this amazing life

 Well yesterday started at 11am when sister Carole (on my biological mother's side) met us at the Quality Inn for the first time ever. We liked her at once, meaning she passed the strict and often fatal Blogmaid and Blogger test ~ lucky Carole! Then sister Jane (whom we have loved for three plus years) joined us and we all learned about Mother Catherine, or tried to. This woman told no one about me, what a burden she carried. Women back then ~ well, we know from reading about their lives dominated by men and society, but hey, not today, Ms. Stein, let's DO the blog. So we four had a fine lunch at Rumsey Tavern (cool place) and then the photo sessions, thanks Blogmaid. Carole and Jane tried to figure out how my parents met, leaving us with so many unanswered questions. After lunch the Blogmaid drove (bless her!) to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Carole's parents are buried and we paid our respects to Mother and gave her a little  plant to thank her for all she endured. I learned so much yesterday, almost too much to comprehend. Carole was open and forthright and painted a picture of our mother that I won't soon forget. She was a good mother who smoked and read fiction a lot and did not care about how she looked. What a day. OK, the 4th picture should be on the bottom but after blogging for decades I still can't figure out how to move it. This was our dinner from the Food Lion across the street as we watched SNL on the Blogmaid's computer. So much we learn so late, etc. We were both exhausted and I bet Carole was too. What a day! (Oh, p.s., lovely sunshine and blue skies all day. Yay.)

The Maryland Campaign

 Such a full Sunday. First breakfast at the Red Byrd where I met my two brothers (Bill and Dan) on my father's side for the first time. So much to talk about. Then, Antietam. We are in the heart of Civil War country and the bloodiest one day battle took place here in 1862. The Blogmaid has researched this so she filled me in as Jane kindly drove us to see where all this horror took place. And these great photos are mostly due to the Blogmaid's talent and expertise. The National Park Service does a fine job of honoring the fallen with monuments and cemeteries  ~ majestic views of the stunning countryside mixed with vivid reporting of the activity on the battlefields. Then dinner with nephew Tanner, Jane and her friends Karen and Melinda at the Press Room in Shepherdstown. (And let us not downplay the Potomac River which is so important to this entire region.) Quite a day. Gratitude to all!

Quality sleep, decent in-room coffee

 Some photos from yesterday. VERY pretty country with lots of green, lovely old homes and then the unexpected delight of the small towns. The bottom photo is where we had dinner ~ I mean, wouldn't you? The Blue Moon Cafe. You can also see the Blogmaid in front of The Little House in Shepherdstown. I did not plan on GREAT sleep here at the Quality Inn, but that is what I received last night. Yay! This morning we meet relatives on my biological father's side ~ tomorrow on the mother's. How exciting is this? And, once again I am missing the SF heat wave, as I did when in Ashland. This is all so delightful.

SFO to Shepherdstown, W. VA

 The Blogmaid picked me up at 3:30am this morning and now we are in Shepherdstown at the Quality Inn. A long day but a smooth uncrowded fight, then a rental car and a drive here. This is such beautiful country and the town is so charming. Photos and more news tomorrow but I did want to report in. Thanks to the Blogmaid for all the planning and heavy lifting. Early to bed now. Zzzzzzzzz.

let's get packing

This isn't really my suitcase, but you get the idea. Travel used to be so easy. I do like the packing cubes and on this trip the Blogmaid has extra space so everything will work out just fine. She will pick me up at 4:30am tomorrow morning. We will sleep on the plane and in Maryland and when we get home in a week.Am I ready for an adventure? Well, almost. 

we finally agree ~ no data centers

 

“Clinton, Iowa, is topographically flat and economically declining. The sawmills that made the city rich in the late 19th century have been repurposed as a museum. One of the Victorian mansions long since abandoned by the old lumber barons is open for tours, but tourists are scarce. Clinton has shrunk to about 24,000 people, and the town center, along the Mississippi River, feels nearly empty. On the west side, miles of deep-green corn and soy fields are crisscrossed with transmission wires and zoned for heavy industrial use. The city’s economic activity includes corn processing, pet-food production, and methamphetamines. With available land and a dire need for investment, Clinton seems like the perfect place for a gigantic data center.” Well, it seemed perfect to everyone except Clintonians. Instead, the town of Clinton is the latest site where one of the most quickly formed and widely supported partyline-crossing political movements is taking place. “The meteoric emergence of the data-center rebellion is a response to the speed and scale of construction, which in turn reflect the sudden ubiquity of generative and agentic AI. President Trump’s policy has been to turn everything about the technology, including data-center construction, over to private industry ... But on this issue, most of Trump’s base remains angry and opposed to him.” A local newspaper editor described the way the issue has formed unlikely partnerships. “Outside of this, there’s no way in hell these people are talking to each other.”

THANKS TO NEXTDRAFT by Dave Pell for this article which I "borrowed".

summer has arrived

 I went over to the Chase Center yesterday to soak up some Valkyrie vibes and then treated myself to lunch at the good old Ramp. Most of the lunch crowd had gone by the time I got there and I almost had the place to myself. So many memories, including Husbando's memorial here 8 years ago. 

SF has turned purple

 Our women's basketball team, theValkyries, are in the playoffs. Hooray. They are such fun to watch. Here is a photo of Terri at the game Sunday night with the Go Valks banner that she quilted. So nice having talented friends. Next game, tomorrow night. 

the smart way across the Bay

 Heidi and I hopped on the ferry to Larkspur yesterday where we met Shelley who kindly drove us to lunch and then to this GREAT movie about James McNeill Whistler. So interesting to learn about this American artist who was so prolific and a bit of a showman. Ridership on our ferry systems has increased dramatically now that gas is so very expensive. 

and a touch of France

 I met John and Mary (of Ashland fame) for dinner last night at Le Central. Traffic in the city was rough, but once we were settled in we had a lovely time with great food, as usual. I'm now pre-packing for our adventure in Maryland next week ~ very exciting.

the 50/50 Show

 Thanks to Terri for planning and driving us to the Sanchez Art Gallery in Pacifica yesterday. Here we have 50 artists with 50 small works each and all created in 50 days. Amazing really. I was tempted to buy a couple of delightful pieces but managed to restrain myself. AND, sunshine!

getting stuff done

 It's still so satisfying to cross off all the mundane details on my To Do List. The Blogmaid and I leave for Maryland a week from tomorrow and I'm still recovering from Ashland and  then swimming 5000 laps (joke) up in Davis last weekend. My devoted cat Annabelle begs for lap time and what's a woman to do?

and more treasures

 

Well, obviously the middle two photos are not part of the Egyptian Pharaoh exhibit at the deYoung where I met Neti yesterday for a very fine and thorough visit yesterday. They have done a beautiful job with these ancient artifacts that have held up so beautifully for so long. A very good day.

assorted needles

 I started the day with acupuncture and then hit Kaiser in the afternoon for the flu and Covid vaccines. So not a very exciting Tuesday, but my body thanks me. There is a promise of sunshine today, but so far the usual morning fog. 

all things Italian

 Of course you remember Cristina, my neighbor who is currently in Italy, and shown here with her mama on the left. Well, my next tenant, Lorenzo, is a young Italian orthopedic surgeon who will move into Emma's Room on Oct. 9th for a month. He came over to visit on Sunday, bringing Italian espresso and he is already in love with SF and I urged him to visit North Beach to visit his country men and women. A very nice guy ~ yes, fortune smiles on me once again. 

sunshine and luxury

 Susan's home in Davis was much like a 5 Star resort stay for me as she cooked three healthy meals a day and I swam and enjoyed the warm weather and total relaxation. Our early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedules meshed perfectly and we talked non-stop about everything and nothing. Driver Caesar took me to/fro and yes, I could easily get used to luxury living. Fogged in here with fireplace and cat this morning and that works just fine too. 

going swimming

 This morning I'm heading to Davis to visit my friend Susan ~ leaving the fog for some warm weather and I know that you are admiring my swim cap, as well you should. I'm not taking my MsBook Air so we all get a day or two off. See you Monday morning with a glowing report, or so I hope.

and from Australia...

 Thanks to Terri for recommending The Airport Chaplain on the Flix®. This warm and touching series features Hugo Weaving as the busy religious guy who handles all sorts of airport emergencies in unusual ways. I am hooked. I love the diversity of the employees and  the travelers from all over the world.  

my recliner, my tv

 So pleased to welcome back Slow Horses last night. Then some Widow's Bay and all was a-ok after a rather lazy get-sort-of-organized-recovery Tuesday. Cozy fireplace this morning and more catch-up today and tomorrow. Do not underestimate contentment.

home to the Emmy's

 My plane was delayed yesterday so I barely made it home in time to catch this star-studded show and of course Annabelle was beside herself: first with disdain and then with love. So glad I missed the HEAT wave and so thankful to be back where I belong for a few days. Heading up to Davis on Friday and will fill you in after I do 14 loads of laundry.