Monday, June 30, 2014

second season

I hope you are watching this on PBS. Last Tango in Halifax is the
story of an old couple (they reunited on Facebook) and their strange
and typically less-than-perfect children. Great fun with a touch of
Kleenex® daubing every now and then.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Hoan's world

I've had this on my To Do List since I returned from Santa Barbara -
"link Hoan's blog to mine" and this morning, with only a little bit of
hi tech frustration, I accomplished the feat. Joan is a reknowned bird
expert and naturalist and she has published a couple of best selling
books which you can read about on her blog, over to the right (alpha
under Blog). Joan/Hoan and I went to the University of Colorado
together, as you might remember.

One of the things I like so much about blogging is the easy reference
it provides. Today I urge you to check out Great Plotnik as well
as Hoan's blog.  Oh, hell, check out The All of It too, she had a
scary plane ride to San Diego. You might avoid the Go Giants! link.

Eye much better, enjoy Pride Parade and ALL those crowds today!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

highly recommended

This is from HBO and they always do such a great job with documentaries.
The Case Against 8 is a behind-the-scene look at the historic fight against
Proposition 8 and the untenable discrimination against same sex marriage.
It's interesting seeing ALL the lawyers, watching them strategize and then
getting to know the two couples who filed the lawsuit. Inspiring, truly.

My eye is de-fuzzing slowly and I was able to drive and work yesterday.
Thanks, dear readers, for your concern. Now could we direct that to our
hapless baseball team?

Friday, June 27, 2014

on my Lindakindle2

This is JK Rowling's second adult mystery and yes, I like her very
much and it's fun to be in the heart of London. I have reset the Kindle
for my temporary limited vision, about 4 big words per page, and
how did folks read before this wonderful invention after cataract
surgery? The Silkworm - I have NO idea what the title means yet,
but I sure love the characters.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

the weirdness of baseball

Just when we are down and out, just when 50 million fans want to get rid of
Timmy Lincecum for inconsistent pitching and walking every other batter,
bam! he throws a no hitter yesterday. His second. Timmy is a hero again,
and such a cute, pot-smoking guy and this time it was a home game. Ginger
and her sister were there and said that they were in tears. I had just finished
my Scandal-watch-with-bad-eye and we turned on the game to just see if
maybe we could win a game for a change, and wowza, we got to watch the
bottom of the 8th and top of the 9th. What a thrill. Damn, baseball is not
the easiest sport in the world to endure. Speaking of which, soccer today,
the World Cup and it's USA vs. Germany. Sigh.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

dorffie does corn

I'm indebted to the Blogmaid for blog fodder this week. And for much else,
of course. I have had the second cataract changed out and I can't see very
well - tomorrow will be better I hope. Or else...

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

catching up with RR

She is looking royal here with Derby (Derbs, Derber) and over the weekend
they won some more competitions. RR is 10.5 years old now and her activities
are such fun to read about. She is a lucky little girl to live a block away from
the ocean (with 3 cats) and to have such wonderful parents and a delightful
sister too. Needless to say, she does well in school and deserves this happy
vacation time for herself and Mr. Derbs.

Monday, June 23, 2014

memory lane


ON THE ROAD (a Round Robin prompt from last week)

Ah yes, the freedom of the Great American Highway. Sounds lovely, no? No.
Not anymore. Now a road trip means back aches and traffic jams ~ please do
not mention flat tires or other, even more expensive, car problems.

When I was growing up in Pasadena, my parents loved to "go driving" on a
Sunday afternoon. Sometimes we would have lunch out in some remote
little town, but often we'd just pile into the big old Buick and head off. My
father would drive and I think he loved being in control, because mother
usually held that honor.

My brother would wrangle for the front seat, but if he was forced to sit in
back with me he would hit and pinch me and then when I cried Daddy
would pull the car over and Mother would issue either a "Stop that now!"
or she would slap one or both of us. No, not child abuse.

If memory serves me correctly, and it often doesn't, we could take our
doxie Hexa on these drives. She always made life more tolerable.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

some summer angst (and fun)

The Way Way Back is about a teen boy and all that entails. Only half
a Kleenex®, but certainly enjoyable with Toni Colette, Steve Carell
and Allison Janey. It takes place on some East Coast seaside resort
and there is lots of action at a water playground splash-splash spot.
In DVD form from the Flix®.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

mornings at seven

Well, make that 6am. One day last week I decided to go for a morning walk.
I usually make very strong coffee, head down to my office and this MsBook
computer. But I needed to do some thinking and we all know that walking
is the best way to solve problems, so out I went with my iPhone and $5.00.
It is so quiet, ultra quiet. Lovely, truly. People with dogs started walking
about 6:30 and then I hit Charlie's for an outside latte and time to just sit
and watch all the activity in Precita Park. I will be doing more of this.
Did I solve some "issues"? Yes, indeed I did.

Friday, June 20, 2014

some superb pizza


Last night I took Husbando for an early dinner over on Mission Street - we
finally hit Pizza Hacker and yes indeed, we do recommend this restaurant
that started as a pop-up - working street fairs and bars. It has that old fashioned
feel, but the pizza has a delicately thin crust and the salad was exceptional
too. Try as anyone might, restaurant pizza is just plain better, it must be the
ovens. (Same with sand dabs, don't try those at home.) Since I have been working
so much, Husbando has been cooking for me every night and he deserved
a treat, and one within walking distance from home. Many stars...

Thursday, June 19, 2014

BD Wong!

Yesterday we went to ACT to see The Orphan of Zhao - an old Chinese
play about power, corruption and self-sacrifice. The cast was terrific and
there was enough singing and movement to hold our interest, even though
it was a two and a half hour long play. The theater was sold out and Mr.
Wong and cast got a standing O. Well worth seeing - in our opinion.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

we all get a day off...

Back tomorrow, this blogger is just a bit world-weary and word-weary today.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

the new SPCA

cat play room

cat in cable car

indoor dog play area (fake grass)

yuck - temp. dog room during re-mo

Mr. Bojangles

human play area
This major remodel has been going on since January. It has been difficult for
everyone, especially the dogs who had to stay in very dreary cages in the
temporary facilities (the old animal hospital). The "dog kitchen" is still not
finished, so we work in the old building and cart the dishes over, but it is
so nice to see the new changes and everything is finally coming together. I
have been volunteering for two plus years now and my admiration for the
SPCA is higher now than it was when I started!

Monday, June 16, 2014

a little nugget for Monday




Heard Tell
 
of the time a Civil War soldier was overheard
planning an attack on a Shelton-Laurel farm
out near Allanstand—the man who over-
heard this then decided to warn that farmer.
This man, who was known at the time as
a "slave" slipped out by night to save that
family. It had started to snow. So as not to be
tracked, he walked the whole way across the
cold white mountains—backwards.
                                     for Jerry Plemmons


Lee Ann Brown

In the Laurels, Caught
Fence Books

Sunday, June 15, 2014

yes, we have no tomatoes

We aren't growing any this year because they use soooooo much water.
Come August and September we will really miss them, but I'm sure
that next year will be better. When we did the drought back in the 70's
it was all new and horrible and I was sure that we'd have to live with
hardly any water forever. So we will probably endure some floods in
October and on into 2015. Nature, she is a mother and we do not treat
our earth very kindly. Oh, please do not hose down your sidewalk or
giant SUV in front of me - I can be combustible during a drought.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

opening today

I'll go in early today to view this collection of 75 vintage prints from
Anthony Friedkin: The Gay Essay. Friedkin is a surfer and photographer
and started this project back in 1969, when gays were just starting to
come out in California. Through January 11th at the deYoung.

Friday, June 13, 2014

who knew?

The corn at Costco looks horrid - pale and plastic; a corporate package of
eight half ears. However, our Santa Barbara friend Ginger told us to try
it and just be surprised. Yesterday we did and we were. After cooking, it
is that glorious dark yellow corn that we can't seem to find anymore.
And it is full of flavor. Wonderful! So we are freezing the other six half
ears and we'll see how that works. Anyway, that is my cooking tip for
2014, hope Rachel Ray isn't getting nervous.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

it's a wild life


The anonymousmaid sent me these photos and soon the raccoons will be
birthin' again, so stay tuned for some controversial pictures!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

so far, so good

We really liked the beginning episode of Murder in the First on TNT. It takes
place in SF and we spent a lot of time trying to identify the street, building
or neighborhood. It's fun seeing the detectives park so easily right in front
of the crime scene or when they are out interviewing suspects. This is our
thumbs up, just in case you don't want to watch baseball. Ahem.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

roses and oxtails


We had a delightful dinner over at The Great Plotnik's home last night.
Barb made a rich and wonderful oxtail ragout and we ate twice as much
as we normally do at night, but we couldn't stop. It was delicious!

Monday, June 09, 2014

mesmerizing

I spent a long time studying this large painting by Eric Fischl entitled
Saigon, Minnesota. At first it is a pretty backyard scene, then we notice
the dark side. Painted in 1985, it is a strong statement about war, victims,
child exploitation and pain. Disturbing, in a beautiful sort of way.

Sunday, June 08, 2014

new exhibit at the DY

Jasper Johns, Perilous Night, 1982
I do love this small exhibit at the deYoung. Yesterday I went in early, used
the audio and spent some time with Hofman, Still, Hartigan, Stella, Johns,
and Rauschenberg. This is all on loan from the National Gallery of Art
and I do recommend spending some time just studying the works. This
is from the Meyerhoff Collection and well worth seeing. Truly.

Saturday, June 07, 2014

season two - hoooooooray!

We just watched one episode of the new Orange is the New Black last
night, but enjoyed thinking about all the folks who were binge watching
this weekend. Really, this is a wonderful (funny/sad) drama about women
in prison and if you haven't seen it, get thee to a Netflix® stream thingie.
The term "binge watching" originated with House of Cards, I think, and
it makes me wish for rainy days with popcorn in front of the TV.

Friday, June 06, 2014

we be serious


There were only six of us last night at the Writers' Group and it was Will's
last meeting before he heads to the East Coast as he does every summer.
Often there is humor, but for some reason it all seemed deep and solemn
as we bled amongst our friends in Tiapos last night. A wonderful evening
and yes, I know how strange that might sound, but it was.

Thursday, June 05, 2014

the band shell


Yesterday (up in the Tower) I was talking to a woman from Atlanta who
belongs to a MEGA church and their kids' choir was performing at 5pm
right outside in the wonderful (cold) band shell area. So I went and
enjoyed a couple of peppy Christian songs. She was a delightful woman
and I managed to keep my mouth shut, but really, no people of color in
Atlanta? Actually, they are from the burbs. Only once did I slip with her
when she mentioned how clean Florida is, and I said that is because you
get shot in the Gunshine State if you drop even one piece of paper. But,
really, for me, I was quite restrained politically. Plus, she was nice, truly.

Wednesday, June 04, 2014

also reading

I have started to add a few books on my highly regarded LindaKindle2®
in preparation for PARIS, however when I test them out I get hooked.
Such is the case with Tenth of December by George Saunders. These
are very modern short stories and I think they are excellent, some
better than others, of course, at least as far as I'm concerned. He is a
terrific writer, speaking of which, it's Tiapos week and I need to dig
something out to share with my fellow writers for Thursday night.

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

are you ready for this?

Top Hat is her name and she (maybe he?) will grow into an unusually
beautiful cat - I know you agree. The SPCA was a bit chaotic yesterday
as they are moving from the temporary headquarters over to the newely
remodeled space. The animals seem to be handling it better than the
humans, but in another week or so everything will be much better. I
so admire the workers and volunteers, however, because the adoptions
continue even though the computers are down and supplies are here?
There? Where? Yikes...

Monday, June 02, 2014

the mind of a writer

Carl Lumbly and Ron Gnapp
Yesterday Husbando and I walked to/fro and loved (!) 36 Stories by Sam
Shepard, playing at the small Z Space on Florida Street. It was a sunny
day, again, and we stopped for an espresso across the street and felt very
urban and contented. The one act play weaves together lines and stories
from Shepard's work over the years and in the process we get a good idea
of how his talent takes hold and won't let him go. It's a fabulous way to
celebrate Mr. Shepard's 70th birthday. Through June 22nd - go!

Sunday, June 01, 2014

high-end hospitality

By now you probably know that I love hotels, especially expensive ones
with patios overlooking the ocean, heated towel bars, extra quiet rooms
and it is essential that everything work easily and perfectly. It's time for
us to go behind the front desk and get the truth. Heads in Beds is
a well-written memoir by Jacob Tomsky,  who has worked in the hotel
business for years. He is funny, irreverent and literate. I'm loving this book!