fuzzy love's b.day

Last night we celebrated Floyd's birthday with cake, coffee and champagne.
He is a wonderful and necessary addition to our writing group. Tomorrow
I'll shard my piece with you. It is amusing and was well-received.

remember Lisbeth?

The Girl in the Spider's Web seems to be just as much fun (so far) as the
previos novels, even though this is a different author because Stieg
Larsson died a couple of years ago. So a movie soon, I betcha.

possible?

I couldn't get enough of HRC and Elizabeth Warren as they took Ohio by
storm yesterday. A big, blue storm. I don't think the country is ready for an
all-women ticket, I mean we are only half of the population. But we can
dream, can't we? And, man, they sure looked and sounded great together.

lots of Pride

I met Dancing Jen down in Chinatown yesterday.  I got off BART
at Montgomery and Market and stopped for a few minutes to appreciate
all the color and energy of the Pride Parade. It was a glorious, sunny
day and everyone looked happy and free. Jen and I enjoyed our lunch
at the Golden Star and then stopped for coffee at Starbucks ~ one
fine Sunday for this blogger.

gay pride weekend

yesterday

today

Especially meaningful after the Orlando hate/terrorist murders. This is the
first year we have been able to see the pink triangle on Mount Sutro. Of
course you remember that the HUGE tree was removed last fall. Much as
we love trees and green, it is a joy to have this view. See how it changes
from day to day?

cats in the news

Thanks to Dancing Jen for this image. And thanks to the Blogmaid for
encouraging me to look-up Larry the cat who lives at 10 Downing Street.
He brought just a bit of normal to yesterday when Britain exploded with
that vote to leave the European Union. Man, strange times indeed...

Minnesota Street art project

After an expensive morning at Costco, we decided to hit the (free) new
gallery space in Dog Patch. I wanted to see the Joan Brown exhibit
and Husbando wanted to see the architecture and some of the art.
Parking was NOT easy, but we did our best. I love anything that
Joan Brown painted and the two shown here were unusually fun.
The women's dresses featured ocean liner prints!

did you say San Leandro?

I had a fine time with my old friend Meriel yesterday. First we went to the
Eileen Fisher outlet and then to lunch. (Oh, first I always need to visit with
her dogs, of course.) Who knew that downtown San Leandro was so vibrant?
We had a delicious lunch here at the Paradiso on Bancroft Ave. and then we
toured a bit to look at the new library and some elegant old Victorian
houses around town. Once again I so appreciate Bart ~ cheap and easy.

binge worthy

We always worry that THIS season won't be as good as previous ones.
Well, no need to fret ~ Season 4 of Orange is the new Black is outstanding.
We watched two episodes last night. The only problem is that it is not
easy to fall asleep after all that humor, rage, sorrow, mayhem. From
the Flix®, but you already know that.

do you know Ms. Laux?

Honeymoon

We didn't have one, unless you count Paris,
20 years later, after we'd almost given up on the idea.
We'd imagined one, long nights beneath
a warm celestial sky; him growing his beard,
me in a silk turquoise robe, floating, billowing,
on a deserted beach foraging for whole sand dollars,
jelly fish washed up on the shore, their glittering insides
visible, still pulsing through flesh made of glass,
but it never happened. We had to work through
our vacations, refinance the house, find someone
to cut down the cedar that threatened to bury us
with each storm. We wanted to make up
for the wedding, or lack of one, the granite
courthouse steps, the small room with a desk,
the flimsy document stamped with a cheap gold seal.
Even then we meant to have a party on the deck,
cheese and crackers, fruit plates, sparkling
grape cider in plastic cups, our friends on the lawn
calling you the Big Kahuna, me Mrs. Dynamite,
me calling you my Sweet Dragon, you calling me
your little Red Corvette. Instead, time found a way
to demand each minute, until one night,
after you'd gotten a small windfall in the mail,
you turned to me and said, I'm going to take you to Paris,
me in my ratty robe and floppy slippers, you
in your flannel pj bottoms and black wife beater,
muting the clicker when I said "What?"
and saying it again. Then we were there,
in our 60s, standing below the dire Eiffel Tower,
its 81 stories of staircases we couldn't possibly climb,
its 73 thousand tons of puddled iron, you
taking my picture for posterity, me
kissing you beneath the pathway of arched trees,
our voices echoing against the six million skulls
embedded inside the stone catacombs, me
saying, I guess you weren't kidding, you
taking my hand in the rain.

DORIANNE LAUX

Tin House 
Volume 17, Number 4

the big slanted splurge

Yesterday Joe and I treated Pamela to her b.day lunch at the Slanted Door.
It was a warm and crowded day down on the Embarcadero, but we had a
lovely time out on the patio eating waaaaaaaay too much expensive food
and laughing about our lives and getting ready for the exciting basketball
game when we eventually returned to our homes last night. Oh, sorry,
we lost that grand finale game and it didn't feel good in any way, shape
or form. But now we can concentrate on basketball and hoooooray for that.

Wild West at the Legion

I just made a couple of quick run-throughs of Wild West: Plains to the
Pacific at the Legion of Honor yesterday while I was working. Yes, a
thumbs up to Obata, Moran, Scholder, Tress and Bierstadt to name a
few of the artists and photographers. An eclectic show, but well worth
your time. More than 150 paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures
~ now through September 11th.

from the Flix®

We just finished Season 2 of the great BBC program delightfully misnamed
Happy Valley. Lots of intriguing psychological plots and sub plots and
very strong women characters. Oddly enough, they each have a flaw or
two, so that is how you know it's fiction. Highly recommended from Netflix.

loving this city

The Beachside at 48th and Judah

See, if I didn't live here I would never have met Linda, who lives over in
the Outer Sunset, right by the ocean. I am slowly getting to know this
delightful part of SF and this area reminds me so much of Pismo
Beach, Pathetica and other small coastal towns. Sweet and sort of funky
and so very different from other parts of this diverse big city. Linda and
I talked about LIFE and she gave me this badge to sew on my writing
jacket and I was touched and pleased. (Do NOT ask me about the silly
Warrior game last night, please.)

celeb spotting

Yesterday at the Jewel we saw a lot of Amy G. (she is wearing the purple top
with white pants) ~ so beautiful and NO make-up. Her fan base seems to
be young 20ish women who wanted 346 selfies with the affable Amy. Fun.

Oh, the game. Can of corn. Giants 10 and the Brewers 1. Lots of time for
Ginger and me to discuss everything and everyone.

a little more MOMA

7th floor women's bathroom

A couple more photos here to encourage you to visit our big new museum!

it didn't work

Here is Chef Stein at the SPCA. She was told that IF she wore the blue hat,
the Warriors would win last night. She did, they didn't.

finally ~ a real MOMA visit

view from the 7th floor

We had a terrific time at the immense new MOMA yesterday. Like most

visitors we started on the top floor (7) and worked our way down. Of

course we didn't even scratch the surface, but, man, it is truly a wonder.

If I still worked downtown I'd drop in every few days. Yes, we were

both beyond impressed and you will be too. (Don't miss Photography

on the 3rd Floor)

back to the Giants

Johnny Cueto

Last night we won in the bottom of the 10th inning, a very satisfying game.

On Friday night Cueto pitched and our announcers wore dreadlocks. We

didn't win, but it was fun. Coach Kerr of the Warriors was at yesterday's

game and the cameras could not keep away from him.  And today?

To the new museum, we must scamper...

game 4 ~ win

Whoosh, that was exhausting, but the Dubs won last night in Cleveland
and come home for Monday night's game when they will (maybe) clinch.

Then we switched to the Giants who did not fare so well against the
scumsucking blue Dodgers. Our bullpen needs help and fast.

oooooooh, good one!

I just started The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty on my LindaKindle2 and
I am hooked. Travel, mystery, strong woman ~ what's not to like?
Oh, excellent writing, too.

chaat corner celebration

The Great Plotniks knew we would love this terrific restaurant on 4th Street
in Berkeley. We wanted to eat colorful Indian food and talk about HRC
and the election. The food was terrific and just being there at Vik's
Chaat Corner was a delight. Thanks, friends!

oh, what a night!

We watched and watched last night ~ it was exhilarating. I stayed up past
11pm, hoping for a generous concession speech from Bernie, but that
will happen in the next few days, I'm sure. One of the big surprises was
that California became Hillary yesterday, that helped immensely. The
many people who listened to and supported Senator Sanders will see
many of their progressive ideas come to fruition in the next eight years
 ~ they pushed the Dems to the left, always a-ok by us. Congrats,
HRC, you done good.

just testing...

Richard Serra's sculpture - see customer head for perspective

Women's bathroom ~ "whoa" the Blogmaid said

I was downtown yesterday after my SPCA stint and decided to pop in
to check out the new 7 floor (!) SF MOMA. Husbando did this last week.
We have real reservations for next Sunday, but we plan to concentrate
on art then. It's v-a-s-t and a bit cold walking in from 3rd Street, but
then again it is a modern museum. I think they saved the color for the
public bathrooms, my understanding is that the men's room is also
a solid and bright one-color spectacular. "Orange or red," Husbando said.

Sunday in Pathetica

Blogmaid and Sabine at the Chit Chat Cafe

We three had a glorious walk and talk yesterday ~ isn't the sea unusual? 

strange color ocean

movie must-see

The Flix® sent us the Trumbo DVD and of course we both really appreciated
this film starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane and Helen Mirren. In 1947,
Dalton Trumbo was the top Hollywood screenwriter, but then he was jailed
and blacklisted (along with many others) for "political reasons" and once
again we are reminded how false fear can push normally rational people
into crazy reactions.

answered prayers

Thanks to Steph, Klay, Coach Kerr and mostly the Blogmaid for updating
our basketball fashion wardrobe. Playoff games are such fun, especially
as we get to know the individuals involved better along the way. And
now we can dress for the occasion ~ go Dubs!

it's been awhile...

...since you've seen RR in all her 12 year old glory. Here she is with a
school project. I like the little fingers pointing up in her white gloves.
As predicted, she is indeed a beauty, and smart too.

wear orange today

We have been anti-guns forever, but this is the first year that I feel ANY
hope that people are paying attention and social media certainly helps
the cause. What a waste of lives, but now, at least, groups are keeping
track and publicizing the number of innocent people killed every single day
by gun accidents and violence.

who knew?

the competition

practicing

There are world wide yo yo competitions ~ amazing, no? Last Saturday one
was held in Golden Gate Park and I spent my lunch hour watching these
talented and dexterous masters of string and yo yo. They would work their
magic one at a time on stage at the Music Concourse, incredible moves
to music. Mostly young men, mostly very serious and I never saw one
tangle or mistake. And the weather? Perfect, as you can see.