San Francisco: Part Two

The first night in SF, we went to North Beach for Italian food and tried this restaurant - Rose Pistola - named after a woman who apparently ran a "colorful" bar/restaurant there many years ago. I would give it a "6" - fun atmosphere but the food was not so memorable.
A few pictures of the area follow: first one is of an Italian pottery store. I could have just bought the store. Second pic is a street scene, complete with pole in the center of the picture. Edgy, huh? Next we have Mona Lisa #3. I wonder where one and two are? And lastly, an important part of the night: dessert. We sat at an outdoor cafe and people-watched. J. had his customary cannoli, and I had an anisette cookie (they remind me of my Dad and I eating anisette biscotti by Stella D'ori for breakfast when I was knee-high to a grasshopper).

San Francisco: Part One

Last weekend for J's birthday we hopped in the car and drove, yes drove, to San Francisco. It was a fun adventure. The way there takes you through farm land and we passed tons of trucks loaded with tomatoes, onions, and nuts (the eating kind, I'm not sure about the drivers). We left at about 9:30 a.m. and got there around 5:30 p.m. - not horrible, but still a pretty long drive. This bridge is the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (pics to follow of the Golden Gate, another day). We stayed at the Kensington Park Hotel. It was comfy, clean, and a good home base. Farther down is a pic of the hand painted lobby ceiling. The building is turn of the century, and they have a playhouse on the 3rd floor which looked interesting. The elevator has a bench in it, or was it a fainting couch? When we arrived, tea and sherry was being served so I slorped a glass of straight sherry to help me unwind from the drive. :-) By the way, that fainting couch link takes you to someone's photo collection - all of which I adore.

So Many Good Wishes

These Casablanca lilies are the well wishes of our thoughtful neighbors and the orchids are from a dear friend of nearly two decades. And amidst the loveliness, this beautiful picture of Oreo looking down on the remembrances.
In addition to these, there were so many wonderful emails, calls, and cards. He touched many lives and will be remembered always.

A Cherished Soul Celebrated

On Thursday, June 28^th, just before noon my beloved Oreo left this Earth to rise, I like to think, to a higher plane, to a place where there is only love and peace and comfort and happiness. Of course no one knows what lies beyond, but I hope when I take this step that I will open my eyes to the soft, furry face of my dearest friend.
For the past 15 years, we shared an unconditional bond of love. He was always looking for me, and I for him; it was just what we wanted to do, it came naturally. And over my years of living without a “human,” I never felt alone because Oreo was there, his watchful golden eyes following me to and fro – my brown eyes following him – the perfect give and take. His presence was so large, so confident, so incredibly protective. We were best friends, lifelong companions, mother and son maybe. We were two souls joined in a quiet bond, though we spoke volumes to each other. Most nights he would spend some time laying on my chest, his gaze fixed on me, and we would talk, often it was just me thanking him for choosing me.
They say animals choose their owners, especially cats, and how true a statement. When I moved to California in 1993, Oreo was living in Ocean Beach, on his own. His family had moved leaving something precious behind (I thank them for this), undoubtedly because something better lay ahead. I remember seeing him the first time in the neighborhood and thinking how beautiful and charming he was. His little swagger, his big personality, combined with a softness and loving nature that was undeniable. He had been living outside for over a year, with some of the neighbors feeding him. But I let them know he was now a formal part of my family and that they could forgo their duties, that he was well cared for now. And care for him I did, happily, gratefully, like a doting mother, for all these cherished years.
There are so many memories I could write about, so many tender memories. I may share some as the sharpness of his passing softens. But I wanted to post this to let anyone know who may want to know that Oreo has taken his step, and that he is at peace. He will be dearly missed by many, and mostly by me, a person who believes she will see him again. This photo was taken of us by my good friend Sherri.

Economy of Motion

So, is anyone out there finding themselves becoming more methodical? Like, do you get up and feel compelled to go through your motions? These days I get up, make the bed, do any dishes, straighten the living room, and generally get my surroundings in order before I begin working. Even regular tasks, like doing laundry or putting similar things together in the same place, have become more of a habit. OCD or a subconscious preparation for the golden years? Maturity maybe? Just getting organized? Not sure, so I Googled the term Economy of Motion, and this is what I found:

"The founder of Wing Chun is believed to have been a middle aged woman defending herself against more powerful opponents. It was not in her interest to engage in a prolonged conflict. Her opponent's stamina would triumph over hers. It was not in her interest to execute unnecessary moves. Why block then strike if a strike can also block at the same time? The longer a struggle lasts, the more chance there is of exposure to an opponent's lucky hit. Time and limited physical expenditure is of the essence. Wing Chun seeks to incapacitate an opponent as quickly as possible with as few movements as possible. A strike that blocks is better than a block and a strike. A hand that is contacting an opponent is more efficient than withdrawing a hand to strike a second time. In Wing Chun, one movement or positioning serves more than one purpose. There are always multiple options depending on the situation."

How thought-provoking! I like the whole idea of conserving your energy for other things, or rather not expending your energy on useless things. This approach could be applied to life. Vehhh-rrrrry in-ter-esting. And I couldn't find a good pic of that German from Laugh-In. :-)

Glorious Weather

Today is a beautiful day outside. And as my friend and fellow blogger at Foziewisp has done, I too shall escape the confines of work and take the digital camera for a spin 'round the yard. Ah, the joys of working from home (when you're not procrastinating yourself into a tizzy).
I just filmed a short video of my kitty cat whilst he groomed al fresco, after a meal of pureed wild salmon and chicken. From my kitchen to his kitty belly. He is getting only the best of care during these very important and cherished days.
There has also been some incredible growth in the Cleveland sage department. I thought I was cursed because I could never get one to grow. The curse has been indeed lifted and it is flourishing. Yay for sage.

Once in a Blue Moon

So, what do you do when a deadline is crushing down and every minute counts? You mean you don't stop to update your blog with last night's Blue Moon pictures? Aw, what a lightweight! I simply must get away from my writing for a second and this is just the thing. Now, the tripod I sold for $5 in the garage sale (worth oh-so-much-more) would have come in real handy since I apparently have the jitters, or it's the earth moving, or something. I vaguely remember the gargantuan tracking telescope we used in Mr. Kowalski's Astronomy class at Edison Community College. Something about we're moving, it's not, and you get blurred pictures because of this. One turned out pretty clear but the others are iffy, but still interesting.

The one with the tail is probably something some astronomy geek could explain. Any geeks out there that care to offer some input on the tail? I left the last really blurry one because it shows the tail also. Kinda neat. The last blue moon in California was on July 31, 2004. After tonight's, the next one will be on Dec. 31, 2009. Long time to wait.

In other Blue Moon news, in Cadiz, KY, at the newly renovated Lake Barkley State Resort Park, they hosted the first Kentucky Blue Moon Celebration - guess it ended this morning. They take their blue moons seriously!

Wild Parrots on Mother's Day

If you look closely near the top of the tree in the center of the leaves, you will see a parrot staring out at you. He came to the Mother's Day celebration we had and was quite the hit. As he flew away James said, "hey, I paid for a full hour!" It was pretty funny. We were all lined up in the yard watching him - and his cohort. There were two! They just flew in squaking, hung out for a bit, then took off. Pretty neat.
This second picture shows our new outdoor furniture. Yay!

Eyes on the Prize

Many Saturdays involve a trip to a coffee spot called the Brickyard. We load Saylor in the back of my Jetta wagon and off we go. It's dog-friendly and they have good cinammon rolls and decaf coffee (now that I'm off the leaded stuff). In this picture, Saylor is putting the Vulcan (Labradorian) Mind Meld on the roll. You will come to me. You will!

Being Thankful for My Life

For probably close to a year now, before I go to sleep I say a prayer that begins with, "Dear God, thank you for my life." It goes on from there. I should clarify that as a Catholic in my younger years, and more of a naturalist for lack of a better term to describe my spiritual self now, I feel a reverence and respect for a higher power. Sometimes I really feel that God is watching over me; the traditional God. Other times I feel that I'm in the flow of the universe and that the good thoughts I put out there affect what comes back. Lately, I've been focused on gratitude in its many forms. I found these quotes which I share below:

Melodie Beattie:

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Albert Schweitzer:

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer:

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.

Eric Hoffer:

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.

H. U. Westermayer:

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

Henry Ward Beecher:

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

John F. Kennedy:

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Leroy [Satchel] Paige:

[D]on't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.

New York Post, October 4, 1959

Marcel Proust:

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Margaret Cousins:

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

William James:

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.

Enough Already

More than 300,000 seals will be cruelly killed (clubbed to death) this year. 98% of the seals killed in the past 2 years were between 2 weeks and 3 months old.
Some seals are killed with a blow to the head using a wooden club or hakapik. The sealers stun as many baby seals as they can before going back to kill them. Some seals try to get away, but they are clumsy on the ice, heaving their fat little bodies with an uncoordinated flipper shuffle. Other seals are shot from a distance and then dragged from the ice onto boats using steel hooks.

The IFAW is trying to put an end to this insanity. They have led the fight to stop the cruel slaughter of seal pups since the 1960's, resulting in the import ban of newborn whitecoat seal pelts in 1985. Today, they have offices in 15 countries - they are the world's leading animal welfare organization fighting to save seals both on the ice and through vital scientific and market research.
If you go to the IFAW site, you can click the button that says Take Action and fill in a few fields of information to send a letter to Canada's prime minister, apparently the person who can make this nightmare go away. Why not do it now? Here's the link.

Favorite Recent Photos

The first photo is of an orchid tree in the park across from the Brickyard coffee house. The second one is of a vase of rununculus I had on the dining room table. I'm in love with my camera--a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7.

Baked Pasta w/Roasted Vegetables

One of J's favorite meals is baked pasta. I made this dish recently when our friends Doug and DeDe from Tallahassee came to dinner. I had not seen them in 14 years, and James actually was just meeting them for the first time. It was a really fun night. So, here's how you make it:
First roast the vegetables. I used portabello mushroom, red onion, red pepper, scallions, and asparagus. Just lay the veggies on a baking sheet and cover with a mixture of 3 tablespoons lemon juice,3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Season with sea salt, herbs de provence, lemon pepper, and a sprig of fresh thyme. Roast the concoction at about 300 degrees for an hour.
Next, mix it all up: once the veggies are roasted (and your house is smelling great!), mix them in with the cooked pasta (enough to serve however many folks are eating!). Add about 4 ounces of goat cheese broken up and mixed into the pasta. Cut up fresh mozzarella and mix half of it in with the pasta and reserve half to lay across the top once everything is combined. Mix in a can or good marinara sauce. Sorry I'm not providing quantities, but it really depends on how much you are making. Glad I don't write recipes for a living! To add some juiciness, add about a 1/2 cup of half and half. Mix everything together well, then lay the second half of your mozzarella across the top.
Last, it's time to bake: In it goes for about 30 minutes on 350 degrees or until you see that the top layer of mozzarella is nice and melted on top. That's it! I served this with a green olive foccacia bread and an arugula salad and it was a hit.