sweet Sunday

 I posted this pretty photo on Instagram yesterday. Keeping up with Ukraine and appreciating my soft and easy life here in America. Remembering back to our anti-war and anti-Trump marches and how lucky we were to be able to express our strong opinions and not be tossed in jail. Yes, I do take freedom for granted. I had a lovely day puttering, cleaning, weeding, reading and being very, very grateful.

volunteers in orange vests

 About 40 of us showed up at 10am for trash pick-up on Mission Street, one of the dirtiest and busiest areas of the city. We broke into two groups and filled our bags and felt good about ourselves and our city. A couple of residents thanked me as I grabbed another empty vodka bottle or styrofoam box. One man brought his two kids ~ yes! I hope to do a Refuse, Refuse event for two hours each week. We will see.

showing our colors

 San Francisco City Hall is right here along with the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building as we all support Ukraine during Putin's attempt to take over that country. The news is so very upsetting and I try to unglue myself from the TV, but that isn't easy. So proud of the brave Russians taking to the streets over there to demonstrate against the war. Stay strong citizens of Ukraine. 

lunch and art with an old friend

 Ken and I worked together about 30 years ago at Barnes and Noble. Now he works at the Craft and Design Museum and is pictured here with Ted Cohen who is the featured artist/collector at this delightful museum currently. We had a delicous lunch and latte at Piccino in the big yellow house and then I wandered with ooohs and ahhhhs through the exhibit. So good for my soul.

celebration in the nabe

 It was Cristina's birthday yesterday so we gathered amongst her garbage cans to drink champagne. She is a deckhand on the Larkspur-SF ferry and is also a bartender ~ she is in the bottom photo with the yellow bar towel in her pocket. The sweet dog is Lola. 

I follow Kiri on Instagram

 As do thousands of other people. Kiri, the Teeny Tiny Fire Engine originally lived in Japan, but now she is one of our many colorful SF residents. When she (?) visits big fire engines they often invite the driver/owner in for meals and fire talk. Kiri goes everywhere ~ check out @teenytinyfiretruck.

the inside dirt

 I just heard about Refuse Refuse and will join as soon as possible. Just a group of citizens picking up trash to make the city look better. No official sign-up, just show up with a garbage bag and grabber to one of the "events". This makes me happy. 

celebrating Marsha

 Yesterday Luckey and I celebrated Marsha's birthday at this surprising boutique Proper Hotel in the Tenderloin (!) across from his art studio. We told stories and laughed and cried because Marsha was such an amazing woman and friend to both of us. I brought her photo (above) which I do in my own really cheesy way as we remember the people who had the audacity to leave us. I so needed this.

another early Spring

 We are well aware that many have to wait another month or two for tulips and daffodils and blooming cherry trees, but here I am in mid-February bringing our bulbs out from under the dark temporary (we hope) under-stair deck cemetery. These lovelies were happy to emerge into the sunshine last week.

mornings at seven

 These photos do not really work, but when the sun rises I am sitting in front of the fireplace with my laptop and cat. I glance up (top) and see a bright orange in the window of my neighbor's across the street. Then I rush to the back of the house to catch this amazing and almost blinding sun on one or more of the downtown buildings. I miss Husbando as one or the other of us would call out, "Quick, come look!"and in fact (shhhhhh) I often still do that. 

books and veggies

 Yesterday the book club met in a private room at Green's ~ one of the first and most successful vegetarian restaurants in SF. I'm happy to report that they are still checking for Vax cards before allowing people inside the restaurant and we had a lovely, long meeting covering more than books. Surprise. Green's is located right ON the bay and wow, what a beautiful day. Do you call this winter?

Savannah, GA (stock photo)

 The Blogmaid and family are touring Savannah and although she is texting me wonderful photos I am not able to get them from iPhone to here successfully yet. I have never been to this glorious city, but one day I hope to go. They are having good weather, thankfully, and of course lots to see and do. Just a tad green with envy, but I'm so happy for Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid and RR too. Enjoy!

she is almost a has been

 Jean Smart plays an aging comedian based in Las Vegas in Hacks on HBO Max. My writing partner this week (Will) reminded me that this program had excellent reviews when it first appeared and I had forgotten all about it. Well, I made up for this last night watching four wonderful half hour episodes. And Season 2 has already been scheduled. Hooray! 

on my LindaKindle 4

 Some weeks I have an audio book, a paperback and a kindle book going. This when I don't read as fast as I used to. Something to Hide by Elizabeth George is her latest and it is fascinating. She has done a lot of research and like some of us, she is not exactly young anymore. So good for her! Oh, this mystery is on my Kindle, which I love so much.

the grove and the bowl

 We widows had a Valentine lunch celebration yesterday outside in Pat's Grove ~ quiche, salad, gooey dessert and (of course) coffee. Lovely. Then I rushed home to watch the wrong team win again, but of course I loved the Super Bowl commercials. 

it takes two for tea and cat disciplining

Neighbor Heidi came over yesterday afternoon for a spot of tea and some jigsaw puzzle work. It really was the ideal time to chat and work and nibble. Alas, we spent a bit of time reminding Annabelle that it is not her job to steal puzzle pieces, but still she persists.

sun for flowers and felines

 This might be the earliest Spring ever here.  Annabelle spends most of the day in her courtyard and the tulips and daffys were over at Doug and Barb's where I had coffee yesterday afternoon. Soon I will be out in my garden weeding ~ well, at least that is on my To Do List.

it's summer at Stow

 The entire world (almost) was out walking and picnicking (and where did that K come from?) at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park yesterday. Patrice and I met there for a walk and talk yesterday ~ we used to work together at the museums and now she lives up in Sonoma County. She will be cat sitting for me in October when I finally get back to Ashland for some deep theater. Lovely day.

heart art by the bay

 I went down to the Ferry Building yesterday to see some heart sculptures and to sit by the bay with a latte and lots of good memories. These hearts raise money for SF General Hospital and they are always clever and colorful. After latte time I walked along the bay to the Jewel but no baseball schedules yet. A lot of overpriced merchandise though. This warm weather continues. Yikes.

magnolia mania

 Yesterday Ginger and I had our walk (and coffee) out at the Botanical Gardens and wow, what a day. It is just like summer here ~ warm and clear. (Not an SF summer, of course.) Attendance at all the wonders of Golden Gate Park has increased dramatically since the pandemic. 

I have some work to do

 Hmmmmm, I need to buckle down and see a few more on this list. Sunday, March 27, is Oscar day and many of these are on my very own television, waiting for me. 

BEST PICTURE

"Belfast"

"CODA"

"Don't Look Up"

"Drive My Car"

"Dune"

"King Richard"

"Licorice Pizza"

"Nightmare Alley"

"The Power of the Dog"

"West Side Story"

so much to think about

 Wow, a long (two plus hours and no intermission) and talky Heroes of the Fourth Turning at SF Playhouse yesterday afternoon. Young people from a right wing Catholic college in Wyoming are partying at a cabin near the campus and honestly, there is so much to digest after seeing this that I am still reeling. The playwright Will Arbery was a 2020 Pulitzer Finalist and this haunting play is incredible. And the actors worked long and hard too. A bit overwhelming and so NOW.

too silly to watch (and yet)

 It's so rare that I laugh out loud watching television that I am just a bit ashamed to tell you that Murderville on the Flix® was stupid and very funny. Will Arnett is the lead detective and the guest stars did not have scripts so they would laugh in all the wrong places. Kumail Nanjiani was probably my favorite although Sharon Stone was wonderful too. 

my grand dog, Honey Stein

 Honey lives in Buffalo, NY with Rob, my youngest stepson and his family. They are having a very cold winter and Honey has a new coat from LL Bean. Sarah is very proud of the dog and coat but in a separate text Rob says that Honey hates the coat, especially the hood and so they are heading to Florida. Brrrrr.

small town feel in big city

 Every Friday morning we line up down by Charlie's Cafe at the end of Precita Park to buy our loaves of Bernal Bread for the week. The baker, who started this successful venture during the pandemic of 2020, knows everyone and it takes me a while to walk to/fro because there are so many neighbors and dogs to meet and greet. It is impossible not to slice or pull off a hunk when I get back home. Oh, yum. Oh, SF.

the oldest blog in America?

 Yesterday a friend called from Oregon and I was trying to remember when we had the wonderful trip on Amtrak to Portland and then our drive to/fro Bend to visit Mickey and June. That was back in 2008, and the fastest way I could determime when this occcured was to type BEND in on the locator on this very blog. I started this habit back in 2005, and have more than 6,000 posts. When I miss a day (rare) I hear from one of my readers. Do not think that I have a lot of loyal followers, I don't, but I appreciate each and every one of you. But honestly, I do this for me and not just as a reference tool, I need to highlight my quiet little life. I like to remember that the placement of a comma is not important to my writing and if I add one too many, or forget one, my post is a-ok just the way it is. Plus, comma, I really need to express a lot of gratitude. I am such a fortunate woman. And blogger.

Lunar New Year - celebration!

I don't know why the dessert landed on top here, but so be it. The dinner party at Pat's was great fun and as colorful as could be. Lots of red and gold and the reading of fortunes after dinner ~ none of us delighted, but we made up our own. Oh, this Dragon will be getting married in 2022. What to wear?
 

Chinese New Year 2022

 I bought this shiny red top in Chinatown last week in anticipation of the dinner party tonight at Pat's. I am looking forward to celebrating with friends and eating too much awkwardly with chop sticks. Of course you will see photos tomorrow.