A COUPLE OF THINGS

1. Blogging. I feel really badly that I haven’t blogged. Why haven’t I? Well, so many are suffering all over the world including here in this country; climate is wreaking havoc. My heart breaks for the folks in SD, Neb, Kansas, CO, Minn, WY . . . and so soon after the last flood crisis. I know farmers there, friends there. But even if I didn’t. They are all part of us, the human family. Then the families being separated at our border, dying, raped, alone. I could go on. I’m saying this because I can’t bring myself to write about what I’m doing day-to-day when all this is happening. I am so blessed, so privileged. I can’t stand the Instagram shots people exchange about what? —sh—. Emptiness. We are facing a crisis, people. This isn’t a dress rehearsal or fake news. All hands on deck! Dark, selfish forces are working to bring us down. The 1% will go down as well but just a little later. So let’s us all wake up and burst out of our bubbles and start caring about each other no matter our race, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion. No kidding. The future is at stake. And that means caring with our hearts and our actions: making sure that state and federal policies support and protect EVERYONE including the planet.

2. Laughter. There’s always the healing power of laughter and I am so lucky to have it around me so much of the time. No matter what, we have to maintain our sense of humor and keep laughing. Here’s something I bet you didn’t know: Fake laughing or even fake smiling has a real impact on health and well-being because, by changing the muscles in your face, you’re changing the pattern of information going from those muscles to your brain and new neural pathways are developed. Fake it till you make it!

We’re on the 8th episode of the 6th season of “Grace & Frankie” and I swear, It’s the funniest season yet. Our hours are long but we all get along so well . . . the actors, the writers, directors, crew members. And it’s a diverse group. Went to work yesterday at 5:30 and came home at midnight. Can’t find the right emoji for that.

I’ve also had some raucously funny gatherings at my house on days/nights off. Here’s an all-girls party which ended up on my vibrating bed. Tulea doesn’t know what to make of it.

I should have taken a picture of the day Chelsea Handler, Connie Britton and Mary McCormack came to visit me after my hip replacement surgery last November but I was too high on pain meds. Chelsea gave me a gold necklace with MUELLER on it. I’m reading her latest book, “Life Will Be the Death of Me” and so I now realize it wasn’t so much about his investigation –well, maybe a little—it’s more that she thinks Robert Mueller is the hottest man on earth. And since this section is about laughter, I can tell you that I have never in my life laughed out loud at a book as much as I am with Chelsea’s but, at the same time, her raw honesty and depth is blowing me away. Revelatory and hilarious is a rare combo indeed. A MUST read.

Another gathering at my house that was laughter-filled was the board meeting of V-Day: Until The Violence Stops. Created by Eve Ensler when her iconic play “The Vagina Monologues” began to be performed globally raising well over $100 million for local efforts around the world to stop violence against women and girls.

Left to right: Monique Wilson, Director of V-Day’s One Billion Rising, Rosario Dawson, Pat Mitchell, Katherine Mcfate, Susan Celia Swan, Eve Ensler, me, Thandie Newton, Carole Black, Kimberle Crenshaw

And, speaking of laughter, here’s a picture of us pals from “Book Club.” It makes me so happy that we have become real friends and get together whenever the 4 of us are in town.

I’m going to post another blog within days, but this is a start.

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88 Comments
  1. Hi Jane, so excited to watch the 6th season of Grace and Frankie! Me and my auntie love the show and can’t wait to see what more hilarious things you and Lily come up with! Binge watched the whole season for the last few weeks and its already one of my favourite shows of all time!

    • Hi Jane! *first time blogger here, ever. Because of you! You’re going to have to let me know how in the hell to ‘blog’ without commenting on someone else’s blog?!
      Appreciated in advance.
      Dee

  2. DearJane i am a big fan of your accomplishment through out your incredible life time. Is possile to write you privatlay and share with you few things from my life and expereinces. Second I wonder whether you read our messages as your life is full with accomplishments and success.
    Third can i have your email would love to share with you few things.
    Thank you
    Raja

    • Dear Raja, I read my blog comments and answer them myself. I can’t conceive of having someone else do it. Someone else does all the technical stuff like create the website (he just upgraded it. I write and send him what I write to post. His name is JJ and he’s cool.

      • I just found out what Grace and Frankie are all about. I’ve been binge watching while being down from hip surgery. Thanks to this show, I have never laughed and cried so much. I look forward to another birthday knowing that I’ll be okay and am ready for anything! Lily, I have watched since Laugh-In and Jane, I’ve exercised with you since Elaine Powers and aerobics have been around. ❤️ the show!!!

  3. Ms Fonda (actually her assistant I’m sure) How do I book you to come to Quincy, MA for “An Evening with Jane Fonda” (857) 333 4199 or [email protected] TY!

  4. Jane and Lily, please, if in good health, don’t stop making Grace and Frankie. I asked once I’d you get Richard Gere as compition for Nic….Nic wins. Also you could have a great deal to write about if Julie Andrews and her daughter moved in next door. Playing themselves. But are shocked at your family style and they keep sneaking around peeking at what’s going on at your beach house. Julie is still strong and really likes to cus. And can be quite naughty. Have them play themselves. They truly write books. Spying gives them material for their writers block. …….Have any idea how many times I’ve watched Grace and Frankie? Hubby goes to bed, I start watching you. I’ve watched dozens of times. I’m 74 years old. Please don’t let the writers make you and Frankie be gay!!!!!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!! There’s enough of that thrown in our faces. Make beach house into a duplex. Live with your boys, married or not. God, Jane….stay healthy!!!!!! Deeply worried about that. Run for president!!!!!! For real!!!!!!!! Thanks for the joy you and Lily have brought us. Keep going if can. Love all the cast members. Writers are tops!!!!
    Sue Sturges
    Ames, Iowa

  5. Hi Jane! *first time blogger here, ever. Because of you! You’re going to have to let me know how in the hell to ‘blog’ without commenting on someone else’s blog?!
    Appreciated in advance.
    Dee

  6. Jane,
    I am into the fitted blouse style and want to know where you get your lovely patterned blouses. I especially like the lemon 🍋 one.
    Mj

  7. I recently discovered Grace and Frankie on Netflix and had to watch all five seasons in a matter of days and I absolutely love it!! Jane and Lily rocking it and making me laugh every episode I can’t wait for the launch of series 6 although it’s months away that’ll also be a binge over two days! I hope you lovely ladies keep this going for as long as possible, two fantastic actresses who I love watching!!

    • Dear Ms Fonda,

      I am so sorry to just hear of your brother Peter’s passing. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Aloha.

  8. I hope you realize that you are far more talented an actor than your father, that you have more breadth and depth, and that he was overrated. Don’t feel bad about that. It’s just the truth.

  9. Hi! I have commented a few times.. although the comments are still waiting for approval; however, I hope you do see them regardless of them being approved or not! I just want to say that I am in awe of all you do and all the efforts you put into making us all smile and laugh through your t.v. shows or movies (I love Grace and Frankie.. my friends and I each relate to the individual characters lol and we’re 25-28! hahaha) I see you as a huge influence in my life to strive to make a difference. You’re an amazing role model for me and keep me motivated to get through my Ph.D. program (criminology/criminal justice) so I can make a change when I get the opportunity or platform to do so. I currently focus my research on victimization and revictimization and try to understand the elements that increase the risks of such incidents, which is also personal for me. I focus on preventative measures as well. I was a corrections officer for a little over a year and saw and experienced things that only increased my interest in helping victims. Thank you so much for all you do in the world and personally as you continue to inspire each of us individually. I can’t express how much I look up to you and only aspire to be able to do a fraction of the good you have done thus far.
    Best,
    Jo

  10. I just want to say the amount of support you raise for the huge concerns around the world is something we don’t see by many people anymore that are actually doing something about it. I didn’t know about your blog until today and I knew immediately I had to find it to say how much you’ve made a difference towards my world. Grace and frankie has changed me for the better. I never thought a show could change someone but it has. I went through some very difficult times in the past year and I can’t detach myself from the show. If I have a bad day I watch grace and frankie, if I’m gonna watch tv it’s 99% change grace and frankie, if I want a good laugh it’s grace and frankie. I felt like I wasn’t able to get out of bed but I watched the show and felt like I could be myself again. I have watched grace and frankie so many times I could narrate every word that is said in every episode. I was told season 7 was going to be the last and my heart ached. Thank you so much for making such an impact on my life and putting damn near all the smiles on my face. I’m not quite sure who I would be if i didn’t watch Grace and frankie.

    • Thanks, Erica. So glad G&F has meant a lot to you.

  11. I’m laughing out loud thinking ‘oh if my father knew I was reading a Jane Fonda blog her would probably explode’. Suffice it to say I was raised in an ultra conservative household, so I can distinctly recall the trash talking of Jane Fonda. I grew up, I was introduced to a book that changed my whole perception of the world, of myself, of politics, of everything— The Four Agreements by Don Miguel-Ruiz. So one day I come across a trailer for The Book Club that had me like omg I HAVE to see this movie, it looks hilarious. I did, and I was not disappointed. Then I was looking for lgbt shows on Netflix and found Grace and Frankie and I was hooked from the first episode. To me, G&F is like the golden girls of the 2000s. Then to find out Jane and Lily are friends off screen too just warms my heart. There are so many people out here that refuse to watch Jane Fonda based solely on her politics and activism and I just simply cannot understand that. Why? People are so simple minded and close minded that they can’t dislike one thing about a person but appreciate another such as their talents. Being a lesbian, I’ve seen my fair share of that school of thought (or lack there of). I think the reasons I and so many others love Jane and Lily and the characters they play on G&F come down to human connection and what we all want from interpersonal relationships- to bond with a person the way they do, love, true friendship, working through the disagreements, laughter. They have the dynamics we all want in our friendships. They portray the way we want our future to be, companionship, not being alone and grumpy when we age. These photos on the blog and interviews with Lily Tomlin got me wishing I was their friend! They look like fun people to hang out with.

  12. Hi Jane,
    How are you? I hope you taking care of yourself and safe.
    I saw Grace and Frankie all episode and enjoyed a lots. learned many things from this why true friendship is so important in our life to share secret and about our feelings at any age . I just admire you both.
    I started reading you book “My life so far” and looking forward for your new book.
    Take care Jane with lots of love.

    Jyoti Iyer (India)

  13. Good morning! I’ve had the pleasure of learning about you and Lily Tomlin these last few months. I’ll be honest I knew nothing of you two. Grace and Frankie is the show that introduced you two to me. I gotta say I’m so in love with Lily Tomlin. I’ve definitely taken her and Jane W on as my grandmothers. Tell my grandmother her “granddaughter” would love to chat via email. There is so much I feel I can learn from all you lovely ladies. I love that your appreciation for female friendships mirrors my own. I love your genuine care for people and the planet. You have such a passion for activism.

    I recently watched your fire drill Friday for essential workers. As a registered nurse I was touched. It’s humbling to know people are fighting and rooting for you. People care that you are well protected during this time.

    I’m completely serious about really REALLY wanting to talk with Lily Tomlin. It would make my year amazing. This is how serious I am……[email protected].

  14. Good morning! I’ve had the pleasure of learning about you and Lily Tomlin these last few months. I’ll be honest I knew nothing of you two. Grace and Frankie is the show that introduced you two to me. I gotta say I’m so in love with Lily Tomlin. I’ve definitely taken her and Jane W on as my grandmothers. Tell my grandmother her “granddaughter” would love to chat via email. There is so much I feel I can learn from all you lovely ladies. I love that your appreciation for female friendships mirrors my own. I love your genuine care for people and the planet. You have such a passion for activism.

    As a registered nurse Im touched by your fight for essential workers. It’s humbling to know people are fighting and rooting for you. People care that you are well protected during this time.

    I’m completely serious about really REALLY wanting to talk with Lily Tomlin. It would make my year amazing. This is how serious I am……[email protected].

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