MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH

It was so wonderful being at my ranch for a brief part of a couple days. I attended a retreat at the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe…on Wisdom and Aging… where I spoke along with my friends Roshi Joan Halifax, the Abbott of Upaya, anthropologist, sociologist, writer Mary Catherine Bateson, Rabbi Malka Drucker

Ulricke Greenway, Roshi Joan, Jane Fonda, Sensei Beate

Me, Sensei Al, Roshi Joan, Sensei Beate, Mary Catherine Bateson, Rabbi Malka, David Chernikoff

David Chernikoff, Rabbi Malka, Mary Catherine Bateson, Roshi Joan, Sensei Al, Me

I was nervous because I am out of practice at speaking. I’ve been holed up in my cocoon of writing (when not filming) and it was the first time in almost a year, that I have moved from writing to talking about what I’m writing. It turned out fine and I gained confidence and learned a lot–as I always do at Upaya. That place truly feeds my soul. Joan, as always, is a fierce beacon of light, love, energy, wisdom. One of those important presences that inspires one to be better, stronger, deeper.

Mary Catherine’s new book on aging has just come out (“Composing a Further Life” pub Knopf). We interviewed each other for our books which is what brought me to spend a few special days with her at her home in the woods of New Hampshire. I love hearing her speak–so thoughtful and profound. She helps me clarify my thoughts and gives me new ones to ponder.

On the way to and from Upaya, I photographed the sunflowers along my driveway. They don’t look as dramatic in the picture as they did to the eye but, oh well.

Now I’m headed back to L.A. …and Richard and Tulea. I left Tulea with Richard and he says she follows him like a shadow. She knows he’s the next best thing to being close to me. You should have seen her when I left and she realized she wasn’t coming. Her whole body shrank, head and ears drooped and she went and sat in the corner as I walked out the door. Talk about pulling on my heart strings! We haven’t been apart for 5 months.

“I have been without a computer or a means to get into my blog comments..to post them and respond to them. That may take another week until James Andrews comes to LA (on other matters) and walks me through getting it all set up and running again.

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18 Comments
  1. I said how I loved how you looked as Grace – and I did – but it’s great to have you back! As a matter of interest how long will it take now – from completion of filming to movie release? Do you get to see it before it’s released? If not, it must be quite a moment to see it for the first time along with everybody else!

  2. Jane-

    It’s just not fair:) You get cuter by the day!

    God bless ya’.

    My favorite movie you ever did is still “Julia”- you were incredible.

    Just felt like commenting…Janet x

  3. Thankful you are writing about reaching ‘old age’. Much is written about ‘growing up’…tons of attention to those under sixty. For those of us in good health who reach the larger numbers, we can be made to feel ‘in the way’. Wonder what you think of those segregated communities for senior citizens.
    Years ago, my father-in-law called his, ‘the city of the living dead’!!

  4. Hello , Jane may be reading this of late , if you have not got into your computer yet.
    been thinking on you Mary Catherine’s new book on aging , and your research on that subject.
    Aging in my script , is a real issue because of the facts of having a 100 year old man and a older woman lead, in the story.
    As Ernest Hemingway said: When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature.
    I have read this before and did not hit real , until , I came face to face with my people in the story and treated them as people not Characters.
    The whole concept of the story started out with the ideas of creating a new view of types of people and how we view them in social life, or on the screen. I do see the problems in seeing the script in age context , and the writing of it.
    Maybe the best why to see things is as Francis Ford Coppola view of things” When I do a novel, I don’t really use the script, I use the book; when I did Apocalypse Now, I used Heart of Darkness. Novels usually have so much rich material.”
    It is the Rich human material of life and what that experiences means, that promotes the ideas of my script.

  5. Howdy –

    I’ve been following your blog ever since I read a review of 33 Variations last year in the NYTimes. You certainly lead an active and entertaining life.

    Recently, a friend played The FTA Show dvd for me and that really took me back to the days when we used to hang out during EIPJ. Reminded me of the saying “Love as if you’ve never had your heart broken,” which certainly describes how we all did politics – with such intensity and sweetness. I was sad to learn that Francine died in 2007. I did miss seeing Keone’s serious expression and Ellen’s stressed-out, lovely face, but of course, it wasn’t a personal travelog and the interviews with the GIs did a good job of fine tuning my memories.

    Hearing Donald recite from “Johnny Got His Gun” brought back a time when you were living on the valley side of Laurel Canyon and frustrated by the hectic nature of life that never allowed anyone to sit down together for meals. So you cooked an elaborate French repast, making sure that Vanessa and her nanny and you and Donald and Ellen and I all enjoyed a formal dinner together. In truth, I don’t remember eating, but what does stand out for me is Donald, in a suit no less, reading to all of us from a paperback edition of e.e. cummings. I have never heard, before or since, such an elegant reading.

    I saw a notice in the L.A. Times that 33 Variations is coming to the Mark Taper next year (or was it the Ahmanson?). I’m looking forward to seeing you in the play. It certainly sounded enticing from the reviews and your blogs. It has been a pleasure to read of your adventures and I love the photos. Thanks.

    Your truly,
    Stephanie Roth

  6. Just wanted to say in relation to the recent press release of your plastic surgeries. Who cares ugh the press and their nosiness but anyways what a great Job your surgeon did!! You look Good for your age may you continue to age gracefully!!! God Bless

  7. You have been an inspiration for me as far back as I can remember – I’m a 67 year old married women from Long Island, NY. I fully supported, understood and defended your political belief’s and being “that age” marched to the same drummer.
    Now that time has given me wisdom to see the whole picture a little clearer, I see that you too have broadened your views on alot of issues.
    I have been reading your book and I must admit, I’ve been taking too long to finish it – but I am so loving it. I still work full time and my 31 year old twin girls keep me very busy with worry. They are still single but both have relationships with guys that are, well, not committing. You write beautifuly and I too lived in that time period and followed you along
    with your adventures when they were happening. You were everything I wished I could have been and to say I admired you is an understatement. I
    always told people that if I could sit down and talk with anybody, I would love to talk to you.
    I have a brother who was a commercial artist in Manhattan, I lived in Manhattan in the 70’s and worked as a secretary for Ladies Home Journal. Dated a musician at the time who worked at the Gasslight Club on East 53rd I think. My favorite movie was Klute and I saw it 3 times and bought it. I married my husband at 35 and
    we made it through some rough times. He is a retired correction officer from the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead. We had some crazy times, me being a professed free spirit and enjoying a smoke now and then and he being what he was.
    But I want you to know that even though I don’t know you, I’ve had you close to my heart. If I had a sister, I would have loved you to be her.

  8. Will you be touring to talk about your book? We have a fundraiser event call “I Love That Lady” would love to have you as guest speaker and could get media attention.

    • Book is coming out early fall of 2011, I think. Not sure how much of a tour I will do. All the shows for sure. xx

  9. never commented on a blog before,i wonder if its u or your rep? love my dog too! a fat white english bulldog. your life sounds so exciting,I would have loved to have done a movie to act.all good wishes to you!

    • I do write my own blog though I have tech assistance to post it and pictures. But all writing and photos are mine own. xx

  10. Santa Fe is especially beautiful this time of year with the rain season washing the desert clean. I may have to move back. I’ve been working with N. Scott Momaday, who lives there currently. I believe you’ve been at lectures with him. Look forward to your new work. I enjoy the pictures and updates.
    Peace

  11. I just wanted to say that I love the way you live your life to the fullest. I wish I was more like that. I just watched On Golden Pond for the 10th time and I loved you in that movie and also monster-in-law. you have such a great spirt and are so confident. You are an inspiration!

  12. I saw a resent news clip about you and decided to pull up your blog to read about a day in the life of Jane. What an absolute joy to read about the film you are doing. This felt very close to my heart because the character “Grace” your playing was my mothers sister who lived in Mill Valley and passed away last year. Not only does your character embody her, she also had the same hair, clothes, and hobbies. I went up stairs and told my mother, “Your not going to believe it but Jane Fonda just made a film about Hattie!! I can’t wait to see it. Keep up the blog you are truly a blast of bright light in sometimes a bit of a dark world. Peace Love Dove

  13. Hello Jane,

    Enjoy your blog, and it looks like you’re very busy. Just wanted to drop a line telling my discovery. You are my cousin. I was researching some of my family line, when your name came up. I understand that you are a descendant of Kenelm Winslow, brother to Gov. Edward Winslow. Kenelm had a brother Josiah that came over to Massachusetts on the same ship. Josiah’s daughter Margaret married Rev. John Miller. My mother was a Miller descendant from this line. Her grandfather Miller moved to Oklahoma around 1900 and settled in Caddo County, in which I was born.

    It was really great to find out I was kin to a beautiful and down to earth, honest to God Movie Star. I just had to let you know.

    If it could be possible, I’d like to ask a favor. I know, this is always being asked! But a picture of you to your cousin Royce would be great, and cherished always. I’d be happy to send you the same of my wife and I. Just let me know.

    Thanks for taking time out for reading peoples comments. God Bless.

    Royce L Sanders
    Okie

  14. When the Upaya e-zine pops into my mailbox, it feels like I’ve been grabbed and pulled into a challenge to “get real,” no denying the presence and continuation of change, loss, and intense beauty throughout this life.

    Having “checked in” to your journeys over the decades, I really enjoy hearing your perspective. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

  15. i just want to say..i Love and Respect you Jane fonda..
    wish you the Best..Love from Egypt..
    Yosra

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