'This is performance art" I said and one of the landscapers replied in broken english: "You want the supervisor?"
The next day I went to Hollywood to see actual performance art and this is what I saw -
Thursday, June 09, 2016
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Sunday, April 05, 2015
Remembrance of Dan Klemuk
Today I am remembering my long time friend and employer Dan Klemuk. I began working for him installing decor for gala events and fundraisers primarily in Beverly Hills. His floral shop was operated out of a studio behind his house between Larchmont and Fairfax District. Eventually I was allowed to make floral arrangements but I followed his design, always learning something about the intricacies of the work. His eye for balance, color, shape and mood showed me his understanding of how to delight the eye, senses and spirit.
Over the years circumstance forced Dan to move from one house to the next. His passion never wavered and his compassion was even stronger. There were many difficult years. Money problems and then health problems. He told me stories about his career in New York and Dallas, his childhood years in Iowa, his wonderful mother and his father a Ukranian immigrant who rarely spoke and spoke no english. We would meet at Coco's restaurant in the afternoon for lunch and sit for hours talking about things. He helped me through many hard times. My garage became his workspace and my basement, his office.
Dan died doing what he loved best. This past Christmas season he had many clients with homes to decorate and parties to organize and execute. There were to be no days off: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Years Day were all work days. But a week before Christmas his heart could not keep up with his spirit and he collapsed in the middle of the day while working. He was 77 years old.
Over the years circumstance forced Dan to move from one house to the next. His passion never wavered and his compassion was even stronger. There were many difficult years. Money problems and then health problems. He told me stories about his career in New York and Dallas, his childhood years in Iowa, his wonderful mother and his father a Ukranian immigrant who rarely spoke and spoke no english. We would meet at Coco's restaurant in the afternoon for lunch and sit for hours talking about things. He helped me through many hard times. My garage became his workspace and my basement, his office.
Dan died doing what he loved best. This past Christmas season he had many clients with homes to decorate and parties to organize and execute. There were to be no days off: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Years Day were all work days. But a week before Christmas his heart could not keep up with his spirit and he collapsed in the middle of the day while working. He was 77 years old.
 |
| Dan makes the flower girl headpiece for the wedding finale at an Oscar DeLaRenta fashion show |
Preparation for Charlie Munger's 90th Birthday celebration at the California Club
Prep inside the ballroom at the California Club
Centerpiece for Reception area at the Bel Air Country Club
Dan and Pippin sitting on the back of the trusty white minivan.
Saturday, March 07, 2015
Blind Dreams claimed for 20K
Still a maiden at 4years old, she was claimed away March 6th.
Blind in her right eye, pin fired shins and shortly afterwards had the splints pin fired as well, cut mouth from bad training, whipped, mud flying onto her and still has the determination to run.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Late Spring in Central Florida
 |
Archarcharch foal out of Capable Argument in Florida |
 |
A visit to the lower pasture found Drifting and her baby resting in the shade. |
 |
| Another baby came out from under the shade of the big tree |
 |
| Visiting with the broodmares |
 |
| Two Whole Skies in foal to Cowboy Cal She chased us down as we tried to leave, angry that we didn't bring her oats. |
Monday, April 07, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)