no more commas period

controversial movie ~ my vote

2012-02-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

I went alone to see Hugo yesterday and loved it, despite the divided
opinions at my work place and beyond. The two kids pictured above
are delightful and I especially enjoyed when she said, "I need an
adventure," because I've heard myself say that for a few decades,
usually before a big or little trip. And Paris is exquisite ~ surprised?

next ~ Rachmaninoff & more

2012-02-17T08:21:00.001-08:00

Another treat from Jennie yesterday afternoon to the tune of the 2pm
matinee symphony featuring both Rachmaninoff and Saint-Saens.
The latter (Symphony #3) showcased our magnificent organ and
the full orchestra. And yes, I stayed wide awake again. Good job, Stein!

touring our ballpark

2012-02-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

'tis true...

Our guide was knowledgeable and funny ~ not afraid to make
fun of his customers either. We are in the press room here.

We are getting new grass. Note how beautiful the day was.

The uniforms from our World Series team of 2010.

The pitching cage ~ all business.

The visitors' locker room, my favorite part of the tour.
Did you know we add little extras like the opposing
team's logo clock and other details to make them
feel at home? Nice little kitchen and an
office for the manager.

Willie rules our roost.

Honestly, this is the best deal in town. Only $15 ($12 for seniors)
for 1.5 hours to see the Jewel as you never have before. Ginger and
I went yesterday and we were the only natives in our group of 16.
There was tons of memorabilia on all the floors that one can't
usually see because of all the fans milling around. We were in
Shorenstein's box, inside the pitching cage, all around the fancy
Club Level and then down in the bowels of the park where the
players go. I'm thinking of going back with the next out-of-town
visitors. Oh, you can get your tickets online ~ definitely a must-do.

next door, then underground

2012-02-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

This is a strange little only-in-SF-documentary that we watched
one night while Nancy was here. In 1987, two young guys moved
to Lower Haight from the midwest and their next door neighbors
were two horrid drunks (Raymond and Peter) who screamed at
each other so loudly that the guys could record their nightly squabbles.
Hundreds of tapes became an underground cult thing and the drunks
didn't seem to care about the big microphone outside their window.
It is not pleasant to see or hear, but somehow fascinating. (I don't know
why that is.) Shut Up Little Man is dark and bizarre and definitely not
for everyone, but available from the Flix®.

notthat's never wrong

2012-02-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

The solo walk yesterday ~ what's a little rain? We are
adapting nicely to our old routine and the empty nest.

A surprise Valentine gift this morning...it's a long
story, but I had my heart set on this bowl when Nancy
and I explored Community Thrift last Thursday.
Behold ~ it's here and it's ours.
Can't you just picture it filled with lemons or
garlic mashed potatoes?
Thank you Husbando and Nancy!

the garlic family

2012-02-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

penne pasta with mussels

Nancy treated us to dinner last night at Caffe Sport on Green Street
down in North Beach. We three had last been here about 30 or so
years ago, but who's counting? It was still delicious: salad, cioppinno,
scampi and pasta with tasty mussels. Lucky street parking ~ just to
prove that the stars are still aligned.

I worked at the deYoung yesterday, the final closing day of Masterworks
of Venice, not my favorite exhibit due to my lack of art knowledge and
appreciation. But two great ones are coming soon ~ Cult of Beauty at
the Legion of Honor and the exciting designer Gaultier at the DY.

Today we take Nancy to the airport, the house will seem somewhat empty!

a food centered Saturday

2012-02-12T06:39:00.000-08:00

Buy me!

Sand dabs and petrale sole...

Another nice day in SF with Nancy. First for a thorough tour of
the Farmers' Market at Ferry Plaza and then to meet Ginger for
lunch at Tadich. It all worked smoothly on BART and we spent
the evening at the Chinese New Year's Day parade ~ on TV, of
course. With another big salad only for dinner, including some
of the pretty green cauliflower that I bought for $1.oo.

Today we grieve the death of Whitney Houston. So much
talent, so many problems.

another full Nancy day

2012-02-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

The restaurant RN74 looks somewhat like a French train station.
It was packed with people...this is a stock photo.

Chinatown was almost empty ~ the day before the New Year. Were
people home preparing big meals? Only a few tourists, too...

We had never even heard of the restaurant John selected for our
lunch yesterday. RN74 was terrific and obviously the recession must
be almost over because with $16 burgers and $12 for the cheapest
glass of wine, there were people waiting for tables. We had a lovely
catch-up family time and the boy picked up the check because he
is a generous soul indeed.

Then Nancy and I hoofed over to Chinatown for some up and down
Grant Avenue and in/out of maybe 74 shops. Husbando would have
no patience for this sort of poke-around shopping, so we took our
time and stopped for tea and each bought a few inexpensive items.
I had forgotten what fun it can be to have time and a $20 bill and
a sweet step daughter to talk over each silly yet colorful purchase.

Nancy is re-learning the bus system and today we'll work on her
BART knowledge as we head down to the Ferry Building and then
on to Tadich's for lunch. Tomorrow I work ~ what is that?

walking with Nancy

2012-02-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Glorious sunshine yesterday! Probably 70º ~ can you believe it?
We picked Nancy up at 11:30 and went for Chinese food because
her husband doesn't like it and you know how that works. I'll
review that restaurant later because we'll be back.

Then for a great walk and talk from Casa Verde to Valencia and
15th Street or so, and back. L-o-n-g walk with coffee at the
busy Borderlands coffee shop. We poked in and out of assorted
stores including Paxton Gate, 826 Valencia, Serendipity and
of course Community Thrift.

I was up early yesterday morning and made lentil soup, the
perfect winter soup for a summer day. So that, with hunks of
bread, was quite perfect. Then a movie which I'll review later,
maybe with Chinese leftovers.

Downtown today to meet Nancy's brother John for lunch!

buddha said...

2012-02-09T06:21:00.001-08:00

Buddha in Sunlight

Our old dog lies on the front porch in sunlight.
He moves as the sun moves, follows it
along the porch, rising slowly, never

going further than is necessary
to stay within the warm curve of worship.
He yawns, scratches, sheer minimalist,

conservation of energy. This morning
a rabbit hopped into the yard,
nibbling clover.

He lifted his head, eyed it for a moment,
then lowered his head,
closed his eyes.

This is what Buddha taught:
take no interest
in the arising of thought.

The sun moves off the porch;
he descends delicately the way
a nude descends from her bath, and

he finds a place in the grass.
The rabbit nibbles away,
undisturbed.

Let it be, Buddha said;
it will settle
itself.

Red Hawk

Tampa Review

ah, Becky, you are a puzzle...

2012-02-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

Last night we were mesmerized by a play entitled Becky Shaw at
the SF Playhouse ~ it's a must-see if you love complex characters,
biting dialogue and a deep exploration of 5 human beings. Above we
have Lauren English as Becky and Brian Robert Burns as Max, who
struggle with their own demons as they get to know each other. Then
they grapple with the other characters' demons. There are plenty
of laughs along the way, so don't be discouraged by my demon talk.
Gina Gionfriddo is the playwright and kudos to her! This ends
March 10th and there are many sold out performances, so do hurry...

ruby monday

2012-02-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Remember the baby shower here at Casa Verde? Ruby Marie is
now 3 weeks old and yesterday I went walking with her and her
mama and we covered lots of ground, ending up with coffee
at Glen Park. RM didn't utter a sound the entire trip, but I was
reminded once again how much STUFF is needed for babyhood.
At Borders one day, a new mother told me that she had never been
inside so many elevators in her life. For unencumbered me, it
was a delightful walk and talk.

We had a nice call yesterday ~ daughter Nancy Claire is coming
out for a quick visit on Thursday. Some plans need to be re-arranged,
but that's an easy fix. Can't wait to see her again. Hooray!

February is an odd one...

2012-02-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

The Blogmaid transports RR and classmates to
the Asian Arts Museum last Friday

The back deck view

The "let's borrow this from Google" view

The Super Bowl was yesterday, February, and very late in the season,
or so it seems to me. A better game than we expected, and I especially
enjoyed the sit down backward touch down. Of course now baseball
has been extended to November or so, but that's different.

But earlier and earlier ~ plum trees blossoming and depending on
where the sun hits, some are in full bloom and some just with delicate
little blossoms. But it sure does feel like Spring around here. Now the
first really pelting rain will wash these pink beauties away, so we
enjoy while we can.

Right on time. The Chinese New Year's parade is next Saturday night
and it's a big one this year because of the Dragon Year and all. And
we here in San Francisco have our first Chinese Mayor (Ed Lee) and
honestly, we think he's the best mayor we've had in decades. A good
and thoughtful man who seems to be above politics, if that is possible.

baseball is B-A-C-K

2012-02-05T06:48:00.001-08:00

Double dogs all suited up

Fans with cameras checking out our dugout.

Who cares about that silly Super Bowl?

Ginger and I went to our first and last Fanfest yesterday. We met
at 8am and stood in line for almost two hours for tickets to 4 games.
Man, that latte tasted good after the long wait. Thousands of other
fans were there and they were more fun to watch than the ballplayers
whom we couldn't really see or recognize. But what the hey, support
the Giants and all that ~ beautiful spring-like weather and a chance
for two friends to catch up on their lives, thoughts, feelings, etc.

and a glove named Zero

2012-02-04T05:38:00.000-08:00

What a perfect time for me to start this novel that has collected
so many outstanding reviews. The Art of Fielding is about a
young, too small, very talented shortstop who is learning all
about baseball and life. Today I'm meeting Ginger down at The
Jewel and we're getting our Giants' tickets for the season ~ day
games only, please. Will garlic fries be available early today? It's
definitely time to talk about important things ~ like when DO
pitchers and catchers report? How is Buster Posey's leg?

first, the kitty shop

2012-02-03T07:21:00.001-08:00

Toys, stickers and everything possible ~ 18th and Geary

Another blogging friend! You already know Linda, I believe

Another tea ~ this is a jasmine flower exploding in hot water!

What a nice yesterday ~ I've been wanting to stock up on stickers
since Linda gifted me several times from "the kitty shop" shown
above. It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall jammed with colorful merchandise
from Japan. Every item seems to be priced at $3.30 and it's easy to
spend more than intended. A very cool place.

Then we had lunch at the Mandalay Burmese Restaurant and I so
enjoyed our chat about everything under the sun. Almost. You know
Linda from her blog ~ she is an ultra talented artist (and writer) and
I worried because she has a 36 page project (kid's book) that is due
at the end of the month. But she will get it done, as always.

The food? We shared delicious walnut chicken and a fish in
black bean sauce as we studied those tea glasses. I kept saying
that it looked like something under the ocean. Oh, it was really
a tasty tea, too. Nice day, thanks Linda, now get to work...

our strange world of writing

2012-02-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

I blatantly stole this from my friend/teacher Jane who runs the Writing
Salon. There is so much to think about here:

" . . . So here we go again--another writing class, like tens of thousands
occurring around the country. While programs in English literature have
withered in the last 25 years . . . writing programs have burgeoned.
Since 1975, the number of creative writing programs has increased
800 percent. It is amazing. The economy has tanked. Publishing
favors nonfiction. Young people seem to prefer the image to the word.
Yet all over America, students ranging in age from their early twenties
to their eighties hunker down at seminar tables like this one. . . avid to
join a profession that practically guarantees them rejection, poverty
and failure. All who have taught in our program . . . dutifully remind
the students of their likely fate, but they come to us in hordes anyway.

"I look around the table at my dozen hopefuls, a Chorus Line without
a star to support--smart, good-natured, talented people who yearn to
forge a life from their imaginations. Writing students look different
from other students. No matter how old they are, they have a childish
romanticism to them, as do professional writers--sometimes
self-destructive, but also touching. Ana, sophisticated as she is, has
the face of a young girl about to take in her first Broadway play.
George, big as he is, looks like a puppy eager for approval. They all
want the world of writing so very much--not only to succeed in it, but
to be part of it, to stroll in it and feel it wrap around them. I admire
their brash impracticality and wonder if, in some way, their reckless
enthusiasm for art, conceived and nurtured in an increasingly
money-driven age, represents their unconscious protest against
the age. I never heard my students say such a thing, or indicate in any
way that they thought themselves heroic for beating oars against the
tide. If anything, they make a show of bemoaning the lovely madness
of their desire. Yet there are so many of them--the continuing
multiplication of all the nation's writing programs--I can't help but
think that something deliberate and stubborn lies behind their decision
to make artists of themselves. . . .

"Can I teach them to become professional writers? No. Can
I teach them to write better than they do? Yes."

"Unless it Moves the Human Heart -- The Craft and Art of Writing,"
by Roger Rosenblatt:

the kid gets better and better

2012-02-01T06:15:00.001-08:00

Joseph Gordon-Levitt back in his 3rd Rock From the Sun days.

As you know, we aren't the kind of people who slobber over the
young 'uns, but from the first time we saw Joseph way back when,
we were more than impressed. Last night we saw 50/50, a film
about a young man who gets cancer and has those not-great odds
of survival. Josh Logan is his best friend who helps/hinders him,
but stays with Joseph throughout the ordeal. When you think about
it, there aren't many child actors who become great adult actors,
but Joseph had a 90/10 chance and he is terrific. Yes, rent this one!

friends who blog

2012-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

Samovar Tea Lounge atop the Yerba Buena Gardens

Have you met Bev?

Luscious scone with clotted creme and strawberry jam

It was great seeing Bev yesterday and honestly, she looks almost exactly
the same as she did more than 20 (30?) years ago when we met in a
group called Women Entrepreneurs. At that time she published the
Where-To-Guide which is now the name of her b log. Bev has a ton of
energy and travels all over, entertains and keeps up with everyone and
everything. We had tea (hers a white, mine a chai) and scones ~ it was
really delightful being with her. I hate to admit that I now need a
reason to go downtown and I can't think of a better one than to meet
a friend. OK, you can check out our dueling blogs...

Julia and the Blogmaid

2012-01-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

I truly love starting my day with an email from our Blogmaid.
Then I write her back and because we are both writers, I believe
that we tell each other things about our daily lives that we would
miss if we were lucky to have coffee together everyday ~ not that
I wouldn't enjoy that, of course. We also cover "the big stuff" like
war, peace, global warming, pumpkins, RR, assorted husbands,
friends, laundry, flossing, the work world, women's rights, base-
ball, computers, step children, high and low finance and Macy's
is having a sale on all Jockey® brand whatevers. Oh, and I use my
daily email to the Blogmaid to warm up my heart and hands and
to get ready for the challenges of the day, including this blog.

This is from her Sunday morning email. Her family spent the
weekend at her parents' home in Rancho Cordova. This is so cool:

 In 1981, when I was 17, I wrote a letter to the screenwriter 
Alvin Sargent. He wrote Ordinary People and a bunch of other 
films, but the one I was interested in was his adaptation of 
Lillian Hellman's "Julia." I told him I hoped to be a playwright 
and screenwriter, and I thought I could learn a lot if I could 
read a copy of his script because I was so familiar with the 
memoir. He sent me the script then, but in this new letter 
he wrote that he was cleaning out his office and found my 
letter from 1981. He said he was pretty sure he had sent me a 
copy of the script, but wanted to be sure. And he said he 
hoped I was happy "writing, or not." He also sent me a copy 
of my original letter, which I haven't read too closely yet 
because I'm sure I'll cringe. I just googled him -- he's
he's 84 now. I'll send him a thank you note, although 
I'm pretty sure I sent one back then, too...

And then,for your amusement:

Let me know how you liked your Plot class. At first I thought
it was a class taught by Plot.

school day

2012-01-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

Here is the Strawberry Creek Design Center in Berkeley where the
East Bay Writing Salon classes meet. Lovely space and a pleasure to
be walking in Berkeley again after taking BART to school. The class
was terrific and I am inspired once again to work on Ellen and her
friends and foes. There were 12 of us in class and the teacher (Elaine)
was well prepared and helpful and I'm happy to say that she liked
my Ellen and her journey to find her sister. I was given lots of advice
that I needed, but more importantly, I was reminded of the joy of
getting to know my heroine better and that Ellen does not have to be
perfect and, in fact, I need to gift her with a major flaw, which I will
do as soon as possible. Then I need about 5 more characters and some
obstacles, a major inciting incident and easy as pie, my novel is done.

got sling shot?

2012-01-28T06:33:00.000-08:00

Who knew that killing pigs could be so satisfying? As usual, I'm a few
years late discovering the Angry Birds iPhone app, but it turns out
that once I figured out some strange concepts like trajectory and
force, I'm pretty damn good at it. An addicting game, of course.

We got Rita home yesterday after many hospital delays and now we
await further instructions. Turns out she has a really nice neighbor
named Joe who helped her up ALL those stairs. Who ever said city
folk are cold and uncaring? She was exhausted, but delighted to be
in her own beautiful little home.

Today I BART to Berkeley to take a Writing Salon class on How To
Plot a Novel. Remember Ellen? I barely do. Christ.

good job, Pinchas!

2012-01-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

It had been years since I'd been to the symphony and the memories
were all good ones, even though I used to fall sound asleep in these
great front row Terrace seats that Husbando and I had for so long.
We went on Wednesday nights, but of course I was exhausted from
a long day of retail and then I'd feel tremendous guilt not only for
the money wasted, but the fact that I was sure the musicians could
see me and hate me, with good reason.

Yesterday was a 2pm matinee for the blue-haired set and my
friend Jennie treated me to a wonderful afternoon. It was mostly
Mozart (like the good old days, Susan) and Pinchas Zukerman did
the conducting and he also played the violin and viola. The best
to me was the Symphony No. 40 in G minor which sounded so
pleasantly familiar that when it was all over, I really did feel like
everything is right with the world and though daunting at times,
life is pretty good. Oh, I was completely wide-awake throughout.

Today, if everything works out, Husbando and I pick Rita up from
the hospital and take her home. This will be the best medicine
and her sis flies in from St. Louis tonight so she'll be in good hands.

great food fun!

2012-01-26T07:19:00.000-08:00

Last night we so enjoyed Food Stories at the Z Space on Florida. So
easy for us as it is almost in our nabe and parking was a cinch. The
Word for Word concept is so very clever and this program was no
exception. First ~ Sorry Fugu by T.C. Boyle about a chef and a food
critic, then Enough by Alice McDermott, centering on family and
pleasure and this sent us home to clean out the ice cream cartons with
smiles on our faces. There are six ultra talented actors in both stories
and they play all parts and really, it's delicious. Until Feb. 5th - hurry!

keeping things in perspective

2012-01-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

WILD GEESE
Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting ~
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

One of my goals of this full-time personhood thing is to read
more poetry, aloud if possible. I so appreciate Mary Oliver and
all she has given us.

updates on friends

2012-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

I went to a Borders party on Sunday night and caught up with
the news. I was able to walk to/fro because the gathering was about
3 blocks away from Casa Verde at the BBQ joint which was busy!
My 8 years at the Big Box were so intense for all of us that today
when I read my old daily writes during that time I marvel at how
serious I was and how in god's name did I manage on so little sleep?
Everything was a BIG deal and there was a crisis-a-day, or maybe
two. But close we became, we book-loving workers who fought and
made up and laughed until tears streamed down our weary faces.
(And sometimes in front of customers ~ oooooops.)

My friend Michael taught me much and one of his frequent generous
acts was to always visit friends in the hospital. Our friend Rita is
recovering from surgery and yesterday I spent some time with her
at St. Francis Hospital. She asked for mystery books to keep her
mind busy and I gathered some old ones from here for tomorrow's
visit: Sherlock Holmes, Josephine Tey and Raymond Chandler.
I'll go book shopping for some more modern ones later this week.
Rita is hoping to go to rehab very soon and she looked quite good and
her spirit is strong and all in all, things are positive.

Dreams die. Elizabeth sold her bed & breakfast on the River
Nile in Aswan, Egypt. The political situation there is so unstable
and soon we shall meet for coffee here in SF and I'll get some
more details. She reports that her place sold within a week, so I'm
guessing that the real estate situation there is pretty damn good.

what I'm reading currently

2012-01-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

This novel’s bright, spirited heroine, Madeleine, is an English
major at Brown University who, in the heyday of semiotics
and deconstruction, is writing her honors thesis on “the
marriage plot” — that is, the traditional mating dance, as
performed in the novels of Jane Austen, George Eliot and Henry
James.

This novel is basically a story of young love and my the twenty
somethings can whine. I thought Middlesex was a lot more interesting.
The first paragraph up there was borrowed from the NY Times.
I found Maddie to be a bit pompous and boring, but I persevere
because Eugenides is a fine writer and who am I to diss a plot
or a character?

celebrate!

2012-01-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

I was so busy having fun last night at Husbando's birthday
celebration that I neglected to take any photos. As you can tell
from the elegant tablecloth, we had cracked crab again, his
all-time favorite food (even if he had to roast it himself) along
with a salad and then the Blum's crunch cake from Japantown.
Really I could write an entire paragraph on how lucky we are
to have such delightful friends, but I'll save it for a rainier day.
Suffice it to say, we are the MOST fortunate people on earth.

Big football game today and I'm working out at the deYoung and
that's OK. I'll be home for the ending which will probably be
exciting again.

passover anyone?

2012-01-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

One reviewer called Nora's Will a Jewish Mexican suicide comedy
and that works for me. Nora arranges a lavish Passover dinner
for after her death, bringing together her ex-husband, son,
friends, the Rabbi and his devoted assistant who used to be a
Catholic. I loved that it was so understated and for us it was fun
to be back in Mexico City. Nora, remains a mystery even after her death.

a rainy, spicy day

2012-01-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

We had lunch here at Marnee Thai yesterday and it was delicious and
reasonable. Our friend Steve met us and his friend grew up in Bangkok
and she did all the ordering, so we just sat back and ate too much
and drank unusual Thai tea and talked. This restaurant is located on
9th Avenue, between Irving and Lincoln Way.

The rain has finally arrived, but it is gentle still. Post-prandial I went
up to Neti's for some easy computer work. Returned home about
4pm to get ready for the Tiapos writing group where we are all
inspired to tow the line and avoid the non-writing chit chat that
we tend to drift into ~ pleasant but we are often up too late for
our own good. Home by 9:30, so it worked!

journalism at its best

2012-01-19T07:03:00.000-08:00

Last night we saw the final episode #3 of the HBO documentary
Paradise Lost that tells the story of injustice in West Memphis, a
very small town in Arkansas. Eighteen years ago three 8-year old
boys were murdered and three 14-year old boys were arrested
and have been in jail all these years. Because a few people cared,
because journalists still dig and work and push into dark corners,
a movement to Free the West Memphis 3 developed. I won't spoil
this by telling you how it ends (not that you couldn't Google it),
but it made us both say, "thank god for HBO." Great work.

delicious ~ rent it!

2012-01-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

The Guard is on everyone's "Best of 2011" movie lists, so now we
can add the long-awaited seal of approval from Casa Verde. Don
Cheadle (who can do no wrong ever) is an FBI agent who forms
an unlikely friendship with Brendan Gleeson, a local cop in a
small Irish town. Lots of action and comedy and intrigue.

Finally winter is coming to SF. I'm sitting in front of the fireplace
looking forward to a day off and a long walk before the rain arrives.

back to pathetica

2012-01-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

Did you say January?

Mudd pie and 4 forks

The Great Plotniks treated us to lunch at Nick's yesterday for
Husbando's birthday which approaches rapidly. It's a good thing
they made a reservation because the place was packed and we
enjoyed a sunny corner booth table and waaaaaaaaaay too much
food. Everyone had crab of some kind except for me ~ I had to
have a cheeseburger because it's tradition. The food was much
better than I remembered from past visits and it was great being
together and catching up on all sorts of news and goings on.

Then I worked for four hours last night at a two museum event
and it really didn't seem like work as the time sped by. Nice day!

the Pickles remembered

2012-01-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

Oh, such talent. Lorenzo Pisoni ran away from the circus when he
was in his teens. His parents (Larry Pisoni and Peggy Snider) founded
Pickle Family Circus here in SF back in the 1970's. This is a wonderfully
warm and thought-provoking story ~ basically it's about a son and
his father and all that might entail, except this dad is very, very
unusual and this son adores him, despite it all. Humor Abuse is one
extremely physical and emotional 80 minute act at ACT ~ enjoy.

tea, football, observations

2012-01-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

I was invited to a birthday tea party at the Crown & Crumpet for
a delightful young woman whom I met at the Legion of Honor. She
works in the exhibit end of things and her friends all dressed UP
for this event (so did I, so there!) and I can't tell you how
impressed I was with all these young women. Really, I was the
only one with my cell phone out because the Blogmaid was
sending me texts re the 49ers win. We aren't really football fans,
but it was sort of special to be in the playoffs and we won.
The Crown & Crumpet is in Ghiardelli Square and it was filled with
tourists, mostly Asian. The two girls above were probably 16 or so and
in that too cute Japanese little girl full costume that turned heads and
made me wish I had the nerve to shoot them face front.

Before and after this afternoon tea I was helping my friend Neti set
up her new computer. Bless the Apple Store ~ Neti bought the one-on-
one giving her 52 training sessions for $99.00. And thanks to the
Blogmaid for all of her help. So far, so good...

oh, my...

2012-01-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

We just can't ever go wrong with a Man Booker Prize Winner
and this one is no exception. It's a slim book and if I were on
vacation I'd read it in one sitting, which is the way it should be
done. I don't recommend an e-reader for this because the soft
paper and feel of the book are part of the pleasure. Julian Barnes
is such a fine, fine writer. Here is an excerpt:

But I think I have an instinct for survival, for self-preservation.
Perhaps this is what Veronica called cowardice and I called
being peaceable.

This is the story of a man in his sixties looking back to his school
years when a mysterious package is delivered to him...

beware, baseball post!

2012-01-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

Finally, time for some real news. Yesterday Ginger and I went to
The Jewel to pick up our tickets for Spring Training in Arizona.
Man, how we have missed THE GAME. All of it ~ the trivia, the
noise, the silliness, the overpaid players and the orange and
black accessories worn by everyone worth their salt on those
deadly and delicious garlic fries.

We will see three games in three days and of course my MsBook will
travel with us. Leaving Thursday, March 29th. Scottsdale, Surprise
and Peoria ~ Arizona here we come. Too soon to pack?

here a star

2012-01-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

I borrowed these stars from the Hubble people, with thanks. The
other morning I was doing my half-assed yoga stretches in our
back room and spied a hard cover Emily Dickinson book. Had it
ever even been opened? So then and there I vowed to use my new
status as a full-time person to get to know this woman who lived
and died in the same house in Massachusetts, the woman who
loved a married man and is still one of the greatest of all American
poets. Emily was born in 1830 and died in 1886 ~ another star
extinguished way too early. She did, however, leave us with more
than 1,500 poems and since it's still early in my day, I'll start here:

Our share of night to bear,
Our share of morning,
Our blank in bliss to fill,
Our blank in scorning.

Here a star, and there a star,
Some lose their way.
Here a mist, and there a mist,
Afterwards---day!

Emily Dickinson

permission granted

2012-01-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Here she is, by popular demand ~ the beautiful Blond Bombshell.
I actually asked her if I could post this photo and now I'll tell you
a bit about Karen. I met her when I first joined Tiapos, the writing
group extraordinaire, back in 2003. Over the years we've learned a
lot about each other because our writing is often exceedingly personal.
She lives out by the ocean, hails from Philadelphia, possesses a zen
like calm (unless she's pissed off about something) and has a fabulous
sense of humor. Karen has been published many times, including the
one she edited pictured above. You might remember that we hosted a
book signing for Felicia and Karen at Borders Union Square. It was a
huge and crowded success and I notice that it is still available on
Amazon.

Oh, yes, I probably should mention that Karen is one of the best
writers ever and when she is absent from Tiapos the group seems a
bit flat. How fortunate I am to know her so well and I had no idea
that she reads this blog. I am flattered!

Access Day

2012-01-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Do all museums do this? A special free day for people with disabilities
and their community takes advantage of this, as well they should.
Carefully scheduled docent tours, every wheel chair and walker out
and available, free disabled-only parking and of course the best
part is that the visitors can take their time and really appreciate the
art without able bodied people standing in front of them. Plus it's
a time for the handicapped to treat their family, friends and care-
givers to the world of art.

Two of us worked the Pissarro store yesterday at the Legion of Honor.
So pleasant. Customers were grateful and happy to spend some money.
I'm always intrigued by the blind people who soak up the lectures and
the ambiance of the museum. Only a few near collisions of wheel chairs
and the entire building resounded with "Thank you!" Such a fine day.

lots of fun!

2012-01-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not one to enjoy or even care about old black and white movies,
but The Artist was terrific and something you need to see on the
big screen, as we did last Saturday with $16 worth of popcorn and
Coke®. We were lucky that the audience was nice and quiet too,
because that's part of the fun, the silence and the music. Once in
awhile a few well-placed sounds from the film, to enhance the
moment and even startle us for a second. Enjoy!

until next december

2012-01-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

Husbando and I have twice splurged on the big movie screen
experience these past two Saturdays. If we didn't treat ourselves
to popcorn and Coke® it wouldn't be that expensive. Not only
do we insist on popcorn, we don't share well and need our own
individual containers. So it adds up, but that's OK, once a year.

Last week we saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Gary Oldman,
pictured above. Also in unforgettable roles: Colin Firth, Benedict
(Sherlock!) Cumberbatch, John Hurt and Tom Hardy. Riveting and
a tiny confusing so we are going to rent the original from the Flix®
and gorge ourselves on plot and details.

This agency is called "Circus" because it is located at Cambridge
Circus in London. Ah, those Brits...

don't bother

2012-01-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

You well remember that I loved this book, but One Day as
a movie is just not very good. Anne Hathaway's British accent
isn't too bad, but the screen play just zips from year to year
and the viewer doesn't quite get the intensity of the friendship
or lovership or whatever. The chemistry isn't there and I was
pleased when it ended and I could jump back to L.A. with
Detective Bosch who continues to drive around and miss all
those traffic jams.

more palette cleansing

2012-01-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

San Francisco is a very small city, really, for a big city. Yesterday
the Great Plotnik mentioned Macapuno and the Great Notthat
had to Google it. Imagine. Anyway, it appears that I had been at
Mitchell's buying this special creamy coconut treat the very
same day as Doug and/or Barb were buying it too. I remember
one dinner party we gave and Doug could identify where we had
purchased each item. I tell you, we city folks are strange and
picky food-loving fools.

After all the chocolate and peppermint sweets of the season,
what could be better for one's body than coconut ice cream?
Well, some people do other strange and unappetizing things
with and to their digestive tracks this time of year, but I don't
care to discuss it before my freshly squeezed morning orange juice.

to cleanse my palette

2012-01-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

I finished Ms. Egan's Look at Me and have two hardcover treats
on the bedside table which you'll hear about later. So I ordered
an 11 chapter (!) sample of The Drop on Amazon for my LindaKindle®
and of course I was hooked and forced to order this entire fun little
mystery. One amusing thing is that Detective Bosch drives all the
hell over the L.A. area and never seems to get stuck in any of those
traffic jams that the rest of the world complains about. The Great
Plotnik writes about the messy traffic of our south land neighbor
better than anyone else to my knowledge ~ and that's a fact.

power corrupts ~ a reminder

2012-01-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

We read a great review of GBH several months ago and I bought
it for Husbando as a holiday gift because it isn't available to rent
from the Flix®. Four totally entertaining discs in the set and we
have been watching compulsively every damn night since the
Buffalo Four left town. It takes place during the Thatcher-era
and the two lead actors (Robert Lindsay and Michael Palin) are
fantastic. It gets very heavy and then the writer (Alan Bleasdale)
inserts just the right amount of British type farce to turn the
plot from tragedy to humor, then back again. We finished it
last night and are feeling a little empty and unbalanced today.

GBH means a couple of things which we find out in the final
episode. I shan't be a spoiler, or shan I? OK, one of them is
Grievous Bodily Harm. (Yes, I know shan ain't a word.)

one reason to love Facebook

2012-01-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

I used to work with Sue Riddle at Borders and she posted this
exquisite piece on Facebook. From the top left: Justin with his
BIG earrings and leather teddy bear, me reading and dozing,
Valerie the romantic, and Andi with his tattoos and two cats.
Such talent. She dedicated it to Shauna who provided us with
dozens and tons of different xmas cookies every year and I
especially miss the peanut butter ones with chocolate topping.
Oh, and Shauna appreciated my addiction to Peeps and
spoiled me constantly with that treat.

Actually I have a few problems with Facebook that I won't go
into here. But for sharing something as wonderful as this,
who can not appreciate it?

the printed page

2012-01-02T06:38:00.000-08:00

As promised, here is the photo I selected for the front cover of the
long awaited 2011 edition of this blog. It was taken while sight seeing
at Coit Tower in October. Blog2Print does a great job and now they
will print other blog sites such as Word Press, etc. I'm sorry that they
raised their prices, but that was inevitable, and it's still under $100
for the full-color wonder of it all.

I missed mentioning Blogmaid's birthday yesterday, but she had 4
million good wishes on Facebook and this one didn't end in 5 or
zero, as Plotnik might say. I think all people born on Jan. 1st are
charmed, and she is no exception.

the art world grieves

2012-01-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

I hate to start the New Year on a sad note, but the Big Boss of
the museums died on Friday and he is in my mind and heart.
John Buchanan did so much for the de Young, Legion of Honor
and the city of San Francisco. About 6 months ago we heard that
he had cancer and then pancreas was added to the talk and of
course we knew. Before that he was a daily presence with his lively
walk, big smile and incredible knowledge and energy. Really, he
put our museums on the map.

The obit today says he was a populist. He took some criticism for
not being elite enough. I remember when I went to my first
orientation (King Tut) and Mr. Buchanan said that he felt his
job was to "put butts in the bleachers" and god, I loved that.
That's exactly how I look at art ~ as many people as possible
should enjoy it and get the kids in too. Early.

He was only 58. Another loss, another bright light dimmed.
Rest in peace, Mr. Buchanan, and thank you for enriching
so many lives, mine included. Mine especially.

it's a wrap

2011-12-31T08:35:00.000-08:00

Well, that one zipped by. I was looking at old iPhotos of 2011 and
right off the top of my head I have to highlight friends, family, food
and the amazing fund-raising for Light the Night. Oh, and the views
and wonder of our less-than-perfect city.

Now I order the blog for the year and I will show you which photo I
selected for the cover tomorrow, in 2012. Happy New Year to all my
dear and devoted (ahem) readers.

boos and applause

2011-12-30T06:32:00.001-08:00

I went online this morning to see what professional reviewers had
to say about The Tree of Life and the reaction was as mixed as in
our own home. Husbando wandered away to read (harumph) and
I was transfixed, wishing I had seen it on the big screen. Of course
the photography is glorious, but to my mind it was one of the
best films ever about the confusions, joys and terrors of childhood.
Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain star in this Terrence
Mallick story of life in Waco, Texas in the 1950's. A warm and
loving mother, a stern and loving father ~ go ahead, give it a go...

learning to read

2011-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

I know, that title is odd, but what I'm trying to say is that I've
always had a problem just sitting and perusing books during the
day. I'm GREAT about reading in bed or on vacation, but the very
idea of reading at home when the sun is up, has caused me fits
and starts throughout my long and mostly happy life.

But now that I'm a full-time person I want to read. I am changing
my approach and the only way to do this is to put Read! on my
daily To Do List. It helps to go to a coffee shop, but I need to break
the at-home habit. Slowly I am, and this Look At Me novel by
Jennifer Egan is helping a lot. The plot revolves around a fashion
model who was in an automobile accident and has to really study
herself and her new life as a virtual stranger to her shallow friends.

I found this book at my new Alley Cats bookstore on 24th Street. It's
a new remainder priced at $5.98. Cheaper than an e-book!

the expanded version

2011-12-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

When you enter Tommy Toy's ~ a magnet for kids

Huge goldfish ~ so beautiful

View from our table ~ muted glamour

Soup in a coconut bowl with pastry accessory

Half of a lobster followed by beef medallion

Happy Buff4 family bundled up to leave

There was a time when Husbando and I treated ourselves like the
royalty that we are. Love was new, money flowed and we went to
expensive restaurants on a weekly basis. All those memories came
flooding back Sunday night at Tommy Toy's. Ah, luxury. Too many
wait people, too much food and may we get you anything your
little hearts might desire? And what fun to watch, listen to and
analyze our fellow diners. In most respects life is better now ~ we
appreciate the moments, hours and quiet days more. A trip to
Costco is actually fun and lets hit a museum and some cheap
Thai food tomorrow. Did the Netflix arrive?

By the way, the food was excellent, not superb. Worth all that
money, however, because it was such a memorable evening.
The after-glow remains today, Wednesday.

grand girls at work

2011-12-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

May, 2010 ~ Ceci (left) and Lauren. Nancy's daughters.

Dec. 2011 - Lindsay (left) and Samantha. Rob's daughters.

You have to love family traditions. The grand daughters are all sweet
and helpful, even if it means doing dishes WITHOUT a dishwasher.

We had a much-needed relaxing yesterday. Husbando cleaned house
and I walked and napped ~ this division of labor works well, don't you
think? Dinner last night at Regalito was fabulous ~ the place was
almost empty and really, we had the best service possible. Tamales
after two servings of guacamole and chips. Rob and Sarah loved the
food because you can't find really great Mexican food on the East
Coast. Everyone knows that...

Today they are off to Sarah's family reunion in Pacific Grove and
I work out at the Legion. We will miss the Buffalo Four, it's been
so wonderful having them here for the holiday.

we clean up good

2011-12-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

We had the Big Splurge last night at Tommy Toy's and I'll report more
in detail later. This was after a full day of constant food and family and
friends. Now we are cleaning up this messy house and I am not eating
because yesterday was really too much. I need a walk. Tonight is
Regalito, so I want to be very hungry for that fabulous food.

when casual is TOO casual

2011-12-25T07:37:00.000-08:00

OK, today the grand parents will dress with a little more care.
This was taken late last night after coffee and pie. Yesterday I baked
a pecan and pumpkin pie, walked, read and noodled around and
the kids came by for dessert and a little laughter. Example:
Samantha to Husbando ~ are you 100% Jewish?
H ~yes
S - were you born in Israel?

In case you are interested, the g.pa was born in St. Louis and before
we turned in last night we lamented again the fact that we only get
really interested in our parents' history later in life. Husbando doesn't
know how or where his parents met, somewhere in London. And my
mother bored me to tears with her stories of traveling by car from
Pittsburgh to Pasadena way back when, and now I have a million
questions for her.

Ah well, the present and presents await. We are having a big Jewish
brunch at noon today. More photos tomorrow. Merry Christmas and
Happy Hanukkah to you and yours. It's clear, cold and beautiful here
in SF today, for my out-of-town readers. Enjoy this day as we will.

crabs 'n family

2011-12-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

A friend sent this glorious floral centerpiece!

Six large fresh crabs cooked in butter and garlic

Sweet granddaughters: Lindsay (left) and Samantha (right)

Good job everyone ~ now wrap up those shells in the table cloth.

Messy and delicious and unforgettable. We demolished the salad,
yummy crab and panettone last night and had an enjoyable family night
getting our memory banks all in order. The children and grandchildren
were all blessed with GREAT appetites, none of this "she's a picky
eater" stuff in this family. Rob and family traveled all day from
Buffalo yesterday, but they were lively last night and we had a great
time. Even better than our usual movie and Chinese dinner, but
do stay tuned...

black & white & red all over

2011-12-23T05:58:00.000-08:00

The Rob son and his family arrive today and we will feast on
fresh cracked crab tonight. They will be tired after flying in from
Buffalo, so we won't be whooping it up too late this evening.
The two teenage g.dots have never been to SF, so we know
they will have a fine time on cable cars, etc. We are looking
forward to this family holiday time and will save our traditional
Christmas movie until after the fact.

mr. pollo makes us smile

2011-12-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

Seats 13 total

Itty bitty kitchen

Mysterious and delicious fruit juice drinks

The specialty ~ an Arepa. Blogger too busy eating to
photograph until this is half eaten. Ooooops.

I was meeting Husbando here at Mr. Pollo and luckily he was watching
for me because it's so easy to walk right by this hole-in-the-wall on
Mission Street (2823 Mission, between 24th and 25th). Manny, the
owner chef, was busy, friendly and informative as he cooked our Arepas.
This is a Venezuelan/Colombian street sandwich and we had our choice
of chicken, lamb or beef. It was tender and juicy inside, filled with
unusual flavors. Open for lunch and dinner. Cash only. No reserves.

digging deeper

2011-12-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

This responsible, hard-hitting journalist actually went inside the
Precita Park Cafe yesterday to answer some important questions.
The coffee? Sightglass, some chi chi local blend I suppose. The
latte? Excellent and served in a real cup which is important to
me for table sitting. Quite a few customers with lap tops; working
on their novels or playing Bejeweled or checking Facebook.

Notice that the colors inside the cafe will be approved by my
artist friend Linda, and the kids menu ($4.95 pb&j) means that
maybe RR will come to visit one day. They serve breakfast all
day and pizzas after 5pm. I'll try a Cobb salad one day ($8.95)
and I know Husbando will love the short rib sandwich ($9.50).
So much to see and eat, bloggers never rest.

welcome to the nabe...

2011-12-20T08:13:00.001-08:00

They've been building this new restaurant for months. It's right
down the block from us at Alabama and Precita ~ same owners
as the always busy Dolores Park Cafe. Yesterday I went in to
check the menu and it agrees with me. It's already busy and
the outdoor tables are usually in the sunshine. I will report
back when we actually go in to spend some money. Husbando's
first question when I gave my report yesterday was, "what
kind of coffee do they serve?" Imagine, I didn't know. And
you call me a San Franciscan? Open every day at 7:30am.

oh, thank you Santa and beyond

2011-12-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

I've been poking around on Facebook this morning and I'm thrilled
to tell you that there are three brand new Absolutely Fabulous episodes
filmed and ready to be seen this holiday season. Hooray. I've already
been giggling at a couple of the clips this morning. Now finding them
On Demand might be more of a challenge, but we will persevere.

Mad Men x better by 10

2011-12-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

Last night we started a terrific series from BBC called The Hour. We
found it on the often-puzzling On Demand feature on one of our 17 remote
controls. It is a series of 10 episodes that takes place in London during
the 1950's. Superior plot to Mad Men, which probably inspired this, but
as usual, the Brits made it sizzle with a plot that already includes a
murder (or two?) and the joy of watching women turn from secretaries
to executives. Just like real life!

The Hour refers to the BBC 6pm news hour and how that evolved from
the dim witted debutante reporting to real hard biting NEWS. The
costumes and settings are fabulous. Really, it's such a treat, especially
for those of us who love London, mystery, strong women and exceedingly
handsome men. Just what Santa ordered...

when writers rant...

2011-12-17T12:03:00.001-08:00

Last night we had our annual Tiapos holiday party and the theme
was Ranting, something we all did quite well. Cathartic. There were
11 of us and what was amusing is that we all are SF foodies yet
Eric brought KFC and we woofed (wolfed?) it down. There was
also (not in any particular order) barbequed chicken, deviled eggs,
salmon spread, pasta (just the middle part for god's sake), carrots,
potatoes, rice, coleslaw, persimmon pudding, almond torte, wine,
coffee and cookies. It was after midnight when I got home. Imagine.

We had a blast, laughter galore. I brought home every one's work
for Husbando and now I'll give you a sample. Alas I have to clean
it up in case any grandchildren read my blog. As if.

Karen was fluffing her aura down at the ocean and a geezer in a
pick-up truck parked next to her and turned up the right wing
radio station wherein a bunch of morons praise Karl Rove.

Chef P is hosting an elegant dinner party for 24 and being a
perfectionist she (ahem) bristled when someone wanted to bring
a teenage kid to throw off the count and that wasn't going to work.

Will gave us two fabulous poems and here are the opening lines:
I hate the living.
and
Freezing to death by a deserted country road
while coyotes circle hopefully: too harsh, really,
and apt to inspire pity in a kindhearted stranger
who might mourn his half-eaten corpse

Doug ~ a very sweet trip down memory lane with some insights
along the way. Fun to hear wife Barb's retorts between sentences.
Sometimes we remember the glow of the holidays and that can
lead to resentments as we grow and change. Or like that...

Jane issued a 5 page Rant-O-Rama. Here is the beautiful final
graph which Doug is going to cut and paste on his holiday cards:
Give thanks. Say prayers. Do good. Take care. Be giving. Keep
going even when you don't want to and your rhythm sucks and
your voice is murky, and your mind is too, and your spirit is not
soaring like a bird. Ramble and whine and wallow in your grief
and wine. Go nowhere, do nothing. Know that you are already
somewhere. Here. Let it be enough. Stop trying to be so tough.
Take the hand that has been offered. Let yourself be helped, let
your heart be cradled. Take the hand of the Universe. Hold on.
Have faith. Skip along. Make a wish. Take your time.

Susie read a post card and a letter from a would-be cousin in
(we hope) a mental institution. Very, very strange stuff and no
return address.

Eric wrote about the California delta smelt that our ex-gov Arnold
dismissed so cavalierly. Here's a sample:
I'm just a fishy little SMELT.
Go ahead forget me. You've got Shamu and Coco
and your cute little Ling-ling.

Me ~ all about my blog, this very blog. It all began because of my
Tiapos group back in 2005. I have logged 2,508 posts and people
actually read this crap and there are many benefits and joys to both
blogging and belonging to this less-than-sane group of writers.

Thank you all for another fabulous Tiapos party. Now I need to nap...

OK, it's officially here

2011-12-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

You can start playing those tedious carols now (not yours, Plottie,
we always enjoy the one you wrote) and bake some overly sweet
things for those adorable grandkids, which you'll end up eating
yourself before you see them. What surprises me this year is that
I used to do all of this while working full-time. Actually at Borders
it was more than full-time, it was 24/7 chaos and exhaustion.
I sort of miss it. Don't tell anyone...

a day at home (pretty much)

2011-12-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

Ooooops, come to find out it was a no-burn day, I hate those.
Anyway, I did do some writing, some cooking (a huge pot of
minestrone) and then I went for a walk in the afternoon. I was
going to get the holiday tree, but I didn't feel like battling the traffic.
I looked up the Cesar Chavez project online and it's going to
take two years because it's also a sewer replacement undertaking.
Two years? Argh, I'm all for infrastructure repair, but NIMBY.

Today I'm out and about ~ yoga, acupuncture, maybe a tree.
It is a grey and drizzly day here in Frisco, that's OK.

lights, photos, food and more walking

2011-12-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

First a stop at the Hyatt Regency to admire ALL those
strings of lights and to use their nice clean bathrooms

Pier 24 photography exhibit ~ very wonderful

Hundreds of shots of our beautiful Bay Area

Beef brisket sandwiches at il Cano Rustico

Ginger met us at 10 am in front of Pier 24, a huge warehouse devoted
to photography. Although I warned you previously to get make your
reservations, I'm happy to report that they have extended the show,
so go and enjoy. It's free. We all wandered about on our own, stopping
to sit from time to time in front of Bullitt (the movie) and those very
scary race scenes, one of which is in our very own nabe. Lots of famous
and not-so photographers and really, it was an outstanding almost two
hours of pleasure. Be sure to pick up a guide at the front counter because
there are no labels next to the photos.

Then we hit the Ferry Building where Husbando stocked up on his
favorite rye at Acme Bakery. Next to lunch at the Red Dog and more
walking after that. Another full day so today I'm pretty much going
to stay home to write and make minestrone. Or vice versa....

cats and cathedrals

2011-12-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Tuxedo cat takes a brief nap in Macy's window

Three kittens looking for new homes

The dome at Westfield Center - this will change to a snowflake scene.
A bunch of nerds with Santa hats did this using about 7 computers.
I think. Just a guess, but worth seeing!

A great day DOWNtown and I ended up walking a lot and bought
some stuff that one can only find in the little specialty stores that
I know from my many years at the now defunct Borders at Post
and Powell. I will try to get one more trip in before the actual
holiday. My lunch of a latte and a crumble cake made me ask the
usual weekday question. "Doesn't anyone work anymore?" Every
coffee shop was packed with people and computers.

Another question I ponder is how could I spend 5 hours just
putzing around downtown? Hmmmmmm, easy.

DOWNtown ~ where the lights are bright

2011-12-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

My favorite holiday lunch...

Growing up in Pasadena ~ oh, so quiet and sedate. My favorite
thing when I reached my teens and started thinking a bit for myself,
was to get on the bus and go to Los Angeles. I'd go with a girlfriend
and we'd walk around, get lost, buy stuff, walk some more, have
fries and a cherry Coke®, walk some more and bus back to the
burbs. At some point my parents let me go by myself and that was
even more exciting. I guess that's how city-love started for me.

Yesterday at work a woman was talking about going into a mall
the day before. Honestly, my stomach sort of did a little heave ho.
Yikes, the horror of the malls. The crowds, the noise, the greedy
shoppers, the canned music, the grumpy sales clerks (and who
can blame them?). A mall would be one of those Dante rings of
purgatory for me, especially during the holidays.

Today I'm getting on a bus or BART and heading downtown.
I feel a sense of anticipation, almost like the Pasadena to L.A.
experience, but now I know what REAL cities are like and I
yearn to see the ice skaters, the pets in Macy's windows, the
cable cars decorated with greenery and bells. I'll walk and stop
at Starbucks® for a nutritious lunch, buy some silly stuff,
walk some more, people watch, maybe take a photo. But mostly
I'll just appreciate living in this glorious city where no one in
their right mind could EVER get bored.

festivals, carnivals, parades

2011-12-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

I was on the #49 Van Ness/Mission muni yesterday when I was able
to catch this parade and photograph it through the dirty bus window.
Another reason I love my iPhone, it's always there for me. Yesterday
was also the day of a million Santas who gather in cities across the
world. Next year maybe I'll catch that for commano.

But yesterday's parade was a surprise and I'm glad I wasn't in a
hurry because Mission Street was a mess of dancers, floats, police
and these horses. I would guess it was saint-related and as always,
very colorful with costumes and music. After the last horse there
was a large wheelbarrow and 3 guys with shovels. Civic minded or
part of the permit process? My city, never a dull moment (and today
I mean that in a good way.)

have you read this?

2011-12-10T06:43:00.001-08:00

I heard about this very old book on NPR and bought a used copy
from Amazon, even though it would be free on my LindaKindle®.
Sounds like fun, in that British upper class sort of way, which I love.

"I had the general symptoms, the chief among them being a disinclination to work of any kind."

So begin the hilarious misadventures of a merry, but scandalously lazy band of well-to-do young men-and a plucky and rather world-weary fox terrier named Montmorency-on an idyllic cruise along the River Thames. Feeling seedy, muses one of them dreamily, "What we want is rest." What they find instead is one hapless catastrophe after another. Soggy weather, humiliating dunkings, the irritating behavior of small boats and the "contrariness of teakettles" are just a few of the barbarisms our genteel heroes are forced to endure. But which a delighted reader can only sing, Hooray!

First published in 1889, Three Men in a Boat was an instant success, and Jerome has been compared to comic master P.G. Wodehouse.

another Marianne

2011-12-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

I think one of the problems of the holiday season (for me) is
the hazy memories of Pasadena. Not only as a child, but after
I moved here to the Bay Area and I would take those hurried
3 day trips home. I could never be myself and the family gatherings
were not without snide remarks and sadness. I so wanted the
loving scene pictured in magazines or on TV. My guess is that
shrinks are extra busy this time of year. Shrinks and dark bars...

Those visits home, the way the young

Those visits home, the way the young
come back and still follow you around
or find you on the bed reading
or writing, to lie down at an angle or

sit cross-legged. No secret between you,
not even trouble quite though
it isn't ordinary, the way the world unravels
through them: what he said, what she

never, who traveled where, that things—
how exactly—splinter and break
and cut. It trails off then. Both of you,
which one to speak but thinking

better of it. And the book is just a prop,
what you were writing perfectly weightless
in this silence. Child, oh fully no longer,
out there tangling, untangling

Marianne Boruch

The Book of Hours
Copper Canyon Press

it's a superior movie

2011-12-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

I certainly recommend Beginners starring Christopher Plummer,
Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent and this cute doggie that was
integral to every scene. You know the true story, I betcha. The
dad comes out of the closet to his son at age 75 and embraces the
gay life. Really, it's a beautiful film and it gives the viewer a lot
to think about. Love, all kinds of love, and not without a bit of
complication along the way. From the Flix®, rent it!

don't call it Army Street

2011-12-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

Heading East ~ note huge yellow construction vehicles for miles

Yesterday they blocked Alabama, our access to the rest of the world.

There are still die hards who call Cesar Chavez by the original name
of Army Street. One sees signs in windows "It's still Army Street!" and
more discreet nicely engraved house plaques such as "3824 Army Street"
but we have accepted the inevitable. It's Cesar Chavez and it's a mess.
(One time a taxi driver corrected the way I pronounced Chavez. "Just
get me home for Christ sake," I thought to myself.)

Anyway, Cesar Chavez is a major thoroughfare in the city and it has
always been ugly and a blight, no matter what you call it. This is a long
overdue project and they are adding some greenery in the center and
much-needed bike lanes. We are all for this improvement, but of course
we would like it to happen overnight. Not the case. They started way
down at the freeway entrance months ago and it's still blocked and
awful. What we are hoping for, of course, is that traffic will be diverted
to other freeway feed streets and never come back. NIMBY rules.

So I have a sign in Ken (the car) warning us to take Harrison or Folsom
because we'll zip down Alabama as usual and see the dead end along
with 50 other drivers all trying to turn around. City life.

don't call it Pathetica

2011-12-06T07:22:00.001-08:00

The Chit Chat Cafe is right on the pier ~ it's our
meeting place and there is always lots of parking

It was one of those December days when the idea of living anywhere
except here is impossible to comprehend. So clear and beautiful,
just a tad cold, just enough. I met the Blogmaid here in Pacifica and
we walked up to Bunny Hill and breathed deeply. We talked of
many things: holiday parties, family, work, teeth (I had a dental
appointment in the morning) and even cars. We are indeed two
well-rounded women. A glorious seaside walk, thanks, Blogmaid.

NYTimes 10 best books of 2011

2011-12-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

THE ART OF FIELDING

By Chad Harbach. Little, Brown & Company, $25.99.

At a small college on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, the baseball team sees its fortunes rise and then rise some more with the arrival of a supremely gifted shortstop. Harbach’s expansive, allusive first novel combines the pleasures of an old-fashioned baseball story with a stately, self-reflective meditation on talent and the limits of ambition, played out on a field where every hesitation is amplified and every error judged by an exacting, bloodthirsty audience.

11/22/63

By Stephen King. Scribner, $35.

Throughout his career, King has explored fresh ways to blend the ordinary and the supernatural. His new novel imagines a time portal in a Maine diner that lets an English teacher go back to 1958 in an effort to stop Lee Harvey Oswald and — rewardingly for readers — also allows King to reflect on questions of memory, fate and free will as he richly evokes midcentury America. The past guards its secrets, this novel reminds us, and the horror behind the quotidian is time itself.

SWAMPLANDIA!

By Karen Russell. Alfred A. Knopf, cloth, $24.95; Vintage Contemporaries, paper, $14.95.

An alligator theme park, a ghost lover, a Styx-like journey through an Everglades mangrove jungle: Russell’s first novel, about a girl’s bold effort to preserve her grieving family’s way of life, is suffused with humor and gothic whimsy. But the real wonders here are the author’s exuberantly inventive language and her vivid portrait of a heroine who is wise beyond her years.

TEN THOUSAND SAINTS

By Eleanor Henderson. Ecco/HarperCollins Publishers, $26.99.

Henderson’s fierce, elegiac novel, her first, follows a group of friends, lovers, parents and children through the straight-edge music scene and the early days of the AIDS epidemic. By delving deeply into the lives of her characters, tracing their long relationships not only to one another but also to various substances, Henderson catches something of the dark, apocalyptic quality of the ’80s.

THE TIGER’S WIFE

By Téa Obreht. Random House, cloth, $25; paper, $15.

As war returns to the Balkans, a young doctor inflects her grandfather’s folk tales with stories of her own coming of age, creating a vibrant collage of historical testimony that has neither date nor dateline. Obreht, who was born in Belgrade in 1985 but left at the age of 7, has recreated, with startling immediacy and presence, a conflict she herself did not experience.

NONFICTION

ARGUABLY

Essays.

By Christopher Hitchens. Twelve, $30.

Our intellectual omnivore’s latest collection could be his last (he’s dying of esophageal cancer). The book is almost 800 pages, contains more than 100 essays and addresses a ridiculously wide range of topics, including Afghanistan, Harry Potter, Thomas Jefferson, waterboarding, Henry VIII, Saul Bellow and the Ten Commandments, which Hitchens helpfully revises.

THE BOY IN THE MOON

A Father’s Journey to Understand His Extraordinary Son.

By Ian Brown. St. Martin’s Press, $24.99.

A feature writer at The Globe and Mail in Toronto, Brown combines a reporter’s curiosity with a novelist’s instinctive feel for the unknowable in this exquisite book, an account — at once tender, pained and unexpectedly funny — of his son, Walker, who was born with a rare genetic mutation that has deprived him of even the most rudimentary capacities.

MALCOLM X

A Life of Reinvention.

By Manning Marable. Viking, $30.

From petty criminal to drug user to prisoner to minister to separatist to humanist to martyr. Marable, who worked for more than a decade on the book and died earlier this year, offers a more complete and unvarnished portrait of Malcolm X than the one found in his autobiography. The story remains inspiring.

THINKING, FAST AND SLOW

By Daniel Kahneman. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $30.

We overestimate the importance of whatever it is we’re thinking about. We misremember the past and misjudge what will make us happy. In this comprehensive presentation of a life’s work, the world’s most influential psychologist demonstrates that irrationality is in our bones, and we are not necessarily the worse for it.

A WORLD ON FIRE

Britain’s Crucial Role in the American Civil War.

By Amanda Foreman. Random House, $35.

Which side would Great Britain support during the Civil War? Foreman gives us an enormous cast of characters and a wealth of vivid description in her lavish examination of a second battle between North and South, the trans-Atlantic one waged for British hearts and minds.

puzzle and poem

2011-12-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about getting a big fat jigsaw puzzle for when the
grand girls visit us at Christmas. One of those 1,000 piece ones.
Do they bring back sweet memories for you too? I know the
Blogmaid and family enjoy this non-tech activity in front of the fire
and just for your information, when I stopped smoking eons ago
I worked puzzle after puzzle to keep my fingers and mind busy.
Our museum stores sell a bunch of puzzles, especially right before
Thanksgiving, a family tradition for some.

Break
By Dorianne Laux

We put the puzzle together piece
by piece, loving how one curved
notch fits so sweetly with another.
A yellow smudge becomes
the brush of a broom, and two blue arms
fill in the last of the sky.
We patch together porch swings and autumn
trees, matching gold to gold. We hold
the eyes of deer in our palms, a pair
of brown shoes. We do this as the child
circles her room, impatient
with her blossoming, tired
of the neat house, the made bed,
the good food. We let her brood
as we shuffle through the pieces,
setting each one into place with a satisfied
tap, our backs turned for a few hours
to a world that is crumbling, a sky
that is falling, the pieces
we are required to return to.

let's return to Egypt

2011-12-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

Here is an email from Elizabeth, our red haired lawyer friend who
is building the B&B on the Nile:

Everyone here is excited about the election, most of the people I know
will be voting for the first time. The country has been divided into 3
sections and each votes 2 weeks apart...1st day was 11/28...this seems to
be a security measure due to protests and killings 2 weeks ago. Aswan
votes for 2 days starting 12/14. Some tourist have returned but I'd say only
%25 of normal. Also the temperature has been pretty cool. It should be
mid to upper 80's with mid 60's low but it hasn't been above 78 and is mid
50's at night. So no Nile swimming so far.

House is coming along and should be finished except for stairs to the roof
by the time I leave. I spent 8 hours scraping nasty masking tape off the
windows and doors they painted and am now using acetone and steel
wool to remove the adhesive, the workers here never truly finish the job,
always leave something for the next guy to clean up. I'm contemplating
selling for a few reasons. The air is becoming polluted with the increase
in cars (without catalytic converters) and in the villages cheap chinese
3 wheel motorcycle bench carts driven by 14 to 18 yr olds whizzing
around transporting people who used to walk to the main road. Also
they are still burning plastic bags and bottles, which are in use everywhere
now. A few years ago the only veiled women were tourists from iran/ Saudi
now I'd estimate 20% of the local women are veiled. The shops in the bazaar
play no music but the constant drone of the imam. The loudspeakers
broadcasting from the mosques are everywhere and not only the call to
prayer is broadcast but the whole 2 hour friday service and it is LOUD.

The worst change was the sale of land near my house to a rich man who
built a large villa. In order to build the villa he had to cut down a huge
gov't now so he went ahead and cut it. This changes the feeling of the
village since up until now the rich have stayed out of the nubian villages.
I'm hoping to hook up with a guy from England who runs a fishing business
on nearby Lake Nasser and is looking to buy, just trying to get a feel of
whether anyone would be interested. But I really love the house it is
peaceful and quite pretty and I enjoy my egyptian friends.

Hope to write more up beat stuff soon and send photos.

back to goldsworthy

2011-12-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Ginger and I hiked in the Presidio while Husbando
poked around the grounds, soaking in history. I took my Mrs.
Notthat-inspired walking sticks and was glad to have them because
there were some hills involved. It was a windy day, probably not the
best time to walk under trees, but only small branches were falling
on our heads. Here, again, is the Andy Goldsworthy spire that
remains untouched by graffiti despite the fact that it is completely
out in the open and unguarded. Either vandals respect it or don't
know about it. Andy will be working on another installation here
soon. We love that he returns to our fair (imperfect) city.

Then lunch at Liverpool Lil's ~ yummy burger and fries. A great day!

the kiddie corner

2011-12-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Nice to see Kingston again!

And here's his sister Lula - looking so much
like her Auntie Dancing Jen, don't you think?

marriage as comedy

2011-11-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last night be both appreciated a little known Tennessee Williams
play entitled Period of Adjustment at our favorite SF Playhouse
on Sutter Street. It's about two young married couples, learning
to adjust to each other and to the tribulations of living in America
during the Fifties. The men are Korean War vets and it all takes
place on Christmas Eve on a set that was designed so perfectly on
the smallest stage imaginable. Good job, SF Playhouse!

focus on the bay area

2011-11-29T06:18:00.000-08:00

We've kept an article from the right wing rag (SF Examiner) in
our green wicker To Do basket for many months. There's a photo
exhibit down at Pier 24 entitled HERE that consists of more than
700 (!) photographs of San Francisco. People, places, etc. It opened
in May and closes Dec. 16th. We talk about going about once a
week and finally yesterday I went online to reserve. Very few spaces
left, but we snagged a couple, thank goodness. This is my public
service announcement to my loyal, local readers. You book for a two
hour slot and amazingly, it's FREE. Do hurry...

crab boats are a crabbing!

2011-11-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

The "girls" at Alioto-Lazio Fish Company just emailed to announce
that the fishermen (and women) are racing down to their boats
in front of their store on Jefferson Street because the crab season
is finally, officially open. 1-888-673-5868 to order. Live or
cooked. Give them a couple of days to set their gear and we're
all good to go. Hooooooray!

saint misbehavin'

2011-11-27T06:10:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, we both really enjoyed the Wavy Gravy documentary
last night. He is a fixture in Berkeley, still living with his wife in a
commune and still smiling despite tremendous back pain and many
operations. There was some wonderful footage of the old days of
Woodstock, the Merry Pranksters and trips the groups would take
to every place on earth, including Pakistan. They were welcomed then
in tiny villages and remote outposts at the end of the world. That would
no longer be true, I'm sure.

Wavy Gravy appears at all sorts of events in the Bay Area. I sort of
thought of him as a doofus, but seeing Saint Misbehavin' made me
realize how much more there is to him and how much he has
contributed to the world.

I liked hearing from the children who grew up in this commune. Lordy,
they seem like such well adjusted adults. I know it might have been just
for the camera, but they would talk about how if they screwed up all
56 fathers would mention it and they quickly learned that it was easier
to do the right thing. Wavy's son lives in Philly in a traditional marriage
and he inherited his father's ready smile and upbeat persona. Good stuff.

always carry the camera

2011-11-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

An unexpected delight in our nabe last week. Now I'll tell you
a bit about having days off and learning to be a part-time worker,
full-time person. Let's get this out of the way first ~ no, I am not
writing and I'm OK with that right now. I love the idea of NaNoWriMo,
but it's not for me at this time. It's just too much work (1,600 words
a day, WTF?) and I can't seem to dig up any inspiration, let alone
talent. So no guilt. I will write something for Tiapos next Thurs.
night, but probably not more than 300 words.

So what do I do? Read, yes, some, mostly New Yorkers and the
Costco Connection. I walk every day with my iPhone and try to keep
my eyes peeled for little surprises like the above. I have a To Do List,
but it's so much shorter than it used to be because I have all this
time to get things done. I do the yoga every morning overlooking the
city at home and once a week I take the class where they fix every
thing I've been doing wrong since the last session.

Oh, and I cook. I make the salad every night and fix a light lunch
or dinner every 2nd or 3rd day. And mostly I try to get used to
having time and not stressing about work. I am sleeping better and
if I have a restless night I can nap in the afternoon. Husbando is
adapting to me being at home, but he doesn't mind one bit when I
head out for some reason or other. Vice versa, needless to say.
We both love our alone time.

So far so good. Thanks for asking...

picture perfect Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

Turkey cooked to perfection

Rita brought the famous Sacripantina from
Stella Pastry in North Beach

The after ~ lots of food, talking, laughter and thankfulness

And today? For probably 20 years I had to work retail on Black
Friday. Agony. Today I went to yoga ~ just me and two teachers.
I am feeling peaceful and now for my daily walk, maybe a nap
and start on that Xmas 2011 list. Well, I mean I'll set it up on
the MsBook, not actually shop.

day of gratitude

2011-11-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

Once again our thoughtful daughter, Nancy, sent us flowers for the
Thanksgiving table and our dinner will be at 4pm, as per usual.
Only 6 again this year and by now we have so many notes and
shortcuts that it will be easy and pleasant. Son John and his
wife (Kathy), Jennie and Rita are our guests ~ I'm not even baking
pies this year as Rita is bringing a dessert from North Beach. I'll
get a photograph or two along the way.

It's dreary and grey outside, but I do need a walk before all that
food, so I'll close and wish you all a v. happy Thanksgiving and
put on my walking shoes. Thank you, readers and friends and family.

Happy, happy birthday!

2011-11-23T06:58:00.000-08:00

11.23.11

11.23.03

Blogmaid and RR in 2003

RR's new birthday dress

Girls' snuggle slumber party

RR's first Thanksgiving

The turkey hasn't changed...

answered prayers

2011-11-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Proving once again that agnostic prayers work too. Yesterday I
went walking on MY 24th Street. There are two distinct 24th Streets
and I love them both ~ mine is from Potrero to Church and is
filled with all things South of the Border. The smells will knock
you over because every other store front is a restaurant. Hardly
anyone speaks English. The other 24th Street is in Noe Valley
where the rents are high and there are double wide strollers, lots of
dogs and well-dressed (casually elegant) folks sipping non-fat lattes
and clicking through their iPhones without surcease. But still a
great place to walk...

OK, so I see this new green sign on my 24th Street yesterday.
Alley Cats bookstore is going to open. I can walk there, a new
used shop filled with treats for me to browse through. I went in
to welcome the owner and express my immense pleasure. It
looks like they are about a week away from opening. Imagine, a
bookstore is opening, not closing. I believe this is (like) at
Harrison and 24th, but I'll give you more details at a later date.
We need to give them lots of business!

the year anniversary

2011-11-21T07:14:00.000-08:00

It's already a year since Michael and I said our final
goodbyes. Forever after Thanksgiving will include the
memory of the City of Hope and the immense sorrow
of losing a dear friend. I still can't bring myself to read
his many emails, but I'm glad I have them and some
day I'll open them one-by-one, precious treasures from
the past. One thing I've learned this time ~ every grief
is different and this has been one of the worst.

Michael used to ask me to send him poems because it
was probably the ONE thing he didn't really know or
understand. He loved words and word play, so of course
he appreciated whatever favorite poems I would send him.

At this point I want to thank the Blogmaid again for
driving me to/fro along stinky Freeway 5 and helping me
do the necessary, the unthinkable last year ~
the permanent goodbye.

Death Sets a Thing Significant
Emily Dickinson

Death sets a thing significant
The eye had hurried by,
Except a perished creature
Entreat us tenderly

To ponder little workmanships
In crayon or in wool,
With "This was last her fingers did,"
Industrious until

The thimble weighed too heavy,
The stitches stopped themselves,
And then 't was put among the dust
Upon the closet shelves.

A book I have, a friend gave,
Whose pencil, here and there,
Had notched the place that pleased him,--
At rest his fingers are.

Now, when I read, I read not,
For interrupting tears
Obliterate the etchings
Too costly for repairs

staying adaptable, SF style

2011-11-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

Cozzolino's ~ our nabe restaurant

Blum's famous crunch cake ~ made in Japantown

Last night was the final day of our week long b.day celebration for
me, me, me. We were going to have a cracked crab dinner because the
season opened on 11/15 this year, but the crabbers and the boaters are
having a dispute. So last night our friends were gracious enough to
hike up and down about 3 blocks (in the rain) to Cafe Cozzolino where
we wolfed down lots of carbonara, lasagne and sausage pasta and
then returned here to Casa Verde for the triumphant presentation of
the famous Koffee Krunch Cake that used to be served at Blum's
(which went out of business about 20 or so years ago, I think).
There was an article in the chronny about the guy who creates this ~
his tiny bakery is in Japantown, of all places.

Husbando and I so enjoyed our friends, the food and that incredible
cake. Thank you everyone, especially Husbando, who picked up the
tab and who keeps me sane in an insane world.

my winter essential

2011-11-19T07:18:00.000-08:00

A fire on a cold morning is one of life's greatest pleasures. I remember
so many wonderful weekends away in Tahoe cabins, Mendocino rentals,
Sea Ranch homes, cottages in Carmel, hotels in the wine country.
I always checked to make sure there was a fireplace when I reserved.

If a writer wants to muse, she needs the fire. When we were house
hunting back in the days of yore I only wanted two things: a view
and a fireplace. Got 'em. Of course we are stuck with the smallest
bathroom on the West Coast (and only one, alas) and a few other
obnoxious details that I'd change, but right now, this morning,
I'm appreciating the fireplace and the warmth of our home. Ah yes,
I'm fully aware of NO BURN days and I respect them ~ just not yet,
please and thank you.

it's (gulp) official

2011-11-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report that it's just as much fun (almost) to go
downtown now as it was 30 plus years ago. The tree is UP in
Union Square and I looked for the Blogmaid here, she is an
ice skater, after all. Not too crazy with people yet and of course
the puppies and kittens aren't in Macy's windows ~ but soon.
The season is upon us, adjust.

Then I took the F street car (Philadelphia, 1948) to the Castro
to meet my friend Ken (the person) who treated me to lunch
at American Chow. We had much to discuss and it was a lovely
two hours. I am handling this part-time work life just fine!

Mexican sage just smells musty, to me, Mushy.

some call them weeds

2011-11-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

The whole bay area is awash in Mexican Sage currently. These
are relative new comers to the hill right in front of our house
and a most welcome addition to the nabe. We had one in the
back yard at some point and it quickly tripled in size in the v.
small space, so we had to yank it. But now we have these nearby
and I'm very pleased about that. Can we cook with this sage?

some love lasts forever

2011-11-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

Take two people, two really interesting people, who haven't seen each
other in 20 years. They share a son and lots of memories; some good
and some very bad. One had a drinking problem and the other couldn't
fix it. Just two people ~ Rod Gnapp and Denise Cormier are the superb
actors and the play by Shar White is Annapurna at the Magic Theatre.
Oh, such an intense 90 minutes of back-and-forth, sorrow and laughter.
It ends December 4th, and truly, it's a fabulous experience. You'll see...

Cheese sandwiches overlooking the Marina Safeway beforehand. Yes!

best burger ever

2011-11-15T08:12:00.001-08:00

When we enter this grey, industrial looking restaurant on Mariposa
(near Potrero) we tell the ever-changing 18 year old greeter-seater
that the small table to the left is OUR table and may we please sit
there? And everyone is always friendly and despite the fact that this is
one of those hi-tech kind of restaurants, it is one of our very favorite
lunch spots. GREAT caesar salad and truly scrumptious burgers,
cooked just the way we want them ~ rare for me, medium rare for
Husbando. Need I mention the thin, crisp french fries? That was
the highlight of a lovely day off yesterday that started early with the
first fireplace fire of the season.

gourmet mexican food

2011-11-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

not a bite left over on Doug's plate (or Husbando's)

my pollo perfecto

Last night the Great Plotniks treated us to a FABULOUS meal at
Regalito (18th and Valenica) and I so enjoyed my chicken while Doug
and Husbando had pork in some sort of luscious sauce, along with
black beans, of course. Dessert was the best churrizo ever, crusty with
sugar and cinnamon, served with Mexican hot chocolate. Some bread
pudding too, with very strong and rich coffee.. Oh, yum. Next time we
go (soon I hope) I will try Barb's enchiladas verde, they looked
scrumptious, but I was too busy scarfing down to photograph everything.
Wonderful time with our friends, as always. We be thankful.

Elsa & Fred

2011-11-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

We watched this sweet (but not cloying) film last night. It mostly
takes place in Madrid and don't forget to click the subtitle feature.
Alfredo and Elsa are neighbors and they fall in love. Oddly enough
it's not exactly a smooth nor predictable romantic comedy. Rent it.

I needed a quiet day around the house ~ running errands, reading,
walking, cooking and napping. Oooooops, I keep forgetting to write
in my novel, I'm a few millions words behind, but I think I'll add a
few hundred right about now, or after breakfast, or...

scenes from a wedding

2011-11-12T09:06:00.001-08:00

The famous Swedenborgian Church (Lyon and Washington)
was drafted by Bernard Maybeck. I'd never been
inside and it is a delight. The fireplace in the back of the room
crackled because our Nov. drizzle arrived yesterday.
All wooden warmth with lots and lots of candles.

I work with Lucy (belle) the bride. A
beautiful and very special young woman.

She married Laszlo yesterday afternoon and
friends and family gathered together to celebrate the couple.

Lucy and Jodi

Chris drove up from San Luis Obispo

Rita (left) came from Colorado ~ remember her from
the Denver Museum visit? Jodi is next to her here.

After the wedding ceremony we all gathered at the Pacific Rod and
Gun Club out there at Lake Merced. Much light and laughter. When
I bitch about work, I need to stop and remember all the amazing
friends that I have met at the museums in the past 3 years.

Lucy's relatives from Indiana were here and her husband's parents
and sister arrived from Hungary. Delicious food and much joy. The
language barriers always make for unusual happenings, don't they?

Now this blogger needs a few days without social gatherings. Know
what I mean? Except for Sunday night, of course, when we have a
very late lunch with The Plotniks...

no opera, but that's OK

2011-11-11T06:41:00.000-08:00

To our amazement, Don Giovanni was sold out last night, so no
bargain tix available. Drat. Instead we decided to go to the Jewish
Contemporary Museum to see the Rabbi's son, but first and foremost
LUNCH. There is a new Turtle Tower at the unusual location of 6th
and Bryant, right next to all the bailsbondspeople and the jail and
all those lawyers. Very easy to get to on many bus lines, so we
took the #27 Bryant and had a fine and v. reasonable lunch. There
was a line outside at 11:45am, but it moved quickly. Good food and
we saw a woman with her own chopsticks ~ fold-up in a pretty case.
Ellen will like that!
This is an interesting exhibit. Houdini not only knew magic, he
understood crowds and our fear of enclosed spaces, heights and
drowning. At one of his events there were 80,000 watching him
dangle from a building. Fascinating stuff.