Eartha

I’m so sad Eartha Kitt died–one of my idols. Her music immediately transformed my car, my house, my parties, into complete fabulousness. She transported me to a glamorous world where women are one unto themselves, not needing anyone else to complete them. My best friend in high school, Matt, loved Eartha even more than I did. He had all her albums and he took me to see her at the Carlisle Hotel in New York for one amazing night. Matt had a terminal disease and was traveling around the US one with his mother and sister with the goal of riding all the fastest roller coasters in the country. We happened to be in New York at the same time, and we decided to go see Eartha together. We sat at the bar, and I falsely assumed they wouldn’t charge us for tickets since we weren’t seated at a table. When we received the check, I grabbed it with great bravado, thrilled that I could treat Matt to a drink. I nearly fell off my stool when the check came to $75 for two drinks!! Matt almost fell off his stool laughing when I had to hand the check over to him to pay.
Matt died a few months later, and I will always cherish our night together with Eartha.
I was able to see Eartha many more times after that in Los Angeles. Sometimes I even went by myself, dressed in a silky emerald gown and all my sparkling faux diamonds. I remember her music filling my car with wit and romance and all the soft edges her music creates. It just seems nothing can go terribly wrong in a world filled with that type of music.
The world is a less glamorous place without her.