my city of color

My BFF Ginger used the expression "the tyranny of beige" from time to time and we have certainly avoided that here in San Francisco, thankfully. The purple jacaranda trees are in bloom and big and small houses add just the right amount of color, in my opinion. I am back to walking about 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day and there are always visual rewards.

street art

 Hmmmmm, a little technical glitch on Blogspot this morning. Is this scene going to show up ok?  I snapped it on a walk last week. The plant growth locally is ferocious after all the rain and if this doesn't show I will just re-work it later. 

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!

bones and flowers

The whimsy of my neighbors often makes the steepest of hill-walking a pleasure. This old guy is new in my hood  and we can see that he appreciates the warm afternoon sunshine and our clean, clear air.

 

this surprising city

 The Mission District (where I live) provides lots of colorful art and yesterday I discovered a new "installation" in Lucky Alley. Someone provided the information that Balmy and Lucky were named after famous race horses at the Pioneer Race Course, 1851. My AI Co-pilot knows nothing about this. I have posted about Balmy Alley before and will return soon for an update now that the weather is nice and my arthritis is saying, "just get out and walk, woman." And so I do.

city sidewalks

 Did you say Spring? All the most welcome rain has helped everything and we are enjoying unusual color and floral beauty. I admire the ones who plant bulbs back in Winter and then share the results with their neighbors. Walking this time of year is such a pleasure.

bacon, good talk and an SF walk

 Yesterday I had lunch at Sweet Maple with my friend Pat. They do this thing with bacon and those fries were yummy too. Then we walked in her nabe (The Fillmore) and admired this scene in an alley. We agreed that we would like whoever lives in the tiny yellow home. Neti then met us for coffee on the outdoor patio at Mattina on Bush Street. I do believe that this grey cloud that I have been living under since the election is finally g-o-n-e.

change the routine!

 I usually walk in the afternoon but we are having our October heat wave (argh) so this morning I hit the sidewalks before 7:15am to get some much needed exercise. The lights were still on in Precita Park but alas, we can't see them in this photo. There were lots of dogs, a few personal trainers and other walkers eager to beat the heat. I'm glad I did this crazy early thing.

Holly Park

 It's been quite some time since I walked in and around Holly Park so I did that yesterday after working for the Mayor for a couple of hours in the morning. It was a lovely sunny day and I needed a change of scenery. The citizens of SF use all of our many parks and they are kept in great shape by the Park & Rec Department. 

today we need this

This photo is from my long neighborhood walk yesterday. Last night's debate was horrific so I will focus on the beauty of my own small world and avoid politics for a few days. Sigh.

we keep on walking

 Sure, the arthritis kicks in but I use a walking stick now for the hills and bad sidewalks. There is always something new to see like these sturdy purple flowers on Precita Avenue and the new mural on Florida Street. And often a latte reward along the way. Life is good.

my very nice life

 This is a lovely quiet week for me. Mornings by the fire and then a walk and latte in the neighborhood when the rain stops for an hour or so. Catching up with friends far and near and of course worrying about the health and happiness of people I love. Gratitude galore.

sticks, not stones

 I'm trying to get used to walking sticks, or trekking poles or mobility aids. They do take the pressure off my bad knees. But they are awkward when stopping for a latte or some shopping so I might invest in ones that fold. Walking remains the BEST exercise for me.

the Beasts of Bryant Street

 Big new housing units on Bryant Street and of course the neighbors in little homes there do not like the influx and call them the Beasts. It's been too long since I took this walk up to Starbucks and it was a lovely sunny day and I enjoyed myself immensely. 9,877 steps.

a basic neighborhood walk

 Do you follow Julie Gebhardt on Instagram? She is a fabulous photographer and finds the most unusual homes in the Bay Area. Great talent. So yesterday it stopped raining in the afternoon and I dusted off my walking shoes and had a wonderful time. The air was clean, no trees to trip over and lots of dogs and their owners taking advantage of the dry spell. Above is my poor imitation of Juliegeb.

an almost perfect day

 Between rainy days I took myself for a long walk and a delicious late lunch at Valencia Bottega with my view of City College Annex across the street. Then more much needed walking up to the Drawing Room (780 Valencia) where three (!) of my museum friends have some of their art work on exhibit. This is a big and fun space ~ a great new discovery for me. A brisk walk home with a quiet smile all the way.

my slow return to normal

 A walk and latte at one of my favorite spots on Van Ness across from the Post Office. The adrenaline is not pumping quite as fast now and I am sleeping better. So much excitement (and all good!) with the new sister and the visit and party and whoosh. 

women who walk

 Hoka® brand shoes have been recommended to me by probably four of my women walking friends. Then yesterday at Sports Basement a customer told me that her doctor wears Hoka® and suggested that she buy them too. They have a huge selection there and I selected these basic black almost-dress-shoes and will give them a test run today. The Best Cat in America approves of my purchase thank goodness.

we just look like tourists

 Grey, drippy fog and then sunshine these days. A-ok with me. Yesterday Ginger and I walked around Fisherman's Wharf and I texted sister Jane who will be here in December. Probably sunny then. We had our coffee watching the swimmers at Aquatic Park. It was a lovely morning and sweatshirt sales are booming at the Wharf, I betcha. Oh, Husbando and I did the salmon fishing back in the day, I think we paid $50 each and probably thought it was too much. 

post pandemic paint

 All these colors helped my spirit during my neighborhood walk yesterday. We try to avoid the Tyranny of Beige whenever possible. Nice blue sky too. All in all? Excellence with a latte, of course.