very satisfying

I will have to fake my way through the book club on Thursday and
of course I can. I did not spend all those years working not to learn
how to cover up my many inadequacies. So I am loving this mystery
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda. A body here, a body there...

OK, I did it

I bought a 3-day survival kit from Earth Shakes in Burlingame yesterday
because there was an article in the Chronicle and I liked the looks of
the owners. We all know the next one will happen. While browsing
the webside I note that they have a kit for cats too. Should I?

a musical morning

First (and not shown) Pat and Neti and I went to the Clay Theater to see a
talented assortment of Broadway singers on film. Interesting and not perfect,
but a happy activity. Then, walking to Pat's place off Fillmore we ran into
this big Mexican wedding at St. Dominic's. These GREAT costumes were
made in Mexico and beautifully detailed. I wonder if the bride and groom
honeymooned using the car that was in the parking lot. This mariachi band
plays all over the Bay Area and the leader is a young and woman. Very cool.

Benicia bound

Sailor Jack's

our private dining spot

Duca splayed after walk

At one time Benicia was the capital of California. Back in the decades
Husbando and I used to come here to explore and yesterday I went with
Marsha and the the two dogs to walk and have lunch. When did that
shopping mall appear? But the downtown main street is still inviting
with lots of little shops and restaurants. We had a private deck salad
lunch at Sailor Jack's and by the time we returned to SF the most
welcome Karl fog had returned. A nice day with dogs and Marsha.

for our book club

This is Gini's selection, Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. It's a memoir
about World War I and very well written. I'm learning a lot about the
times and thankfully Ms. Brittain was an early feminist so that helps.
But, yes, I miss my mystery reading.

back to Oracle

Yes, it used to be AT&T Park, Pac Bell before that. Yesterday it was HOT

with no shade and a baseball team that could not seem to hit the ball. The

A's were able to score some runs, but it was no fun for Ginger or myself or

other Giants' fans. But pretty? Yes, always pretty at Oracle Park.

Grandma, is that you?

The Blogmaid has been relentlessly searching for my roots. Of course
you remember that I was adopted and those records are still sealed.
But yesterday my new cousin Phil sent this photo of Nena Flook
and wow, the puzzle pieces are fitting. Thank you for all your
work and persistence, Blogmaid. Love, Ms. Flook.

Pat, photography and Perry's

I met my friend Pat Snyder at Pier 24 late yesterday afternoon and we
appreciated the great photography exhibit there. The above is a Chinese
factory and it overwhelmed all of my senses. Lots of famous photographers
and images ~ Husbando loved this space so much and it was the first time
I had returned since he died. Then we hopped over to Perry's for half
priced burgers and home before the sun set. Today I have a Free Day
with lots of tasks and maybe a nap. Beautiful weather ~ no fog!

go with the afterglow

Birthday Carlini and Birthday Barb

Three strong women 

The star of our Carlini-fest

The after sans glow...

I need to do this. I'm glad I did this. Yes, it is work but I am so fortunate
to have these wonderful friends who brought most of the food. My
pasta soup was better than I (or the guests) expected and we all felt
Bill smiling and approving and joining in our laughter. I thought I
heard him say, "Fuck you, Carlini." Or maybe he just wanted to join
in the fun. Next stop, Thanksgiving.

party day

Today we celebrate ~ I spent yesterday doing all sorts of prep work
like table setting (fun) and cleaning thoroughly (not fun). My girl
cat let me sleep in until 6am this morning. Sweet. Ready.

cat of the day

Tayto rules the lives of my friends Frances and Donna. Here she was
yawning, not attacking. Tayto is named after an Irish potato chip.

a lovely night out

My dear step daughter, Nancy, sent me a generous gift certificate for La
Ciccia, a wonderful Sardinian restaurant in our nabe. Marsha and her god son
Dana joined me and we celebrated his birthday and we cleaned our plates.
The sea bass (middle photo) was luscious and we also had pasta (of course)
and salad with anchovies. Dessert? Panna cotta = oh, yum.

McCovey Cove

It was hardly a ball game if one is a Giants fan, but there were a lot of
us wandering around enjoying the sunshine and the setting yesterday.
I went alone because Ginger had an important appointment, but that
was OK ~ by now I'm used to my own company. Our team had a brief
July winning streak and now we suffer through a long August losing
streak. It's a game of streaks as Husbando used to console me.

our national treasure

RIP Toni Morrison ~ outstanding writer and SO much more. 

Grandma & Brian

Last night four of us women went to the play reading at the SF Playhouse.
Grandma and Me is already totally wonderful and this was Brian Copeland's
first public reading. Bill and I have seen all of his work at the Marsh and
this will be a hit too. Way back when, I arranged a book (Not a Genuine
Black Man) reading event for Brian at Borders, so I feel like I know him.
This one man show tells the story of the early death of his mother and how
his grandmother raised the five children by pinching pennies and being
strong. Interspersed are the vignettes of Brian raising his three children
alone and how tough that road was too. A wonderful evening for sure.

SPCA on Monday

The bridge is nice but she needs a forever home

The room where it happened

Not too many dogs or cats today. I liked the black & white beauty
and my Annabelle was in this blue/grey Victorian when first our
eyes locked more than a year ago. I still enjoy my Monday morning
volunteer gig which is rather surprising.

how many more?

America is a Gun

England is a cup of tea.
France, a wheel of ripened brie.
Greece, a short, squat olive tree.
America is a gun.

Brazil is football on the sand.
Argentina, Maradona's hand.
Germany, an oompah band.
America is a gun.

Holland is a wood shoe.
Hungary, a goulash stew.
Australia, a kangaroo.
America is a gun.

Japan is a thermal spring.
Scotland is a highland fling.
Oh, better to be anything
than America as a gun.

~ Brian Bilston

pioneer women and more

Her Side of the Story

The Mechanics' Institute 

I have heard about the Mechanics' Institute for years and yesterday I finally
arrived for an event and promptly signed up for a membership for a year.
They have a huge library and the oldest operating chess club in the US.
Her Side of the Story from the California Pioneers was fascinating and
I will hit the Presidio again for the exhibit there. Now I need to do a bit of
research to see why this old (founded in 1854) Institute got such an odd
name. It is one of those buildings that when I entered the library I felt so
at home ~ old California, old San Francisco, friendly people. Yes! Oh,
and right downtown. I love downtown. Still.

natural remedy?

Last year my neighbor Heidi was raving about Olbas Oil and I picked up
a teensy tiny bottle at Rainbow Grocery just in case (hahahaha) I get
another cold. So I had a slight sore throat yesterday and I boiled some
water and put in about six drops of this miracle cure and honestly, I love
it, and so far I think it is really working. It smells like a heavy eucalyptus
leaf, but I didn't read the small print because I don't want to break the spell.
You are welcome.

one drawer at a time

I should lighten this photo for you but this is how it looks to me when I
enter Bill's office. This was once my father's desk and it is filled with
small cubby holes and many memories. We all save the damnedest strange
things. I did go through this when Bill first died and he had tucked away
about $400 in cash which I knew nothing about, but for which I was most
grateful, as even going to the bank in the first month seemed overwhelming.
I do a little bit at a time. Yesterday I found the pink slip to our old Toyota.
We had both looked for this about two years ago and ordered a replacement.
"See, I told you so." I muttered to Husbando. I hate this, but you know that.
Thirteen months later and this is still painful.