Friday Randomness
Last Friday, Ted and I went to dinner in Oakland, to one of our regular spots. It’s a beautiful neighborhood (Rockridge, for folks who know the area) with lovely old Craftsman homes surrounding a bustling street of restaurants, book stores, boutiques, etc. I would buy a house there in a heartbeat if I had a million or two more in my bank account. I mean, I’d buy a beautiful old home and then renovate the electricity and plumbing so it doesn’t fall apart. Maybe I’d buy this house, but the arm has to come with the deal. Also the dinosaurs up the walkway.
Dinosaurs always remind me of Maya, who has always loved them. Sure, she’s 30 in just over a week, but still enjoys watching shows supposing the asteroid hadn’t hit and killed most of the dinosaurs. I remember when she was really pissed at us for something or another, and wrote a sign telling us to KEEP OUT, and put it in front of her door with her drums and her T-Rex.
Then there’s this picture, when she (with some help from my brother’s wife) sewed a stuffed trilobite for the science fair. She still has the trilobite somewhere, her name is Elizabeth.
For last year’s birthday, one of my gifts to her was for us to get manicures and (more importantly) pedicures, but we never did it. So on Saturday we went and had our nails done and our feet scrubbed, and everything is so much better now. Then lunch and some foux du fafa shopping downtown. It was a spendy day, between nails and lunch and shopping, but worth every penny.
There’s a house a couple of blocks from us with a beautiful flower garden in front. They have a long stretch of narrow property, which perhaps should be more drought tolerant, but I love how they have it planted.
Here’s the house (on the left) and the long narrow garden to the right, so you can get an idea of what it’s like.
Down the street a bit is a yard with a few Birds of Paradise plants in front, which are blooming right now. Aren’t they lovely? They remind me of Catherine, a woman I used to deliver meals to when I volunteered for my local Meals on Wheels. She had a beautiful Birds of Paradise in front of her house. She was almost entirely blind, a side effect of her diabetes that was caused by years on high dose prednisone for her Rheumatoid Arthritis. Way back when they didn’t know the dangers of long term/high dose usage, and just thought it was a miracle drug. Anyway, one year around this time, I was planning a birthday party for Maya, and thought it would be nice to have some Birds of Paradise flowers in a vase, along with some purple irises, and I asked if I could clip some before the party. It made her so happy to be able to do something kind for me! I always remember that, when someone wants to do something kind. Try to let them.
I took this screenshot on Monday, and planned to bitch about having the a/c blowing cold air on me all week just to stay sane, but you know what? We didn’t end up needing it. Spring (technically Winter) heat waves are like late summer/Autumn heat waves, in that the sun still goes down early enough that it cools down OK at night. I’m sorry that we’re having ‘maybe turn on the a/c weather, while many of you are cursing late March snowstorm, or perhaps tornadoes. I like sleeping in a quiet, dark, cool room, and we live near some busy roads and a freeway. So when we have to open the windows to let in the cooler night air, it can be difficult to sleep. Earplugs to the rescue! A few weeks ago, Suzanne mentioned that she was thinking of getting some loop earplugs for her daughter, and Stephany commented that she uses them to sleep when on vacation to drown out noise. GENIUS. So I bought some. I bought three pairs actually, one for each of us. I’m not sure if they are too noise cancelling to use for going to a loud concert, but if not, that’s a good use for Ted. For Maya, it would be when we go on vacation, for sleeping on the airplane or in the hotel. But I’ve busted mine out early, and let me tell you, they are a game changer. I sleep SO WELL with them in. I had no idea how much noise disturbs my sleep. I take them out in the morning and hear the traffic and breeze (if there is any), and think, “Oh, how lovely that I didn’t have to listen to that all night!”
Another factor in my improved sleeping habits recently is probably giving up my evening wine habit. I do like a treat in the evening, though, so I’ve been enjoying these Mocktails. My favorite is the Paloma. They have a little bit of capsaicin in them, which gives a tiny burn at the back of your throat. I think that’s the ‘afterglow’. Do they make me feel as relaxed as a glass or two of wine? No, but I definitely sleep better, and I feel better in the morning. Getting older means my body doesn’t deal with alcohol as well anymore, which is stupid but real.
This is Pinocchio, the newest cat at the rescue. He hangs out in his litter box, which is disgusting and also a sign that he is stressed. Poor thing. He’s not blind in one eye, that’s just the camera angle. I think his story is that his people moved away and just…left him. What the hell is with people?
Yesterday I stopped at a Little Free Library to straighten it up, and the juxtaposition of the Unabomber Manifesto being in there with a flyer from the Barnes Foundation was interesting. The Barnes Foundation used to be down the street from us when we lived in Philadelphia. We visited a couple of times when we lived there, it’s a spectacular collection, and the will of the founder determines exactly how the pieces are to be displayed (and way back in 2006 or so, Ted and I saw a play based on the legal struggle surrounding the founder’s will and the question of what constitutes art, and what should be displayed vs hidden away. It was really good). The Foundation has since been relocated to a more central area, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I liked that it was in a big house in a swanky Mainline town, but a downtown museum makes more sense. Then, the same day, a guy was out jogging in his Wawa t-shirt! Philly representing in the Bay, is what I thought.
We are now past the picture of tulip trees phase of spring, so now I’m posting pictures of wisteria vines. I took this picture on my morning walk, and I like how it’s just starting to bloom. Soon the entire structure will be covered in beautiful blossoms. Which brings me to Bridgerton. Have you noticed how the Bridgerton household has wisteria in bloom ALL OF THE TIME? Does this show only take place during the Spring? Does wisteria bloom later and longer in England? It doesn’t last all that long here, but you know what? I’m going to pay attention and see how many weeks we have blossoms. Count this as week #1.
Speaking of TV, what about The Pitt? Not talking about last night’s episode, but last week’s. I was so sure that Dr. Robbie’s motorcycle buddy that he mentioned a couple of times was going to come in with a serious head injury, since they made a point of showing us how Dr. R rides his bike without a helmet. Did anyone else expect that to happen?
Lastly, I’m excited for Jenny’s big 60th birthday / 60 mile run tomorrow! Go Jenny, Go!
34 Comments
Nicole MacPherson
Ahhh I love those houses – the gardens are amazing and YES to the arm and dinosaurs. My kids were super into dinosaurs as well, and I have some of their favourites on my bookshelves.
I cannot sleep well with wine anymore either. It’s very sad to me, but I still have it once or twice a week because I just cannot give up everything I love. Sometimes it’s worth the hot flashes. But I will look to see if those mocktails are available to us. I found some nice ones that are San Pellegrino based, and they make me feel fancy. I miss the days of being able to have wine on a weekday without feeling like crap, but here we are!
J
Amen to not giving up everything we love. We are going out tonight and I am having wine. The end.
Jeanie
First, before I forget, thank you for stopping by Marmelade Gypsy last week. I’m a little behind on returning the visit but thanks for your lovely comment. I loved following you on your walk here — those gardens are lovely and I am a sucker for Craftsman homes and anything from the arts and crafts movement so these are a real treat. I feel for Pinnochio — I don’t understand moving and leaving a cat behind, but that’s how I got my first cat. His successors were strays — one, a kitten, the other found by a friend with her own family of three. I think they appreciate being rescued. But that is the reason Lizzie is my last cat. I don’t want to ever leave an animal behind. And I smiled, hearing about your daughter — past and present. What a lovely time you had!
J
Jeanie, no worries, you came by and said hello already! And btw, welcome! I just popped back over to your place, I love your photos from Japan.
We also got a cat that way when I was a kid. She was pregnant and her people moved and just…left her. My dog adopted her, let her sleep with her and eat her food, so we really didn’t have a choice. (My mom was wanting a cat anyway, so it wasn’t an issue.)
nance
Yes to all of the dinosaurs! Rick and I once seriously considered getting a huge dinosaur for our backyard garden. I found it at our friend’s garden center and fell in love with it immediately. IT WAS $1500, EVEN WITH OUR DISCOUNT! Needless to say, that idea was shelved unless we got a cash windfall, which we did not.
I love that Little Maya put her sign out in the hallway so that she could leave her door open but keep you and Ted out. That and naming a trilobite Elizabeth–I mean, obviously!–points to her obvious intelligence.
Wisteria remains one of my all-time favourite flowers. I notice it always when we watch Bridgerton. It has such an old-fashioned air about it, and one of timeless elegance yet homey-ness, too. My grandmother had it over her side door, and I was entranced by it.
J
WHY MUST STUPID MONEY GET IN THE WAY! Not fair that you didn’t get to have your dinosaur in your back yard. This world is bullshit, Nance, that’s all I have to say about that.
You were fooled by the picture. Maya’s door is FIRMLY closed, the other door is to the bathroom. I am not sure why she was mad at us, but boy was she. Elizabeth the trilobite. So awesome. My brother and SIL sent her a little trilobite fossil in a jewlery box, which she still has.
Wisteria reminds me of my mom, she loved it so much. Her great aunt used to have it in the house where my mom went to live in High School, and it was so evocative for her. My paternal grandparents had it in their yard as well. I just love it, and you’re exactly right. It’s cozy and elegant at the same time.
NGS
I want to comment on more than this, but instead I’m just going to whine about how terrible it is to live where I live this time of year. You’re posting tulip trees and wisteria and we’re still making sure there’s gas in the snowblower. I’m green with envy over here. Maybe in another six weeks I’ll be able to do something other than be jealous of your greenery!
J
I know, you guys are getting walloped this year. I almost didn’t post about our weather, but I wanted to bitch about the heat. And really, wisteria in bloom must be recognized and honored. We’ll have our drought and fires, and then you can feel better about where you live. Also, our gas and grocery and home prices.
NGS
You’re right. We have a low COL and, in return, we have six months of miserable weather. It’s a trade off we all must make in this world!
J
We think of moving, and where we can afford to go is generally a place with shitty weather, so we end up staying here. I mean, we bought almost 30 years ago, so we got in for a decent price. Still, tempting to move and buy something bigger.
AC
We are just catching up on The Pitt. Sine we don’t following the networks, we didn’t know about it until now. We’ll probably be all caught up soon, maybe even later today.
I do not need earplugs to sleep. Too bad I need hering aids to be awake.
Who abandons animals? But we have rescued more than one abadndoned cat.
It’s snowing pretty wildly here on the equinox.
I have a great trilobite fossil. There’s a photo in this old blog, https://anvilcloud.blogspot.com/2016/01/indoor-photography.html
J
I agree, who abandons animals? Disgusting.
Trey the trilobite! Thanks for linking to that post.
Enjoy The Pitt! So graphic sometimes, though. Blergh.
Michelle G.
That long, narrow garden is so beautiful! We’re having a serious drought here, and we’ve already had 3 fires close by. I’m nervous about summer. Little Maya’s sign made me smile – that’s so cute!
J
I’m not sure I would want to pay to water all of those plants in the long garden, but I do enjoy looking at it!
UGH on wildfires! Fingers crossed for no more this year. Where do you live?
Birchie
Love the birds of paradise! The only place that I’ve seen them is at the Marin center.
I’ve been dabling in mocktails as well. I love kicking back with a nice relaxing drink, but the nice relaxing drink doesn’t always love me…
J
Why, nice relaxing drink? Why betray us like this?
Margaret
I don’t have the streaming service to watch the Pitt–wish I did, but my TV is getting ridiculously expensive for how little I watch. I love getting manicures but pedicures even more. The massage is really what I go for! Wisteria definitely doesn’t last that long around here and we have an English type climate. Those flowers are gorgeous! I hope my tulips start blooming soon.
J
Yes, all of these streaming services are RIDICULOUS. I do feel like we get a lot of use out of HBO. I think that one and Netflix are the ones we use the most.
Pedicure is so much more important than the manicure, right? I agree, the massage is the best part. I do love having my cuticals under control though, which is the important part of the manicure for me.
Ernie
Love that tshirt. If I was ever to wear a running tshirt it would probably have to say ‘I’m not walking- I just run really slow.’ I cannot imagine running for 60 miles.
The gardens are lovely. My mom was always big into planting flowers. That is not something I have embraced. Yet. Maybe someday?
Happy birthday to Maya.
I feel similarly about alcohol messing with my sleep. I do not drink often though so when I do- I throw caution to the wind. I fear the earplugs would annoy me. Most of the loud noises they wake me are compliments of my offspring. Rae needs to learn not to BANG her toothbrush on the side of the sink. A light tap will do!
J
Bah, I had wine last night, and happily it did NOT mess with my sleep, but I don’t feel super this morning. I had a glass with dinner, and then we ran into my BIL and cousins, and went out for another glass after that. I should have skipped the after.
I love your idea for a t-shirt, so funny!
Diane
I feel like your Friday posts are like taking a rambling walk with you while we talk about whatever might pop up in our minds or on our walk. Maybe some day if I am visiting my brother in Berkeley we can have a rambling walk for real.
At work my boss has started bringing canned cocktails and mocktails to celebrate when we get to final dress rehearsal. I don’t drink alcohol myself so I’ve had a mocktail or two and I have to say… I don’t get it. They kind of taste bitter and pallid to me. But they come in cute little cans and we are being celebratory, so who am I to turn down a free cute drink? I’m definitelu not above a fun creative non-alcoholic drink, but some restaurants here charge $9 for basically a juice mix and I’m not paying for that. Although, there is a place near work that makes really tasty non alcoholic shrubs that i rather enjoy, with all sorts of infused syrups and vinegars. Now those are fun and tasty.
J
I WOULD LOVE to do a rambling walk with you, perhaps in the Berkeley hills, or even through the beautiful neighborhoods. I love Berkeley.
I’m not sure I would love mocktails if I weren’t trying to replace something, so I get it. The Paloma is grapefruit, which is a flavor I really enjoy. I like it a little bit more than the grapefruit seltzer water we get, probably because it has a bit of sugar in it.
DB Stewart
Oh yes, the house without that arm would be a deal-breaker. 100% agree.
J
LOL, ‘Your offer has been accepted, but no arm’. ‘No arm? Cancel the contract.’
Jenny
Ha ha, that shirt again…. I still want it! It would be a big hit at races. And… thanks for the shoutout : )
I’m intrigued about those earplugs!!! My sleep issues include noise, and being too hot. We set our AC at 68, and I’m still too warm. But at least if I could block out the noise it would help.
PINOCCHIO!!! He is absolutely beautiful. So lying in the litterbox is a sign of stress? Foxy did that when he first came to live with us. But he’s always been obsessed by the litterbox. His most exciting moment is when I pour new litter in, and he loves to come and pee WHILE I’M SCOOPING IT OUT! Cats are so weird. Anyway…. hope Pinocchio gets adopted soon. He’s a really pretty cat, so I think it’s likely.
J
I never realized that my sleep issues could possibly be related to noise, but since I bought these, I have been sleeping SO MUCH BETTER. Game changer for me. And yeah, I sleep hot. I would like it to be about 62 inside, but of course the only time that happens is in winter and I’m under a comforter and cozy. That’s my ideal…cold room (50s is better) but cozy under a warm comforter.
LOL, Foxy, obsessed with the litter box. Some of the cats I tend will come and pee or poop RIGHT AFTER I’ve cleaned it out. They might do it while I’m cleaning if they could, but I close the partition so they can’t get to it. I have no idea whether that is a sign of stress or just a weird obsession.
StephLove
Our next door neighbor has a cat he inherited with his last house. I’m not sure if the cat was abandoned or offered to him when he moved in, but when he moved in with his current wife, he brought the cat with him. It’s UNO, who is occassionally featured on my blog. I hope he wasn’t just left. That’s awful behavior.
Very pretty garden.
J
SUCH bad behavior, right? Who abandons another living being?
San
My mother-in-law used to live in Rockridge for a while when she was an interim minister in Daily City and I LOVE the neighborhood. I have fond memories of visiting her there with Jon when we were still in College. We sometimes go back and have breakfast at the Rockridge Café. Have you been?
That shirt is genius. Hehe. I can see how many runners would love it 😉
J
I’ve walked past Rockridge Cafe but never eaten there. If you’d like, maybe you, me, and Mieke could do a meet up there? If you’d prefer to come all this way so you can revisit Rockridge, rather than meeting in the middle.
Lisa's Yarns
Phil and I went to the Barnes Museum when we visited Philly years ago and we loved it! It is probably the best art museum we’ve visited. It was small enough to not be overwhelming and the way the pictures were organized was so interesting! And it did not feel like a traditional museum – I remember it feeling like we were walking through someone’s house! I would definitely go back!
Paul was also obsessed with dinosaurs. I have a first day of school chalk board that I started to use when he changed classrooms at daycare. When he was 3 and was changing to a higher level of PK, he said he wanted to be a T-Rex when he grew up! Bwhahaha! Best answer ever.
J
I love that you’ve been to the Barnes, and it’s great to hear that it still has the feel of being in someone’s home, even in its new location.
LOL on Paul’s career goals. Maya wrote a letter to the dinosaurs once, inviting them to her friend’s birthday party. She did not check with the friend first, but they were no-shows, so I guess it’s OK.
Stephany
We’re having really nice weather, too! We’ll pay for it soon, but it’s nice to actually ENJOY being outside for once. Ha!
Poor Pinnochio! How could someone abandon a pet like that? It makes no sense to me. I hope he finds a new, happier home!
J
I dread the heat too, but thankfully it’s not so oppressive here like it is in Florida (sorry!).
Regarding Pinocchio, yes, what is the deal people?