the joy, the sorrow

I'm still recovering from the 2025 World Series, maybe the most exciting ever. I loved every inning, I wanted the Jays to win. I would not have missed it for the world. Congrats to the damn Dodgers.

 “Baseball is but a game, glitter on dirt. It is three outs and four bases and nine innings (sometimes 18) and a bunch of millionaires grunting on your TV screen. It is a nice summer day, a hot dog and a few cold ones. It’s an expensive jersey that you didn’t need but bought anyway. And it is all, compared to the realities of life, completely trivial. It’s a beautiful distraction. Neither the actions nor the outcomes actually matter. In other words: It’s all only as important and as meaningful as it makes us feel. And on Saturday, this heavenly, cruel, perfectly imperfect sport sent any and all who interacted with World Series Game 7 through every emotion the human experience has to offer. Fans from Saskatchewan to Southern California, from Toronto to Tokyo, were held captive by the game’s wondrous, tortuous, addictive power. It was, in every way, the best baseball has to offer.” Game 7 took fans everywhere in an off-the-rails thrill ride.

~ Jake Mintz

Emma Thompson rocks

 I skipped 60 Minutes last night to avoid watching and hearing tRump lie his ass off once again. What a delight to enjoy two episodes of Down Cemetery Road with Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, two favorite actors of mine. Apple tv does it again. Win!

one glorious Saturday

 And all thanks to Dancing Jen. First, lunch at Chao Pescao right next to the Tenderloin Gardens where people were working and enjoying the sunshine. So lovely to catch up with my dear friend. Then we walked over to the Orpheum to see the outstanding production of Suffs. Oh, see this if you possibly can, it was a fabulous production and I was inspired by the music and the message. We owe so much to those brave women who fought for years so women now have the freedom to vote. And then the reminder that the 14th Amendment has never passed. So much work still to do. What a lovely day, I am so grateful.

women in black

 Two witches (Neti and Jeanine) and two spiders (Pat and your blogger) met to celebrate Halloween last night. We had a lovely paella dinner at Pat's home and we kept talking until very late (to me) and so today I scurry a bit and that's OK. Worth it. And behold, it's now November.

Memorial for Lee Brady

 We celebrated on what would have been Lee's 96th birthday yesterday. She was an amazing woman who wrote and acted in plays, had tons of interesting friends and really LIVED. I only knew Lee for a couple of years as she was part of our book club, but I feel so fortunate to have known her. In the top photo we see Lee celebrating her 95th birthday. I will remember her sitting cross legged in a chair remembering all sorts of details in the books we were reading and discussing. What a mind. What an inspiration. The memorial was at the Phoenix Theater on Mason Street ~ and very well done.

Dia de los Muertos

 I was afraid that with all the obnoxious ICE threats and activities that our colorful neighborhood would avoid Day of the Dead celebrations, but thank goodness that is not the case. The top photo is from inside my favorite gift store Luz de Luna and then the next is just one of the many, many altars in restaurants and shops. The parade will be Sunday night and I so hope everyone stays safe in these perilous times.

it all helps

 From the top: a long walk in the nabe with Jen and her two dogs. Sifting through happy memories and then some beautiful flowers from the Blogmaid. Amy and I will have a small, casual memorial for Ginger at a later date. And thanks for loving messages from friends. We are healing.

best friends forever

 I met Ginger back in the 70's and we were besties right from the start. Here is a photo of her in 2016, before Alzheimer's destroyed her. She died Sunday night and even though I expected this and even though I know logically that death is far better than how she was living, I am grieving. RIP my beautiful and funny and brilliant friend. 

just in time

 I have seen this wonderful play several times and it is always so much fun. Noises Off at the SF Playhouse provides the kind of laughter and release that we all need these days. The actors are terrific and I urge you to see this chaotically delightful play. I saw this yesterday afternoon after my house guest left for Palo Alto and yes, a very successful visit. Emma's Room rocks.

an overnight guest

 Susan is in Emma's Room for a night. So far, excellent. After lunch here (I cooked!) we went to the Minnesota Project and roamed around for a colorful afternoon. Dinner last night down at Precita Social and that joint was jumping. So glad they are in the neighborhood. Delicious black cod for Susan and a burger for me. In between all the activities? Talk/talk/talk.

Game One

 Blue Jays 11 ~ Dodgers 4. Lovely pomp and circumstance and the hahahahahaha ad featuring President Reagan to piss off tRump and his tariffs. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. 

a touch of tranquil

 The corner coffee shop (Precita Park Cafe) is sort of the glue that holds our neighborhood together. Often if I don't feel like walking I will lure myself out of my comfy home with the promise of a latte in the sun, or fog. Yesterday the maniac in Washington, DC, called off the troops for now, so my city won't be looking like Nazi Germany. I celebrated at my little cafe. Fingers crossed.

disgusting

 Well, isn't this just so symbolic of tRump's administration? This is NOT his home and to see these photos and videos hurts my heart. Plus he has really tacky taste in my opinion, sort of like the worst part of the 1950's Holiday Inns. Ick.

better and better

 Season 5 of Slow Horses is such a treat.  Last night's episode was rich with glorious irony. Some of my friends are waiting to binge at the end but I can't NOT watch every week. Genius.

the unvarnished truth

 

I need a week of rain

 My LindaKindle4 is packed full of wonderful books to read. I thought that when I retired I would spend all day/every day reading, but that is not the case. Last week I did catch up with my New Yorkers and am almost to October. Yay! The 4th book pictured here by Vindela Vida is for our next book club, so I need to get moving on that one. I'm a little disappointed with The Hallmarked Man (#3) to tell the truth. Too much to read? Ah, such a problem, right?

yes, a VERY good day

 No Kings was a huge success all across the country and of course a BIG day in San Francisco. Our "team" in the second photo was always losing someone as we wandered away to take another picture or to talk with someone we spotted in the crowd. A wonderful feeling that we can do this, we can fight the fascists if we stay strong and positive.

today we gather and protest

 Patriots ~ we exercise our Constitutional Rights today and our event starts at 1:30 down at the Embarcadero and we walk up Market Street to Civic Center. It is always a joyous feeling to know that there are so many of us showing up for Democracy. 

old favorites return

 So very satisfying. Slow Horses is on Apple tv and The Diplomat on Netflix. I think television just gets better and better, don't you?

The Art of Manga

 I appreciate that the deYoung is hoping to attract younger museum goers with this exhibit, but it is not MY kind of art. Still, a fine day with Steve and Barbara from Marin and I acted like a docent (with not much knowledge) and showed them around and then we had overpriced coffee and a sweet in the cafe and talked of many things. These are indeed trying times for those of us who loathe Trump. Sigh.