making a statement

Our neighborhood has been transformed in so many ways….Google Buses delivering techies to and from work in Silicon Valley, new restaurants opening like mushrooms after a rain, clothing shops that are so high-end that looking at prices is heart stopping. But, in the midst of it all, a former appliance repair shop has opened as a flower shop. Really basic and just sort of cleaned out the former junk. But, the new proprietor was busily painting this marvelous depiction of flowers on the street yesterday during our summer street festival, which is called City Streets. For one day, all traffic is removed and the street is open to bikes and kids and dogs and all manner of street performers. This fine new addition to our local business certainly made a statement. Brava!

each moment a new perspective

October brings the hint of winter, the joy of autumn and still gives reminders of summer. Summer so often in San Francisco brings fog and each moment in fog seems to have a new perspective. On relentlessly sunny days I don’t seem to have the varied experiences that a cloudy one can bring. For me, the layers of awareness, of mood, of hopes and dreams are needed, as is a more one-dimensional sunny outlook. The changing seasons, the changes in life and the hope of the future all seem to align in autumn. Preparation for winter? Consolidation of the summer growth? 

This photo is of autumn fog, not summer. Seems to be more dense and a bit darker.

Godzilla and the Golden Gate

Godzilla marches across the Golden Gate….well, at least in this wonderful print from the San Francisco Center for the Book’s annual Roadworks street fair. Each year a select group of artists create huge linoleum blocks of art to be printed by the extraordinary 1925 Buffalo Springfield steam roller. Crowds cheered each print and just to see the proud smiles of the artist made it a joyful day. I have posted about the Center on other occasions and it continues to be an artistic home for me after many years.  https://sfcb.org/

shadows or sun?

San Francisco is at nearly 38° north and the change in angle of the sun through the year is pretty dramatic. I have lived for 30 years in the shadow of a small hill to the south. Mid-summer, the sun shines straight down on the street. But, I love the period in the Spring and Fall when the sun moves far enough south for one side of the street to be in sunlight and the other in light shade. It just seems so wonderful to be able to choose between the two. Probably silly, but one of the things I love about the changing seasons.

a matter of perspective

Life seems overwhelming sometimes. And, I have learned through the years that it is usually a matter of perspective. I was deep into my own thoughts and concerns today, not focusing well on what needs to be done, only ruminating on what likely cannot be done and what should never even be considered. I needed to find some healthful vegetable for dinner and walked to a nearby Latin grocer. As I came around the corner, I saw for the second time in two days an elderly man going to do his shopping. He is in a wheelchair and is blind. He uses his red-tipped cane to gauge how close his wheelchair is to buildings, cars and the curbs. He was smiling. I was not. My dreary outlook had no element of the courage this man exhibits in just doing his daily outing. It is a matter of perspective, as I am sure that he did not see tapping his way along the street as a matter of heroic effort. I did.

This photo is just of beauty. I need that today and the rain drops on this rose are simple beauty.

without serenity

It has been nearly 2 weeks since I posted. Lots of busyness and a lot lethargy. Then, that dreaded computer crash and the hours of each day seemed to change. The simple awareness of how much technology has come to be a participant in my life, outlook and even self-esteem has been a true wake up call. I have one techie friend who takes “technology breaks” and won’t look at email, surf the web or use his phone for anything other than necessary phone calls for a pre-determined time. It is intentional on his part. My break was forced and I did not deal with it in serenity or even with pleasure. I am going to contemplate when and how those placid interruptions need to come into my life.

The photo: The grip of the metal on metal seems to be much like where life has been for awhile. But, behind it is an amazing blue sky....with just a hint of clouds to let me know the day is probably cool, as our summers here tend to be. And, I love that!

not quite universal

Awareness seems to come to me slowly sometimes, or in big batches demanding attention. Over the past week it has been about kindness. It has come to me in daily inspiration passages, in overhearing kind or unkind remarks, thinking about my own opportunities for kindness that have been missed, or those that have manifested. I looked through my journals for other times this was in my thoughts and found several quotes. I had not remembered even writing some of them down. So, awareness does come slowly.A brief internet search brings up thousands of quotes, poems and prayers. Obviously not just my concern, but one that is nearly universal!

Quotes on kindness:

Wherever there is a a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.

            Kevin Heath

Practice kindness all day to everybody

and you will realize you’re already

in heaven now.

            Jack Kerouac

The best part of life is not just surviving,

but thriving with passion and compassion

and humor and style and generosity

and kindness

          May Angelou

What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?

            Jean Jacques Rousseau

Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

          Scott Adams  

Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25-31) was created in 1988 by Lorraine Jara, after she heard a report of passersby ignoring a drowning man in distress. She was inspired to foster greater kindness in the world.