lamb, dogs, friends and more

 We had a feast at Jen (with two dogs) and Stacie's yesterday for a long lunch in their charming condo two blocks away. Jen and I met on the street while walking and they were gracious enough to include Doug and Barb in their invitation. The top photo is from their back deck where Jen grilled this delicious meal. As I guessed, we all had a lot in common and it was one of those "only in San Francisco" kind of days. Delightful. 

they are official now

 Our famous parrots have become the official San Francisco animal. "Wild and free" and sometimes loud and messy. Of course we all loved the book and movie about these colorful creatures who arrived back in the 1980's and somehow managed to proliferate. There are more than 200 parrots in SF now, mostly around Telegraph Hill, the Presidio and Cole Valley. Squawk.

the horses idle like old cars

 

Here and There

Chelsea Harlan

The clouds move inlike quiet neighbors.The windwalks down the hill.The cover crophas gotten really talland I love you.And the seas are risingand the meteorsare showering abstractly.And there are too many gunsand I love you.I wish I knew what callsthe Devil from the pits—I have a few theoriesscattered though they arelike wildflowersin the marbleyard.And I have held a mareby her matted maneand clucked my tongueto summon spring.And the azaleasmirror the godlightand the dogwoodsreally do glow in the darklike the meteorsaforementioned.I love youand the horses idlelike old carsin the shaggy field.Everyone is poorbut somehow has horses.I can't explain itbut I wish I couldor how it is a horse isever a breakable thing.

Feature Date

• June 23, 2023

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“Here and There” from Bright Shade: by Chelsea Harlan.
Published by The American Poetry Review October 4th 2022.
Copyright © 2022 by Chelsea Harlan.

docu-comedy delights

 Jury Duty was such fun ~ don't read anything about it, just watch and enjoy. On Amazon Prime with eight great episodes. Is docu-comedy a word?

Zut!

 We celebrated Pamela's belated birthday at Zut in Berkeley yesterday. It was a lovely time filled with lots of chatter and happiness. I drove and was dreading Pride Parade traffic, but everything was smooth and delightful.

Tender Day

 Husbando died five years ago today. That man loved food ~ here he is at Soto Mare in North Beach where Ginger treated us to lunch. He was in bad shape but still happy because we found parking right across the street and the meal was delightful. I have so many glorious memories and I know he would be proud of me for carrying on without him and building my own hermit life with the help of my friends. And my cat. Love remains.

Fifteen exquisite stories

 Margaret Atwood has done it again with Old Babes in the Wood, a collection, a mosaic of wonderful writing. Short stories are very difficult to write, but of course this author can always impress with her wit and wisdom. 

sticks, not stones

 I'm trying to get used to walking sticks, or trekking poles or mobility aids. They do take the pressure off my bad knees. But they are awkward when stopping for a latte or some shopping so I might invest in ones that fold. Walking remains the BEST exercise for me.

book club in Marin

 We met at the Left Bank in Corte Madera yesterday and it was a fine and sunny day on the patio. Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls (The Glass Castle) was good fiction based on the life of a woman bootlegger back in the 1920's during prohibition. Ms. Walls is an excellent writer and I really liked this book.

well, how about this?

 Nine wins in a row. Late inning drama and tons of unexpected fun for Giants' fans. No one expected this team to be so damn good. A scrappy combination of never-say-die new and old players and 2023 is turning into a VERY good baseball year.

Juneteenth with sunshine

I'm so pleased that this Holiday is finally catching on and helping to educate all of us regarding race relations and our not so great history here in America. Finally a no-fog day in SF and for the first time in ages I was able to sit on the newly fixed-up back deck and enjoy the sun and the glorious view. 

 

Father's Day in Half Moon Bay

 We gathered to celebrate Bill (Mr. Blogmaid) yesterday and what fun to watch our Giants sweep (!) the scum sucking blue Dodgers. Then we did a fun, easy puzzle and walked and ate too much and laughed and talked and yes, blue skies in Pumpkinville. A lovely day indeed. That is niece Jade ~ RR not feeling so hot but we will see her next time for sure.

Saturday with friends

 Afternoon coffee in the Grove with Pat (top photo) and dinner with neighbors Heidi and Rob who live two doors down from me. The middle photo is the view from their back deck, a different perspective than from mine, but do appreciate the fog. Their cat Ozzie was in a fight with a squirrel but he was healing in Heidi's knitting basket. Today we have NO FOG. Happy Father's Day to all.

this old house looks new

 Behold! The painters have finished. They were terrific and I am thrilled with my little home. Yesterday was Hermit Day and mostly I re-invaded my own space and put things back where  I think they should go. Annabelle is relieved too and we are both purring here on Mullen Ave.

Vik's Chaat

 What a treat to go over to Berkeley yesterday with Doug and Barb. Vik's Chaat is a very large Indian grocery and restaurant on 4th Street ~ reasonable prices and large portions. We sat outside and were able to catch up with our lives as we enjoyed the tandoori, dal, dasa, etc. all with naan and mango lassi. Then a drive around Berkeley with oohs and ahhs. 

wait, is that sunshine?

 Yesterday I introduced Terri to Pathetica and we lucked out with the weather. The ocean was at it's best two-tone roiling self and we walked and talked and then had coffee at the Chit Chat. There are still some delightful wildflowers along the walking route and always that much needed ocean air to soothe the lungs. 

another latte spot

Here is the view from Limoncello on Sutter Street. Red and green Italian flag. A perfect place to read my New Yorker and appreciate San Francisco as I walk the streets and wait for the sun to come out some day soon. Maybe.

 

Somebody, Somewhere

 I have been watching the series Somebody, Somewhere on Max. (This is in between the latest legal and political news about tRump.) The two main characters are in the bottom photo, an unlikely friendship, but special. It all takes place in Manhattan, Kansas, where Ginger used to live and where we visited a few times. The little town looks better now than it did back then.

Gary's garden

 When Heidi and I were picking up trash yesterday morning a man popped out of his little home and asked if we wanted to see his garden. He was a stranger to us, but excited to show off this gem of a garden and we oohed and ahhhed with enthusiasm. I love this city.

this old house

 The painters are perfectionists. That is the good and bad news. It has been a month of ladders, ropes, noise, dirt, machines, phone calls, may-I-use-the-bathroom? and you all know the drill. The worst is over, meaning the back part of the house with the wood rot and what's-this? Look here, Mary Ann! I think another week. Of course this is costing more than what we originally paid for the house back in the 70's, but that's OK. Necessary. Whoosh.

knee knonsense

 I have to work on these damn knees. Kaiser offers a lot of good advice but I have to get serious about exercising and strengthening the leg muscles and I will. Arthritis. Boring.

Kentucky women

 Yesterday I introduced Emma to Jen with 2 dogs and we had a good long walk with Charlie and Birdie all over the neighborhood. Emma is from Louisville and Jen from some place near Paducah. We (they) discussed the following: grits, Cracker Barrel, SF, humidity, trash pick-up, dog personalities, dog behavior, dog poop. Emma flies out this morning, but it was so nice seeing her again. 

I wrote this in 2011 (still true)

HOLD IT UP (a clock)

hold it up

wave it

let it go

let it fly

let it drag

watch it

ignore it

drop it

abuse it

waste it

stomp on it

grab it

smash it

curse it

shake it

tolerate it

turn it

appreciate it

question it

accept it

02/05/11

our quiet time

 Annabelle and I appreciate our morning hours ~ here she is next to the grandchildren as I work on my computer in front of the fire. We love Wednesdays, always have.

we all need a smile

 

and more trash talk

 Off to Manny's yesterday morning with Emma and Heidi ~ interesting that we all notice how much cleaner the streets appear to be since Refuse, Refuse began during the pandemic. Then coffee and catch-up just like the good old days. 

Emma is in town!

 How wonderful to see our friend again. Emma lives in Portland now and she is here for a few days to go to concerts and see her buddies in SF. She treated Heidi and me to GREAT seats at the Jewel last night and it was a terrific game and the Giants won. Our team looks very good. I like the new rules and behind us there you can see that the palm trees are all dressed up for Pride Month and even more: they were giving away Logan Webb bobbleheads. Hot dogs and garlic fries and baseball and friends. Life is very good.

The Mission Rock Resort

 Pat and Neti and I celebrated blue skies yesterday with lunch on the Bay. The Mission Rock Resort has long been a favorite spot for all of us. Lovely indeed.

chef shop

 Bernal Cutlery is not exactly right up my no-cooking alley, but yesterday I accompanied Neighbor Jen there as she was picking up lots of gourmet items and studying the many knives and cook books and this-and-thats. Husbando would have LOVED this store, and I did appreciate the displays and knowledgeable workers and beautiful items and since I know so many people who love to cook, I shall return. Valencia Street, where else?