The Orientalist Sale, New York, 18 April, as announced in Sotheby's Preview, will contain a recently discovered work by Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904), "Rustem Pasha Mosque, Istanbul." Estimate: $1.8 - 2.2 million.

Also, an 11,000 sq.ft. apartment on Perry Street, with Hudson River views, is available for $40,000,000.00.

As an exquisite speciman of youth once advised me, patting my knee, when I was forced to decline an invitation for lack of sufficient funds: "Well, you just save your nickels and dimes.  Everyone should have something to look forward to."

Dinner last night in the hills above Sunset at the lovely home of J and J, with Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" afterward in the screening room.  I loved it -- all the criss-crossing imagery starting with the train track in the opening, and then the carousel nightmare at the end.  Merry-Go-Round horses' hooves pounding up and down and women and children screaming.  Terrific.

This morning Easter services at the L.A. Center for Religious Science (Science of Mind, not that other organization which has Science in the title and which is a completely different thing), with Esther Williams of swimming fame in attendance.  She had been unwell and is only recently back in her usual seat front and center.  Radiant as ever.  And some lovely hats in the crowd too. 

Company coming for tea this afternoon, then a quiet evening in to get caught up on my reading.  As celebrations of the Pascal Moon, the Vernal Equinox and the Resurrection go, all in all a reasonably civilized weekend.

The weather?  Glorious, of course.  Yes, this is Life here as we know it.  

And so much to look forward to.  Happy Easter.