across the famous bridge

 Yesterday I met four friends for lunch over in Mill Valley at The Redwoods Community Senior Center. I drove because Waymo doesn't do the bridge and Lyft is rather expensive. Everything worked out perfectly and we all enjoyed ourselves. This is a well run facility, but you know I was happy to get back to my little home in Bernal Heights.

preparing for September, 2026

 Yesterday I spent an hour or two selecting my seats for next year in Ashland. Prices have gone up, no surprise there. My friend John is already talking "which restaurants?" and you know I'm on board there. If everything works out, the daughter of a friend will be in the cast and that will be extra wonderful.

a thousand year old poem

‘Tis a fearful thing

to love what death can touch.

A fearful thing

to love, to hope, to dream, to be –

to be,

And oh, to lose.

A thing for fools, this,

And a holy thing,

a holy thing

to love.

For your life has lived in me,

your laugh once lifted me,

your word was gift to me.

To remember this brings painful joy.

‘Tis a human thing, love,

a holy thing, to love

what death has touched.

— Yehuda Halevi
(With thanks to Ginger's sister, Amy, for sending this beautiful poem. So true. )

more Thanksgiving in photos and words

 Grandson Luke read this to keep us all on track for why we were gathered on this day:

"Thankfulness finds the full measure in generosity of presence, both through participation and witness. We sit at the table as part of every other person's world while making our own world without will or effort, this is what is extraordinary and gifted, this is the essence of gratefulness. Thanksgiving happens when our sense of presence meets all other presences."

~ David Whyte

if it takes forever I will wait for you

 Oh, my. Three exhausted older folks headed over to the Berkeley Art Museum to see the 1964 movie The Umbrellas of Cherbourg last night. First a bit of Chinese food before this French film. Doug and Barb were kind enough to include me in this outing which we all frankly thought about canceling and thank god we didn't. This is really an opera with nice big subtitles and so many beautiful colors and yes, dated, but in a good way. What a wonderful experience and I'm not one of those people who love old movies, but this is not to be missed, especially on the big screen. And now Annabelle is sick of me singing the title song...

Bay Bridge and beyond...

 Sister Jane and Melinda expressed an interest in Oakland and "the other bridge" so the Blogmaid was kind enough to drive us all over to Jack London Square where we had an unexpectedly good lunch at the Oakland Grill in the heart of the produce market there. All closed yesterday so the restaurant was almost empty, but surprisingly good food and a nice atmosphere. Then back home to chat with my next door neighbor, Cristina, who had one of my wine glasses that somehow strayed over there on Thanksgiving. Such a great photo of her, thanks to the Blogmaid. And also this last sister pic that I think captures both our bloodlines and our mutual enjoyment and appreciation of each other. Sis and Melinda are safely back in Maryland now. I already miss my sis ~ another really nice time. I am so lucky.

16 people, two tables and one dog

 A very happy day as we ate tons of food and laughed and talked and teased and were and are filled with gratitude for so much. The grand daughters did all the cooking and the dishes were miraculously washed and dried and I was sound asleep at 9pm. Today is for Sister Jane who (sadly) leaves tonight.

the tables are set

 Ceci, Zak and turkey will arrive at 7am from Nevada City this morning I look forward to a warm and happy day with a side of chaos. Fun, full report tomorrow. Thankful to and for so many and wishing everyone a lovely Thanksgiving.

Tunnel Tops and Mexican food

 The top photo is from Mel and Jane's all-day Monday walking tour. Cute, no? Yesterday we hopped in a Waymo to The Presidio for some walking and history and we were lucky that the GG Bridge was visible in the bottom photo here. We had a tasty lunch at Colibri and then the tourists took off for Ferry Plaza and I came home to pre-plan for tomorrow. So lucky with weather this year!

let's go DOWNTOWN

 Melinda and Sister Jane had a busy day walking and taking public transportation (!) on a tour of SF and then they met me at John's Grill for delicious steaks and happy conversation. Today I will be a half-assed tour director and I will get them into a WAYMO just for the fun of it. Yesterday a tourist (I guess) took my photo in a driverless taxi, but he couldn't really see me as the windows are darkened. So 2025.

Sister Jane and Melinda and hooray!

 The Two from Maryland had a smooth, early flight and although SFO is a tad confusing the Blogmaid and I met them and got them safely to Bernal Heights for lunch at the Precita Park Cafe (top photo). They are staying at the Mark Hopkins and will "do" a city tour today and I will meet them for dinner tonight. It is the beginning of a totally wonderful week. We have lots of fun catch-up and by now Sis knows SF very well and this is Mel's first visit and they will have a blast, as will I. 

our quiet Saturday

Beautiful flowers arrived from my step, Nancy, and they will still be fresh for Thanksgiving. Sister Jane and her friend, Melinda, are now on their airplane from Baltimore and the Blogmaid and I will pick them up in a few hours at SFO. Non-stop enjoyment will ensue for the next week. Talk about thankful!

 

The Dead Fish with lively friends

 This is a huge restaurant and my first visit thanks to Doug and Barb yesterday.  The Dead Fish is right off the highway in Crockett and it sits almost on top of the Bay (first photo). I loved the Basa, a delicate white fish and we shared fried artichoke, salad, bread ~ wayyyyyy too much great food. There were warm heaters and we sat out on the patio. So wonderful. Afterwards we drove a bit to see the little towns of Crockett and Port Costa ~ a whole different world about 30 minutes from SF. Delightful day for sure.

it's brisk in Frisco

 I bundled up for a walk in the nabe yesterday afternoon. Cold, clean air. Lovely. Handy Jan worked for a while on some home projects ~ how lucky I am to have her in my life. Nothing too big or too small to ask of her. And today Doug and Barb will deliver folding chairs for the event next week, aka Thanksgiving. Our reward will be lunch and I already know that this will be another fine day.