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.

more air fryer talk

 Behold my new GE microwave which includes an air fryer. (Not frier, except in the UK.) My previous microwave was old/tired and so I splurged on this new model that does everything. The so-called manual is a joke and I spend a lot of time pushing buttons and wiping down my mistakes. But I'm learning and yes, this was a good decision. I also bought a toaster for $20 and that I can handle. Best Buy with free delivery. Yay!

walking solves everything

 Also Motion is Lotion. I like solo walks and also love going out with Jen and the Two pictured here. Charli is wearing (and hating) the blue donut thing after surgery and Birdie is free to do her thing. We are having a break before the next rain storm so the air is clear and the skies a bright, bright blue. And today I wish Sister Jane a Happy Birthday ~ how lucky we are to have her in our lives!

future tripping and travel

 Sister Jane has visited the Blogmaid and me and my crazy family three times and now we are considering a trip back to Sharpsburg, Maryland, in the early Fall. It was the Blogmaid's idea and I am starting to plan and get excited. I have more biological family back there. Yesterday I took an online tour of Sharpsburg, and it is filled with all sorts of Civil War history that I have conveniently forgotten over the decades. In case you forgot (and how could you?) I was born in Towson, Maryland, and transported as an infant by train to my new family in Pasadena, California where I grew up. All families = complicated. Right?

such a joyful performance

 Local girl makes good! Thanks to the Blogmaid for introducing me to Alysa Liu and the other skaters during the Olympics this week. I applaud Ms. Liu who yesterday won the first U.S. singles gold since 2002. Alysa is a native of Richmond (across the Bay) and trains here in SF. If you missed Alysa on tv you can watch her on YouTube. She is something to behold. Goosebumps.