The Elephant In The Room

A few months ago I did the absolute coolest thing!  I've been on a Diana Serra Cary(aka Baby Peggy) binge.  Ever since I saw "Baby Peggy: The Elephant In The Room", I've been fascinated by this lady.  She came with no education and ended up being a published historian.  All on her own.  Fueled by her own interest and drive. No support(even emotional) from her family.  Amazing!  She's so strong.  I just admire her so much.

I've been reading her books and they are some of the best written books I've ever read.  They're honest, thoughtful, and unbiased.  The flow of the writing is just so easy and so unpretentious.  It's hard to conquer such a subject, especially a such a personal subject to the author, without getting pretentious or doing the opposite and being too dry in an attempt to be objective.  Her writing has a wonderful voice.  I've just been enjoying her so much.

So far I've read "What Ever Happened to Baby Peggy: The Autobiography of Hollywood's Pioneer Child Star", "Jackie Coogan: The World's Boy King: A Biography of Hollywood's Legendary Child Star", and I'm halfway through "Hollywood's Children: An Inside Account of the Child Star Era".  Even though they're all covering the same subject, they are not repetitive at all!  Each one is fascinating and unique.

We all know that Diana is the last.  In the documentary, I saw that people were still writing to her and how much she appreciated the correspondence.  And really who doesn't appreciate being told that your work has meant something to them?  I decided to write to her and ask for an autograph.  I've never written a fan letter in my life!  So I wrote her a long letter just telling her how much I admired her.  I just can't imagine the strength it has taken her to come so far!  Then I enclosed a check and a SASE and popped it in the mail.  The next week I got three signed pictures!  I'm so thrilled!  I'm so thrilled!  The photos are just beautiful.  As soon as I figure out how to post photos on this thingy, I'll update this blog with them.

Diana is struggling to stay in her house and out of a retirement community that won't meet her needs.  She's being taken care of by her son right now.  She is surrounded by her books so she can still do her research and keep her mind sharp.  She has dietary rules that she believes keeps her in such good shape.  Any support that she can get from us would be wonderful.  She's selling beautiful autographed photos.  You get the autograph of a legend AND you're helping her.  I can't imagine working my whole life, and I mean whole life because I believe she started at 18 months, and not being able to spend my later years comfortable and where I wanted to be.  Doesn't seem right.

So if you can, order an autograph.  It's such a cool thing to have!  I have them all framed in my house and people ask about them all the time.  If you can't afford an autograph, I'm sure Diana would just love some fan mail.  She means something to us, and that's always wonderful to hear!

Here's the website with instructions and contact information:

http://astarforbabypeggy.com/contact/fanmail-for-baby-peggy/

Love,
Olive

“Nothing is permanent in this wicked world – not even our troubles.” – Charlie Chaplin

It has been too long.  Way too long.  Life gets in the way of fun.  However, as I've found out, life can also give fun a hand!  My whole life is about to change next week.  I hit a fork in the road and chose the fork that will change everything.  It's wonderful and I'm excited.  Nervous too!  I haven't had a big change that didn't come from something horrible in, well, I can't remember.... maybe 16 years(Love you so much My Dearest Darling). That's sad.  It's time.  So this big massive change will allow me to do this blog and get back into the silent/classic film community.  I've missed it.  Terribly.  Not that I haven't been reading about them or watching them whenever I can, I just haven't had time for talking about them or writing about them.  I will now!  And I'm so excited.  I want to get back in there.  I want to learn.  I want to share.  I want to be part of the dialog.  I enjoy it and everyone in it so much!

This is going to be good!  I will post again soon.  Very very soon!  Cause I can!
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Love,
Olive