San Francisco museum visit - Picasso & Stein shows

On a quick break up to San Francisco, I got to see two museum shows -





Newly rebuilt - DeYoung had the Picasso show.











Works from his own collection














Museum was as artful a place as I'd seen. Luscious ferns....









































Stunning views











































Along the same theme, SF Moma had a show about the Stein family in Paris.




















They were rabid collectors of Matisse, Picasso and so many others.











A fascinating tour of life in the 20's and 30's as well seeing those museums' grand designs.

Outside the locals enjoy the beauty of the park and do their morning routines.

Dog day LA

Hey there....





just a day in the life





everybody looks good in LA!

Streetlife

Life in the streets is full of history and personalities....



Downtown LA is splendidly
vibrant.









"Sunset Blvd" was playing at one of the old theatres - The Palace.







Once vaudeville ruled....now
there is street theatre.








Blue man group appeared...

almost darting out
of their custom
van.

















































































A peek at Beverly Hills - cameras flickering.






A hawk perches on 3rd balcony....

he's very much a local says the parking attendant.
























Fine time for a respite.....






















albeit hairbender coffee....direct from Portland, OR

Vera

Vera, a tortoise shell tabby was a very sweet cat. At 17, she grew weak with kidney problems, common for older cats. I had to put her down today - which makes it a very sad day.

She was a gift from a stranger and an uncommonly kind cat...

She is sorely missed. I'm wondering how many days of looking out from underneath my feet to really recognize that she's gone.

Candles are burning....may she rest in peace.

Foggy Maine day

The fog can lull you in....

















allow you to retreat with abandon.

































All the while, offering ripened colors for the eye to feast upon - like the splendid lilac

Fog suits me fine.

LA Bookfare - Patti Smith & Dave Eggers

The LA Times annual bookfare had a few sell-out crowd crazy events - Patti Smith and Dave Eggers was one. I missed getting tickets but just stood in standby and got in!

Patti Smith's book "Just Kids" won the National Book award..... I read it last year and so loved it.

She is sweet, self-effacing and a remarkably talented woman. Almost with a girl-crush, I walked up to get my book signed. We both were born in Philly and agreed it was a wonderful spot.















Dave Eggers, has got a multitude of followers....from his earliest work -"A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius, " the quarterly McSweeney's, as well as the screenplays of "Wild Things"
and "Away we Go." Perhaps it is the sensitivity of any artist, but his work is extraordinarily original.






Both felt it such a blessing to work at craft that they love....truth seekers, warm souls and hopeful for a better world if you can act on it.


















































I was a bit mixed up being downtown near the new location, USC...but I got to see some
unexpected sights.....















Since wedding season has begun, I joined the cart lady to watch the newly weds. She remarked only "bonita."

Yes, bonita, truly bonita!

Heading home

Just getting back into normal takes a bit of time, feels like we've been tunneling through this dark, nervy, and unfamiliar landscape.

I know there is light at the end of the tunnel....but it's gonna take some time to get there.

Peace be with you.