friendship is the thing

It was fun being with Neti again but this wasn't a very good play.
I know, I usually like everything. Dance Nation was a rare miss
for the SF Playhouse. Then we had dinner at the new Mexican
restaurant in my nabe, across from my park. I will review that
at a later date. Yes, just be patient...

surf's up

It was a glorious yesterday at Crissy Field with lots of white caps and
surfers and the city in the background. Ginger and I had a good, long
walk and talk, just like in the good old days. Only different...

Mrs. Kitteridge returns

Friends in high places. Shauna and I worked together at Borders and she
is still in the book biz and sent me the new release for Olive, Again.
So all I have done since returning from Sonoma yesterday about
noon is read. I did take the walk for a latte and kale salad (visible in the
upper left corner) and let me tell you that, in my most humble opinion,
this book is even better than Elizabeth Strout's first Olive novel. The
best description of widowhood ever written? Maybe. Our hero is so
honest and complicated and kind and mean and confused and clear-
headed. Olive is me, Olive is every woman. 10/15 is the release date.

one night in Sonoma

Marsha at Girl and Fig

Concert Hall at Sonoma State

I'm home again now after the spectacular Diana Krall concert at Sonoma State
last night. Marsha and I had an early dinner at the Girl and Fig on the square
and then the not easy drive to/fro the Sonoma Creek Inn and the beautiful
Green Center venue. Diana was much more of a musician and less of a star
than I expected and I was so very impressed. Beautiful.

codes and burgers

Yesterday the book club met at Piperade (yum) for lunch and discussion
of The Woman Who Smashed Codes book. Gini gave us each the above
code to figure out and I was the first to break it. (It is easier when it isn't
upside down, by the way.) It was a fine meeting and lots of fun.

The Great Plotniks invited me for dinner last night and we sat OUTSIDE
which is so rare and wonderful here. Superb burgers. Niece Brit from NYC
was here too and she is so special. Lovely evening. Too hot here to sleep, alas.

well, here we go...

OK, it's official. History is being made again. I hope it doesn't backfire.
Maybe Trump will quit, like Nixon did. Or stay and be re-elected, like Clinton.
We know it won't be a smooth impeachment ride ahead, but interesting, always...

you go, Greta

An intense 15 year old influences the entire world. It is HER planet
and so we listen and admire her bravery and commitment. Most of us,
anyway...

back home and hooray!

It was a wonderful vacation and Annabelle and I are both purring
after being a part for so long. The Woman Who Smashed Codes
is for Book Club on Wednesday and I thought I would skim
through it on the airplane. Well, it is fascinating and I am reading
it slowly and I recommend it highly to any and all. And it is
true and well documented and so very inspiring.

no-rush in Roswell

Delightful river walk

Candlelight and guitar music and nature noise

I am packed and ready for home. Yesterday we did the river walk ~ about
four miles. Lovely. Then we had coffee and went to an art show in the
Roswell Town Square and then home for grilled hot dogs, ice cream and
tea on the front porch while Eddie strummed one of his eight (or so) guitars.
I do love the warm evenings outside which we never get in SF, as you
well know. Eddie was so good with my wishes to eat ouside as often as
possible. The Blogmaid will meet my plane today ~ how very wonderful.

beauty and ballparks

Love Connection coffee shop

Home of the Braves

Half assed salute to Bochy last night

Another fine, full day. First to meet the ex-wife Patti for coffee in this
delightful old home where we sat on the back deck. Then to Swopes to
meet the old friends of Roswell and have lunch and then to the yard which
is such a happening place, especially since the Braves are playing so well
and yes, we left before they clinched last night. The fans did that stupid
chop thing and I seethed. Thankfully there were other orange people there
and we nodded and waved and cried into our overpriced ballpark food
and drink. This Sun Trust Park is new with lots and lots of retail and
restaurants and it is fun and a bit too noisy, but the happy fans seem to
love Battery Place. Delighted to leave our lackluster Giants in the 7th inning.

loving the city of Atlanta

Nobel Peace Prize to Jimmy Carter

Eddie in front of Mary Mac's

View of Atlanta from the High

Lovely folk art

from the Harold Finster exhibit 

We started our city day at the Jimmy Carter Center remembering this not so
great president, but good and wonderful man. Now I want to visit other
presidential libraries, not realizing the vast amount of treasures shared
with us. Then lunch at Mary Mac's a famous and fun restaurant. Next
to the High Museum where I could have spent hours. Lots of terrific
folk art in a beautiful building. Dinner last night at Marlow's with three
of Eddie's friends, he is much loved here and we had a lovely time. A
full day for sure. Baseball tonight ~ the Braves might clinch, oh oh.

home again (sort of)

Tallulah Gorge

Bernie's for lunch ~ pretty, no?

Well, my Roswell home. Yesterday we drove down (over?) from Asheville,
stopping along the way. Soon the leaves will change and the highways will
be clogged with tourists, according to Eddie. Tallulah Gorge ~ who knew?
Well, lots of hikers and outdoorsy folk because there are many trails and
a nature center here. Beautiful country, I know I keep saying that, but it is
really something. Then a late lunch in Sautee at Bernie's, a stop at a pottery
museum and finally home about 6:30. Early (for me) bed and a good sleep
and today we go into the big city of Atlanta.

North Carolina = beautiful

Lake Susan in Montreat

Welcome!

View from our table at the Grove Park Inn patio

Famous fireplace at the Grove Park Inn

Yesterday we toured Chef Sarah's Montreat and then had lunch in nearby Black
Mountain ~ a very good day before one of the best dinners EVER at the Grove
Park Inn in Asheville. An outside table, perfect steak and salad. We celebrated
Eddie's birthday in style. This hotel was built in 1913, check out the huge
stones around the gigantic fireplace in the main lobby.  Back to Roswell today
and on to Atlanta tomorrow. The weather is cooling. Fall?

3 mile Biltmore walk

cozy home

great gargoyles abound

elegant stairwell

kitchen with only copper to cook in

Two fabulous tours yesterday and LOTS of walking. I recommend this visit
to everyone. Built in the 1920's, the Vanderbilts lived a life of luxury in the
largest private home in America. My knees are barking today, but it was
worth it. A nice late lunch in the Stable Cafe there and then a trip to
downtown Asheville last night which I loved. I am getting caught up on
my need to be outside for coffee and meals. Almost.

on the road all Sunday

Dahlonega

Wolf Mountain winery and restaurant

The Appalachian Trail

Such beautiful country and since we were in no hurry we stopped often.
Worst latte of my life in Dahlonega, but that's ok. Late dinner at Mo's
or Zo's Kitchen here in Asheville where we are staying at the Biltmore
Residences. We each have our own bedroom AND bathroom and
I'm now sitting in the front room with the patio door open, checking
the sky. Good weather so far! This luxury place is about $200 a night.
Not missing California at this moment. (But my cat, always.) I texted
Chef Sarah yesterday and there were no wineries when she was
growing up in this area ~ now there are quite a few. Learned about
Kadzo or Cadzo plant and I will google it. Tired this morning with
busy tourist day ahead. Eddie brought his guitar and Keurig.

walking, talking, coffee, dinner

Roswell downtown 

Adele's on Canton Cajun Restaurant

Chattahoochee River

Yes, it is beautiful here ~ so lush and green. No worries ever about droughts
or overcrowded conditions. Yesterday we walked in the morning and that
was just what I needed ~ a four mile up and down hike. Then to an early
dinner in downtown Roswell (mussels for me, jambalaya for Eddie) sitting
on a quiet outdoor patio. Everyone is so very friendly. Came home to do
laundry, have some sleepy tea and guitar music outside on Eddie's porch
and then early to bed for me. Best news? I slept beautifully.

thunder, lightning, insomnia

Atlanta ~ driving from airport

one of the lakes in Roswell

I have my own apartment here at Eddie's in Roswell. Alas, the electricity
was down last night for hours so we moved around slowly with candles
and flashlights. Roswell is bigger than I expected, a bustling little
city, or so it seems. This morning I'm out on the front porch looking
into a forest and waiting for the deer to wander by. The thunder storm
was violent and amazing. There will be more...

P. S. All smooth at SFO and on the Delta flight. Huge, well-organized
Atlanta airport.

hot here, hot there

I didn't stay past the 5th inning yesterday, yikes ~ so warm. I will call
Lyft in a moment to go to the airport and catch my flight to Atlanta.
I hope Delta can maneuver around the closed SFO runway. Ommmmm.

packing and chatting

Tomorrow I go to Atlanta ~ too soon after Ashland I now realize. Annabelle
hasn't signed off on this and she cares not one whit that this blouse was
freshly laundered and ironed and ready to be folded neatly. Neti invited me
for an early dinner and this is the view from her kitchen ~ you can see the
little homes of Twin Peaks through the big tree in her backyard.

We know Noe Valley

My gym is in Noe Valley and I hauled ass over there yesterday and then
met a friend for coffee. I didn't know about this new event in the so-called
Town Square but I will return for (ahem) fun and games. Small town,
big city, good vibes.

a poetic Tuesday

Southern Cone

Carmen Giménez Smith

I wept with my grandmother when Reaganwas shot because that's what she wanted.At night, she'd tell me about a city builtby Evita for children in Buenos Aires, the cityof her first exile. Children went aboutmunicipal duties in the small post officeand mini city hall to learn to be good citizens.In Argentina she sold bread puddingand gave French and English lessons from herhome for money to buy shoes. She promisedwe'd go someday, but we never did. She'd sayPeruvians were gossipy, Argentinians snobbish, butChileans were above reproach. A little bit migrant,a little bit food insecurity, she was the brass bustof JFK on her altar, the holy card of Saint Anthonyon her TV. She was her green card and the ebony crossabove her bed. The lilted yes when she answeredthe phone, and the song she liked to hum about bellsand God that ended tirin-tin-tin-tirin-tin-tan: milesand ages away from her story, she sang it.

writers gather in Napa once again

Chef Sarah took a trip to Alabama to take a course in biscuit making and
we all benefitted yesterday. Lots of lovely food and laughter and good words
and warm friendship. Thanks again to Doug and Barb for driving to/fro
Napa and not once did we get lost this time!