The Social Bird

 Not me, really, that was the name of the restaurant in Lafayette where I met Ron and Judy yesterday for a lovely catch-up lunch. Ron and Bill were friends and of course we spent a few minutes with good memories. I have had a busy week and look forward to today when I can get stuff done and attack my To Do List and even read a book and/or magazine with just a cat to converse with.

afternoon tea

 Heidi and I joined Gini and her husband Philipp for tea yesterday afternoon in this lovely, sunny spot. Heidi (my neighbor) teaches at a school a block away and, in fact, the host's children and grands all attend(ed) this school. In some ways SF is a small city with the "do you know so-and-so?" connections. 

history and a few ghosts

 Suzy and I celebrated her birthday yesterday at John's Grill, an old-time dark wooden bar and restaurant with white tablecloths and good food. Suzy and her husband Ralph came here after their wedding and it used to be one of our favorite spots for lunch and/or dinner. Yesterday it was packed, I'm happy to say, because life (and tourists) is (are) returning to SF. 

serenity NOW

 The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is now FREE to SF residents so Ginger and I took advantage of that yesterday for our Tuesday Adventure. It really is such a lovely and tranquil setting, especially during these worrisome war times. The garden began during the 1894 California Fair and expanded over the years. The 9,000 lb. Lantern of Peace was donated in 1953 by the Japanese government. Lots of happy tourists yesterday ~ such a good sign.

yes, we all agree...

 I was smitten by this unofficial handmade sign last week while I was wandering around our downtown. We remain full of hope, even when so much hate whirls about us. Most people are kind, in my opinion.

treasures amongst the trash

 I always enjoy chatting with Emma on Sunday morning as we collect disgusting "don't touch that!" garbage for an hour. How sweet is this little meditation church on (I think) 17th Street? Very!

writers in the sun

 We met yesterday at noon at Suzy's recently remodeled cottage in Oakland. It was a long and glorious day that included BBQ salmon and tons of other wonderful food.  We read and talked (laughed and cried) by the fire pit. It's been too long since we gathered like this ~ without masks and with heaps of gratitude.

Jim Henson at the Jewseum

 Thanks to my friend Bev (top photo) we had a splendid morning at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Jim Henson exhibit was way better than I had expected. So much talent and imagination and love of life. Then we had lunch at the Wise Brothers outdoor cafe and caught up on our lives. Wonderful! 

we have some work to do...

 Earth Day

BY JANE YOLEN

I am the Earth

And the Earth is me.

Each blade of grass,

Each honey tree,

Each bit of mud,

And stick and stone

Is blood and muscle,

Skin and bone.

And just as I

Need every bit

Of me to make

My body fit,

So Earth needs

Grass and stone and tree

And things that grow here

Naturally.

That’s why we

Celebrate this day.

That’s why across

The world we say:

As long as life,

As dear, as free,

I am the Earth

And the Earth is me. 

my gourmet life

 Buy a box ~ you'll see. Trader Joe's Corn Poblano Chowder will erase the blues and warm you down to your little tippy toes. There, a public service announcement from nomorecommasperiod. I can hear the Blogmaid saying, "I can fix that photo for you!" Sorry, too late.

let's go to the zoo!

 Ginger and I lucked out with the weather yesterday as we strolled around the SF Zoo and talked to the animals. The giraffes are always my favorite, but the ant eater seemed frisky and we watched the keepers remove big penguin eggs, check them out and even say "hooray!" before putting each one back carefully. Dedicated animal lovers only work there. Lemurs seemed extra happy too!

here we go again

 This basketball team is just so damn much fun and the playoffs are always intense and very exciting. 

Easter in the nabe

 I picked up trash in my very own neighborhood yesterday morning and compared to Valencia Street it was beyond boring, except for this car. After finding no cig butts or vodka bottles I had a hot cross bun at neighbor Heidi's and then did a spot of gardening. Annabelle insisted on a nap and who am I to argue?

Noodle visits Mullen Avenue

 Luis, the computer guy, brought Noodle yesterday while he upgraded this MsBook Air to Big Sur. A long and difficult (and expensive) process, but so worth it. We (royal) also fixed some "issues" on my iPad and iPhone and all in all, a lot of money very well spent. My brain was overwhelmed by the time our guests departed. And today? Happy Easter everyone!

my busy all good Friday

 From the bottom: lunch with Reverend Rich Carlini and his half sister (!) Carol and a couple of other friends. Miss Puma observed the proceedings. Back/forth to Walnut Creek via BART and not a moment to relax when I arrived home to make Bill's famous white sauce for Passover last night at Doug and Barb's. Just the three of us to remember the old times and those who are no longer with us. Delicious brisket and all the trimmings and now I'm ready to leave the social ramble for a few solo days.

a colorful evening

 Pat the man and Jeanine hosted Neti, Pat the woman and myself last night for a shrimp creole dinner with a New Orleans theme and good laughs and fun. I was up way late, I slept beautifully. Today is a busy Good Friday after some lovely much needed rain yesterday. 

Alyssa makes the national news

 For the first time in a Major League Baseball regular season game, a woman coached on the field. Alyssa Nakken has worked long and hard for our Giants and here she was Tuesday night, making history when she was assigned to first base. She received a nice ovation and here a rival Padre contratulates her. Yes!

lots of dogs and people

 After our walk in Stern Grove yesterday, Ginger and I sat with our coffee and snack and we had to eat fast as the doggies wanted more than just ear scratches. What a beautiful spot. I love the dog owners who are vaguely apologetic about their beloved pets and eager to tell us their names as they smile down with great tenderness. Yes it was cold ~ invigorating. 

highly recommended

 Doug and Barb urged me to see The Present, on Netflix. It is a short Oscar nominated Palestinian film about a man on the West Bank who buys his wife an anniversary present. So powerful.

eyes up on Valencia Street

 My trash buddy Emma and I picked up debris on the sidewalks and alleys around Valencia Street yesterday. I love this street but once someone tosses a paper plate, everyone seems to think it is a-ok to add to the garbage. But we can make a difference, at least for an hour or so. 

the next book club selection

 I really like Three Girls from Bronzeville so far. The author is a former columunist for the Chicgo Tribune and this memoir is really about sisterhood and friendship. Very well written.

another piece makes life better

 Opening Day ~ a full house and I didn't mind watching on TV with all those memories of past days at the Yard. Warm weather. Of course before the end of the game I was cursing our beloved Giants and the errors that almost caused us to lose. But we didn't, and we won in overtime ~ so SF Giants. Cubs game was canceled due to snow so daughter-in-law and I texted a bit. She lives in Illinois and loves California.

a good day for America

 Of course I had to watch the Senate in action yesterday and congratulations to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and her confirmation yesterday. 

dinner with rabbits and friends

 Ginger's dear friend, Bill, is here from Florida (a state worthy of our teasing) and we celebrated around my rabbit table last night. You can tell that Amy is Ginger's sister and that the four of us were just so damn happy to be together.

I love spy stories...

...especially ones with humor and Slow Horses has that. Here we have a group of disgraced M15 agents who have made career-ending mistakes and are forced to work together at Slough House. Lots of Londom scenes, of course, and so nice to see Kristin Scott Thomas again too.

more sister talk

 After yesterday's dramatic (ahem) blog post, Sister Jane and her son, my nephew Tanner, are planning a trip to San Francisco on Dec. 1st. I am already so excited. The Blogmaid (an essential part of this sisterhood) and I are already making plans. This is all so wonderful. Gratitude!

the truth is on the table

 The Blogmaid has been working on figuring out my heritage for a few years. DNA does not lie. I have half sisters and brothers. Jane is the most recent discovery and she welcomed me with open arms and had actually heard about the baby who was put up for adoption before our father married her mother. You can see that this is a long and very interesting story that I am condensing here. Yesterday Jane texted me a photo of her table (bottom) and I sent her mine (top). It's in the genes...