Rancho los Amigos

It was mid-afternoon on Friday, and Cindy was racing up and down the hallway declaring “I’m horny, I’m horny.” Ike, who was hanging just out in the doorway to my room, muttered that he had something for Cindy to sit on. None of us doubted this. Ike had seven children. Which prompted Perry to turn to me and observe, “Maybe Ike has done a little too much sitting.” I reacted to Cindy with excitement and intimidation. She was a paraplegic who could use her two strong arms to achieve considerable Read more [...]

In the Valley of the Shadow

Death Valley. In anticipation I had it right. A chance for a few days of sun and no rain and warmth. And we had those things, just not as expected, travel being what it is. The first of which is that Nevada, true to the Spanish name, is snowy. Just look at the peaks approaching on State Highway 160. Apparently, anyone who is anyone knows that the mountains here are beautiful. Red Rock Canyon State Park being just one example. And there they were, tall snowy peaks, high enough to be above the Read more [...]

Every Breath You Take

“Safety and Respect” is the official motto of the San Francisco Police. And I am all for both concepts. I stare at these words on the rear panel of a large SFPD cruiser, an SUV parked at the entrance to an alley between Valencia and Mission Streets. This cop car has managed to block the curb cut, obstructing wheelchair access on a very busy thoroughfare. The irony sings. Though I am not singing. I am fighting my way to the 16th St. BART station, trying to make it to cover before the next Read more [...]

Mid-Market

When King Lear went stumbling around an undefined moor, well, he knew exactly what he was doing. Because if a storm doesn’t make you stumble, it’s not much of a storm, is it? Our recent version got off to a real meteorological bang. No, not thunder, although that was widely forecast. There was just an awful lot of rain in an awfully short period of time. And no one knew exactly what to do except tremble, fear and kvetch. My brother phoning from Palm Springs, assured me that the rain would be Read more [...]

Our Trip to Half Moon Bay

For me, one of the most salient features about Virginia Wolf’s “To the Lighthouse,” involves completion. The Ramseys never get there, FYI. Which explains why this is such a wonderful day. As Jane and I were getting up, preparing for a Monday without scheduled events or responsibilities, various ideas were bandied about. Principal among them, driving to Half Moon Bay. Why? From this introvert’s perspective, a drive, some highway exposure to nature, has a way of getting me out of myself. Read more [...]

City Hall

Why do so many of my urban tales begin at Civic Center BART Station? On this particular day it was hard enough to remember to get off there. So confusing, so many public-minded meetings in one week -- and me being 77 and all, quite taxing for what’s left of the neurons. But I did manage to alight at the proper point, make my way to the surface and experience San Francisco at its daylit darkest. After all, it’s almost the shortest day of the year, the lowest sun of the year, and the absolute Read more [...]