summer has arrived

 I went over to the Chase Center yesterday to soak up some Valkyrie vibes and then treated myself to lunch at the good old Ramp. Most of the lunch crowd had gone by the time I got there and I almost had the place to myself. So many memories, including Husbando's memorial here 8 years ago. 

SF has turned purple

 Our women's basketball team, theValkyries, are in the playoffs. Hooray. They are such fun to watch. Here is a photo of Terri at the game Sunday night with the Go Valks banner that she quilted. So nice having talented friends. Next game, tomorrow night. 

the smart way across the Bay

 Heidi and I hopped on the ferry to Larkspur yesterday where we met Shelley who kindly drove us to lunch and then to this GREAT movie about James McNeill Whistler. So interesting to learn about this American artist who was so prolific and a bit of a showman. Ridership on our ferry systems has increased dramatically now that gas is so very expensive. 

and a touch of France

 I met John and Mary (of Ashland fame) for dinner last night at Le Central. Traffic in the city was rough, but once we were settled in we had a lovely time with great food, as usual. I'm now pre-packing for our adventure in Maryland next week ~ very exciting.

the 50/50 Show

 Thanks to Terri for planning and driving us to the Sanchez Art Gallery in Pacifica yesterday. Here we have 50 artists with 50 small works each and all created in 50 days. Amazing really. I was tempted to buy a couple of delightful pieces but managed to restrain myself. AND, sunshine!

getting stuff done

 It's still so satisfying to cross off all the mundane details on my To Do List. The Blogmaid and I leave for Maryland a week from tomorrow and I'm still recovering from Ashland and  then swimming 5000 laps (joke) up in Davis last weekend. My devoted cat Annabelle begs for lap time and what's a woman to do?

and more treasures

 

Well, obviously the middle two photos are not part of the Egyptian Pharaoh exhibit at the deYoung where I met Neti yesterday for a very fine and thorough visit yesterday. They have done a beautiful job with these ancient artifacts that have held up so beautifully for so long. A very good day.

assorted needles

 I started the day with acupuncture and then hit Kaiser in the afternoon for the flu and Covid vaccines. So not a very exciting Tuesday, but my body thanks me. There is a promise of sunshine today, but so far the usual morning fog. 

all things Italian

 Of course you remember Cristina, my neighbor who is currently in Italy, and shown here with her mama on the left. Well, my next tenant, Lorenzo, is a young Italian orthopedic surgeon who will move into Emma's Room on Oct. 9th for a month. He came over to visit on Sunday, bringing Italian espresso and he is already in love with SF and I urged him to visit North Beach to visit his country men and women. A very nice guy ~ yes, fortune smiles on me once again. 

sunshine and luxury

 Susan's home in Davis was much like a 5 Star resort stay for me as she cooked three healthy meals a day and I swam and enjoyed the warm weather and total relaxation. Our early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedules meshed perfectly and we talked non-stop about everything and nothing. Driver Caesar took me to/fro and yes, I could easily get used to luxury living. Fogged in here with fireplace and cat this morning and that works just fine too. 

going swimming

 This morning I'm heading to Davis to visit my friend Susan ~ leaving the fog for some warm weather and I know that you are admiring my swim cap, as well you should. I'm not taking my MsBook Air so we all get a day or two off. See you Monday morning with a glowing report, or so I hope.

and from Australia...

 Thanks to Terri for recommending The Airport Chaplain on the Flix®. This warm and touching series features Hugo Weaving as the busy religious guy who handles all sorts of airport emergencies in unusual ways. I am hooked. I love the diversity of the employees and  the travelers from all over the world.  

my recliner, my tv

 So pleased to welcome back Slow Horses last night. Then some Widow's Bay and all was a-ok after a rather lazy get-sort-of-organized-recovery Tuesday. Cozy fireplace this morning and more catch-up today and tomorrow. Do not underestimate contentment.

home to the Emmy's

 My plane was delayed yesterday so I barely made it home in time to catch this star-studded show and of course Annabelle was beside herself: first with disdain and then with love. So glad I missed the HEAT wave and so thankful to be back where I belong for a few days. Heading up to Davis on Friday and will fill you in after I do 14 loads of laundry.

heading home today

 Midsummer is a great fan favorite and very well done here. I loved the staging. It's getting chilly here, time to head back to my foggy city. Dinner again this year at Thai Pepper, sitting outside by the Creek, under a heat lamp, of course. I'm flying home from Medford because John and Mary are heading up to Portland for a wedding. I will check in tomorrow with a cat on my lap. Yay!

we met the star!

 Early morning coffee with Victoria, daughter of our friends Gini and Philipp, who plays the lead role in Come From Away. That's her one year old, Wesley, so her life is busy with both the stage and motherhood careers. Then home and another walk and lunch outside at Louie's where we go every year. I was sort of dreading Dracula last night at the Oregon Cabaret dinner theater, but it was really hilarious and we laughed for a few happy hours. Today is our final full day, home tomorrow. Ready.

and pasta for dinner

 We finally walked in beautiful Lithia Park yesterday and then went to see King Hedley II in the afternoon. The play was extremely well done with some outstanding acting. Dinner at a new spot for us, Cafe Lumina down on Main Street. Good food, not exceptional service. Today will be relaxing and pleasant. Here are my fellow play goers, Mary and John. Fun, no?

our busy Thursday

 

What special timing to see Come From Away on this 25th anniversary of 9/11. And my friend Gini's daughter, Victoria, is a star here in this production. Very moving. Based on the true story of when all those planes landed (for safety reasons on 9/11) in Gander, Newfoundland. The population doubled and the guests stayed. So many stories here. Then we had Japanese food at Kobe, sitting outside. So lovely. On to the outdoor night theater again for Emma. A bit of fluff and not exactly compelling, but hey, we're here.

mostly reading, walking and dinner

 We returned to Nous last night because we enjoyed it so much last year and again it was a good choice. Nice patio and tasty food after a rather lovely, lazy day of walking and reading by the Creek. John and Mary went to Henry last night while I stayed home to read the Oh, Mary script, a play we will be seeing in October in SF. It should be fun. Raucous. Two plays for us here today so best I get moving.

one terrific dinner, two fine plays

 A lovely full day with Yellow Face in the afternoon (great!) and Taming of the Shrew outside (middle photo) at night. I was up late, but slept well last night. Our second time to CocoRico for dinner and once again we were very pleased with the food and service. The weather here is milder than in past years which is just fine with us. John and Mary are going to Henry tonight but I passed on this and so a theater-free day for me. Perhaps a walk in Lithia Park? Too much food? Solo time reading tonight sounds good.

the long drive north

 I'm not great at in-car photography, but here is Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta yesterday. There was some beautiful weather, some not great food in Red Bluff and here we are now at the Ashland Creek Inn. Dinner last night at Juliette and now we prepare for a two play day. Good to be back in Ashland for sure.

my back in the back room

 About 6 weeks ago the Blogmaid helped me select the PERFECT Lazy Boy/Girl chair and it was delivered last week much to our delight. I have some lower back pain which I'm sure you want to hear about in detail, and this recliner offers superb relief. It took approximately four minutes for Annabelle to vote her approval and now we have to negotiate who gets to sit where. 

who is the villain?

 We had never been to the Creativity Theater in Yerba Buena Gardens before, but it was an excellent experience when I met Neti here yesterday to see R.O.I. a one act play that is just so timely and interesting. The Elizabeth Holmes character really does want to save lives but of course money and power have a way of messing everything up. I had not been able to walk around the Gardens in quite sometime and that was so enjoyable (bottom photo). Lots of changes, all for the good. And what? Sunshine?

Picaro, por favor

 We had some wonderful paella on 16th Street yesterday. Picaro has been here forever and we had a lovely long lunch to celebrate Jeanine's birthday as we (Jeanine, Neti, Pat and your blogger) talked of many things and mostly laughed and enjoyed our friendship of many years.