a poster from the past

Saw this at Moma ~ from the Nixon era. I don't know about the Honor
part, but I think we can easily resurrect the basic idea.

Walker Evans at SF Moma

Carlini and I went to the opening of this exhibit last night. It is HUGE. The
above are two of my favorites but I wasn't really all that impressed. I do
prefer photography shows at Pier 24 because there is so much room.
Maybe the best part of the event was running into Dancing Jen ~ that
and the pre-dinner dessert and coffee. Then dinner at the ramen joint at
Westfield. Fun evening and yes, you should go. Thru Feb. 4th...

way up north

Marsha and Rosa

Patrice and Marsha checking a label

We three museum friends met up in Rohnert Park yesterday. Imagine sitting
outside in a real back yard. There were four little dogs who did some growling
and fake nipping until they all settled down while we three women covered
the problems of the world. Many thanks to Marsha who drove and to
Patrice who fed us such a glorious lunch.

not easy then or now

We watched an episode of The Vietnam War by Ken Burns last night
on PBS. Sleep was elusive. So many memories, mostly horrible, and
so much sorrow. The idea that our government thought this was a
war worth fighting still boggles the mind. For many of us the current
Resistance started way back when and I will always believe that
the anti-war movement stopped that horrendous conflict. That and
the constant TV coverage with some great reporting and photography.

Tom and Rob

When stepson Rob and Saint Sarah were at SFO yesterday they met this
man wearing one of Rob's golf shirts. Hello Thomas Friedman ~ with
his New York Times. Rob talks to EVERYONE important or not.
This one = impressive.

it's starting to look a lot like...

...St. Patrick's Day. We did just a little green last night, but we did enjoy
the corned beef and cabbage with The Great Plotniks and Rob/Sarah. Last
March we had to miss our traditional celebration because Husbando wasn't
feeling up to snuff. Friday we trotted off to Roberts for the brisket. I had
been lazy salad-wise (I love the Costco kits) for about 3 weeks so last
night I went ALL out and saved this marriage. Lovely evening and only
six months or so until the next Irish celebration. Yes, it is the Jewish
New Year. So there.

more missing children

It seems like the Brits are always missing kids in their crime dramas and
The Five is no exception. There are 10 episodes on Netflix and I'm not
sure that we will get through them all. So I can't recommend, sorry...

and more family time

Rob and Sarah don't get GOOD Mexican food in Buffalo so we took them
to this place that the Great Plotniks introduced us to. Again it was quiet
when we entered at 6pm and packed by 7. Regalito has the best food
and such a helpful and pleasant staff ~ we were all happy when we left.
Then we walked to the "chocolate place" for coffee and sweets. Valencia
Street was alive with activity and it was warm enough that we could
sit out under some lights and drink in the vibrant scene with the extra
delicious coffee and cookies/candy. A lovely evening indeed.

family, calzone, pizza!

Wonderful dinner last night at Tommaso's in North Beach. We love when
the old restaurants of SF stay great. We were early and got a booth, but
by 7pm the joint was jumping. Sarah and Rob (youngest son) are here
from Buffalo and this makes us both VERY happy. Yes, our freezer is
now full for Fall and Winter.

so far, so good

I'm liking this new novel Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta ~ it's on my
LindaKindle2 and seems to be an easy and engaging read at this point.

late for class!

First time, most likely, but that's OK, everyone was because Fulton Street
was blocked and traffic was terrible. There was a huge and colorful
funeral for a fire department battalion chief (I had to google this) at 9am
yesterday. You can barely see the hundreds of firemen and women there
on the front steps of St. Iggy. An impressive turnout. Parker Street
was lined with fire engines from SF, San Mateo, Marin and Daly City.
I like the flag held aloft by ladders and the attendees who wore white gloves.
Pomp still works.

return to The House

Yes, that was poor reporting from Commano last week. The VERY
colorful and interesting home in my nabe is at 25th Street and York.
Right on the corner. Even people with bad eyes (me) can see it
from Bryant Street. Why is the Panda there?

John at John's Grill

Our Bossman John (right, above) is leaving SF and we said

goodbye, good luck yesterday at John's Grill, the scene

of many Borders celebrations. He will be missed and

certainly made his mark on this city.

here it is!

I knew this house existed but where? Imagine my surprise to see it last
Monday when I walked to the #33 bus on 25th Street. The owner/painter
pays homage to the musicians in the Mission. It is a riot of wonderful
color and images and we haven't seen the last of it.

my trip to San Leandro

On Thursday I hopped on BART to visit Meriel in SL. But first I needed
my dog fix so here we have Wapo and Sam. Wonderful x 2.  We had lunch
at a little Greek place on 14th Street. That small town is becoming a
big and bustling little city these days with good food and still low
prices. Especially compared to MY city.

thank you, Cassini

It took this space craft seven years (!) to reach Saturn and it spun around
for thirteen years taking gobs of photos and samples and sending them
back to our scientists. Today Cassini ran out of fuel and purposefully
crashed into Saturn, still taking photos and making us proud. Prof.
Fraknoi had prepared me for today so I jumped up to make sure that
everything went according to plan this morning. I did.

about time, HBO

The Deuce is slang for 42nd Street. Here we have Maggie Gyllenhaal
and James Franco who star in this gritty NYC drama that we watched
last Sunday night. So far, so good.

meet my teachers!

Jon Rothmann (at KGO radio)

Andrew Fraknoi loves our universe

School started Monday at Fromm and I am where I should be. Professor
Rothmann teaches T.R. to Trump: Changing Nature of the American
Presidency and then Professor Fraknoi is our tour guide to the Universe:
Mars to the Stars (and Galaxies). The classes are packed with the over
60 set and I feel deep gratitude to be back in the classrooms again.

when love walked in

I met this dog last week. He is HUGE and has some pit in the mixture
and I was a little taken aback. Then he came over to me and leaned
against my thigh, looked up and smiled. I worried about him all week
because he is such a big guy and he is also deaf. Well, he was adopted
during the week by a hefty man with two teen (I think) sons and they are
NOT going to change his name. Have a happy forever life sweet
and gentle Marshmallow.

remembering Jane

I think about her every day. She changed my life, helped me become
a writer. Going through some old papers I find this poem. I well up.

SHAWL

This morning I pretended
to be sleeping
when you went to the kitchen
I listened
as you made coffee, toasted
your English muffin.

I knew you were also making a cup for me, my portion of
the daily grind
carefully measured
and spooned into the filter.

After you'd gone, I shuffled
over cold linoleum
pour the heated water
filled my cup, glad
to call the house my own
until dusk.

Years ago,
Two autumnal people
tired of being alone, we
took no vows,
pooled our stuff,
got a pup,
let the chips fall.

Waiting at the window now,
funny how long it takes for dusk to come.

Ah, there you are. Our old dog
pounds her tail. Your arrival wraps itself
around my wintry shoulders.

 _ Jane Underwood

don't believe the rumors

Husbando and I made the mistake of going to Serramonte MALL
yesterday. The American MALL is not dead. This one was thriving
and horrible and everything I hate about shopping. We had not been
here in probably ten years and will never go again. From now on it's
downtown or online. God help us, this was worse than Football.

congratulations are in order

Our dear friend, Linda Davick, has been working with Mimi for
quite awhile. I am in awe of this kind of talent and now she
has finished this masterpiece. In a week or so I will take Linda
out for a liver-free lunch to celebrate.

the nabes of SF

Fillmore Street

Yesterday I hopped on the #24 Divisadero which ends at Jackson and Fillmore
Streets ~ a fine ride through many blocks of city life. I was meeting a friend
for coffee and I had time to stroll and appreciate this part of town, so
different than my Mission neighborhood. Elegant shops and people and
lots of activity on Fillmore Street. Even more coffee shops and cafes than
the last time I was here. We had a delightful outdoor coffee until the man
next to us asked a question to let us know he was listening. Hmmmmm.

oh, hello

Oops, I'm turning into one of those snoopy retirees. I spotted this adorable
creature yesterday morning while I was out on our back deck surveying
my world. We've known these neighbors (two doors down) for about 30
years, but of course I don't have their phone numbers. I left them a written
note, my phone number and this photo along with a little fuzzy mouse
for the newcomer. Heidi called me last night ~ his name is Ozzie (from
Ozzie Smith, shortstop) and yes, he is from my SPCA. Too cute.

luxurious patio furniture

I spent most of yesterday outside weeding. We never sit down here in
the garden, but there was a cool breeze and I had my ice water and phone
and god knows I need a break every 10 minutes or so. I pruned and
pulled and killed one bug and our expensive little garden looks great.
Why do weeds grow so much faster than REAL plants and flowers?

welcome, y'all...

On Sunday the San Francisco SPCA went to the airport to welcome some
cute new rednecks from Hurricane Harvey. They cleaned out a shelter in
Houston so the lost animals and owners could find each other there. We
have 10 new adult dogs and 12 new puppies and a ton of cats and kittens.
I didn't meet any yesterday because they are all in hospital now  ~ they
never put any animal up for adoption without a thorough check-up and
procedures, if needed. I'm always proud to work at our SPCA, but even
more so yesterday.

my current book

I just started That Summer in Sicily, recommended by my friend
Marsha with whom (ahem) I traveled to/fro Santa Barbara. Beautiful.
It is only 71º in our little home this morning. Progress.

great relief

We don't get the Buttermilk Sky here very often, but last night when
a gentle breeze started to finally stir we went outside to breathe.
The oldest son (Bill Junior) and his woman friend (Jan) are here
in town and we cooked and cleaned and had a lovely dinner of pasta
Putenesca, Great Plotnik watermelon/tomato salad, caesar salad and
finally (ta da!) ice cream cake from Mitchell's. And last night, finally,
with only a bit of medicinal help, I slept. Oh, joy.

'nuff said?

Need I remind you that NONE of us have air conditioning? I thought not...

liver, bacon, onions

It was a REAL summer day here in SF but cool inside Original Joe's where
we celebrated Ginger's birthday. North Beach is still a treat after all these
years. She and I had liver and Husbando a healthy chopped salad. And,
yes, I found easy parking but coming home was messy with traffic.
I prefer Lyft® and HE likes me to drive. Sigh.