another goodbye

 My friend, Joan Easton Lentz, died last week at her home in Santa Barbara. I expected the phone call from Ginger Two, but of course it was still unwelcome. Joan was a teacher, birder and a prolific author and nature lover. To me she was just Hoan. RIP.

Historic John's Grill

 Doug and Barb have lived here 30 years and have never been to John's Grill, so yesterday we took care of that in fine fashion. Barb has a birthday next week and they will be in NY, so we celebrated with pasta, steak, salad, petrale sole and the delicious sour dough bread. Lovely.

women get it

 Perfect in pink. Yesterday I went to Stonestown with Meredith and Nicole and we had a delightful time watching Barbie and enjoying all the sly little feminist jokes and truths. A fine cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon (!), Rhea Perlman ~ narrated by Helen Mirren. I highly recommend this movie on the Big Screen.

Karen and Mario

 The BEST grilled eggplant sandwich is at Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store in North Beach. I found easy (!) parking there yesterday and had a lovely lunch with Karen H. who returns to her home in NY on Sunday. We always have a lot to talk about every year ~ quite special.

women who lunch

 Neighbor Heidi and old friend Gini knew each other way-back-when because Heidi taught Gini's children and grand children. Small San Francisco. I served an easy lunch and the tomato/watermelon summer salad was refreshing as the fireplace (!) gently crackled in the background. The fog is greatly appreciated this summer for obvious reasons.

Barbie & the Blogmaid & the Offspring

 Great reviews from the folks who live in Half Moon Bay and so I will be going late Friday afternoon. I'm not a Barbie fan but since the right wing condemns this movie, of course I have to see it. And Ryan Gosling is a-ok in my movie world.

a Parisian burger (plus)

 Yesterday I met Bette for lunch at Chez Maman on Gough and Hayes. Easy parking and a nice time re-connecting with her ~ we worked together at the museums. Then last night to a free play reading and pot luck at SF Playhouse, a first since the Great Pandemic. Neti and Jeanine met me there and we had a really enjoyable evening. Yay!

a singular sensation

 Yes, A Chorus Line holds up VERY well since 1975. Truly. The stage at SF Playhouse was packed with talent and Neti and I had a lovely two hours humming and clapping with the rest of the enthusiastic audience. Well worth a trip to SF for out-of-towners ~ through Sept. 9th.

time and people (lots of both)

 Laura collects clocks (and other stuff) and we met for an afternoon party at her home yesterday to wish Ellyn a good luck/farewell as she moves to NYC after 48 years here in SF. Then home to prepare for a birthday party with my neighbors Heidi and Rob and this morning some much needed quiet time with sweet Annabelle (not pictured). 

so much love

 The Giants always play Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart" after every win. I still well up. Yesterday fans put flowers at his statue at the Fairmont Hotel when they heard that he died. I loved his more recent duets with Lady Gaga too. RIP, Tony, and thank you.

as the crow flies

 I needed some different fog yesterday so I headed to Ocean Beach where a few other brave souls were all bundled up. The air is so clean and clear down here, even if the sun remains hidden. After a good walk I enjoyed my LindaKindle4 and a latte and yes, contentment rocks.

topaz, crone, droop

 I have learned to do Wordle in the morning when my mind is somewhat fresh. I like to select a five-letter word from the morning newspaper to start, but that isn't always successful. When I first started playing I took it very seriously, but now it is just fun and once I guessed the correct word on the first try. Clean ~ I won't forget that. Thanks to the Blogmaid for showing me how to set this up because a little word play helps the brain, or so I hope.

a favorite author returns

 It was a co-recipient of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction , and won the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction . Kingsolver was inspired by the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield . I just put Demon Copperhead on my Kindle and am engrossed in this novel. Barbara Kingsolver is nearing 70 now and this is her best writing in years. I fell in love with The Bean Trees in 1988 and now this masterpiece. Yay!

my solo voyage

 Air Fryer carrots! Delicious. Of course I texted this photo to Chef Terri and also to the Blogmaid. I'm still learning. For instance, the big old machine tells me half way through to turn he carrots, so I did. Really, I am pleased. The Air Fryer stays. So there.

Sunday with sunshine

 

an Epic lunch

 So wonderful to see Dancing Jen yesterday ~ it's been too long and I needed to hear about her travels and her current life. Sunshine! People! Fabulous food in the bustling patio at Epic Steak Restaurant down at the Embarcadero.  A Five Star spot in my blog, not that I'm counting...

plague or salvation?

 Our less than perfect city is filled with Robotaxis ~ driverless cars by Cruise or Waymo. I, of course, hated them until talking with a young man who just arrived here from (ick) Florida and he loves them because they are currently free and these cars take him all over the city. Now a group of protestors will place an orange cone on the car hood and that stops it (and traffic) and yes, an only-in-SF-mess. But interesting in a techie sort of way.

Kahinde Wiley

 Amy and I hit the deYoung yesterday to see this artist, Kahinde Wiley, in almost dark rooms and apologies for bad photos. When you check him out online you will, I hope, plan a visit yourself to see his amazing work. Some of my artist friends are a tad critical of him ("it's like wallpaper") but we were impressed. Then I bugged Joe in the book store and had coffee with Pamela and yes, it was a full day of art and people. 

pardon me? what?

 I've been wearing these hi tech (to me) Widex rechargeable hearing aids for a few weeks. To my huge surprise I really like them. Applause to Kaiser Hearing Center for all the good work and to the clever iPhone app that allows me to set the sound for concerts, theatre, etc. Yay!

a friend, a fire, a feast

 Chef Terri came over to Read The Manual and help me with the air fryer. There was a tiny scare when the parchment paper (not needed) caused some flame/smoke, but we unplugged and cooled down and had a good laugh. Thank you, Terri, I am now feeling confident about the new appliance and I vow to eat more vegetables and reheat things quickly so they aren't mushy like in the microwave. Women conquer the kitchen ~ sort of. Yummy grilled cheese sandwiches!

this does not disappoint

 The Lincoln Lawyer makes L.A. look so inviting ~ he never seems to have traffic or parking problems. Season 2 is just as engaging and well done as the first go-round. The characters are fun and colorful and I give it a thumbs up. The Flix.

a mixed bag Sunday

 Heidi and I picked up trash in the morning with a lot of orange vested citizens. Then Jen with 2 dogs wanted to cook this feast for me ~ herb crusted beef and scalloped potatoes. How could I say no? Delicious. Despite heavy grey weather, this is a very good summer.

my tribe in the sunshine

 Only a few writers gathered at Suzy's in Oakland yesterday and I neglected to take photos except for this one of Fuzzy and Doug with his guitar. Karen H. is here from NYC and that was especially nice because she is a fabulous poet and a good friend. I wrote about my new home improvement project and it was a really lovely day, as per usual. Gratitude. Warmth.

off to the dump

I

 Bottom photo ~ I actually emptied five pieces of furniture in Bill's office and this was not easy, but necessary. Middle photo ~ everything in Aldo's truck before heading to the dump. Top photo ~ we had saved some sleeping bags and other unused crap for about 40 years in a storage area that you do not want to see. Ever. All this gone today. Great relief. So much more to do, but this is a beginning. Solid, as Emma would say.

now trending...

 My friend Terri is a non-cook like me and she swears by her Ninja Air Fryer. Yesterday I saw one at (and by) Costco for $40 so I brought it home and found a snug corner for it in the kitchen. Yes, I am reading the directions and my hope is to become knowledgeable before I actually plug it in. Doug predicts I'll be giving it to them soon ~ how mean is that?

a little break for Widow Stein

 I really wanted some won ton noodle soup yesterday because the clean-up, clean-out has been getting to me. So many memories. Working on music currently. Anyway, Husbando and I used to bring each other this healing soup when one or the other of us had a cold, or worse. I headed for Tam's in Pathetica, but they were closed for vacation so I hit the Hot Pot and settled for chicken chow mien and it was just fine. I like the easy Post Office in Pacifica and the Safeway there is also a nice change from mine. It's the little things that matter currently. Always?

tedious tasks and hot dog reward

 I spent the 4th on the never-ending job of cleaning out Bill's office. I try not to be emotional because that holds up the process, but so much sentimental crap. Yes, a bit easier than the first time I did this right after he died, but still, he was a bit of a pack rat. I am too, alas, so I need to lean out my office after I finish with his. Sometimes I'm tempted to move something from his office to mine, but I try to head right to the garbage bin first. Dear Heidi brought me a hot dog dinner and please note the beautiful china ~ she has just finished cleaning out her parents' home on the East Coast. There seems to be a theme emerging. Pare down, dear readers.

I prefer drone displays

 Drones are becoming increasingly popular as fireworks lose popularity. Have a Happy 4th of July, dear readers. Stay safe. 

Paganiniana

 Another free (with donation jars galore) concert at Herbst Theatre yesterday. This venue is beautiful and located right across the street from City Hall (top photo) and please note the blue skies. Yay!  SF Civic Music Association played five Paganini pieces including the famous Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Paganini Theme to end this excellent program. I met Amy and Ginger there and we three had a delightful afternoon of music.