if it takes forever I will wait for you

 Oh, my. Three exhausted older folks headed over to the Berkeley Art Museum to see the 1964 movie The Umbrellas of Cherbourg last night. First a bit of Chinese food before this French film. Doug and Barb were kind enough to include me in this outing which we all frankly thought about canceling and thank god we didn't. This is really an opera with nice big subtitles and so many beautiful colors and yes, dated, but in a good way. What a wonderful experience and I'm not one of those people who love old movies, but this is not to be missed, especially on the big screen. And now Annabelle is sick of me singing the title song...

Bay Bridge and beyond...

 Sister Jane and Melinda expressed an interest in Oakland and "the other bridge" so the Blogmaid was kind enough to drive us all over to Jack London Square where we had an unexpectedly good lunch at the Oakland Grill in the heart of the produce market there. All closed yesterday so the restaurant was almost empty, but surprisingly good food and a nice atmosphere. Then back home to chat with my next door neighbor, Cristina, who had one of my wine glasses that somehow strayed over there on Thanksgiving. Such a great photo of her, thanks to the Blogmaid. And also this last sister pic that I think captures both our bloodlines and our mutual enjoyment and appreciation of each other. Sis and Melinda are safely back in Maryland now. I already miss my sis ~ another really nice time. I am so lucky.

16 people, two tables and one dog

 A very happy day as we ate tons of food and laughed and talked and teased and were and are filled with gratitude for so much. The grand daughters did all the cooking and the dishes were miraculously washed and dried and I was sound asleep at 9pm. Today is for Sister Jane who (sadly) leaves tonight.

the tables are set

 Ceci, Zak and turkey will arrive at 7am from Nevada City this morning I look forward to a warm and happy day with a side of chaos. Fun, full report tomorrow. Thankful to and for so many and wishing everyone a lovely Thanksgiving.

Tunnel Tops and Mexican food

 The top photo is from Mel and Jane's all-day Monday walking tour. Cute, no? Yesterday we hopped in a Waymo to The Presidio for some walking and history and we were lucky that the GG Bridge was visible in the bottom photo here. We had a tasty lunch at Colibri and then the tourists took off for Ferry Plaza and I came home to pre-plan for tomorrow. So lucky with weather this year!

let's go DOWNTOWN

 Melinda and Sister Jane had a busy day walking and taking public transportation (!) on a tour of SF and then they met me at John's Grill for delicious steaks and happy conversation. Today I will be a half-assed tour director and I will get them into a WAYMO just for the fun of it. Yesterday a tourist (I guess) took my photo in a driverless taxi, but he couldn't really see me as the windows are darkened. So 2025.

Sister Jane and Melinda and hooray!

 The Two from Maryland had a smooth, early flight and although SFO is a tad confusing the Blogmaid and I met them and got them safely to Bernal Heights for lunch at the Precita Park Cafe (top photo). They are staying at the Mark Hopkins and will "do" a city tour today and I will meet them for dinner tonight. It is the beginning of a totally wonderful week. We have lots of fun catch-up and by now Sis knows SF very well and this is Mel's first visit and they will have a blast, as will I. 

our quiet Saturday

Beautiful flowers arrived from my step, Nancy, and they will still be fresh for Thanksgiving. Sister Jane and her friend, Melinda, are now on their airplane from Baltimore and the Blogmaid and I will pick them up in a few hours at SFO. Non-stop enjoyment will ensue for the next week. Talk about thankful!

 

The Dead Fish with lively friends

 This is a huge restaurant and my first visit thanks to Doug and Barb yesterday.  The Dead Fish is right off the highway in Crockett and it sits almost on top of the Bay (first photo). I loved the Basa, a delicate white fish and we shared fried artichoke, salad, bread ~ wayyyyyy too much great food. There were warm heaters and we sat out on the patio. So wonderful. Afterwards we drove a bit to see the little towns of Crockett and Port Costa ~ a whole different world about 30 minutes from SF. Delightful day for sure.

it's brisk in Frisco

 I bundled up for a walk in the nabe yesterday afternoon. Cold, clean air. Lovely. Handy Jan worked for a while on some home projects ~ how lucky I am to have her in my life. Nothing too big or too small to ask of her. And today Doug and Barb will deliver folding chairs for the event next week, aka Thanksgiving. Our reward will be lunch and I already know that this will be another fine day.

lunch at Perry's

 I met Ken (the Person) down on the Embarcadero for a really nice lunch after a fine solo walk from 4th Street to this classic (dare I say iconic?) restaurant. Good food, good conversation and I'm happy to report that Perry's was packed and my SF streets bustling with people. An excellent Wednesday.

it's looking good ~ yay!

 This morning I finally allowed myself to future trip a bit and behold, I believe we will have nice weather next week when Sis is here with her friend, Melinda. They arrive on Sunday and I am very excited and happy and eager to show off my city once again. But best of all is seeing my sister Jane again.

grey day in warm house

 I hope the rains are gone for our visitors next week, but in the meantime I had a lovely at-home Monday and I do recommend Table for Two by Amor Towles. A series of clever, fun, sophisticated stories set in NYC and Los Angeles. 

scallops by the sea

 I was yearning for very expensive scallops yesterday, so Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid treated Neti and me to a lavish lunch at Nick's down in Pathetica. Such a wonderful old fashioned restaurant. We had lots of laughs and I tasted my first fried pickle, so you know the day was a success. And may I mention the warm brownie with ice cream? Of course I must. With many, many thanks ~ a delightful Sunday for sure.

La Traviata

 This old restaurant on Mission Street used to be a favorite and it somehow survived Covid and it was a lovely experience last night. Pat, Neti and I opened La Traviata at 5pm and enjoyed the quiet until the place filled around 7:30 and we could no longer hear each other. But so happy that they are busy and the pasta was excellent and we three had a delightful time. The rest of my day? Lazy. Self-indulgent.

this gift of time

 Texts, emails, cards and gifts for my birthday today. I'm enjoying an extra long fireside morning and feeling deep gratitude for so many wonderful people in my life. Dinner with friends tonight and lunch with Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid tomorrow. I am living the good life, no, make that GREAT.

rainy day lunch

 I met Gini yesterday at the Magic Flute on Sacramento Street and we had some good catch-up talk in this lovely setting. Also yummy food, should you be interested. 

poetry on a rainy Thursday

 

Burning Down the Waffle House

The person at Waffle Housedrops my card and starts crying.She’s here alone until 2. It’s 2.Kind of hard to avoid the factthat I am part of the problem.With that in mind, how muchof a tip is a good tip, and whereis the line between a good tipand a messiah complex?Trying to quickly stop crying,she asks me, do you ever justget so tired? If she wants toburn down the Waffle House,I’ll go get some kerosene.There are other sandwiches.I offer her Advil. I don’t knowwhat else to do. She declines.Anyway, she says, shakingher head. She’ll be able to sitonce the restaurant is empty,meaning, of course, when I leave.
~ Danny Caine

Lily is leaving

 Top photo ~ Heather and Lily lived up the hill and Heidi and I would have delightful get togethers with these fun and energetic young women. Now Heather lives out in the burbs with her new baby and Lily (bottom photo) is moving to Denver. We had a lot to talk about over at Rob and Heidi's last night and we all agreed that Lily is doing the right thing, but we will miss her a lot. I reminded her that Emma's Room is available when she visits SF again, and she will.

pre-planning and the google doc

 Sis will be here in two weeks (!) and plans are underway for a festive Thanksgiving dinner is my little home. Grand daughter Samantha is in charge of food and has created a google document which I do not want to see, thank you anyway. All I have to do is the set-up and making sure the big doodle, Harlow, doesn't eat the little cat, Annabelle. Plus table set-up, my favorite part.

book club in Marin

 We met at Shelly's beautiful home in San Anselmo. Our book? Let the Northern Lights Erase your Name and we all had a lot to say about this unusual novel. Some good, some not so. When we got home we were all invited to Heidi's for Rob's fabulous paella. So a very social day for this blogger. The cat known as Annabelle was not pleased with my long day away and today already she clings.

our Giant hero

 I was happy to learn that Bruce Bochy is returning to the SF giants in an advisory role. He helped us get  to all those (3) World Series and he has such a nice, gruff sense of humor. He belongs here. 

celebrating Dodger Doug

 We went to Woodhouse yesterday, a small fish restaurant on Fillmore Street for Doug's belated birthday and enjoyed the yummy Dungeness crab (top) and shrimp/avocado sandwiches while we caught up on our busy lives because they had been, once again, traveling. A very happy day indeed.

she made us proud

 I'll never forget how she publicly tore up tRump's State of the Union speech back when he was trying to destroy our country during his first term. Thank you, Nancy Pelosi. Good job!

back to Tuesday

 The Manet & Morisot exhibit is very well done and already lots of art lovers are heading to the Legion of Honor and I joined them on Tuesday. Excellent. After I strolled around and oohed and ahhhed (silently) I had a fine, inexpensive burger at Bill's Place on Clement Street. Such a nice day. When you go, be sure to see the video first, or check it out online.

major victories for the USA

 Last night's election outcome was quite wonderful with lots of big and small (all important) wins because the anti-Trump movement is gaining momentum and I am feeling relief this morning.