James revealed how very hopeful he was that his film would receive the Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture--as early the next morning would be the announcement of all the nominees, and it was definitely on his mind. He related less than 500 films have ever received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and that while he would not expect to win, his film being among the movies considered for the top honor was the highest honor he hoped his film would achieve. (Sadly, it was overlooked).
The boys cleared the table without being directed, and served bowls of ice cream to everyone. Then they went off to finish their homework. I felt very fortunate to see this intimate side of Jane’s family, and feel a part of it for a few hours.
James, Susan, Jim and I remained at the table, talking, and James asked me how I got to work in Somewhere in Time. I was relating the amusing tale, and during this, the kitchen phone rang. It was Jane calling to check in. James said, “Jim and Jo Addie are here, we had dinner and Jo is telling how she got to work in SIT,” and I marveled at the unexpected way the evening had progressed. Jane’s son, Sean came home and sat at the table with us a little while. He’s extremely tall and lean, and has the look of a film student (he is) with long tousled hair and a line of facial hair along his jawline. Sean (20) and our Shane are within 6 months of each other. Jane’s eldest, Katie, who is studying acting, was not home this evening. At times, though not currently, Jane’s stepdaughter, whom she has always referred to as her daughter, Jenni, and Kalen, James’ son, have also lived with them, and one can imagine there has always been a flurry of activity with all these kids around. It is obvious that Jane and James are marvelous parents and their kids like their family life.
James took us on a tour of the yard and pool area, though by now it was very dark, the lawn lit by a few low yardlights and the underwater pool lights, and as we stood at the railing overlooking the ocean and the lights from the street below, James talked about his fruit orchard and vegetable garden he’d planted along the terraced, steep slope beneath us, barely visible in the darkness.
Our last stop of the tour was their living room. I’d once seen the room in a magazine. It is enormous, with a 20 foot ceiling, the entire outer wall is glass windows. The shades of ivory and off-white of the tile floor and furniture are offset with pastel pillows and accents. There are large sculptures and potted plants dotting the space and at one end is a huge fireplace with a mirror over the mantel. Everywhere there are horizontal surfaces, there are framed pictures of the family. I noticed two of Jane with Owen Wilson from her recent hit, Wedding Crashers. And there are paintings everywhere too. On a prominent wall in the living room, was a spectacular portrait of a young teenage Katie lounging with their family dog. I couldn’t help but think that was the portrait Jane had commissioned when she started her painting odyssey...but I didn’t ask. I did tell James that our entire house would fit into their living room, and he looked a little shocked and skeptical. The room is about 40 feet long, and 20 wide, and those are the dimensions of the footprint of our 1908 home! (Front and back porches make it appear a little larger).
After making a stop in the powder room off of the entry hall--where, in both places, there are more family photos displayed and more paintings, we went out the front door of the home. James bid us goodnight on the front step, and we thanked Susan by the cars for a totally wonderful day, at about 10:30 pm.
Motoring back to Palm Springs that night was a beautiful drive, committing details to memory--for savoring--and penning in this story. While the day would have been totally different had Jane been there, we somehow felt enormously gifted that we had been able to experience this very intimate side of Jane’s lifestyle, with constant reminders of her presence--and the creativity she has...thus far...expressed.
For more information on the Art of Jane Seymour:
Susan Nagy-Luks
Coral Canyon Publishing
3380 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-842-7256
susan@coralcanyonpublishing.com