Japantown Rainbow Coalition

 Amy and I were surprised and delighted by this happy celebration in Japantown yesterday. We were unclear on the concept of Japanese German Shepard dogs, or maybe this guy was just a dog walker or who knows? San Francisco is a strange and wonderful city. Lovely weather too!

dark humor, great drama

 I've been staying up past my well regulated early bedtime in order to watch this most wonderful new series on the Flix®.  DEPT. Q works on cold cases in Edinburgh, Scotland. The three detectives are flawed, brilliant and well worth my tv time. Gritty? Oh, yes indeed.

bones and flowers

The whimsy of my neighbors often makes the steepest of hill-walking a pleasure. This old guy is new in my hood  and we can see that he appreciates the warm afternoon sunshine and our clean, clear air.

 

sort of catching up

 For some reason I'm a better reader in parks and coffee shops than I am at home where I can always find some silly task to distract me. I'm currently reading the April New Yorkers and yesterday I read a fascinating piece by and about Joan Didion. They are publishing her "Notes to John" soon and I think I will avoid the book which is probably an invasion of her private thoughts to her husband. But who knows?  I also guess that this could be depressing. Ms. Didion was, however, a wonderful writer. No question about that. She jotted down these "notes" after her therapy sessions. 

Flix® and moral intrigue

 Well, well, well. Here we have a six-part Danish mystery thriller that shows what might lie beneath the perfect world of wealth and privilege in a Copenhagen suburb. Secrets We Keep tells the story of a missing Filipina au pair and yes, this is an intriguing series for sure.

this treat on Sunday

 I decided to walk to BART via 24th Street on my way to the theatre on Sunday. Carnaval! A yearly celebration of Latin American, Caribbean and AfroMundo cultures. The streets were already lined with chairs and people at 10am and everyone was happy and welcoming. Music, food and oh so colorful. 

my favorite play of 2025 (so far)

 I saw this play years ago and also read the book, but of course I didn't remember a lot of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time so yesterday was a treat in a sold-out performance at the San Francisco Playhouse. Neti enjoyed it too and I urge you to see this if you possibly can. Through June 21st and so well acted and directed. A surprising final scene, so stay until the lights go back on.

Susan in Salesforce Park

Susan lives in Davis and she had not even heard of Salesforce Park in downtown SF, and I had not been here for awhile either, so of course we had a lovely time. I wish it had a few good restaurants, but we got by with pizza and salad and that was fine. All the plants and trees and greenery ~ so lush and beautiful and juxtaposed with (to?) all the dramatically tall buildings, lordy, it is just a really spectacular spot. Yes, one fine day filled with chit chat and cleansing laughter.

 

Vive La Tarte

 We DO bakeries here in SF. Someone, somewhere suggested that I try Vive La Tarte on 24th Street and since I needed a reward for trying to be a good woman and running errands yesterday ~ well, I totally enjoyed a latte, croissant and a read in the New Yorker out in the sun/shade as I watched all the dogs and people parade by. Such a treat to live in this crazy city. And, hey, fog this morning. Welcome, Karl.

this is not for my intellectual friends

 Sirens is such fun and a good way to escape the state of our country. I follow Kevin Bacon on Instagram and he has this great outlook on life and totally enjoys his wife and kids and animals, etc. In any event, I also really like Julianne Moore so I was eager to start this "dark comedy" last night. You might be disappointed, but I was not. There are only five episodes. Drat. Pray for Season 2. Netflix.

the Jewel sparkled

 A lovely day by the Bay yesterday, but a poor game for Giants fans. Amy and I enjoyed our Tony's pizza and chatted before and during the game. Despite the loss we are already discussing our next baseball game  and hope for sunshine again. The cool breezes helped everyone, especially the Kansas City Royals.

off to the Jewel

 The NEW ballpark is now 25 years old and how did that happen? I remember the first Opening Day there like it was yesterday. Well, better, but that's another story. I'm still learning names of the 2025 Giants and just learned that we have the best bullpen in the major leagues. Well, that's a relief. I'm meeting Amy at the Willie Mays statue at Oracle Park at noon but I will stop first at Safeway for some peanuts and cracker jacks, sunscreen and lots of water. 

a read in the park

We are having gorgeous weather here and I took my LindaKindle4 for a walk and then a sit down in Precita Park and I just might do the same today. We shall see. Before She Was Helen is a lightweight mystery and that is fine with me currently. 

 

podcast world

 Even though I love my Apple ear bud things I don't have them in all day and I don't walk and listen to words or music. I have classical music as a background when I write every morning in front of the fireplace. But yesterday I listened to Julia Louis-Dreyfus because I have always liked her so much and this Wiser Than Me podcast was recommended by Jen with 2 dogs. I totally enjoyed this podcast as Julia interviewed Diane von Furstenberg the famous fashion designer. Excellence. There will be more...

two favorites

 Dancing Jen and Le Central. What could be better for a Saturday lunch in SF? We celebrated Jen's belated birthday and had a delightful catch-up time and even did a bit of future tripping. Much of the country suffers bad weather but it is clear, sunny and beautiful here. So fortunate. Returned to my quiet, happy home to watch the Giants win and then to NY for SNL. 

based on a true story

 This mini series (4 episodes) is based on the true story of the town Corby in the East Midlands of England. Toxic Town is not easy to watch but I do recommend it because the acting is superb and it's yet another good example of how and why the environment needs to be protected. Netflix.

a woman conductor!

 Amy and I love the freebie working rehearsals at Davies Symphony Hall. They begin at 10am and yesterday the conductor was Dalia Stasevska, a Ukranian-born Finnish musician whose two year old daughter was playing to much applause on stage before the performance. The highlight yesterday was the Sibelius Symphony No. 5. Goose bump inducing!

one stunning Wednesday

 I met Pamela for her belated birthday lunch at Ferry Plaza yesterday and you can see how beautiful it was. We sat outside and talked a lot and more. Then I had a good walk to Trader Joe's downtown and then walked some more with Jen and 2 dogs when I came home. The dogs and the knees were barking...

this surprising city

 The Mission District (where I live) provides lots of colorful art and yesterday I discovered a new "installation" in Lucky Alley. Someone provided the information that Balmy and Lucky were named after famous race horses at the Pioneer Race Course, 1851. My AI Co-pilot knows nothing about this. I have posted about Balmy Alley before and will return soon for an update now that the weather is nice and my arthritis is saying, "just get out and walk, woman." And so I do.

back to the Alamo

 Yesterday I met Terri at the Alamo because several people had recommended Sinners, produced and directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan. It's called a "black musical horror movie" and indeed the sound track was fabulous. Southern gothic vampires, all set in 1932 when the KKK was supposed to be gone forever. Haha. I loved the dance/party scenes ~ Terri and I avoided some of the bloody business by staring at our laps. But yes, I'm so glad I saw this spectacular movie on the big screen.