Walking and Talking at the Same Time

We were both feeling depressed as we stumbled out the door for a walk this evening. Tom's dad is just out of intensive care; and my mom has injured a hip and can't remember how. It was too windy on the beach, so we hit the Coastal Trail.

After three miles, I can feel a definite shift in spirit. I even have a suggestion:

My suggestion: Hey, Tom! Would you like to go see the Annie Leibovitz show at the Legion of Honor tomorrow morning?

Tom: I'd like to, but I have a ton of work to do.

Me: I do too! But we could take just ten minutes and run through it.

Tom: Remember the last time we were going to take just ten minutes and run through the De Young? We ended up running through for three hours.

Me: I know! But the Legion is minutes away, and–aside from these photographs–there's never anything there to look at! I mean, there's never anything in the gift shop.

Contest

I'm glad I escaped this evening, because look who I ran into on the beach!

Be the first to correctly identify this famous film character, and win the Ducks Unlimited Collectors Box shown below. (Candy included.)

Hello I Must Be Going

This is my new shirt. Anne passed it down to me because it didn't fit her any more. I like it. I took this photo for her.

I haven't been out of my studio since Monday, so I began thinking of the shirt as my prison uniform. As I've mentioned before, I sometimes daydream about going to jail.

Things I like about being imprisoned in my studio:

1. I can't go outside and exercise because I don't have time. You might get the impression that I like to go outside and jog. But I'd much rather sit in front of my computer and never budge. Maybe have a glass of wine. Eat a giant falafel sandwich, skip the eggplant, extra potatoes. If the potatoes are rolled up in the sandwich they don't count as fries. And then you're allowed to dip the sandwich in ketchup.

2. I don't have to think about anything disturbing because I don't have time.

3. I don't have to pay bills, because I don't have time.

4. I don't have to do laundry because I don't have time.

5. I don't have to pull weeds because I don't have time.

Sadly, I have to draw this post to a close because I've been released and it's low tide.

Beach Find of the Day

Show and Tell

Tom reveals magnificent farmers' market purchase to Eric and Deb in Boston.

Skype is fascinating (as well as terrifying). You can download it for free and speak "in person" to other Skypers around the world. If you're calling from computer to computer, it's free.

Hooray for Lisa Horstman

Lisa, you are a gem. You responded quickly, compassionately to Paul's plea for web site help. Not only that, but when I requested a photo of you holding your Kindle in front of your latest work, you delivered a photo that radiates your good nature and sharp wit (above). For this, you deserve a reward. You may choose your prize from the following:

1. bird eggs (for display only)
2. jeweled-encrusted evening bag
3. "I'm exhausted" beauty kit










Act now;
supplies are limited.

Roger & Me

at
Modern Tea.











Remember Roger? He's in town for the weekend!
We met at Modern Tea for beer and mashed potatoes. The night before we met, he e-mailed me:

By the way, do you have a cell just in case I should need to call or text you? Thanks!

Oh, sorry, yes! ... But I don't know how to text. Will you show me?

So at lunch he showed me. After lunch he went to the restroom. After he had been in there for a minute or two, I got concerned and decided to text him. He had forgotten to show me how to leave spaces, so I had to write:

IhopeeverythingiscomingoutOK

Before he returned to the table, I got a reply:

I'm sorry i taught u how 2 text!

Who is Seymour Chwast?

Learning About Diabetes is an organization that Paul Tracey has developed. He needs help with his web site. Would you be interested in helping him?

A little background: he's trying to get information out to people who may have a hard time understanding how to take care of themselves if they have diabetes. They may be really young, really poor, they may not speak English–or they may be just like you and me.

One day Paul saw a picture by Seymour Chwast and thought: "That art is colorful and arresting! It might work for my project; and it would probably give the poor guy some good exposure for his work, too." So he arranged a meeting with Seymour, and it was obvious to Seymour after a few minutes that Paul had no idea who he was talking to. Seymour got a big kick out of this. He must have liked the idea, too, because he subsequently has donated hundreds of pieces of artwork for free.

To see what I mean, go here. Paul wants to make things easier to find on the site, and he has a clear outline for you to go by if you're interested in helping him and Seymour.

Guess Where I Am

1. Disney World Headquarters, Orlando
2. Ranken Jorden Pediatric Hospital, St. Louis
3. Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga
4. The Exploratorium, San Francisco

Keys to a Successful Business Trip

1. Your flights are on time and the seat between you and the person by the window is always empty.

2. You get a shuttle driver who plays the jazz station on the long drive to the hotel during rush hour.

3. You get a down comforter and 7 pillows on your bed at the hotel.

4. Your clients pick you up for dinner. In the car is a huge box of candy for you from Bissinger's. Also, a little box that you can open in the car and get started on right away.

5. At dinner there is no hesitation. They order a bottle of smooth Pinot Noir straightaway.

















6. After dinner they take you over to John and Teenuh's house to see their incredible collection of folk art. Including a piece by your favorite artist, Mose Tolliver.






































7. Then they show you their house! It's a jewel built in the '50's and subsequently misunderstood, that they've brought back to life.

















8. You haven't seen snow in eight years, and when you wake up the next morning, it's snowing!

9. You spend the day at Ranken Jordan, one of the most inspiring places you've ever been. To give you and idea of what I mean when I say "one of the most inspiring places," here's a short list of some of the most inspiring places I've ever been:

1. Sea Ranch
2. Big Sur / Redwood forests
3. Mission Dolores when it snowed rose petals at the Christmas concert

Kids who have had traumatic injuries come to this hospital. Usually they've been released from intensive care at other hospitals, but are still too sick to go home. They range in age from preemies born at 21 weeks and weighing less than a pound and a half, to 21 years. Most live here at least a month. Not only do they get physical therapy–they also get a big infusion of heart and soul.

Incredible Dessert

I had a wonderful dessert tonight:

A small chunk of Gethsemani Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge followed by a handful of Trader Joe's Oriental Rice Crackers, followed by a swig of ice cold Hanna Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley 2006), followed by a handful of Trader Joe's Oriental Rice Crackers, followed by a medium chunk of Gethsemani Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge, followed by a sip of Peet's Major Dickison's Blend coffee, followed by a small mound of Trader Joe's Oriental Rice Crackers, followed by a large chunk of Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge, followed by followed by followed by a just a tiny glass of ice cold Hanna Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley 2006), followed by a fistful of Trader Joe's Oriental Rice Crackers, floowed by a scoooop of Trappist Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Fudge ... if you have any better ideas, please comment. The lines are open.

I Love Boring

We were getting worried. We couldn't find a place to live. Finally we suggested to our realtor: "What if we could just find a little house in the Richmond?" She didn't respond enthusiastically.

"Would you live in the Richmond?" we asked her.

"Probably not."

"Why?"

After some prodding, she finally admitted: "It's kind of boring."

It was too windy to walk on the beach this evening, so we walked on the Coastal Trail, which is three blocks from our house in the Richmond. This is the view we had today.