“Safety and Respect” is the official motto of the San Francisco Police. And I am all for both concepts. I stare at these words on the rear panel of a large SFPD cruiser, an SUV parked at the entrance to an alley between Valencia and Mission Streets. This cop car has managed to block the curb cut, obstructing wheelchair access on a very busy thoroughfare. The irony sings. Though I am not singing. I am fighting my way to the 16th St. BART station, trying to make it to cover before the next Read more [...]

When King Lear went stumbling around an undefined moor, well, he knew exactly what he was doing. Because if a storm doesn’t make you stumble, it’s not much of a storm, is it? Our recent version got off to a real meteorological bang. No, not thunder, although that was widely forecast. There was just an awful lot of rain in an awfully short period of time. And no one knew exactly what to do except tremble, fear and kvetch. My brother phoning from Palm Springs, assured me that the rain would be Read more [...]

For me, one of the most salient features about Virginia Wolf’s “To the Lighthouse,” involves completion. The Ramseys never get there, FYI. Which explains why this is such a wonderful day. As Jane and I were getting up, preparing for a Monday without scheduled events or responsibilities, various ideas were bandied about. Principal among them, driving to Half Moon Bay. Why? From this introvert’s perspective, a drive, some highway exposure to nature, has a way of getting me out of myself. Read more [...]

Why do so many of my urban tales begin at Civic Center BART Station? On this particular day it was hard enough to remember to get off there. So confusing, so many public-minded meetings in one week -- and me being 77 and all, quite taxing for what’s left of the neurons. But I did manage to alight at the proper point, make my way to the surface and experience San Francisco at its daylit darkest. After all, it’s almost the shortest day of the year, the lowest sun of the year, and the absolute Read more [...]

Jane and I have a comedy routine going.  For example. Off to Canyon Market, I was, and what was I going to get? Well, after having suggested that we go out…out being anything that is not inside this writer’s mind…Jane reminded me of the once-frozen chicken curry we were having tonight. And is there even the slightest intimation of something wrong with said chicken curry? No. And, for once, we were even having it with brown rice. My wife avoids brown rice. Why? Not weight. Jane, weighing Read more [...]

“Let your partner influence you,” advised some marriage manual I read in conjunction with some marriage. And, one must confess, it is excellent advice. Not always applicable. But handy to have around. And actually, I am beyond the influence state. I have accomplished the supreme Black Belt level marital state…of successfully divining the psychic condition of my partner. At times. Jane was full of generous offers this day after Thanksgiving. Most of them spurred by my requests. And it all Read more [...]