a return to Matisse

 

Yesterday I met Sarah (left) and Andrea at SF Moma for another go-round with Mr. Matisse and his talented friends from those bygone days.  We had a long and lovely lunch ~ and talked of many things. Our pets were high on the important topic list, of course.

folk art heaven

 My friend Terri is so creative. She is a quilter and she collects folk art. Her home is like an art gallery and I had a lovely afternoon at her place yesterday. The bottom photo is from Terri's back deck where we can almost see my home over in Bernal. Almost or maybe? We had Indian food for lunch and talked about this and that and much more for a few happy hours. 

female friendship and...

I joined the women up at Nicole's Wednesday Night Chat & Chew gathering for the first time in a long time and we had no problem finding topics to cover. Good food too, and an invigorating walk to/fro for me before the sun went down last night. 

 

not exactly gourmet...

 Sometimes a woman just needs a hot dog, garlic fries and a lemonade. Especially after walking around Stow Lake, now renamed Blue Heron Lake, in Golden Gate Park. Neti and I walked around the lake twice yesterday with hundreds of other folks eager to be out and about on a sunny Saturday. So beautiful. 

in-home movie day

 Amy, Heidi, Annabelle and I had a lovely afternoon around my TV yesterday. Two Flix® movies, popcorn and Kleenex®. The Marty Short doc was better than expected and I enjoyed watching Remarkably Bright Creatures again. Microwave popcorn was a hit ~ I outdid myself.

the same old story?

 

Not. I love the Dumpling Story on Valencia Street, as you well know by now. Yesterday Doug, Barb and I enjoyed a feast of noodles, fried chicken, kelp salad, pork dumplings, onion pancakes ~ with lots left over for my dinner last night. Best of all, of course, was catching up on our lives because they have been traveling here, there and everywhere. 

coffee in the Grove

 Pat Snyder prepared a lovely snack spread yesterday as we caught up on her busy life that is currently filled with weddings and graduations and lots of travel. I'm of course happy to be a stay-at-home San Francisco woman of leisure.

Filoli on Friday

 I've always wanted to go to Filoli Gardens down on the Peninsula about 30 minutes or so from SF. It is a huge, lush estate and yesterday I finally got to really enjoy it thanks to Shelley and Heidi. The name?

FI = fight for a just cause. LO = love your fellow man. LI = live a good life. 

What a glorious day and the weather was perfect. We walked and walked, had lunch and visited the gift store. Tried to identify flowers and birds (we were pretty good) and of course talked a lot as women do.

a little Monet, please

 Yesterday Chef Sarah and I went to the deYoung to see Monet and Venice, a sweet little exhibit that brought back lots of memories of my trip to Venice. I recommend this and it wasn't too crazy/busy so we could really enjoy the paintings. The Red House (bottom photo) might be my favorite. Good early lunch in the cafe along with easy parking made this a lovely, special day. Thank you, Sarah Ann.

inside the web of red yarn

 Chiharu Shiota's work at the Asian Art Museum is spectacular, especially Diary in the top photo.  My friend Ken works at the Asian and I benefitted with a good visit and excellent lunch in the cafe there yesterday. And I love the gift store. All in all, a delightful Monday for your blogger.

new art, lunch and conversation

 Doug and Barb inherited this fabulous painting from a relative who was in show biz in NYC. Karen H, Doug, Barb and I spent some quality time ooohing and ahhhing and doesn't it fit just perfectly in their living room? Then we had sandwiches and ice cream and coffee and I think that we all caught up on all of our lives. A very good Wednesday indeed.

veggie chili day

Amy makes the BEST chili and yesterday she came over to cook for me. I now have a freezer full of really wonderful, delicious black bean chili with tons of mushrooms and tomatoes, etc. We had lots of good conversation too, remembering her sister and my BFF Ginger. More gratitude from this blogger.
 

lunch in Terra Linda

 Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid picked me up at 6:30am yesterday to visit the Kaiser Dermatology Center in San Rafael, of all places. So grateful to them as the procedure was painless and necessary and we were able to have a hearty lunch at Monk's Kettle before heading back across the Golden Gate Bridge for home. Many thanks for these dear friends...

food, friends, poetry

 Our book club focused on the poet Andrea Gibson last night. So fitting because it is National Poetry Month and we each read one of Andrea's poems out loud and then watched the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV. Of course wonderful food was involved (make your own taco) and we had a spirited discussion about Andrea and their not easy life and death. 

Yesa re Nopa (sorry)

 

The Ferry Building has so many good restaurants these days and yesterday I met my old friend Karen for delicious fish chowder and chatter at Nopa Fish Restaurant which Amy had recommended. Oh, yum. Karen lives in NYC and is happy to be back in her old stomping ground and we will see more of each other in the next week or so. I am still in recovery so a quick trip for lunch and conversation was about all I could handle. But still, great progress. 

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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.