EXPEDITIONARY PARTY

Jane,

I just wanted you to know that you are not just talking to yourself. I really enjoy your blog. You have such a interesting life and I enjoy reading about your travels and about your family.

I am a empty nester and my computer has become my closest friend these days. We just moved here (Richmond Va)in Oct and I am ashamed to say I have not reached out to anyone to make friends.

I know you have heard it before but I adored you in “On Golden Pond”. I had a similar relationship with my father and that was the first time I ever saw a father daughter realtionship portrayed so honestly and beautifully. It really touched my heart. I was lucky enough to reconcile with my dad before he died.

So please continue to write and thank you for sharing it with us.

Your fan,
Sally

You’re not just talking to yourself. ;o) I am fairly new to your blog. I read every post, and have subscribed to you in my google reader. I love reading your blog, you have a great way with words and seem to know just what to say and what not to say. I like the little insights you give of the celebrity part of your life. But I also like to hear stories about your family and your dad. I am totally impressed of your accomplishments and the things you continue to do at 71 years old. My parents are in their early 60’s, and although genetics can play a role in ones health, I think sometimes they have given up. I think of them being older then they really are. You are an inspiration to me in that way. And to end, I loved what you ended your last post with, “My body hurts but I observe it and don’t identify with it. Life goes on.” I wrote that one down.

Hi Ms. Fonda,

The pictures you posted of the ranch are awesome! It looks so serene (except for the snakes ha ha). I love nature and the outdoors. I was raised in a church-going Southern household but now that I’m an adult I feel the divine presence in natural settings more than I do in a church building.

Over the past few months I’ve wanted to comment on your entries more often but I was afraid you would think I was a stalker! Now that you’ve named names as being blog buddies I will feel more comfortable submitting comments. I’m glad to know you read the submittals.

I, too, was curious about your “death rehearsal” comment and am eager for you to share your thoughts on that subject. I’ve been a fan of yours for 30 years now—since your amazing performance in The China Syndrome. 9 to 5, however, is my favorite Jane Fonda film. Getting to communicate with you via this blog is a special treat.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s entry. Take care!Chris in ATL

Hello Ms Fonda:

Last Friday Charlie Rose interviewed Meryl Streep. I copied this off the transcript and thought maybe you would find it interesting:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CHARLIE ROSE: How are actors different than the rest of us?

MERYL STREEP: Well, they live a Zen life. It’s everything — it’s
very uncertain. And all lives are uncertain. But actors know it. And
actor — because you’re unemployed so often. And you live so intensely in
the moments that you are working. That when you come back to earth and
look around, and you know, that balloon has gone. And there’s no other one
on the horizon. So you live where you are. I think actors live exactly
where they are. The really good ones. And that’s why they seem kind of
crazy.

CHARLIE ROSE: But we all should be there. Isn’t that where we should
all want to be?

MERYL STREEP: But they really — yes, I think so. I think it is an
authentic where we live, yes.

Wow, what am I talking about?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I think actors are gifted people. I love your blog.

Ro

Hi Jane-

I am not sure if you are a lover of poetry, but something tells me you are, as am I (below is one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems – such humanity and grace)…I am certain you must get many many emails, but I would love to know of your interest/affection for poetry and possibly Mary Oliver.

I relish your blog and love your updates – you are a real guide for me and have helped me on my journey (beginning my “second act” here)…

Okay, in case you didn’t click the above Web site, I have “pasted” the poem “Singapore” below for you…Enjoy.

With appreciation and admiration,

Dan Garrett

P.S. I met you at either Jan Schakowsky’s Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch or at a Chicago Foundation For Women Luncheon – you were doing a book signing for your book a couple or three years ago – you were quite gracious and of course, I loved your remarks. Jan Schakowsky is a friend and also happens to be my Congresswoman for my property/home in Chicago.

Singapore

In Singapore, in the airport,
A darkness was ripped from my eyes.
In the women’s restroom, one compartment stood open.
A woman knelt there, washing something
in the white bowl.

Disgust argued in my stomach
and I felt, in my pocket, for my ticket.

A poem should always have birds in it.
Kingfishers, say, with their bold eyes and gaudy wings.
Rivers are pleasant, and of course trees.
A waterfall, or if that’s not possible, a fountain
rising and falling.
A person wants to stand in a happy place, in a poem.

When the woman turned I could not answer her face.
Her beauty and her embarrassment struggled together, and
neither could win.
She smiled and I smiled. What kind of nonsense is this?
Everybody needs a job.

Yes, a person wants to stand in a happy place, in a poem.
But first we must watch her as she stares down at her labor,
which is dull enough.
She is washing the tops of the airport ashtrays, as big as
hubcaps, with a blue rag.
Her small hands turn the metal, scrubbing and rinsing.
She does not work slowly, nor quickly, like a river.
Her dark hair is like the wing of a bird.

I don’t doubt for a moment that she loves her life.
And I want to rise up from the crust and the slop
and fly down to the river.
This probably won’t happen.
But maybe it will.
If the world were only pain and logic, who would want it?

Of course, it isn’t.
Neither do I mean anything miraculous, but only
the light that can shine out of a life. I mean
the way she unfolded and refolded the blue cloth,
The way her smile was only for my sake; I mean
the way this poem is filled with trees, and birds.

~ Mary Oliver ~

(House of Light)

Yesterday I was saying about the best “soundtrack” to you at the ranch. You also have the best of scenery! I guess it must be very inspiring to be there to write. You can rest assured that you are not talking to yourself in many blog.Somos you continue. I think I have grasped what you mean on the blog about Michael and the fear of dying. We should not be afraid to think about and talk about it to try to leave our things planned as possible. From Uruguay with love.

What a life, you are truly blessed! I am 66 and have not left my home office. You have been in a play in NY, went to the Islands, had knee surgery, found new love, went to Vegas and are back at your ranch. You have given me an interest Zen, have never meditated but will try, any hints? Feeling very old compared to you! Thank you for sharing.

The question of how honest to be in a blog or a manuscript or even with a group of friends is always a debate I have. I like people who live very openly and don’t fear revealing who they truly are. I do that only with close friends. I figure with close friends, it’s a waste of time to be any other way. I wish though sometimes I could be more open in my blog but I am doing what I am comfortable with. I am always honest but just don’t tell it all. I very much enjoy your blog though and the honesty with which you live. It takes a few years to get there and it’s one of the values of writers like you– exposing that truth to others.

Hi Jane,
I’m so glad you mentioned your regular blogging pals and encouraged feedback. I stopped replying to your blogs a while back thinking I’m probably boring you to tears and you’ve stopped reading them long ago. 🙂 It pleases me a lot that you like hearing from them/us.
Have a great day and best regards from sunny Hamburg, Germany (where you’re pal Robert Redford just got married!!)
Jason

You are never talking to yourself! I started reading your blog this spring. I’ve enjoyed going back and reading the past blogs when you first started. It’s so interesting reading about your stage experience, and I loved the “behind the stage” things you wrote about. For those of us who love movies and plays, it was a treat. You have such diverse interests. I never know what to expect when I check your blog!!!

Proudly wore your t-shirt when and I did Wiggle and Jiggle at the library with the two and three year olds the other day. Some of the mums and grandmas commented that I was really doing my Jane Fondas (our word for exercise!) now that I had my shirt on! We mix movement with songs and rhymes and exercise and dance. I also read them some interactive board books, it is a lot of fun, but I need a long hot bath at the end of the day! Good luck with your writing, looking forward to your next book.

Hi Jane. Oh no, your not talking to yourself. Some of us are probably just too busy with summer stuff to blog back. Keep it coming. you always have such great insight into things. I am glad your book is going well, and I can’t wait to read it.

I’m thrilled to know that you read all our comments. Sometimes I feel like I haven’t anything interesting to say, but I like you to know that I read regularly and faithfully.

Best,
Amanda