Heaven

Do you believe this place? This is the Coastal Trail. It's where we walk when the tide is too high or it's too windy to walk on the beach ... so it's where we found ourselves this evening. Often we're too wound-up from the day to take in what's around us. Usually it's not until I get back home, have a glass of wine, and download my photos that I can see where we've been. These flowers grow on the cliffs by the path to Land's End.





















Even though we've forgotten to go to our past two appointments, you can tell marriage counseling is helping us get more in tune with our feelings. Here's a conversation–word for word–that we had right before our walk:

Me: I'm feeling ... so something.

Tom: I'm feeling even more something.

Dental Appointment

If you live in San Francisco, you probably can't afford to go to the dentist. But if you get a weird spot on your front tooth from drinking too much coffee and you have to go, my dentist is the best. So are his teeth-cleaning fanatics. Dr. Ostwald is his name and A People-Oriented Dental Practice is his game. He's at 1635 Divisadero Street.

Vomiting Flowers

The garden on the right side of our driveway is vomiting flowers so that they're flowing down onto the sidewalk. The blue is Lithodora. The garden on the other side of our driveway isn't doing so well, so I won't show a photo of it today–although I did take a picture. I'm going to take that photo to the nursery (flowers, not kids) and ask them what to plant over there where it's shadier.

Strange Furniture

Before Tom left, he brought home a new piece of furniture. He installed it beneath my paintings, right by the front door.

I like the blue upholstery. But I haven't seen anything like it in a long time and I'm not sure how to approach it. I think my mother had one. Anyway, it's a great place to throw down glasses and keys and videos that need to be returned. A bowl of candy would be a nice touch.

What would you do with something like this?

Me Myself & I

(Tom left this morning to surprise his dad, who is 88 today.)

Overcompensation?

When we lived in Knoxville–home of the Vols–we never owned anything orange. Everything around us was orange, and so orange became a non-color. When I look back now I see that I rarely–hardly ever! used orange in any of the paintings or illustrations I did in Tennessee.

It was hilarious to look over at our migrating pile of laundry today and see this.

Tom's Wine Bar

It's really called Uva, not Tom's Wine Bar. Tom was the architect. We paid it a visit last night.
Here's a photo I took seven months ago standing in the same spot:

By 7:00 the joint was jumping. That's Boris the Wonder Boy behind the bar.

...and the Man studying the Menu:

Work & Play

© Linda Davick for Whistlefritz
The wind let up today–did you hear about the woman being blown off a cliff last week on the Coastal Trail? And work let up, too.  So this evening we hit the beach and discovered that beach glass season is upon us! I made a big haul.

I'm worried though, because now Peter's got beach glass fever, too. He and Anne and Carmen make their six mile beach run daily; and they're hoovering up all the glass before I can get to it! When we ran into him tonight he gloated as he pulled a prize piece out of his pocket to show me. It was a beauty. (Aqua with wire running through it.) That's gloating Peter (below) with Carmen behind him.

Importance of Clear Communication

Watchismo


When you're in a crunch for time, it really helps if you and your client speak the same language. Yesterday for example, I made a suggestion at the 11th hour and was relieved to receive this reply from my client: (direct quote, including color)

Honk. Honk. Beep. Beep. Awwooooga.

I knew exactly what to do and went full speed ahead.

Sick Green & Acid Green

They're my two favorite colors lately.

Sally asked for photos so I jumped at the chance to show off my bargains.

3 Smart Business Models

1. Shrewd Merchandising (Above)

Simplicity. Everything is 50 cents, no matter what item you order.

Craftsmanship. Everything is homemade.

No Sweating of Small Stuff. When I ask whether the baked goods are muffins or cupcakes I'm assured they're cupcakes, "Even though they're not iced."

"Did you run out of time?" I ask.

"Yes."

2. Smart Shopping

Be a trooper. Title Nine had a 4-day blow-out sale this week at Fort Mason, where everything was up to 70% off. I went on day one, even though I had to walk from my appointment because somebody had decided it was more important for him to have the family car. I bought a sick-green hooded running jacket trimmed with fake fur for half price. I tried on an acid green pair of Pumas, but decided against them. Even though they were half price, I realized if I bought another pair of shoes, they needed to be "real" shoes. Also, I figured that by day four, prices would be cut again.

Be diligent; know your true price point. I drove back on day four. (f.y.i: That's today.) The acid green Pumas were on top of the pile of size 8's. One pair only, and the price had been slashed. However, all the running jackets with fake fur trim were long gone. I put the shoes in the bag. When you're able to recognize your "true" price point, it doesn't matter whether the shoes are "real."

3. Taxes: Stop Procrastinating

On the way back from Fort Mason, I mailed 2 envelopes. One to the IRS and one to California Franchise Tax Board.

Tom: I bet you were surprised I got the taxes done today.

Me: Delighted. To think we filed for an extension 2 whole days before the deadline to file for an extension.

Tranquility Road

I wanted to rush and get this posted before Sally got back home and found out I had stolen her painting to use as my tranquility roadblock.

She started the Tranquility Road cartoon trend months ago.

Then Jesse did his own version.

Then Namowal jumped in with hers.

What blocks your road?

Looking Down

Tom says this is called a detectable warning surface. So people who are visually impaired have a tactile warning that the surface they're walking on will soon change. Are you considered visually impaired if you look down and see 108 little faces looking back up at you?

Adventures of Luci: 3 Chapters

When I first started keeping this online journal, nobody read it for a year and nobody left any comments. Then suddenly this kid named Luci started leaving comments. I didn't know her and I'm not sure how she found my blog. She had moved to California from Indonesia, and was married to Lars, a guy from Denmark.








1. Luci Goes to Denmark

From: Luci
Subject: Re: bye!
Date: March 18, 2008 1:25:05 AM PDTd
To: Linda

Dear Linda, We arrived last week. On the weekend we attended Lars' cousin's wedding. It was beautiful and very interesting. I've never attended a Danish wedding before. Even though Lars had told me stories about Danish wedding, it turned out very different from I'd imagined. I have to admit that some times certain things require the real experience.

Lars and I have been taking walks each day. I especially love the walk to the bakery to get the morning bread and pastries. I've been a good, magnanimous person. I even shared my rum balls with everyone. Christer, of course, lectures me of the effects of alcohol to my brain and the rest of my organs. But, I still eat it anyways.

Today we are invited to have lunch with Lars aunt and uncle. They live in Underup. I guess that means I have to take a shower. Sigh. It's very cold here. I do not relish the freezing period between getting out of my thermal underwears and the cold air attack when I come out from the shower. But one must do what one must do. I don't want to have the reputation of the French people. You know that they don't shower ... and they only dab perfume on their wrists and necks.

Until next time! Love, Luci.

PS: I just love cream havarti cheese!!!!

2. Luci Returns a Different Person

From: Luci
Date: April 8, 2008 9:38:04 AM CDT
To: Stray G.

We are on our second week being back at home now, and only a few steps behind our usual rhythms. Maybe this week we’ll be in sync. We are the same person but somehow we are not exactly the same people as before we left for our trip. The experience had changed or improved us somehow; not in a big/grand way that totally alter us. I’m glad we took the vacation. It’s good to take ourselves away from our habitat sometimes. Changed the regular sceneries and practice a whole set of entirely different routine. Now that I’m back I can see things from different angles: a fresh perspective (almost like wearing a new glasses).

3. Luci's Boss

From: Luci
Subject: It's Wednesday!
Date: April 9, 2008 6:40:49 AM PDT
To: Linda

I saw my supervisor yesterday. She was coming in to work, and I was going home. I asked her innocently how did last week go because I hardly saw her. She said that she’s trying hard not get any scones. Then she finished with, “It’s your fault.”

According to the charge I am responsible in getting my supervisor hooked on scones. I don’t know why people always think of me as bad influence (I think I wrote about this in one of my blog posts). The hospital cafeteria sells scones on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. All I did was letting her smell the scones I just bought. It went like this, one morning I passed her in the hallway. I was leaving the cafeteria as she was going in. I greeted her and she asked me what I got. I told her I bought three of the world marvelous scones. One for Dena, one for Christer, and one for my sister (whose office I was going to stop by on my way home). Then I opened the container and let her take a whiff of the delectable aroma. That’s all I did. I did not even offer her to take a bite of Christer’s scone just to have a little taste! I remember feeling bad as I walked to my car for not offering. See, I was raised in a society that dictates people to share food (especially when seen holding food). It is considered very bad manner to eat in front of people without offering it or sharing it. Now, the procedure goes like this: we politely offer, and in return they politely decline. That’s the Polite Game. But, of course, Americans don’t follow the game’s rule. When offered food, if they want it, they say, “yes, thank you,” and take a big chunk out of your offering. Leaving with you hardly any food left. And, you just have to smile and grudgingly mumble in your heart, “Rakus!” Oh, we’re getting sidetrack here that is an entirely different story.

So, now, my super fit supervisor is hooked on scones. She is Super Fit Supervisor because she runs marathons. She belongs to some type marathon group and fly to different places to run the marathon. She ran marathon in China (at the great wall! How exciting is that?!), and in Australia, Hawaii, and other cities in U.S. My super fit supervisor takes really good care of her body, and mindful of what she eats. But now she has come down to count the days in a Scone-ish manner.

She told me that she goes through the week by scone day. Such as, today is Monday; it’s scone day! Today is Tuesday … not scone day. Today is Wednesday; it is scone day! Today is Thursday, … not scone day. Today is Friday; it is scone day! Then it’s weekend. Yay! When weekend is over, she anticipates going to work because … Monday is … yup, it is scone day! And everything begins again.

So, Linda, maybe it’s not such a good idea to hang around me. You might get “influenced” in a very bad way. Hey, it’s past six! Cafeteria is open, and today is Wednesday. It’s Scones Day!

Tata for now, Linda! Please take care! :) Love, Luci.

Hello! I am tired this evening.

I am a nice girl who is too tired to chat with you, but I hope you like my pictures.









Today I went to see Kimberly for a hair cut and color. Every time I see Kimberly, her hair is different from the last time. Very different! And every time I see her, I ask her to do the same old thing to my hair. Today she suggested something I might want to think about for next time: We could part my hair down the middle, and do one side one color, and the other side a different color. "What colors?" I asked.

"Lavender on one side, and deep purple on the other."














Same old hair. But do you notice anything different? I'm wearing lipstick. From my free Clinique beauty bonus kit.

New Trend: I Am Tired.

In this case, I'm definitely an early adopter. Is anyone else picking up on the new tired trend? Here are three (spam) e-mails from today from three great names. I like Morgan Boyle particularly:

Morgan Boyle: I saw your picture

Hello! I am tired this afternoon. I am nice girl that would like to chat with you. Email me at Solveig@jolasite.com only, because I am using my friend's email to write this. Hope you wanna see my pics.

Lowell Lawson: I still remember you

Hello! I am tired this evening. I am nice girl that would like to chat with you. Email me at Isabella@jolasite.com only, because I am using my friend's email to write this. I will reply with my pics

Elva Burger: Where have you been?

Hello! I am tired tonight. I am nice girl that would like to chat with you. Email me at Anna@jolasite.com only, because I am using my friend's email to write this. Hope you like my pictures.

In-Box

Something funny landed in my in-box today. Mari, thank you! This was a great surprise.

Mari Pfeiffer is a freelance writer and supremely talented baker. She's married to a Norwegian, same as me; and he made her go to Norway, too. Look over here to see more of Mari's delicious art.

Mari, were the lemon cookies flavored with lemons from your Meyer Lemon tree?

p.s. to Stray G: Wouldn't it be great if Mari could cater your Dog Show?

Kveta Pacovska – Somebody Help!

Kveta Pacovska from The Little Match Girl
I still dream about the computer game Alphabet, illustrated by Kveta Pacovska. I had to get my friend Helen to buy it for me when she was in Germany. I can't use it any more because it doesn't work with OSX.

The other day I decided to Google Kveta. I found lots of books illustrated by her, and went on a spree. I ordered 5.

Help! Yesterday I discovered that she's done a new interactive game! It's called Midnight Play. I'm dying to get my hands on it. It's down-loadable. But what's all this about torrents and seeds and leeches? I have to install a Bit Torrent(?) in order to download it. Is this because it's P2P; and is this a safe thing to do?

One of the wildest things I found out about Kveta Pacovska is that she's 80 years old.

About books, she says: A book is architecture for me. It is a given sealed space into which I compose painted, written, cut and empty pages.

A drawing is such as it is. It should not and cannot pretend. It expresses our feelings and our thoughts. I love all materials. They are tempting. I like to work with all. But that isn’t possible. When I choose a material, I conform to its rules and I try not to violate them…

White and black are not included in the colour spectrum but for me they are colours and mean maximum contrast. And maximum contrast is the maximum beauty. I am striving for maximum contrast. Red and green. The placing of colours one over the other. It depends on the relation, proportion, rhythm, size, amount and how we placed colours together. It is like music. Each individual tone is beautiful by itself and in certain groupings we create new dimensions, harmony, disharmony, symphonies, operas and books for children.


Kveta Pacovska from Unfold/Enfold

Wait On Me

Almost every evening, the same thing happens:

Me: Will you be lonely if I run on ahead?

After Tom assures me he won't be lonely, I turn on my music and take off. Then I stop to take a picture; stop to pick up a piece of glass ...

... 45 minutes later I look up and there he is, a quarter mile ahead of me. That's him tonight, circled in red.

Take Lots of Pictures & Make Lots of Plans

Andrea writes about seeing Elizabeth Gilbert and Anne Lamott. From her Superhero Journal:

... there were a few stories that stuck. One was a story that Elizabeth Gilbert paraphrased from a book she had read recently. The question posed was about living in the now and this writer responded that living in the now is overrated and unless you're a yogi or a monk, pretty much impossible for us regular folk. He said that possibly, the key to a happy life is about having great memories to look back on and great things to look forward to. So take lots of pictures and make lots of plans!

This is how I've tried to live for some time, but hadn't put it into words quite so well. I've always believed that we need beautiful images of our lives because it helps us to craft the story of our lives. When I look at my photos, I see that I have had amazing adventures, that I live in a world of color, that there is beauty everywhere, that my dreams are coming true, that I am loved. My photographs reflect back a story that inspires me.

Making plans for the future gives you a different quality of life in the present. When I know I am going on a trip next week or next month I feel so differently about today. Having something to look forward to gives you a giddiness about life, an excitement about what's to come, and can shift our experience of the now. I have a few fun travel adventures planned for this year, and just knowing they are coming gives me a joy right now that is such a gift.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When I look at my photos, I don't always see that I've had amazing adventures nor do I always see that beauty is everywhere, but my photos are precious to me anyway. They make me feel rich. When I come back home with a camera full of photos, I can't wait to download them. Sometimes I feel like I'm getting ready to empty out a box of treasure.

I agree when Andrea says "Making plans for the future gives you a different quality of life in the present." Again though, the trips I have planned for the future don't always give me something to look forward to. (Some trips I dread.) But they definitely color my time right now.