My Friday Night

It was so windy this evening that hardly anyone was on the beach. Look at the sand! And most of the sea wall was covered over with sand. Doesn't it remind you of a snow drift?


I finally gave up and walked across the Great Highway to continue my jog. Getta loada this carpet by the side of the path:


Earlier I was at the library looking at kids' books. I stumbled upon those old George and Martha books! I checked out three and read them at dinner. (Banh mi sandwich from Little Vietnam Cafe on 6th Avenue and a big glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Riesling with ice.)

I laughed out loud. They seemed so familiar. Then it hit me: Tom and I are George and Martha.

p.s. Tom is in Fall Branch visiting his dad and Norma. Don't tell him I put ice in the wine.

Dermatologist

Tom: What did the doctor say?

Me: He didn't know. I got a stitch! He wanted to do an autopsy.

Tom: I hope you didn't let him.

Me: Wha ...

Tom: Whenever a doctor wants to do an autopsy on you, always say no.

Me: Biopsy! Biopsy!


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p.s. Friday: In case you're wondering, my autopsy was benign.

A Very Satisfying Dinner

Today's beach glass background is brought to you by a What's Happening to My Body Book for Younger Girls.

It's one of my early illustrations. Don't you love the way I drew the knees like little bumps? I still draw teeth the same way.

Speaking of diet, here's what I had tonight for dinner: oatmeal with walnuts and raisins, half a serving of Kettle Brand Hickory Honey Barbeque Baked Potato Chips made from real sliced potatoes, and vodka over ice mixed with a tiny bit of pineapple coconut juice made from real sliced pineapples and coconuts. Very satisfying and very little cleanup.

A Book I Love

And a face I love. I found it on the beach this evening. I added the pupils, so he could be looking toward the ocean.

Me, me, me

Do you have acquaintances who seem to love talking to you, but rarely ask you anything about yourself? People who might be entertaining and fun to be around at first, but after awhile the "me, me, me" focus of their conversation starts wearing a little thin? (What are you, chopped liver?) Maybe you find yourself avoiding these friends more and more. Well, guess who that person has been lately in my small group of friends? Me.

It's been me! I've been so wound up about work that I haven't been able to see around my blinders, except for looking straight down at the sand for beach glass. I've run into the PAC* three times out there in the past week and have barely asked them how they were or what they were up to. And last night when I ran into them, getta loada the fine gift Peter bestowed upon me for my coffee table: the very tip of a broken surfboard that had just washed up.
*Peter, Anne, Carmen

Double Duty

It's been a grueling few weeks. Tom's had a deadline that won't stop and so I've been put in charge of shopping for food and cooking meals in addition to cleaning up. To me, these duties are much more perplexing than normal work.

In the photo above it's Sunday morning and I'm walking to the farmers' market at Fort Mason. I'm sulking and pulling a rolling cart behind me. When I pass these flowers-from-another-planet I have to stop and pull my camera out.

Below are my finds from the past two or three walks. Every surface in the house is covered with architectural drawings, so that's what you see in the background.

Found

Dear Ms. Davick

Found Objects 4/11

Sea Glass from Ocean Beach: free
Bowls from sidewalk sale: a buck apiece

Cold

Things I Think About

I like leaves and shells and natural things. But there's something about things made by people that I feel an even deeper affection for. Especially glass and plastic, as you know.

A couple of days ago, Stray sent me the photo below with a link to the story. All of the objects in the photo are the contents of the stomach of one sea turtle that lost its battle with plastic pollution.

And then today I got this email from Aggles:

"I think most people might be distressed by this but since you're an artist who collects beach wash-ups you might find this exciting:

How Japan's Tsunami Massive Debris Plume Will Hit California and Hawaii

From the article: If you live in Hawaii, California, British Columbia, Alaska or Baja California, here is some bad news: According to computer models made by scientists at the International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, all the debris washed out by the Japan tsunami is coming your way.

Much more at link including arrival dates which is still a few years away. But that's ok - it's something to look forward too!"

Gizmodo photo

T-Shirts Are Coming

Easter Sea Glass

When I saw the pink plastic Easter egg on the sand, I threw all the glass I had collected down beside it so I could take a picture. This photo was taken right before the sneaker wave crept up and soaked my shoes and jeans. Then, to add insult to injury, it took some of the glass back. But I was able to chase down the big green piece.