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.

The Mess Hall

 Doug, Barb and I celebrated Barb's belated birthday yesterday at the brand new Mess Hall at Tunnel Tops in the Presidio. Weather? Very SF, but we sat outside anyway and enjoyed the fog and the expansive views. The food was excellent and NOT over-priced. Already a popular spot and busy on a lazy Thursday.

thank you, Gloria

 Another loss. Another blow. Gloria Steinem changed our world with grace, humor, intelligence and beauty. Those feminists back in the 60's and 70's were trailblazers and so, so brave. Someday the 14th Amendment will pass, someday. So much gratitude today from Ms. Stein.  Before these women we were only Miss or Mrs. ~ male-dependent bull shit. ✊

the play is the thing

 Yesterday I was able to download the tickets into my Apple wallet. Applause, please. Here are the plays we will see next week:

• Yellow Face
• Taming of the Shrew
• Come from Away
• Emma
• King Hedley, II
• Dracula (cabaret theater)
• Midsummer Night's Dream (photo, above)

John has made restaurant reservations for every night and this all makes me very happy. 

in praise of house cleaners

 Karla and Maria arrive promptly at 9:15 every other Monday morning. They probably know this little house better than I do. They take care of all the dirty little details and are on their way in about an hour. They charge a lot and are worth more. I am so damn lucky.

making lists, packing up

 One week from today John, Mary and I climb in the Tesla for our annual trip to Ashland. We have theater almost every day and since we make the reservations in December, I need to review all the details and I am replacing the hard copy Ginger's Memorial folder with the Ashland folder today. It is warm in Ashland, such is not the case here, as we all know full well by now. 

is that sunshine?

 Yes! I met Joe early up on Valencia Street at the oddly named Craftsman and Wolves where we enjoyed yummy coffee drinks and wonderful pastries as we caught up with our lives. A good long walk home and I just took it easy and returned to earth after the Ginger send-off and all those emotions of last week.

a good vibe in the fog

 There were about 20 of us saying goodbye to Ginger yesterday at Crissy Field. I, as usual, helped the Kleenex® industry, but all in all, a warm and comforting event. Thanks to Amy (bottom photo), Ginger's youngest sister, and to the Blogmaid for all the photos and constant support. Heidi, in the blue vest, was a huge help and Doug played the ukulele to cheer us up. Lots of food and coffee from the Warming Hut. A fine send-off for Ginger, for sure.

it just appeared

 No introductory sale, no "do you want to try the Ojai?" The boxy blue Waymo driverless van just showed up and I jumped in. Same for Terri, who at least had a moment to take this photo. It was an OK ride and a bit easier for folks with mobility issues as it is very close to the ground. As a result, the ride is bumpier. I was surprised that it all worked so smoothly because I wanted to try it with someone the first time, but I did not get that chance and it all worked out OK. Thank you, Terri for the photo and your thoughts.