Blissful Saturday at the cabin

I spent a few tranquil hours at the cabin today.To some, driving 200km to get out of town for a day sounds a bit like hard work, and Robert said it's like driving from Oxford to Scotland and back, but that's what life is like in Canada. Pretty wide open spaces, mountain passes to negotiate and the ocean to drive past means it will take a few kms to get out of town.Besides, I wanted to check on the cabin, and this time of year is the loveliest time to go there.Here is the lake at the cabin. It's actually just a pond that has illusions of grandeur, but someone named it The Lake, over 20yrs ago, before it became ours, and the name, for the sake of history, has stuck. It's full and lush this time of year. Too cold to swim now, but hopefully it will freeze solid for a bit of skating this winter.Inside the cabin felt very cold, and certainly much colder than the outside, so I opened the windows and doors and built a cheery fire and the cabin warmed up in no time. Best thing we ever did was replace the smokey old stove with this terrifically efficient new one.Then, I went to have a walk around on the paths. (Cougars and bears be damned :) ) But I did feel much easier walking here when I had dogs.This is the best time of year for wild mushrooms. (Except spring morels) Do you know your edible mushrooms from your poisonous ones? I only know about a dozen trusted types. These I'm not sure of so they stay right where they are.These are delicious and are coming home with me. My grandfather always cut the mushroom to leave the bottom piece int he ground. He believed the root system, the mycelium, needed to stay so more mushrooms would grow back. Grandmother would say that's nonsense and yank the whole mushroom out of the ground, break off half the stem and toss that back to the earth.The moss is so lush right now. I couldn't help gathering a little to take back to the city.I walked down to the river which flows thru the property. It's beautifully clear and fresh, but not a lot of water. In the spring it's thick with spawning fish.Best thing about today was I left the fog of Vancouver behind and spent the day in the warm sunshine. That's worth the trip any day.

Friday random to the max

This was the sink area in my hotel lobby in San Fran. Loved, LOVED the look but don't look at yourself in the mirror against those blue up-lights. UGH!My friend Julie posted a link to this guy's work. Brilliant! It's definitely in that category of:Modern Art = I could have done that + Yeah, but you didn't.As it is I love this to the max. You know, Julie is one of the most intelligent people I have the pleasure to call friend. If you're not following her already, you're missing out on so much! (photo gently borrowed from Today I learned Something New)Now that I moved down hill and closer to the ocean, I'm waking up to pea soup autumnal fog. I love it to the max.Finally got around to making a little movie of the jellyfish at the San Fran aquarium. These guys are so mesmerizing. I definitely need a jellyfish aquarium at home as a Zen temple. Except I would feel sorry for them all confined like that and contemplating their happiness would be so stressful that it would be rather anti Zen for me. Best stick to little video clips.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ9iw2ew37o&feature=youtu.beI'm sorry but the mouse is creepy!Sharing with Nancy for random fun. :)

Getting leafy with it

It was a Murphy morning round here!C wrote a 1500 word philosophical argument claiming that global skepticism could not be rejected using the arguments of Kant and Berkeley as they relate to the movie The Truman Show. I know, I got tired just proof reading it. Anyway, the paper had to be handed in at 8:30am including an online identical copy posted by the same time.This morning the paper was gone. Just gone from her Mac. (It must be there somewhere because she saves religiously)Thank goodness she sent the abstract and the paper for me to proof read and was saved uncited, and, as we just couldn't find it in her files, she cited the paper and rewrote the reference page in ten minutes and sent it to print.The internet went dead! :(I trouble shot the line and sorted it out...then...the printer ran out of paper!End result, panic morning, hurried drive to the uni, and after her class we were so ready to go for a nice long walk.We walked at the beach, in the fog, while the weak sunshine was trying to burn thru. I collected a handful of leaves and berries just to have around today because the colours were so beautiful.Then, this afternoon, I found an hour to get lost up in the studio and really felt like painting some of the leaves. I only had an hour so acrylics and charcoals were the fastest mediums to work with.I managed to paint two note papers and put them in the living room on the table beside C, and spread the real leaves around. Then I photographed them. C watched me doing this and when I was finished I said, "what do you think?" C said, "beautiful leaves mom." I said, "thank you" and picked up the little paintings. C said, "No Way! I thought those were the real leaves!!!"Lol, most gratifying. :) The mantle is looking a little more autumnal today. :)

Back to reality

This morning I woke to the sound of fog horns out in the harbour and sun peeking into my bedroom from around the blinds. The little collage I made in San Francisco was still propped up on my bedside table and I meant to do something with it yesterday but the world's peskiest migraine interrupted my day something rotten.Cats wanted feeding and out and so I got up and made my tea.Then I did my usual 30 minutes of checking on my favourite friends online while I drank my tea and found out that one of my friends is a little sad for a loss and sleepless nights. So I determined to make her a little blue bird of happiness today and send it out to her tomorrow with some nice tea, and while I was at it I took the collage into the studio too.My friend is having trouble and feels the order in her life is a little messed up right now. As it turns out, this little bluebird doesn't even like order, and, actually is much happier with chance and randomness, and that's perfectly alright with me.And it seems that a little California black bird has found his way onto the little torn paper collage, and so has the hibiscus and the bougainvillea I found on my walks thru the city.So here they are on my autumnal mantle. I know, not much of an autumnal mantle as far as autumnal mantles full of ornate pumpkins, sparkly ghosts and chrysanthemums go, but then, you know, this is my mantle, and my friends who I care for, whether you are here in this city or on line anywhere in the world are in my heart, and San Francisco is a big part of my autumn so far, and that's as real as it gets. :)

Introspection and sea lions

I love to be up very early.I love to be up before the majority of people, before the hustle and bustle of the city.I love to walk in the first morning sun.This morning marks my last day in San Francisco, and so I was up and across the street at the Sbux by 7am.Sometimes, most times when I'm in a different country, I have this compulsion to look around and really look at the people. You know, really see them, see the boys and girls behind the counter making the espressos, and the lattes and the cappuccinos, and as I watch them I wonder who they are, what their lives are like.Isn't it true that everyone crafts their lives in their own little corner of the world.Here in Chinatown the morning sun rushes up the streets, up the hills....and people begin to open their shops for the day. Delivery trucks deliver, shop keepers select their products and display them packed tightly in cardboard boxes, stacks and stacks tall. Shoppers begin selecting their goods.And each day begins like the next, like the one tomorrow will, even if I'm not here, like it began last week, last year...Will these be the same people here? Will another camera mad tourist wander thru here after me? Would they care about every day life or will they take the street car to the piers, to the malls?The sun creeps over the hill and onto the Italian district.Here things are probably a little different than the excitement of yesterday's parade.But coffee shops are open and glowing from within, baker are baking and owners are sprucing up their little corners of the world possibly dreaming of Italy, possibly waiting for friends to drop by.A cruise ship has docked overnight. It is The Sapphire Princess. This morning the good people will wake in their cabins and disembark to explore the city. I wonder if some of them will walk all the way to the Golden Gate bridge like I did yesterday.The little boats haven't started their trade yet. Their crew is probably still tucked up in bed. I could only imagine what it'd have been like to wake up and row a barge across the rivers for a few pennies. Crazy as it might seem, lately I've been researching on the internet more about this, and have stumbled on this blog, which apprised me of the various requirements that my boat back home needed, to hone it to its full capacity.And beyond the boats are the sea lions. July to March they bark away and jostle for position on these rafts that they have "stolen" just after the earthquake of 1989. But people love them and let them steal away.I love them. I love to watch them.When they are sleepy they love to cuddle. They are thigmotactic animals, meaning they are calmer and rest easier if they have close physical contact with each other. Isn't that true of you and me? Probably also true of the good people in Chinatown, in the Italian district. Much like everywhere in the world. We feel the calmness, the easiness when we hug our children and our love, when hold hands, when we cuddle up for the night.That's how we form bonds, attachments, that, even after a day away, a month away, a year, are still there, still burning strong, still the power, the force that brings meaning and happiness to our lives.....Then behind me the city starts to wake and it's time for me to walk back up the hill, soon to return home to Vancouver to hug my child.

California dreaming

This Hyatt hotel has incredible blinds on the picture windows. They operate remotely via a button beside the bed and silently swoosh down to exclude every little bit of light from the room. Lovely and dark.The amazing thing is that, when they are raised in the morning, a new, beautiful jewel of a day is there, just outside the window, waiting to be explored.A lovely Sunday. Good morning San Francisco.Coming from Vancouver, I just naturally ease into California life. I think one of my greatest pleasures is walking, no, getting lost in a city. Feeling it, watching it live and breathe. It's super amazing to be a quiet observer of the Sunday morning social:China town laundry day, a Ferrari club meet, morning dumplings and the Italian parade volunteers.Today I decided to walk along the beach to the Golden Gate Bridge. Loads of people were biking, jogging, walking along the way. There was a brilliant little farmer's market and other surprises:Up and down hills, mermaids at the beach, kites waiting for the wind, market dahlias.There was a book sale at the farmer's market. Darn it anyway, I wanted to read practically every book I picked up. But unfortunately I'm limited to weight and have already bought some books, so I had to take only photos. (So ordering these as soon as I get home.)Finally, after about 10 miles, the bridge is near.I loved playing with and watching the assorted beach dogs. Look at these four boofy, (very technical term) shnoodley, (another very technical term) wonderfully happy beach dogs.On the way back to the piers I spied a lovely Colosseum-type building. It turned out to be the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The gardens were so lovely and the architecture is magic; like an ancient Greek temple.Back down the beach, around the boats, up hill and down hill to a late lunch.Mmm, fresh steamed dungeness crab, lemony butter and sourdough bread.It was late afternoon by now and I walked down past the rest of the piers and at pier 15 I found the Exploratoriun. And guess what! It was one of their FREE DAYS! The next free day isn't happening till February. Well, then I just had to go in. :)An hour of so there and then the trek back across town, to Union Square, where the shops were all still open.What's a girl to do...Finally, back for the evening and just in time to see the sunset.Honestly, if every day could be like this, well, why would you go anyplace else?

Hello from San Francisco

Do you have a set route when you visit someplace?I seem to. That is, I seem to be very spatially aware and love to revisit places I've seen.I manage to get to this lovely city every once in a while and the thing I love to do is walk from Union Square, where my hotel is, up Powell st. to the top of Nob Hill and down to Fisherman's Wharf.This was my morning view. Today I had it in mind to go visit the Coit Tower on the way back across the city.So here we go:Up and down Powell street, thru Chinatown, thru the Italian district, (they're having a parade tomorrow), past the lovely groups of Tai Chi-ers.And I'm here at the ocean. Gloomy and ghostly Alcatraz just past the boats. I went to visit once. It was extremely spooky. Once was enough I think.Here is the reason I love coming down here. I just love the sea lions. I could watch them all day. This is one of 167 sea lion photos I took. (plus 5 videos)Then, a visit to the aquarium. In my next life I'd like to be a marine biologist.Or maybe just have this guy's job!Four hours later, I walked back up the hill to the Coit Tower to have a look.If I lived here I'd love to live up here at Telegraph Hill. Living here plus a dog would equal those ten pounds I'm trying to lose gone in a week! I'm telling you. You want thunder thighs? Move to Telegraph Hill and get a dog.But here's the real reason to live here. Can you imagine waking up to this every morning? Heaven.Look at this loveliness. One day I'm going to have a 20 ft bougainvillea climbing up one side of the house and jasmine up the other, and hibiscus bushes and huge jade plants making hedges around my garden.Back down the hill to the hotel at Union Square and an evening walk to the Yerba Buena Gardens for the dance and culture festival.I spent a happy couple of hours walking around and enjoying all the street dancers and open museums and then, an opportunity to sit at some long tables and create a collage using magazines, scissors and glue sticks. I like rough edges so tore up the images and came home with this little design.Fireworks over the bay this evening.Oh happy day.I think I'll sleep well tonight. :)

Round here randomness for the week

I bought the cats a new scratching cardboard piece and it came with a small sachet of catnip. I sprinkled the tiniest bit on and Morgan went a bit psycho; half cat, half razor wire.No more catnip for you!I always wonder where the stores got the gorgeous display pieces that are never for sale...like this huge basket. Nevermind the cute pumpkins, I want that wire basket...which is not for sale! :(The other thing I wonder about is how does it figure that, (at retail, nevermind wholesale), $35 worth of pretty plants plus galvanized tub plus about 20 minutes of work, (believe me I know), turn into a $150 arrangement?Mom and I had lunch this week and we were the only people in this sweet little French bistro to ask to sit on the patio. (French bistro was quite full) I would have expected the reverse on a day like this. Come on people, how many more sunny, warm afternoons are we going to get before we're forced inside?I started a new painting/project/craft/thing this week. I've had this old wooden screen for...forever. The panels have seen their fair share of painted canvas, tapestry, fabric...whatever I felt like and now I'm ready to display it again. So I bought some canvas, did the very mathematic and complicated method of eyeballing the sizes for the panels, drew some pen guidelines and painted the background with acrylics. Then sketched out and wiped off about 17 different designs with blackboard chalk.Then I picked up my oils. So far so good. I like the way it's turning out. :)Sharing with Nancy and looking forward to everyone's randomness. :)

Leaving tomorrow for a mini break

I'm excited!It's only a four day break but getting out of town is always a good idea and San Francisco is an even better idea.So I've washed my brushes up from today and cleaned the house for my house sitter friend, talked to the cats and told them to behave, and I'm getting ready to pack.C went to scour the thrift stores for the beginning of her Halloween costume. She wants to be Daenerys Targaryen. Last year she was the black swan and rocked it. She found this cute sari dress all embroidered so beautifully with golden thread and beads. She'll have to take it in a little, but, with a long blond wig, I think she'll look great.Mom bought a spaghetti squash and brought it to me. I'm not sure what to do with it actually, and so will leave it in the potato basket until I get back. (Suggestions much appreciated :) )Now here's a little dilemma: I've reread Graceling and now am rereading Fire. I'm halfway thru and enjoying it just as much as I did some years ago, but now I'm not sure if I should take it with me or take something disposable.You know what I mean by disposable? I mean one of those silly kinds of weekend books which you can happily leave at the hotel for someone else.The only thing is I'm really enjoying the Cashore book, but also like it being part of my permanent library at home.Hmmm. The other option is to buy a Vanity Fair magazine. I like bringing that on planes, especially x the Atlantic, and don't feel badly about leaving it on the plane.Hmmm... It's a short flight, only 2.5 hours or so. What do you all do?I think I'll take Fire.One more look at the future Daenerys Targaryen. :)

The wine cellar from Narnia

This afternoon I started a pot roast for supper...mmm, I love pot roast. Anyway, I went to get an open bottle of Fat Bastard Shiraz to add some wine to the dish. (No divorce daemon there, I promise. Ok, maybe a little one.)I grew up in the boutique wine world. You know, my parents collected wine and spirits. Dad used to belong to the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society in London and used to collect unique malts. They would travel the world and bring back different and unique wines and he would do things like open the last of his 1962 Dom Perignon to celebrate Chloe's birth. And, being the European child I am, I used to have the smallest glass of..whatever was going...to celebrate a special occasion, and a drop of Czech rum in my tea at Christmas. I mean thimbleful glass. I mean DROP. Jon, Kers and Clover used to get their thimbleful of champagne to celebrate too, ever since they were maybe 7 or 8 yrs old. (It's the European way)So, truth time: I actually don't really drink, but do enjoy a glass of wine or champagne once in a while, and Chloe and Robert don't drink alcohol at all, but nevertheless, I've always wanted a wine cellar. Like always. Forever!I'd also like to make my own wine, like be a special vintner and make spectacular boutique wine. Actually, the next time I have $20 million I don't know what to do with, I'm so buying Chateau Alemann; my family chateau in Switzerland, and all the vineyards around. It's on my bucket list. :) Then I suppose I'll make "Robert Won't Drink This" Merlot and "Chloe Won't Drink This" Pinot Blanc...lolAnyway, the reason I'm telling you all this is that I have a lot more imagination than money and, when this little gem of a Narnia wardrobe came up for sale at the local thrift store, I snapped it up.It sits in the lower floor of my home on some cool teracotta tiles.A couple of years ago now R, C and I went to that box-store-that-everyone-loves-to-slate Ikea, with the measurements of the inside of the wardrobe, and found these super cool industrial shelves. They were actually made for this wardrobe! (joking, but only just)So everyone knows that there is no way anyone over 30 can actually put Ikea pieces together, so we gave the job to C and she did it brilliantly.I left the original coat hangers in the top and there is a box on the bottom shelf which holds all the cellerable wine, like the Chateauneuf du Pape and my favourite "champagne" Domain Chandon Blanc de Noirs. There are Italian wine pitchers, a cork screw made from 150yr old Vine and a little silver pumpkin. Apart form that, my little collection contains sparkling water, Czech rum, (absolutely the best rum in the world), a bottle of Pastis I brought from France, and a Tequila from Mexico along with the usual stuff.And this is what can happen as a result of having a Narnia wine cellar.You know I'm joking!This is Morgan strung out on left-over turkey drumstick. Must have been all that Tryptophan! :)I hope you're all having a wonderful, spectacular week and thank you so much for showing Chloe all that support. She's got scary homework now and has to get back to her university studies, but she's so happy and proud she photographed, wrote, and managed that post and all exited to get her own website going. She did such a wonderful job that I've no doubt she'll be absolutely brilliant.So thank you; you have the best and softest little pink hearts in the world, and I'm so glad C and I have you all in our lives. :)