parklets ~ yay or nay?

 I remain a fan of the parklets and agree that they have changed the face of our city. So cheery at night with the bright lights and sounds of laughter on Valencia Street or in North Beach. These were free to the restaurants during the pandemic but even now that there are fees and restrictions, many have signed up to keep their outdoor spaces. Alas, I think that Covid is here to stay, but so are the colorful parklets.

masks, shots, memories

 Yesterday I got the Covid Booster (what number? 3 or 4?) and at the same time I'm reading about the outbreak of the pandemic in Lucy By The Sea. How those early deaths shocked us and how we would wash all of our vegetables from the grocery and our fear of being near other people. Covid changed us in ways we don't really understand yet, but it is amazing now to read and think back. Shocking, really.

gloomy but efficient

 This is the scenic dumpster area where Kaiser does the Covid testing. There was only one other car and of course I had an appointment yesterday. I had to back out after the swabbing and managed to avoid hitting orange cones and more dumpsters, but all in all, an OK experience. The first of many times here, I fear.

the nose, the knife

 Yesterday I took my nose to the Covid testing clinic at 24th and Mission. Kind people helped me as the cell phone is key here. The line was not long at all. Then for dinner Barb and Doug fixed a lavish steak with Hasselback potatoes and the all important green salad. I needed to be out and about, even Hermits know that. Today to Pumpkinville ~ hooray!

today's staples: sugar, coffee, test kits

 Grrrrr. I do not want to twirl a giant Q tip in my nostrils, but maybe it won't be so bad. I bought this one on Amazon because there are too many germs in Walgreen's. There is a party next weekend and all the guests have been asked to self-test. Even hermits need holiday gatherings. 

for today's front porch

 

perilous times

 I hadn't been inside Cafe La Boheme (aka Cafe Sticky) since before the pandemic, but yesterday I wanted a baklava with my latte. The owner asked me for my Vax card and ID and I thanked him because I have no desire to be indoors with the unvaccinated. The poor guy said he was exhausted from fighting with people who didn't agree with this sensible rule. Here, in San Francisco? I have given our citizens too much credit, it seems. Grrrrrrrr.

June 15th ~ Cally reopens

 Roaring back might be a bit too strong, but today is the official End of Covid here and yes, I will still be taking my mask and probably wearing it indoors. What a year plus this has been. I have learned a lot about myself and others and am in no hurry for inside dining or go to a crowded theater yet. I am very curious to see what will happen to all the expensive downtown office space, now almost vacant. 

coffee in Japantown

 Ginger lives about 1.5 blocks from the very peaceful Japan Center on Post Street and yesterday we just sat in the sun and talked. I had brought the thermos, of course, filled with the best coffee this side of Peet''s. She had walked earlier and I would walk later in the day so we enjoyed our quiet time as we caught up on our lives. Japantown is suffering now after the pandemic, I hope that most of the stores and restaurants survive. Everything here in SF and California to open June 15th. 

feet treat

 Not my toes, nor flowers, but I did enjoy a professional mani/pedi yesterday after months of doing these things myself. Of course I overtipped because the manicurists have suffered greatly this past year. As have so many. And lord knows I have not spent $$$ on posh restaurants or exotic travel. Life returns.

everybody OUT

 I wonder if these outdoor restaurant parklets (or pods) will be around a year from now. Yesterday I walked in the Castro District and the photo above is 18th Street, filled with happy diners. Of course the weather helps everything and closing streets off to traffic is wonderful, if sometimes a surprise. As I listen to assorted conversations it seems like everyone is talking about Vax #1 and #2 ~ so be it.

and then I exhaled

 I went back under the big Kaiser tent yesterday for the 2nd Covid-19 Vax. My arm is just a bit tender but no other abnormal issues ~ Dancing Jen said that she got the chills 24 hours after the shot. I can handle that, I'm just so very relieved and I feel grateful and hopeful.

The Happiest Place on Earth

 Forget Disneyland ~ here's the big white Kaiser vaccination tent on Geary Street. Oh, joy. Which arm? Thanks to Dancing Jen who suggested the one I don't sleep on as there can be tenderness, in a good way. Which vaccine? Kaiser chooses and I have the Pfizer, meaning I go back in three weeks for dose #2 and that is already arranged, then and there, appointment made. Everyone smiling under their masks and the nicest bunch of doctors, nurses, vaccinators and people getting shots that you will ever find anywhere. One doctor told me that they normally do 500 arms a day and are planning on 1,000 each day this weekend. All very well organized and yes, I am so grateful. 

not a perfect process

 Kaiser is usually so organized, but not this time. The phone lines were jammed and the sign-up website was useless for a few days as we all begged and clamored to get our shots. But then finally yesterday the log jam ended and we all now have appointments. Mine is for Jan. 29th ~ hooray!

downtown ghost town

 It's usually a horribly busy time of year which I hated when I worked down at the Big Box. But this is awful too ~ no cable cars, no foot traffic, no hustle or bustle. Yesterday I had yet another dental issue and I did walk around a bit and felt such sorrow for the merchants and restaurants. The only busy place was a Covid-19 testing sight. Soon vaccination clinics, or so we hope. Stay safe, world.

If it's Tuesday: morning, noon, night

 

Yesterday the light of dawn was so bright on some of the downtown buildings! The photo never does it justice, but I keep on trying. Noon at Pat's Grove was a cheese sandwich, and then dinner from Chef Campbell. It's fireplace weather every morning and Annabelle and I do our fair share of purring. Of course I do some complaining too, but never on the blog. Almost never on the blog.

public transportation at its best

 Yesterday Ginger and I took the 10:15 ferry from the Embarcadero over to Larkspur. A glorious day filled with sunshine and fresh air. We used our Clipper Cards ~ such a bargain. We walked and had coffee in the huge outdoor patio space in Larkspur and then ferried home in the afternoon. LOTS of fresh air! The ferry was overly cautious with the Covid-19 Beware! seating, in my humble opinion. We were all wearing masks, of course, one must these days. Back to Hot today, alas.

cool grey city of covid-19

It's been some weeks since Ginger and I went to Crissy Field where the
air felt so good yesterday on our morning walk. Foggy first, then sun
on that famous bridge. Not too many people and never enough dogs.
This Labor Day weekend is supposed to be hot, but not too for those
of us who live so near the coast.

a monumental day

We went into a restaurant. The first time in 25 weeks! To the back patio of
Starbelly's to celebrate Ginger's birthday. Tons of safety rules, but still
and all, the pleasure of eating hot food served by someone else was/is
not to be under-emphasized. Mussels for me, veggie burger for G. Oh,
what we took for granted for so long, forever...

this is quite amazing

Two pieces of good news this morning. The wildfires are getting under
control and the Giants have won seven games in a row.   Now what?
Did I jinx it? And I think we have more cardboard fans than any
other MLB team. I might have made that up.