The Shamrock Shake Incident

The year was 1978.  At least I think it was.  All of my childhood memories seem to run together these days, but I do remember standing in line with my sister at MacDonald's and they were advertising their latest calendar, which we took home:

I think my grandma was with us that one fateful March day but I can't be entirely sure.  She might have been baby sitting my sister and I and even though my sister wasn't feeling well, she really wanted to come to MacDonald's with us, and she really wanted the coveted Shamrock shake. 

We loved the Shamrock Shake because it was sweet, and well, it was green.  I don't remember if it was minty back then, but it was yummy.

After sipping on our shakes for awhile we had to go home and I remember sitting in the backseat of our parents' station wagon with my mom driving in the front.  My sister still wasn't feeling well.  Do you see where I am going with this?  What happens when a kid isn't feeling well, drinks a green shake and then sits in the backseat of a car?

She throws up all over the backseat.

Next thing I know there is green everywhere, on the seat,  on the car floor, maybe a little on me.  Can't remember if my sister cried, but my mom turned around and saw the commotion and stayed calm.  We must have pulled over to clean it up, but after that day, I don't think my sister drank another Shamrock Shake again.  She was scarred for life.

I leave you with this ancient Irish Proverb and little bit of a warning for the holiday weekend:  He who drinks green, will throw up green.   

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!



March Happenings

I need to write more.  I just finished writing a script for my solo piece, "Cat Nanny 911" and it's like I just exhaled, walked away from writing, and put on my acting hat.   And by writing, I don't mean journaling--I do that all the time.  I mean writing another story, to keep my creative juices going.

Rehearsal, Rehearsal, Rehearsal...

Speaking of which, I had my first rehearsal for my upcoming show in April, Women in Solodarity: Cat Ladies, this past weekend.  I'm telling you it's wierd to rehearse my own writing, but I like it.  And finally being able to rehearse it with blocking is helping me understand the very story I have written. It's all coming together now. Meow.

You're not going anywhere Bunny Rabbit! (yes, that's the name of my parents' cat who is trapped in my arms)

Sunrise, Sunset....

Oh Bolinas, it's been a long winter and how I have missed you!  I just might visit you this weekend. Speaking of this weekend....



You mean, I can celebrate Cinco De Mayo AND St. Patrick's Day?

By all accounts, I should be a hard core Catholic with a drinking problem, seeing that I have Mexican and Irish blood pumping through my veins.  The countdown to start celebrating my Carlos Murphy roots starts this Sunday.

HAPPY MARCH!