the wrath of a mother scorned

 Mother Earth, that is. Yesterday I went to the free (!) Land's End exhibit at the old empty Cliff House to view art made from trash found in our ocean. One of the pieces (not shown) was entitled "the wrath..." so I borrowed it for da blog. It was all very moving, especially being in that restaurant which Bill and I enjoyed so much over the years. The forest (top photo) is all made from used/discarded clothes. 

back to normal (somewhat)

 The simple pleasure of sitting INSIDE a coffee shop reading the New Yorker and enjoying my latte. I said during the pandemic that I would never take this for granted again. I won't. This reward after a good neighborhood walk is such a treat.

blue skies, clean air

 Yesterday Ginger and I walked along the Marina Green and admired the odd fog "spray" at the bridge. We then had our coffee and sweet inside Fort Mason (top photo) where we snagged a picnic table in the sun. Slowly life is returning to our city. The day was topped off by a fine state of the union speech from President Biden last night. The Ukraine has brought America some togetherness, or so we hope.

what's not to like?

 Netflix does it again with Inventing Anna starring Julia Garner (Ozarks), Anna Chlumsky (I'm a huge fan), Laverne Cox (ditto), Anna Deavere Smith (double ditto), and many more great actors. The Anna in this nine episode series is a smart scammer who takes NYC by storm. Fun stuff like when Anna asks a friend to book her an airline flight on her friend's credit card and then requests first class. Based on a real character who went to prison for fraud. 

sweet Sunday

 I posted this pretty photo on Instagram yesterday. Keeping up with Ukraine and appreciating my soft and easy life here in America. Remembering back to our anti-war and anti-Trump marches and how lucky we were to be able to express our strong opinions and not be tossed in jail. Yes, I do take freedom for granted. I had a lovely day puttering, cleaning, weeding, reading and being very, very grateful.

volunteers in orange vests

 About 40 of us showed up at 10am for trash pick-up on Mission Street, one of the dirtiest and busiest areas of the city. We broke into two groups and filled our bags and felt good about ourselves and our city. A couple of residents thanked me as I grabbed another empty vodka bottle or styrofoam box. One man brought his two kids ~ yes! I hope to do a Refuse, Refuse event for two hours each week. We will see.

showing our colors

 San Francisco City Hall is right here along with the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building as we all support Ukraine during Putin's attempt to take over that country. The news is so very upsetting and I try to unglue myself from the TV, but that isn't easy. So proud of the brave Russians taking to the streets over there to demonstrate against the war. Stay strong citizens of Ukraine. 

lunch and art with an old friend

 Ken and I worked together about 30 years ago at Barnes and Noble. Now he works at the Craft and Design Museum and is pictured here with Ted Cohen who is the featured artist/collector at this delightful museum currently. We had a delicous lunch and latte at Piccino in the big yellow house and then I wandered with ooohs and ahhhhs through the exhibit. So good for my soul.

celebration in the nabe

 It was Cristina's birthday yesterday so we gathered amongst her garbage cans to drink champagne. She is a deckhand on the Larkspur-SF ferry and is also a bartender ~ she is in the bottom photo with the yellow bar towel in her pocket. The sweet dog is Lola. 

I follow Kiri on Instagram

 As do thousands of other people. Kiri, the Teeny Tiny Fire Engine originally lived in Japan, but now she is one of our many colorful SF residents. When she (?) visits big fire engines they often invite the driver/owner in for meals and fire talk. Kiri goes everywhere ~ check out @teenytinyfiretruck.

the inside dirt

 I just heard about Refuse Refuse and will join as soon as possible. Just a group of citizens picking up trash to make the city look better. No official sign-up, just show up with a garbage bag and grabber to one of the "events". This makes me happy. 

celebrating Marsha

 Yesterday Luckey and I celebrated Marsha's birthday at this surprising boutique Proper Hotel in the Tenderloin (!) across from his art studio. We told stories and laughed and cried because Marsha was such an amazing woman and friend to both of us. I brought her photo (above) which I do in my own really cheesy way as we remember the people who had the audacity to leave us. I so needed this.

another early Spring

 We are well aware that many have to wait another month or two for tulips and daffodils and blooming cherry trees, but here I am in mid-February bringing our bulbs out from under the dark temporary (we hope) under-stair deck cemetery. These lovelies were happy to emerge into the sunshine last week.

mornings at seven

 These photos do not really work, but when the sun rises I am sitting in front of the fireplace with my laptop and cat. I glance up (top) and see a bright orange in the window of my neighbor's across the street. Then I rush to the back of the house to catch this amazing and almost blinding sun on one or more of the downtown buildings. I miss Husbando as one or the other of us would call out, "Quick, come look!"and in fact (shhhhhh) I often still do that. 

books and veggies

 Yesterday the book club met in a private room at Green's ~ one of the first and most successful vegetarian restaurants in SF. I'm happy to report that they are still checking for Vax cards before allowing people inside the restaurant and we had a lovely, long meeting covering more than books. Surprise. Green's is located right ON the bay and wow, what a beautiful day. Do you call this winter?

Savannah, GA (stock photo)

 The Blogmaid and family are touring Savannah and although she is texting me wonderful photos I am not able to get them from iPhone to here successfully yet. I have never been to this glorious city, but one day I hope to go. They are having good weather, thankfully, and of course lots to see and do. Just a tad green with envy, but I'm so happy for Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid and RR too. Enjoy!

she is almost a has been

 Jean Smart plays an aging comedian based in Las Vegas in Hacks on HBO Max. My writing partner this week (Will) reminded me that this program had excellent reviews when it first appeared and I had forgotten all about it. Well, I made up for this last night watching four wonderful half hour episodes. And Season 2 has already been scheduled. Hooray! 

on my LindaKindle 4

 Some weeks I have an audio book, a paperback and a kindle book going. This when I don't read as fast as I used to. Something to Hide by Elizabeth George is her latest and it is fascinating. She has done a lot of research and like some of us, she is not exactly young anymore. So good for her! Oh, this mystery is on my Kindle, which I love so much.

the grove and the bowl

 We widows had a Valentine lunch celebration yesterday outside in Pat's Grove ~ quiche, salad, gooey dessert and (of course) coffee. Lovely. Then I rushed home to watch the wrong team win again, but of course I loved the Super Bowl commercials. 

it takes two for tea and cat disciplining

Neighbor Heidi came over yesterday afternoon for a spot of tea and some jigsaw puzzle work. It really was the ideal time to chat and work and nibble. Alas, we spent a bit of time reminding Annabelle that it is not her job to steal puzzle pieces, but still she persists.