chapter you could ever imagine. You see that rising above our own thoughts that tie us down to our illusions were really just like rocks. Unwanted heavy ones, the ones that are not beautiful, but the rocks that could wreck your car if you run over them. Writing? It’s like a roll of thoughts you let go. You find yourself. You go there and you discover later on paper what you have written. You see parts of who you are on paper…
I used to be a journal writer. I used to have that thing where I recorded all of my thoughts inside blank pages. But I have become a blogger. Turned into that type of writer who finally shrugs and says, okay to the computer all of the time.
It’s cloudy out and the Del Mar Races are in full swing. There are those right now getting ready for track day, for happiness, for beautiful horses running wildly in front of their eyes, those who feel so thrilled to be out and looking gorgeous. The outfits. The thoughts, the winners, the losers. Opening day is like something that you have to experience to understand why it’s special.
Wake up and seize something, anything. Be what you want. But be kind and loving, too. Don’t forget to let your heart open up to the less fortunate, those that need you…
Sometimes you don’t even know but you could be the angel someone has waited for….
Around Town Fourth of July in Rancho Santa Fe
Well, I must say after going to the parade only a few years ago and watching it develop into such a fabulous event, like that small town middle-America feel I was quite impressed. With well over 5000 people in town, camping out with their umbrella for the all day barbeque just down from the Inn, I fetl utterly prowd to be an American, but more so to live in such a wonderful community. Kudos to all of those in town in Rancho Santa Fe who made such a gallant effort to make the event amazing. I shall make sure next year I bring my own umbrella and stay for the day. Who needs the beach in Rancho Santa Fe? Around Town, Machel Penn
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Top Ten Summer Reads~ Rancho Santa Fe News, Machel’s Ranch
Machel’s Ranch, plus Around Town
Top Ten Summer Picks
A few columns ago I had written my top ten favorite books to read for the summer. Due to a computer glitch I ended up sharing something more personal, which was the article on my parents departure. Now with summer officially here, the blazing sun forcing us to the beach or inside behind closed shutters and concealed doors, I thought what better time to recommend the books that have touched my soul.
Don’t think Harlequin novels. No. This is a list of my favorite books in my life. I am an avid reader. If you are just one of those types that long for a larger LCD or Plasma, skip this column and read ahead to the MOST WANTED LIST.
This is for book lovers only:
1. EVENING, by Susan Minot. The beginning of the novel starts with a mysterious conversation, where the two individuals are not identified. The opening chapter you find Ann, the main character of the novel on her death bed with cancer. The book is told in flashback during different periods of her life. There is one summer romance that will reveal who the mysterious conversation took place between at the beginning of the novel. This book is an intense read, dealing with death, life and love. Be prepared to feel and cry and want to read the novel one more time just to see if you understood it the first time around. Just make sure you don’t rent the movie.
2. PULL OF THE MOON, by Elizabeth Berg. The main character, Nan (approaching fifty) is holding a green rock in her hand, while quietly sobbing as her spouse is sleeping next to her in bed. Nan’s life has not turned out the way she thought it should. Take this witty journey with Nan and discover why we all might face a mid-life crisis at some point. Told in first person, find out what self discoveries Nan makes when she leaves home on a solo adventure. Fun, quick witted and endearing, one of my favorites still today.
3. CANNERY ROW by John Steinbeck. This is more of a short novella depicting some derelicts down by the waterfront in Northern California. Imagine the most descriptive fun loving characters laid out before your eyes and one ‘frog scene’ at a pond that will have you laughing with joy. My favorite paragraph ever written is found in this novel. Steinbeck depicts what happened when two boys rouse a vagabond down by the water. When the old man turns around, Steinbeck so epically depicts what the two boys see inside of the eyes if his soul. Heartwarming and realistic, this Steinbeck novel ranks over EAST OF EDEN and THE PEARL as my favorite novel written by the ‘master’ of the English language.
4. SUMMER LIGHT by Luanne Rice. Imagine that you have a child that can see spirits dangling over a man sitting in first class on a plane. Now imagine that plane going down in a crash landing. The hero is a famous hockey player, and the heroine is a mother trying to make sense of her daughter’s ability to see dead people. She wonders why she can’t just have a normal daughter that likes staring out the window. Find out what happened after they meet at the bottom of the yellow slide after the crash landing. One of the best beginnings to a book I have ever read. Luanne Rice is one of my favorite current authors. Pick up any of her novels for a good ‘summer read’.
5. The POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver. Follow a missionary’s family to the inside of the jungle in Africa during their civil revolution during the 1960’s. This book is told from the perspectives of the daughters and the mother. Find out what happens to their family and why you should always avoid ‘red ants’! The author, Kingsolver, examines the human spirit and how love and loyalty fall short inside this family drama.
6. THE GOOD EARTH by Pearl S. Buck. The vision of two white pearls wapped up in cloth stuck between brown bosoms has stayed with me because of the descriptive language used in this novel. This book was translated into 30 languages, won the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize for literature. A must read at some point in your life.
7. CRADLE AND ALL by James Patterson. Put your religious beliefs aside to read one of fastest ‘page turners’ for me. Two babies are being born at the same time in the world. One is the Christ child and the other is the Anti-Christ baby. Which one is which and what will happen when they discover the truth? Scary and fast paced. Dark and decrepit, you won’t want to read this book before you go to sleep.
8. GREAT EXPECTATIONS by CHARLES DICKENS. Find out why money does not always by you happiness. Discover what Pip’s favorite time in his life ends up being and exactly why you never talk to strangers that could be ex-prisoners. This book reveals many universal truths through the lessons of the main characters.
9. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This was a book that taught me to manage how to suffer through a culture, a murder and a conscience I didn’t quite agree with while reading the book. But the lessons revealed and what ultimately happens at the end of this novel ranks it in my top ten, even though I struggled with the beginning of a gigantic novel.
10. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Just because you had to read this book in high school doesn’t mean it’s not worth re-discovering. This novel is so brilliantly plotted; there is a reason it must be read. The metaphor of the green light at the end of the dock is some of the best imagery I have found inside the pages of a book. Forget about Daisy and Tom, didn’t you ever wonder what happened to Nick Carroway, the narrator?
AROUND TOWN
On June 13, The U.S. Open disrupted the normal flow of traffic and the regular crowds in Rancho Santa Fe. The Polo Fields were turned into parking lots and if you had to drive down Via De La Valle, you just had wait a little longer to make to the Five Freeway. The restaurants overflowed with visitors. If you are a local like me, you might have decided to stay in that weekend because the local hangouts were too busy managing the flow from the out-of-towners hanging around.
On June 13th, Gallery Savarese’s last show of the year presenting Harry Potter film Illustrator, James Salvati, was a big success! Patricia Savarese and artist James Salvati presented the winners of the Harry Potter ‘giclee raffle’ with “Harry & Hedwig” to Steve Blue and his son Ashton. Fifty people jammed into the gallery to view 25 giclee and original oils, sip wine and enjoy the hors d’ oeurves on Saturday, June 14. The show closed on Saturday, June 28. Cheers to fine art, Patricia Savarese and fabulous movies!
On June 14th, With School out and children looking for fun things to do this summer, I snapped this gorgeous picture of ‘best friends’ at the Rancho Santa Fe Inn. Holden, Reese MacDonald and Jackson Tuck enjoyed hanging out at the Inn, celebrating the beginning of summer fun. Mothers if you are looking for a two hour lunch you and your children can both enjoy, forget about driving to the beach with the Fair traffic. Meet your best friend at the Inn and enjoy a cold drink and some appetizers on a beautiful sunny day, while your children relax under the eucalyptus shades at the Inn.
On June 19th, I finally discovered “Hamburger Night” at Delicias. I sat in the bar area, while the dining room was packed with residents looking for a ‘good burger’ that doesn’t entail a drive-thru or a ketchup packet. The burger looked delicious and my niece was thrilled to dine in style in one of the most upscale restaurants in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe.
In the month of June, Doug and Orva Harwood, two of Rancho Santa Fe’s top realtors shared one of their new listings just down by the Ocean, called Leucadia Shores. They described it to me in their own words:
An exclusive private complex of mixed uses and experiences!
Leucadia, California
Imagine waking up in the morning, enjoying your coffee and the refreshing Pacific breeze on the private deck of your luxurious loft-style townhome. Then, conveniently heading downstairs to open the doors and welcome customers into your beach-city office or boutique. Leucadia Shores offers this convenience and much more! The perfect blend of natural materials, top-grade appliances and an open design create the indoor/outdoor atmosphere throughout these residences. The laidback lifestyle of Southern California is emphasized in the convenience of 8 commercial suites located directly on the 101. Whether your desire is to live within walking distance to awesome beaches, shops and restaurants, or to simplify life and save gas money these opportunities are waiting for you at Leucadia Shores . Please visit www.LeucadiaShores.com for more information and a virtual tour!
Residential opportunities starting at $995,000
Residential /Commercial Combination starting at $1,095,000
If you have an event you would like Machel Penn to cover please contact her at mpenn@coastnewsgroup.com
Continue reading Top Ten Summer Reads~ Rancho Santa Fe News, Machel’s Ranch
