writers gather in Napa once again

Chef Sarah took a trip to Alabama to take a course in biscuit making and
we all benefitted yesterday. Lots of lovely food and laughter and good words
and warm friendship. Thanks again to Doug and Barb for driving to/fro
Napa and not once did we get lost this time!

offices old and new

Linda's new office

Mary Ann's old office

So nice to be home, so very/very nice. Annabelle is beside herself as
she tries to trip me and cuddle and play mouse. Linda in ABQ has been
a wonderful friend and writing partner this week. Note her brand new
office and then you will see her poster art work on the wall of my old
and always cluttered office. I use my MsMacBook Air all over the
house now, but when I was a married woman I loved having this
messy little room of my own.  I needed it then and I guess I still do.

a quick post before take-off

Intermission Alice in Wonderland

The small Thomas Theatre yesterday

Dinner at Greenleaf ~ tradition

I joined the farewell dinner at Greenleaf last night and let my inner hermit
have a nap. Two great plays yesterday ~ both small but powerful. How to
Catch a Creation in the afternoon and Cambodian Rock Band at night.
Lots to think about in both and excellent productions. This was a record,
six plays in four days. We leave in about an hour for the long drive home.
Looking forward to my own bed and my very special Annabelle.

the beauty of Ashland

the creek

the sunset

Many memories await me here, Lithia Park amongst the best. The creek
was full after a good rainy season and I spent a quiet morning with my
book here yesterday. Then to Hairspray (great fun!), a light dinner and
I bought a solo ticket for $30 for Indecent last night. And two more
plays today, home early tomorrow. Ready.

day two, two plays

Aqua 

outside the theater

inside the theater

The matinee was Mother Road, very good except for too many endings.
Then last night was Alice in Wonderland in the outdoor theater and that
was fun, especially for the grand nephews from Hawaii. During the night
there were thunder storms (!) but it is clear and beautiful this morning.
It was the first time ever that I was in the outdoor theater without even
a sweater. My inner hermit appeared and I snuck away for a lovely early
dinner in the patio at Aqua. Shhhhhh.

Good morning, Ashland

dinner by the Creek last night

morning view from my motel room

Feeling better after a pretty good sleep. We have two plays today: Mother 
Road and Alice in Wonderland. It's good to be away so I can appreciate
my normal home routine with a cat named Annabelle. In the photo above
you meet Carlini's niece and his two grand nephews from Hawaii. That
is John in the blue shirt, married to Barbara, another Unity minister. The
weather is delightful and the morning coffee strong. All is well.

Ashland still rocks

adorable girl cat

Lake Shasta from the car window

From the rest area ~ well done

The long drive was easier because we three humans had to fuss over Miss
Puma who napped nicely. I just had a quiet solo walk around town after
dinner with Carlini's relatives and friends. There were nine of us. I am
better this year, for sure, last year was a rough trip filled with grief. But
he and I had some delightful times in Ashland. Theater starts tomorrow!

packing up day

Tomorrow we head to Ashland to see five plays and I look forward to a
change of scene and some walking in that beautiful little town. There
are a bunch of us this year ~ Carlini's friends and relatives, but he and
Bob and I will have tomorrow to drive together and bicker a bit on the
drive from Walnut Creek to Ashland. Tradition.

oh, what a day...

It was Ginger's birthday and what better place than Crissy Field? We
walked and talked, stopped for lattes and a sweet at the Warming Hut
and appreciated our city once again.

two books for mystery lovers

I had to put The Chain down because it was just too scary, but a bright
and innovative plot. A reviewer called it, "Jaws for parents," and even
though I'm not a real parent, the shark scare took hold. Righteous is
great, the #2 in a series by Joe Ide.

a movie of a play

Three great actors inside a glass box filled with banker's boxes inside a
three act play in a movie. The Lehman Trilogy is a National Theatre
Live production now at a movie house in Berkeley. Fascinating study of
the .brothers who come here from Bavaria to sell clothes to the poor people
of Alabama. Thanks to the Great Plotniks who arranged this unusual
experience. Home very late, but that's ok. Worth it!

my grand dog

Honestly, I never thought Rob and Sarah would allow Honey on their
bed, let alone snap this adorable photo. Even Annabelle was impressed
this morning.

the changing light

Here is the view from Ginger's new living room. She was up much of the
night appreciating SF once again. I'm reminded of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's
poem, "The Changing Light" ~ a sea light, an island light, the light of fog
blanketing the hills...

And the wind still comes up every afternoon at 4pm to cleanse our city.
Welcome home.

back where she belongs

Yesterday Ginger moved into her new condo on Sutter Street. This is
such good news because although quiet and (ahem) pleasant, her home
in Pleasanton was in the cultural wasteland of suburbia. As one ages one
needs more, not less, mental stimulation. That is our opinion. Bill would
rejoice today, and so I do for both of us. We are a quick bus trip away
from each other although this morning I will drive as she will have
errands to run. Ginger is selling her car and has already sold her home
in un-Pleasanton and she is a city woman again. Hooray, hooray.

hitting the ice

Yesterday I walked over to Frances and Donna's for an early dinner/late
lunch (salad and crab cakes) and they recommended Trapped on Amazon
Prime. I came home to test it (after 60 Minute re-runs) and yes, it's a
keeper, straight from Iceland. As yet the Trump Monster has not thought
about buying Iceland, at least he hasn't tweeted about it.

unrecognizable

That's Russell Crowe who becomes Roger Ailes in The Loudest Voice
in the Room, now on Netflix. I came home from a delightful lunch with
Dancing Jen to finish this intriguing seven part series and then Neti and
I did some smart shopping at Cole Hardware and had an early dinner
at Bambino's. But back to Russell as Roger ~ the head of Fox News
slammed with sexual harrassment lawsuits. Who can forget? Who should?

in/on the Boulevard

fig salad

more food porn

One of the best restaurants in SF ~ Boulevard was a favorite of Bill's so
in his spirit I treated Doug and Barb to lunch here yesterday for her birthday.
A glorious meal, he would have loved it. We spoke warmly of the past and
of the future too. He and I used to cook scallops but could never get them as
perfect as the fine restaurants. Here they were served with soft shell crab
and cauliflower and unusual mushrooms. Heaven.

Linda's back in town...

Linda and Tom moved to Albuquerque and they love living there. But
her friends here really miss them and I was fortunate yesterday to meet Linda
for a lovely lunch at Vanida Thai on Taraval. Our restaurant. We had much
to discuss and one day I will get to Albuquerque again to visit. Promise.

just what a woman needs

The staircase at the Mechanics' Institute is deservedly famous. I'm pleased
with my new membership library in the heart of downtown SF.  I like any
library but this one is special with friendly staff and very clean bathrooms.
It's too easy to stay home with a cat that purrs and I need to be out and
about. And so I was. A very good Wednesday.

future planning

Joe's hard work here on the invite

Joe, Pamela and I are hosting this BIG museum reunion. Lucy will be here
from Oregon, Tanya from San Diego and god knows who else from the
past. Our last party was at Pamela's. three years ago when I retired. We
had some good/bad times. This will be fun, I'm sure. I hope.