The last several years I have taken a break from acting, which once upon a time before The Local Rose, was my first love. Many things have led to this hiatus: raising two children full time; changes in the film and TV industry; growing older; and a bitter lesson about business in general. A few years ago a mentor and brilliant acting teacher that I had worked with for almost a decade decided to direct a project I had created. Since I never had a written contract with the writers, I was removed from the project though I will be credited as an executive producer. That heartbreak propelled me out of naivety and into adulthood, and also in a round about way gave me the creative impetus to start this blog. However, along the way I lost my passion for what once was a great love. I locked it up in a box and stored it far away. I lost the key. For me being on stage is being in the great vortex or flow. It’s what a surfer must feel like inside the wave, or a cobbler when mastering a perfect sandal, or a composer who creates a symphony. It’s when the muses take over and one feels utter freedom. Is there a dream you have given up on? Are you stuck now in an old story of blame? Do you want to unlock the box of an old desire that someone has crushed or disrespected? Slowly it seems my passion for theater is returning. Slowly I am rebuilding my confidence and realizing that it is okay to have more than one dream. To quote one of my most favorite characters of all time, Auntie Mame: “Life’s a banquet and some poor suckers are starving to death!” Why can’t I tell stories again, write, work and raise kids? Sure I’ll be exhausted but I will also be full . . . filled.
There is a new feature on the site called the Weekly Rose Bud. It is a natural beauty tip using accessible products you probably have in your kitchen or pantry. If you have any great ones please email them and I will of course credit you. I would love to collect multi cultural tips to share with you.
This week we meet Kimberly Muller who is truly a mermaid protecting her seas, a webisode with Rachel Carven, Jenni Kayne and her new store, and more!
I am so excited The Local Rose is growing. Thank you to all of you who are making this happen. This month myself and the site are featured in C magazine and Pasadena magazine. Roses are blooming!
