Lucybelle returns!

 We had such a warm and happy day over at Pamela's in the Berkeley hills yesterday. Lucy lives in Oregon now and is doing a GREAT job raising Flora who is now ten and a delight to be with. So many memories and so much love and beauty. Tears and laughter = gratitude again.

your Flora update

I know you remember Lucybelle from my museum life. We all went to her
wedding and then the baby shower and here is the most recent photo of her
daughter Flora, there on the left. The family has settled right outside of
Portland now, buying a home and working hard with enough time to
enjoy the great Pacific Northwest. After living here out in "the Avenues"
Lucy needs to be by an ocean which they didn't have when they lived
in Indiana for a year or so.

lunch with Lucybelle

A few of us gathered yesterday up at Progressive to spend some time with
Lucy and Flora who now live in Indiana. She misses SF something fierce
and we had a pleasant couple of hours catching up on everything and
everyone. I believe that Lucy misses the ocean more than any of us, she
used to live down in The Avenues and would walk along the beach daily.
Sound familiar Linda and Blogmaid?

Flora turns two!

Remember Lucybelle and Flora? They now live in Indiana (more about
this tomorrow) and for her b.day Flora received this glorious "I Love
You, Nose!" book by our remarkable Linda Davick. I remember that
Ruby loved this too and, yes,  how easy Amazon makes kid gift giving.

Lucybelle's return

Jennie, Lucy and Flora at the Legion of Honor

Lucy and Flora in the sunny patio

There was much joy and sorrow yesterday when Lucy made a brief visit
to her old stomping grounds. About twelve of us met her to oooooh and
ahhhhhh over Flora who is a delightful little girl and to do our best to
catch-up with her life in Indiana, where she grew up. To say that she
misses SF is quite an understatement and of course we miss her something
fierce. Even our old boss Dennis showed up. The museum cafe picked
up our tab for lunch - how about them salads, hot dogs and lattes?

flora studies frisco

Flora and Lucybelle in Bernal

Flora in Evansville

My dear friend Lucybelle moved back to Indiana (where is THAT?) with
her new family. In the top photo we were having a farewell lunch up at
Progressive on Cortland. And today here is Flora remembering her home
town and the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

another goodbye

2009 engagement party

reading my goodbye letter - Sunday last

Living in the city means lots of goodbyes to people who simply can't afford
to live here. Lucybelle and I bonded when I first started at the museum and
she was a huge help to me and I will miss her so much. She and her husband
and baby Flora are moving back to Indiana where she grew up. We took a
final walk down on Ocean Beach and it was a sad drive home for me. But
her family comes first and we will stay in touch electronically. OK, now
everyone just stay where you are - no more goodbye hugs 'n tears.

high in the Berkeley hills

Pamela and Flora

view of the fog over Frisco

Lucy, Flora and I drove over to Pamela's for a warm and wonderful lunch
yesterday. She had the fireplace going and we talked of many things. I was
so pleased with the GPS because this is not an easy place to find - I don't
use the thing very often, but when I need it, hoooooooray! Lucy is planning
to move back to Indiana with her husband and 9 month old Flora, so I am
gearing up for another goodbye. You know by now that I'm not too good
with those.

On the other hand, Carlini is returning to the Bay Area (probably Walnut
Creek) and this is just plain GREAT news.

lunch at Ella's on Presidio

We had a fine time yesterday ~ Jennie, Flora and her mother, Lucybelle.
Another clear, beautiful day, so it was pleasant to walk out there.
Pleasant and necessary as parking was not easy, even for me. The
three of us used to work out at the LOH together, and now it's just me,
and speaking of which, I'm supposed to be there at 9am, so I should
scurry.  I get lazy in the mornings now days and that is A-OK.

flora, in all her glora

flora is one month old

ah, "the avenues"

flora and lucybelle

 Honestly, since I started working at the museums five years ago, I've
spent more time out here in the Richmond (Sunset?) District than ever
before in my life. Now I finally see what Linda and all the others who
LOVE this nabe see, always the ocean in the background ~ always
changing, ever present. Yesterday I met my dear friend Lucy for a
walk to Land's End and some good old fashioned work gossip. Oh,
that ocean air, the astounding views from Sutro Park, wisps of fog
and rays of sunshine.

blinded by pink

hmmmmm, I thought I fixed this, but it was a luscious cake!

guests gather

Chris surprises Lucy

guest of honor and many gifts

beautiful baby blanket

Ruby remembers her shower

It was such a successful baby shower yesterday ~ lots of food, people, fun,
laughter and gifts for the mother-to-be. We couldn't use the backyard of
the hostess because of the rain, but that didn't really dampen anyone's
spirits. I used the GPS to find the house in Oakland and what a fabulous
invention that is. I'm good within the confines of our SF, but am directionally
challenged outside of my little world. Lucybelle is loved by so many people
at the museums and we were all able to shower her with some of our
warm feelings yesterday. New girl child will be born in a month...