and here we are

 

RIP Di Fi

 She was so important to SF and to women everywhere. This last year was rough for her, but let's remember all that Senator Dianne Feinstein contributed throughout her long life. 

my kind of tv

 Annika stars the wonderful Nicole Walker who plays a detective in Scotland. I'm hooked. This is streaming on Prime and I thank the Blogmaid for the recommendation. Goodbye Politics for a little while. 

this time of year

 Yesterday I was running some errands and yikes! here was a Spirit Halloween store right in the heart of the Daly City Westlake Center. I did not go in. Twenty-three years ago I managed one of these super stores in downtown SF. This gig was right up there with some of the WORST jobs of my life. Thank god for Husbando ~ I hired him to run the warehouse and to walk to the bank with me carrying gobs of cash every day. The store was hugely successful, I was exhausted, traumatized and so relieved when the season was over and the store closed. Argh.

my pretty city

 I never tire of this view, especially early morning when the sun comes up and reflects on a few of the buildings. Counting my blessings on a Tuesday...

good morning, Berkeley

 Lovely yesterday morning at the huge and comfy Caffe Strada (College and Bancroft) in Berkeley where I met Chef Sarah for coffee and chatter. I always forget how much I love this vibrant city with the beautiful old homes and amazing diversity of students and residents. It was an easy drive to/fro for me too. 

wistful poetry for a Sunday

 

Encounter

Max Sessner Translated from the German by Francesca Bell

We talked about all sorts of things about poets we once knew about how expensive everything had become and that the cat of an acquaintance disappeared for days there was no more proof of its existence only in her dreams it often appeared but always as if it belonged to someone else a cold comfort we thought and the story of a friend occurred to you too complicated to tell so it went back and forth this standing-next-to-each-other was puzzling random and fruitless until I heard myself say at the end yes see you later and we went our ways and I know that I thought for whatever reason: the last ride in the carriage belongs to you

an unlikely spy

 I had to put down Covenant of Water in order to "prepare" for our October Book Club. So I'm reading a fun WW II novel by Ashley Weaver entitled A Peculiar Combination about a young woman safe cracker in London who helps her country by picking locks and spying. Fun.

time for Tudor talk?

 The Savannah Four (bottom photo) reunited yesterday for a fun visit to the Legion of Honor to see the Tudor exhibit which closes soon. I'm not really INTO this, but the Blogmaid is and we all had a good time roaming around my city and chatting away and then looking at all the suits of armor and tapestries and paintings of kings and queens. An excellent day for sure.

five older women

 We gathered up at Nicole's last night ~ she loves to cook and we love to eat. I found it amusing that all of us age 70 plus were still wearing jeans. I didn't expect this, but I'm more than ok with it, as we all had to be dressed and professional before we retired. Forever in blue jeans...

birds and roses

 One of my errands yesterday was to fill the bird feeders over at Doug and Barb's as they are in England currently. I "borrowed" about twenty lemons but left these beautiful yellow roses. I did send them a photo just in case they are gone when my friends return home. 

with a stop in Williams

So happy to be home after a long day of car sitting and a late (not great) lunch in Williams at the over-rated and over-priced Granzella's yesterday. My cat and I were happy to be reunited and I have a busy errand day today. We had a lovely time in Ashland and are planning next year's trip already. That is how it should be.

Ashland on Sunday

 Where We Belong is a one act, one person play for small theater. It was very good, the top photo sort of shows how it was staged, but the lighting gets very interesting as the character develops her story and the history of some indigenous people and how we really have never treated them in a humane fashion. Then dinner at the Indian Restaurant on Water Street where I had never been before. Way too much food, but excellent. OK, time to pack up and head home.

zero Musketeers

 It was a sort of lazy Saturday here and included the surprise cancellation of Three Musketeers due to smokey weather. It was an outdoor play and we understood that the actors suffer when the air quality is bad. During the day we visited the Farmers' Market and then had a very light lunch in the sun. Excellent dinner at Osteria La Bricolla ~ pasta, needless to say. One short indoor play today and then HOME tomorrow. Yay!

Romeo, Juliet and Roger

 Roger Achroyd, that is, last night at the fun Cabaret dinner club (bottom photo) we had a great time figuring out Who Killed Roger Achroyd? I had predicted that Romeo and Juliet would not end well, but it was an enthusiastic afternoon production. In between ~ walking and talking and reading ~ just what vacations are supposed to be.

525,600 minutes (plus dinner)

 Yesterday afternoon we saw a spirited production of RENT after a good morning walk. I had always wanted to see this and was not disappointed. Then a fabulous dinner at Cucina Biazzi in downtown Ashland. Delicious. And, hooray, good sleep finally last night. Yes!

a two-play Wednesday

 We went to the Grizzly Peak Winery for an afternoon play (Circle, Mirror, Transformation) and then to the outdoor presentation of 12th Night last night. Beautiful weather. The second photo is the spacious breakfast room here at the Bard's Inn. Pretty, no? Lots of walking and reconnecting with Ashland yesterday. Wonderful Ashland!

beautiful Ashland

 Even though we three hate Elon Musk, it is a nice smooth Tesla ride up here. Still a little snow on Mt. Shasta and good roads most of the way. Two plays today, so I'd better get moving now. I am very, very happy to be here. 

heading north this morning

 My doctor cleared me for this trip with a few warnings about masks, etc. The first play is tomorrow night so by then I will have my Ashland bearings and it seems that my appetite has returned and all systems GO. Just a bit tired, but that is why god gave us naps, no?

I am packed (sort of)

 I'm waiting for the doc to give me the green light to go to Ashland tomorrow. Still tired but OK. Still testing positive ~ damn. Fingers crossed!

for Paxlovid mouth

 Neighbor Lynn brought me some refreshing fruit popsicles to help combat the icky taste this miracle medicine leaves. Today is my final dose and I will test for Covid later. I feel fine except for extreme fatigue. What a week.

and yet another goodbye

 The shipping pods arrived yesterday. I've been dreading this. My neighbor, Lynn, is going back to Puerto Rico where she was born and raised. This talented and colorful friend who brought me food and laughter when most I needed both. Damn. 

and, of course, a good book

 I just started The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and it's a winner. I'm feeling better this morning and hope to sit on the back deck for some fresh air later this afternoon. 

a much needed diversion

 The Morning Show is streaming on Apple TV and I am in a binge mode and mood so this will work just fine. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Julianna Margulies and lots of great drama. 

the inevitable?

 On Monday I tested positive for Covid. I thought for sure I would not get this damn thing, but at least I'm up to date on vaccinations and now I'm taking Paxlovid to speed along my recovery. Next week I go to Ashland so I want to be 100%. Worry not, I am OK!

Shakshuka

 Lindsay lived in Tel Aviv for a few years and I loved hearing about her experiences there. She is a great cook and whipped up Shakshuka for us Sunday night. Delicious! Tomatoes, onion, garlic and whatever is in your refrigerator. Then eggs cooked in all that lovely sauce. Yum.

Tunnel Tops and more!

 Grand daughter Lindsay and I went out to the Presidio yesterday with a bunch of other people. We had Pakistani food for lunch from this colorful food truck. A lovely day indeed.

late summer camp

 We had a last minute enrollment in Camp Mary Ann and so Lindsay is staying here with me while her sister, Samantha, recovers from Covid down in Burlingame. Lindsay lives in and loves NYC so we have lots to talk about. She is a delight.

more Flix® fun

 Tea with the Dames celebrates these four extraordinary women actors: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins. All very British and witty, of course. 

ice cream and art

 Here's a new mural on the side of our forever favorite Mitchell's ice cream store on San Jose Ave. They always feature the Macapuno (coconut) and seasonal flavors including the only really good (my opinion) Pumpkin in the fall and Peppermint for Xmas. Yum.