happy in a busy sort of way

 Yesterday we met at Sales Force Park (top photo) for a walk and coffee and catch-up. Then last night to my house for selfies and map reading and general family kind of nonsense before we walked over to the Blue Plate for a wonderful dinner. Bill always loved their meat loaf so I had that and Rob had octopus and the girls have GREAT appetites, like their grand father. Another Lyft ride ~ they are having a banner week with my family here. Today off to Placerville for the 2nd wedding of the century. Whoosh.

first day of family

 Rob (Bill's youngest son) and his family are all here in SF from all over. We met for coffee in the afternoon and then to Sam's Seafood Grill for dinner. I'm sitting between the two adorable and fun grand girls in the top photo along with Sarah, Rob's wife. Luke and Samantha are partners, living in Cleveland and they are terrific together. This restaurant was one of Bill's favorites and we had a great time last night with way too much food. Tomorrow we all head to Placerville for Ceci and Zak's marriage on Saturday. I know, there are many people to try to keep straight. But we will. Weather cooperating!

our summer is here

 You can almost see the GG Bridge in the top photo but at least it isn't coated in fog. Yesterday Ginger and I went down to Aquatic Park and Fisherman's Wharf for a pleasant walk and then thermos coffee while we watched the brave swimmers in the bay. Perfect weather as we worry about the folks in the path of Ian, that big, mean hurricane in the south.

can I quit?

 I'm pretty sure that Nextdoor exists to make money for the founders. At first I loved this site with all the neighborhood news. In the beginning I loved Facebook too, but what a relief to drop that instrument of torture. When we moved here in the 70's crime was rampant in SF ~ it is a city, after all. But now with all the social media, especially Nextdoor, one would think that every house has been burglarized and every car destroyed. Not just the reports, but then everyone has to give their opinions as to why crime is so horrible and really, my neighbors can just get mean. Then Cristina next door reports that she asked on Nextdoor for someone to help her inject her aged cat and a nice man comes three times a week to take care of this task for her. No charge, just being neighborly. Sigh. Nothing is simple these days.

when writers go north

 There were only six of us yesterday up in Napa at Chef Sarah's wonderful home. The weather was just perfect and of course the food exquisite: fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, fabulous blueberry tart with ice cream, sliced tomatoes and Sarah makes the BEST biscuits imaginable. Such a wonderful Sunday. 

fog-free Fog Fest

 Who knew? Well, about 3,000 people other than the Blogmaid and this Blogger. We were to meet in Pathetica for coffee at ye olde Chit Chat Cafe but traffic, parking, blue skies and all the festival goers sent us to the strip mall for our lattes and catch-up time. We went to the lesser Chit Chat Cafe there, but we did have a fine time once we found a quiet table. So it turned into an excellent catch-up Saturday and maybe we learned a lesson. Maybe not.

going back Downtown

 My favorite coffee shop (top photo) was bustling and the streets of my city filled once again thanks to a big Sales Force convention. Yesterday I had the dreaded dental appointment, but this was sweetened because I got to be part of the streets of SF for a little while. 

masks, shots, memories

 Yesterday I got the Covid Booster (what number? 3 or 4?) and at the same time I'm reading about the outbreak of the pandemic in Lucy By The Sea. How those early deaths shocked us and how we would wash all of our vegetables from the grocery and our fear of being near other people. Covid changed us in ways we don't really understand yet, but it is amazing now to read and think back. Shocking, really.

the six month check-up

 We both hate this, but off we went to the SPCA for tests and shots. Amazingly, she has not gained weight but it is a battle because Annabelle is ALWAYS hungry. Next she needs teeth/gum work done and yes, that will be an ordeal for both of us. 

piano power

 There were twelve covered pianos scattered around the Botanical Gardens and yesterday was people-packed as it was the last day for Pianos in the Park. Lots and lots of children and retired people and we enjoyed the noon concert in the main meadow. Ginger and I got some good walking in and then a nice sunny sit-down with coffee. Lovely indeed.

Adnan Syed

 I don't listen to a lot of podcasts, but Serial was an exception. I have often wondered what happened to Mr. Syad but the wheels of justice do grind slowly and after 22 years in prison he was released yesterday. This podcast back in 2014 was extremely well done and convincing, in my opinion. 

three doors down

 I was invited to tour the HOUSE FOR SALE yesterday. Wonderful views and of course it was all spiffed up and no offensive TVs or photos of grand parents or animals. Three bathrooms on three floors with some difficult stairs and low ceilings in some rooms. Bill used to love to tour neighbors' homes on the market and then, of course, he had opinions on the sale price and worth. This one is not affordable, in my humble opinion. 

cats and mice

 I think this is mouse season. I think it is always mouse season. This very moment Annabelle is chasing around the house and I bet some little rodent came in out of the pre-rain. I would prefer that this not be the case. The top photo is from a friend's front porch ~ her cat goes outside, mine does not. Churu has been recommended by assorted cat owning friends ~ check out the commercials if you are ever bored. Of course Annabelle loves it, but that is true of all cat food and treats for her. Picky she is not.

while I wait for Lucy

 Thanks to dear Susan I am listening to Miss Benson's Beetle on audio. The great actress Juliet Stevenson is reading this and that makes it all quite wonderful indeed.

available in four days

 Ms. Strout writes about women who don't quite fit the mold. All our warts and wrinkles and yet down deep we are pretty decent human beings. I pre-ordered Lucy by the Sea for my LindaKindle4. The official release date is September 20th.

books and burgers

 It's been a long time since I've been to the Balboa Cafe ~ an old favorite of ours. The book club met here yesterday and we discussed The Dictionary of Lost Words (a winner) and prepared to read Death and the Penguin for October. The above is a stock photo and we did have sunshine and ate outside yesterday.

Tuesday at Tunnel Tops

 After my successful solo dry run a couple of weeks ago, it was easy-peasy to bring Ginger with me yesterday. We had a splendid time walking and then found an enclosed spot for our coffee and sweets. Very few tourists yesterday and we were able to do and see everything. 

three under glass

 Alas my photo of Joe and Pamela is not as wonderful as his of Pamela and me. I could fix it if I had world enough and time. (Bill always used to say that.) We met at SF Moma for laughs and chit chat and then back to Diego Rivera's exhibit and lunch outside on the patio (top photo). So it was a long and busy Monday for this city woman. Last night the Emmy's and worry about Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid arriving home safely after plane cancellations in some far off southern airport. But hooray, home now!

out by the ocean

 Yesterday I drove out to Taraval to visit Anne the artist and her gallery FOG ~ a new exhibit featuring collages. Quite wonderful and just what I needed to get me out of my own head. Then I walked down to the ocean to breathe deeply and watch all the people enjoying the sand, sea and clouds. 

of mice and women

 I've been saving this photo for a no news day. The wonderful cleaning women saved this delightful pile for us after their first visit. I wasn't great at vacuuming and dusting under furniture as you have now ascertained. Annabelle and I were so happy to be reunited with her little pals.

back to SF normal

 Hoooray, cool grey skies this morning. My two "summer" outfits are in the laundry, preparing for the October heat spell. Annabelle is on the front porch watching birds and greeting the neighbors and I will have a very nice Saturday. Wishing the same for you, dear readers.

a lifetime of history

 Long live the Queen. This is TV at its best and don't miss the Paddington Bear tea on You Tube.  The Queen had a lovely sense of humor and was dedicated to her family and her country. Now we will get used to King Charles III and his Queen Consort. I like that he lectured tRump on climate change. 

a little better, still no fog

 

So boring when all we can talk about is the weather. We SF residents have no air conditioning, as you know, so we curse and swelter and keep waiting for the fog bank to roll in. Soon. 

Savannah and SCAD and change galore

 The Blogmaid Family and my heart are all in Savannah currently as RR gets settled into her dorm and new SCAD college life. The bottom photo was actually from Stanford where Atlas the horse is now living. This is a very exciting week and I appreciate all the updates and photos. I had never heard of SCAD and now all sorts of  "oh, my friend went/taught there and loved it." 

dappled sun and hot dogs

 So pretty. So warm. We are suffering though our heat wave but there are sweet spots with gentle breezes and shade. Pat's Grove, for instance. A very nice yesterday featuring hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad (the German kind) and I brought cookies and candy. I am such a chef. And lots of chatter, needless to say.

and more trash talk

 We gathered here for quiche and salad yesterday after picking up trash and bitching about the heat. A nice time for sure. It's cool now but we expect more fog-free days. This is such a nice new tribe that I belong to. From the left at table: hostess, Laurence, Emma and Hedi.