Merry Christmas to everyone

 Top photo: Paolo's birthday celebration at Heidi's last night. He grew up in Rome and we liked hearing his memories. Middle: This morning ~ some haze but it will be a lovely day and I'm heading to Pumpkinville later and looking forward to that. (Using Husbando's coffee mug and missing him, as per usual.) Bottom photo: I love all the holiday cards filled with love and joy. 

my holiday message

 Get your FREE Covid tests from the US Government. Mine arrived in about four days and I like when the folks in charge work for the citizens. We will be doing a lot of testing, of that I'm sure. 

science rules

 Yesterday Amy, Ginger (top photo) and I spent many hours at the California Academy of Sciences where I spent a good deal of time when I worked at the deYoung. A freebie then and yesterday. We went to the aquarium, planetarium and then rooms full of photos and exhibits. Here on the bottom is the famous Claude, the albino crocodile, who was actually swimming around yesterday. Usually, he sleeps. Amy brought our lunch and it was a full day indeed. Lots and lots of families with 39,000 kids, so we kept our masks on when inside. Thanks for this, Amy!

the champion of democratic values

 How impressive is President Zelenskyy of Ukraine? Very. Watching him address congress last night was amazing. So powerful. We will not give up on him or his brave people. 

my dear friend

 I ordered Joan's latest book from Amazon and of course it came in a few days. Oh, Hoan. Despite a serious lung disease, Joan is birding and writing and living life as best she can. Such an inspiration. I will be going to Santa Barbara in February to visit her and Ginger Two. From this book: "My message is that nature is a healer and observing how it works is crucial to every stage of human life." 

lots of support

 I so admire the brave/brave women and men of Iran who are protesting that right wing morality police business and the fight goes on. And on. Power. Keep up the good work, the world is watching.

quite beautiful

 

I am watching Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio on Netflix. This classic childhood story is stunning and you will probably need a break from time to time, as I did. It is glorious and disturbing. 

feed a cold

 I took myself to Tam's in Pathetica for won ton noodle soup yesterday. This messy bronchial thing hangs on and I have been house bound and hungry. I need to be 100% for one week from today. Onward!

just in time for the holidays

 Ooooooh, this is scary and fun. The Recruit is a spy story from/on Netflix  Noah Centineo is the actor to watch here ~ adorbs, as we teenagers say. His first week as a lawyer with the CIA is filled with all sorts of excitement and delight. Thumbs up very high.

WTF?

 Extreme ironing is easily one of the weirdest sports in the world. Practitioners of extreme ironing take their ironing boards to remote locations and iron clothes. While it is classed as a sport due to its athletic nature, extreme ironing is more of an exhibition than a competitive sport. Ironers document and share their adventures with others for the sheer fun of it.

the annual book club tea

 And coffee. We had a fine time yesterday afternoon at Chez Stein. Lots of food and champagne as well as a bit of book talk. Mad Rose was missing due to big family activities and we missed her. Annabelle hid in the garage because she needed to nap. 

very satisfying TV

I didn't take to the second season of The White Lotus at first. New characters, new setting. This time in beautiful Sicily, last time Hawaii. Stunning photography. But by last night's finale I was hooked. Check out Michael Imperioli (fromThe Sopranos) with his new grey hair. Thumbs up Lotus Lovers.

print and clip and save

 From yesterday's Chronicle. A friend taped this inside her medicine cabinet. It is already a bit of a rough winter, isn't it?

the trashy four return

 We've all been so busy, but yesterday we gathered at Manny's to pick up trash on Valencia Street. It wasn't that awful, either the rain or we are really making an impact. Then we had tea/coffee at Laurence's home (she is second from the left) and it was so lovely seeing her cat, Bear, again. Bear is NOBILITY.

best laid plans (and table)

 Last night was supposed to be the annual tamale dinner party here but I was forced to cancel due to this cold thing I developed. NOT Covid. The table is so pretty that I'm just leaving it up for a day or two. We have much needed rain here and I'm sure the guests were not unhappy to stay home and healthy.

we are so wasteful

On Monday after the GREAT SISTER PARTY, a volunteer from Food Runners arrived to pick-up the leftovers. They were grateful but I was delighted because I hate to waste food. Composting helps alleviate some guilt, but this felt so good. Too many hungry people, too much food surplus in America.

 

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. 

almost a wrap...

 I'm starting to calm down and concentrate on things other than THE PARTY, so these will be the final photos. It was quite a day ~ exhilarating and exhausting and unbelievable. Sister Jane just sent me a photo of her xmas tree and her glorious new Golden Gate Bridge night light. Joy abounds.

the answer is yes ~ more party people

 Ah, the after glow. Sister Jane and Tanner left yesterday and got safely back to Maryland late last night after a l-o-n-g day. My wonderful grand daughter, the newly married CC, is in the top photo with Emma my delightful trash buddy. The Blogmaid was also our photographer, bless her again and again.

party photos all week?

 I have so many wonderful friends, Finding a new sister is a GREAT reason to have a party. The food was from Bi-Rite and I was delighted with the quality and service. Sister Jane and Tanner leave today and I am already missing them. I'm getting this little house back in order and already loving the memories.

sister party ~ whoosh

 A wonderful day but this hermit-hostess is too exhausted to post anything. Tomorrow, however, you will be treated to tons of photos, thanks to the Blogmaid. Really, it was all very special and fun!

early dinner, early to bed

 Sister Jane, Tanner and I had a delightful dinner at our old standby John's Grill and I was in bed by 9:00 after a busy day of party prep. Still raining here. Today will be fun despite no parking (sewer work continues) and broken gas fireplace. A week of fun and gratitude continues.

a perfect day in SF

 Thanks to the Blogmaid who got us all to and on the SF Love Tour Hippie Bus yesterday morning down at the Argonaut Hotel in Fisherman's Wharf. Doug and Barb took the back seats we all had a splendid two hour drive with people giving us the peace sign every two minutes as Cyrus, our guide, maneuvered all the hills and curves. He is a native and I did not have to correct him once. Today is rain, but the weather yesterday was magnificent. Lunch at the In/Out Burger at the Wharf and then my first ever basketball game at Chase Center last night. The Warriors won. A fabulous day. 

oh, what a day!

 Meet my sister Jane and nephew Tanner. Two wonderful people who are now such an important part of my life. More thanks to the Blogmaid for making this all happen and for driving us to/fro yesterday. More adventures today and wow, just wow. How fortunate am I? VERY.

wouldn't you know?

 Yup, much needed rain on the day of the arrival of my new sister and my new nephew. This will not dim our spirits, that's for sure. (It is supposed to stop raining any time now.)

ready, set, go...

 And December starts with a BANG as my new sister Jane and new nephew Tanner arrive at SFO in the afternoon. The Blogmaid is helping me with all of this and I am beyond grateful. Excited? Oh yes.

The English

 Here we have Emily Blunt as Lady Cornelia Locke in The English on Amazon Prime. This is an old fashioned Western series with some great acting and lots of action ~ horses, guns, cowboys. Also some very gentle scenes. Six episodes, give it a try...

birthday officially over

 This card from my youngest step son is now on the refrigerator. Yesterday was the final celebration at Starbelly with Joe and Pamela. How did I neglect to take a photo? Now full gear getting ready for my sister Jane and nephew Tanner who arrive on Thursday. Hooray!

a tad early this year

 I just sort of felt like getting into the spirit of the holidays yesterday and so I did. Every red and green item carries memories, all good ones. Well, I do remember the horror of retail work and am so, so glad that I don't have to do that anymore. 

as promised...

...here is the Thanksgiving group photo. The clever Blogmaid knows how to set up the camera on a tripod and get us all smiling and happy and we were. I will repeat myself, it was a lovely day indeed.