this does not disappoint

 The Lincoln Lawyer makes L.A. look so inviting ~ he never seems to have traffic or parking problems. Season 2 is just as engaging and well done as the first go-round. The characters are fun and colorful and I give it a thumbs up. The Flix.

a mixed bag Sunday

 Heidi and I picked up trash in the morning with a lot of orange vested citizens. Then Jen with 2 dogs wanted to cook this feast for me ~ herb crusted beef and scalloped potatoes. How could I say no? Delicious. Despite heavy grey weather, this is a very good summer.

my tribe in the sunshine

 Only a few writers gathered at Suzy's in Oakland yesterday and I neglected to take photos except for this one of Fuzzy and Doug with his guitar. Karen H. is here from NYC and that was especially nice because she is a fabulous poet and a good friend. I wrote about my new home improvement project and it was a really lovely day, as per usual. Gratitude. Warmth.

off to the dump

I

 Bottom photo ~ I actually emptied five pieces of furniture in Bill's office and this was not easy, but necessary. Middle photo ~ everything in Aldo's truck before heading to the dump. Top photo ~ we had saved some sleeping bags and other unused crap for about 40 years in a storage area that you do not want to see. Ever. All this gone today. Great relief. So much more to do, but this is a beginning. Solid, as Emma would say.

now trending...

 My friend Terri is a non-cook like me and she swears by her Ninja Air Fryer. Yesterday I saw one at (and by) Costco for $40 so I brought it home and found a snug corner for it in the kitchen. Yes, I am reading the directions and my hope is to become knowledgeable before I actually plug it in. Doug predicts I'll be giving it to them soon ~ how mean is that?

a little break for Widow Stein

 I really wanted some won ton noodle soup yesterday because the clean-up, clean-out has been getting to me. So many memories. Working on music currently. Anyway, Husbando and I used to bring each other this healing soup when one or the other of us had a cold, or worse. I headed for Tam's in Pathetica, but they were closed for vacation so I hit the Hot Pot and settled for chicken chow mien and it was just fine. I like the easy Post Office in Pacifica and the Safeway there is also a nice change from mine. It's the little things that matter currently. Always?

tedious tasks and hot dog reward

 I spent the 4th on the never-ending job of cleaning out Bill's office. I try not to be emotional because that holds up the process, but so much sentimental crap. Yes, a bit easier than the first time I did this right after he died, but still, he was a bit of a pack rat. I am too, alas, so I need to lean out my office after I finish with his. Sometimes I'm tempted to move something from his office to mine, but I try to head right to the garbage bin first. Dear Heidi brought me a hot dog dinner and please note the beautiful china ~ she has just finished cleaning out her parents' home on the East Coast. There seems to be a theme emerging. Pare down, dear readers.

I prefer drone displays

 Drones are becoming increasingly popular as fireworks lose popularity. Have a Happy 4th of July, dear readers. Stay safe. 

Paganiniana

 Another free (with donation jars galore) concert at Herbst Theatre yesterday. This venue is beautiful and located right across the street from City Hall (top photo) and please note the blue skies. Yay!  SF Civic Music Association played five Paganini pieces including the famous Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Paganini Theme to end this excellent program. I met Amy and Ginger there and we three had a delightful afternoon of music. 

paper thin

 What's wrong with this picture? 1) it's warm, I don't need the fireplace 2) the Sunday SF Chronicle is a joke. I can't seem to break the newspaper habit even though it is expensive and just a sliver of what it once was. I do recycle ~ neighbor Heidi gets the Sunday paper and Neti gets all the crossword and sudoku puzzles. And Doonesbury still amuses me, but really everything can be found online. Go figure.

The Bear = The Best

 Oh, oh, oh ~ Season Two. How could The Bear get any better? Well, it has. It's on Hulu and worth the small extra charge. Wonderful Chicago, acting, writing and even though it is listed as a comedy, you might want a box of Kleenex® nearby. Do NOT miss this series, dear readers.

lamb, dogs, friends and more

 We had a feast at Jen (with two dogs) and Stacie's yesterday for a long lunch in their charming condo two blocks away. Jen and I met on the street while walking and they were gracious enough to include Doug and Barb in their invitation. The top photo is from their back deck where Jen grilled this delicious meal. As I guessed, we all had a lot in common and it was one of those "only in San Francisco" kind of days. Delightful. 

they are official now

 Our famous parrots have become the official San Francisco animal. "Wild and free" and sometimes loud and messy. Of course we all loved the book and movie about these colorful creatures who arrived back in the 1980's and somehow managed to proliferate. There are more than 200 parrots in SF now, mostly around Telegraph Hill, the Presidio and Cole Valley. Squawk.

the horses idle like old cars

 

Here and There

Chelsea Harlan

The clouds move inlike quiet neighbors.The windwalks down the hill.The cover crophas gotten really talland I love you.And the seas are risingand the meteorsare showering abstractly.And there are too many gunsand I love you.I wish I knew what callsthe Devil from the pits—I have a few theoriesscattered though they arelike wildflowersin the marbleyard.And I have held a mareby her matted maneand clucked my tongueto summon spring.And the azaleasmirror the godlightand the dogwoodsreally do glow in the darklike the meteorsaforementioned.I love youand the horses idlelike old carsin the shaggy field.Everyone is poorbut somehow has horses.I can't explain itbut I wish I couldor how it is a horse isever a breakable thing.

Feature Date

• June 23, 2023

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“Here and There” from Bright Shade: by Chelsea Harlan.
Published by The American Poetry Review October 4th 2022.
Copyright © 2022 by Chelsea Harlan.

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sticks, not stones

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book club in Marin

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