I stopped at the Venice farmer's market today. With a mere 6.50 in my pocket I bought 3 delightful grapefruits, a bunch of asparagus, a bunch of basil and a crispy white peach. It was great. But the fruits were not the highlight of my adventure. Right by the grapefruits was this diva dressed in red. She was wearing a fabulous red velvet hat with sequins and embroidery on it. She showed me her leopard skin boots that she painted brown with nail polish. Her eyes were lined in dark black and her lips matched the color she was wearing. I immediately liked her - she reminded me of my friend Maureen. Vivacious. Exciting. Living life to the gills. We started talking about the fabulous grapefruits. She told me how she likes to decorate them with sparkle dust for the eyes, liner, marabou for hair. I loved her. She was great. She then showed me this fabulous artichoke she just bought - I told her she should make it into a corsage - she loved the idea.
In the 10-15 minute conversation she told me other wonderful stories. Like the time she had a police escort as she wore mink in Venice. The time she was in Hollywood and several men knelt down and worshipped her with the last one stealing her favorite hat. (What a heartbreaking story.) About the time she was singing show tunes to the radio and some people over heard her and applauded. They told her she had talent. (She told me later she used to sing professionally.)
We talked about money and how many people are only concerned with people who have money and looking like they have money. I told her my favorite money story - of my multi-millionaire engineer friends in the Bay Area who walk around wearing Levis. That's the thing I love the most about the bay area. You never know how many millionaires are waiting behind you at the cafe.
I think Deni is some famous person. But that doesn't matter at all. She was an amazing vivacious woman. She was living. She reminded me to always do my dream - regardless of how scared I was. She said, she was a little afraid to wear the wonderful hat - that it took courage - I agree completely. Deni reminded me to have courage to be everything I want to be. And to not be afraid. Or do it despite my fear.
Comments