BBC on Prime

 Well, who does not love British detective dramas? GONE is very good ~ six episodes, four of which you can watch now. Cat and mouse with a murder and lots of fun family stuff. Thanks to the Blogmaid for recommending this one!

back to the Blue Plate

It was warm enough to dine outside last night at the Blue Plate. Well, coats and sweaters were needed, but still, such a lovely setting. Rob, Heidi, Doug, Barb and your blogger ~ still celebrating Rob's birthday. An added bonus ~ we could all walk to/fro our homes. A really special evening for sure. 
 

new art on the Great Highway

Heidi and I admired this on Saturday and here are some relevant details:

 "Unsafe to Swim" is a shark-fin-shaped public art installation by artist Oleg Lobykin located at the Southwest Lincoln Entrance of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, near Ocean Beach. The surface of the fin is embedded with recycled aluminum cans to highlight the dangers of ocean pollution. 

Artwork Details

Artist: Oleg Lobykin
Location: Southwest Lincoln Entrance (Great Highway & Lincoln Way), Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Unveiling Date: July 22, 2026
Partners: Big Art Loop, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and Building 180 

and now you can see us!

 Over there, on the left, outer rim of circle. I'm in the pink cap and Heidi is wearing the faded purple. Ice is Evil. That flag is huge and needs a whole bunch of people to lift and spin it slowly. Human Banner reports that there were 708 of us and that the next event will probably be for a future No Kings protest. No date as yet. Don't Look Away.

Sunday on the Embarcadero

 Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid kindly included me in their adventure to the Ferry Building yesterday. SF was a bit messy thanks to the Marathon, but we made it in time for lunch at Gott's and then to Book Passage for an author event, a friend and neighbor of the Blogmaid Family. Callisto Lodwick and her first novel. The top photo is a brand new and very cool mermaid next door to the Ferry Building. It was adorned and appreciated by the Blogmaid yesterday. A very nice SF day. 

a banner Saturday

 I wore my protest tee shirt and Ice Out button yesterday when Heidi and I joined the folks down at Ocean Beach for our first Human Banner. It was all very well organized and fun and we had sunshine (!) and sang protest songs. This Land is Your/My Land, etc. We gathered at 11:30 and we were home by 1:30 ~ that's how well they do this now. A drone captured the scene and I will show you how it all turned out when those images are available.

Emma's Room update

 My second tenant, Laura, will be leaving a week from today. Her new grandson, Leo, is doing well ~ one of 13 brand new babies in this little neighborhood. Must be the water. Anyway, having Handy Jan build this bedroom and bath was one of the smartest things I've ever done. The cleaning out of our offices was one of the worst chores EVER, but now, well worth it. Housing in SF is so limited and I already have some prospects for tenant #3. Applause, please.

we must also accept joy

 This was the sunrise that I was privileged to see often when I opened the Big Box Borders store downtown. And here is a poem that I have not read before. Mary Oliver is having a resurgence, maybe because we are constantly worrying about the madman dictator in the White House. Ms. Oliver (now deceased) reminds us that all is never lost. My friend Karen (from our bookclub) gave a eulogy recently for her beloved sister and concluded with this much needed poem. 

Don't Hesitate by Mary Oliver:

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

Don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this

is its way of fighting back, that sometimes

something happens better than all the riches

or power in the world. It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant

when love begins. Anyway, that's often the case.

Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid

of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

big bash birthday party

It was neighbor Rob's special day and Heidi gave him a lovely celebration with both of their sons and their girl friends in attendance, plus Roxie's parents visiting from Lompoc. Lots of good food and conversation until (for me) the wee small hours of 9pm. Again, so grateful to be included.
 

the house on York Street

 Remember when I used to take the bus out for my museum job? Well, I passed this colorful house every time and I'm sure I posted about it. Anyway, it's a tribute to local Mission District rock musicians and now the city is going to give it some sort of Landmark Status and the owner (who has lived in this house forever) is ecstatic. Not everyone loves this wild house, but I do. 

more for LindaKindle 4

 We can't go wrong with Elizabeth Strout or John Grisham. Summer reading in the fog. 

one l-o-n-g soccer match

 Above ~ the house across the street. Rooting for Spain. Who knew? I had the television on for the Fifa finale yesterday as I was taking care of a few house tasks. And wouldn't you know it? I missed the ONE goal. I will never be a REAL fan, but that's OK, it is a fun game for millions around the world. And the good and visible sportsmanship with all the rivals hugging after the game. Back to baseball...

best and bravest girlfriends

 Well, this is more ME and a good remedy for whatever might ail anyone, even Laura Ingalls Wilder. Ride or Die stars Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) and Olivia Spencer (The Help) and is a lot of fun as well as some blood (mostly bad guys) along the way. A lot of fun scenes in London. Also great to see Bill Nighy again as the M16 (?) Director. This is called a Spy Thriller, but it's way more. On Prime. 

mani/pedi with Miso

 I tried a new nail salon in the neighborhood and despite some minor language difficulties, I was pleased with the results. Of course I really loved having this sweet lap dog hounding me. This place is within walking distance and that is a plus. Success. I will return.

the local news

 This was horrible, and unusual. The SF Bay is usually calm and boat accidents are rare. And this was a 49 foot cabin cruiser with three decks that capsized and sank quickly last Tuesday afternoon. Local boaters and fishermen and the Coast Guard rushed to help but it seems like 4 died while 17 were rescued. Such a tragedy for the passengers who were scattering aches and honoring someone who had passed away.

toe box talk

 I bought new dress shoes yesterday. Yes, I'm hooked on Hoka. I have tried other shoes, but this brand remains my favorite. And I always enjoy a trip to Sports Basement, such a fun and funky store. The shoes on the right are worn out and those on the left brand new. Updated and very fashionable, right?

and guess what?

 I started watching Little House on the Prairie just to make fun of it to the Blogmaid who is SUCH a fan. Well, I really like it and the plot moves right along with some good acting, especially from the kids. So I'm hooked and worried about the weather, the Osages, Mr. Edwards, Caleb and Jack, the dog. The Flix®.

Imperial Tea Court

 I met Pamela and Joe for lunch yesterday down at Ferry Plaza and we had a nice long session with jasmine tea and assorted "now what is this?" dumplings. There was a lot of catch-up conversation and much needed laughter. 

sweet goodbyes

 Heidi and Rob were wonderful to host a goodbye/good luck dinner for granddaughter Sam and her Luke last night. Doug and Barb were there to help ease the sadness and everything was very nice and we laughed and tried not to cry. I am so glad that I got to know this g.dot so well ~ fortune smiled on me.

not so Grand Old Party

 First Mitch McConnell, now Lindsey Graham. Two old white Trump lapdogs are no longer with us. Yes, we need new, energetic young people of all colors to lead our nation back to Democracy.