One of the primary delights of living where I do in Southern California is that I am surrounded by a wealth of resources for joy. For me this means the pure joy of learning, of stretching my mind and especially for absorbing art in all its forms. Today I’ll be joining a friend for a visit to The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. Last night I attended a revival of the film Gold Diggers of 1933, with excellent commentary by a professor of film from a nearby college. Our local little theater, The Playhouse, is staging a run of the Broadway musical Dames At Sea.
But, much as I love movies and the rest, it’s always books that come first. Lucky for me, Inside the Dream Palace by Sherill Tippins combines it all. Sure, it’s a history of the iconic New York residence. But it’s also a capsule version of social movements, history, architecture, literature, painting, politics, music, economics, philanthropy and New York City itself from the time of the Chelsea Hotel’s founding to the present day. What I always hope, of course, is that infusing my mind with art in all its forms will stimulate and foster my own work. This may or may not be true. But if not, so what? The delight and the joy, the pure fascination, the enrichment I gain is benefit enough.
Lida Bushloper 
Yes! Love finding a book that I know will stay with me. And for me, reading other writers is so inspiring, I keep doing it every day. 🙂
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Me, too. I read other writers, both in my own writing areas and others. Sometimes they are so excellent it can be intimidating. But I’ve still gained, because I’ve had that engaging, stimulating, enriching experience. Thanks for reading and commenting. Lida
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I LOVE the Huntington! And the Arboretum. And Descanso Gardens…so many places I miss from Southern California.
And books, yes, we have that in common too. I haven’t seen this one. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing with us and increasing our awareness of unique and fascinating things too!
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Trisha, I keep hoping you’ll make it out here for a visit. When you do, a visit to the Huntington will be nonnegotiable. Thanks for reading and commenting. Lida
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It is great.
Best wishes
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Thanks for reading and commenting! Lida
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