Tuesday, April 30, 2024

a cast of wonderful women



 What fun. Apple TV gives us Carol Burnett, Kristen Wiig (genius), Laura Dern, Allsion Janney ~ just to name a few. Palm Royale is set in 1969 when feminism was just taking hold, even in fancy Palm Beach, Florida. This series is a delight and even includes Laura's father, Bruce Dern. Enjoy.

Monday, April 29, 2024

busy day on the lake


 There were all sorts of regatta (right word?) high school races yesterday out at Lake Merced where Neti and I walked yesterday. Such a gorgeous day, our reward for the very wet winter here. We had a snack at the Harding Park golf course restaurant and solved most of the world's problems in a very short time. 

Sunday, April 28, 2024

my city last night


 It's been clear and beautiful here lately and I snapped a photo on my iPhone to send to the Blogmaid, sort of showing off the solar lights on my back deck. Then I realized that I am a bit spoiled to see this SF show almost every night. Well, except for the fog of course. Yes, that will happen all too soon, but until then we have this. Not bad.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

the Jewseum on Friday





 My favorite (other then the bagel and lox lunch) was the bright pink/red/orange Star of David. I met Bev at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and learned a lot about neon art yesterday. It is almost as much about science as it is about art. Fascinating. We had both been warned by friends about protesters, but there weren't any there and it was a smooth a really interesting adventure.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Passover Light


 Yummy beef brisket, charoset, bitter herbs, matzohs and a short, revised version of the Seder ceremony over at Doug and Barb's Wednesday night. They had recently returned from a good vacation and had no time to prepare for the REAL event which we have all enjoyed over the years. And we missed Chef Sarah's matzoh ball soup. We toasted my Bill and prayed that Netanyahu be replaced with someone who wants to promote peace over there. And of course for the return of the hostages, if possible. L'Chain. To Life.


Thursday, April 25, 2024

the Jewel in 2024



 Despite the grey day and our Loss to the NY Mets, it was just so wonderful being back at the ball park yesterday. I had a lovely walk down the Embarcadero next to the Bay after my BART ride and then Amy and I enjoyed very good seats down front, very near 3rd base. And the hot dog tasted extra good after all this time. So yes, we will go again and soon, I hope. 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

RIP, Reverend


 If there is a heaven, the Rev. Cecil Williams is front and center there now. He co-founded Glide Memorial Church which Bill and I attended back in the 70's. Glide is now famous for helping the poor and hungry with their food kitchen and work programs. Rev. Williams was dynamic and a power house of a man. Talk about a life well-lived. He was 94 and was as important to this city as the cable cars or Golden Gate Bridge. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

another Diplomat...



 ...both are good. This one takes place in Barcelona ~ always fun. Murders and mysteries and all those fun things we love around the TV set. I found this on Prime and enjoyed it immensely.

Monday, April 22, 2024

city love




 My first meeting as a volunteer for the Re-elect Mayor London Breed was yesterday and I had such a fine day in downtown San Francisco. The bottom photo is from an office and can you imagine trying to get ANY work done while looking out at this grandeur? This campaign will not be an easy one but I will do my small part because I admire Mayor Breed so much.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

The Farmhouse


 This is a Thai restaurant in the neighborhood and I want to go based solely on the waiter's floral uniform and the wonderfully colorful sign-in booth right out of the Barbie movie. However Jen with two dogs reports that the menu is fabulous, so I will do a Farmhouse foodie review ASAP. 

Saturday, April 20, 2024

the good, the not so good



 I so enjoyed the walk to BART with new SF artistic whimsy along the way. Thank you to citizens who take the time to paint flowers on their stairs for others to appreciate. Then a too long dental visit, but hey, that was yesterday and today is new and pain-free and life is good. Onward!

Friday, April 19, 2024

a fun new word game


 Yesterday I visited the Blogmaid's mother down in Pumpkinville and she helped me set up Word Chums on my iPad and we played a few rounds. It's a clever no-pressure kind of scrabble game and I can play it with people or with "the computer." I like the colorful graphics and we need to keep our brains clicking along these days.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

lunch at the Ramp


 As funky as ever, just way more difficult to park these days. I met Bill's cousin Steve and his friend Barbara at the Ramp yesterday and the weather was perfect. The food was good and the conversation engaging. A very nice time had by all. 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

the creepy Mr. Ripley


 Patricia Highsmith's novel returns once again, but this time in black and white on Netflix. It is so understated, yet we know that something horrid is right up or down one of those treacherous Italian staircases. The Talented Mr. Ripley is played by the talented Andrew Scott who reinvents himself for this interesting role. My advice: one episode at a time.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

this old house


 I really dislike home repair stuff but the small shower leak became a torrential stream and the plumbers came to try to fix it yesterday. They assured me that new houses have plumbing problems too as they fussed and fiddled and had to order specially made parts which will arrive in about two weeks. The drip is better and I can shower and everything will somehow work again.

Monday, April 15, 2024

not exactly a royal individual



 I appreciated this tell-all-perhaps-true story about Prince Andrew and the BBC interview a few years ago. Scoop is fast moving and allows us to go in and out of the Royal Palace quite a few times which is always fun for London loving fans like me. On the Flix® ~ enjoy.

Sunday, April 14, 2024

what could have been


 My rainy afternoon at-home movie yesterday was Past Lives and I was swept away into the lives of three fascinating people and I also was able to be in NYC again. I highly recommend this beautiful film that is filled with love and longing.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

seafood and arty party


 




Nancy, Scott and I had crab salads at a tourist trap called Nick's Lighthouse on Fisherman's Wharf but it was just what we needed and good to be down by the Bay again. They left for Placerville to stay with their daughter Ceci and I prepared for a birthday party. (Nick's is the top bad photo, but we all know those fun overpriced cafes.) My friend Luckey hosted a lively party at his glorious art studio and I did my best to mingle and celebrate ~ his official art name is Richard Perri and I think you will appreciate his work as much as I do. VERY San Francisco. Today is rain and I will just enjoy my fireplace and do some catch-up work and creative cat cuddling. Breathe.

Friday, April 12, 2024

the weather obeyed



 Nancy and Scott had not been to Tunnel Tops so we had a lovely day walking there and all around the Presidio yesterday. Gorgeous blossoms this year! Then in the afternoon we went to Tiburon and Sausalito, not yet clogged with tourists. Drinks at the Trident and then dinner last night with Samantha at United Dumpling. Early home, thankfully.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

of mice and family





 Annabelle caught her first mouse yesterday morning and then she caught another and we are both still reeling from this experience. Then step Nancy and Scott arrived and eventually we went to Delfina's in Burlingame to have delicious pizza with grand Samantha and Luke. A wonderful warm California evening to be outside and (for me) a late night, but fun.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

a favorite poet

 Balance

I'm remembering again, the day
we stood on the porch and you smoked
while the old man told you
about his basement full of wine,
his bad heart and the doctor's warning,
how he held the dusty bottle out to you,
glad, he said, to give it away
to someone who appreciated
its value and spirit, the years
it took to settle into its richness
and worth. I'm watching again,
each cell alive, as you reach
for the wine, your forearm exposed
below the rolled sleeve, the fine hairs
that sweep along the muscle, glowing,
lifting a little in the afternoon breeze.
I'm memorizing the shape of the moment:
your hand and the small bones
lengthening beneath the skin
as it tightens in the gripping,
in the receiving of the gift, the exact
texture and color of your skin,
and the old man's face, reduced
to its essence. That,
and the brief second
when both of you had a hand on the bottle—
the thing not yet given,
not yet taken, but held
between you, stoppered, full.
And my body is flooded again
with an elemental joy,
holding onto it against another day
in the unknowable future when I'm given
terrible news, some dark burden
I'll be forced to carry. I know
this is useless, and can't possibly work,
but I'm saving that moment, for balance.

 

Tuesday, April 09, 2024

back to The Grove



 I relied on others to appreciate the Great Eclipse yesterday because the last thing these eyes need is staring at the sun/moon whatever. But I did have a lovely sun-filled afternoon with coffee and happy chatter with Pat S. in her glorious backyard. It's been too long and we hope the rain is over, but then again, maybe one more storm. 

Monday, April 08, 2024

Brahms and Schumann



 Yesterday I met Amy for a lovely two hours at Herbst Theatre for a free concert. Of course we donate happily to support the SF Civic Symphony. It was a relaxing afternoon of beautiful music ~ the conductor always gives the back stories on the composers; those are always interesting . Big audience with lots of young people, I'm happy to report. Young = 25, not five, thankfully.

Sunday, April 07, 2024

an afternoon party





 Laura loves stuff as you can see from the Abe Lincoln collection (bottom photo) and the kitchen photo above. We were only going to go for an hour, but ended up spending way longer. Suzy and I had a lot to chat about in the very soft chair and before we knew it, lordy, it was almost dinner time. Everyone brought food so that was terrific. Ellyn had returned from NYC, so that was the official reason for the party. 

Saturday, April 06, 2024

a sports dominated day



 It was a fine, fun day with the Giants winning in the 9th inning at our Home Opener ~ lots of memories and pomp to give us renewed hope for the season ahead. Then, along with the rest of the world, I watched Women's College Basketball last night and rooted for Iowa, not that I'd ever want to live there or even drive through that state. Wow, they play hard and fast!

Friday, April 05, 2024

Irving Penn at the DY




 Amy and I had such a fine time at the Irving Penn exhibit and I urge you to see this photographer's exquisite work. From the top: the Mermaid Dress, Colette and Picasso. He had such a way with light and angles and, especially, people. The deYoung does an excellent job curating Mr. Penn's work and there was a lot of history to absorb too. Terrific!