Quietly Ending --- Day 6/314

Walk: Hood
Distance: 1.2 miles, PT, Pedal, Yoga (2 hrs)

Claude Monet, The Magpie, 1868-69, oil on canvas

Ending the year with one of Ciwt's favorite paintings.  She could look at it forever.

Regarding Winter Snow --- Day 6/313

Walk: No
Distance: PT exercises, Yoga, Pedal (1.5 hr)

Claude Monet, The Cart, Snow Covered Road to Honfleur, c.1867, oil on canvas

This morning Ciwt talked with a friend who has a picture perfect cabin on a rural Wisconsin lake. 

Her friend was looking forward to a strenuous snowshow hike in the idyllic snowy landscape.

Then she looked out the window at the thermometer: 40 below.  Sensibly, she and her husband abandoned their long holiday weekend in the country and, sensibly, headed back to their city house and called Ciwt from there.

Meanwhile, after all these years in San Francisco Ciwt's image of winter life has almost become a Monet painting.  Vividly portrayed but seen from the comfort of the indoors.

Before Monet, snow in winter paintings was white, period.  Just white. Not particularly memorable. 

The term "Impressionsim" of which Monet became 'The Father" was just a gleam in art historians' eyes when Monet began developing his ability to capture real snow with his brushes.  Standing outside to the point of endangering his health, he noticed snow's constantly changing surface, its variations according to light, its irridescence and the way it reflected the blue sky above and how it looked when the earth melted into it.  All these things.  And with a build up of a myriad of white tones and blended with violet, ochre, and blue he brought snow to vivid - and memorable - life.  

HOW Many Toes??! --- Day 6/312

Walk: A little around hood
Distance: 10 blocks, PT exercises, no pedal

Oh, meow.  Chirp.  Yawn. Meow, Meow, Meow. 

Ooops, English please, Ciwt.  Sorry, she has spent the whole day researching cats, talking with breeders, looking at pictures of available kittens and cats, generally speaking cat. CATch you tomorrow...

Doctor Crissy --- Day 6/311

Walk: Crissy Field!  SFSPCA (more possible cat browsing)
Distance: 2.3, PT

First time at Crissy Field since Ciwt's accident.  So beautiful and healing.  Just Look at our December lighting here in San Francisco!

Lighting Up the Big Screen --- Day 6/310

Walk:  Hood for pre-New Years supplies
Distance: 1 mile, PT, Pedal

Yes, Winston Churchill again.  He is omnipresent on the big and small screen these days which discouraged Ciwt from going to Darkest Hour.  That would have been a mistake.  Never turn down the chance to see Gary Oldman act.  How could someone play both rail thin, slithery Sid Vicious and 

then Winston Churchill completely disappearing into both roles (and others he's played in the course of his career)?  Go and find out; then stream Sid and Nancy if you want to see both.  

Ciwt can't think of a better lead actor than Oldman as Churchill this year. But she missed the opportunity of seeing Harry Dean Stanton in Lucky, his final role.  And there are previews in the theater of a Daniel Day Lewis movie.  Tough if not impossible to beat him for Best Actor.  It should be an interesting category this year.

Boxing Day --- Day 6/309

Walk: Vogue Theater (The Darkest Hour)
Distance: 1.4 miles, sweep sidewalk, PT, Pedal

All the windows have been opened on Ciwt's advent calendar and, even after staring at the cute kittensnfor 24 days,  Ciwt made it through without adopting a new cat.  So, that's that for Christmas 2017.  Easy actually and filled with heartwarming Christmas tales from friends. Three in particular:

1. A friend of Ciwt's writes young adult books.  One day near Christmas his phone rang and there was a hesitant woman's voice on the other end.  Turns out she was the mother of a young boy who hates to read.  In spite of that and still hoping, she brought him one of my friend's books.  And he devoured it!!  When his mother asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he said he would love to meet the author.  So, his mother was calling to shyly invite my friend to their house. Awww.  It gets better: my friend said yes.  Brought tears to Ciwt's eyes.

2.  Callie and Tika's cat groomer called to say she was experiencing a Christmas miracle of sorts.  She has been renting a house for 22 years and it is home to her and many of the cats she rescues, socializes and places when she can.  For all those years as the price of real estate has skyrocked, what she would ever do if she lost the house and needed to move has been hanging over her.  We would talk about it often when she came to groom Callie and Tika. Just before Christmas the deceased owner's daughter called to offer her the house at a price at least $500,000 below the going rate.  The groomer had been ultra nice to her father in his old age- taking him on errands and such - and had also taken wonderful care of the house.  The daughter knew her father would want my groomer friend to have it so, in opposition to all advice from realtors, she made it happenn.  And the groomer was able to do it because her mother's estate had just settled.  Six months earlier it wouldn't have been possilbe.  Brought tears to Ciwt's eyes...

3.  What's the third heartwarmer?  Oh, that's right, the woman who has cleaned Ciwt's place for 30 years was given a huge amount of Chinese food by friends who own a restaurant.  Knowing she would never eat it all, she gathered her two adult children.  They heated and packed up the food, made hot coffee, put it in thermoses and drove to a place where homeless people congregate hoping to be hired for work.  They all stood in the cold and enjoyed the food together.  My friend said everyone was so happy, it was a party.  On Christmas Eve Day. Awww, tears again.

So goodbye advent kittens and good wishes to my author friend's reader, my groomer's cats and house, and my cleaning woman's homeless men and women, and to all a good night. 🌲

The Place to be on Christmas --- Day 6/308

Walk: Kabuki Theater (Molly's Game)
Distance: 2 miles, PT exercises, pedaling

Coming

Going

It used to be Ciwt would be one of the few at the movie theater on Christmas Day.  Not so this Christmas.  When she walked out of Molly's Game and saw the crowds waiting to get in (probably to the newish Star Wars) she was glad she'd decided on the early show and bought her ticket a few days in advance.  She was also really happy for movie theaters in general, a very worthy cause she supports by attendance and donations.

PS - Molly's Game is full on entertainment, and Chastain and Elba together are an acting treat.

Back in the Game --- Day 6/307

Walk: No
Distance: Lots of PT exercises, pedaling, increased Yoga

Just in time for the holidays, the 49ers are back in the quarterback business, back in the game and Great to look at as well!

Like This...! --- Day 6/306

Walk: SFSPCA-Fillmore
Distance: 1.6 miles, PT exercises and pedaling

Ciwt was thinking maybe a new cat would be a good Christmas present for herself.  Until...she tried to kneel down to get to know some adorable candidates at the shelter.  Oooops, she'd forgotten she was still flexibility challenged.  The cats mostly stared at her with zero interest probably knowing they would be completely bored with former yoga teacher Ciwt's current play skills.

Getting Out of the Way --- Day 6/305

Walk: Errands, PT in Presidio
Distance: A few blocks, lots of exercises and pedaling

No getting around it, there were errands Ciwt just had to run today.  After backing out of her driveway and driving a few blocks, she began to run smack into the Christmas Rush.  This was 10:00 a.m..  Paint her off the roads now for the holidays with good wishes for all and thankfulness for her increasingly strong knee.

Up, Down and Away on Solstice --- Day 6/304

Walk:  Just Stairs
Distance: Up/Down x 6, a little pedaling, a little exercising

Climbing Ciwt's stairs is a daunting proposition.  There are 60 up and 60 down.  So she counts herself lucky when anybody is willing to make the trek.  And she has a few special friends who don't bat an eyelash (at least in her presence).  One in particular (and her husband) came over instantly when Ciwt returned from the hospital. She helped Ciwt (who basically stood by) 'deconstruct' her home, taking things off table tops, disappearing rugs, making everything as obstacle free (and unhomey) as possible for Ciwt's safety.

So it was particularly fitting on this Winter Solstice that her friend marched up those stairs and helped Ciwt (who could be more active this time) 'reconstruct' her home by putting rugs back down and things back on table tops

And then marched right back down several times with the last medical vestiges of Ciwt's fall, put them in her car, and drove them far, far away for other people to use.

                                            

So, tomorrow Ciwt will be able to begin the new sun year with everything all homey again - and with appreciation for helpful friends 💖

Progress --- Day 6/303

Walk:  Trash containers, Fillmore
Distance: 1.4 miles, 4 times Up/Down, exercises, pedal

  

A few of Ciwt's medical aids are leaving the building...

Under the Wire --- Day 6/302

Walk: Knee Doc, Club re: Hanging Art
Distance:  A few blocks, exercises

Well, not quite 7 years here at CIWT, but it's almost midnight and Ciwt almost forgot her daily entry.  

Call Me Languorous --- Day 6/301

Walk: Embarcadero Cinema (Call Me By Your Name)
Distance:  1.3 miles, exercises, pedaling

Call Me By Your Name is long, slow moving, lush, gorgeous.  In other words just the movie for Ciwt today.  She even got to see it reclined in one of those lounge seats. Realistically since it is about a gay relationship and goes on and on, Call Me isn't for everybody.  But for those interested in the topic and/or, like Ciwt, always happy to spend hours transported by the beauty of Italy (and men), it is a luminous, luxurious getaway. 

Film Stars Mature Beautifully --- Day 6/300

Walk: AMC Kabuki
Distance: 1.8 miles, exercises and pedaling

Jamie Bell and Annette Bening in real life and in their movie

As a rule Ciwt doesn't go for May-December romance books or flicks, especially when the May is the man.  (Maybe she feels she's done something wrong because she doesn't have a boy toy lusting after her(?)).  She thought she'd feel squeamish watching Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, but was pleasantly surprised that the relationship between May and December felt just right. 

This goes to the starring actors who played their roles perfectly with authenticity and dignity.  It's been a while since she's seen Annette Bening who has never failed in any role at any age since Ciwt first saw her almost 30 years ago.  And Jamie Bell is all grown up since Ciwt saw him in Billy Elliot - all grown up and a deep, mature actor.  In some ways the movie was up to him; he had to convey that the relationship was serious and real not some fawning starstruck thing - and he does just that.  Then there is 10 minutes with Vanessa Redgrave which is a small movie in itself.

The first half of Film Stars.. is excellent.  Then the story falls off a little, but the superb acting never dies. 

The Shape of Buoyancy --- Day 6/299

Walk: AMC Dine-In (The Shape of Water)
Distance: 2.3 miles, Up/down the 60 steps, 1.5 hrs. exercises

Ciwt has even surprised herself with her buoyancy throughout her recovery.  Until...she had to change PTs a couple of weeks ago and encountered an overbearing autocrat who nearly had her convinced she would probably never recover.  Maybe If she adhered to his forever program of bedrest, no walking, no driving (both of which she'd been doing for months!) and total dependency on him.  

Well, after two weeks of depression, despair, anxiety, the works, Ciwt finally figured out she could move on.  New PT  yesterday and within a matter of hours her buoyancy and energy have returned - as well as her Walks!  Yes! She is now Walking There again!!!

'Buoyancy' brings her to the movie she walked to this afternoon about a sea god captured by humans.  The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro, "an other worldly fairy tale" according to its PR description, already nominated for several awards.  Except for the award nominations part, Ciwt didn't think Shape would be for her, and she was right.  

She also thought she would be touched by Sally Hawkins, an actress who can warm (or break or whatever she wants it to do) Ciwt's heart by just showing up on screen.  And she was right about that. Richard Jenkins can also do no wrong on screen in Ciwt's opinion, and he didn't.  The rest of the cast was excellent as well, flawless actually.  Also the enveloping gorgeous visuals.  The music is good and the directing with its nods to classic films is intelligent and tight.  

So probably it was the story that didn't particularly move Ciwt - any more than Pan's Labyrinth did or La La Land for that matter.  But of course people loved the latter movie, and it went on to win numerous awards, including Best Picture for about two minutes before it was discovered the wrong title had been announced.  The critics are adoring The Shape of Water, so maybe it will even win Best Picture for real.  Don't stay away; it certainly rates at least a B for buoyancy (ha, ha).

Will YOU Be My PT? --- Day 6/298

Walk: Presidio PT
Distance: Home and Outpatient exercises

Home from third PT.  Hope she'll be the one.  Ciwt didn't realize finding the right PT is like match.com.

Can I help you...(out the door)? --- Day 6/297

Walk: PGCC
Distance:  Up/Down, maybe 2 blocks total, exercises, then major icing 

Here's a job you don't want to have right now: staff at Ciwt's club.  It's holiday time so there are club functions galore as well as multiple rentals by outside organizations giving their Huge annual luncheons.  On top of that, the club is being remodeled; there's intermittent clanging, banging and shaking and something has gone wrong with the heat and sometimes the electricity.

To use up her food minimum before the club closes for the annual three week winter break Ciwt made a second trip there in as many days.  She couldn't help but notice that the usually ultra friendly staff was barely able to force smiles.  Clearly they are living for the day the club closes and they can get away from all of us.  (Nothing personal; they've just had it.  And Ciwt totally gets it).

People?!? --- Day 6/296

Walk: PGCC for bridge
Distance: A few blocks, drive, exercises, pedal

Today Ciwt went to her club to play bridge and spend time with people after 3 months solitary recovery. 

Not a Sucker --- Day 6/295

Walk: PT, Fillmore, PGCC, Union Square
Distance: 1.3 miles, the usual exercises plus

A Christmas Story: The Musical

Ooops, Ciwt forgot to write when she came home from the theater last night.  Probably because she was still bored to death by the play.  It was chock full of romping and singing children and adults in the olden midwest at old timey Christmas time.  Ciwt is not a sucker for these types of stories...

Now in Living Color ---- Day 6/294

Walk: St. Mary' Hosp. for Annual
Distance:  Up/Down x 3, 4 blocks, exercise/asana/pedal/flexion

Ciwt's pedal station now has flicks! (Godless binge coming up.  Every Western cliche, Yahoo!)

I Have This Dance --- Day 6/303

Walk: Drive PGCC, Trader Joe's
Distance: 6 Blocks, 1.5 hours exercise/asana/pedal

Two Gustav(e)s ---- Day 6/302

Walk: Legion of Honor (Klimt and Rodin; Gods and Goddesses in Living Color)
Distance: 6 blocks, lots of exercises, asanas, pedaling

Gustave Rodin, The Kiss (reduced, 1904) . (After) Gustav Klimp, Beethoven Frieze, 1904 (copied 1964)

The Legion has done a superb job rearranging the Rodins in their outstanding permanent collection of the sculptors's works and pairing them delicately and meaningfully with the visiting Klimp paintings.

A gorgeous show and very rare opportunity to see so many Klimp works which hardly ever travel from Europe.

Endearing Disaster --- Day 6/301

Walk: PT, AMC Dine-in Kabuki (The Disaster Artist)
Distance: 1.3 miles (against pt advice but had to do something besides exerises),  pt exercises and stretches

James Franco in The Disaster Artist

Ciwt found The Disaster Artist entertaining and endearing in a very peculiar way.  Also deep, again in a way that is difficult to pinpoint.  Excellent movie making technically and for some reason - even when the movie is going nowhere - the acting is riveting.  It captures but doesn not explaing the elusive line between horrendous egotistical disturbance and laughable farce.  Ciwt says see it; probably it will get nominated and maybe win some awards.

 

Number 254 --- Day 6/300

Walk: Around pad
Distance: Not far; exercises, pedaling

It seemed to Ciwt a good day to remember Emily Dickinson's poem 254, Hope is a Thing with Feathers.

On the San Francisco Road Again --- Day 6/299

Walk: No, Lyft to/from Dentist, Drive again! to PT, car wash, grocery
Distance:  Not far but felt more free - and Was!  new, super picky PT impressed with Ciwt's progress,
deals being made: more driving, more walking in exchange for more care and no over-doing from Ciwt.  Rescinded if knee flares up.  Tense but necessary for sanity.

Ciwt's on the SF road again.  Oooops, wrong picture; here we go:

First Tour --- Day 6/298

Walk: de Young Museum Tour of  Revelations
Distance: A few blocks, 3 hours, a little home pedaling and lots of icing afterwards

Ciwt is home after first tour in a long while. Yay! but tired.

Two Tulips --- Day 6/297

Walk: No, Lyft, around pad, Up/Down

Distance: Not far, PT and then exercises at home

Tulips Make Ciwt's Kitchen

 

Enough Art Already --- Day 6/295

Walk: Pad
Distance: Not far; lots of exercises, pedaling, asanas

Ciwt is tired of preparing for her art tour in a few days.  

Twilight Out --- Day 6/195

Walk: No
Distance:  Some exercises/asanas, not much.  Resting basically.

Twilight In --- Day 6/194

Walk: PT, impossible to avoid Up/Down x 2
Distance: PT says no to walking for exercise and enjoyment (for a while) so Ciwt is Lyfting around 😐  He says Ciwt shoud be happy because she 'gets to' rest instead of overdoing it for a while.  Hmmm, Ciwt thinks he kids but has to admit things are improving under the new (ever-lasting) more passive regime.  Anyway, lots of (mostly seated) exercises, pedaling, asanas, flexion.