"Awake, dear heart, awake...'"

 From The Tempest. Lovely yesterday starting with a walk in Lithia Park (top photo) with Mary and Nancy. Then I took myself to a patio lunch at Pie and Vie (?) where I indulged in grilled artichoke and a side of meatballs after the much needed latte. Lots of changes here, note the colorful wall scape and I must report sadly that Starbucks is gone. WTF? The five of us had dinner at Billy's fried chicken restaurant and then Mary, John and I hit another outdoor theater production of The Tempest (bottom photo) and I am happy to tell you that the audience was big and loud and YOUNG. It was a spirited production with some impressive talent. Another gorgeous night to be outside. My soul is feeling soothed here in Ashland.

the Ashland Wednesday report

 First, the play last night was Revenge Song outdoors on a beautiful night. A modern musical in this gorgeous setting. The bottom photo is the view from my room at the the Bard's Inn where I always stay. The photo above this is a Tesla recharge station in Shasta with the mountain behind it. This was a long drive in comfort in my first Tesla and I'm hooked ~ a computer on four wheels. Now for shower, breakfast and a walk with Nancy and Scott who met us last night for dinner at the Brick Room on Main Street. Oh, I am with Mary and John, old friends, who were so good to drive here yesterday and if I behave we will return on Monday next. Pardon the jumbled post. I will be more organized tomorrow, promise!

a good time to leave town

It's Fleet Week and the Blue Angels (top photo) will be LOUDLY zooming around the city trying to glamorize war. And then the Orange Angels are right in front of my house repairing this city's old, old sewer system. I'm packed and off to Oakland and then Ashland in about two hours. Hooray!

fashion reflections

 It really was a wonderful event in a beautiful setting. The men were dressed in very casual wear and the women all wore lovely dresses and that worked just fine for everybody. I drove home very quickly yesterday morning and got the laundry done for my next adventure which starts tomorrow when I go to Ashland with John and Mary, meeting step daughter Nancy and Scott there too. Onward!

fogdog farm and lots of love

 It was a beautiful outdoor wedding for Ceci and Zak and all their friends and family. The weather was absolutely perfect and the hamburger dinner delicious. Caltucky blue grass musicians as the sun went down. Great happiness for this step mother and grandmother. Home this morning to pack for Ashland. Whirlwind days...

partying in Placerville

 Big gathering for the rehearsal dinner ~ family rehearsing how to drink wine and beer and eat pizza. Great fun at Nancy and Scott's huge rental home with pool. Bride is in the 2nd and 3rd and 4th photos ~ very relaxed and just totally Ceci-cool always. So much gratitude to Husbando for providing me with this crazy family of his. Wedding is at 3 today and the weather is fabulous. I will walk soon but had to report in.

happy in a busy sort of way

 Yesterday we met at Sales Force Park (top photo) for a walk and coffee and catch-up. Then last night to my house for selfies and map reading and general family kind of nonsense before we walked over to the Blue Plate for a wonderful dinner. Bill always loved their meat loaf so I had that and Rob had octopus and the girls have GREAT appetites, like their grand father. Another Lyft ride ~ they are having a banner week with my family here. Today off to Placerville for the 2nd wedding of the century. Whoosh.

first day of family

 Rob (Bill's youngest son) and his family are all here in SF from all over. We met for coffee in the afternoon and then to Sam's Seafood Grill for dinner. I'm sitting between the two adorable and fun grand girls in the top photo along with Sarah, Rob's wife. Luke and Samantha are partners, living in Cleveland and they are terrific together. This restaurant was one of Bill's favorites and we had a great time last night with way too much food. Tomorrow we all head to Placerville for Ceci and Zak's marriage on Saturday. I know, there are many people to try to keep straight. But we will. Weather cooperating!

our summer is here

 You can almost see the GG Bridge in the top photo but at least it isn't coated in fog. Yesterday Ginger and I went down to Aquatic Park and Fisherman's Wharf for a pleasant walk and then thermos coffee while we watched the brave swimmers in the bay. Perfect weather as we worry about the folks in the path of Ian, that big, mean hurricane in the south.

can I quit?

 I'm pretty sure that Nextdoor exists to make money for the founders. At first I loved this site with all the neighborhood news. In the beginning I loved Facebook too, but what a relief to drop that instrument of torture. When we moved here in the 70's crime was rampant in SF ~ it is a city, after all. But now with all the social media, especially Nextdoor, one would think that every house has been burglarized and every car destroyed. Not just the reports, but then everyone has to give their opinions as to why crime is so horrible and really, my neighbors can just get mean. Then Cristina next door reports that she asked on Nextdoor for someone to help her inject her aged cat and a nice man comes three times a week to take care of this task for her. No charge, just being neighborly. Sigh. Nothing is simple these days.

when writers go north

 There were only six of us yesterday up in Napa at Chef Sarah's wonderful home. The weather was just perfect and of course the food exquisite: fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, fabulous blueberry tart with ice cream, sliced tomatoes and Sarah makes the BEST biscuits imaginable. Such a wonderful Sunday. 

fog-free Fog Fest

 Who knew? Well, about 3,000 people other than the Blogmaid and this Blogger. We were to meet in Pathetica for coffee at ye olde Chit Chat Cafe but traffic, parking, blue skies and all the festival goers sent us to the strip mall for our lattes and catch-up time. We went to the lesser Chit Chat Cafe there, but we did have a fine time once we found a quiet table. So it turned into an excellent catch-up Saturday and maybe we learned a lesson. Maybe not.

going back Downtown

 My favorite coffee shop (top photo) was bustling and the streets of my city filled once again thanks to a big Sales Force convention. Yesterday I had the dreaded dental appointment, but this was sweetened because I got to be part of the streets of SF for a little while. 

masks, shots, memories

 Yesterday I got the Covid Booster (what number? 3 or 4?) and at the same time I'm reading about the outbreak of the pandemic in Lucy By The Sea. How those early deaths shocked us and how we would wash all of our vegetables from the grocery and our fear of being near other people. Covid changed us in ways we don't really understand yet, but it is amazing now to read and think back. Shocking, really.

the six month check-up

 We both hate this, but off we went to the SPCA for tests and shots. Amazingly, she has not gained weight but it is a battle because Annabelle is ALWAYS hungry. Next she needs teeth/gum work done and yes, that will be an ordeal for both of us. 

piano power

 There were twelve covered pianos scattered around the Botanical Gardens and yesterday was people-packed as it was the last day for Pianos in the Park. Lots and lots of children and retired people and we enjoyed the noon concert in the main meadow. Ginger and I got some good walking in and then a nice sunny sit-down with coffee. Lovely indeed.

Adnan Syed

 I don't listen to a lot of podcasts, but Serial was an exception. I have often wondered what happened to Mr. Syad but the wheels of justice do grind slowly and after 22 years in prison he was released yesterday. This podcast back in 2014 was extremely well done and convincing, in my opinion. 

three doors down

 I was invited to tour the HOUSE FOR SALE yesterday. Wonderful views and of course it was all spiffed up and no offensive TVs or photos of grand parents or animals. Three bathrooms on three floors with some difficult stairs and low ceilings in some rooms. Bill used to love to tour neighbors' homes on the market and then, of course, he had opinions on the sale price and worth. This one is not affordable, in my humble opinion. 

cats and mice

 I think this is mouse season. I think it is always mouse season. This very moment Annabelle is chasing around the house and I bet some little rodent came in out of the pre-rain. I would prefer that this not be the case. The top photo is from a friend's front porch ~ her cat goes outside, mine does not. Churu has been recommended by assorted cat owning friends ~ check out the commercials if you are ever bored. Of course Annabelle loves it, but that is true of all cat food and treats for her. Picky she is not.

while I wait for Lucy

 Thanks to dear Susan I am listening to Miss Benson's Beetle on audio. The great actress Juliet Stevenson is reading this and that makes it all quite wonderful indeed.