Since it’s Friday, I thought this song would be good to share. It’s one of my all-time favorites. And I wish I felt like dancing, but the truth is…my body and head haven’t been feeling the best lately. My energy has been low and my brain has been foggy. Anything that requires full concentration hasn’t been at the top of my list like working on my children’s book with my nephew, reading, writing book reviews that are long overdue, writing anything, and reading blogs. So, I am very sorry for missing your wonderful blog posts, but I just haven’t been myself. It’s all I can do to write this to update you. And it’s not for sympathy. I just want you to know why I haven’t been around that much. I hope that my energy will return a little more over the weekend because there is so much I want to do! Sigh. Anyway, I leave you with this song, so Dance and enjoy today and your weekend to come. I’m turning off comments, but just know I appreciate you! ❤️
On March 4th, I shared the adventure in San Francisco my husband and I went on for his birthday in February. If you missed it and would like to check it out, here is the link: https://baydreamerwrites.com/2023/03/04/sun-on-the-city/ I’m sharing our fun and educational experience to give you insight into the fabulous museums in the iconic city and to focus on appreciating fine art. Not so much on our birthdays. I know some people would rather skip their birthdays altogether. But not me. I love to celebrate with family, friends, good wine and food, and once a year, yes, cake!
Life is so full of tragedy these days with yet another school shooting yesterday that we should truly live each day with every ounce of energy and joy because the fragility of tomorrow is no surprise. So, the good news is that we are alive to celebrate another year of life. That doesn’t mean our bodies won’t change as the years pass, but we can still “stop and smell the flowers” even with aches, pains, a few more wrinkles (laugh lines), and gray hairs. Sure beats the alternative, right??? So, here we go!
San Francisco sits “in our backyard” but we tend to venture west or north more often than south. Lately, we have changed our compass to relive some of the adventures from years ago. The de Young Museum was our next destination. Below is a brief description from Wikipedia:
The de Young showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific and Africa. The deYoung Museum Collections include: American Art, African Art, Oceanic Art, Arts of the Americas, Costume and Textile Arts, Graphic Arts, Photography and Sculpture. Some of the collection is accessible online on the museum website and Google Arts and Culture.
As I mentioned on the 4th, time won’t allow me to caption each photo. So, I hope you enjoy the slideshow below of only a small amount of the art. My cell battery was beginning to conk out, so I had to give it a rest. Some pieces were awe-inspiring, some very moving, others fascinating. I was in awe of the tiny details in paintings and sculptures and the incredible talent and skill needed to achieve such fantastic artwork. The photos don’t do justice, but I hope you can see what a fabulous collection this museum offers:
Photos I took throughout the day…
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh
The first photo above was taken from inside the museum, the three following were taken from the observatory on the 9th floor. This was another stunning day in the big city, sunny, cold, a bit windy, but with the umbrella of a clear, blue sky. The view from the observatory was spectacular!
The photos below were taken when we walked around the grounds. We wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but the line was a mile long. No patience to wait. The observatory is in the tall brown building on the 9th floor. That’s where you could hear everyone ooh and ahh at the stunning views of San Francisco and the museum surroundings.
The trees in the photo above are mostly London Plane and Scotch Elm, which are heavily cut back to give a very regular and formal appearance to the plaza.
I couldn’t leave out the pretty and unique flowers…
Selfie time and a bit windy. When we left the museum later in the afternoon, we drove to The Presidio in San Francisco and walked on the tunnel tops: The Presidio Tunnel Tops project creates San Francisco’s great escape – a 14-acre oasis at the center of the Presidio featuring views, nature, and play.
This was our first time on these tunnel tops and what an amazing oasis!You’ll see the playground for kids, the view of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, the highway beneath, and red Adirondack chairs that we parked ourselves on to enjoy the view. It was fun to see sailboats, yachts, wind surfers, and other water sports aficionados on the bay.
It was a “hair in face” day, but beautiful indeed! At the end of the day,who doesn’t like to go out for dinner? But we decided that after being out from morning until early evening and indulging in a great lunch on the cafe patio, staying in sounded nice and cozy. My hubby who is not a baker, made me my most favorite dessert, a homemade carrot cake (albeit with my supervision). And it was (still is) delicious! Although, most went into the freezer yesterday morning. Can’t eat it all week. 😁
I closed my eyes and thought of a wish before blowing out the candles, but honestly, I am so grateful for my life: for my husband, daughter and son, sisters, and friends for making this a special birthday. And for you in this wonderful blogging community! ❤️🙏🏻
Thanks for popping in and I hope you enjoyed the art, nature, and the importance of celebrating life!Keep celebrating! Live Life!
He cares for his father whose body tires of everyday functions, pain raging at cyclone force from ninety-nine years of living a lifetime. Our emotions undulate – who wishes to watch a loved one suffer?
Another week of work comes to an end. With glass of wine in hand, we exhale on the patio. Then the sun says, “Good night, my dear friends,” as he gently descends, making room for the moon.
And when the moon appears, Oh, My! She takes our breath away! Bright and bold as if she senses we could use light in our souls.
We open the gate and walk into the street for an unobstructed view. Under the illumination, a woman pauses with her dog, a husky mix, with fur white as an arctic fox, another rescue, she tells us, and our hearts leap with joy.
The moon pays attention to us as the patio welcomes again. Most importantly, she listens. And though the stars act a bit bashful, they eavesdrop and we are fine that they do.
The moon and stars hear us, just an ordinary couple enjoying a Friday evening but with heavy hearts. Their absolute attention, imagine this, out of all eyes gazing at the brilliant sky – we know the moon’s lustrous presence is for us alone, and we are aware that the panoply of stars will shimmer into view soon.
Then we rise from our seats and head into the house, feeling relaxed from the wine’s fluidity, and appreciative that our troubles have been received.
For inspiration to notice surrounding beauty, to feel gratitude, to face challenges and fears while sipping your favorite coffee roast or a beverage of your choice, check out my latest book:More than Coffee.
“For those who read, there is more than one world.”
Greetings!
Lowlights & layers Covid safe just in time for Halloween – Beware of Foilhead! 👻
Our first, cozy fire on a cold autumn night paired with Chardonnay
I pass by this driveway every day on my walk with Copper, always admiring how inviting its set up is…
I hope you enjoyed these snippets of my appreciation, and know that I appreciate all of you who continue to pop in and read what’s been on my mind. The last couple of weeks have been tough in some ways, but today is a new day. I hope you’re doing well and wish you a wonderful week.
I feel like talking and I hope you don’t mind getting that favorite “cuppa” and relaxing here for a little bit.
I’m reminiscing about how this blog was born and maybe you’ll do the same, thinking about yours. This is my third year now and I really can’t believe three years have passed. I thought by now I would have moved onto something else. Well, the truth is, I enjoy it. I love writing poetry, sharing it here and receiving feedback. Recently, I’ve had a little fun sharing photos, as well. By all means, I’m not a professional photographer, but I’ve always loved photography, taking photos and viewing them.
Another aspect of blogging is meeting people. I’ve made new friends from all over the world and from various parts of the U.S. and it’s amazing how we can talk and connect right here like we’re five minutes apart. Throughout these three years, a circle of blogging friends has been created and honestly, they feel more like family. I would assume most of you feel the same way if you’ve blogged for awhile.
I had never thought of blogging until after seeing the movie, “Julie & Julia” with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. What an awesome movie and story, starring two of my favorite actresses. Anyway, I’m so thankful my son, especially, but also my hubby and daughter, nudged me into starting this blog. Through this journey, I’ve shared my emotions, made friends and checked off one more item from my bucket list by self publishing my first collection of poetry. This was a big accomplishment and then to have others purchase copies of my book…WOW, just WOW! What a humbling experience!
I’d like to say that all of you have been a big part of my life. Your support, love and friendship has meant the world to me. Some of you have been with me from the start, have read some of my earlier work (oh my gosh) and have seen my writing evolve. I feel it has, even though there is so much more for me to learn.
We may never meet in person, but in this crazy, virtual world, we have come to support each other in our writing endeavors and through our life journeys, mixed with smiles and tears. I’m repeating myself, but I say “Thank You” once again, for making my blogging experience the best it can be for me! Your visits and comments have given me the encouragement to continue on this path.
This “blogging hobby” began soon after I turned the Big Five-O; it was something different, fun, exciting and a Giant step out of the comfort box. So I plan to carry on, looking forward to the road ahead and I’m truly blessed with such great company! ♥
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you
have a wonderful week ahead.
With Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Lauren ♥
All Photos: Google Images (except for the one of me) 🙂
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 