• RT @Janefonda: @micheleozumba who is the President/CEO of GCAPP was on CNN this wknd @donlemoncnn show. Go Michele http://bit.ly/2OV86U #
• Michele Ozumba (@micheleozumba on twitter) was on CNN this weekend. She is President/CEO of GCAPP the organization… http://bit.ly/F6oEN #

I’ve been staying at my son and daughter-in-law’s for four days. I like doing that. It is a calm, cozy, clean home. Simone has rules—you don’t wear outdoor shoes indoors; You don’t cut things directly on the kitchen counter which tends to stain. I always learn new things when I stay with them. Being young and very intelligent activists, they are really plugged in on many levels. Not all levels are serious. Last night, I asked them to watch “Modern Family” with me cause I’d seen previews and it looked funny and got good reviews. Of course, I’ve watched other well-reviewed series that I didn’t think were good. I got slightly traumatized watching the Emmys this year and realizing I knew no one and had seen almost no series or specials. Missed “Grey Gardens” cause of doing the play on Broadway. I found “Modern Family” very likeable. I then watched “House” because my son, Troy (Garity) is doing an episode maybe tomorrow or a week from tomorrow. That should be good!! Richard likes to watch “Dancing With the Stars” which kinda shocked me till he persuaded me that the show has exposed many young people to ballroom dancing who might never otherwise have paid attention. Okaaaaaaay……..

Many sweet blog commenters have asked what has happened to my little dog Tulea since she hasn’t appeared in any blogs of late. So here she is. Looking up at me as I sit at the desk.

Brad, Me, Tulea, Richard and Tina

Tina, Brad, Me and Brad Jr.

Brad Hillstrom is a doctor and a business man with companies involved in medical systems. Last month, he accompanied Richard and me to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona, where Richard had a full physical exam. I have been going to Mayo (in Jacksonville, Florida) for several years. Brad did his residency at the Scottsdale clinic. We both believe it is the very best medical system in the country and has been ranked as #1 by U.S. News and World Report. (Johns Hopkins and UCLA alternating for the #2 and 3 spots).

I have been blown away by Mayo’s integrated system of health care. There is a doctor who is the “team” leader and every doctor treating the patient is fully appraised of what every other doctor has found and all medications that are being given. The team leader summarizes all the findings at the end of the entire process (we were there for 3 days)…I could go on about all this. Suffice to say, the level of expertise of every single doctor was mind blowing and I have now been at two of the Mayo Clinics and found this to be true in both of them. The first flagship Mayo Clinic is, of course, the one in Rochester, Minnesota. Brad was with us the whole time and having him present as a friend with a doctor’s eye was invaluable. Everyone should have such a friend.

Tina, Me and Brad Jr.

Last night he, his wife Tina and son, Brad Jr. came over for dinner. I was very interested in talking to Brad Jr. a marine who went twice to Iraq. I learned years ago from Harry Belafonte who was in the Army as a young man, that for many, the military experience can help them find their way in life, discover their talents, learn discipline and the value of structure in life. This was clearly the case with Brad Jr. He expressed such caring and loyalty to the other men in his company, devotion to his country, and kindness in general.

It was a good evening.

See you next time.

• Guys, please support this by twittering or using Facebook with #BeatCancer in your little staus update…… http://bit.ly/PLNhA #

My computer was contaminated and, though I wrote 3 or 4 blogs I couldn’t send them till today. Sorry about that. So there’ll be a bunch getting posted all at once.

Last Saturday, My dear friends Jodie Evans and Max Palevsky, invited Richard and me to join them at their table at a fundraiser at the Armand Hammer Museum in Westwood. It was a good evening for lots of reasons. I had never been to the museum and definitely want to go back. Clearly it is a courageous place, very cutting edge. Then, too, I saw lots of friends I hadn’t seen in a long time and I sat next to Jodie who told me a little about her recent trip to Afghanistan with an American delegation that included a retired colonel, and member the State Department. While there, she met with people ranging from the brother of President Karzai, Afghan members of Parliament, activists, to warlords and members of the Taliban. Jodie is co-founder of the peace organization, Code Pink, and always willing to go to any lengths to try and find out what’s really going on. Bottom line: everyone she met with wants the U.S. Military out of their country. They feel our presence there has brought more violence rather than security. Please read a short article she wrote about the trip which is on the Women’s Media Center website.

Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe who played Precious—brilliantly!!

Queen Latifah, Me and Richard

Richard, Me and Lenny Kravitz

We saw “Precious“, the remarkable, powerful film directed by Lee Daniels. It opened the New York Film Festival. I read the book, “Push” —by Sapphire–more than a decade ago and felt it to be one of the most powerful, provocative books ever. The film is very good. I am grateful that it has been made and that Oprah and Tyler Perry have stepped up to help ensure it’s distribution. I wish everyone could see it. I’m thinking back over the years to the (white) men, usually business men, who asked me why my organization did “all these programs for those girls? You’re just rewarding them for their bad behavior.” It has taken time, patience and a great deal of faith to try and prove to them that most of the “girls” weren’t “bad.” They were victims who had been on the receiving end of so much dehumanizing, brutal, cruel behavior, then ignored, cast aside. They needed care and attention not more demonizing. The movie is wonderful in how it subtly shows that hope and confidence can bloom in someone when a little love and attention is sent their way. At least two Oscar worthy performances: Gabourey Sidibe is Precious and stand-up comedian, Mo’Nique, is jaw-dropping as her mother, Mary. Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are excellent as well. Bravo to all!!!

The next night was went to the opening of Carrie Fisher’s “Wishful Drinking.” We had a big group—Troy, Simone, Harvey and Daphna Keitel, Pat Mitchell, Kenny Vance, Claudia Potempkin, Annette and Joe Allen, and more. I meant to take pictures but, as often happens when I’m having fun, I forgot to take any. Carrie was hysterical. I’ve seen an earlier version and was surprised to see how well she’s tightened it up and made it resonate for folks who aren’t of Hollywood. Given her uniquely dysfunctional childhood, one reviewer said it is amazing how she makes the audience feel she is just like them. It’s a must see. So is “Precious”.

Daphna, Harvey, Daphna’s mother, Richard, me and Eve Ensler

Daphna and Harvey Keitel

Then two more glorious days of great food and much fun with Richard’s friends and mine—we had a reunion party with the cast of “33 Variations” and Moises, the author and director. I’m very moved by the fact that Richard’s friends from childhood, High school and college still love him and stay in touch…same with old girlfriends.

33 Variations cast reunion

33 Variations cast reunion

Richard signing doo wop with Kenny Vance. Kenny had long been Richard’s friend. They both had singing groups back in the late fifties...Richard’s was The Escorts, Kenny’s was the Planetones...still is...still sounding like dream

Cannot believe that, except for the photo of Richard singing with Kenny Vance, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me.

See You Next TIme