Annotation ["parasites"] in Double Exposure by Thelma Viscountess Furness and Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, New York: David McKay, 1958. 

In this chapter, "Wings of Love," Thelma (1904-1970) describes setting off "in high spirits" with her husband Duke (Marmaduke, Viscount Furness)  and their companions for Derby Day at Epsom Downs in 1928. 

"You certainly got around," I said to Thelma the other day, visiting her gravesite in Culver City where she's buried with her sister Gloria.  "Not just the Prince of Wales, but Prince Aly Khan too.  Simultaneously."

The evergreens around the Grotto of Our Lady have been trimmed in the Japanese style so they resemble either a flock of clouds or little spaceships. They rustled faintly in the breeze, which is as much of a response from Thelma as you could reasonably expect.

Who were these people that day of "brilliant sunshine" at Epsom Downs?  Which Lady Kimberly?  Was it the twice-widowed Frances Margaret Montagu who married the polo player John Wodehouse, (who succeeded his father to become the 3rd Earl of Kimberley in 1932)?  He was said to be the inspiration for the character of Bertie Wooster.  Was that Hugh Seely, 1st Baron Sherwood?  Was that Lady Sarah Wilson the big game huntress and reporter on the Boer War, aunt of Sir Winston Churchill?  I don't know, but I still find fifty-year-old social news riveting, don't you?  Unlike the present moment, you know what's coming next.  You know what these people in high spirits don't.  You know how it's all going to turn out.

Last night I came home to filming on my roof.  A small army had invaded the building to shoot a scene for an episode of a television show called NUMBERS.  There was another film crew down the street shooting a house dressed up with Christmas lights and snow. 

Watching these folks pack up their gear and break camp later, down below in the parking lot where there used to be tennis courts that Marion Davies and the Barrymores played on, once upon a time, I tried to imagine what Thelma would make of this scene.  She and Gloria had been extras in a film of Marion's once.  Thelma had even gone on to pursue an acting career, although other interests ended up getting in the way. 

What would Thelma think if she were here to see this?  What will anyone think, in another fifty years?