The Weekend

At 5am on Saturday awoke to a text from Southwest Airlines canceling my 8:50am flight to Oakland.  Called and booked an earlier flight.

Too early to call Christa so I sent an email.  Showered, had some coffee, and headed off to Burbank's Bob Hope Airport. As I boarded the 7am flight I texted "read your email" knowing full well Jeff, the early riser, would read it and inform her of the fight change.  Had no clue they'd been up a good portion of the night. A sad but not unexpected moment loomed. 

Nike, their 16 year old golden lab, was fading. Pet owners are blessed daily with unconditional love and when the time comes for us to do the right thing the sorrow rips your heart from your chest. The sense of loss unbearable.

As I flew north, my friends were taking the old boy to the vet.

 The drug was administered as Nike lay peacefully in the back of their Volvo wagon. No sterile, cold exam room table.

Nike now romps forever in the clouds with Stella Bella.

As I waited at Oakland International tears rolled down my cheeks. For Jeffer, and the girls, but mostly for Christa. That huge, wonderful, neurotic dog was her baby.  When she'd would return from somewhere he bounced around in circles, with a gleeful "Mom's home, Mom's home!" expression on his face. He adored her and the feeling in the Lawrence family was mutual.  One helluva a dog!

Each drink consumed over the weekend was a toast to Nike.

Friends are the family we choose and on this visit to the City By the Bay three of us were going to celebrate our 60th Birthdays. Stayed at the "Blackwell" Penthouse on Nob Hill. Would you look at the view?!!! 

Weather was stellar and this view just got better and better.

I'd mentioned the only thing I wanted to do was visit Creativity Explored in the Mission District. We fussed and fretted on how to best get there. Driving was mentioned. I was having none of it. Why come to a city and not use public transportation? Or walk? Looked it up on Google. Only a mile or so. We could handle that and so we walked. Perfect way to see SF.

 We were all starving. I could see beers taps in the window of Pica Pica Maize Kitchen on Valencia. We needed no more encouragement, crossed the street  and walked on in.  Besides us only four other people were there.

The menu was Venezuelan with the corn bread arepas featured.

I had pulled pork, Christa shredded beef with plantains, Jan the chicken with gouda cheese. Each on a different corn bread. Cute, unpretentious little spot. Just the right amount of food and our timing couldn't have been better. Within 5 minutes of ordering the place was packed. 

GREAT find. The type of place you recommend to others!

After licking our plates clean and downing our Sam Adams we were out the door enroute to Creativity Explored which had opened at 1pm.

Cannot recall how I discovered CE. A non profit, the artists who create, display and sell their work, are all developmentally challenged. The art is bold, bleak, funny, poignant and beautiful. Love collecting their pieces. During the week you can drop in and engage with the artists. I was bummed to find out that on weekends the artists are not there. Housed in an old dance hall, the wooden floor, tin covered ceilings and vibrant art create a memorable visit. 

Bought a chalk drawing similar to the colorful pieces the couple are standing by.

Purchases in hand we wandered a bit more. 

  Then hopped on Muni to Union Square.

Another toast to Nike at the Hotel Monaco Bar.

Some more meandering and WTF?

Then climbed this hill back to the Penthouse.

Oh yes we did! Instead of heading back out for dinner we ordered Chinese.

Seriously, once you get the shoes off and comfy clothes on, you know you are not getting redressed. Not to mention we were getting bombed. Sat around eating, drinking, laughing and answering questions to some game Christa brought with her. Questions such as "Who is the most famous person you've met or what trait of your astrological sign do you really have?"  Jan had us in hysterics when she'd not have a response and would offer up "pending" instead. Discovered that Christa would love to learn to play the cello. Who knew?!?

Next morning I was up before dawn. Drinks or no drinks, tired or not, nothing changes. Not wanting to wake anyone I sat in a chair watching the sun rise. Too perfect.  Jan got up next, we started the coffee and per Jeff's instruction served sleepy head Christa her cup in bed. She's never been a morning person. EVER. In high school she'd sleep until noon or later. Not on my watch. We rousted her and were out the door by 9:30am. 

Sunday's weather was drop dead gorgeous. Cool temps and rain had been predicted.  Once again good karma was ours!

This time we drove.  Over to a favorite haunt called The Ramp.  In the late 80's when I was helping with the KQED auction I was turned onto this place.  Basically it's a bar and outdoor restaurant along the docks. South of AT&T Park. Some days a huge Red Cross ship is docked close by but on this day small sloops reigned. Per usual an interesting mix of diners.

Next stop was the far west end of Golden Gate Park.

It was about enjoying the fresh sea air AND having a drink at the Beach Chalet. A place I've never been to. The parking gods were with us and we found a spot close by. As one can see the lawn area was packed.

While Jan "held" the small bench she and Christa had zoomed in on, Christa took me inside to see the 1930's murals.  Featuring noted San Francisco folks (Sculptor Benny Bufano is in the white shirt on the horse) it was fascinating.

After downing our pints off we went to explore the park.  I spied wood

nymphs and we enjoyed the flowers at the windmill. 

Which, apparently was all you could enjoy since this sign pretty much prohibited  anything else.

We strolled some more. Taking in the flora and fauna and watched others enjoying the weather and their wonderful park.

Couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate our collective 60th. A weekend in my favorite city on the planet.

Made me blue to leave......

but.......