goodbye

• Summerland
• Carpenteria
• Montecito 
• Ginger, Hoan, Pam, Boise, Joey, Lenny, David, Richard, Dana,
• Cherie, Joe, Laurie, four dogs, great walks and lovely memories

extra thankful

Sunshine at my Starbucks in Carp

The traditional walk on Padaro Beach

12 for dinner ~ all was smooth and delicious

To be with friends old and new, Husbando, many dogs, good health,
no cooking or dishes, computers and emails to keep me connected
with the home front, only a few homeless here and Sunshine belongs
to one of them, lots of walking and talking, pretty good sleep (never
great anymore, is it?), ocean, sky, sun, clouds and now to meet Pam,
friend of the Seahorse ~ we'll raise our coffee cups to him. Thanks
for the long run-on-and-on sentence, Ms. Commano.

Thanksgiving and more!

My friend Bev sent this e-card. Many thanks for that. We had a fine and very
sunny day in Carp yesterday, then joined Ginger, three dogs and Mr. and Ms.
Boise for chicken tacos. Today there is some grey, but it will be a glorious
day no matter what. Husbando, friends (the women I went to Italy with)
and so, so much to be thankful for. Happy Hanukkah too. Tomorrow I'll
send you a bunch of photos on blogspot.com. Enjoy the day, gratitude abounds.

photos tell the story

Monday night dinner at AJ Spurr ($36 for two and huge!) Grover City

Tuesday lunch in Carpinteria - sitting outside (Zooker's)

Cottage in Carp

The beach at Carpinteria - can it get any prettier?

I always love park benches with sentiment

sunrise over pismo beach

temporary Ken car

The real Ken is in hospital for plastic surgery, so we are driving a rental
and my, what a difference from 2000 to 2013. It's also a Toyota Corolla, but
it feels like a Cadillac to us. I think it's a little bigger than Ken, but it will
be perfect for our ROAD TRIP to Santa Barbara.  We leave in about an
hour, so scurry I must. Will check in from the HIX tomorrow.

three year anniversary

beach walking in SB ~ 08/2005

Impossible as it seems, it was three years ago today when the Seahorse
died. I hate that some memories fade, don't you? On the other hand, one
can't live with intense grief forever. And he gave me Anna and Pam and
about a million emails that I still can't bring myself to re-read. He was a
MOST unusual man. I hope you are finally at peace, Michael, but I doubt it...

today's the day!

Our most wonderful Ryan Rosemary is ten years old this very day.
Beautiful inside, outside and as smart as can be. We all celebrate
this perfect girl child of the Blogmaid and her Bill. And let's not
forget her sister, Claire, who comes back to Pumpkinville this week.
Happy, happy birthday, dear RR.

when writers gather

Sarah looks at Doug skeptically

Our leader, Jane, couldn't host Tiapos last nght, so we gathered at Casa
Verde for some good solid laughter. We were also missing Hedi and Eric,
but it was a fine celebration and at the end we all sang "Somewhere Over
the Rainbow" and I thanked my lucky, lucky stars once again that I am
part of this glorious group of strange and talented people. To my amazement,
I've been a Tiapos member now for ten years....hard to believe, I still often
feel like a newcomer.

step daughter rocks (again)

Ceci and her mother, Nancy

Nancy sent me two great books by a writer from the Chicago Tribune named
Mary Schmich. I had never heard of her, but already I'm liking her a lot.
This is from the little book Wear Sunscreen A Primer for Real Life.

Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying
is as effective as trying to
solve an algebra equation
by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life
are apt to be things that never
crossed your worried mind,
the kind that blindside you at
four p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

new art in the nabe

OK, enough tooth talk. I am fine and thanks for bearing with me. Here
we have a newly painted garage door on Alabama Street. For many days
I'd walk by the youngish woman doing the detailed painting. Her arm
must have been so tired, but she didn't stop. It's a celebration of Bernal
Heights and San Francisco. I love it.

and a side of cottage cheese, please

All is well here after we said bye-bye to #14. I was a little shaky and tired
yesterday, so I stayed in bed reading the most wonderful Goldfinch book
and napping on and off. Husbando brought me assorted soups, tea, banana
and cottage. I called in "sick" today because I have lots of hours and it's
a "use if or lose it" policy. And because I just need one more day to recover.
So glad that's over, we all know that grateful post-surgery feeling, don't we?

goodbye #14

Yuck, remind me not to poke around on the web for photos and stories
about tooth extraction. This morning we remove one of my problem teeth,
the one I've invested thousands of dollars and too many hours hanging
upside down in Dr. Wong's chair with. Today Dr. Im is going to yank
the sucker. He said the process will be easier than some of my dental
experiences. I have lots of pills and soup and Husbando will see me
through this less-than-perfect day. (I see a problem sentence up there
with some bad wording, but I need to rush and not do a rewrite. Sorry.)

speaking of love

In the window of a little shop on Grant Avenue, San Francisco. When love
was new, Husbando was offered a fabulous job somewhere in Nebraska or
Iowa, and I was forced to say, "you're going alone," and we are both so
glad that I could be that stubborn when it comes to living in the Best City in
the world. I didn't say perfect, but still the Best.

liver, bacon and onions

Original Joe's serves the best

Husbando picks up the tab

North Beach under blue skies

Husbando treated Ginger and the b.day woman to lunch yesterday and it
was a lovely day indeed. We three have been friends FOREVER and are
all so fortunate to 1) be here 2) be healthy 3) be meat eaters. We did some
walking before and after eating too much and may we now also add Public
Transportation to our gratitude list? It seems like Muni is getting more
dependable and of course Ginger takes BART and we always love that,
except for the (grrrrrrrrrrr) strikes. Thank you for such a fine b.day and
now, off to work for two days.

my day (so far)

what could be healthier?

Lunch with the Blogmaid, my dear friend for more than 20 years. She who
knows me so well, probably better than I know myself, to be a bit cliché
ridden today. We gained a few pounds and clogged a few arteries at Rock'n
Rob's in Pathetica. Talked and laughed about our lives over chocolate milk
shakes, burger, tuna melt and fries. Then some coffee so we could drive
home safely before the afternoon naps. Thank you, Blogmaid, I needed
to see your beautiful face and catch up on some ATT (At Table Talk), even
though our daily emails cover so much. Love from Mary Om...

you know that feeling?

I'm deliberately trying to read slowly because I don't want this GREAT
book to ever be over. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is the very best
book I've read in a long time. It's been compared to a Dickinsonian
novel and I can see why. Unexpected twists, a wealth of rich details
that are never overwritten, perfect description of the emotions of a
young boy and delightful characters and settings. Sheeeeesh, I
bow to the author. I'm half way through, slow down, Ms. Stein.

the easiest way

...to send a little money to help the people in the Philippines is to
text "AID" and 27722. $10 will be donated and will be charged
to you on your next phone bill. Thanks Rachel Maddow...

the zen of zorn

Anders Zorn (1860-1920) is one of Sweden's most famous artists and this
is a major exhibit of about 100 pieces of his work. At the Legion of Honor
last Saturday, there were many people dressed in traditional Swedish garb
and everyone was delighted with the show. Several knowledgeable guests
told me that we had more Zorn masterpieces than they had ever seen,
including in the Swedish museums. I had not heard of Mr. Zorn, but his
work is truly beautiful. Through February 2nd.

blood in the water

In 2008, a group of activists and filmmakers went to Taiji, Japan to film
the massacre of dolphins in a small, heavily guarded cove. A few were
selected to be trained in Sea World type places across the world, the
others killed for the meat. Dolphins have a high degree of mercury in
their systems and really, should not be consumed. The Cove is a beautiful
documentary, except for the horrid killings. Inspirational, truly (from the
Flix®, of course).

two years plus

When I hosted the one and only shower of my life two years ago in September,
they had just started on this huge remo of Caser Chavez (aka Army Street).
This is a major thoroughfare here in our city, about three blocks from Casa
Verde. The hapless car drivers never know which lane (or street) will be
blocked off and all the side streets get clogged and (surprise) tempers flare.
They are adding bike lanes which will be a whole new and dangerous
ballgame since some bikers forget about simple rules of the road. Anyway,
they are now planting trees and it won't be much longer. In defense of
the workers, they worked long and hard every day except Sunday and had
to put up with all sorts of difficulties. SF must have lots of $$$$ (we vote
Democratic, you know) because almost every single street here is getting
work. Barriers, blockades, holes, sewers, asphalt ~ not easy, but necessary.

miniature miracle

Behold my bonsai laptop! Thanks to Blogmaid for the research, Husbando for
the gift money and Amazon for the speedy service, I have the oh so perfect
Zagg Zagg keyboard for the my mini iPad. I never/ever got used to the flat
keyboard on the otherwise almost-perfect mini, but now here I am, ready
for fun and, I hope, travel. I'm still learning a few things like (here we go again)
how to cut and paste, add photos, etc. but as soon as I have a few moments,
or hours, away we go. I'm so glad to live in the genius age...

such a privilege

Yesterday we were mesmerized for 95 minutes by David Strathairn at ACT.
Underneath the Lintel is the story of a lonely librarian who goes on a
search for the Wandering Jew. It is funny, sad and perfectly wonderful.
Now through November 17th ~ treat yourself!

lots of little plates

Lolindo's is an Argentinian steak house in the heart of the Mission (at 21st)
and by the time we finished waaaaaaaaaay too much food, the joint was
packed, all with people under 40 and where DO they get the money? John
the Good treated us because he is testing this place for a business dinner,
oh, man, were we the lucky ones. This is one of those "we all share" kind
of restaurants and we did: grilled artichokes, mushrooms, steak, pork bellies,
pork chop, spinach empinadas (sp?), ceviche, chorizo and coffee for dessert.
Stuffed. Couldn't sleep as we usually have salad and pasta for dinner,
maybe chicken on a special night.  And it wasn't too loud so we could
catch up on family gossip ~ the bigger the family, the more the news...

equal time

...for canines. There was a lot of dog turnover since last week and I'm always
pleased to have fewer mouths to feed, especially the ones who have been
with us too long, or when I hear that a pair was taken home together. Sweet.
Really, it's such a fine organization ~ please send money to your local animal shelter.

ensnared again

I'm looking over my week and redoing my To Do List and wishing I
hadn't booked quite so much. Here we go, in no particular order or logic:

• mani/pedi
• spca
• 24 LITE
• work 4 days (one too many)
• dinner with son John the Good (his invite)
• ACT
• meet with Dr. Im re removal of tooth #14
• order Husbando some glasses online
• read and critique Eric's piece for Tiapos
• prepare short piece for Tiapos
• call Mollie (remembering that I hate the phone)
• watch Scandal on Roku (great fun)
• daily write as Round Robin sub

day of the dead

Yesterday I walked home from a great (!) writing class and happened
upon this wonderful street scene. Last night was the annual Day of the
Dead walk and this is a craft table and face painting stand at 24th
and Bryant Street. The last photo is outstanding, no?

speaking of books (were we?)

just finished

just beginning

I will be forever grateful to Linda for giving me (!) the first LindaKindle
because I got hooked early on. Of course I still read REAL books, but
there is something special about climbing into bed with the type size
large enough so I don't need glasses and tapping away until the thing
falls on my nose. I also use it at the gym while I'm biking and bitching.
LindaKindle2 is superior to the first model in many ways, but I always
think of my friend when I pick it up to get lost.

Night Film was an exuberant novel and since most of it takes place
in NYC it held my interest. The characters are exceedingly interesting
and there is lots of (unbelievable) action. I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 rating.

The Goldfinch has a strong beginning, also in NYC. I'm a huge fan
of Donna Tartt and I also saw the painting that the title is based on
recently at the deYoung. Remember the little finch CHAINED to
a small shelf?

day of the dentists

So much for Halloween. The above photo is from Dr. Yee's office at 450
Sutter (of course). I also visited Right Wing Wong in Oakland and Dr. Im
in SF. All because of one tooth that has been giving me fits and starts for
too many years. #14 will be removed in the near future and I'm OK with that.
You can see that it was a beautiful day in MY city. Keep flossing...