walking solves everything

 Also Motion is Lotion. I like solo walks and also love going out with Jen and the Two pictured here. Charli is wearing (and hating) the blue donut thing after surgery and Birdie is free to do her thing. We are having a break before the next rain storm so the air is clear and the skies a bright, bright blue. And today I wish Sister Jane a Happy Birthday ~ how lucky we are to have her in our lives!

meanwhile, in Cally (Calli?)

 Thanks for the photos from yesterday, Blogmaid. I neglected to ask for your permission. It was gorgeous here in SF too, but these are Half Moon Bay pictures. I love the wild bright yellow sour grass and of course the ocean is always a constant source of awe. I just texted Sis in Maryland and she is safe and cozy. We always worry about power during these snow storms and this one seems particularly rough.

for Sister Jane

 

Debt Ritual: Oysters

buy the oysters anywayeach night you spendin the city and not homein an apartment alonecosts upwards of fifty dollarsand for what it’s worthoysters are mostly labora man at a countercrushed ice this skillnot out of place in a Whitmanpoem what you wantin an oyster is immediacybrine of a small oceanand the time to occupythe texture and materialof this one moment of yourlife the brightness in the darkred leather banquettes ginand lemon silk suedeand weather the refractionsin the water it isn’t right exactlyto want what money has
~ Katie Naughton

my writing life

 Sis gave me this delightful book which I am loving so much. I have been writing on an almost daily basis now for 25 plus years. This past week I wrote with Chef Sarah up in Napa. We can and do write freely with one another and I treasure her friendship. She said I could use her paragraph here and I do so because it expresses my feelings so perfectly. (Tiapos is the name of our writing group, as you may remember: This is a piece of shit.) Sarah's writing is definitely not, while mine often is. Here from Sarah Scott:

All this made me appreciate all the years with Jane and Tiapos up to the present and the format of reading with an emphasis on positive feedback and never telling someone what to do or how to do it. The generosity of fellow writers listening, considering with care, commenting with finesse, wisdom and mostly kindness is a precious gift. It provides a safe space to share imperfect, intimate, newborn writing. 

 

 

Bay Bridge and beyond...

 Sister Jane and Melinda expressed an interest in Oakland and "the other bridge" so the Blogmaid was kind enough to drive us all over to Jack London Square where we had an unexpectedly good lunch at the Oakland Grill in the heart of the produce market there. All closed yesterday so the restaurant was almost empty, but surprisingly good food and a nice atmosphere. Then back home to chat with my next door neighbor, Cristina, who had one of my wine glasses that somehow strayed over there on Thanksgiving. Such a great photo of her, thanks to the Blogmaid. And also this last sister pic that I think captures both our bloodlines and our mutual enjoyment and appreciation of each other. Sis and Melinda are safely back in Maryland now. I already miss my sis ~ another really nice time. I am so lucky.

Tunnel Tops and Mexican food

 The top photo is from Mel and Jane's all-day Monday walking tour. Cute, no? Yesterday we hopped in a Waymo to The Presidio for some walking and history and we were lucky that the GG Bridge was visible in the bottom photo here. We had a tasty lunch at Colibri and then the tourists took off for Ferry Plaza and I came home to pre-plan for tomorrow. So lucky with weather this year!

let's go DOWNTOWN

 Melinda and Sister Jane had a busy day walking and taking public transportation (!) on a tour of SF and then they met me at John's Grill for delicious steaks and happy conversation. Today I will be a half-assed tour director and I will get them into a WAYMO just for the fun of it. Yesterday a tourist (I guess) took my photo in a driverless taxi, but he couldn't really see me as the windows are darkened. So 2025.

Sister Jane and Melinda and hooray!

 The Two from Maryland had a smooth, early flight and although SFO is a tad confusing the Blogmaid and I met them and got them safely to Bernal Heights for lunch at the Precita Park Cafe (top photo). They are staying at the Mark Hopkins and will "do" a city tour today and I will meet them for dinner tonight. It is the beginning of a totally wonderful week. We have lots of fun catch-up and by now Sis knows SF very well and this is Mel's first visit and they will have a blast, as will I. 

our quiet Saturday

Beautiful flowers arrived from my step, Nancy, and they will still be fresh for Thanksgiving. Sister Jane and her friend, Melinda, are now on their airplane from Baltimore and the Blogmaid and I will pick them up in a few hours at SFO. Non-stop enjoyment will ensue for the next week. Talk about thankful!

 

it's looking good ~ yay!

 This morning I finally allowed myself to future trip a bit and behold, I believe we will have nice weather next week when Sis is here with her friend, Melinda. They arrive on Sunday and I am very excited and happy and eager to show off my city once again. But best of all is seeing my sister Jane again.

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.

one very full and fun Saturday

 Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid, Sister Jane and I spent a wonderful final SISTER yesterday. First to Doug and Barb's for coffee and piano and family/friend chatter.  Then lunch down at the Beach Chalet where we proved our sisterhood with the phone addiction, then to the 5pm movie at Tanforan (yay re Wicked!) and then to the airport about 9pm as Sis had a midnight flight. Whoosh. It was indeed a delightful week and we are all looking forward to Sister Jane's next visit. Truly.

Max, Wolfgang and Sister Jane

 I have always wanted to see/hear the symphony do one of their movie programs so last night I met my Sis at Max's for an early dinner. We did walk around City Hall, so at least she has seen this area of SF up close. Amadeus (1984) was the movie accompanied by a full orchestra and a chorus too. What a treat! A splendid Mozart production and an almost full house. But late. And today will be fun and busy too ~ onward...

and don't forget Harlow

 We certainly had a busy fun-filled Thanksgiving and Sister Jane was a big help to the grand girls who were "doing" their first big turkey meal. So funny to see the three (Lindsay, Samantha and Luke) using their iPhones for the recipes they had selected. Harlow the Doodle was just wherever she wanted to be, usually in the way, but what a clown. Rob and Sarah arrived after the crazy cooking time and so the seven of us enjoyed a delicious meal and a few laughs, of course. Jane has now inherited a new family who love her already. 

as ready as we can be

 The Blogmaid and Sister Jane enjoyed a day on the coast while I did some Thanksgiving tasks yesterday. You can see that I was busy baking too many pies and the festive feline had to be locked out of the dining room for obvious reasons. Happy Thanksgiving to all (hahahaha) my readers and friends. Yes, I am indeed grateful. Very.

Sisters in Sausalito

 My next door neighbor Cristina (top photo) works on the SF-Sausalito ferry so we had freebie tickets (and sunshine!) yesterday for our busy, happy travels. We had pizza for lunch at Taste of Rome, then some walking and talking and after a visit to Pier 39 (tourists, yay!) we walked down to the Ferry Building to Hog Island Oysters and you can see Sister Jane enjoying our early dinner. Oh, I loved those oysters too, never fear. What a full, fun day. And week. And life.

a busy, rainy SF day

 Sis was such a good sport (even eager!) to get into the WAYMO driverless taxi which we used twice yesterday. We also got a good walk in from Union Square to Chinatown to North Beach. First we had a duck soup lunch at the Thai place near Jane's hotel and then we just walked in the gentle rain and talked about everything. We have much in common and she is SUCH a likable person and it is a treat being with her this week. So grateful! 

Sister Sunday

 Sister Jane arrived almost on time and the Blogmaid (above) was a doll with the airport business and transported us around better than any Uber driver ever. We three had lunch down at the Precita Park Cafe and then Jane settled into the Stratford Hotel and now she is coming over for coffee and fireplace and what a week this will be!

is it good enough for my sis?

 Yesterday I had a lovely downtown day and one of my tasks was to check out the Hotel Stratford where Sister Jane will be staying Thanksgiving week. The two young women at the tiny front desk were nice and helpful and wow, what a perfect location in the heart of Union Square. Good choice, Sis! Then I went right around the corner to the King of Thai to celebrate with a big bowl of duck noodle soup and all in all, a wonderful SF kind of day.

exactly one year

 We had our Sister Party on December 4th, 2022. That is Neti in the middle of our happy threesome. What a wonderful difference and blessing it is having Sister Jane in my life.