Exciting News ~ I am over the flu and so excited to finally be debuting my new comedy cabaret show
“AN INVISIBLE WOMAN ~ the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!”
on my new date, this coming Saturday May 10th!
There will be comedy and music about what it’s like being a “woman-of-a-certain-age” in today’s society. It’s perfect for a Girl’s Night Out, Ladies Night, couples who have been married for a really long time, and anybody who likes to laugh! It’s also Mother’s Day Weekend, and a perfect occasion to bring all the moms and laugh as we poke fun at all the ways we women over 50 are made to feel invisible! So if you are in the Birmingham, Alabama area come “see” me! I can’t wait to see you! ~ Sunny
If so, then my upcoming comedy cabaret show is for you!
Here’s a fun little clip from my recent appearance on Talk of Alabama morning show chatting about my upcoming show “An Invisible Woman ~ the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!”. I had a great time with Katherine, who is just the loveliest host.
Come “see” me and we will have lots of laughs about being a “woman-of-a-certain-age”!
I’m so excited to let you know that my new comedy cabaret show is debuting in March!
March is Cabaret Month and I am thrilled to be performing my comedy cabaret show “An Invisible Woman ~ the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!” on March 22nd at Homewood Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama.
There will be comedy and music about what it’s like being a “woman-of-a-certain-age” in today’s society. It’s perfect for a Girl’s Night Out, Ladies Night, couples who have been married for a really long time, and anybody who likes to laugh! So if you are in the Birmingham, Alabama area come “see” me! I can’t wait to see you! ~ Sunny
A Sunny State of Mind Newsletter July 1,2024 Issue 2
I hope you are having a sunny day!
It’s officially summer! Remember to wear your hat!
Now that it is officially summer I want to share with you my PSA: Public Sunny Announcement!
Get Your Skin Checked!
As you may or may not remember, I had shared that last May, at my yearly dermatologist appointment, my amazing doctor did not like the look of a small, flat, brown spot on the left side of my face. She biopsied it, told me not to worry, that it was probably nothing and she would let me know what the lab results said. Well, it came back that it was a pre-melanoma! I had to have Mohs surgery and have it removed. My wonderful surgeon told me I had a terrific dermatologist because it was caught the earliest it could be caught. It had not actually started to grow yet but the cells were melanoma. I have been going every three months to have my skin checked and I just passed the one year mark with “all clears”! So, now I go in another six months. But, I will continue to keep my eye on my skin and do self-checks for anything that might suspiciously pop up.
I almost cancelled my checkup that day and I am so glad that I made the decision to keep it. Now that we are fully in the hottest and sunniest season of the year I want to encourage you to please go have your skin checked! It is now my mission to help spread the word of the importance of keeping a check on your skin. Especially as we get older ~ all those years of being in the sun start to show up in strange ways. I will be re-sharing my videos documenting my skin cancer journey over on my Instagram, so you can check there to find out all the details. So, that being said, here’s a list of my favorite, dermatologist approved skin care products, and my daily practice for protecting my skin.
Fashionably Sunny…
SUNNY DAY ESSENTIALS When I am out running errands, these are the things I “must have” with me at all times to protect my skin, and my health during the hot & sunny days of summer.
* 50+ DAILY SUNSCREEN! (Preferably Mineral based) * A HAT! (With a wide brim) * SUNNIES! (Sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV rays) * A REUSABLE BOTTLE of WATER (No single use plastics!) Stay hydrated! * A Pretty Fan.
What’s in My Bag? Essentials for A Sunny Day!
Thank You All for the Birthday Wishes From Me & My Evil Twin (the one with bp!)!
It was Not a Birthday Blowout! (forgetting I couldn’t blowout the candles, lol!)
I celebrated another trip around the sun in June. And, of course, it’s always a time for reflection on the passing of time. In fact, given the circumstances that I have been recovering from my episode of Bell’s Palsy this entire year (22 weeks and counting – but getting better!) I have had a lot of time to to think about the passing of Time. I have been forced to take a sort of sabbatical which, when I finally stopped having extreme mood swings regarding my recovery, I was finally able to make myself slow down, start spending some time meditating and figure out what to do while I am in the terrible “waiting place” that Dr. Seuss warned us about. I realized that I was having a really hard time not being able to perform or even plan any performances because of not knowing how long this was going to last. I needed another creative outlet, which is how this newsletter has come into being. It’s my creative offering so I can feel connected ~ to you, and to myself. If you are reading this, I hope you find something in it that inspires you. Or, makes you laugh.
I am a true Gemini. My whole life I have had two very different sides to my personality. It is a battle I have fought within myself on a daily basis. I didn’t know that a lot of entertainers have the same feelings until I realized, quite late in my life, that I was an entertainer! I now recognize that it is my “On Stage” self and my “Off Stage” self. In fact, I wrote a really funny essay about it when I wrote my column for B-metro Magazine. Maybe some of you other Gemini’s out there will recognize yourselves, too! I hope it gives you a laugh while we are on our next solar loop together! Isn’t that interesting? We are all going around the sun together! That’s so crazy! So, in celebration of that fact, I like to share with you here in this blog how I have a SUNny Day. As I mentioned before, it starts with the Sunny Mindstyle.
Something Funny…
Here is my column I wrote about being a Gemini. I hope it gives you a laugh.
“Being a Gemini is like having a sibling you can always count on being there to argue with you.”
Sunny at Home…Welcome to my little corner of the world!
The View from My Kitchen Window!
My favorite place at home is my courtyard. It’s where I do my morning journaling and reading and have my coffee while watching the hummingbirds come to the feeder hanging in the kitchen window. It’s my own private little sanctuary. It’s also where I enjoy having my afternoon refreshment. I spend lazy Sunday mornings out there and we enjoy our “Happy Hours” under the strings of lights and the moon and the stars. Many times we have Sunday Brunch out there and lots of dinners are enjoyed there whether it’s grilling out or a romantic Italian dinner or a casual family pizza night. We enjoy having friends over and for some reason I love playing board games or a game of cards outside.
This time of year I mostly have to go out in the early morning or late afternoon and evenings because of the heat. I have made it like a little English courtyard with all my flowers and little architectural details. Right now my flowers still look pretty so I thought I would share them with you because by August we are both tired of the heat and humidity and I am tired of watering them trying to battle the drought and the mosquitos and I basically hermetically seal myself inside my house until late September.
I have to tell you about these flowers on the wall. For a while that wall remained a blank brick wall while I was trying to find the perfect water fountain to put there. Every day I stared at that blank space while I searched and searched for a fountain. One day I was at my brother and sister-in-law’s house and they had the perfect fountain I was envisioning and trying to find. When I asked where she got it she said that she had an extra one and that I could have it! I couldn’t believe it! Anyway, I loved it! Then, last winter we had a brutal week of subzero temperatures. I didn’t realize it until this spring when I went to clean the fountain and turn it back on that it had frozen and cracked. I was so sad! It happened to be Mother’s Day weekend and I decided to just plant some flowers in it until my husband could look to see if it could be repaired. It turns out that I love it even more as a planter! Every day I look out my kitchen window and see these beautiful flowers. Petunias and Million Bells are very happy there.
The Sunny Mindstyle!
I think this is a perfect illustration of the Sunny Mindstyle; sometimes you have to look at things in a different way. What I had and enjoyed was no longer working. I was upset but instead of throwing it out or giving up on it, I looked at it in a new way and gave it a new life. And, I love it even more. I miss the sound of the water trickling so I am on the lookout for the perfect small fountain. Maybe the Universe will gift me with that, too. This situation reminded me of a saying that I heard a long time ago and which I have lived by ever since and it has kept me from getting upset when things break or spill or fall apart. It was: “Don’t cry over things that can’t cry over you.” I don’t even remember where I read that but it is a truth I have held onto and it has made a difference to me.
We all need a space that feels like a “Staycation” at home and my courtyard is that space for me. If you don’t have a special place in your home yet, look around and see if you can find a spot to make it feel special with a pretty flower, a comfortable chair, and a few favorite pieces of art or books and get away from it all at home.
Sunny's List of Summertime Favorites
I love summer! Here are some of the things I most look forward to every year. Maybe you enjoy some of these, too ~ or have other favorites you could share with me!
* My Container Garden. This year I have basil, parsley, chocolate mint, and for the first time I have a cherry tomato plant. * Going to the Farmer's Market and getting fresh peaches, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, melons and corn. * Popsicles on the front porch * Going to the beach! * Staying outside to look at the stars *Picnics!
Sunny in the Kitchen: A Recipe for Homemade Pesto!
I made homemade pesto for the first time!
Our good friend, Deborah, invited us to dinner the other night and everything was delicious, as it always is because she is a really good cook! It’s important to have friends that are good cooks and enjoy having you over to cook for! She asked me if there was anything I couldn’t eat because of my Bell’s Palsy and I told her just thin pasta noodles and soup ~ they both slip out of the side of my mouth! She said the dogs would love sitting under my chair and would just clean it right up, lol! ~ Thankfully, no pasta or soup. Anyway, I fell in love with her homemade pesto she used on the Pesto Chicken Salad. I just had to try and make it myself using my fresh basil from my pot garden and she was kind enough to share the recipe with me. She also gave me a huge amount of fresh basil from her garden and it was so beautiful I just added a little bit of mine to it. It turned out delicious! I am a timid cook and so when something turns out great I want to share it! So here you go ~ I hope you enjoy it!
Out & About…A Favorite Summer Event
Since I love picnics one of the summer events I most look forward to every year is the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s “Sounds of Summer” series. It’s held outdoors at the beautiful Railroad Park in the heart of the city. This year was the first time we went on a Sunday evening and it was packed! The program was the Pop’s program with the orchestra playing well known movie scores from Star Wars, etc. The orchestra sounded terrific and the weather was perfect with low humidity and a light breeze. By now, I have perfected several different picnic menus so it was easy and casual, just the way I like it.
Looking Ahead…..(A Sunny Outlook)
Speaking of picnics ~ July 4th is just around the corner so thought I would share with you some photos of previous holiday picnics to give you a head start to make your picnic plans now! Check out the list of some of my favorite ways to elevate your picnic into A Sunny Day style picnic!
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me and read my “newsletter”. I am enjoying having this way of staying connected and creative while I am still recovering from Bell’s Palsy. I hope my story about being a Gemini gave you a little laugh, or maybe you thought of a spot in your home that would be perfect for creating your “special place”. I hope you enjoy the recipe or try growing your own container garden if you have a small space like I do. I hope you will absolutely make it a priority to have your skin checked and to wear sun protection. And, I hope you have a wonderful and safe summer and remember to enjoy the moment, take the time to plan your summer and remember to keep the Sunny Mindstyle even if your favorite fountain breaks. “See” you next month!
(Apologies if you are receiving this email twice. I had technical difficulties with the email service.)
You may or may not know that since January I have been experiencing an episode of Bell’s Palsy. It’s been 18 weeks (and counting!) I am happy to report that things have “rounded the corner” and are definitely “looking up”! Hahaha! I now have a definite smile back on my face vs just a shadow of a smile, but it’s still not a full smile, yet. Even though my left eye still isn’t blinking normally I can close it now so I don’t have to wear my eyepatch day, or night. (It was so uncomfortable having to wear it at night for over two moths!) The left side of my mouth is still not working normally and I have difficulty pronouncing any words with the letter “p” or “b” or “m” – which includes a lot of words, let me tell you! But, I can now say my favorite “f” word so things are definitely improving. Although, I still have to drink out of a f***ing straw. (That felt good.)
Keeping a stiff upper lip! And, thank you to everyone who sent me pirate jokes! I loved the laughs! (All photos: Billy Brown )
It has been a roller coaster of emotions. It was not the way I expected to start off my new year that is for sure – with the whole left side of my face completely paralyzed. I mean, I did not party that hard over New Year’s. I could not make even the slightest movement. That side of my face looked like stone. It looked like I had a glass eye. It was like someone who had way too much Botox. I had to cancel and/or postpone several projects and shows I had on my schedule. I still have a little way to go but I am so very thankful that there is noticeable improvement both in my function and in my actual looks!
This has been one of the strangest things I have ever experienced. They say there is a lesson to be learned in everything and going through this experience has taught me several things. I have been so grateful for every tiny improvement no matter how small and at times it has been very slow going and I didn’t notice any improvement at all. I had a real low period during the fifth and sixth weeks. Then I decided that since there was nothing I could do to speed it up (outside of my facial exercises) and stressing about it only made it worse, that I would concentrate my focus on completing the re-write of my one-woman show “An Invisible Woman” and get it finished by the end of March. Which is exactly what I did! I had hoped to have it finished and workshopped by the end of May, but it will just have to happen when it happens since I do not know when I will have back the full function of my mouth.
It was much easier to stay home and not feel isolated during the cold winter months of Jan. & Feb. but once the weather started getting nice I got a little down because I was ready to get out and engage with the outside world again but I couldn’t talk very well and had to wear my eyepatch so it was just easier to stay home. That’s when I decided to focus on my work. Once we hit April and I was finished with my rewrite I really was ready to go out and see and “be seen” again. But, even though my face was definitely getting better, it was still very obvious that something wasn’t right. It looked like I had had a stroke. A few times when I was going absolutely stir crazy and needed to get out of the house (and this is from introverted me who my kids call a hermit because I never leave my house!) my husband and I took a picnic lunch to a local park. Eventually we even started our weekend walks again. But only where I wouldn’t run into anybody we knew. I was feeling very self-conscious.
I’ve got my eye on you, Valentine! This was my Valentine message.
Then, a couple of events came up that caused me to realize just how ridiculous I was being and make the decision to not give into my fear and to start showing up for my life again.
The first event was very sad. A friend of mine unexpectedly died and there was a memorial service for him with a celebration of his life afterwards. He was a beloved actor in our close knit entertainment community and we were all stunned at his untimely passing. I wanted to go but was fearful of people seeing me as I looked. I had decided not to go. Then, I was talking to our mutual friend Carolyn, and she reminded me what a supportive and caring community of people we are and that these are my friends. And, that I should go. (My husband was telling me the same thing, btw.) Of course she, they, were right. I put myself together as best I could, looking like a walking Picasso painting, put on my oversize sunglasses, and went to the service and celebration. It was absolutely the best thing I could have dome for myself. Not only did I get to grieve, and laugh, with all my friends about our dear friend, Barry, but I felt the love and support from all the people that I love and care about, too.
In fact, when I shared the news of my Bell’s Palsy with my friends I was showered with so much love with notes and cards, calls, texts, cakes, cupcakes, and flowers that I felt like the luckiest lady on earth. And, they continued, and still continue, to check in on me and see how I am doing.
The next event was a happier unexpected event. I was invited to attend a 40th Anniversary gathering of The USFL Professional Football Birmingham Stallions celebrating The “Fillies” Cheerleaders for their Throwback Night. I was on the original team in 1983 and 1984. They went one more year until the franchise folded. They have brought the USFL back and are in their third year. Again, I desperately wanted to go but felt sooooo self-conscious. We would be shown up on the Jumbotron screen in front of thousands of people. I’m sure people wanted to to come see how we all looked like old cheerleaders now, lol. And, I hadn’t seen most of the women in forty years. The few that I am still good friends with told me I absolutely could not miss this and talked me into it. That’s what friends are for! So, I gathered up my courage, dug my old cheerleader jacket out of the closet and put aside my vanity to go have a good time. And, I did. I had a great time! They were so supportive and again, reminded me that I can’t let self-doubt rule my life. We had a ball on the field, dancing to our old music, hanging with the current cheerleaders and catching up with each other and vowing to stay in touch. We all looked great and hadn’t changed a bit! Hahaha! I am so glad I did not give in to my fear. It was so much fun. How silly and sad it would have been to let something like my looks, for whatever reason, keep me from enjoying my life and friends.
I highly recommend doing what you want to do and not let fear (of the way you think you look, or age, (or Bell’s Palsy!) or whatever makes you scared) stop you. I had a ball with my forever “Fillies Sisters!” I really am laughing on the inside! The outside just didn’t show it!
Everyone complimented my dress. And, apparently it’s very popular for Renaissance Faire’s. Here’s a link where I got it from amazon.
And, finally, the most exciting event came up. My niece’s wedding. She had been planning it for two years and I was to be the Flower Maid! Of course, I wish that my face was back to normal, especially for wedding photos but, cest’ la vie! My dress was a dream and the bride was radiant and gorgeous and the wedding was so much fun and we all had the best time ever!
So, what have I learned in all of this experience?
Patience. Oh, that’s hard. Still is! Gratitude. Love. Friends ~ make sure to check in with them. Family. Courage. You can’t control everything but you can control a lot of things, most importantly, your attitude. I have a naturally optimistic attitude but as this has dragged on for months with no absolute known time frame of when it will end, I find myself in periods of doubt and fear. I have to remind myself to not give in to them and to focus on the things I can do now. And, I guess this blog post is one of those things. Sharing my story. Because, sharing our stories with one another is a gift we can give to each other. And it helps us feel better, too. (Hell, I don’t even know if anyone will ever read this but I feel better just sharing it. And, if anyone does read it I hope it gives you some inspiring thoughts if you ever go through something like Bell’s Palsy.) I know that when I was first diagnosed with it after the trip to the emergency room, that I went online and read everyone’s stories that I could find to help give me some hope. I am thankful to all of them that were brave enough to share their experience. And, the other night I was reminded of how me sharing my story was helpful, too.
I went to see a friend’s cabaret show and ran into another friend there. He told me how we were bonded forever and I asked him what he meant. He pointed to his face and I saw that he had Bell’s Palsy! He just came down with it last week. When he was at the emergency room and they told him what it was he said he knew what it was because he had seen my story I shared on my Facebook and that it was a bit of relief because he knew I was getting better and that he would, too. And, that’s a gift we have to give. To share our stories to help each other along the journey of life.
Actually, he, my friend who has it, has a beard and mustache and wears glasses so it is not nearly as noticeable on first glance. So, I think I am going to stop shaving and let mine grow back in until I get my “old” face back!
So, how to have a Sunny Day when things are happening beyond your control?
Well, it’s really a state-of-mind. But, I recommend lots of laughter. I love to laugh! In fact, my husband (who has been my rock through all of this) and I were laughing so hard a few days ago when he suddenly looked at me and commented on how my smile was almost back to normal. And, right then I realized that my mouth was not pulling to the right when I laughed, it was more even, coming back to the left now, too. So, laughter really is the best medicine! Find people that make you laugh. Find something to laugh about every day! Laugh through the tears if you have to. I’ve done that, too. That is the Sunny Mindstyle.
Hi, Everybody! ~ I am really excited to let you know that I will be hosting and performing in the “Hope to Laugh Comedy Show” on Saturday night November 18th at the Shelby County Arts Council in Birmingham, Alabama.. It is for a really wonderful organization benefitting The Community of Hope Health Clinic.
A very special guest will be comedian, speaker, writer and soldier, Jody Fuller along with Ernie Kennamer and yours truly!
I’m excited to announce that I will be performing in Nashville this Friday night August 25th, 2023 in the High Heels Cabaret Variety Show. It will be filmed for television in front of a live studio audience! If you are in the area come out! ~ Clickhere for tickets.
Listen to my guest appearance on the “Hello, Self!” podcast by clicking here.
Here is a little Monday Motivation for you!
I was invited by author, speaker and coach, Patricia Leonard, to be the guest on her “Hello, Self!” podcast. She is such a warm and encouraging interviewer and I had the best time sharing some of the “ah ha!” moments, or “Hello, Self!” moments, in my life that have helped me on my journey of self-discovery. I talk about discovering later in life, at the age of 49(!) that I was funny! And how that lead to my career as a comedienne and writer.
We also talk about the importance of asking yourself questions and not being guided by fear, being open to new ideas, and saying “Yes!” to trying new things. I also realized that I am always the last to know anything! Which must be why I am a “Late Bloomer”! But, I just keep moving forward into the unknown. As I say in my Instagram bio: I am always uncomfortable. 😉
So, I hope that you will check out the episode. You can listen to it by clicking the link below or wherever you listen to your podcasts. ~ Thanks so much for listening. I hope it inspires you to get outside of your comfort zone and learn something new about yourself. I would love to hear some of your “Hello, Self!” moments!
Not sure about getting the Covid vaccine? ~ Here’s a little humorous story for your Sunday afternoon reading!
😂 Read my top three reasons why I got vaccinated. Maybe it will inspire you to get yours!
Now here is a little “story behind the story” about going to get it:
My husband and I both registered for the vaccine at the same time but for some reason he did not get an appointment but I did. He decided to come with me to get mine as his sister is a nurse and was working at the station where I was scheduled to get mine and he would hopefully have the chance to see her.
As we were headed to the location for me to get my shot she called and said she heard that they were closing down for the day at the exact time of my scheduled appointment due to a storm that was predicted to arrive and that if we hurried and got there she would ask the gate attendants to let us in.
We drove as fast as we safely could and when we got there they were turning people away. Luckily, the attendant asked our names and she waved us through the gate. We were literally the last car in line. And, since they closed early, they had extra doses prepared so they went ahead and gave my husband his shot, too!
We were very fortunate in more ways than one because the storm did come and actually turned into a tornado that hit a mile from us and caused great devastation, but fortunately no loss of life, to our area.
I am very thankful that we were safe, thankful that my sister-in-law was able to alert us to the early closing, thankful for everyone involved in creating and rolling out the vaccines, thankful that my husband was able to get one and thankful that we are fully vaccinated……..but maybe for different reasons than you might think. So I hope you check out my column to find out why I so desperately wanted one.
Share with someone who is undecided ~ or who needs a laugh! 😜
Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the moms out there!
Everyone knows that Mom has a favorite! Here’s a little laugh for you to enjoy in all that quiet reading time you are going to have this weekend! 😉 It’s one of my favorite columns that I have written for B-Metro Magazine and I think you will enjoy it, too! Share it with a mom in your life who needs a laugh!
Who can relate? Leave a comment and tell mw your favorite. Shhhhh! I promise I won’t tell!
Sunny Brown 