Thursday Challenge: "Golden" - The Reclining Buddha at Wat Po, Bangkok, Thailand - September 22, 2011

I am participating in Dale's Thursday Challenge - this

week's challenge is "golden" - add your golden

picture to join in the fun!



Ruby Tuesday - Red Tipped Plant and Squirrel - September 27, 2011

There's just a touch of red on the plant behind this little squirrel!

I am participating in Ruby Tuesday - check out the site and

join in the fun!



What's Happening in My Life - September 25, 2011

There's no doubt, I'm really rattled and preoccupied.  On Thursday, my
dear friend, Werner Zucher, a forensic toxicologist from Switzerland,
arrived to spend a couple of nights with me before heading to the
Marriott Marquis in San Francisco to attend a conference, after which he
will return to spend the weekend at my house.  On our way  home from
te airport, we stopped at Costco to stock up on necessary provision like
beer, wine, Brie and other cheeses and a few other essentials. 

Later, I realized, I no longer had my wallet in my possession.  A frantic
search didn't turn it up so I began the most annoying task of cancelling
credit cards, going to the bank to replace my ATM card and, Monday,
I have to get a new driver's license and senior ID.  I have about ten other
things I must do related to that, as well, all at a time when minutes are at
a premium!

Jo Olivieri, Poetic Shutterbug, and I spent all day yesterday involved in
my "estate sale" - even my wonderful son, Jeremy, came over to over
security and support.  Sadly, there was a very poor turn out and we only
made a hundred dollars.  At least, I had good company.  We went through
my dad's military foot locker which I hadn't opened in about twenty years
and found some of my high school and early nursing school scrapbooks!
What funny things I saved!

Here's a picture taken in 1968 on my way back to New Orleans from my
home in Columbus, Georgia.  My girlfriend and I had stopped to eat at
a rest hour and I was leaning into the car to get the sandwiches!  Oh, how
I wish my gluteus maximus was still this size!

My son, Jeremy, almost took one of Werner's Swiss gifts away from me -

24 four bars of luscious Swiss milk chocolate, one box plain, the other

with hazelnuts.  "Just what you need", he commented.  I told him I

would give him have and eat one little square a day, ONLY. 

We are going to hold the second day of the estate sale today and, hopefully,

the turnout will be better.  My goal was to earn enough for a new laptop

as this one is not going to survive much longer and I need  to be able to

post from India. 

I am so far behind in making the deadline of getting out of this house by Oct

15.  Forgive my slow repsponse to posts and reading and replying to your

blogs.  I love you and will be back to normal once I can.





Weekend Reflections #105 - Lake Merced Reflections - September 23, 2011

I am participating in Weekend Reflections.

Check out the site and join in the fun!







Ruby Tuesday - Complete Chaos - September 20, 2011

I got a new India book yesterday and all I want to do is sit and look at it
but, alas, time is running out and there is so much yet left to do.  My
friend, Joanne Olivieri, aka Poetic Shutterbug, gave up her whole day
yesterday to come and help me get started on organizing for my "estate
sale" this weekend which will be from 10A to 4P at 67 Canterbury
Avenue in Daly City, CA, right near Hickey Boulevard and
Skyline ( just in case any of you are in the area! )!  I have so much
packing left and things to move to storage, not to mention that all
the furniture still has to go - and I have a friend coming from
Switzerland tomorrow.  He'll spend a few days here with me when
he isn't at his conference in San Francisco.

Jo and I did manage to get out to lunch with my friend, Silvia ( I
had liver and onions which I love - I know that most folks don't -
I even wrote a poem, "Liver and Onions"! ) and, on the way to take
Jo home, we saw a chance for some nice photos so, of course, we
had to stop!

This book is filled with so many marvels, I could easily never get packed
or moved out of my house!!!

Many years ago, my dear friend, Santos, my very first Indian friend, gave
me this beautiful cookbook.  It is filled with incredible marvels and the
most glorious pictures.  Santos, Lorna, his mother, May, and so many of
their relatives and friends made my one week stay in Mumbai so warm and
welcoming when I went back in 1997.  It is there I will begin this visit to
India.

These are my two Ruby Tuesday posts for today.  Check out the site and
add you own and join in the fun!

I'm also adding some photos of my home so you can see what my life
is like these days!!!

Sadly, almost every room is like this - boxes in every stage of being

packed, upstairs and downstairs.  I've given hundreds of things to Good

Will, before Jo talked me into an estate sale.  Over fifty pairs of my

shoes are out there somewhere in the world and, at least, two hundred

books!  I could never bear to part with a book.

 

 

I'm keeping my ancient Marantz receiver and the speakers though my

turntable died years ago.  I'd like to get another because I love all my

33-1/3 records...but, if someone wants to buy them, I'll woefully say

farewell.  I have over a hundred VHS movies I hope someone will

want.  Some nursing homes and other facilities still have videorecorders

and players.

This was my mother's owl collection - I brought it home with me from

Georgia but none of my boys, of course, wanted it and I'm not an owl

collector.  I decided it should go to someone who loves owls.  I'm having

a hard enough time parting with things I've loved all my life - like that

ferm coffee set!

Every book in here goes - they're all cookbooks ( you should see the

number I'm keeping.  About thirty years ago, I used to do some

catering but I never charged enough to make it worthwhile.  Cookbooks

were also the souverneirs I brought back from my travels.

Everything in here goes as well.  I'm not sure why but I used to collect

teapots, some of them with a hundred dollar price tag...and they were

never used for tea!  Okay, I'm crazy but I know it. 

Years ago, when a son didn't occupy my guest bedroom, it was all done up

in unicorns!  I have dozen of unicorn pictures and knick knacks.  They're

not important to me anymore.

I used to do a lot of needlework, decoupage and various arts and crafts.

I love Christmas, too, and tried to make each one different and special. 

All those books are for sale now and so is the legal book case that I

ruined by painting a cheerful yellow.

I won't say that this whole experience of  going through my life and

marking things I've treasured for sale hasn't been a really painful

experience.  Every thing I touch spawns so many memories and I've

shed more than a few tears.  I've left off the eye makeup and mascara

or I'd really look a fright.  I know my boys don't realize how traumatic

this is for me.  "Junk," they call it - a lifetime of joy it's been for me.

It's a good thing my years are numbered.

I just want to say a very big thank you to Joanne Olivieri, aka Poetic

Shutterbug who is the best of friends and always the greatest help to

me whenever I need her ( which is constantly! ).

Sundays in My City - Buddhas at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, September 18, 2011

Since my visits to the Hua Zang Si Buddhist Temple in San Francisco, my
intesest in Buddhism has become fueled even more.  I will do a post on
that place of beauty and serenity before I leave for India where I am sure
I will be exposed to even more opportunities to pursue my interest in this
religion.  In the meantime, I realize I never posted the pictures I took of
some of the Buddhas at the Asian Art Museum during my visit there a few
months ago with my friend, Joanne Olivieri, aka Poetic Shutterbug.  I
realize that I did not photograph all the accompanying cards so some of
the treasures are unidentified.  I will definitely have to return!

Additionally, let me apologize, in advance, about the quality of some of
the photographs, especially the identity cards.  Some are very poor and out
of focus.  We went on the free day for the museum and it was VERY
crowded.  It was difficult time in front of some of the exhibits to get
quality photographs.  I was just glad to be able to see them at all and I
wanted to share this incredible museum with you.  Please, if you ever
visit San Francisco, add the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco to
your list of "must sees".

The Bodhisattva Samantabhadra on an Elephant

 

The esoteric Buddhist king of passion, Ragaraja

 

Crowned and bejeweled Buddha image and throne

Green and yellow Buddha

The Buddhist deity Achala Vidyaraja

 

The Buddhist deity Vajradhara

 

Seated Buddha, Sri Lanka

 

The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

 

The Buddha Shakyamuni as an ascetic

 

The Seated bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

I am participating in Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City -

check out the site and join in the fun!

 

Pink Saturday - Pink Flower and a Bee - September 17, 2011

As always, I am delighted when I participate in

Pink Saturday, a wonderful meme with all kinds

of lovely entries.  Add yours now!

Friday Flash 55 - Enough Already!!! - September 16, 2011

I've been getting lots of shots,

And I still will get some more,

Thyphoid, DPT -

My arms are getting sore.

Japanese encephalitis,

And I got a rabies, too,

You'd think with all of those,

I would, at last, be through!

Alas, three more I've left to take,

Let's hope they'll be a piece of cake!

I an taking part in Friday Flash 55, the brainchild of that

brilliant and debonair, Mr. Know It All!  Add your offering

and join in the fun!



Time is growing shorter and I am in panic mode!  In 38 days, I'll board that

Air France flight for India.  I have to be out of my house by October 15th,

though, a week prior, and I am not quite up to speed in packing and getting my

things in storage. 

I am so happy, though, that my health insurance is covering my shots!

The Japanese encephalitis and rabies vaccines carry a hefty price tag -

$200 each - but my wonderful travel clinic nurse talked to my insurance

carrier and I do not have to pay it myself.  I've ordered all my regular

medicines for the duration of my stay since the CDC recommends that

all prescription drugs be purchased in the U.S.  My son, Jeremy, is

planning to come visit me so he'll bring my refills since my online

phamarcy can only fill 90 days at a time.  I know my luggage is

definitely going to be overweight!!

I haven't yet begun to get excited but, as the house begins to empty out

and my suitcases are packed, I know I will begin to get excited.  I will

send for my Indian visa soon and it will really feel like a reality.

I'm going to India!





Ruby Tuesday - Tokyo Fire Hydrant - September 13, 2011

I loved these Tokyo fire hydrants and their signs which never left any doubt as

to their location!!!

 

I am participating in Ruby Tuesday - check out the site

and join in the fun!

Sexual Chocolate and Other Things - September 10, 2011

What a wonderful day I've had, quite varied, filled with laughter and too
much food.  Blame it all on Joanne Olivieri, aka Poetic Shutterbug.  We
were like raving maniacs, too, taking pictures of everything - meme mania,
you could call it.  Sort of like a game of, "I spy". 

At 9:30AM, I pulled up in front of Jo's place, shivering, still chilled by the
morning fog.  We headed toward Noe Valley, the sunniest part of San
Francisco, for breakfast at Toast Eatery.  It was a cute little spot, very
small, with tables crammed in, and filled with happy diners. 

Picture on the wall

Toast Eatery has a huge menu but Jo ordered her usual - waffles which she

deemed among the top three best she has had in the bay area.   I had a

fabulous Sicilan omelette with fresh and sun dried tomatoes, pesto,

spinach, onions and feta cheese. It came with two slices of wheat toast and

hash browns.  The huge cups of French dark roast coffee were excellent,

too.  I can' believe I didn't get pictures of the food.  I guess we were just

too busy eating.

From the cafe, we went down the street to get pictures of St. Paul's Church,

where Jo's mother went to church and school.  Sadly, because of the

homeless problem in San Francico, the church is kept locked except

for services.  Jo will have a much more comprehensive series of photos

of the church which I hope she will post on her blog, "Poetic Shutterbug".

St.Paul's Church, Church Street, Noe Valley, San Francisco, CA

The Noe Valley area is one of San Francisco's nicest.  It was developed in

the years after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and many samples of

classic Victorian and Edwardian architecture - for which our area is so

famous - can be seen here.  I like them because many of them are more

modest than their Pacific Heights counterparts - though Dolores Street,

one of the Noe Valley borders has some very large Victorians.

Next to St. Paul's, we saw an interesting bush with pink flowers and

unusual fruits ( ? ).  Maybe one of you will know the name since I do not!

Good Pink Saturday post!

As we walked about the neighborhood, Jo and I encountered several

people who stopped and chatted with us.  We loved the friendliness of

the area and we decided that, after we win the lottery, we'll buy one of

those cute little Victorians and we'll open up some kind of little shop.

Blue Monday here!

Here's another Pink Saturday one!

Blue Mondy, for sure!

Ruby Tuesday!

Mellow Yellow Monday, I think.

Actually, Jo and I liked this two flat house which was for sale.  We

figured we could each have our own separate living space but still

be close together.  Now, if only we could find a rich benefactor.  And

to make thing even nicer, it's less than half a block to Cafe Noeteca

Wine Bar!

Speaking of the Cafe Noeteca Wine Bar, after driving past the place for

nearly two years, Jo and I stopped in since we were walking in the

neighborhood.  I looked at my watch, saw that it was noon and said,

"It's 5PM somewhere in the world...time for a glass of wine!"  After

all, we'd walked about five blocks.

Flower box outside - Today's Flowers, Mellow Yellow, Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tueday

Cafe Noeteca Wine Bar - has already garnered many awards

Lovely inteior

Weekend Reflectons

Everything inside Noeteca is beautifully arranged and welcoming  Here an

old dresser is set up with coffee fixings in an artful way.  Be sure to check

out its website:  http://www.noeteca.com

Cute reverse of sign from the inside

From the minute we passed this on entering, I knew what Jo was going to

order.  It didn't matter that we'd just finished a huge breakfast less than

an hour ago and she'd consumed two Belgian waffles!  We'd walked over

three blocks and the waffles weren't dessert!

The wine list at Noeteca was  excellent and had some selections that

were new to me.  I liked that there was a good choice of both California

and international wines and a few dessert choices as well.  I could get

no further, though, than one called Sexual Chocolate, a San Luis

Obispo blend of zinfandel and syrah made by Cal Poly viniculture

graduates.  In honor of my youngest son, Jeremy, who was a decathlete

there ( graduating with a BS in kinesiology ), I felt compelled to try

the Sexual Chocolate.  That was dessert enough for me ( though I did

take the tiniest taste of Jo's fabulous confection ).

Another nice thing about Noeteca ( actually, we found nothing that wasn't

nic ) is that they offer wine in a small pour  ( 3 oz ) as well as a full 6 oz

glass and, also, by the bottle.  With the small pour, you can build your

own flights.  They have weekday happy hours from 4PM and bottomless

mimosas on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 2PM.

Oh, yes, not only do the great guys of Noeteca think of their two legged

friends, they put a water dish outside for their four legged neighbors.  I

found this so delightful as this is, definitely, an area of well loved pets!

On our stroll back to the car, we passed a few candidates for Shadow Shot

Sunday.

Hibiscus shadows

Jasmine shadows

We also saw an interesting truck that might be good for Color Carnival.  I

am not sure what it represent.  It looks like something from San Francisco's

Museum of Modern Art.

We also passed a dahlia that must have been glorious a few weeks ago but is now

on its last legs ( like me ) though still prettyl

Ruby Tuesday

We made on last stop in the Mission District so I could show Jo the

beautiful Buddhist temple I had visited twice in the past month.  It is

a respite for the soul, an oasis of serenity in this chaotic world.  This  Buddha

is only one of several at the temple but He dominates this hall in which

He resides.

Ruby Tuesday

As we were nearing Jo's neighborhood, we passed this huge yellow trumpet

vine!  I wonder what people think as we start snapping away at their houses,

plants, pets, etc.  So far, no one has come after us with a shotgun.  There's

still time, though!

Mellow Yellow Monday

I apologize to everyone for not posting as much and for being much slower

reading blogs and replying to posts.  With my deadline fast approaching for

packing and moving out of this house ( October 15 ) and the trip to India

set for October 23rd, it is all getting away from me.  Please do understand

and know that I am not gone, just slower than usual.  Also, I am getting old!!

My 67th birthday is less than a month away.  I'll do better eventually and you

are always in my heart, even if you don't see me!

This post is quite comprehensive, covering many of my favorite memes -

Camera Critters, Sundays in My City, Mellow Yellow Monday, Pink

Pink Saturday, Color Carnival, Weekend Reflections, Ruby Tuesday, Shadow

Shot Sunday and Today's Flowers, Blue Monday, Pets Forever.