like a bird on a wire

 I snapped this photo yesterday before sunset because the crows were all lined up there on the right. This city has magical light this time of year, in my opinion, and that is one of the reasons artists flock (get it?) here. This Leonard Cohen song from 1969 has always appealed to me:

Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Like a worm on a hook
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee

there is work to do

 I need to get busy watching these nominations, which I was going to print out and drop in here for you, but I do not have time this morning, so you will need to do your own research. In the meantime, the fun ceremony will be on Sunday, January 11th, 5pm, and this is already in my 2026 calendar. 

we love the aroma

 I bought some overpriced green sprigs (technically probably little branches) to bring the smell of the holidays into our home since I don't DO the tree anymore. Annabelle was a bit too appreciative and I keep an eye on her after watching all the fun videos of cats and xmas trees on Instagram.

my writing life

 Sis gave me this delightful book which I am loving so much. I have been writing on an almost daily basis now for 25 plus years. This past week I wrote with Chef Sarah up in Napa. We can and do write freely with one another and I treasure her friendship. She said I could use her paragraph here and I do so because it expresses my feelings so perfectly. (Tiapos is the name of our writing group, as you may remember: This is a piece of shit.) Sarah's writing is definitely not, while mine often is. Here from Sarah Scott:

All this made me appreciate all the years with Jane and Tiapos up to the present and the format of reading with an emphasis on positive feedback and never telling someone what to do or how to do it. The generosity of fellow writers listening, considering with care, commenting with finesse, wisdom and mostly kindness is a precious gift. It provides a safe space to share imperfect, intimate, newborn writing. 

 

 

animal world

 I did some dog sitting for Jen and Stacie's two rascals (Charli and Birdie) yesterday afternoon and that worked out well as a delicious tuna sandwich was included in the deal. Then last night Lynn next door (who is visiting from Puerto Rico) brought me yummy miso soup. Annabelle adores Lynn and managed to knock her coat to the floor and snuggle there which is unusual behavior for my cat, but sweet for sure.

catch this documentary

 Mariska Hargitay has always been a favorite actor of mine, mostly from all her work on Law & Order. My Mom Jayne is very well done, in my opinion. The interviews with her brothers and sisters tell us so much and of course the shocking death of her glamorous and talented mother, Jayne Mansfield. This is on HBO Max and I think it will win awards in 2026. Ah, family.

books are back downtown

t

 Ah, nice. The Best Bookstore has opened at 226 Powell Street in Union Square. Small, warm and friendly and already busy. I had a chat with the owner and I certainly wish him well. The shelf labels were all still hand written and he was still stocking, but everyone, please support all bookstores everywhere.