Mediana

Based on the success of her previous work "This Is Not A Bill", the little cat has produced another piece in the series we call "Toothings".

Here is the artist at work:

And her latest project, called "Mediana":

An Afternoon Drive

Last Sunday was almost perfect.

First, a reunion with the Real Housewives of [that restaurant where we used to work]. I love them. It's like a huge affirmation when we are together. 20 years ago we spent our Sundays together, working like dogs and covered in pancake batter. Now we're in hugely different places in our lives.

We rotate locations for our get-togethers, and last week's was on the top of the hill. Our host now lives in the former home of the vice president of the local Hell's Angels club. When she and her ex bought the place they found 10 phone jacks in the attic (for the bookmaking) and a coffin. It's now returned to what it once was, a sweet house on a hill with spectacular views.

After our togetherness, I had 4 hours to burn before catching mrguy's improv show. I did a little sentimental tour.

First to visit my grandparents. I have always loved this place. I used to take special trips out here with my mom. We'd clip camellias from the yard and bring them up to fill their urns. They used to pipe organ music into the rooms. Super tremelo-filled music. It really enhanced the otherworldly atmosphere.

And the interiors are super schmancy. Check out this grill work:

My grandparents are here, to the right, at shoe-level. They're in a room with a lot of their friends. I guess all the kids were doing it. 

Because of the drawer situation I always wonder what she and my grandfather are wearing, although I imagine she's not wearing anything. Her husband wouldn't release her for burial, said "Let her rot!!" and my parents had to bribe someone in the city coroner's office to get her back. I do not think of those things when I am here, only of happy times with my mother, peace and of being surrounded by beauty.

I was the last person there, so when they closed up I went to the beach to see the sunset.

And then I drove around town futilely looking for a place to eat that you could get to on a Saturday night. Kind of a drag (cause I was super hungry), and kind of awesome just driving around and listening to NPR for a few hours.

Heavenly.

Tools Of The Trade

Signs Point To Yes, Again

Oh Man, I love this sign! Mrguy and I used to pass it all the time when we lived in the old old place, and we'd talk about how some day we wanted to own it. The sign, not the bar. Today, on my birthday (observed) with bigsis, we drove past and I was determined to at least photograph the sign. As luck would have it, the bar is now for sale, and I have written to the realtor to ask whether the owners have plans for the sign.

The reason I ask is that not too far away, many many years ago, I was getting cheap tires put on my car. While I waited, workers were disassembling an amazing sign I'd admired. I asked them if there were plans for the sign, and they told me that their boss had not told them what to do with the sign beyond taking it out of the frame. They went to a pay phone and called their boss to ask, leaving a message. Then he called me (at my apartment 30 minutes away). I returned home, got the happy message that the sign was all mine, and drove 30 minutes back up the freeway to get the very large sign (2 of them, actually) into my Barracuda. I've been a happy gal ever since.

I'm looking for a photo of the SnackBar sign, but can't find one at the moment. The sign is stored (somewhere) awaiting reinstall after the kitchen remodel is complete.

147 Bloodless Days

And then there was Tuesday. Do I start the count over? How do people do this stuff?

I thought I was in the clear -- making it into menopause without the starts and stops. Now I'm bleeding and unbelievably cranky.

I have a great life. I am so lucky. It's not right to be so grumpy.

But I am.