They call me: stein, msmas, mush, m.a., mary ann, mary lou, mary om, or just plain mary (and you may too)
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
one year ago
Such great memories. Here we were on the Danube leaving Budapest. And now, oh happy news, the tremendously resilient citizens of Hungary have ousted the horrid dictator Orban. I just love watching all the celebrations and of course it is a smack in the face to our own would-be tyrant Trump. We who love democracy are feeling such hope currently.
Monday, April 13, 2026
the return of the blogger
That is my neighbor Cristina in the top photo ~ she works on the ferry boats and this was her response yesterday when I reported that I am really on the mend. Dancing Jen provided won ton noodle soup for lunch and Neti brought lentil soup for dinner. My usual GREAT appetite is finally returning thanks to all of my dear friends. Good sleep last night solves so many problems. xoxoxoxox
Saturday, April 11, 2026
the road to recovery
My wonderful Care Team (Heidi and the Blogmaid) got me in to see my doc yesterday and she dripped saline and water into my depleted body. Plus some anti-nausea meds and today I am thinking that normal life might just be possible again. I have a bit more energy this morning and my outlook is more positive than it has been all week. So grateful to all my loving friends and dear Sis too.
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
tummy issues
A few down days here as I recover from some sort of stomach virus. Thanks to Heidi and the Blogmaid for super nurse and advice services.
Monday, April 06, 2026
the French chef
My tenant, Ari, prepared Easter lunch yesterday before he hopped on his bike to head out to Baker Beach. He is a delight and so easy to be with and interesting. A lazy Easter for me, for sure.
Sunday, April 05, 2026
The Marsh before Paprika
Yesterday I met John and Mary (of Ashland fame) over at The Marsh on Valencia Street. We thoroughly enjoyed Dan Hoyle who portrays fascinating characters from all over our country. So much talent. Then we walked down to Paprika for some chicken paprikas (with mashed potatoes) and all in all, a really lovely evening. So nice catching up with my friends again.
Saturday, April 04, 2026
Calamari anyone?
Friday, April 03, 2026
not an April Fool's joke
The Blogmaid felt this relatively strong (4.6 magnitude) earthquake but Annabelle and I didn't. Or maybe she did, and just doesn't want to talk about it. This one was centered in the Santa Cruz Mountains and residents down there felt a strong jolt. Somehow, compared to Trump, this seems mild to me.
Thursday, April 02, 2026
hers was not an easy life
For some reason I really like this Andrea Gibson poem above, even though it is not the one I will be "presenting" at book club in a few weeks. That one is entitled How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best. I have printed it out and am reading it aloud to get the full benefit.
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
next book club = poetry!
A couple of us were recently intrigued with the poet Andrea Gibson who died in 2025. There is a documentary about her (Come See Me in the Good Light) which we will watch after dinner and after a bit of reviewing of some of Andrea's work. I have been enjoying her poetry in this used book I bought, Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns. I will share a poem or two here later. That's a promise.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
needles and pins
Yes and hooray for acupuncture! After an internet breakdown (NOT my fault) this morning I found that my scheduled appointment with Dr. Sparrow and this ancient medical practice solved all sorts of physical and emotional upheavals. Soothing.
Monday, March 30, 2026
my life as a LANDLADY
Time for you to meet Aristote (Ari) from Paris. So far, so good. Most of the neighbors have met him now and yesterday I suggested that he bike over to the Ramp and he loved that spot. Ari's English is terrific and really I am adapting to this situation way better than I thought I would. He works a few blocks away at a tech start-up and yesterday Annabelle finally warmed up to him. My life has changed in a week. Amazing.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
No Kings. No Dictators.
Cute sign thanks to Barb! We stood, we walked, we chanted. Terri, Suze, Heidi, Barb and I took BART to Market Street where we eventually met granddaughter Samantha and Luke. After marching for an hour or so we were ready for home. It's always good to see that we are NOT alone and there will me more protests because Trump is totally ruining this country. A demented and dangerous jerk.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
coffee in the Grove
Check out the wisteria in the bottom photo! Yesterday Pat Snyder and I discussed EVERYTHING and more in her beautiful Grove with totally perfect Spring weather. Today we protest in No Kings but yesterday was peaceful and necessary for my soul.
Friday, March 27, 2026
first one kitten then...
...a jumble of kittens. Neighbor Cristina ended up rescuing seven from some construction sight, but they couldn't capture the mother so my friend is feeding them. She is getting help from cat loving friends and I am trying to keep my distance, except for a photo or twenty.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
cats, coffee and baseball
The top photo is of a very young kitten found by a neighbor (long story, only interesting to cat lovers) and my next door neighbor Cristina (seen here cuddling my girl, Annabelle) jumped in to save the day. Check out these $8 lattes that Terri and I sipped at Hedge, a relatively new spot that is getting lots of publicity. A bit too "I'm in the tech world and super cool" for the likes of me, but it was good to catch-up with Terri and prepare for the baseball game last night. Opening Day. Argh. Giants lost to the Yankees. At least the rest of the world saw our beautiful city and fine weather.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
dinner with Lawrence
Yesterday I had a good walk with Jen and the two pesky puppies and at the end she gifted me with this lovely pork dinner and fresh bok choy from their lettuce tree. It was quite nice to say goodbye to left over corned beef for awhile. When making friends it is a plus if they actually enjoy cooking. And sharing.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
we have much to learn
I have not been keeping up with baseball nor do I have any tickets for any of the games. I like to go early in the season while hope is still fresh...and the kids are still in school. So I will now start reading and memorizing names and numbers.
Monday, March 23, 2026
green afterglow
Everyone pitched in to make yesterday a huge success. This morning I will put away the dishes and take a nap or two. Now I will make my notes for next year ~ I made a mistake or three and did a few things just right and all that will be recorded. I need to tell you also that I have a tenant in Emma's Room ~ I have not met him yet but I will do so at some point today. Life, she be strange, right?
Sunday, March 22, 2026
ready, set, shamrock
We are prepared for dinner at 1pm today. I think. Hee is the Irish poem that Annabelle and I selected:
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
WB Yeats
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
prep work
I introduced Heidi to Robert's Corned Beef yesterday and she was, of course, impressed. Annabelle needs no introduction to table hopping, but she is locked out today. Thankfully it is cooler as I bustle about checking off To Do''s and worrying about silly details.
Friday, March 20, 2026
belated, but that's ok
I'm "doing" St. Pat's dinner here on Sunday. It is still hot and there is NO air conditioning in my tiny oven-like home. Getting lots of help, thankfully. Today Heidi and I buy the corned beef at Robert's. And bring up the extra table and sit in between. More later...
Thursday, March 19, 2026
no longer silent
Dolores Huerta (age 96) is finally able to talk about the ex-hero Cesar Chavez. This whole thing is sickening and now we scramble to change names (I'm guessing) on quite a few streets and buildings here in California where he led the Farmworkers Union back in the 70's. For shame, Cesar.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
late lunch by the Bay
Scott, Nancy and I went out to Mission Rock yesterday for a late lunch and some cool ocean breezes. The heat wave continues through Friday, or so they say. So nice to have family here for a few days and they were not missing the Chicago weather.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BBQ weather here
Doug and Barb invited me to their deck last night and the city was starting to cool down, thankfully. We are having an unusual heat spell this week. I tried a new fake beer and decided that O'Doul's is still the best. Their garden is a gorgeous jungle, the food was delicious and we chatted away until dark when I left to return to my hot house and hungry cat. (You can almost see Fred the squirrel in the garden photo.)
Monday, March 16, 2026
Oscar fun with pizza
Like clockwork. Nicole, Meredith and Heidi joined me for the smooth, no-surprises Awards ceremony last night and we had a good time discussing the actors and what they were wearing. Conan does a fine job hosting, as did I. The dishes were done and I was in bed by 9pm. Applause, please.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
thank you and RIP
I was sorry to see that Mark Bittner died on March 1. He cared for and wrote about the wild parrots here in San Francisco and his book (2005) and documentary were best sellers. The beautiful (and noisy and messy) wild parrots have proliferated in the City and we love them because they are another colorful part of the craziness that we celebrate here. Thank you, Mark.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
and yes, more flowers
The top photo is from yesterday's neighborhood walk and the bottom two are from my very own garden. I have no idea what these flowers are but they have NEVER bloomed like this. The gift of rain and now gorgeous sunshine.















































