Before Sharon's month long sojourn in Palm Springs ends, we made plans for one more afternoon together.

Before meeting Sharon for lunch, my stop #1 was in the village of La Quinta to visit its museum. My goal was to explore Gallery 2, located on the 1st floor, which features new revolving exhibits that change every three to four months. I was there for Brilliant Expanses, Fading Vision: The Salton Sea Paintings of Andrew Dickson.

According to the artist, who grew up exploring this amazing part of our state, "The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake is a place of expansive beauty, filled with ancient geologic forms and a layered human history still clearly visible.  It is also part of one of the most productive agricultural regions of the country and home to many small and vibrant communities. The lake is currently an environmental concern as the water recedes, air quality worsens, and local neighborhoods and wildlife habitats are affected."

This exhibition of drawings and paintings presents an overview of his creative work at the Salton Sea. Through his artwork, he hopes to promote reflection on the unique visual character and complex issues surrounding the Salton Sea and to express the profound beauty he senses in its vast spaces, rich textures, and brilliant sun-bleached landscapes.

Artist’s Statement, " I am often attracted to stark, remote landscapes and ordinary locations because they are quiet and meditative, and also because I find it rewarding to reveal the latent beauty present in places that are easily overlooked. I am continually drawn to settings that contain both natural and man-made forms. In urban environments I gravitate toward views that convey a sense of open space, solitude or some contrasting element of natural beauty. Conversely, in natural settings I am often drawn to locations that contain fragments of man-made elements. These contrasting elements can promote reflection on our relationship to the landscape, and they also present many unique design possibilities for artistic exploration."

I spent my 59th birthday camping on the Salton Sea's shore. Whether viewed in person or through the exceptional painted observations of Andrew Dickson, it is a magical, unique place which casts a spell on those who take the time to really see it.

All the art ogling made me hungry and eager to connect with Sharon. Stop #2 was in Palm Desert at the uber delicious Chef Tanya's Kitchen (I'm photographed with the culinary queen herself). 

Tanya's kitchen is inspired by her love for good food, nature, and the animal kingdom. She is dedicated to making food tasty, fun, healthy, and easy. She opened the first all-vegetarian restaurant in the Coachella Valley in Palm Springs in 1990. For the last 35 years she has been showcasing house-made seitan and tempeh gourmet dishes. I know so many people who would have loved to have been here with me. Delicious!

After fueling up, Sharon and I headed to my last stop (#3), the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. We were there for the final episode in the Hollywood Gamechangers series.

Documentarian and award-winning author Steven C. Smith took us inside the battles and breakthroughs behind the fourth and final screen classic- Pillow Talk. All of them defied the rules, advanced the art of filmmaking, and remain among the most entertaining movies ever made. We both wish we had seen all four of the films but agreed 50% isn't so bad especially since we aren't locals.

Pillow Talk was a film I had never seen and now I really wonder why! "By 1959, singer-actress Doris Day had mostly portrayed ingenues in wholesome musical comedies. 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑘 , from its suggestive title to its script’s playful sexiness, redefined Day’s screen persona as more than a virginal good girl – and earned her an Oscar nomination. It paired her for the first time with Rock Hudson, whose career was on the skids after a major bomb. Their chemistry so delighted audiences that 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑘 inspired two follow-ups with the pair, and earned the staggering amount (in today’s dollars) of $200 million."

Before the showing began, Steven told us the background history and the impact this filmed had on cinema. We learned it was credited with launching 1000s of romantic comedies (my favorite film genre).

What's not to love? "Day is an uptight interior decorator forced to share a party line with an amorous playboy who ties up the line with his exploits while she is trying to conduct business. When the two accidentally meet, he's taken with her beauty and, pretending to be a wealthy Texan, begins to court her mercilessly. Though flattered by this stranger's attention, it's not long before she discovers his true identity. Now, it's her turn to have a little fun… at his expense! Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter costar in this …sleekly sophisticated production that features Miss Day in 24 ultra-chic ensembles from Jean Louis and over $500,000 in borrowed jewelry. Pillow Talk also went on to win an Academy Award for Best Screenplay."

This film possessed so many great quotes. "It only takes a sip of wine to know if you like a bottle... Drink up!" Hysterical. I loved the fact that my Tahoe friend was currently just 1½ hours away. While I didn't get to see her as much as I would have liked during her time in Palm Springs, what we did experience was extraordinary and unforgettable!