Halloween 2023

 

a walk in Pathetica

The Blogmaid and I had a brisk walk and good talk at the Chit Chat Cafe once again. Then she sent me this photo of her marigolds and the turkey vulture that RR loved when she was young. His head falls off, proving that friendship lasts longer than your average vulture. Good thing that. And for the record, gorgeous weather here.

 

the flower of the season

 Our neighborhood is, as you know by now, heavily Latino. In Mexico the orange marigold is an essential element of the Day of the Dead celebrations. The strong aroma and bright/bright color will guide the spirit of the deceased back to their loved ones. Yes, I have them on our front porch and they are working.

living tapestry and so much more

 We all know that city life can be daunting, so I believe in seeking rewards. One such was a full day at SF Moma with Jen with 2 dogs yesterday. No dogs. The bottom two photos are works by Pacita Abad, a Filipina American artist who died way too young after creating thousands of colorful pieces of art including these two trapunto quilting masterpieces. The big, bold yellow and black sculpture in the top photo is by Yayoi Kusama and it is incredible. Her exhibit is currently sold out, but I will return.

a big personal victory

Argh. I passed the written test yesterday. I flunked the first time. This was not an easy test and I seriously worried and studied and complained. But it's over and I can drive legally for a while longer. Thanks to all of my "You can do it!" friends who helped me so much. (I love Lyft, btw)
 

dinner at Neti's

Pat Snyder and I had dinner at Neti's last night. Liver, bacon and onions and then gelato with these clever cookies. Came home ro grieve once again for the violence in Lewiston, Maine and no sleep once again. A rough time in this world.
 

our goodbye dinner

 My next door neighbor, Lynn, is moving to Puerto Rico this week. She has fed me for five years since Bill died. Last night we had a fabulous tapas dinner up at Destapas on 24th Street and said our farewells. Not easy. Sometimes I get tired of all the goodbyes. 

it's a long story

 I bought this beautiful painting to replace another beautiful painting that I sent to a very special person and no one has the time to read the details here. Suffice it to say that my neighbor Rob is a fabulous artist and I fell in love with this piece and who knows why? I'm feeling warm and pleased with the world right about now. Life is good and art is exceedingly  important. Fall in love and invest!

another dinner party

 I really don't know how Heidi and Rob (in photo) do these extravagant and yet very comfortable dinner parties with from eight to ten people. Last night they were joined with old friends from New Jersey and assorted SF neighbors of all ages, shapes and sizes. Fun!

Open Studios in the Shipyard

 Yesterday Amy and I went to the Hunters Point Shipyard (from World War II) to the semi-annual Open Studios event. So much LIFE out here with all the artists who rent here for an out-of-the-way place to work. Food, music and art galore during this fun weekend. 

Takashi Murakami

 Yesterday I met John and Mary (Ashland, as you well remember) at the Asian Art Museum to see the works of this super talented Japanese artist. Murakami must have so much fun with the traditional and very modern paintings, sculpture, film and pop culture. Delightful lunch at the museum cafe too. A lovely day.

The Burial

 I like legal thrillers, especially the little guy vs. the big bad corporation. Very John Grisham, no? The Burial on Prime stars Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx (the flamboyant Black attorney). Loosely based on fact. Well done.

a day in Penngrove

 tt was a beautiful day up in Sonoma with the book club yesterday. Mad Rose and her husband live in this stunning home and it was a warm day in many ways. And a full day what with the long drive and road construction.

when writers wince

 I was taken aback yesterday at Costco when I saw this label on a package of Korean style meat and my, how we mess around with the language. Almost deplorable, but now we save that word for politics. 

Manny is home safe

 Here is his email, and yes, Heidi and I will join the candlelight vigil.

Hi Mary Ann, I am back in San Francisco.  As the United States began to evacuate its citizens from Israel I was able to jump on one of the few commercial flights leaving the country. I felt so much love from this community while I was there. Thank you.   Everything is changing there but here everything seems to be just as I had left it.  I walked into my apartment and immediately felt an emptiness that I can't quite shake. When I was in Israel I did not allow myself to listen to the stories of the people who were murdered in the terrorist attack committed by Hamas on Saturday.  But now that I am back, I have. And my heart continues to sink.  There is now a war and so with war many more lives have been and will be lost. I have family that's been deployed and we know that thousands of innocent Palestinians have already died in the ensuing conflict. It is sadness all around.  As can be expected in a time of tragedy the discourse has already become so toxic, so filled with finger pointing, name calling, and anger. Throughout all of this I want to make sure we are remembering and centering the people who have been caught in this conflict and are no longer here on this earth as a result.  So that's why Manny's is organizing a candle light vigil this Thursday at 7 PM where we will acknowledge and remember the innocent Israelis and Palestinians who've died in the last week. I hope that no matter where you stand on this issue you find time to come by and pay respects to the folks who are gone.  See you soon.  -Manny

back to trash talking

 It been awhile. One of the reasons Heidi and I returned to Manny's to join the trashers was because we wanted to find out about Manny who is in Israel and having some trouble returning home. His last email said that he is on some US list and he will have to fly wherever the plane is heading. In the meantime, because he is Manny, he volunteers over there. The streets seem waaaaaay cleaner than when we first started doing this. 

the Blue Plate patio

 Last night grand daughter Samantha and Luke and I had dinner at the Blue Plate and finally got to catch up. Their lives are busy and they are happy and they find the Bay Area more to their liking than Cleveland. We planned Thanksgiving. A family first...

Friday fun ~ more art, good friends and food

 Amy and I visited the deYoung yesterday to be overwhelmed with the OPEN exhibit of more than 800 pieces of art from local artists. Not the famous names, but impressive proof of all the talent in the Bay Area. Too much for one visit, to be honest. Well done, deYoung! Then we took the Ferris Wheel (middle photo) and that was delightful. Doug and Barb invited me to dinner and aren't these carrots gorgeous? Delicious pork and wonderful conversation. Lucky me. I am feeling grateful as I stare at the fireplace this morning. 

quoting the Blogmaid

 My Brilliant Friend asks why we can't be notified when Season Two (or Three, etc.) appears if we have watched the previous episodes. I agree. I happened upon Slow Horses Two by accident. I love this program! As I noodle around on the internet I see that there will be a Season Three and I say Hooray to that. On Apple TV, BTW. 

art and carbonara

 Yesterday I visited the Museum of Craft and Design to see the new exhibit and to have lunch with my friend, Ken. Designing Peace is the title of the installation ~ timely, no? My favorite peace piece is probably the teeter totter in the top photo. Two small communities at the US - Mexico border installed three colorful teeter totters and immediately kids hopped on and my, this life could be simpler, right? Lunch outside at Marcella's Lasagneria ~ Ken with Bianca lasagna and I had the Carbonara. A lovely day in Dogpatch for sure. 

staying local

 I'm trying not to dwell on the terror in Israel so yesterday I had a good long two hour walk with Jen and the two dogs. Here is some new housing we discovered with an impressive mural on Bryant Street (I think). October is our prettiest month so we celebrate the sun and try to stay positive. Not easy these days...

more orange October

 It's in our DNA. The top photo is Sister Jane's dining room table, then mine and then my kitchen with little orange lights. We can't help ourselves. 

Nollywood Dreams

 There is a big Nigerian film industry (who knew?) and what fun this play is depicting that crazy scene. Lots and lots of laughs yesterday at the SF Playhouse and I'm pleased to tell you that it was almost a full house for the amazing one act Nollywood Dreams.

orange October

 Yay, a selfie from nephew Tanner and his friend at the Orioles' game yesterday. Everyone loves  the excitement of playoff baseball, I'm just sorry the O's lost this first game of five. But we never lose hope and today is a new day. (Oh, Tanner is on the left in the photo.)

no relation to Starbuck's

 Yesterday Gini and I met for lunch at Starbelly ~ 16th and Market. An old favorite with this lovely patio. It was too hot for my iPhone photo so this is from stock. Starbelly was a Dr. Seuss character, a Sneetch, I believe. Gini always has the French toast here and I usually have the burger, enough of the latter for tonight's supper. No fog in sight but tomorrow will be cooler.

dog days

 

Jen brought Charlie and Birdie over because it was cool in my backyard yesterday afternoon. We are having our usual four days of October hot weather currently and the Blue Angels are doing the war toy thing which you know by now that I hate. And I really, really hate Jim Jordan, not to get political or anything. 

don't run over pedestrians

 It's time for the dreaded DMV and my driver's license renewal. I've been busy taking sample tests and studying the handbook.  I do not like this one bit. Stay tuned...

back to latte walks

 Well, so much for the clean water bowl for dogs. Pigeons are a pain but interesting too ~ one never sees babies, just full grown pushy/obnoxious birds who seem to thrive in SF. I haven't seen the parrots for a few months, but I know they are still loud and colorful residents.

as promised ~ group photo

 Thanks to Eric for this fun picture in Sarah's back yard. 

The lucky thirteen

 Our writing group gathered at Chef Sarah's (top photo) yesterday up in Napa. It was a truly delightful day of food, laughter, tears and plain old togetherness. Tomorrow you will see a group photo or two, I hope, those were on other peoples' phones. Today? Afterglow.

East Coast orange and black

 I'm disappointed in our Giants (once again) and am now a Baltimore Orioles fan for the playoffs. Sister Jane and nephew Tanner love the O's and so my heart is with them and this feisty team. Years ago Husbando and I toured Baltimore and admired the pretty new (at that time) stadium and so I say GO O's!