Gwyneth does Santa Barbara

Oh, this is fun. Thanks for the recommendation, Blogmaid. Another
binge-worthy series with Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange and
Bob Balaban. The Politican is currently in High School, planning to be
president one day, learning how to be conniving currently. Watch it.

make mine a museum

America the Beautiful by Norman Lewis

Hmmmm ~ missed the title and artist here (back at you)

I spent a satisfying few hours at my old deYoung yesterday and will need
to return because Soul of a Nation was packed and my friends there said
it is way too quiet during the week and I know I missed a lot. But the two
top photos are currently my favorites.

In Pursuit of Venus (infected) is amazing. I had heard about this installation
of a moving panorama complete with an emotional soundtrack. The large
video screen depicts James Cook's three voyages to the Pacific Islands.
This closes Jan 5th and I was lucky to see it yesterday.

Stop and take two...

The Two Popes is already on the Flix® and you do not want to
miss this. Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins are wonderful and
since the story is based on near recent events the whole movie
resonates with us beautifully. Well done and inspiring.

4.3 miles to emotional well-being

famous mermaid fountain in Ghirardelli Square

My friend Pat has been a widow a lot longer than I have and we had a
beautiful walk on a cold, clear only-in-SF yesterday. We met at the
Ferry Building and walked along the Bay all the way to Ghirardelli
Square. So many changes, so many tourists. We stopped for a pizza
and by the time I arrived home I was feeling just fine and I listened to
Bill's tape for our 35th and he was indeed a happy man who loved
being married, appreciated our lives (together and separate) and who
took his house husband duties very seriously while I was still working.
Instead of counting sheep I counted my blessings and slept nicely last night.

through the years

I have the album to prove it ~ today is our 50th wedding anniversary
and of course I have been dreading this one, but I am okay. Husbando
also left three audio tapes here, one for our 35th and two unmarked.
I will try to listen tonight. Or not. The one thing I have learned in the
18 months since he died is that I really can do pretty much whatever
I want. There are no strict rules and I can leave the vacuum in the
dining room for days on end. I can eat Peppermint Bark for breakfast
and cry at strange times ~ seldom in public anymore, thank god. I
will try to let the good memories guide me today and I will get out
of our too comfy home. I was and am such a fortunate woman.

buffet xmas day

before

after, with curious creature

I'm glad I did this even though I'm not a buffet fan what with the
balancing of the plates on laps and all. But I didn't know how many
would be here, so it was all a-ok. My friends five all provided some
fun conversation and we were happy to be in front of the fire and
together. Now I celebrate that the damn holiday is over and I can
begin taking red and green shit back down to the garage as I work
on adjustming my attitude once again.

merry, merry

Annabelle found her gift from the Blogmaid and made me laugh at
the same time. I am a fortunate woman in so many ways. Thank
you all and enjoy this day. Now maybe some xmas music? Maybe...

I still love the cards

Back in the dark ages, when I was a little thing, we had mail delivery
twice a day and on Sunday during the Christmas season. I save the
cards and love the ones showing kids and animals and of course we
always marvel at how quickly the children grow and change. This
year I sent easy Annabelle holiday cards and reaped the return
benefits. I am doing a lot of eating and only a few tears, by the way...

the final, final birthday event

Yesterday Dancing Jen and Jon treated me to lunch at the Slanted
Door and we started with my favorite green papaya salad (pictured)
and then coninued eating and talking until about 3pm. We missed
the rain (hooray) and I had a delightful time. Gratitude.

we do grief with color

The food was as diverse as our grief group at my home yesterday.
Vietnamese shrimp rolls, Italian bread, my Costco salad, Honey
Baked ham, home made quiche ~ it all worked beautifully. We
all felt free to shed some tears and talk about the ones we miss
even more (or so it seems) during the holidays. Oh, I had better
mention the banana cream and chocolate pies for dessert, right?
Excellent with strong coffee and tea. Annabelle was a hit too.
An unusual, yet successful pot luck gathering.

vested holiday visit

you're wearing WHAT?

posing after lunch and before the walk

Neti and I went down to Pumpkinville for lunch with the Blogmaid
yesterday and we had a lovely time indeed. After lunch at "the
Italian place on the corner" we admired the Grout tree and went for a
walk on the bluffs and talked and laughed ~ just what we all needed.

warmth during the cold(th)

our well-travveled friends are so kind to me

surfers(!) out at Crissy Field 

soup on a cold day

The Great Plotniks invited me for minestrone Wednesday night and then
sent me home with enough to feed Ginger lunch here yesterday. It was
cold out at Crissy Field, but no rain, thankfully. Honestly, the BEST
minestrone ever, and I used to actually make a big pot for Husbando ~
but never this good. I heed to the expert Chef Doug.

history was made yesterday

ours

theirs

ginkgo garnish

ours

theirs

This is the first year I had to sweep up the beautiful bright yellow ginkgo
leaves from our tree. The neighbor down the block did not follow suit. The
shock of these trees against a grey winter sky is glorious.

for the January book club

Dave Eggers is one of my favorite authors and I look forward to
reading Zeitoun. But first we must get these holidays out of
the way ~ they do take up a lot of time and energy.

bummed

Our bad boy Bumgarner is joining the Snakes and the only consolation
is that Giant ticket prices will be extremely affordable in 2020. Gloom.

as the cast changes

OK, I have officially started watching The Crown, Season 3 on the
Flix® and Olivia Coleman is a fine queen. So much history to devour
here and all so very well done. Excellence.

our annual Tiapos party

It was a lively and late night gathering at Doug and Barb's ~ a full
gaggle, although a couple East Bay folks were late and didn't make
the group photo. However, above sitting on the sofa (right side), you
will meet Jess ~ Anna on the NY farm will want to see him, I bet.
Missing so many from days gone by including two Karens, dear Jane
and Jackie Pie, Randy, Linda and Tom, Husbando (always). Eric and
Jillian don't appear in the picture, nor do Blaze and Michael ~ but
they did get to the event after the photographer had to return to the
kitchen. Sometimes memories burn holes in even the warmest hearts,
especially during these holidays. (Just in case you thought I was flying
through all of this on some sort of super soft red and green cloud...)

putting Penngrove in the books

Yesterday the Book Club met in Penngrove, up by Sonoma and Santa
Rosa. Madalene and her husband moved to this huge hacienda a
year ago and they have been working non-stop to make it as lovely
as it is today. We had a delightful time despite the rain ~ overeating
and talking, even mentioning a book from time to time. Thanks to
Gini for driving and to Mad Rose for hosting. On the way home we
remaining five women talked about how much we love living in SF
where we can walk a city block to restaurants, stores, bus stops, etc.

an all day rain

Dogs need exercise and many walkers and their fur friends were
out at Crissy with Ginger and this blogger yesterday. Only a few
tourists and that is always a blessing. Then we listened to a tape
of Bill's here in front of the fireplace and we both forgave him
for repeating himself. Quite lovely and I only welled up once,
when he said, "It's good to be alive."

Marriage Story is on the Flix® already and I watced that last
night. Excellent ~ happy and sad, much like real life.

Night Bloom under glass

The Great Plotniks and I went to the Conservatory of Flowers last
night thanks to comps from dear Carlo ~ I used to work with him at
the museum. Now he is employed here and his display talents shine
through once again. Intriguing lights and forest sounds and always
the amazing plants, seen differently than usual. Lovely indeed.

old SF restaurant with old friends

the bar at John's Grill

Pamela, Cat Lady and Joe all aglow

Annabelle loves this too

John's Grill still has the Maltese Falcon upstairs and it was packed with
happy pre-holiday celebrants. We three had a delightful time and yes,
this was my final birthday event, I promise. Check out the cat in sardine
can art that Joe found for me on his last trip to Mexico. I am an
official Cat Lady, like it or not.

good old fashioned fun

Yesterday afternoon Marsha and I hit the Alamo Drafthouse to see
Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and a bunch of other terrific actors
in Knives Out. Of course I love a mystery, but I didn't expect all
the subtle (and obvious) humor. Drop all the joys of the season
and head to a movie theater to see this gem.

celebrating the 16th

RR = Sweet 16

Some of the grown-up fans of RR

The weather was nasty yesterday, but we all braved the rain and floods to
celebrate RR's 16th birthday at the home of the Blogmaids. It was a warm
and happy gathering with these adoring women and RR's papa who did
all the cooking and of course he waited on us tirelessly. Lovely day in
Half Moon Bay, aka Pumpkinville.

the day is set

Here is the jigsaw puzzle we will do on Christmas Day. The fireplace
is key to this gathering and I am determined to keep it casual: snacks
and TV and laughter. I have no idea how many people will show up,
but it will be a good day. It will,  damn it. (Puzzle is only 500 pieces.)

today I salute...

Dyson V8 lightweight miracle vacuum

...friends and lightweight vacuums that actually pick-up cat fur.

Thanks Redundant John for this suggestion. Under $300 now.

the tourist in me

cable car on Powell Street

gold trimmed Victorian on Sutter Street

I did a lot of city walking yesterday and yes, I still love this impossible
city. It's not the easiest time of year for so many people and we do
our new age I-have-everything-I-need-to-be-happy kind of positive
thinking self-help crap to remain upbeat and to help others as best we
can. Guess what? It still works. I am so fortunate.

some mornings

Annabelle is a bundle of fur energy this morning. Up, down, over,
jump, chase, scratch and a small love bite now and again. Weird,
because often she will take her first morning nap in front of the
fire. Not today. We are listening to Husbando's voice tapes from
2003, and good old Tosca is doing her high pitched screeching.
My current girl leaps up and goes looking for the intruder. Ghosts.

back to (with) Borders friends

I have walked by Paprika on 24th Street many, many times. Last night
was a little birthday dinner for Kevin M and this was a good choice
because the five of us (Kristin, Kevin Eye, Kevin M, Terri and me)
all live in the neighborhood. We celebrated Kevin M's birthday and
had a fine time over chicken paprikash, goulash, kielbasa and lots
of warm bread for dipping. A bit of warm reminiscing and catch-up
on a cold wintry night and I was happy to finally enjoy Paprika.

if I had my time again

Neti and I were both surprised at how much we enjoyed Groundhog
Day at the SF Playhouse yesterday. We couldn't picture it, but this
works as a musical. The actors/singers/dancers were terrific, as
was the staging. Today's headline is the song in the play that touched
me so much, as it was supposed to.