Little Lifts --- Days 15/215 & 216

Walk: You know - Hood & Presidio

Distance: 4.5 miles average

So, Ciwt's longer time readers (thank you!) have probably noticed often takes what appear to be the same routes on her daily walks (ie, hood & Presidio).  But they are never the same to her.  No matter how often she walks down this block or that block, or that Presidio path there are always things - little, spectacular, new, new to her eyes -  that lift her up or change her mind or just generally make her thankful she got out walking.  That's the nature of walks, it's what they do.

The picture above made her laugh.  It is a storefront window that doesn't mention what it sells, what its name is or even what the bear(?) is all about - just promotes supporting local businesses.  Whimsical, Fresh, Good reminder.

Then as she walked past the little local library as she does many times a week, she noticed the soft pink bloom of one of its trees and thought is was lovely color for relaxing into a good book.

Hats Off. Ooops, No ON and SAFE! --- Days 15/212 - 214

Walks: Hood and Presidio (of course)

Distance Average: 4 miles 

Val Diamond, San Francisco Hat and Harnass

So Ciwt finally got on the Bridgerton bandwagon, and, like many viewers past and present, can't wait to see whatever 'hairdo' the Queen is sporting each time she comes on the screen.  

Not easy - dangerous actually - for her to pull off.  Ciwt knows because she was friends with the man who crafted the ultra heavy 'hats' worn by San Francisco's former 45-year extravaganza Beach Blanket Babylon.  Her friend was a high quality picture framer and also the son of woman who had very bad scoliosis.  When he saw BBB soon after it began in 1974, he feared for the actors wearing, singing and moving around in the hats and approached the producers about trying to invent a bracing system for the Spectacular SAN FRANCISCO! headpiece. 

As you can see above, it was an actor in itself, updated according to current events.  People went mad when it made its nightly appearance.  The starring prop was also huge, heavy, off balance and truly dangerous to wear. The producers said "Go for it" which he did creating a support system that was 'comfortably' wearable, sturdy, safe and also invisible. It lasted the lifetime of the show and did parts of his payments.  Besides lifetime hugs from Val Diamond, the beloved BBB actress who wore the harnassed hat, he was given lifetime tickets for the always sold out event - which is the how Ciwt first saw the show. 

Dinner+/_ for Four --- Days 15/209 - 211

Walks: Hood, Presidio. AMC Kabuki

Distance Average: 4 miles

A foursome of actors on Ciwt's favorites list, intelligent/ultimately thought provoking and truthful script, great comic timing, superior film making.  Ciwt is not necessarily recommending The Invite.  But, overall, what's not to like - even though the movie events often made her squirm?

In the Pink --- Days 15/205 - 208

Walks: Presidio and Hood

Distances: 4 miles average

So during Amazon's Big Spring Event the other day Ciwt got herself confused with a young Barbie fan and bought this new iPad.  Actually, it's cute and happy to work on.  Maybe next sale, she'll get a doll.

July 4, 2026 --- Day 15/204

Walk: Presidio

Distance: 3.5 miles

Happy Anniversary, Americans, wherever you are!

And our animals too!

And our animals too!

Country Portraits 5 --- Days 15/202 & 203

Walks: Hood and Downtown

Distances: 4.5 average

Frederick Remington (1861-1909), Bronco Buster, 1895, bronze, de Young Museum, San Francisco

So, Where's the Cute? --- Days 15/200 & 201

Walks: AMC Kabuki, Hood

Distances: 4.5 miles average

So Ciwt went to Toy Story 5 daycamp recently.  The movie was pretty good even though Ciwt, not having kids, didn't know several generations of the starring toys.  

It was the generation of AI, CGI, VR, AR - whatever they are - that didn't work for her.  Toy Story 5 was preceded by 1/2 hour of upcoming animated movie previews.  And they all looked exactly the same.  Exact same fully drenched colors, same fleshy, rounded characters, same skies, clouds, insects, etc.  Somehow the charm of animated characters has disappeared.  And, without the old cuteness and artistic wonder factor, contemporay animated movies come across almost as plain old grown up movies - only with stuffed and talking animals, toys, cars, etc. in the main roles.

Olden Cute Days:

Country Portraits 4 --- Day 15/199

Walk: Asian Art Museum

Distance: 6 miles

Grant Wood (1891-1942), Dinner for Treshers, 1934, oil on board, de Young Museum, San Francisco 

 

America was a nation of small farmers (and shop keepers) and Ciwt loves how this painting captures some of them having their big meal in the middle of the day.  The work is tricky to present because it is long, narrow, and meticulously (one could almost say obsessively) detailed.  In the enlargement you can (barely) see the 'farmer's tan' - tan on their lower faces and near white above where their caps have covered their foreheads during long hours in the sun.  Hopefully you might get to our de Young Museum to see all the other details that are so telling about their routines and relationships.

Her midwest family weren't farmers, but there were many farms nearby and visible from the the highway.  Likewise her Connecticut home and schools weren't in farm country, but the tobacco tobacco fields and sheds covered much of the ground near the airport.  Interesting the things we absorb without realizing it in our childhoods.