What started me thinking of Paul Newman?

It was an article on the internet talking about the famous love marriage with Joanne Woodward.

I had seen their movies over the years, admired them individually and then as a couple when they starred together and were married in real life. She was the first to get an Oscar, for Three Faces of Eve. I don’t read much about Hollywood, but I realized they shared a legendary love. That hit home with me, because Shirley and I had just such a marriage, and for even longer, sixty years, and a couple more years leading up.

And, not so long ago, mere weeks, I had looked through and read a Photo Album with text, details of how much that famous couple shared, became each other’s world.

The book was for sale at the Dunsmuir Library Bookstore, but I didn’t buy it because it made me cry.

And then I thought about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Iconic movie. I thought at the time (and I still do) that Newman had that rare ability in a movie star screen actor to project beyond the screen and penetrate the audience. Maybe it was the blue eyes. Redford I liked a lot, but didn’t feel his presence as strongly. I’ve revised my opinion over the years about Redford, recognize his power on screen, and the careful choice of movies he’s made, and the whole Sundance Festival and his impact on the movie world and his commitment to make a better world, a commitment I share with him in my own life.

And I think, you wouldn’t expect this, about the Ranch House Restaurant in Meiners Oaks peripheral to Ojai.

Shirley and I went there twice, the second time taking a friend. It’s a magical place, a real garden restaurant with sloping paths leading down to a real stream, and terraces with tables and chairs where you sit and enjoy a fine meal surrounded by a living landscape. The waiter takes your order, and then the wine steward comes out to recommend a pairing.

There were other people at other tables, even on an off night without reservations, but we were in a world of two. We fed each other bites from our plates, just like newlyweds.

Classy. Good food worth coming back for. An experience of enchantment. And a price tag that explains why I’ve only been there twice, though I want to go back, take my Daughter and her Husband, and share this part of my life.

So where’s Paul Newman in all this?

Well, at the gate, as you enter, there is a sign posted that announces that Paul Newman says this is his favorite restaurant in all the world. He’s been around, so his recommendation carries weight. I don’t get out enough to be able to contradict him.

My memories conflate, as memories always do when one thing leads to another, and I’m glad I let Paul Newman trigger them.

As iconic as the Newman/Woodward marriage was for many years, the Shirley/Gary marriage was even longer, and my tears are tears of joy for what we had together, the long love of my long life.

And thinking of the Ranch House Restaurant, now I’m hungry and want to go back there as soon as possible.