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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

a favorite poet

 Balance

BY DORIANNE LAUX

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.

 

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. 

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.

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. 

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!

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!