…with this absolutely stunning nighttime photo of the Temple of Light and a vast starry sky.
Thank you, Barbara Bingham, for allowing me to see the world through your eyes. That’s all I have to say.
Barbara does it again…
Broken socks
I was preparing to do laundry and noticed there was a sock missing. Ramesha explained that one was “broken” and my brain went blank for a moment. I realized I was trying to figure out how a sock could be broken, only to come to the conclusion that it can’t; but then I wasn’t able to quickly tell him the correct way of saying it!
This made me reflect on how we take for granted so much about our native tongue and how much I appreciate having a husband who grew up speaking a language other than English. I absolutely love these moments when — completely fluent as he is — something he says will make me stop and really notice my language.
Of course I had to Google it and this is what I discovered:
1. Socks can be torn or ripped, but they can’t be broken. Why?
2. Because something flexible, like paper or the cloth of a sock, can’t be “broken”.
3. Even “tearing” or “ripping” a sock is unusual, because of the knitted material they are made of; tearing and ripping are more likely to happen to woven cloth.
And while it’s not correct to say “broken sock”, you can have a “broken leg sock”; in other words, a sock that’s a cast cover and goes over your foot cast.
Who knew?!?
Treating myself
I know, I know… given the serious issues we’re all facing it seems rather silly and superficial, but…today I was able to enjoy my first pedicure in four months (thank you, Jivani)! It felt sooooooo good, and I can’t help but smile every time I glance down at my toes. 😊
There’s something about having one’s feet soaked, exfoliated, scrubbed, and massaged, and one’s toenails trimmed and painted, that feels so very civilized.
Farewell to Louis’ Restaurant
I haven’t been there in forever, but it still comes as a shock to read that Louis’ Restaurant is closing as the result of the pandemic.
During the many years I lived in San Francisco, the whole area of the Sutro Bath Ruins, Sutro Park, and Land’s End was my main “happy place.” I would spend hours walking on Ocean Beach or clambering over the ruins or sitting gazing out at the ocean, then head to the Cliff House or Louis’ or the Seal Rock Inn for breakfast.
Other times I would walk through Golden Gate Park or along the Great Highway to get there. I have so many precious memories of my time in San Francisco, although I can’t even begin to imagine living there at this point in time. Which is just as well, since the San Francisco of my memories most likely doesn’t even exist anymore.
Not feelin’ it
Yeah, I seem to have a caught the “just say no” bug tonight, cause I really don’t feel like writing anything. Of course, since the goal of this blog is to write something every single day, I’m writing about not writing!
Blossoming
Another day of taking time to sit and watch and listen. I didn’t see literal blossoms, but all the abundant expressions of LIFE that were happening in front of our apartment were just as clearly speaking of God.
What a blessing to take the time to “hear.”
Downshifting
Spent a fair amount of time today just sitting on the patio. Watching squirrels and lizards and birds and leaves blowing in the breeze.
And both Ramesha and I remarked on how we could feel ourselves slowing down. Literally downshifting.
Feels really good.
Time for a time out
It won’t be a true seclusion; we’re simply taking a couple of days here at home to unplug and be more inward.
I’ll be staying away from the computer, except to write my daily post. I don’t want to break my commitment!
Speaking Italian
Spaghetti.
Allegro.
Lento.
Forte.
Basta.
Biscotti.
Gelato.
Rubato.
Amore.
See? I’ll bet you can speak Italian, too!
Ciaooooo! 😂🍕
Garden criteria
Achillea (Yarrow) 
Allium (Ornamental Onion) 
Sempervivum
(Hen & Chicks)
Lavandula (Lavender) 
Agastache (Anise Hyssop) 
Liriope muscari
(Blue Lily-turf)
One thing about months of never going anywhere is that we’re feeling a lot more motivated to fix up our yard. We recently got the patio cleaned up and purchased a little outdoor dining set; now it’s time to do something about the landscaping.
This, of course, is where the criteria come in. The ideal candidate for our garden landscape would be a plant that is:
1. Deer resistant
2. Drought tolerant
3. Super easy to grow
We might consider plants that don’t match on criteria #3, but we really can’t make any exceptions to #1 and #2!