Some things are just better at certain times of the year. They complement the season. They feel right.

The Ten

| June 1, 2016

Number 7

June

JUNE, to me, is the beginning of hotness. And Marilyn Monroe is the epitome of hotness. And Marilyn Monroe was born on the first day of June. Coincidence? I think not.

1. The Good Read – MARILYN: A BIOGRAPHY – by Norman Mailer. “So we think of Marilyn, who was every man’s love affair with America…”

2. The Celebrity Birthday – MARILYN MONROE. “It’s all make believe, isn’t it?”

3. The Place to Be – HOTEL DEL CORONADE in San Diego. It’s the main location for Some Like It Hot. It is June…and it is hot, after all.

4. The Background Music – DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND by Jule Styne and Leo Robin…from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes…and sung by Marilyn Monroe.“…these rocks won’t lose their shape!” Amen to that.

5. The Comfort Food – ICE CREAM SUNDAE. A sweet, delicious treat with soft curves and melting edges…and whipped cream…and a cherry on top. Perfect after drama class…she said so.

6. The Holiday – NATIONAL KISSING DAY is June 19th. Pucker up!

7. The Libation – THE MARILYN MONROE COCKTAIL. It’s pink and bubbly…and it tickles!

4 oz. (113 ml) champagne

1 oz. (28 ml) apple brandy

1 tsp. (5 ml) grenadine

Serve in a champagne flute with two cherries on a stick. Why two, you ask? Why not?

8. The Art – MARILYN DIPTYCH by Andy Warhol. Warhol found in Monroe a fusion of two of his consistent themes: death and the cult of celebrity. Iconic.

9. The Film – GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES directed by Howard Hawkes…so sexy in a bizarrely innocent way.

10. The Wardrobe Necessity – a WHITE SUMMER COCKTAIL DRESS…whoosh…”Ooo, do you feel the breeze from the subway?”…refreshing…for everyone.