“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have“ by Maya Angelou
You’ll often hear my rate topics or categories. I’ll hear a song in car and blurt out “This is in my Top 20 songs of all time.” Sometimes I think I’m blurting it out, but I really am silent. Trust me though – I’m forever editing and shuffling lists and playlists in my mind. I’m like a human Alexa some days in that if you ask me about one of my favorite artists, I can launch an entire catalog of their work at will.
I have had my faves from back in the day of course while others have bubbled up over the years because of different exposure and experiences. Actors, musicians, writers, dancers, photographers, make-up moguls, and chefs are all artists to me. I appreciate what they have crafted and presented to the world. Sharing their style is a true gift. Certain artists call to me louder than others. I am in awe of their talent and am free to share it with anyone who wishes to listen!
Based on today’s prompt which actually did ask – I will share some of my choices from a few categories. Favorite actor? I have a few that I am particularly fond of but the cream of the crop for me is Billy Crystal. He just so happens to star in my second favorite movie of all time – When Harry Met Sally. Before that though I fell in love with his wit on Saturday Night Live when he portrayed Fernando Llamas. How I would HOWL at this sketch and completely break up when I’d hear “You look marvelous” each week. It was though – Billy’s Harry Burns that made me love cinema so very much. It was written by my favorite author – Nora Ephron.
I’d followed Nora Ephron through all of her cinematic creations of course but it was her “I Feel Bad About My Neck” (2006) which was a tell all memoir that slayed. Every page was a confession and descriptive entry into her brilliant story-telling mind. She grabs a reader and hugs you with passion and laughter all at the same time. I followed her into “I Remember Nothing” in 2010. I read forward to her other blockbusters and then went back in time to her works in 1978. I am still exploring her catalog – savoring each passage in each creation.
Early Kiki fans will know that I started dance lessons a little before I was five years old. I continued through age 19 with formal lessons. I miss it terribly. Over the years I became mesmerized by choreography. I hear a song’s beat and will be choreographing little numbers in my head. The style that completely engaged me though was Bob Fosse. His style is beyond iconic and speaks to my love of dance that I still can’t put into words.
If anyone is ever speaking to Ina Garten or “The Barefoot Contessa”, please let her know that she has a super-fan on Long Island. I have devoured each cookbook she’s written like long novels. I can recite ingredients and tell you what I made from each book for various family parties and occasions. My heart is with you and Jeffrey, Ina!
As for music – heavy sigh. So many of us have responded to this prompt that we love so many genres of music and are fans to oodles of artists. I cannot read music, but I swear I was a songwriter in another lifetime. I do have a ton of musicians who have touched my soul with their gifts, but it is Kenny Chesney who lives in my heart. He wrote the songs that knocked on the door to my mind. What I love the most – besides the melodies of course is the storytelling. My God -it is his ability to sit you down and tell you a story. Each song to me is a story and leaves you in a better place than where you were when the song began.
Artists create. They perform. They challenge you. They spark embers in your mind that give light to things forgotten or things to come. Here’s hoping your favorites live within you forever just like mine will always whisper to me “thank you for welcoming me into your world”
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