Diane

What’s the best part of life after 40?

The best part of life after 40 is knowing who you are and what you're capable of. Much of the self-doubt of youth has passed as you have been tried and tested by life's ups and downs. You are still young enough to go out and make a difference in the world and smart enough to know how to achieve your goals. I am trying to remake my life after losing my home and all my past work in the Palisades fire and, while it is not easy to start over at this age, there is a part of it that is exhilarating.

What makes you feel fabulous?

In addition to being a writer and journalist, I'm also a singer who interprets the standards from the Great American Songbook, some of the finest American music ever written. When I am performing live with my band, I feel as though I am flying through the clouds. When people tell me how much they love the music, I am overjoyed to have shared a wonderful part of American history and greatness with them and expanded their taste to a different kind of music than what they are exposed to today.

What would you do with $40,000?

I would use it to rebuild our home which I lost in the Palisades fire of January 7, 2025. Gone are all of our life's work and treasured memories of our children when they were little, births and holidays, vintage photos from my parents and grandparents now passed away, and heirlooms that can never be replaced. $40,000 would at least help us to have a permanent home again as opposed to bouncing around to different rentals as we try to figure out how to move forward without enough insurance.