dark humor, great drama

 I've been staying up past my well regulated early bedtime in order to watch this most wonderful new series on the Flix®.  DEPT. Q works on cold cases in Edinburgh, Scotland. The three detectives are flawed, brilliant and well worth my tv time. Gritty? Oh, yes indeed.

bones and flowers

The whimsy of my neighbors often makes the steepest of hill-walking a pleasure. This old guy is new in my hood  and we can see that he appreciates the warm afternoon sunshine and our clean, clear air.

 

sort of catching up

 For some reason I'm a better reader in parks and coffee shops than I am at home where I can always find some silly task to distract me. I'm currently reading the April New Yorkers and yesterday I read a fascinating piece by and about Joan Didion. They are publishing her "Notes to John" soon and I think I will avoid the book which is probably an invasion of her private thoughts to her husband. But who knows?  I also guess that this could be depressing. Ms. Didion was, however, a wonderful writer. No question about that. She jotted down these "notes" after her therapy sessions. 

Flix® and moral intrigue

 Well, well, well. Here we have a six-part Danish mystery thriller that shows what might lie beneath the perfect world of wealth and privilege in a Copenhagen suburb. Secrets We Keep tells the story of a missing Filipina au pair and yes, this is an intriguing series for sure.

this treat on Sunday

 I decided to walk to BART via 24th Street on my way to the theatre on Sunday. Carnaval! A yearly celebration of Latin American, Caribbean and AfroMundo cultures. The streets were already lined with chairs and people at 10am and everyone was happy and welcoming. Music, food and oh so colorful. 

my favorite play of 2025 (so far)

 I saw this play years ago and also read the book, but of course I didn't remember a lot of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time so yesterday was a treat in a sold-out performance at the San Francisco Playhouse. Neti enjoyed it too and I urge you to see this if you possibly can. Through June 21st and so well acted and directed. A surprising final scene, so stay until the lights go back on.

Susan in Salesforce Park

Susan lives in Davis and she had not even heard of Salesforce Park in downtown SF, and I had not been here for awhile either, so of course we had a lovely time. I wish it had a few good restaurants, but we got by with pizza and salad and that was fine. All the plants and trees and greenery ~ so lush and beautiful and juxtaposed with (to?) all the dramatically tall buildings, lordy, it is just a really spectacular spot. Yes, one fine day filled with chit chat and cleansing laughter.

 

Vive La Tarte

 We DO bakeries here in SF. Someone, somewhere suggested that I try Vive La Tarte on 24th Street and since I needed a reward for trying to be a good woman and running errands yesterday ~ well, I totally enjoyed a latte, croissant and a read in the New Yorker out in the sun/shade as I watched all the dogs and people parade by. Such a treat to live in this crazy city. And, hey, fog this morning. Welcome, Karl.

this is not for my intellectual friends

 Sirens is such fun and a good way to escape the state of our country. I follow Kevin Bacon on Instagram and he has this great outlook on life and totally enjoys his wife and kids and animals, etc. In any event, I also really like Julianne Moore so I was eager to start this "dark comedy" last night. You might be disappointed, but I was not. There are only five episodes. Drat. Pray for Season 2. Netflix.

the Jewel sparkled

 A lovely day by the Bay yesterday, but a poor game for Giants fans. Amy and I enjoyed our Tony's pizza and chatted before and during the game. Despite the loss we are already discussing our next baseball game  and hope for sunshine again. The cool breezes helped everyone, especially the Kansas City Royals.

off to the Jewel

 The NEW ballpark is now 25 years old and how did that happen? I remember the first Opening Day there like it was yesterday. Well, better, but that's another story. I'm still learning names of the 2025 Giants and just learned that we have the best bullpen in the major leagues. Well, that's a relief. I'm meeting Amy at the Willie Mays statue at Oracle Park at noon but I will stop first at Safeway for some peanuts and cracker jacks, sunscreen and lots of water. 

a read in the park

We are having gorgeous weather here and I took my LindaKindle4 for a walk and then a sit down in Precita Park and I just might do the same today. We shall see. Before She Was Helen is a lightweight mystery and that is fine with me currently. 

 

podcast world

 Even though I love my Apple ear bud things I don't have them in all day and I don't walk and listen to words or music. I have classical music as a background when I write every morning in front of the fireplace. But yesterday I listened to Julia Louis-Dreyfus because I have always liked her so much and this Wiser Than Me podcast was recommended by Jen with 2 dogs. I totally enjoyed this podcast as Julia interviewed Diane von Furstenberg the famous fashion designer. Excellence. There will be more...

two favorites

 Dancing Jen and Le Central. What could be better for a Saturday lunch in SF? We celebrated Jen's belated birthday and had a delightful catch-up time and even did a bit of future tripping. Much of the country suffers bad weather but it is clear, sunny and beautiful here. So fortunate. Returned to my quiet, happy home to watch the Giants win and then to NY for SNL. 

based on a true story

 This mini series (4 episodes) is based on the true story of the town Corby in the East Midlands of England. Toxic Town is not easy to watch but I do recommend it because the acting is superb and it's yet another good example of how and why the environment needs to be protected. Netflix.

a woman conductor!

 Amy and I love the freebie working rehearsals at Davies Symphony Hall. They begin at 10am and yesterday the conductor was Dalia Stasevska, a Ukranian-born Finnish musician whose two year old daughter was playing to much applause on stage before the performance. The highlight yesterday was the Sibelius Symphony No. 5. Goose bump inducing!

one stunning Wednesday

 I met Pamela for her belated birthday lunch at Ferry Plaza yesterday and you can see how beautiful it was. We sat outside and talked a lot and more. Then I had a good walk to Trader Joe's downtown and then walked some more with Jen and 2 dogs when I came home. The dogs and the knees were barking...

this surprising city

 The Mission District (where I live) provides lots of colorful art and yesterday I discovered a new "installation" in Lucky Alley. Someone provided the information that Balmy and Lucky were named after famous race horses at the Pioneer Race Course, 1851. My AI Co-pilot knows nothing about this. I have posted about Balmy Alley before and will return soon for an update now that the weather is nice and my arthritis is saying, "just get out and walk, woman." And so I do.

back to the Alamo

 Yesterday I met Terri at the Alamo because several people had recommended Sinners, produced and directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan. It's called a "black musical horror movie" and indeed the sound track was fabulous. Southern gothic vampires, all set in 1932 when the KKK was supposed to be gone forever. Haha. I loved the dance/party scenes ~ Terri and I avoided some of the bloody business by staring at our laps. But yes, I'm so glad I saw this spectacular movie on the big screen.

a little pick-me-up

Thanks to Beverly for recommending The Only Girl in the Orchestra, a short documentary on Netflix. This was a welcome relief for me what with all the Warrior basketball drama. Orin O'Brien was the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic, thanks to Leonard Bernstein. You will be inspired by this film and by the no-nonsense Ms. O'Brien.

 

Mother's Day 2025

 Nancy is always so wonderful about sending me flowers ~ we bonded many, many years ago. Being a step mother is way easier (usually) than the real thing and yet there were some challenges along the way. Ahem. I had such a great time observing the Blogmaid raise Cass (previously known as RR) and today I salute her and all the REAL mothers everywhere. Good job!

SF is alive and well

 Beverly and I walked over to Yerba Buena Gardens on Thursday before SF Moma opened at noon and man, that place was jumpin'. Some tech convention event with music, food and happy people wearing badges and enjoying the sunshine. There is something so special about a downtown park and this one seems to improve each year. The indoor food court there was busy/happy and we feasted on salads from the Buckhorn Grill, one of my favorite spots.  

non-stop creative artist

 Ruth Asawa lived and raised her six (!) children here in Noe Valley and this exhibit at SF Moma is well worth seeing, that's for sure. The middle photo recreates their living room where Ruth liked to work even though she had her own studio downstairs. Yesterday I met Beverly for lunch and then we both enjoyed this impressive collection of wire sculptures and memories of this amazing artist's life (1926-2013). I will return and I urge you to visit, if possible.

the Wednesday night women

 Back up the hill to Nicole's last night ~ check out her lovely garden. There were five of us last night with lots of talk about travel, kids, grands and politics, as always. Thankfully we all agree that the Dictator is horrible and we do disagree on how to get rid of him. Home before the sun went down.

excellence is honored

 The Pulitzer Prize for fiction was announced yesterday and James won. And, hooray, because it was our book club selection for May, I have read this and I agree with the judges. Huckleberry Finn's adventures from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved Black man who accompanies Huck. Percival Everett is the author of this impressive novel.

Fluf in four photos

 We call our group either Tiapos (This is a Piece of Shit) or Fluf (Fuckin' Love You Folks) and we have known each other for 25 years now. And because we write we are very open and we know each other well.  Sunday at Doug and Barb's was, as always, special. At the end of our readings (after a delicious lunch) we toasted Jane Underwood who brought us all together as our teacher and dear friend. We miss you, Jane, RIP in your own poetic manner and we all send gratitude galore. (And yes, maybe we will delete that sentence at the end just to show you we remember. Maybe.)

Game 7 and Buddy WHO?

 I had not met one Warrior fan who was eager to watch the playoff game in Texas (!) last night. My go-to Warrior #1 fan Terri received my text "Who is Buddy Hield?" during the game and she always provides a lovely side story when she answers my dumb questions. I love the excitement of a big playoff game but we did not expect the Dubs to win. So last night capped a wonderful Tiapos/Fluff afternoon at Doug and Barb's and I will provide photos and details of that tomorrow. A Sunday to remember, for sure.

after thoughts with after glow

 I'm still processing my vacation and rejoicing (mostly) that I did this. I traveled with some fantastic people and learned a few things along the way. I need to record and distill the handwritten notes I made in the journal and study a few city maps to remind me of where I was and what I saw. Yes, I missed the old travel days of just wandering about a new city, I would have appreciated some museums, but one can't have everything. Yesterday Neti, Jeanine, Patout and I gathered at Pat Snyder's to share travel stories and to hear about my trip up the Danube. A lovely afternoon of tea, coffee, sweets and chit chat.

we be GREAT aunts

 Of course you all know my sister Jane in the bottom photo. She is holding her brand new grandson named Atlas Carver Edwards (Ace!) son of nephew Tanner. The Blogmaid and I are the designated great aunts and there is a whole lot of texting going on. Welcome to this crazy world, Ace.

the slug reports in

 Well, too many protests to choose from so I stayed in most of the day and felt guilty. I also made plane reservations to Chicago in June and went to the post office and last night I escaped to Netflix for The Four Seasons and that is good, if not great. I like Tina Fey and Steve Carrell and even though Episode 1 was a tad trite I will stay with this comedy about marriage, friendship and well, you know, Life.

May Day Strong

 There are three or four (or more?) protests here in the Bay Area. I do not know which one Iwill be going to yet, but I know that I must show up.