football, dance, pain, drums

On Sunday Anna was my date for Colossal, a quick one hour play at
SF Playhouse. There is a lot to this story about a young man disabled
in a football game. Three drummers and thirteen male actors ~ an
unusual play, but well worth seeing, in our opinion. Anna even
stayed for the Q&A, now that's appreciation.

attention photography enthusiasts

We had seen some of this movie a while back, but last night we watched
the whole thing and it is both wonderful and sad. Finding Vivian Maier
is a documentary about a photographer (born 1926) whose vast amount
of work was discovered after she died. She made her living as a nanny
but there aren't too many cute child photos, thank goodness. (Netflix!)

women and art

Blogger, Anne Herbst, Anna and Linda

Yesterday we met for lunch out at 40th and Taraval at the wonderful new
Far Out FOG gallery owned by Anne. Then Linda treated us to lunch and
I came home to relax and plan my life a little bit. Today I work out at
the Legion and the Blogmaid's morning email reminded me that, ooooops,
today is a sort of holiday with many schools out. I can do it. So nice to
have Anna in town and I hope we urged her to get back to her art and
photography while raising her two daughters.

Anna's in town!

We met for lunch at Calibri and then went to Colossal at the SF Playhouse.
It was wonderful to be with Anna again and we talked of many things.
Today we meet again, this time with Linda D. out in that part of the
world, you know, Western SF.  Thanks for a nice day, Anna.

happy easter

class last night

We learned about conflict, how to inhabit the character's skin, how to
HEAR the dialogue, getting to know the antagonist(s) and why we
need the narrative voice to hold things together. But maybe, just
maybe, this was the highlight ~ Chicago Mix popped corn. Oh, yum!

at the deYoung

This is the first major exhibit to celebrate Oscar's life and the crowds
are flocking in ~ some in their expensive fashions. I haven't actually
seen this yet, but I will. Maybe today? Through May 30th.

good morning, moon

so far, so good

I just started A Little Life on my LindaKindle2, I heard about it in
my Novel Continuation class and the first few pages are pulling
me right in. That's a good thing.

seven puppies

six for breakfast

I'm not hungry yet

Sunday lunch with tourists

My brother's grandchild, Garrett, is here for the weekend with his mother,
Lisa. So he is a grand nephew and a grand kid too. They live in Victorville
and we dined with thousands of other tourists at the Harbor Fog Fish
Restaurant at Pier 39. I have learned to always reserve on Open Table,
even if I don't think we need to ~ so glad I did. Man, that area is packed
with people, all happily spending tourist dollars here.

turning into fans

The much improved Husbando and I watched the Warriors vs. Spurs
game last night and drat, we lost. We are brand new fair weather
Warrior enthusiasts, and although I don't feel the same sorrow as I
do when the Giants lose, it was an unpleasant and unusual ending.
The playoffs this year will be terrific however, between these two teams.

good news Saturday

Husbando's procedure was SMOOTH and I will be picking him up
today at 11am. The flowers above are in the women's bathroom at
the Legion of Honor ~ beautiful, no? Thanks again to everyone for
reaching out to us with so much love and offers to help.

catching my breath

I went to Land's End yesterday while Husbando was visiting yet another
doctor. This natural beauty soothes the soul. Thank you sincerely for all
the kind emails and offers of help. I will keep you posted.

it's strange this year...

...not to have the traditional corned beef and cabbage. Husbando is
having "a procedure" tomorrow and neither of us is really up to the
usual green shenanigans. We spend quality time with doctors and
we have been isolating and although we are both optimists, these
medical things are no fun. I'll report in tomorrow, post hospital.
However, enjoy the Paddy Day, dear readers.

Jennie and Gini

Our dear Jennie (on the left) is in hospital with a broken hip. I went
to visit her twice and will try to get back again tomorrow. This picture
was taken at our lunch last year. Both of these women always look like
they are ready for a Vogue photo shoot and I always look like I'm
ready to clean out some dog rooms at the SPCA, after I feed the little
darlings, of course. Please send positive thoughts to Jennie...

equal time

Here is our Blogmaid with Cody ~ he doesn't nap on the landing with
the other two, but he is another special graduate from MY SPCA. He
has such pretty green eyes, doesn't he?

a blue ribbon weekend

RR and her parents spent the weekend going to a horse show in
Pleasanton. Here is our winner and congratulations! Derby had to
travel too, this is not the easiest sport in the world, but Mr. and
Ms. Blogmaid do a fantastic job. Hooray to all of you!

good one!

I just started reading My Name is Lucy Barton on my LindaKindle2.
We all know and love Elizabeth Strout who created Olive Kitteridge.
Excellent so far, no surprise there.

a stone for sitting

A Final Ease

 

After the vaunting reach for gold,
feeling no need for a curtain-call,
I'd leave the stage with ardor cooled
as Sisyphus, at the foot of the hill,
might give it all up, the crazy rote
of shove and sweat he'd always known,
cease with a smile, light a cheroot,
and sit down on his stone.
Barry Spacks

Shaping Water
Gunpowder Press

lunch with Linda

Oh, good, my wrinkles up close. But thank you to dear Linda who took
me to a belated b.day celebration at MY Precita Park Cafe. She had
to drive in the rain and I got to walk. How thoughtful, and the food was
excellent, the conversation even better. Linda's next children's book is
finished and I saw it on her iPad. Such talent. Nice time indeed.

the BIG splurge

We have been saving our pennies (and dollars) for months with this one
goal in mind. Dinner at Al's Place on Valencia. Some say that it's the best
restaurant in America, or SF, or you name it. I reserved using Open Table
in January and I thought that at 5:30 we would be the only ones in the
restaurant. Wrong. Customers were lined up, waiting for Al to open.
We loved it! A warm and friendly atmosphere and delicious, unusual food
on small plates to share. Here is what we thoroughly enjoyed:

• brined frech fries
• lettuce and avocado ~ use your fingers the waiter said and we did
• grilled broccoli and cauliflower 
• yellow bean stew (fabulous)
• trout with tom yum sauce
• hangar steak with salmon butter
• PB brownie and coffee

It was expensive, but worth every single dime. Casual yet sophisticated,
if you get what I mean.  I used to think that china and a white tablecloth
equaled elegance, but I've changed my mind over the years. This is our
kind of restaurant for a special, special treat. Oh yes, I parked right in front.
An evening to remember, no question about it.

the new director

I'm pleased to report that Jane's Writing Salon will continue. Here
is Ben Jackson, he is now taking over after teaching writing courses
for Jane for years. I understand that before she died, Jane talked to
Ben about this very thing, so I know that she would also be relieved
that her dream will stay strong.

it's March 8th today

God, we still have soooooooooo far to go, but women are strong.

rain and more rain

I actually snapped this last week when I was working (I use that term loosely)
up on the 9th floor Tower at the deYoung. It is now raining almost every day,
filling our lakes and rivers, cleaning the sidewalks and making the air
smell so sweet between the storms. Of course we are lucky to have our
secure home and a sturdy roof over our heads ~ and a garden filled with weeds.

season four

Oh, my ~ it's certainly better than last year. How come Robin
Wright becomes more stunning with each episode? Lots of
wonderful new surprises and it's all so very TODAY. The Flix®.

remember Ruby?

Here she is looking quite wonderful. 

I miss Ruby and her parents.

Maybe a trip to San Diego in the near future?

we need a poem!

Song on the Waterfront

I was here before the shed came down.
I photographed the weeds
against the boarded-up door.
I walked here with my camera,
my chest full of nails and salt.

I came along the railroad tracks
overgrown with loosestrife and ragweed.
I passed a woman singing in a cement field
believing she was alone.

I was here before the shed came down.
I took my picture on the rusted iron ramp.
I wanted it to look like I was walking
off the tip of the world and someone
behind me had just called my name.
Alison Prine

Steel
Cider Press Review

The Unfortunates

now playing at The Strand

We didn't know what to expect from The Unfortunates yesterday, but we
knew it would be wonderful because in 2013, this new musical took the
Oregon Shakespeare Festival by storm. The cast is big, loud and really
wonderful ~ they tell a story through music/dance and it's all based on the
classic blues song "St. James Infirmary". It took me a little while to
realize that this is an anti-war play and we will need more of these as
the GOP is talking tough and that so often leads to yet another war. So
hell no, let's talk and sing about it first. Check out The Strand, it's terrific.

Madam President

Good morning and congratulations to Hillary on her impressive Super
Tuesday. The Buffoon also won, insuring lots of ignorant screaming
from Republicans ~ oh, that convention in Ohio will be chaotic. The
Democrats seem so wise and civilized this year. They make me proud,
she makes me proud. Onward.

gold from Korea

It's hard to imagine these beauties living on a meat farm in Korea. We have
20 or more of them now at the SPCA. In ten days they have come out of hiding
and they will be easy to adopt out. All are Golden Labs or Retrievers. Imagine.
"The Koreans" are still under vet observation and have never been on a
leash and are just now learning how to interact with humans. Oh, unlike
some American dogs, they are not picky eaters. Inspiring.