sweet tea

 Heidi celebrated her childhood memories using her mother's china and her pink tablecloth. She included a black and white photo (which you can't see very well, sorry) of her mom and aunts and made a little cake for the "just because" gathering. Laurence and I were grateful guests indeed. 

welcome to San Francisco

 Yesterday I went downtown to check out the brand new Ikea store on Market Street. I did some quality walking and I heard a young woman say exactly what I was thinking, "San Francisco is back!" Lots of happy people and of course the store is great fun and I know I will be furnishing Emma's Room at Ikea. So many great ideas and good prices.

shoes, sun and sushi

 Joe and I met for coffee and then had some fun at Sports Basement on Bryant Street where he purchased some expensive Hoka shoes. I too love that brand. Then I was able to drive on some streets NOT under repair to Neti's and we went over to the Randall Museum in her neighborhood. It was closed but we enjoyed the view from there on this nice day. Lunch outside on Cole Street at Kamekyo Cafe and whoosh, a good and busy day for this somewhat lazy woman. Another fog-free morning here ~ yikes!

The Met

 I had a good time at The Metropolitan Opera last night (on TV) watching Falstaff by Verdi. A nice change from my usual let's-kill-or-be-killed programs. 

visitors from Atlanta, Georgia!

 Doug and Barb prepared a FEAST for their friends Brent and Mike last night. I benefited, as always, and ate way too much chicken, corn, salad, green beans, tomatoes, bread, berry cobbler and ice cream for dessert. Lots of laughs and a few tears as they were best friends with Barb's wonderful deceased sister, Jen. In fact Jen married them six years ago and we enjoyed the photos and memories. Lots of new words (guncle ~ gay uncle, niblings ~ a real word!) and now new and warm friendships and remembrances for all of us. So grateful.

Chef Stein is proud

 Of course I had to text Terri before I enjoyed the first delicious bite of these TJ fries that I cooked in the Air Fryer. Good job. No oil. There is a whole internet world of how to use the Air Fryer with Trader Joe products and I'm only now just beginning. Applause, please.

The Noe Valley Bagel

I went to Doug and Barb's for coffee and catch-up yesterday afternoon and they convinced me to devour their famous Noe Valley Bagel and so I did. Lots of friends and family chatter and we had a few laughs at each others' expense. Just what I needed. 

 

five women remember

 An easy, casual dinner up at Nicole's last night and one fun topic was: WHERE WERE YOU DURING THE BIG SF EARTHQUAKE OF 1989? We forget so much but man, no one can possibly not remember every detail of that day and the aftermath. Great stories to share...

a trashy email from the founder

 

Hi neighbors,

We've crossed yet another milestone; 1,500 cleanups organized and 29,500 bags of trash (383,500 gallons) removed from our streets, parks, and beaches. This past weekend alone we had 26 separate cleanups; there is no other city in the world doing what we're doing. This is civic pride and care for our environment in action. Thank you to all who have participated in our cleanups and to the organizers that lead them. Yet, we're still the best kept secret in San Francisco, so please share this email with your friends, family, coworkers, and network to encourage them to join our movement.

This Saturday, August 26 I'll once again serve as the Refuse Refuse Referee, this time for the Sunset Showdown, where Team Inner Sunset and Team Central Sunset face off in a friendly competition to see who can collect the most amount of trash. We'll meet at 9:45am and clean from 10:00am to 12:00pm, then afterwards we'll enjoy free pizza, treats, and beverages, and announce the winner. Choose a side (by clicking on the team name), maybe based on your preference for Pasquale's or SF Hole in the Wall, Arizmendi or Uncle Benny's, Manna or Marnee Thai.

We've partnered with the Civic Space Foundation to establish 10 weekly cleanups in areas of high need. Weekly cleanups have proven to reduce trash levels by over 75%. We've recently reached our goal with the addition of the West SOMA Cleanup, Ingleside Cleanup, and Fillmore South Cleanup. These are hour-long cleanups followed by a free communal meal to build community. We're always in need of more Cleanup Captains to help us lead these cleanups, so please fill out this Google Form if you are interested in volunteering.

We build identity through our actions and we want to be known as the cleanest major city in the US, so please keep on showing up.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply 'unsubscribe'.

Your neighbor,

Vince

woke

 You haven't seen enough of Annabelle lately. She likes to watch Rachel Maddow on Monday nights and thankfully I found a left leaning cat who dislikes tRump and his ilk.

re-organize and then TV

 Yesterday I got the house back in order after all the guests left and today is errands and acupuncture. Grandson Sam recommended the Smartless TV program starring Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes. I really like these three actors who take their podcast on the road ~ they are so honest, funny and likable. Check it out on MAX.

lots of food and family

 Thanks to CC and Costco we had more than enough food for early and continuing dinner last night and today I am taking it VERY easy. Neighbors Rob and Heidi joined us to appreciate the full effect of Husbando's oldest son and assorted grand children. Happy Pajama Day, grandma!

a little gay fluff

 Yes, I watched Red, White & Royal Blue and yes it was fun. Sweet and silly and no violence or crazy right wing people. Now screening on Prime.

big family weekend

 Back to Bacco's last night for pasta and artichoke bread. Husbando's oldest son (Junior) and his son (Sam) arrived from Pittsburgh, PA, and grand daughter Katie from NY flew in way late last night. They are staying in the East Bay.  CC and Zak drive down from Placerville today and yes, a flurry of activity. Annabelle and I are preparing ourselves now with a quiet summer fireplace morning and very strong coffee.

Cracker Jills and bad baseball

 But gorgeous weather! I met Amy at the Jewel and we watched the Giants play poorly and chatted and questioned the fashion choices of other fans. All in all, a very fine day ~ except for the actual game. 

Emma's Room

 It seems that I have neglected to tell you my plans to convert our offices into a tiny bed and bath down in the garage. Emma is my trash buddy living in Portland, Oregon and she will need a place to stay when she visits SF. Also all these grand children keep appearing. This has a handy private entrance and I am still busy tossing and organizing. The bedroom will be easy, the bath a BFD, but necessary. Yesterday in the mail I received this sign from the Blogmaid and it inspires me to keep moving and I am so, so grateful. The BEST Blogmaid ever. Thank you.

it takes a newcomer

 Grand daughter Sam found Ben's on Polk Street with her google and tiny knowledge of SF. They are having such a good time and I loved hearing all about their adventures last night over a feast of luscious Thai food including my favorite papaya salad. They keep asking if it never gets stifling hot like Cleveland and no icy streets in winter? Nope ~ 4 days of Hot a year, or so.

poor, dear Maui

 Such a huge tragedy ~ a beautiful island that we loved. For immediate relief I'm donating to World Central Kitchen. They do an amazing job.

once a year

 Who knew? Well, Amy (who lives downtown) did and so yesterday we walked along Cortland Avenue and some side streets and talked to people who do this religiously. Once a year here in my own little neighborhood and although we were early, I could tell it was going to be a great day for buyers and sellers. It was fun and there was even sunshine for the event. Since I am busy downsizing and purging I managed NOT to buy more stuff. 

and Harlow makes three

 Meet my great grand doodle dog, Harlow, who now lives in Burlingame with Samantha and Luke. She is a lot of dog and as sweet as her parents. They are all excited about their new life here and so am I. Their school and work begins in September. Yay!

my easy Thursday

 Yesterday my goal was to fill the bird feeders at Doug and Barb's and having accomplished that colorful task in their lovely garden, I went to Target for some smart shopping and a latte with a cute cookie. Yes, I love Target.

Season Three with Ms. Streep

 OKAY, Murders Only comes first in my life now. Meryl Streep plays an aging failed actor (ha!) and yes, she steals every scene from our three favorite podcast detectives in NYC. I smile just thinking about this terrific series on Hulu. 

Lucybelle returns!

 We had such a warm and happy day over at Pamela's in the Berkeley hills yesterday. Lucy lives in Oregon now and is doing a GREAT job raising Flora who is now ten and a delight to be with. So many memories and so much love and beauty. Tears and laughter = gratitude again.

so rare

Most of the houses here in Bernal Heights have back decks which are an amusing topic of conversation and hardly ever used. On Sunday night, however, my neighbors Heidi and Rob invited me to a family gathering and BBQ dinner and we spent some time outdoors!  Here is Rob teasing his two nieces from New Jersey. A lovely time and more gratitude. 

 

Chit Chat time

 The Blogmaid and I met for lattes (she gets the green tea one pictured) yesterday down in Pathetica where the fog hovered and we talked about walking and well, you know, that just didn't happen. Next time...

so much beauty

 Amy had never been to Tunnel Tops and so yesterday we went in the morning to celebrate the burning off of the almost endless summer fog. You can barely see the Golden Gate Bridge emerging, but it did. Honest. 

more addictive TV

 This is a good way to visit SoCal ~ The Lincoln Lawyer is back on Netflix and it's great fun with just a touch of violence. 

and another movie

 Yes, Terri and I saw Oppenheimer yesterday afternoon at the Alamo Drafthouse, my favorite movie theater. Yes, we sat for three hours and traveled back in time to get to know some of these brilliant scientists who invented The Bomb. Yes, it was a great movie and we both had lots of questions to google when we were back home with our computers. Now exhale.

books and flutes

 The Magic Flute restaurant is on chi chi Sacramento Street where there are a ton of designer furniture stores and upscale fashion shops. The book club met here yesterday, walking from Gini's house to eat and discuss The Island of Sea Women. Of course we also discussed movies and politics and the usual "Don't you think that there is more fog this summer?"

our chief felon

 No one is above the law, even this horrid tRump. Another round of indictments yesterday and yes, we are tired of this criminal and yet he doesn't go away.