Pavlov’s Perfume

Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, animal shelter, ARF, Belgian Malinois, California, dogs, Houdini, humor, Jack Russell terrier, memoir, Pavlov, pet, relationshipsLeave a comment

My girlfriend, who shall remain nameless, lest someone recognize her on this page, has a three-time rescue dog like mine. Hers also started out as a voluntary surrender puppy after his owner first lost a home in the Redding fire. Or possibly he was at the Redding shelter and got shipped out to make room… Continue reading Pavlov’s Perfume

How to Relax for Bed

Posted in ASMR, best, California, cleaning, humor, ironing, laundry, memoir, relationships, relaxation, shop owner, vintageLeave a comment

(re-run) I closed my online costume shop last summer. I donated 500 dresses to a charity for third world girls and sorted through my aprons, pulling out all the hostess ones, the sheer ones not for cooking. I had 150 of them. I gave them to my local thrift store, the one that knows vintage… Continue reading How to Relax for Bed

Lovely Rita, Meter Maid

Posted in Bay Area, California, dogs, friends, girl friends, humor, library, memoir, newspaper, parking, parking lot, parking ticket, thrift storeLeave a comment

(re-run) Saturdays are best when they are busy.  I like to have things to do.  So yesterday was fun from morning to night.  I spent most of the day in overly-metered Walnut Creek.  The town of walnut orchards has turned into a buzzing destination for shoppers.  It boasts a Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus (Needless Mark-up), Tiffany,… Continue reading Lovely Rita, Meter Maid

Crocodile Rock

Posted in Beatles, best, California, dancing, drinking, Elton John, friends, girl friends, humor, memoir, nature, park, relationships, summer1 Comment

(re-run) Friday evening there was an Elton John tribute band in the plaza. Since Yellow Brick Road is one of my all-time favorite albums, I thought, why not?  My youngest, visiting from Boston, had plans to see her friends in Berkeley. It had finally cooled off a bit, and the smoke from the wildfires wasn’t… Continue reading Crocodile Rock

Nature’s Prayer Moment

Posted in birds, California, church, friends, gardening, humor, memoir, nature, relationships, religion, writersLeave a comment

(re-run) Yesterday morning I stepped up to the kitchen sink to fill the tea pot and looked out my window at the flowers exploding in my yard. I glanced over to the fountain where I saw dozens of identical birds taking drinks in a clumped up circle around the top of my round fountain. Their… Continue reading Nature’s Prayer Moment

How to Get Attention During a Chorus Rehearsal

Posted in chorus, directors, doctor, fainting, humor, medications, memoir, nurse, relationships, singing, weight loss2 Comments

You know this has got to be a tongue-in-cheek piece, because I never try out for solos. I like to blend in with the rest of the chorus and sing my little heart out, incognito. Last night, however, I made a move that will remembered by all who were there. Our new riser positions put… Continue reading How to Get Attention During a Chorus Rehearsal

Jam-packed Day

Posted in blog, Briones, dancing, Foreverland, hiking, meet and greet, memoir, Mickey Mouse, music, singing, sisterLeave a comment

(re-run) The hike today was five miles long with a 900 foot elevation near the San Pablo reservoir in Briones Regional Park. There were 18 of us, and while we were gathering at the parking lot, we saw three young coyotes chasing each other, puppies playing. I thought about skipping it.  I thought about calling… Continue reading Jam-packed Day

Even Carmel Gets Weeds

Posted in art galleries, Big Sur, Carmel, chicken soup, drugstore, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Paradise, Point Lobos, restaurant, sinus infection, thrift store, weeds1 Comment

This morning was my Monday thrift store day in Carmel. It’s always Day Two of my trip to Monterey County, and it’s always first thing in the morning, before Highway One gets jammed with tourists heading to Point Lobos and Big Sur. The thrift stores are not in Carmel by the Sea. That part of… Continue reading Even Carmel Gets Weeds

Craigslist and Me (for Free)

Posted in Bay Area, college, Craigslist, gangs, immigrants, library, San Francisco, teacher, travel, Venezuela3 Comments

I love Craigslist, especially when I am giving things away for free. This month it is historical clothing for 3rd/4th grade teachers. Last year I got scammed by a “teacher”, so this year I make them prove that they are one. I mailed a box this morning to Redwood City, about 40 miles from my… Continue reading Craigslist and Me (for Free)