hi, I'm b-a-c-k!

I have always loved Flickr but somewhere I "lost" my I.D. and
elusive ever changing Password and I got pissed off and ignored
this wonderful site for a quite a few years. But I did some sleuthing
recently because Flickr sent me an email about terabytes and
megapixels and I unearthed the secret words and what a happy
surprise. Not only did I find some Friend Requests, assorted
strangers had "liked" and commented on several of my old photos.
Plus, it was special checking out my old pictures in that setting.

recapping last night

Tiapos met at 7pm and it was after 10 (eeeeee gads) when I got home.
There were nine of us and we had a great time. Special pats on the back
to The Great Plotnik who reviewed his 50th high school reunion and
to Will's poem "The Girl With the Parole Hearing" ~ also congrats to
Linda who is this close to getting another book published, Sarah's
wonderful pieces on charm school in Atlanta and egg erotica. Oooooh.
Eric read a true story about a visitor in a rental home in Florida, Randy
and Jane with their gorgeous poetry, Hedi's novel was revised a bit
and I had a piece about our neighbor. Fine, fine, fine...

shhhhhhhh, listen...

For all of us who like hearing other peoples' conversations. The "hero"
(ahem) in By Blood listens through the wall to the therapist and her
client next door. Usually the sound machine is on, but this patient doesn't
like it, and we get to be part of the analysis. The listener has had lots of
therapy himself, so he is very attuned to the whole process. I have this
on my new not-LindaKindle® and it's a great book to read electronically.
Next I'll download The Bug by Ms. Ullman, and thanks for the recommen-
dation, Susan. I'm half way through this novel and enjoying it immensely.

the 4th and final piece

not from our garden

(from that Saturday night event ~ Jane wanted me to end with this one...)

WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT TOMATOES (the prompt)

Actually, a lot. Amazing, no? My mother sprinkled sugar on sliced tomatoes
and I sometimes long to do that myself. I have a nice relationship with
this fruit and/or vegetable, except when it's served all mushed up, stewed,
to be exact. Too yucky.

Now, growing them is a different matter entirely, especially here in SF.
My husband clipped an article out of the chronny the other day and
it suggested that we try "Early Girl" tomatoes instead of the "San
Francisco Fog" that we all buy because we think it will flourish here
during the days and months of potato soup-like summer weather.

Every summer we plant tomatoes and sometimes we have good luck,
most times not. They all seem to grow with the green stalks and the little
pre-fruit flowers, but then zilch product-wise. Very discouraging. I
think if we were to count the amount of money we spend on watering
the stubborn little shits we'd end up rushing to Whole Foods and
spending 1/2 a week's salary without regret.

In August, I do make the great tomato side dish with red onion,
vinegar and oil, lemon juice and parsley. For this we do actually break
open our piggy banks and splurge at Whole Foods. There is such a
variety then ~ reds, orange, yellow, green and even purple tomatoes.
I marinate them all day and sometimes this is our entire dinner, along
with some excellent crusty sourdough bread. Oh, hurry summer!
03/05/08

kitten season begins

Some delightful color on Harrison Street

Oh, my...

Brother and sister ~ 6 weeks old

Prepare for cute. It was an uneventful day at the SPCA, other than some
unexpected hot weather on the walk back home. Dog feeding was smoother
than usual, but just like other companies that I have worked for, things
disappear: bowls, spoons, etc. In the corporate world is was always the
search for the one stapler that worked, a pair of scissors ~ you know how
it goes. Another good reason to work from home where everything is
always in its place, usually...

back to Mission Bay

Lunch

Houseboats and add-ons

We avoided the Bay to Breakers insanity yesterday by heading down to walk
Mission Bay and what glorious weather we are having! The garlic fries from
the lunch truck were excellent, but the tacos were below average. It was
a delightful day and this has become our second favorite walk, after Crissy.
The rest of the day was spent reading and doing chores, but not too much
of the latter, thankfully.

better than expected

The Flix® sent us Silver Linings for our Saturday night "there is NOTHING on
TV!" weekly movie adventure and we both enjoyed it more than we thought we
would. The Robert De Niro-as-dad role was especially believable and I think
the mental illness theme rang true. Of course the ending was contrived, but we
all need some happy silver lining kind of stuff, so there. I only destroyed 1/2
Kleenex® and I really didn't even need that, so don't be afraid, notthat.