My Marilyn Moment. . ..

Seems like Marilyn Monroe is hot news again, with a new movie about her coming out and the hit TV show "Smash" doing a takeoff on the legendary sex symbol.

All the chatter reminded me of my "Marilyn Moment". It happened in June of 1952 and I was, for the moment, a stay-at-home Mom with a three month old baby girl named Andrea Jean. Her dad (and my first husband) was working in the music business as an advance man for the Ray Anthony Orchestra. On that June day, he was in California to help promote the band's newest recording titled "Marilyn", in honor of you know who.

Herewith, the phone conversation as best I remember it.

Husband: "Joan. . you need to come out to California and run a party for Ray at his house in the Valley.

Joan: "What am I supposed to do with the baby. . and by the way, what kind of a party are you talking about?

Husband: The party is for Marilyn Monroe. . she's coming with Joe DiMaggio. Don't ask questions. Just get on a plane and come out here.

I'm sure there was more conversation than that, but that's pretty much what I remember. I also remember that our bank account in those days didn't allow for me to fly TWA to the West Coast as he had on the band's money. So I flew "The Flying Irishman Airlines", a wannabe airline that sprang up after World War 2 and disappeared shortly afterwards. Suffice to say, I was the only passenger on the 10-hour plane ride wearing white gloves and carrying a suitcase that wasn't held together with a rope.

In later life as a pr maven, I would plan and execute many parties and special events for clients, without a moment's nervousness. In 1952, I was a true neophyte in the business of party planning, but plan I did, with no time for nervousness. Right down to finding a florist to create a flower-covered float for the swimming pool that spelled out MARILYN in capital letters. Ray Anthony's wife, a confirmed alcoholic, took care of ordering the liquor.

Marilyn and Joe arrived by helicopter. . setting down on the spacious lawn of the home. She stepped out looking absolutely gorgeous, wearing a skin tight red satin cocktail dress that was obviously sans any sign of underwear. As a matter of fact, as I looked around at the guests in attendance, I was pretty sure I was the only female at the party wearing underwear. I was also the only one wearing crinolines under my demurely full skirted dress that I had borrowed from my sister for the occasion. It would have been a smash at a party in Mt. Vernon, NY, where I came from, but not quite de rigeur in Hollywood, California.

The party was a huge success, and the ex went on to be a big man in the music business, but that's another story. Marilyn was not only beautiful, but sweet and charming that day. I don't remember how well the record did, but it was a learning experience about being resourceful that served me well in the following years.

By the way. . Ray thanked me by flying me home on a real airline. I think I would have walked if he hadn't.
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I'm feeling "quotable". . .

In my 50 year career as a pr person, I've written literally hundreds of press releases filled with "quotes" attributed to clients that were strictly made up by me. But I don't remember ever quoting myself.

That's what made the arrival of an e-mail yesterday such an unexpected treat. It started out this way:

Hi Joan! My name is Jake, and I'm contacting you on behalf of Fancy Feast.

We are very excited to announce the newest Elegant Medleys entree inspired by your "Purrrfect Sushi" recipe! Below, I've attached a press release that we plan to use to announce the new product. Within the release, there are a few quotes on your behalf. We'd like to have your approval to use these quotes before issuing the release. At your earliest convenience, can you please confirm that we are allowed to use the quotes?

Also, we'd like to send you a few samples of the new entree for Ginger and Wasabi to enjoy. Should I have them shipped to following address?

My response was Yes! Yes! and Yes! In fact, I e-mailed this Jake person back that I couldn't have written the quotes better if I had written them myself. Will the riches from this crazy win never cease???

On the basis that I might be on a roll, luckwise, I ran out and bought a lottery ticket. The jackpot is up to a nice round $40 million, but I'll bite the bullet and settle for a lump sum settlement of quite a bit less.

According to the Herald this morning, I didn't have even one matching number. Apparently, cat food isn't catching.
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Photo caption: Fancy Feast: The gift that keeps on giving.

Make way, Top Chef. . .there's a new kid on the block!

I know I've been blog-silent for over a month, but that's because I've been busy honing my non-existent kitchen skills, due to the fact that daughter Andrea is convalescing here in my apartment.

As most of you know, either from personal experience or from past blogs, I haven't actually cooked a meal in 17 years, dating back from when I first met the "significant other". Prior to that date I was every take-out place's best customer. That is, if I wasn't eating in a restaurant with (take your pick) husband/friend/date/business associate. In other words, cooking was never my thing, whether married or unmarried.

Revisiting my kitchen has been a interesting experience. I am adept at making my morning coffee and when absolutely necessary, applying heat in the microwave. That's about it. Nowadays I can broil a pork chop, blend up a protein shake and fry an egg with aplomb. . .once I remembered where the frying pan was located, that is, not to mention how to turn on my fancy stove with its convection oven and figure out how the blender works. My appliances, especially the dishwasher, are all in shock. (See photo. . a truly rare sight!!)

Andrea, thank goodness, is feeling stronger every day. Not so surprisingly, she is now doing most of her own cooking, and I am once again enjoying life as the "designated eater" at Chez Benardo. I do, however, venture into Publix on a regular basis these days, brandishing the list Andrea provides. Since my former shopping method was to go straight to the Cat Food aisle, and maybe make a fast stop in the Dairy department for some yogurt before exiting quickly, I now travel up and down the aisles seeking exotic items like dill pickles and tartar sauce. .things that have never before seen the inside of my refrigerator. Talk about sticker shock! Who knew food costs so much? Take my word for it, this is a whole new world for moi.

Guess it doesn't matter how old your kids are. I may have missed out on the cooking gene, but being a Mom seems to be embedded somewhere in your DNA.
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