Whoa Low Tide

The tide was so low this evening we could walk all the way around the back of the Cliff House.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Tom: "All of a sudden it's 8:30 and I haven't finished putting the ornaments on."

December 28th (three days after Christmas)

December 27

Lunch with Lucille

Ocean Beach begins at the very edge of the city.

Looking down from Sutro Park  5:14 p.m.

Christmas at Emmy's

What Chef John baked for us

Emmy's office

Emmy's dining room

The Joy of Life

Christmas Eve in the morning we walked up to the Legion of Honor. Matisse! My favorite painting was an oil sketch he did for The Joy of Life. We saw msmasmushly in the museum shop wearing the greatest pair of dog socks. She looked stunning and was doggedly doing her darnedest to be pleasant to her customers. Tom and I had lunch in the cafe: a loaded hotdog along with an Anchor Steam.

Christmas Eve in the evening: a joyful dinner with Anne and Peter at the Cliff House.

Christmas Eve Eve

Jeanne & Ed's

Kevin brought amazing cookies and kept them in the corner away from me. He's guarding them.

Halfway through the evening I look out the window and spot Tom and Jeanne wandering around the backyard in the dark. "What are they doing out there!?"

"They're looking for Bonnie. Tom wanted to meet Jeanne's cat."

Most coveted gift: a hand-painted plate portraying a cat in a Girl Scout uniform.

Another gift item. And that's Shannon, my favorite writing pardner.

TIAPOS Christmas Party

Some enchanted evening. I finally got to meet Suzy Parker, for one thing. The food was another thing––the food and wine. I brought Tom; Mary Ann brought Husbando; Hedi brought Carlos, who brought tons of food from his Peruvian restaurant, Eric brought Leah, and I met Barb for the first time. (It was wild, meeting the TIAPOSian partners.) We read our holiday rants and laughed ourselves silly. The clap-o-meter had to be repaired after Randy read––and after Jane's rant it went through the ceiling.

Jane and Suzy. Suzy is wearing a sweater from Mrs. Scott.

Pink

East West Literary Agency

A card I did for my literary agency starring Pete the Cat and Llama Llama, who have been on the NYTimes best seller list for years. That's me on the piano, so be sure to turn on your sound.

My Trip to Tennessee

In Fall Branch: me, Norma (Tom's super stepmom), Diane, Tom, and Richard (Norma's son).

And in case you're curious what the people above really look like: Richard, Norma, Diane, Tom

My friend Katy lives in Limestone. We met in 1977–my first day of work in the bookstore.

In Midway to visit Katy's sister, a beekeeper. We get away with two kinds of honey.

Catching the Greyhound Bus to Chattanooga

Aggles has our hotel room prepared when I walk in

Great finds at the Chattanooga Craft Fair

Aggles at City Cafe Diner

Home again

A Book For Your Baby

10 Trim-the-Tree'ers, illustrated by me!

This Just In: San Diego

BEEP: This just popped up on my phone from Allyn. Apparently it's chilly even in San Diego.

Still frosty here as well!   4:47 p.m.

This Just In: Pup In Boots

Hi Linda, You will be happy that Keiko has boots just a bit like yours. (Keiko is Judy's gorgeous pup.)

Keiko's weather is quite a contrast to ours, but it's just as cold here. Heavy down coats & long johns.

Keiko lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Under the Covers, Reading by Flashlight

It's cold! Snow's predicted nearby. Just finished Ann's amazing book; in the middle of Lucy's.

I Won Something!

Astounding! For the first time in my life I was the lucky winner. I won a copy of The Christmas Quiet Book by my friend Deborah Underwood. I know what you're thinking. The contest was rigged. But it wasn't! She has 1,177 friends. This is one of the most wonderful Christmas books out in the world today. This one isn't bad, either.

Doors open at 11, auction starts at 1pm  .  1011 Market St, 2nd floor .   See the catalog!

Jeanne took the photo on the cover. I mean, I know her! She's my friend! She really is. She bought me a hot brandy a few weeks ago. She's the boss of the book group this month, and she's making us read Anne Tillman's American Genius, A Comedy. I'm not a photography aficionado, but these names jumped out: Ansel Adams, Herb Ritts, Brett Weston––their photos will be in the auction along with Jeanne's. I'm hoping Shannon will be pouring the wine.

Puddle

5:05 p.m.