“Machel’s Ranch,” also featured in the Rancho Santa Fe News
“The Importance of Being Earnest in our Friendships”
Columnist Machel Penn Shull, "Machel's Ranch"
Oscar Wilde once said, “A true friend stabs you in the front.” Originally, I was planning on sharing an over-the-top sappy friendship quote. However, after reading that, I redirected my thoughts on the subject. Figuring out the darker shades in our relationships is just as important as highlighting the sunny-side of things, too. So, I read a few more quotes from all sorts for famous important dead people that have made lasting impacts on society, like Thomas Jefferson, Helen Keller to Aristotle. I became quite inspired by their insights on why we need and have friends in our lives. Then I stumbled across this quote by Saint Jerome, which struck a never with me. “The friendship that can cease has never been real.” So, here is my question to you. Do you have enough courage to be honest with your feelings if that means risking a friendship?
If we don’t have the nerve to be real in our most intimate circles, than why bother faking it? Life is too short to be boggled down by unwanted drama and those that do noy truly care for the ‘real you.’ Yes, I have had my heart broken by close friends in the past. However, over time I have learned to be wise and less needy for useless acquaintance-ships. Quality verses Quantity, right? Here is one last quote by author Samuel Paterson that pretty much says it perfectly: “Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen.” Now let’s focus on some ‘live individuals’ here locally under the eucalyptus trees that appear to be having a ‘storybook summer.’
Around Town
Karian Forysyth's Birthday party
On July 9th, Karian Forsyth celebrated her birthday in high style under a perfect blue sky in The Crosby. I do believe all of the clouds disappeared just for Karian’s special day! I’m sure you recognize Mrs. Forsyth as one of my featured regulars in my column. What’s wonderful about Karian is she has the gift of making you feel like a celebrity. All of her guests are spoiled and pampered without exception. The women that attended enjoyed exotic salads and appetizers, while sipping champagne poolside. There was even a Hollywood Psychic giving personal reading for anyone that was brave enough to find out their future. (You can count me out on that one!) Oxygen Medical Spa was also on deck pampering the ladies with the latest facial treatments. Here are a few photos from that day. Happy Birthday to one lovely woman that is definitely my ‘real’ friend I and I feel am blessed to be in her inner circle. For more information on Oxygen Medical Spa, check out www.oxygenmedicalspa.com.
On July 10th, I celebrated my wedding anniversary with my husband, Robin Shull. We managed to squeeze in a quick ‘getaway’ to Laguna Hills the night before. On our way back to San Diego, we stopped at one of my favorite beach towns—San Clemente. And, what’s a romantic couple to do on a Sunday there? Enjoy sipping some of the best hot tea and eat crumpets together, while holding hands. I being a bit ridiculous, but yes, that’s what we did. We also met a lovely student/waitress, Erica Shrader. Her charm and warm personality was honestly such a delight. If you need a quiet adventure with your loved one or your girlfriends, this is worth the trip up the coast. From Rancho Santa Fe, I would say its only 40 minutes away. Here is more information on my favorite tea house—www.poshtearoomandcafe.com. I
have featured a cute photo of Robin with the lovely Erica we met from that day. Yes, I am a trusting woman!
Elaine Gallagher with good friends at Pre Opening Day Races Fashion Show
On July 20, “Opening Day at The Races,” at the Del Mar race track clogged the 5 freeways from both directions. If you were lucky on that day, you had a driver or you arrived by limousine. Otherwise, you were one of many fighting for a parking spot, then schlepping to the track in your heels across the dirt parking lots…that is if you happen to be a female attending the races that day.( Men’s shoes appear to be easier to navigate across the dirt lots.) Just thought I would throw a little reality from my own personal experiences in from the past. My great friend Bianca and Tony Macaluso invited us to attend in their private box. Unfortunately, this year and recent time off prevented both us from making it that day. Here are some gorgeous photos from their luxurious day at the races. They also celebrated their one
SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendars for the CD release of local celebrity singer, Sacha Boutros for September 22nd at “Anthology,” starting at 7:30 p.m. Sacha sings locally here in San Diego, and is booked world-wide on tours from Europe to Japan. She was also listed at one of the top 10 jazz musicians in the U.S. in 2008. I attended Sacha’s CD release a couple years back and it was a smashing evening. If you love jazz, trust me, you won’t want to miss this event! For more information on other local performances, here is her website information: www.sachaboutros.com.
If you have an event or would like to share a photo with Machel, please e-mail her at mpenn@coastnewsgroup.com. Machel Penn Shull writes for various publications in San Diego.
My Reflections on Rancho Santa Fe for 2011
35th birthday party. That evening I had never seen Julien more thrilled to
celebrate his birthday with his loved ones. Jen Keslick — Julien’s girlfriend —
presented the most marvelous chocolate cake that I have ever seen. After he blew
out the candles, everyone cheered and clapped for our dear friend. I will never
forget that night in February when we all sat under the stars enjoying each
other, celebrating Julien’s birthday. Thank you Jen for inviting us that
evening. It will truly always be a night to remember.
In the end of
Jen and Julien at his birthday Celebration
springtime, I started writing a “Hat Feature,” which basically entailed me
running around the Ranch looking for women wearing hats (I should have thought
of that issue before I decided to do it!). However, I had some great fun
stressing about the feature and managed to find some lovely women looking
fabulous. I have included a photo of Ranch resident Karian Forsyth featured with
one my best friends, Meredith MacDonald. We met on a Friday at Mille Fleurs and
you can imagine how excited I was when I had found someone in a hat to
photograph. Good times, pretty girls and a hat to feature in my column! Thanks
Karian and Meredith for always looking so lovely in the photographs around
town.
In May, I had the great honor of being the photographer to cover
the Kids Korps event in the Ranch. Believe it or not, I’m serious. I had the
work camera draped over across my shoulders and I must admit I was feeling like
Lois Lane while I snapped photos of the arriving guests. Maggie Bobileff and
Denise Hug have appeared together more than once and mainly it’s because they
are two of the best-dressed women in Rancho Santa Fe. Thank you Maggie and
Denise for always being so gracious and allowing me to photograph you at the
events.
At the beginning of the summer, Rancho Santa Fe Little League
came to a close with heavy hearts for my son’s team — The Durham Bulls. They
lost in the playoffs. However, look at this photograph! Have you ever seen a
happier group of boys? I felt like this photo was worth repeating because it
represents the glory and the fun all young boys must feel even after not winning
the game. Their spirits are alive and they do not look sad with defeat and proud
to be part of a team. Thanks so much to all of the parents who lend their time
and support to make Rancho Santa Fe Little League a wonderful experience for
everyone. I look forward to next year’s season, too. Beware! I will be there
with my camera.
In early June, I woke up early one morning to help make
1,000 strawberries for the Spring Fling Event, Best in Show, held at Helen
Woodward. If you’ve ever attended one of the Spring Fling Events, you know
firsthand it’s on the “must attend” event list in Rancho Santa Fe. I had so much
fun that night! I wore an apron, cleared trays, sampled food and ran into some
of my favorite Ranch residents. I am sharing a photo here of myself with Katie
Holcomb and her sister Rosie. They are both long-time residents who I am always
thrilled to see when I am around town. I believe my smile tells the story of how
much I love these two beautiful women.
Karian and Tom Forsyth's Spa party
In August, Karian and Tom Forsyth
had their first co-ed spa party. Let me tell you it was a great success. Hot and
sunny with drinks in hand, guests mingled as they sat poolside in the Crosby. I
took this group photo of some of the guests that day. One of the best hot summer
days of the year! A big thank you to Tom and Karian for always being so
fashionable and making Rancho Santa Fe look feel like Hollywood. But most of
all, for being my good friends and always including me at your incredible
parties.
In September, I attended a Rancho Santa Fe Rotary meeting in
late September. I had the honor of being the guest of President Patrick Galvin.
He had asked me to attend so I could be privy to hear the guest speaker, the
executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in San Diego, speak about her
own personal fight against cancer. With heart, love and conviction, I was moved
by Laura Farmer Sherman’s imploring speech urging all of us to help in the fight
against breast cancer. Krista Lafferty is featured here with the guest speaker
and John Farris. Krista is all smiles, too, because her mother is also a cancer
survivor.
A very special thanks to the editor Laurie Sutton who is always
so gracious and allows me to make adjustments even past deadline. And, to all of
The Coast News Group for including me as part of your wonderful publishing
business. I feel very blessed and proud to be part of the newspaper world.
Read more: Coast
News Group – Reflecting on my year 2010 in Rancho Santa Fe
