Update from California

Cried my eyes out at J's wedding. It was lovely. I got a birthday cake and seranade at the evening reception. We saw a beehive at the morning reception. I felt very pretty in my new blouse. The evening reception was at the Coyote Point Museum, which features groves of eucalyptus and redwood and a location mere feet from the water. You can see the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and all of San Francisco from there. It's amazing. What a location for dinner! The food was wonderful, too.

For most of yesterday and today, we have wandered San Francisco. I went to the beach with N to walk the dogs and watch the sunset and see some wildlife. Then she took us to dinner at a very relaxing place by the water in Sausalito (which is where she lives, and where we are staying). She and papertigers get on very nicely.

Outside, there are Stellar's jays and scrub jays, coyotes, mule deer, sea lions, a creek, and a million beautiful trees. I keep going outside just to look at it all. It's so beautiful and relaxing here. I wish we lived closer and could come more often. It's strangely wonderful to be back on my native territory, where I am able to identify so much - animals, plants, even streets. Navigating San Francisco is lovely. One passes a million familiar landmarks and streets; so many carry good memories. I don't think I've ever been miserable in San Francisco, and because of that, it's kind of a charmed place for me.

I think papertigers is having fun, too. She joined me in having a hot fudge sundae this afternoon; it felt luxurious to indulge, for once.