2018 ~ not all bad

This was the year that Carlini discovered that he has a sister named
Carol who lives in Hawaii. His father was stationed there and they
met thanks to Ancestry.com. A whole new family and I met Carol
yesterday down at the Ferry Building, she is a delight. They have
a wonderful and fun relationship and I so enjoyed being with them
and listening to them laugh tease each other as siblings do.

highly recommended

Lethal White is #4 in the J.K. Rowling mystery series that she is
writing under the name Robert Galbraith. As you no doubt well
remember, I love these characters, the settings and the outstanding
plots. I am reading slowly and enjoying every word on my trusty
LindaKindle2.

Oklahomo

Last night was the rollicking gay version of Oklahoma and it was great
fun and a perfect ending for our vacation. We leave soon and I am packed
and ready to see Annabelle and home. Walked and scattered some more
of Husbando's ashes yesterday and watched the brave Dr. Basely-Ford
on TV. We live in such crazy times.

the play is not the thing

Lithia Park 

Everyone but me seemed to enjoy "Snow in Midsummer" yesterday afternoon
but my concentration powers are weak currently and I went out at half time
to sit in Lithia Park and read my book. Nature is so healing and the weather
is perfect and I didn't feel guilty for playing hooky. Last night was "The
Way the Mountain Moved" and it was disjointed but I stayed for the entire
play and that was fine. I am feeling better everyday.

Ashland in the sun

the morning walk

outside the Bowmer Theater

Carlini and McEvoy after our early dinner

I walked and walked yesterday morning. I was missing Husbando something
fierce but this morning I am back on track, I think. The "Sense and Sensibility"
play was a little too loud and I was frankly glad when that was over. But
"The Book of Will" last night was fabulous ~ sitting outside under blankets
and in the front row for this excellent play. Delicious Thai dinner outside
by the creek was just what I needed between the two plays. Weather is
gorgeous and sunny, but not too warm. Good sleep last night ~ hooray!

Sense and Sensibility

That is the matinee we are seeing here first today. Tonight is The
Book of Will. It is good to be back in Ashland again, but bittersweet
too because years ago Husbando and I would come here, but I
will still enjoy and appreciate this week of theater. The neighbor
Allison is taking care of Annabelle and last night she sent me three
photos of my girl cat practicing her kitchen counter work (never
allowed) and playing mouse. I miss that fur ball. Bob and Richard
took turns driving yesterday and it was a long ride. For supper last night
we had our traditional giant vegetable stuffed baked potatoes at Greenleaf.
And wow, that moon! Photos in future posts, I promise.

not just for tourists

Marsha took me to the Palace of Fine Arts yesterday for an event celebrating
her friend Lyle Tuttle who has been a prominent tattoo artist for 70 years.
It was a glorious day and outside was way better than inside as you might
notice since I neglected to get photos of the inked people or displays. I
have nothing against tatts (ahem), but we were the only two people there
without colorful bodies. Another good day.

book signing at Red's

brisk book sales in the sunshine

your blogger with man and two dogs

I had such a nice day on the Embarcadero. First a latte and a great walk
and then to Red's Java House where Marsha's friend Richard Louis Perri
was signing his book Numinosity. He is an artist (and a good one) and
this book is his work celebrating the vanishing SF icons. Check out the
little dog on my lap (Rosa) and the BIG Irish Wolfhound (Angus) at my
right shoulder. it was that kind of good day.

the 2018 finalists

I have not read any of these National Book Award finalists for
Fiction, have you? Time to get reading...

• Jamel Brinkley, A Lucky Man
• Jennifer Clement, Gun Love
• Lauren Groff, Florida
• Daniel Gumbiner, The Boatbuilder
• Brandon Hobson, Where the Dead Sit Talking
• Tayari Jones, An American Marriage
• Rebecca Makkai, The Great Believers
• Sigrid Nunez, The Friend
• Tommy Orange, There There
• Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Heads of the Colored People

the google doodle

Sweet, clever and the perfect way to start your day. Celebrate Mr. Rogers
on Google today. And I do want to see the movie about him, for sure.

literary lunch with view

The Book Club met at The Spinnaker in Sausalito yesterday and we
finished off The First Daughter over soup, salad and sandwiches.
All very pleasant and my day was topped off with a delicious dinner
of Brazilian stew over at The Great Plotnik's.  We are experiencing
our usual beautiful September weather currently. I am healing.

Honey, I shrunk the bed

Before ~ world's largest bed in smallest room

After ~ our spacious bedroom

Our king size bed took over the small bedroom and I understand that this is
all part of the Widow Ritual. I bought a full set from Sears but had to hire
a couple of guys to break down the wooden storage platform and drop it
out of the window. Then I spent hours cleaning before I went to the gym
and then, hooray, a 5:30pm delivery and it felt good to put everything
back in place last night. In case you think this was all wonderful, don't.
I had some sorrow too about our many years sleeping together and how
different and not fun it is to be alone. On the other hand, Annabelle is
a good sleeper and her early morning "let's cuddle" routine is a delight.

cinnamon

This little darling was dashing about her SPCA room yesterday and I could
not get a smooth photo, but how about these markings? Could s human
get used to looking at her? Does Cinnamon kitty even know she is unusual?

sunshine and moon cakes

Yesterday was one of those beautiful SF summer days and I met Dancing
Jen down at our Golden Star restaurant. The Moon Festival was in full
swing and Jen treated me to my first moon cake. Delicious. Best of all
was catching up with my friend as she gets ready for her exciting trip
to Copenhagen in October.

window watching

Fillmore Street ~ Friday, pointed out by Marsha. How did I miss these
after walking here for so many years? Happy to discover them now.

at home in North Beach

I think everyone who comes to SF wants to live in North Beach at some
point in their lives. Few do, but my friend Marsha lives the artistic life
here in her small apartment right in the heart of it all. When we walk with
her two dogs Marsha knows EVERYONE, it is a small and very warm
little community and I had such a fine time with her yesterday. It was
always Bill's favorite area of the city and even though it is packed with
memories, I didn't feel depressed once. Progress.

meanwhile, out on the deck

I derive great pleasure from the little potted plants surrounding our
bunny and gazing ball. The tomatoes this year didn't work so I am
sticking to pretty. The back yard always needs weeding work, but
the back deck is easy even for a non-gardner such as myself.

down at the Jewel

This 9/11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET tribute was a pleasant surprise
yesterday as Ginger and I attended our final game of the season. The
fact that our Giants lost their 11th game in a row, not so much. But
it was good to be out in the sun, catching up on our lives. We left after
the Braves tied the game, knowing how it probably would turn out.
(Every single name of heroes lost is listed on the huge flag, but the
photo doesn't really show them at all. Apologies.)

good morning, my city

The real thing is even better, incredible. Husbando and I would often call
"Come look!" to each other when there was an unusually beautiful sunrise
or sunset, or even the occasional fire/disaster in front of us. I didn't even
enhance (or enrich) this photo just now.

front porch cat

I think Annabelle wants to explore Bernal Heights, but since she
can't she will just have to lie around in the sunshine which has finally
arrived here in SF. I do like the black-and-white stripes and checks
and rather dramatic design of these photos.

walking some more

The alley behind Community Thrift on Valencia

Eddie texted before he got on the plane back to Atlanta this morning ~ we
walked 6.5 miles yesterday according to his phone. We "did" Valencia
Street yesterday and then took BART downtown for a not very good
dinner at Colibri and some smart shopping at Walgreen's. I'm glad those
friends stayed after the memorial, I would have been in a funk without
them. Funk delayed I fear, but I am OK.

the ocean beckoned

Chit Chat in Pacifica

Moss Beach with Cowboy Bill and RR

the beach at Pescadero

Yesterday Eddie and I hit the Left Coast and what a nice, sunny day it was.
First to the Chit Chat Cafe in Pathetica after a good walk. Next to Moss
Beach and lunch at the Distillery there before meeting RR and her new
horse Atlas at their ranch. We continued on to Pescadero where I have
not been for decades ~ coffee and a sandwich before heading home. My
kit cat belle needed a lot of attention when I finally got home.

by the bay, on the bay

Sam, Olga, Eddie and I met up at 11am at the new Transbay Transit Center
which is indeed spectacular. Lots of room to walk, enjoy the gardens and
the city views are outstanding. Husbando would have loved it so some of
his ashes are there now. Also Delancey Street patio where we had lunch ~
some of my Bill in the planter box in the patio. Ditto Pier 29 ~ how he
loved the photography exhibits there, so into the bay. But the best and
most unexpected happening was the water taxi on the bay. Only $10
each and the captain took us to a secluded spot with an amazing view
of the city we both loved so much. My friends were shocked when I first
started this ash sprinkling, but quickly got into this necessary (to me) ritual.
Dinner last night at the Mission Rock Resort and some sprinkles at
the picnic area there where the Steins would go to look out on the bay
and listen to the ballgame. A very good day, if somewhat emotional at times.

the day after

Il Fornio on Battery Street

The exquisite real ocean ~ heading up to the Coastal Trail.
(This does not capture the beauty of the sun glinting on the sea.)

I'm still reflecting on the glorious memorial send-off service for Husbando and
the Widow Vine warned me that there will be a let down after that. There is.
But yesterday Eddie (Georgia) and I met Olga and Sam (Albuquerque) down
at Il Fornio a restaurant Bill loved, but we hadn't been there in a long time.
I ate a LOT since my appetite isn't great lately and when I'm hungry I take
advantage of that fact. Then Eddie and I went out to the ocean and he
complained (not really) that Bill and I had never taken him there before
and also to the Coastal Trail. I told him we were saving the real ocean for
his land-locked soul. One of my 2019 trips will be to Albuquerque to visit
the Ponces and the Davicks and this warms my ocean sprayed little heart.

oh what a day

We are family (feeling loved)

Richard Carlini and Mary Ann with Kleenex

The setting (thanks Linda D.) ~ The Ramp

Today I reflect, tomorrow I will write. It was a VERY good day.

Cold? Oh my yes, but I felt such warmth and love. Thank you

everyone for making Husbando's send-off so very special.

we are family (and friends)

We gathered here last night to enjoy salad, pizza and each other. I was
worried that I would feel uncomfortable, but everything was really nice
and now I am ready for the big event this afternoon. We will honor this
Husbando in a way he would love. Now let's hope for a little sunshine.
Thankful to and for everyone and the love they are showing us.

guests arriving today

I have been preparing the home and garden for out-of-town friends
and family. The memorial celebration is tomorrow. Tonight there
will be a casual pizza/salad gathering here and also tomorrow night
after the event. I am a bit on edge even though our friends are doing
all the work and Nancy and her family will handle the food tonight.
I miss Husbando telling me that everything will be just fine and I
am not to worry. He took most things in stride. Not me.

new family member

Here is RR working with her new horse Celestial Atlas, or just plain
Atlas for short. They are bonding and getting to know one another
as he settles into his most fortunate life as a dressage horse for Ryan.

Sunday morning

I never did this when I was Sadie-Sadie-Married-Lady. Going back to
bed with cat, computer, newspaper and coffee on a Sunday morning
makes a lot of sense these days.

a walk on the quiet side

Ginger and I had a delightfully early birthday (hers) walk out at Crissy
Field yesterday. The tourists and wobbly rental bicyclists aimed for us
after our morning lattes in the Warming Hut, but we held our ground
and appreciated this best-walk-ever place in our city. Husbando loved
Crissy Field too and was with us in spirit.