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…
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…
San Francisco Hikes – Just a Few Beauties
The first walk of the year on the Presidio’s Batteries to Bluffs trail did not disappoint. The air was filled with sweet scents and birdsongs. Unlike last year there was no hemlock yet, but lots of flowers and other things I’ve seen for years and never tried to ID. This year I felt compelled to…
James M. Cain Film Review – Three Books to Film
Here’s my apologia. I understand that these movies were progressive in the 1940s, showing women in roles, whether good or bad, that were out of the societal norms of the time. I acknowledge that these movies are important, but I watch movies for entertainment value, with only a dash of intentions to round out my…
The Birds, oh, the Birds!
My favorite cozy horror movie is The Birds. Not too much gore and blood, just enough. It’s even more of a terror after learning that Alfred Hitchcock demanded that they re-shoot the scene where Tippi Hedren gets attacked by the birds, over and over again, to exact revenge on her because she didn’t play into…
Book Collection Update: Four Rambling Men and a Lady
My bibliomania is on high when a book fair is nearing and I usually do some “warm up” trips to local bookstores to get in the mood for the great hunt. The results from my favorite used books stores here in San Francisco–Green Apple Books, SF Public Library’s Reader’s Book Store at Fort Mason and…
San Francisco Noir City Film Festival Time
On a warm February night in San Francisco the streets teemed with people, stressed looking salary men and women with their jaws clenched tight, raving lunatics with pants hanging just a little too south of the equator, and a distinct crowd of sharply dressed, hat wearing people. These haberdashery fans were my people, and they…
San Francisco Poetry- The Cool, Grey City of Love by George Sterling
On this cold and grey day here in SF, I would like to share one of my favorite poems with you. Thanks for reading, Empress Norma
Antiquarian Book Fairs and Collecting
I’m a book person. I am surrounded by books and book related businesses. This has led me to become a casual collector of antiquarian books. Casual meaning I am not seeking to aquire every book in my chosen subjects. I buy a book when I come across one that I want and can afford. So…
