the stately homes of Frisco

I've loved this big old house for years and discovered it again yesterday
with the impressive cloud background. What's interesting is that this
is that it is in a "good" neighborhood, about a block away from lots
of low income housing. Why we love our city ~ let me count the ways.

as we enter week #3

yesterday

today

I did walk yesterday and bought a couple of gift cards to support one
of my favorite nabe restaurants. This playground is usually PACKED
and will be again ~ come June or July? Who knows? Not the ignorant
and dangerous tRump, that's for sure.

Today I will study from a real book, all about my new watch. So far,
even though I am clueless, I love it. It reminds me to stand up when
I have been sitting too long and my back appreciates that.

rainy Saturday, no frogs yet

more bears for the picnic

all bases covered here

Barb got into the teddy bear theme big time yesterday! I believe the
Great Plotniks are closet cleaning.  I didn't walk in the rain, but I
should have and will today. Note how eclectic this tiny nabe cottage
is and the wind chimes might irritate some, but I have always liked
them. One could remove one's shoes and enter this home and have
an herbal cup of tea and some gluten-free tasteless cookies and
some gentle conversation. I K R (I know right)

where's the picnic?

We train our eyes for details when walking becomes the one all-important
outing during the day. I'm guessing that cannabis sales are up here in my
very quiet city by the very quiet bay. Sleep becomes an issue, alas.

thank you again, Steph (and Anthony)

Check out our local hero (Steph Curry) talking with our national hero
(Dr. Anthony Fauci) on Instagram. This is a true public service spot
without tRump's lies and bullshit.

And then you get to see Folsom Street and Precita Avenue during my
afternoon walk yesterday. Lately the skies are so bright and blue that
they almost hurt my eyes. I've never appreciated walking more. You?

let's walk, let's Zoom

gargoyles ~ Bernal style

oh, that's right, it's Spring

superb chicken dinner with friends 

I think I will take Husbando's walking sticks today as I explore the nearby
hills that have become steeper since last I did this kind of exploring. Some
of the old standby homes have gentrified, some not.

Zoom chicken dinner thanks to Doug and Barb. Delightful to catch up
with them and I was and am so gratified. We had a lot of catch-up to
cover including a little gossip. We are not alone.

Today. Happy Birthday to dear Dancing Jen who is working at St.
Anthony's boxing up food for the less fortunate. Hard work, good woman.

it still sets, it still rises (so far)

night falls in Half Moon Bay

morning becomes this cool, grey city of love

Thanks to the Blogmaid for her top photo and to the city I adore for the one
on the bottom. Even though I am not spending money for restaurants or
travel, I tend to be sending a bunch to assorted unusual charities. That's OK. I'm
one of the fortunate ones. Time to salute the front line workers in the health
care field, grocery stores, etc. We listen to the scientists, not to the self-
serving and ignorant idiot tRump.

walk, shop, email, weed, nap, read, TV

I'm late today because I wanted to hit Safeway during Old People Time
before they open on Tuesday and Thursday. So I arrived at 7:30am
and missed my writing-in-front-of-the-fireplace habit. Nice not to have
hordes of people to contend with and despite bare shelves I found
everything I need, except Triscuits.

These two photos are from yesterday's walk. This afternoon I will
finish "Wanted" on the Flix® and I will miss Lola and Chelsea
so much. I do watch the news and wish Cuomo or Newsom
could be running our country, instead of the orange moron.

the daily walk

under house arrest

man, dog and accordion

sweet front garden

green cottage and thoughts of Linda D 

Of course the walk is the highlight for this blogger, although I did drop
snail mail thank you notes to Governor Newsom and Mayor Breed. They
made the difficult decisions to keep us away from each other and the
virus. We remember that Gavin Newsom is the reason gay marriage is
now acceptable, he is a brave leader. I missed a good close-up photo
here of the man and dog, he is playing an accordion. We focus on the
details during these strange times, at least I do.

in praise of the little stuff

lovely colorful little home on Precita Avenue

just click and go

Greetings from the self-isolated blogger of Bernal Heights. I did get out
for a delightful walk and saw a man pick-up food from a local restaurant
while wearing his ugly bathrobe. Another walker and I exchanged WTF?
looks and continued on. I deposited a check at the bank ATM after wiping
down the keys and wearing a mask. Came home to fill out the Census ~
so easy online. Julia across the street is going to Costco and I ordered a
$4.99 roast chicken. Honestly, people are so/so nice and caring. We will
all get through this and baseball will return. Bloggers know a lot.

shut-ins seek diversions

my ever-changing city in the morning

note dining companion in upper right corner

"click on that green circle over on the left"

The best walk EVER at 7:30am yesterday ~ to Safeway for blueberries and
oranges, with mask and gloves. Awkward. Of course I dawdled to and fro
because the air here is cleaner than usual and it is so quiet for a bustling city.
I will now try to walk everyday, what a glorious difference. Fellow walkers
are friendly, as we keep our distance.

Neighbor Heidi gave me a jar of potato and leek soup for my late lunch.
Exquisite ~ so I used the old/new best china. Yummmmmm.

My first Zoom. Dodger Doug (see ugly sweatshirt) set it up for our writers'
group. Just three of us to start, but the testing went pretty well, although
we mostly clicked around neglecting to talk about writing. Tiapos does tech.

Then early to bed after a restless Thursday night. Last night? Perfection.

California stays at home

my iPhone is now on my wrist

oh, that's right, it's Spring

Governor Newsom expands shelter-at-home to the entire state ~ good move.

In my little life I spent yesterday learning and falling in love with my new
watch and of course thanks to the Blogmaid who jumped in when I worried
about the battery and I did need her applause throughout the day. Then I went
into the garden to start weeding and cleaning up and I was delighted to
discover this glorious lilly ~ it's never been prettier.

the old, the new

we are never alone

so exciting

My neighbor and I signal that everything is a-ok using her holiday
fairy lights (barely visible) and my battery operated candle. Today
it feels like Christmas (the old fashioned kid kind) because I will
open and set up my Apple Watch. It arrived around supper time last
night and I need to be fresh for this project. A million thanks to the
Blogmaid and I hope she is prepared to hear some "I can't DO this,"
wailing and teeth gnashing today. Oh, and Grub Hub delivered $30
worth of Chinese food so I am set food-wise for a few days. The
damn Gratitude List keeps expanding. Stay safe ~ this too shall pass.

from Mary in Bisbee, AZ

It's been awhile. I do love that we are all reaching out to one another now. I 

do wish we had a different Potus. Duh.

Dear Ones - I am sending good wishes and good thoughts your way.  

I went to Mexico yesterday for my eye exam - At the Border entrance 

there were two Mexican  public health nurses with a huge bottle of Purell 

where our hands and arms were cleansed.  A doctor was standing by with a 

stethoscope.  Everybody at the doc’s office was wearing gloves and masks.  

Even the girls at the desk.  I carried my antiseptic wipes with me and 

wiped down every surface - behind me -- double duty, since they were 

wiping down everything meticulously also.

When I came back through the entrance to America, there were absolutely 

no precautions.  I was shocked.  Everybody was using their bare hands to 

open the gates.  I asked one of the Border guards about why they weren't 

using the same precautions the Mexicans were using, and he said that they 

didn't have instructions or permission.....Then he said  "Why do you think 

we are all wearing gloves?”

So much for our government's oversight....

So far, there are no known cases in Cochise County, but Bisbee isn't taking 

any chances -our library is shut down, the gift shop down at the San Pedro is 

closed.   However, we are going to be working outside today to finish putting 

in our butterfly garden down there.  

I read that you are all on 'shelter in place' orders.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.  I will check in again this afternoon.

go home, stay home

No surprise here and no huge sacrifice for those of us with a roof over
our heads and some working electronics. The almost 7 million Bay
Area citizens will shelter-at-home for three weeks. Years ago during
a rough time I learned the mantra I have everything I need to be happy
and indeed I do. Yesterday I went downtown to pick-up my new fake
tooth and my god, SF was deserted. I took Lyft, but I could have driven
and parked. Then the dentist who was going to extract/replace called and
canceled my Thursday appointment after they learned that all non-
essential businesses must close. So I'm in front of the fireplace with
a cat staring at me and a list of things I will get done around the
house after I do my yoga and my daily writing, emails, etc.  Or not.

and the world stands still

Be sure to check out all the music in the neighborhoods of Italy. I might
go and start singing on my back deck. Even my little book club was
canceled this week as we all hunker down and wait until things return
to normal. As if. It's such a good thing that I have always liked my
own company and I will be fine. You will be fine. It seems like a fine
week to have a tooth extracted. Some things don't go away.

isolate with gratitude today

And be very grateful that we aren't stuck in an airport waiting ten hours to
get tested and go home. And maybe Annabelle won't want to help me with
the jigsaw puzzle today. Still loving "Wanted" on the Flix®. Everything
is OK, all in all.

acceptance

Our Mayor Breed (whom I support) says no crowds over 100 people, so
all museums are now closed and even the small theaters have gone dark.
My calendar is filled with cross-outs and forced social distancing. So
yesterday I cleaned and organized my office, spreading (with apologies)
into Bill's space and scrubbing down the surfaces. Some of them. Then
I set up a jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table, much to Annabelle's
delight. This too shall pass.

very strange times

Thank goodness for Netflix! Everything is being canceled and postponed
these days, due to the coronavirus fear. I do get out everyday to walk
and of course "social distancing" is one of the new catch phrases.
I'm in Australia currently with Wanted  ~ about two women on the
run and I recommend it while we avoid crowds, sports, culture. Sigh.

our own little beach town

lunch at Outerlands on Judah Street

3 Fish on Irving St. ~ loved the small oblong painting

also on Irving Street ~ very Mendocino-like

Thanks to Linda (who now lives in Albuquerque) I grew to love and
appreciate the Sunset district of SF. Yesterday I returned with Pat whose
son lived here when he first married, so she too enjoys the unusual ambience
and color here. Lunch at Outerlands, then to the 3 Fish art gallery and a
stop at The Last Straw. The sun was out and so were all the young WAH
(Work at Home) techies and their dogs ~ laughing and chatting in the
outdoor cafes and restaurants. Not a corona virus worry amongst them, all
joy, or so it seemed. And that is the way it should be.

day and night

one tired pup

almost biblical sunset

The Blogmaid and her dog Sabine and I walked down at Pathetica
yesterday and I neglected to get another photo of the ocean. Drat.
For some reason Sabine needed space while we enjoyed our lattes
at the esteemed, ever popular Chit Chat Cafe.

Last night's sunset was incredible. I actually stole this photo from
NextDoor where my neighbors are usually only concerned with
parking and stolen packages.

oooooh, good one!

I just started this and was hooked from the get-go. There is some
criticism because the author is not Mexican and main character is.
American Dirt features a tense plot and is well-written (in this, my
beginning and hardly ever humble opinion.)

Chinatown = Ghost Town

Yesterday I met Dancing Jen and Garber down on the 600 block of Jackson.
Every doorway leads to a restaurant there. Empty. Or maybe one or two
Chinese customers, but NO tourists. These are rough times for so many.
Our lunch, however, was delightful.

Sunday Best

First, sleeping in until 6am is heaven for my inner time clock. I love Daylight
Savings and always have. Let's keep it. Oh, that's right, we voted to do so
and yet, and yet...

International Women's Day ~ I will wear my special pin today as I celebrate
women everywhere. But I especially salute my many women friends who
keep me sane and help me more than they will ever know. Deep gratitude.

back to the golden park

itty bitty baby bison

large fish-free casting pools

Yesterday Ginger and I went to see the baby bison and then walked around
quite a bit, discovering the Angler's Lodge and Casting Pools, where
neither of us had ever been. Then up to see the Police Horses (sorry, no
photo) and back to Stow Lake for lattes and a walk. Sometimes I don't
get to the park for months, then two days in a row. There is so much here
yet to discover and appreciate.

winter is returning

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park yesterday about 9:15am. Thank you
to my Apple friends for creating the cell phone with this amazing
camera. If I made jigsaw puzzles I would chop up this photo at once.
Neti and I circled the lake twice, noting new ducks and some strange
humans. I always have to shush Neti because she lectures folks who
toss bread and they do NOT appreciate her, even if she is right.

first some art, then the theatre

the art studio at 7th and Market

the theater on Market Street, around the corner

Marsha, Pat, Barb and I visited Lucky's studio which is right around the
corner from the ACT Strand Theater. Richard Louis Perri (Lucky) is a
wonderful local artist and Marsha's dear friend. Then we went to see
Gloria ~ a two act play about work place insanity, something most
of us can identify with. It was such a delightful day! (Just an aside,
this is a really nasty part of the city: drugs and homeless and some
very crazy people. It helps to be tall and not afraid.)