I drive the same streets every day. To work, from work. And even in a beautiful city like San Francisco, with all its natural scenery and interesting architecture, things become a blur. Like the breakfast you prepare everyday, the same face in the same clothes you've seen in the mirror for years, it all becomes... Continue Reading →
The Beauty of Acknowledging – Lombard Street Motels Part 2
These motels aren't beauty queens, but they are worth acknowledging. For many built in the 1950s, the architectural purity has been chipped away and the cool mid-century styling is gone. But it's not only the looks, it's where this motel row lands in the timeline of San Francisco history that attracts me. I imagine late Depression-era... Continue Reading →
The Beauty of Noticing – Lombard Street Motels Part 1
In the northern part of San Francisco, there is a vintage enthusiast's treasure - Lombard Street's Motel Row. Not far from the much photographed "crookedest street in the world" is a stretch of utilitarian looking blocks that house about two dozen motels. These motels, made for travelers and their cars, started springing up in the... Continue Reading →
Log of Old-Timey/Noir Talk
Old-timers talking at the cafe: "Hey, you see that hahrah film? That byoo-di-ful pungkin really went through the warsher." Ah, a lovely dialect slowly disappearing into obscurity. I had a neighbor many years ago who was a salty old dog and he talked the old-timey way. I wish I had been a word collector back... Continue Reading →
San Francisco Flora: Spring 2020 (Put a Penny Next to It)
As I've written in previous post, identifying plants is not as easy as I thought it would be. (I laugh when I make this statement.) Why do I persist? I'm not a student of botany, I don't even have a garden, and my houseplants could use my attention at the moment, but I do persist... Continue Reading →
San Francisco Mushroom Log – Winter 2019
I was once the person who said "eeewww, a mushroom" when I saw one outside of the supermarket. I understand the foreignness of their forms, but I've embraced them and really enjoy walking around, getting some exercise and looking for them. NEVER EAT A MUSHROOM WITHOUT A POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION FROM AN EXPERIENCED MUSHROOMER WHO STILL... Continue Reading →
Four Corners in San Francisco
Hyde and Jackson Streets Nov. 7, 2018 5:25pm Hot Sauce and Panko J and H Grocery and Liquor Sun Kwong Chinese Restaurant The Nook Cafe Powell and Hyde Street cable car tracks Stop lights and fire hydrants on all corners Apartments above all businesses Warm evening
The International Settlement and Pal Joey
I periodically walk through the Jackson Square Historic District on my way to more modest areas in San Francisco. I cursorily acknowledge that the neighborhood is "fancy" with all the design firms and antique shops. My next thought is that I better walk a little quicker before they spot me and give me the... Continue Reading →