Happy Tuesday!
This week, three thoughtful reads — about lives lived fully, and places worth lingering in. At the height of I Love Lucy, Desi Arnaz was building his private life by the sea in Del Mar, where horses ran free, and no one expected him to be Ricky Ricardo. Jeanne Savelle takes us through South Africa's extraordinary wine country, a destination that's ready and waiting for you to experience. And Sandy Duncan is still going strong, bringing audiences together, reminding us why staying in the game matters. Plus a little wine facial steam recipe for “me time,” just when you need it.
We knew him as Lucille Ball’s husband and the bandleader who made America laugh. What most viewers never knew? Desi Arnaz was also the architect behind modern television: the three-camera setup, the live-audience format, the syndication deal that changed everything. And when the studio lights dimmed, he didn’t head to the Hollywood Hills. He drove south to Del Mar — to thoroughbreds, the Pacific, and a life entirely his own. A different kind of legacy story, quietly beautiful.
World-class wines, dramatic landscapes, and a favorable exchange rate — South Africa delivers serious wine travel without the crowds or the sticker shock. Jeanne Savelle takes you through the regions redefining the country's wine identity, from Swartland's old vines to the sparkling Cap Classique of Franschhoek. Bring your palate, your appetite, and your sense of adventure. The trip that’s still flying under the radar — but maybe not for long.
Sandy Duncan: endearing, talented, a fan favorite — Tony-nominated, played
Peter Pan over 1,000 times on Broadway, a familiar face from television,
commercials, and game shows. And still nervous before every curtain. She left
Tyler, Texas, for Broadway at 19 with $350 and 30 productions already behind
her. Leslie Barker on the kid who just keeps moving up — and the four-decade
marriage that kept her steady.
More from fyi50+
Not flying to Stellenbosch this week? A wine moment closer to home. White wine for tightening, red for antioxidants, both for 20 quiet minutes that feel like a small spa day. Alexis Clare’s go-to recipe — simple, evergreen, and still a favorite.
See you next Tuesday,
Heidi
Founder & Publisher, fyi50+
New here? Welcome!
Subscribe to join thousands of readers who believe the best is yet to come.