Sail Away, sail away, your images stay with us...

The lights that have illuminated our screens and filled
our ears with music go out. And we go on...









Jiva

THE AMAZING Billy DeGuido MIRACLE MAN !

Update June 17, 2009
Below is the latest photo of Billy.
Even though his eyes are in good condition,
the signal from his eyes is not getting through
to his brain. Therefore Billy cannot see.
The doctors don't know if his sight will return.
It's a wait and see issue. Pray for Billy, or if
you don't pray, send good thoughts his way.
You can check out his website below by
clicking on his name.

Billy is going home on Monday, June 29.
How he will do there, remains to be seen.
Thanks again to everyone who helped out.
An outpouring of money from everywhere mailed
in to the address on his website, and from
the poker tournament, and from a volleyball
tournament, will total almost ten thousand dollars,
as soon as all the bracelets are sold.
God is Great, or if you prefer, The Universe is With Us.




I want to thank all the people who wrote to Billy and checked out his web site.
He is doing so much better, as you will see if you click on the Billy DeGuido link.
Miracles happen every day, and Billy is one of them.

You can see the infectious spirit of Billy...



I love Miracles, don't you? Every now and again, I'm privileged to see a real one.
My friend, Billy DeGuido, a man of 53 years, was struck down by a massive heart attack in April. His brain was without oxygen for about ten minutes. The doctors held little chance for Billy's recovery.

Now, you'd have to know Billy to understand what happened next. At the hospital,
he became somewhat of a celebrity, as friends by the dozens poured into the
hospital to see how Billy was doing. He was in Cardiac Intensive Care,
so visits being very limited, the friends hung out in the waiting room.
Every day. Then, the doctors decided to let Billy's friends into his
Intensive Care Room, in hopes that their voices would wake him up.

Billy was known for his sports participation. He played baseball, he played
water volleyball, he played tennis. He was in on everything.
There was this:
No insurance.
I guess this is a commentary on the American Spirit, and what happens
when there is no coverage.

I decided to call Silent Unity, about two days into Billy's stay, when he was in a coma. Silent Unity is this organization in Missouri, where if you call, they pray for you or your friends for 30 days. It's powerful, intensive stuff. The next day, Billy responded a bit. ! What? Yes, he responded a bit. I'm going to give you the link to Billy's web page, so you can see for yourself, the Miracle that Billy is.

BILLY DEGUIDO

When you look at that page, you will see the enthusiasm, the hope, and the good wishes of everyone for our dear Billy.

Nurses from the original CCU visited Billy to see how the "Miracle Man" was doing. In the first few days in CCU some of the staff originally thought Billy had very little chance of making it, now the staff is so inspired by his progress they come to visit on their break. Even his doctor said he is a 1 in a 1000 case to make the recovery that he is doing.

You will also see what happens when friends rally around in a time of crisis.
It's an amazing thing... and it's what has inspired me to write this on my blog. Thanks for looking. Pray for Billy, he has a long road ahead of him.

Jiva

THE READER ~ KATE WINSLET ~ A CLOSER LOOK

This film is a masterpiece of emotional passion, upheaval, and love.
It covers territory not touched in any previous film. The story about
a woman who is illiterate, a boy who learns sex from her,
a trial about Nazi cruelty and how the laws pertain to someone
who has never read them, is brilliant in its conception and performance.


One of the Posters from the Film



The Fabulous Kate Winslet, who won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe
for Best Actress in this film



Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, and David Kross who plays the
young Ralph Fiennes in the film.



Kate pictured from the film



Ralph Fiennes as he appears in the film



The most Gorgeous Lena Olin who plays a daughter
and her own mother



Kate Winslet and David Kross



Lena Olin, David Kross, Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes



David Kross, Bernhard Schlink, Kate Winslet, David Hare (screenplay),
Stephen Daldry (director), and Ralph Fiennes



The Trailer From the Film

If you have not seen this film, it is not to be missed.
It is one of the best films I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty.

Jiva

Beatrice "Bea" Arthur ~ May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009

Adieu..




Bea Arthur and Zero Mostel Rooftop Theater 1958

Bea Arthur (born Bernice Frankel) was born on May 13, 1922 in New York City

Jiva

A TRIBUTE TO EARTHA MAE KITT (January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008)

I saw Eartha Kitt in New Faces of 1952 in Chicago... she sang that fabulous
song "Monotonous" in a style that was unique and so sexy. I have been a fan
of hers ever since.


Earthy Eartha, The Diva


There never has been and never will be anyone like her.


Eartha at The Churchill Club 1951


Eartha in Anna Lucasta


Eartha with her daughter Kitt


Eartha with Julius LaRosa and Ed Sullivan


Eartha with Nat King Cole


Eartha with Kristin Chenoweth 2004


Eartha with daughter Kitt McDonald Shapiro


Eartha sings "I'm Still Here" from FOLLIES

She may be gone, but she will live on in our memories...

Here is a website for her fans from her daughter Kitt:
Eartha Kitt The Official Site

Jiva

SHALL WE DANCE??

I HOPE I LOOK LIKE THIS AT 94 !!


Patricia Morrison looking good at 94



Patricia Morrison in 1939



King Yul Brynner a legend




I don't know why, but this clip always gives me goosebumps!

Jiva

APRIL FOOL'S DAY ~

SPRING IS HERE...




I don't know about you, but I feel pretty foolish today.
The government is going to send me a check with money
borrowed from China. The government is going to send
every working person a check, and some that are not
working also.

Today, I wish President Obama would surprise us all.
Stand up at his pulpit and announce on TV "APRIL FOOL!"
Meaning, it's all a big joke, and he isn't really going
to spend three trillion dollars of money we don't have.

FAREWELL NATASHA MUCH TOO SOON...

She won the coveted Tony Award for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in CABARET, 1998.

With her husband, actor Liam Neesom.

With her mother, Vanessa Redgrave.

Here is Mom Vanessa with Natasha and Joely in 1965.

With her sons, Michael and Daniel.

Natasha's sister Joely Richardson and her daughter, Daisy Bevan.


Her Grandfather Michael Redgrave and Grandmother Rachel Kempson.


Her mother Vanessa Redgrave and aunt Lynn Redgrave.

Natasha and her sister Joely.





45 Year old Natasha Richardson, of the Redgrave Family Acting Dynasty, has died today after being taken off life support in New York City. How tragic and sad for her family, her husband Liam Neeson and their two sons, Michael and Daniel. Natasha was one of the younger members of the Redgrave family, her mother being Vanessa Redgrave, daughter of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, shown above. Natasha's aunt, Lynn Redgrave, uncle Corin Redgrave, and Natasha's sister Joely Richardson, are all famous in their own right theatrically.

As Mary Schmich said in her famous article fantasizing about a good commencement address, that was falsely attributed to Kurt Vonnegut,

"The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday."

So may this be the reason behind Natasha's premature death, something that never crossed anyone's mind as being possible, on any day of the week.
It is always a shock to learn of an improbable passing. To her family, her husband, her sons, her mother, sister, aunt and uncle, our deepest sympathies and comfort.
The Broadway community will no doubt dim its lights in her honor tomorrow night.

For the complete story of her ski accident, her transport to New York, and subsequent death, click on this link from the Daily Mail.

Jiva