Thanks, Madge!

Dear Madonna,

We just finished our Thanksgiving weekend - yes, it's earlier than the American Thankgsiving due our northern climate and earlier harvest. It's not quite as big a deal here, although most people do get together with family for turkey dinner. I didn't. I took on a long-planned painting project during the three days off, and went out dancing every night.

And then last night I joined my old friend Barb in her new home. Not old as in ancient - she's our age - but old as in I've known her for more than half my life. Barb just bought a house with a lovely backyard in the west end of the city. We sat in her vaulted-ceiling dining room on elephant hide (don't ask) chairs, drinking Cava, and she made an interesting comment about YOU. She said that you've done "us" a big favour letting the world know how hot 50-year-old women can be.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd just like to show our appreciation.

With gratitude,

Julie

Happy Feet

Dear Madonna,

I don't know if I told you or not, but I was approached by Dave and Linda Corke, dance teachers in Ottawa, to endorse some dance shoes. (Dave and Linda also sell shoes and run an embroidery business.)

So back in August at the Chicagoland Dance Festival I had Kermit Duke, a professional photographer who works a lot of the dance events, take a bunch of pictures of me in the shoes Dave and Linda provided. It was my idea to pose on the white piano outside the hotel's ballroom. We did a few shots of me lying on the piano (again my idea) and then with my feet on the keys (Kermit's idea). Dave and Linda finally chose one with me sitting, hugging my knees, ankles crossed, and blinged it up a bit for their use. What do you think?

How goes the tour?

Julie