finally ~ glorious SF weather

 What a day! Yesterday Ginger and I walked down at Crissy Field where we haven't been for ages. The air was so clean and crisp. Not too many people out yet, the tourists arrive later in the year. So lovely.

finally, the beginning (again)

 What a long, cold winter we have had. But yes, today at 10am the Giants play the Yankees back there on the East Coast.  New players, new rules and lots to see and learn. I believe every single team is  playing today and that is a lot of baseball. 

we made the difference

 Be sure to watch this documentary on PBS when you have a chance. The Movement and the"Madman" was produced and directed by Stephen Talbot, friend of Doug and Barb's. This film shows lots of footage of the Vietnam War and the huge anti-war protests across the country. The Madman was, of course, Richard Nixon, who considered the nuclear option and we protestors had no idea how many lives we saved until years later when records were uncovered. 

after ten weeks of protest

 I am feeling a little more positive about the world after the mass protests against Netanyahu and his right wing friends' planned take over in Israel. Finally the prime minister is backing down and will delay the overhaul of the judicial system. It is inspiring and a lesson for America as tRump re-emerges here. 

and a dog named Heaven

 What a glorious sunny Sunday we had and I was fortunate to be able to spend most of it at a picnic table in Golden Gate Park with my museum co-workers Larisa and Lauriel (and her husband and dog). We enjoyed walking, talking, eating and wishing Larisa the very best as she moves to Italy to join her new husband. It felt so great to be outdoors in the sunshine and very fresh air. 

some good news (finally)

 After our severe draught conditions we see the lakes of California full and healthy. Believe me, it's no fun lugging buckets of water from the shower down three flights of stairs to the garden. Here is one of today's more positive headlines:

On the heels of one of California's wettest winters on record, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced that he will roll back some of the state's most severe drought restrictions and dramatically increase water supplies for agencies serving 27 million people.

yes, it feels like Spring

 Hooray, sunshine and NO rain. I was able to get in a couple of walks and then weed in my overgrown garden yesterday. Annabelle was able to guard the house in her sunny front courtyard and we are both looking forward to enduring the final rainstorm next week. Sweet.

sisters, teeth and here are all the people

 Here is a bad photo of the food court under the Westfield downtown mall where I had lunch yesterday after visiting the dentist. It was packed, mostly with young people and the good sound of chatter and laughter. I will return. When I got home (after a 12,000 step day) I had a text from Sister Jane who had also been to the dentist and we re-connected on our dislike of dental stuff and she had a bad day with a tooth removal, but is OK this morning. Whooosh. So some sister serendipity yesterday. I had the rare "all clear" from my dentist and that was pretty amazing and not always the case. Luv to my sis!

this Greek drama

 So far the best part of Blue Maestro is the gorgeous scenery on some Greek Island or other. I've just watched the first episode and I am lukewarm, but I will give it another go tonight. I'd tell you to stay tuned, but I don't know if I will or not. Netflix. 

enough already

 After years of drought it is not easy to complain about the rain, but for god's sake we now need a break. The reservoirs and lakes are full and we can shower two minutes longer, but we are so ready for some sunshine and blue skies. Too many trees down, power outages, floods and accidents. Stir crazy!

this unusual real winter

 More rain today. There is a promise of Spring but not today. I will pick up my friend Ginger and head some place, but no party today. I still miss Robin Williams, by the way.

more rain, popcorn and this movie

 I was not really looking forward to The Whale, but of course I was enthralled yesterday as I watched Best Actor Brendan Fraser play the obese professor. This film covers way more than just sad fat guy topics and yes, I'm so glad I spent Sunday afternoon in front of the TV with my box of Kleenex®.

April book club selection

 Well, this stock photo of Lessons in Chemistry says Large Print, but thankfully not necessary because the type face in the regular old hard back is easy to read. Not always the case, alas. Anyway, this is a VERY good novel and I certainly recommend it and I am enjoying it immensely. More rain on hand today and next week, so I am happy for a good book, needless to say. 

connections and conversations and FOOD

 Despite Dodger Doug's 0% Irish button, we all were all a little bit Irish last night for our fun celebration with corned beef and all the trimmings. Guests brought food and helped me clean up and today I just put stuff back where it belongs and maybe nap a bit after a neighborhood walk. 

Tonight's the night

 Robert's is still a cash-only little hole in the wall on Bryant Street where we buy our corned beef. Their main business is restaurants and fire houses, but Husbando used to enjoy talking to the butchers and the place is filled with memories for me. Tonight there will be eight people here (gulp), but I have all the notes and I think everything will be a-ok. Plus how difficult is it to boil a bunch of stuff? Stay tuned...

Sunshine! Outdoor lunch!

 The Book Club met at the Magic Flute yesterday and we talked of many things, even about the book, every once in awhile. I like being forced to read things that I normally would miss and I like these women who are all flaming liberals, as am I. But you already know that...

a perfect rainy day film

 Women Talking was such a powerful movie. I watched it yesterday afternoon as the rain pelted the world and the wind howled. A bowl of popcorn, a super soft cat and three choices for these women trying to find their way out of a horrible situation. 

COME BACK WITH A WARRANT

 I always smile when I walk by this front porch. I have never seen this neighbor, but have a feeling that I would like him or her. 

this was the best part

 How refreshing to see and hear Lady Gaga without make-up and wearing ripped jeans last night at the Oscar ceremony. Of course I watched the entire thing and it was okay and hooray for the winners, etc.

did you say Spring?

 Hmmmm, no, Spring Forward into more grey skies and rain, I'm sorry to report. But now I can stay up until a "decent" hour and not get up at 5am, or so we hope. 

amongst the canisters

 I fell in love with the Aura Digital Frame when I was at Ginger Two's home in Santa Barbara. During the great rains last week I decided to treat myself to one from (of course) Amazon and this very morning, in less than an hour, I set it up. I can hear your applause. Maybe this will encourage me to spend more time chopping and cooking, but so far all I do is stand, stare and smile. 

rain, tea and TAR

 Cate Blanchett is fabulous as the very talented and driven orchestra conductor in TAR. Annabelle and I spent the afternoon in front of the TV while the storm pounded our poor Bay Area. We are safe and warm and hoping to dry out a bit now.

so much progress...

 ...so far to go. Yesterday we celebrated International Women's Day and one of my friends asked if men get the other 364 days. When I was growing up there were no women doctors, bus drivers, senators ~ only teachers, mothers, librarians and secretaries. So yes, we have come a long way. More!

Tuesday, in the Park

 These two young beauties had set up a photo shoot at the tulip garden in Golden Gate Park yesterday and I asked if I could take their picture ~ how fun is that? Ginger and I admired the tulips and then had a good walk and enjoyed our coffee at Stow Lake where these geese were looking for a handout. Blue sky!

don't be too doormatty

 Hmmmm, a fuzzy picture this morning, but no matter, I am enjoying Miss Buncle's Book for next week's book club meeting. It was written in 1934, and is a period piece about a small village and the small minded people who live there. The best-selling Scottish author, D.E. Stevenson, published more than 40 "light romantic novels" and today's subject line amused me when two women friends are having one of those deep discussions about love and marriage. 

Robin and Cormoran

 I already know this one-legged private detective and his assistant from the books by J.K. Rowling and this series on HBO is a total delight with an impressive cast and wonderful scenes of London. Yes, I am hooked and VERY happy with C.B. Strike.

tulips and theater

 It was packed downtown yesterday because there was a tulip give-away in Union Square. The bottom photo is in the BART station on my way home. Happy people who stood in line for a long time for their tulips. Not me. I did treat myself to The Headlands at ACT and enjoyed every minute of this play by a local playwright, Christopher Chen. A mystery and a good one. A very pleasant Saturday indeed.

when a storm hits the ship

 One review said "hilarious" and that is not true for me, but I am still thinking about Triangle of Sadness on HBO and yes, I am very glad that I watched it. Three very distinct acts and the final one was outstanding. Not enough Woody Harrelson, in my opinion, but he sure played the drunk captain realistically. I need to read more reviews about the ending, but I don't mind just living in this state of "Now what?" for a little while longer. (Hint: fast forward during messy 2nd act.)

what dog fennel?

 Dogpatch is a very cool, artistic SF neighborhood named after the dog fennel that grew there. Now what? Yesterday's lunch at Piccino was terrific ~ delicious pasta with all the extras. Doug and Barb are home from some travels and getting ready for some more, so I was able to book them for a couple of hours and we are now all up-to-date. Plus, sunshine!

Sargent and Spain

 Not very good photos here of this terrific exhibit out at the Legion of Honor. I picked Howard (who lives in Berkeley) up at BART and I drove us out to the end of San Francisco and introduced him to this fine old museum where I used to work. It was a beautiful sunny and clear day to see these oils and watercolors by John Singer Sargent who captured the beauty of Spain so impressively. On view through May 14 ~ go!

no rain today!

 Annabelle will be disappointed that I'm getting out and about today because there is already blue sky. The grey square above my kitty's neck is the dining room window highlighting yesterday's very grey sky. Ginger and I came back here to sit in front of the fire and listen to Creedence Clearwater oldies provided by my close friend Alexa. "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" Oh, yes. And here's "A Bad Moon Rising."