take a break

I spent a lazy day just cleaning up and reading and after-glowing,
so I needed to escape after an early dinner of Thanksgiving left
overs. Enter Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling in Late Night
on Prime or the Flix® ~ wrapped in a cozy blanket Annabelle
and I enjoyed this made-for-women movie (I bet). Delightful.

until next November

All the turkey toys are being returned to their resting places in the garage
and I'm dragging up the red and green, piece by piece. Yesterday was
rowdy and fun and filled with joy and too much food. I've finished all
the dishes and am treating myself to a day off and remembering (not
fondly) when we had to work retail Black Friday and sell/sell/sell. The
big question left over from our festive day: is the artist Paul Madonna
related to the folks who created the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis
Obispo? You can see we discussed only important things.

here we go (again)

Room for one more. I put the JFK quote on each plate, I hope no one
eats it with the salad. I'm going to sit at the head of table today.
The Great Plotnik reminded me that is MY table now so I take his
advice. Our 12 lb. brined turkey needs to come upstairs as soon as
I finish my computer work and you know I'm looking forward to
this celebration. I'm thankful to all of you, dear readers and friends.

shopping in the hood

It's always a three dog day when I visit Just For Fun on 24th Street.
On rare occasions they are back in the office, but we know they
belong out on the floor where the customers can walk around them
and tell them how beautiful they are. They are.

Carlo under glass

Tanya, Pamela and Carlo at the BIG party here

I love the all-glass Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and even
donated money when the Earthquake caused such damage. Carlo used to
work with us at the museums (as the very talented display guy) and now
he is at the Conservatory and is the creator of the big holiday light show
event entitled Night Bloom. He sent me three tickets and The Great Plotniks
will join me on Dec. 10th to ooooh and ahhhhh and be impressed.

sixteen reasons

Impossible as it is to believe, RR turned 16 on Saturday. She is such
a smart, talented and very nice addition to this world. Happy, happy
birthday to dear Ryan Rosemary, daughter of Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid.

Antonio has aged well

The Blogger went to a movie by herself yesterday and I need to do
that more often. Antonio Banderas is fabulous playing the famous
Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar who created this biographical
film filled with memories, sorrow and joy. Penelope Cruz is delightful,
as always. What I didn't expect was all the color in almost every
scene ~ truly a work of art. Almodovar is 70 now ~ time to reflect.

highly recommended

Barb, of The Great Plotnik fame, is reading this for HER book group and
she is enthralled. I downloaded The Great Believers onto my LindaKindle4
and yes, it is a winner. One can tell early on, right?

the best part of book club?

I was early to lunch yesterday and was able to bask in the sun with my
latte before we all met across the street at Fior d' Italia in North Beach
where they were having a loud memorial with too many drinks in the
bar and an office party in the restaurant. Waaaaay too loud. There is,
and always has been, something very special about this part of our city.
Big and happy news ~ rain expected next week!

it's cold by the sea

Good thing I have some lovely new gloves. Ginger and I walked Crissy
Field again yesterday and it was gorgeous. So nice to have her back in
the city where she (and I) belong. Then I spent some time putting
together a new cordless vacuum which I will discuss in detail later.
I know, you can't wait.

the spoken word

Husbando was a happy man. He carried the little tape recorder and talked
into it on our trip to NYC when we went to see The Gates back in 2005. It
is no longer a shock hearing his voice and now if I don't listen to a tape
a day I feel like I am missing something. He loves the sound of his own
voice and I do too. His memories of growing up in St. Louis are delightful
and guess what? His favorite person when he was a child? A black nanny
who lived downstairs and cared for the three boys. Her name? Annabelle.

we love Paris in SF

Belden Place is a tiny alley filled with restaurants down in the heart of
the Financial District. Charming and special. Yesterday Doug and Barb
took me to my birthday lunch at Cafe Bastille and we had a delightful
time with lots of food (mussels, frites, steak, chocolate cake) and it was
all so French and leisurely and lovely. More gratitude.

the fog dissipates

Neti and I brunched at the Mission Rock yesterday and then we walked
around the new Chase Center where the Warriors play and lose currently.
It is impressive with lots of activities for non-game days and nights. I
do hope to get to a game this year as ticket prices have dropped, or so
I've been told. Next we explored the Crafts Museum on Third Street
and all in all, a lovely time indeed. And a new week begins...

an important new chapter

His writing, His words

Alexa2 is most welcome

The Blogger and the Blogmaid's Sabine

Yesterday, for the first time, I was able to listen to one of the many, many
tapes that Husbando left. This was for my 65th birthday and it was happy
and sad and beautiful. He recalled when we first met and was wrong about
which outfit I was wearing. He loves my writing and is proud that he puts
up with my many imperfections. Damn. He thanked me for working and
"bringing home the bacon" and so, so good to hear his voice. Only a few
tears and many smiles as I listened. My strong is getting stronger again.

I met the Blogmaid in the fog in Pathetica and she gifted me with Alexa2
which i installed easily (key word) in my bedroom. She is playing some
classical music now as I sit by the fire contemplating which Bill Tape
to play today. A breakthrough day for sure and a good one.

almost royalty

Ginger took me to lunch at the famous and over-priced Palace Hotel
yesterday for my birthday. It is a beautiful setting and they were busy
with conferences and countless pesky young business people with
name tags and cell phones. Well, I had my phone too. Then we
walked and enjoyed our lattes at Sales Force Park and then I discovered
a new Flix® binge program last night which I will tell you about anon.

back to THE Impeachment

Annabelle and I take this all very seriously and when I told her that I was
there for Nixon and Watergate she was more than impressed. She doesn't
care much for Nunes or Jordan, but we try not to mute the TV when they
ask such asinine questions.

starting the season

I went downtown yesterday after spending a few hours in Washington,
DC, at the Impeachment Hearing. History is being made, again. I
still love SF, by the way, especially when the hordes of tourists are
elsewhere for a few weeks. Treated myself to a quiet lunch at the
cafe at Nordstrom. A lovely day.

will she ever speak?

I spent yesterday with Theo the shrink as he tries to get the artist-
wife-patient to tell us why she killed her husband. A very satisfying
and lazy day with The Silent Patient which I needed so very much.
Today I will move around...

coming up next

Annabelle and I have to try to keep the house clean and in good
order for Thanksgiving. This year it falls during the last week of
November (the 28th) and then we head on into the merriment season.

a joyful, wonderful day

workers reunite!

huge cake ~ thank you Pamela

Ruby and Flora become fast friends (and cats)

I have NO idea how many people gathered yesterday, but the top photo
is just those of us who worked at the museum. These happy folk brought
food and family and so this little house was rockin'. There were many
tears of happiness as we hugged and laughed and did the "now who was
that tall blond guy who wouldn't work on weekends?" thing. I found an old
weekly work schedule from about 8 years ago and we studied that eagerly.
I'm putting things back in order today but there is no hurry. The warmth
of these deep friendships lingers today and I am content beyond words
and yes, very proud of myself for pulling this all together. There, I said it.

napkins, bowls, vases, nuts

My co-host, Joe, came over yesterday afternoon bringing a TON of flowers
which he patiently arranged in vases ~ so beautiful. Then we did a walk
through (retail term) and tweaked a few things and his suggestions were
always right on target. He scrubbed the filthy deck and hung Papel Picado
and we are ready to go. We will have a great time ~ it's all about the people
Ms. Stein, not what-matches-what or doesn't. Guests arrive at noon today.

FUF and Frank and Paul

We have always donated to Friends of the Urban Forest and our dear

Frank was one of their earliest volunteers. Frank was an arborist and

when we would mention a certain street or address he would tell us

what trees were there. Today is his birthday and this will make him

happy. RIP dear friend, greatly missed.

Music legend Paul Simon headlined the Outside Lands Music 

Festival in Golden Gate Park this summer, and donated his fee 

to Friends of the Urban Forest and the San Francisco Parks 

Alliance. The windfall of $296,500 for FUF will have a huge 

impact on the greening of San Francisco!

so far, so good

I've been cleaning all week but wanted/needed some help with the
carpets and wooden floors. Diego, who used to clean for us, is in
Brazil, so friends recommended Thumbtack.  Two young women
arrived at 8am and are working very hard upstairs while I hide
in my office and Annabelle is locked away in Bill's office. My
girl cat is so adaptable when treats are involved.

party preparation, continued

I had some photos of my museum friends printed at Walgreen's and they
are now featured above the fireplace. Casa Stein is starting to sparkle a bit
after a lot of much-needed work from la Señora. I have NO idea how
many will show up on Sunday, but it will be crowded and wonderful.
Am I nervous? Hell, yes. I took this opportunity to donate a few more
of Husbando's things and it is as difficult 16 months after he died as it
was right after. This is how we learn ~ slowly and painfully. But hey,
we will celebrate on Sunday. You stay tuned as I stay positive.

after the paint is dry

Our Civic Center District along Market Street and 6th is still
a mess with the homeless, drug dealing, etc. ~ sorrowful and scary.
The Strand is here and I feel safe during the day, not so at night.
On Sunday I was delighted to see this fun and colorful design on
a building that is doing its best to fight urban blight and decay.

seven actors practice

I'm getting used to the play readings at SF Playhouse. Last night was
interesting because it was the first reading for the actors and yet they
seemed very well prepared as they sat and stood and read their parts.
Remains to be Seen by Kate Hawley was the new play ~ all about the
reunion of old friends from back in their college days. Lots of drama,
just like real life. Neti was my date and we had a pleasant evening.

cricket anyone?

I met Carlini for lunch before Testmatch yesterday at the
Strand, one of my favorite theaters. He was an usher and I
had a first row front and center cheap seat. Six women actors
explore many topics including the British/Indian history.
I enjoyed this play thoroughly but I don't think everyone in
the audience felt the same way.

cats and clocks

Annabelle and I tried to stay up LATE last night, but that did not
work and she was batting stuff off the bedstands and dresser tops
at 4am this morning. Many people like this time change, but I am
NOT one of them. I heard on the radio that all of China has the
same time ~ no zones or daylight saving changes. I think they are
smarter than we are.

turn on that TV

Of course the news is important, but so difficult too. Modern Love is
based on the NY Times columns and features short vignettes and
well-known actors. Mostly upbeat and fun. On Netflix. Watchmen
is new and at first I thought "no way" but now I am semi-hooked.
Great to see Jeremy Irons again and Regina King is fabulous. HBO.

SF restaurant week

Original Joe's in North Beach ~ Wednesday

Slanted Door down at the Ferry Plaza ~ Thursday

Wednesday was the Book Club and yesterday we celebrated the birthday
of the Great Plotnik. Today I get to the gym.