HelloChopChop

Daughter Nancy gave us a gift from HelloFresh. The first night we
followed detailed instructions to make chicken quesadillas. Cut
bell pepper into 1/4 inch squares, blah blah. Last night we made
sausage pasta and it was so much better. I used the Cuisinart® and
did not worry about the size or shape of whatever veggie the
recipe called for. It was very good. I can see this delivery food
service for young people who have never cooked because the
instructions are precise. For old cooks who like short cuts and
restaurants, not so great. But I must say that the Customer Service
women are terrific and they assure me that I am not quite the
customer from hell. But close. The servings are generous too and
we will have the pasta again tonight.

characters you will love

GIRLFRIENDS, starring two-time Oscar nominee Miranda Richardson 
(The Crying Game, Churchill, The Hours), Phyllis Logan (Downton 
Abbey), and Zoe Wanamaker (Agatha Christie's Poirot).

We watched the first episode last night on Acorn. Three old friends
going through the aging process and not all that successfully. The
women all have children who are less than perfect and so many
delightful subplots are beginning to emerge in this mini series of
six intriguing, well-written episodes. 

what a day!

Sam and Ben

Beautiful little lake

Le cuisine de le lake

We needed a walk in the sunshine yesterday and hit Stow Lake ~ such a
glorious oasis in this city. There we ran into Neti and Frank, their daughter
and grand boys and that was a happy surprise. After walking we craved
nutritious hot dogs with garlic fries and some people watching at a table
in the sun. More gratitude from Husbando and this Blogger.

Happy 262nd Birthday

Marsha had secured very inexpensive tickets to the New Century Chamber
Orchestra at the Herbst last night. She is a good influence for me. Her
friend Danny accompanied us and we had a delightful evening celebrating
Mozart's birthday. The pianist you can barely see (Menahem Pressler) is
94 years old and plays beautifully. It was a glorious event and I stayed
wide awake ~ Marsha loves to drive (!) and provided me with door-
to-door service.

goodbye Josie girl

I met Josie almost 21 years ago when she was but a kitten. I would like
to say that the Blogmaid's cat and I were close, but that would not be
true. She never cared for me, but she was so much a part of the lives
of her family that I asked about her often. I'm so glad that she died in
her bed ~ gently and with a full stomach. RIP.

improvement!

This Blogger is pleased to announce that she is typing with two hands.
She showered without plastic bags. Chopping fruits and vegetables
is now possible. She is driving (slowly and poorly) and today she
might fix her own hair. (Or, she might slap a cap on it.) I am amazed
at how strong and capable my previously unused right hand has
become in the last five weeks. Another lesson learned.

behold the Flywheel

I was tempted to skip class yesterday what with the rain and my general
lack of scientific knowledge,  but I trudged to the bus and school. The
speaker filled us in on the Flywheel system of storing energy and it
was fascinating. He is a physicist who owns a company that makes
these big mother Flywheels. Questions after class made me realize how
many scientific minds are in the classroom here in SF. Also, only with
the green laws in California is this kind of innovation possible as
they force the power companies to consider other power sources.

the epitome of NOT FAIR

ERIC SUN (my daily write)

I read the New Yorker (01/01/18) article on the bus on Monday. It was about this 

young man who worked at Facebook and played the violin. I could not

get him out of my mind so yesterday I did the google and brought up some

images of him and his beautiful wife, Karen Law, also a musician.

Fourteen months after Eric was diagnosed with brain cancer he died. His goal

was to play the extremely difficult solo opening to Fiddler on the Roof for

a production in Sunnyvale. He was 33. I watched him rehearse and then

play the opening number. He was dressed for the part in a  “Jewish” cap and vest.

I cried.

Two things impressed me in the article. One, Mark Zuckerberg who donates

billions to medical research and is very human about these awful events.

Then the party when Eric knew he was dying soon and asked each friend

how he could make this easier for them. 

He died in his wife’s arms and I cried some more. 

an Acorn in New Zealand

We started watching Dear Murderer on Acorn last night. It's pretty good
but a bit tiresome with all the self-destructive boozing, etc. This is
based on a true story ~ the most famous lawyer in NZ. Husbando really
loves it so we shall see. One small home with two TVs ~ makes sense to us.

an old favorite

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of Husbando here at the Foreign
Cinema on Mission Street. Ginger met us for brunch and we sat outside
under a nice warm heater. He started with a gooey sticky bun and then
had a pastrami sandwich and enjoyed every bite. G. had French toast and
I a croque madame. Everything delicious and great service. All of
his children called ~ it was a delightful day.

and still we persist

Beautiful day in our city and here I was afraid that the crowds would be
sparse. Nope! Lots of wonderful people gathering to listen to speakers
and then march to the Embarcadero along Market Street. Always amazing
what an easy walk that is without buses, cars, bikes and fewer crazies.
As always it was just so feel-good to be there and I appreciate Barb for
joining me and sharing her banana and giving me a KIND bar. Once
again we have hope.

lots of blood

I don't know about this ~ 1921, war and missing limbs. Nurses
falling in and out of love and learning to be brave. We needed a
shot of reality-politics after one episode, so back to MSNBC to
shut down the government and blame the democrats. Sigh.

it's almost April

I spent a good part of Tuesday downloading and printing 20 tickets and
normally I would not like this kind of activity that uses too much ink,
but this felt wonderful. I could feel the sun on my face and smell the
garlic fries. This year I bought tickets from Matty, a woman I met on
the #10 bus. Section 325, Row C. Excellent seats and no service charge.
Hope springs eternal in the heart of a Giants fan.

fireside reading

The Woman is a therapist with Agoraphobia. What's not to love?

burgers and kebobs

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch here at Dunya on Polk Street yesterday,
thanks to the Great Plotniks. Delicious Mediterranean dishes and
yummy desserts too. The restaurant is owned by a Turkish man,
according to Google, and is located between Sacramento and Clay.
This city is always full of restaurant surprises. Wonderful. Grateful.

welcome, welcome, welcome!

Oh, yes ~ I have admired Andrew McCutchen for quite a few years
and now he is a Giant.  I know his fans in Pittsburgh are grieving
today, but we celebrate and wonder if he will play center, left or
right field. And what will his number be? It is almost time for
pitchers and catchers to report...

brunch at the supper club

Pamela, Joe and your Blogger

We celebrated Joe's birthday at the Hillside Supper Club yesterday. I
asked the waitress to cut up my French toast because of the cast which
I am still contending with. That worked well. It was a lovely, long
get-together with just a sprinkling of gossip. So nice of my friends
to come to my nabe so I didn't have to travel far.

two old and trusted friends

We watched the new David Letterman "Needs no Introduction" program
on Netflix and it was so refreshing to be with such an intelligent and
thoughtful president. My, how we miss Barack Obama. Great TV!

walking along The Creek

Amazon brick & mortar store

Puma meets her mouse match

Yesterday Carlini and I had a good long walk to/fro his home to
downtown Walnut Creek where I finally got to see an Amazon
store. Even though they helped put so many of us out of business
it just felt so great to be in a bookstore again. I bought a Fire Stick
for our TV, but was tempted to buy about 20 books. It is a most
vibrant community out there in the East Bay. Who knew?

not her cup of miso

Unbeknownst to us the Blogmaid doesn't like Japanese food, but
Husbando and I slurped ramen at Fumi Curry on Mission Street
yesterday after a busy morning at his doc's and his shopping at
Trader Joe's. (I relaxed outside TJ's with a Peet's latte and my
phone.) Blogmaid was kind enough to meet us for lunch, but was
forced to stay hungry. Still so nice seeing her again and she
re-braided my hair which remains a problem due to dominant
hand being somewhat difficult. But hey, you already know that...

before storming the Bastille

I spent all day at Fromm ~ in the morning we had a relaxing introduction to
the Wonders of Science and then the French Revolution in the afternoon.
There are no USF students currently so we enjoyed our sandwiches in
front of the big fake fireplace in the student union. A lovely way to live
with or without two arms. My, they were a blood thirsty bunch back in
France in the 1790's. Heads a rollin'.....

surprising heroics

DiFi made us proud yesterday by releasing the 312 page document from
the committee. Our Senator is not one to break rules normally but she
did so yesterday. "Sunshine is the best disinfectant" ~ an old truism.

life long learning

I became a Frommie again yesterday and enjoyed my class taught by
Mr. Rothmann. Problems of Political Leadership in America. And
yes, we have plenty to cover here. He is an excellent teacher and even
with my awkward arm problem I had a fine day.

triumph and trophy

RR receives an impressive award for all her work with her horse George.
Sincere congratulations, good job!

nails, coffee and chow mien

Marsha picked me up and we had "girl time" at her manicure spot in North
Beach. Then we walked and stopped for coffee in a small, very Italian
cafe and then over to Yuet Lee where I purchased take-out dinner. It was a
pretty, sunny yesterday and the dogs were good walkers. I had Rosa on my
lap for my mani/pedi and that was fun. Years ago Yuet Lee had a place
in our nabe and it is still a fave Chinese restaurant for us.

a few words of praise

I am so impressed with Kaiser. I especially like the new Mission Bay
facility yet all the doctors and staff everywhere have been superb and
pro-active. The convenience of computers and the internet, everything
on time and how somehow this all works to this patient's advantage.
Kaiser could be the model for universal health care for all Americans.

see my elbow!

Healing nicely and I have more mobility now. I 💙 Kaiser. Next
appointment in three weeks. Now to shampoo my hair and maybe
even tie my own shoe laces. The little victories...

more fun ~ possible?

We promised each other to watch less distressing TV news in 2018, but
now this book appears and who can resist? Bannon vs. Trump and
the sparks are flying and they both so deserve all this fire and fury.

two weeks today

Alas my over-elbow cast is white. I am doing just fine, considering.
Thankful to Husbando and helpful friends and the fact that we keep
a well-stocked freezer and never lack for food. Next appointment
is Friday and a smaller cast is what we hope for. That and the
"good job" from a medico or two. Grateful to Lyft too!

meet Luciana

an email from a friend:

I was so pleased to have an excuse to go to the American Girl Store 

today, so mucho gracias again for that treat. There were some sweet 

scenes in the store, which was abuzz with the release of Luciana, the 

future astronaut. A young teen of Indian descent was there with her 

papa, and she had to open multiple doll boxes and examine the 

many similar faces of Luciana before she could decide on the one 

that was meant for her. I remember doing the same thing when I 

was little, in particular when I was six or seven and buying Baby 

First Step. Mother had to take down box after box and open them 

up so I could pick the doll with the best blond bangs.

The Indian dad was amazed and amused at the ritual. He explained 

that his wife usually accompanied their daughter to the store, but she 

had injured herself and was unavailable. Perhaps her wrist? He was 

very patient, and enjoyed my story about doing the same thing, as did

the daughter. At least she pretended to. I wish I had gotten a better 

photo of her with her new doll, but she was very excited, and that’s 

my favorite part about going to the store.

Other girls were in tears, and bored little brothers were not helpful in 

those situations. 

persimmons and champagne

setting the roast beef stage

blogger staged this photo to fit title

This one armed blogger had no idea that Carlini read my daily dribble and
his two handed comment was a delight. I neglected to write about our walk
on Saturday because I had no on-spot photos and he kept running into me.
It was a lovely walk with two lunches and lattes. And persimmons...

Last night the Great Plotniks joined us for our traditional rare roast beef
dinner after Fre (fake) champagne in the crystal glasses from Ireland which
I still love. Our friends provided joy and lemon pie and Husbando made a
touching toast thanking them for all they give to us. We watched the ball
drop in NYC and pretended it was 2018 here. A memorable celebration.

Here's to 2018 dear friends, thanks for reading this blog and, yes, we
all still hate that word. Well two words: blog and trump.