first, a note. (this post is a wordy one.) i must admit i sometimes hesitate to rave enthusiastically about something i really like. i think twice about posting my true feelings of newfound love in fear you'll try it too and for some strange reason bitterly disagree with me and wonder what was she thinking? and then decide we can't be friends at all. which is never a good thing. but if your friends can't tell you the truth than who can? doubt must be tromped upon. so i will continue praising my latest discoveries; good books, dvd rentals, recipes and lipstick shades in hopes of your continued indulgences. of course, it's okay to agree to disagree with me. but please know that this is my blog and i will rave if i want to. thank you.
i just dropped nora ephron off at the library.
it was a really sad goodbye. hugs and sobs.
i just finished her book, i feel bad about my neck. (i am four years late in reading this, but still, i really really loved it.) it being the type of book you don't want to end. it being the type of book you call your mother about. (mine had already read it, of course.) it being the type of book that makes you think. it being the type of book that makes you want to write a book report about it and send it to the author, signed with love. it being the type of book that makes you want to write a book yourself. i love books like that. nora weaves life into stories so perfectly. i would tell you to read this book but instead i'm going to urge you to listen to it like i did. (i realize now i do indeed need an actual copy of the book to colorfully underline, quote from, refer to and lend out.) still, hearing nora ephron read her own unabridged words is like picking your girlfriend up from the airport. why a famous writer, producer, director new york gal would be visiting me in idaho, i don't know. just sit back and listen to her amusing life stories and in short, become best friends forever.
it's really nice to drive around with nora amidst the usual goings-on of normal life. she will wait for you while you run into wal-mart. she will notice your new shoes and make fun of your pathetic excuse for a ponytail. she'll treat you to an egg mcmuffin and laugh about the bumper sticker in front of you. it'll remind her of a funny story. she is full of funny stories that will make you laugh. you'll forget your ho-hum ordinary life while listening to hers.
this book, while seemingly written for aging women to commiserate about the joys of getting older, is still completely enjoyable for a woman of a younger generation. number one, she talks all about new york city, about living there and loving it and justifying big purchases, like monthly rent. number two, she reminds you that–famous or not so much famous–we're all in the same boat. we all laugh about the same things and think about the same things and complain about the same things and care about the same things. number three, she talks about cooking so much so you will want to tie one on and make something very gourmet. i love her descriptions of her cooking styles throughout the years. number four, she quotes when harry met sally. enough said. number five, fyi. she is the very iconic figure who wrote harry met sally, among other fabulous movies, so you already love her. you already have soo much in common. you already have so much you want to tell her. you two practically have a secret bff handshake in the works.
number six, while completely lovable, nora is sarcastic, witty, and whiny, which makes her genuinely charming and just like your real life friends. number seven, the way she describes real life is downright dead on. that thing about emery boards, yes ma'am. and rapture with books, amen. you can totally relate to her, even if your life is completely non-parallel to her glamorous one. how can someone so famous and fabulous be so normal? this is why nora is so perfectly fun. number eight, she talks about her marriages, the kennedy era, her hatred for carrying a purse, her various jobs, her desk (with a waste basket built into it), and being addicted to the internet. i love the part wherein she calls herself a mouse potato. yes, yes, i nod. i too am a mouse potato. and if you are reading this online, than you are probably one too. oh nora, we are a fan club full of mouse potatoes.
i found myself chuckling with my new bestie while rolling around town in the car with benji boy bopping in the backseat. we had a good old time together. i never wanted her to leave. in the last pages (or cd tracks) she settled onto a serious subject. and in her light hearted way, nora talks about death. i found myself all weepy. having lost her mother and best friend she talked about them and made me miss them too. in sentence form, she gives you a short description of what missing a loved one can feel like. i gulped and wiped my tears and stayed in the parking lot a bit longer on a snowy evening just so i could hear the rest of her story. oh nora. of course she left me smiling. and then like that, her story stopped. the book ended all too soon. nora and i went our separate ways and i snapped back into life. but still i am thinking of her. like a memorable movie, i keep thinking of funny lines and laughing aloud when no one is around.
happy valentine's day to you nora the queen of hearts.
with love,
marta
perhaps you'll be paying tribute to nora this valentines.
a few favorites...
next up..
my life in france.
wishing you & yours a
happy valentine's weekend. ours will definitely include some olympics watching and saturday chores. and some more pushing benji around in his boat (my laundry basket) and perhaps a sledding adventure.
p.s. if any of you go to that valentine's day movie
, i want to hear if it lives up to the hype. xo.
on monday the m.writes blog & business workshop will officially begins!
