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.

drying out and rejoicing

 As of January 8, 2026, measurements showed virtually no dryness remaining, marking an "exceptionally wet period" that has filled the state's reservoirs to a healthy level. This news is the culmination of several years of strong rainfall.

The Golden State was first declared drought-free in years in 2023 after a winter deluge of storms and atmospheric rivers soaked the state in November and improved forecasts for 2025.

We have not had a similar scenario where there was not a single dry patch on that map for California since December 2000.

This means if you're younger than 25, you've always been living in a world where California is either entering or recovering from drought.

Current systemwide reservoir capacity sees seven of 12 major state-owned reservoirs at 75% or higher capacity.

merry, merry and so on

 Christmas Eve Day was nice and quiet for me and I splurged on lox and bagels down at the corner cafe and then enjoyed a good walk. We are having plentiful rains and the gardens are benefitting. Two power outages last night during another rain storm, but I was fine with fresh batteries in candles and flashlights. Today is clear and Neti and I head to Pumpkinville for a happy holiday celebration.

rainy Monday

 I spent a warm and cozy at-home day and pulled out the Halloween and Thanksgiving boxes. set up the orange lights and watched a little TV as the most welcome rain descended into our city. Today the air is clear, the sidewalks are clean(er) and the sun is out. And I will leave the house, reluctantly. 

feeling sluggish

 We aren't used to this "heavy" weather and I'm moving slowly. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk helps nothing. Trouble ahead. I will push myself out and have some noodles in Japantown. Maybe Amy will join me. Or I could stay here and brood. 

ummmm, we guessed this

 June Gloom, No-Sky-July and soon Fogust.  Some call it Marine Layer, but it is fog, good old fog. Do I mind? Not one bit. I have one "summer outfit", maybe two. I am Fireplace Woman with lots of blankets and tea and books and of course, the cat. Also, no need to water the garden very often as this fog is almost like rain. And yes, I read about heat waves all over and I am not envious. Not one bit. Brrrrrr.

the rains are here

 “A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” –        Benjamin Franklin

So glad I "did" Costco yesterday and I have a lot of food and supplies and I will probably stay in today to catch up on my reading and I will avoid sloshing about in our much needed rain. I did get a good walk with Jen and the Two Dogs yesterday afternoon so maybe some exercises and stretches today will keep me somewhat OK. Motion is Lotion, or so my acupuncturist tells me.

a walk in the nabe

 Greetings from this sparkler who was lounging in Bernal Heights on my walk with Jen and the two dogs yesterday. The sun was out after the rain and everything was clean and bright. In the morning I took a Zoom Tai Chi class which is a bit slow but probably good for me and I read the final New Yorker magazine of 2024, so all in all, a very fine Friday. More sun today ~ yay!

our first tornado

 My little home is safe and secure but there was a lot of damage from falling trees and flying debris yesterday. Many cars were smashed around the city and a few people lost windows and roofs and yikes. The iPhone alert at 5:52am was a shocker but the trucks and workers were out early doing a great clean-up job, but sheeeeeesh.

when it rains we slow down

 Yesterday Lana (my new friend from the Mayor Breed unsuccessful campaign) and I were going to walk but instead she introduced me to a rather glorious bakery and coffee shop in (of all places) Pathetica. I was able to show her Tam's which the Blogmaid introduced me to many moons ago. We are both recovering from that damn election and were able to talk of other things. We are having some REAL rain here now but it will stop for my sister's visit next week. It will. In the meantime, Rosalinda's is a delightful discovery. Yay! The ocean yesterday was incredible...

yesterday and today

 This was sunrise yesterday from my back deck. Ah those lovely clouds gave us hope, but alas, this heat wave continues. Mayor Breed is coming here for a meet-and-greet at 5:30 so I have a long/long to-do list with #1 being KEEP COOL. 

extended heat wave

 Okay, this is a long and nasty hot time in ye olde city. These spells used to last for four days but now we have eight AC-free sweltering days. I used to really enjoy hot weather but those days are long gone and I have no energy. Drink lots of water and blah, blah, blah...

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.

it must be Summer

 I was forced to endure a couple of days without my trusty fireplace. No wonder Annabelle had tummy issues. Thankfully PG&E arrived yesterday afternoon to give me a couple of hints and to make sure there were no leaks, etc. Some sort of problem with the little starter switch so I will be very gentle with this in the future. The mornings are foggy now and some days the sun appears, or not. I've grown to appreciate the fog, our natural air conditioning. Beats horrible heat, right?

beats Texas tornados

 I returned to Half Moon Bay yesterday to visit with the Blogmaid's mother and Mr. Blogmaid too. He fixed us lunch and we had a stroll down by the ocean. The air was so clear and really, it seems like another world down there. So beautiful and serene. 

back to The Grove

 I relied on others to appreciate the Great Eclipse yesterday because the last thing these eyes need is staring at the sun/moon whatever. But I did have a lovely sun-filled afternoon with coffee and happy chatter with Pat S. in her glorious backyard. It's been too long and we hope the rain is over, but then again, maybe one more storm. 

rain and rainbows

 The top photo courtesy of the Blogmaid in Pumpkinville and the bottom is good old SF. The best news is that the decades long drought HAS to be over and the veggies and flowers are all rejoicing these Spring days. But more bright blue skies, please.

atmospheric rivers galore

 When I first moved to SF in the late 60's it rained a lot. Just like now. Then we had the dreadful drought years ~  the rivers, lakes and reservoirs were almost empty. So in one way this rain feels really wonderful, but come on, it's no fun to be out in the wind and rain. Also there are a lot of idiot drivers going too fast for bad weather. So I stayed in yesterday again. OUT today. Yay.

rainy day essentials

 Swiss Miss, popcorn and a not so great TV movie. Also AirPods with the JK Rowling novel and here it is February and another day of rain. I am happy to have a snug/dry home and everything I need including the GOAT cat, laptop, Alexa and of course the fireplace. 

it's stay-inside weather

 All those years of drought and now we have non-stop rain and storms. I did NOT take the big wave photo above, I'm too smart to go and stare at these monsters. Glad my fireplace is working and even though I need and miss my walks, I will catch-up eventually. Oh, I have my cat, too. Tee hee, you knew that.