Bay Shore NY
2-17-2026 7:12pm

Drew and The City

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - DREW AND THE CITY

On a chilly, winter day, three sisters, their nice and first cousin met in a cozy cafe on the west side of Manhattan just up the block from CBS Studios where The Drew Barrymore show films. Niece Charlotte scored the tickets from a friend who works on the show. The fact that five women were available on the same day is nothing short of a miracle. I took the day off. My niece and I drove in from Long Beach where she lives. It took two hours each way in bumper-to-bumper traffic. There's no easy way to get to Gotham.

I moved back to the suburbs 13 years ago. In many ways, it feels like yesterday as I'm still finding my stride out on Long Island. Time is moving too fast. I left for the big city at 20 years old and returned to my hometown at 55. There's a lot of life under my heels. I've walked through decades of change on the streets of Manhattan. I should write a book. The most drastic being the transition from the 70's into the 80's.

TV has always been a big part of popular culture. The 1980s were a transformative decade for television talk shows, with many hosts leaving a lasting impact on the genre. Here are some of the most iconic talk show hosts from the 80s:

Fast forward to The Drew Barrymore Show. When her talk show debuted on September 14, 2020, I wasn't sure it would last, but I hoped it would. I knew I was interested. She had me with Gertie in E.T. - the Extra Terrestrial. 

Drew is passionate. Her infectious smile and enthusiasm envelope you. She loves doing her show and it shows. Here's what she has to say about it:

"We want to innovate and make a collective experience out of a daytime show. Though I have worked my whole life, somehow this feels different! High stakes! And endless ways to connect with people!

From news to pop culture, human interest to comedy - we can have those amazing discussions that we need to have in order to grow! I love exploring everything and finding our way to beauty and wisdom, as well as to the heart and humor in life. I want to reach for an intelligent optimism and just have some fun while doing so. If you’re out there... and this sounds good to you... then thank goodness! Because this is just the beginning. Thank you for reading this and more to come!"

Being in the audience of this show was electric. There's nothing better than a live audience. There were funny moments, serious moments, and side chats with the cameramen. Guests ranged from chefs to a hot dog eating contest champion, to authors, and even Drew's rescue dog. It felt like home. At the end of filming, Drew came up close to the audience and asked one woman where she got her cool, pink glasses. She was sitting next to me.

From the moment we were greeted to being seated, everyone was warm and welcoming. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as we anticipated meeting Drew in person. It's an intimate space, so you feel like you're going to meet an old friend. Set against a towering backdrop of the Freedom Tower rising over downtown, Drew stepped onto the stage and took her place at the helm to rousing cheers. It was as if you were peering through the windows of the Twin Towers. That's Drew and The City.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, you can still feel nostalgic for a time gone by. That's what that backdrop evoked in me. It brought back a feeling of a time before everything changed on 9/11. I was so grateful for that old feeling.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

Celebrate Diversity in Film with New York City’s WINTER FILM FESTIVAL!

The 14th Annual Winter Film Festival runs February 18-22 2026, showcasing creative fresh voices from emerging filmmakers worldwide. Our outstanding 103 Official Selections are a diverse mixture of animated films, documentaries, dramas, comedies, horror films, music videos, and web series of all lengths, including 20 student films and 34 first-time filmmakers. Filmmakers come from 27 countries; half of the films were created by women, half created by people of color and 25% created by New Yorkers. 

We went to this festival a few years back as my boyfriend, Ward Bonavia, entered as Composer in a Short Film. It was his debut. 

Visit www.winterfilmfest.org for tickets and information.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week is the rising temperatures and brighter sky. With dirty snow on the ground, we should see some rain this week to wash it all away. Daylight Savings time begins on March 8th. Spring is in the air.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

We ask that you guide Nancy Guthrie home. You have been challenged, but only you can achieve this. Amen.

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK 

English: There is power in prayer.

Italian: Il potere della preghiera

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Most designers will tell you to design for your lifestyle. We all live differently. Some of us have a small space, and some of us have a large space. Whatever space you live, style it with things you love.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How do you live in your space? 

Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - LOVE IS IN THE AIR

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TInrBuCcuFY&list=RDTInrBuCcuFY&start_ra… -->

Lyrics

Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes
Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea
And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
Don't know if I feel sane
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when you call out my name
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Love is in the air
In the rising of the sun
Love is in the air
When the day is nearly done
And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you
Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh-oh-oh
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
(Love is in the air)
(Love is in the air)
(Love is in the air)
(Love is in the air)

MY BRAND - SKYLARK LIVE

I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

Skylark Live Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark - Living Life Inside and Outside the Home, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, goals, motivation, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I open to ideas of what to write about, so let me know. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter! You can also become a paying subscriber.

Skylark Live Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog is a recap of the articles I've written in my newsletter throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. You can find some of my vlogs on my YouTube channel. I also post them on my social media platforms. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

$UPPORT ME:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

Substack - https://substack.com/@christinelarkin1?

Personal Shopper for Interior Decorating - www.skylarklive.org

FOLLOW ME:

Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!

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