pizza, Coke® and Jolene

 I didn't expect to get the blues when I read online about Dolly Parton's death, but I did. So of course a walk and a stop at my favorite pizza shop where they were playing all of her music non-stop. Everyone (including me) who came in to order said, "Dolly!" when we walked in and for some reason this all helped me feel better. She was an incredible woman for sure.

let's talk over tea

 Five chatty women for tea and snacks at Heidi's yesterday afternoon. It is so nice to be retired and have time just to enjoy the many blessings in this life. 

Ms. Strout sure can write

 Yesterday I started The Things We Never Say and of course it is extremely well written and engaging from the very first sentence. A busy week ahead for me so this novel will help keep me on an even keel, or so we hope.

attention must be paid

 Grand daughters Samantha and Lindsay already have their plane tickets for another rather raucous Thanksgiving extravaganza here. They request the presence of sister Jane, as do the Blogmaid and I. Yes, it is way early to be planning, on the other hand it gives me great pleasure to imagine the laughter and chaos. Ah, family. Ah, friends. 

Ginger's Memorial

 Amy and I are hosting a very small memorial next Friday at Crissy Field for her best sister and my best friend, Ginger. She requested that her ashes be scattered down there in the Bay. I am feeling a bit anxious about this because I want everything to be perfect, but of course that isn't really the point, is it?

all aboard

 I'm working up the courage to try Ojai, Waymo's newest driverless car. It is a small light blue van and has been roaming SF for months without passengers. By now I am a huge Waymo fan although I also rely on Lyft and taxis. Oh, and I do drive for short distances. So grateful to have so many transportation choices. Buses and BART count too, of course. 

we spent a day in Half Moon Bay

 The three Big City Women (Pat, Neti, Blogger), on the right, met Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid for lunch at It's Italia on Main Street yesterday and yes, we had a delightful time. HMB offers lots of charming gift shops, free street parking and benches everywhere which is just so civilized. After lunch we walked and talked and had coffee because we simply did not want to leave. 

the holistic approach

 Acupuncture is not a miracle cure for anything, but my treatment yesterday helped me on so many levels. I guess I've been going to Dr. Sparrow now for about five years. I ask her first when I have any new aches and pains and she is such an important part of my life now. Feeling gratitude, feeling calm...

avoiding the news

 Hmmmmm, do I want to watch Trump embrace North Korea or do I want to watch Christopher Chung (from Slow Horses) in My Brilliant Career on Netflix? Australia in the 1900's ~ a lovely escape. Try it...

brunch at Starbelly

 Dancing Jen (left), Terri and I had a great time yesterday and yes, I promise NOT to wear my new Costco black and white shirt for a few days here. We three worked at Borders and so there was a lot of "did you hear about SoandSo?" kind of conversation and (mostly) laughter. A very fine Sunday indeed.

The Marsh and The Paprika

 What a delightful evening with Karen (left) and Suzy last night. Karen's friend, Janet Thornburg, was performing her brand new show at the Marsh and we all thought that she was terrific. Then a yummy dinner at Paprika where we wolfed down Chicken Paprikash, mashed potatoes and salad. Yes, I am very lucky to have wonderful friends!

we keep walking

 A few aches, pains and "mobility issues" these days, but there is always something to see and yes, I often have to force myself out of this comfy house with the non-stop lap cat. Fogust is a challenge but there is usually a bit of sunshine in the early afternoon. And always, the many joyful sights in this crazy city.

the walk-through

 Amy and I are hosting a small memorial for Ginger on August 28th, and our Crissy Field pre-planing yesterday was a success and a relief to us both.  The Warming Hut will supply coffee and tea (we can run up a tab there) and guests can park behind the picnic tables where G and I always sat. All good...

all so civilized

 Karen is here from NYC and I met her (bottom photo) and Suzy for coffee plus at Cafe de la Presse yesterday afternoon. We had a good long catch-up and they headed off for a hike and ended up at Hog Island Oysters at  Ferry Plaza where they sent me these happy pictures. We will get together Saturday night again for some small theatre and dinner.

keeping up with the Kahans

 The Blogmaid is a big Noah Kahan fan and I was curious, so I watched the documentary on Netflix last night. This engaging man from Vermont is a poet who is so very open about his feelings and emotions. Noah is a guitar player, singer and song writer and I now see what all the "fuss" is about. I'm glad that the Blogmaid gets to see Noah in person at the ballpark this month. Yay!

a glorious movie

 Damn, I can't remember who recommended Tuner to me, but I sure owe them an email of gratitude. So nice to see Dustin Hoffman again and I loved the rest of the cast so much too. It's way more than a film about a piano tuner. I rented this on Prime and that was very smart of me. 

it's okay to be different

 This colorful musical addresses racial intolerance and body shaming that occurred in this play back in the 60's and has been emboldened today with the rise of the current demented president and his pals. Hairspray began in 1988 as a John Waters movie and then was adapted to become a Broadway musical. This SF Playhouse production is fabulous with the singing, dancing and elaborate costumes. See it if you possibly can!

The Jewel and some bad baseball

 But at least there was sunshine. Nancy had not been to our ballpark and I haven't been this year, so it was a good experience except for the fact that our Giants did not play very well. But still, a fine time for we three Stein women. 

Friday in the fog with mixed menus

 Nancy, Ceci and I wandered around the Botanical Gardens all morning, then we had lunch at Ebisu (I had noodles, they both love sushi) on 9th Avenue, a restaurant that has been there forever and is still very popular. One would think that we wouldn't be hungry again for dinner, but one would be wrong. We met Samantha and Luke at Celia's Mexican Restaurant in San Bruno and that was indeed a happy gathering, despite the fact that we were saying goodbye to Luke and Sam who are moving to Florida this Monday. Grrrrrrrr. On the other hand, pure luck brought these two into my life three years ago and I so benefitted.

our SF family day

 A busy Thursday including a meeting with our lawyer, walk on the beach, lots or coffee and chit chat and then a fabulous dinner at Zuni. Despite the fog in the top photo, we did see some gentle sunshine yesterday. Today to the park and dinner with Samantha and Luke. Good times!