I don't have the answers yet, but I have learned enough to be dangerous, and ask better questions..

I have been having the best couple of days. Yesterday, my daughter and I went out for Chef Karim's, Santa Barbara's lone Morroccan joint. Feeling the need to inspire her to do her best at school, I promised a visit to Chef Karim's if she aced her tests. She made good on her end of the deal, so I had to do my bit. For the record, Karim makes the most sumptuous dishes I have ever put in my mouth - you could just die after eating them because they are so good.

I love it when a man can cook that well. Karim has simply mastered the art of sensual foods. The vegetarian feast is our fave, and we tucked into the lentil soup and freshly made bread with gusto. As the evening progressed, and we ate with our fingers (a requirement at Karim's) the belly dancer made her appearance, and my daughter shook her bootie with the best of them. I delighted to see her lose herself in the music and the evening, and of course, sitting in the exotic decor didn't hurt. As we thumped to the music, we filled up on our feast, and had to take most of it home. But the evening was exquisitely memorable, as always.

Today, we had an early shoot in LA. Once we finished, we drove up the coast from Santa Monica through Malibu. We both breathed in the scenery as we raced past the pounding Pacific on the left, before cutting across the mountains. As we careened around the corners and raced through the tunnels on Kanan Dune Rd, we both felt so ALIVE and in the moment. Even when the black clouds crowded the sky overhead, my daughter and I were still taking in the wild landscape and wondering if somewhere here, no perhaps over there - isn't it possible that this could be the perfect little cabin in the woods for us. Shannon scoped out a hawk carving out his piece of sky, and watched it with my binoculars as we headed toward the highway and home.

Tonight, we stomped our feet and clapped our hands to the Irish ceilly band at Dargen's pub, while I quaffed a few pints of Guiness - for the nutritional value you know. We go to the pubs for the company. The drink, well, we force that down, don't we? My English parents would have been horrified to see how pagan we became on a moment's notice as we swirled across the floor with all the others, and the drummer made eyes at me.

And for some reason, I declined to make eyes back.

But it's always nice to know you might still be attractive....

As I walked with my friends to my car, I breathed in that crisp air, and I truly LOVED autumn, as I do every year. I just have to wait for that magic moment to make its appearance, and once again it has. Even the homeless calling their needs to me did little to dampen my spirits.

Ahhhh fall. Sweet, sweet fall. I love your graces.

With all me livin' heart.