and some grand noodles

 Samantha and Harlow dropped by yesterday afternoon and she taught me how to make Cup Noodles which are really quite tasty. Oh, she brought some of her homemade sour dough bread too and that is really excellent. Harlow was pooped after a beach run. Sam and Luke will be moving to Florida after he graduates this summer and I am trying to be a good sport and accept this. Tampa to be exact, we looked at a map ~ it is very far away. Sigh.

a grand dinner

 Granddaughter Samantha, her husband Luke and I had a fine dinner down at Precita Social last night. Luke graduates from Stanford Law School this summer and his career will be taking off. A very exciting time for these two wonderful people. Such good fortune that they landed here for three happy years.

the return of the manicurist

 Our next door neighbor, Cristina, was in Italy for two months and we depend on her to clip the nails of Annabelle. Yesterday they relaxed in the warm (!) sunshine and we were all relieved to have short cat nails again. Yes indeed, we love our neighborhood.

a cult favorite

 Whatever that means. I stumbled across Search Party on Netflix last night and yes, I like it so far. NYC young people looking for a college acquaintance who has gone missing. Rosie Perez appeared for a few seasons in the first episode and that was a treat. I really like Alia Shawkat who plays Dory, the main character who is hell bent on finding her friend. 

how does my garden grow?

 So many weeds for such a small space. All thanks to a good rainy season and my neglect. Top photo is before Handy Jan came over to weed and chop this week. She then piled everything into her truck and I still have lemons and a bit of garden pride once again. And gratitude, always...

"the shorts"

 I so wish these little gems were available to way more people. Yesterday Amy and I spent the afternoon at Opera Plaza watching six animated films and five live action short films. My favorites: The Singers, Friend of Dorothy and Jane Austen's Period Drama. And the clever animated films; The Three Sisters, Retirement Plan and The Girl Who Cried Pearls. March 15th for the Awards Ceremony. Yay!

friends, magnolias and some rain

 I met Bette for lunch at Pacific Catch yesterday for another lunch of steak tacos and lots of catch-up talk because she still works full time at the museums. Then I took a lovely solo walk in the Botanical Gardens where I used to take my lunch often when I worked at the deYoung. The Magnolias are almost gone this year but it is always such a pleasure just to BE there and to get some deep breaths and appreciation. We are getting some more rain but not gulley washers this go-round.