Paris at a Certain Age

Doggy Bags

Alors, are doggy bags coming to Paris? Watch below:

 

Did you catch the waitress saying that it's mostly foreigners who ask for doggy bags? Tell me, is this good or not? 

 

 

 

Lily's Legacy

We attended a lovely fundraiser for a special cause: a sanctuary for senior dogs, large senior dogs.

Alyce Mayn started Lily's Legacy in Petaluma after her experience adopting an older dog, Lily, transformed her life. Lily, a beautiful and loving  golden retriever, only lived four months, but in that short time she not only provided love and affection, she inspired a mission. Today Alyce directs a non-profit, all volunteer rescue and sanctuary that delivers care, exercise, training and placement for senior large breed dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.

The fundraiser, Barks for Bucks, was held at Lagunitis Brewing in Petaluma and was great fun. There were dogs everywhere!!!

Big dogs...

 

and small dogs.

There was a stage where a professional photographer took photos of your dog for a small donation. Costumes were encouraged. Of course, Miss Olivia needed a formal portrait.

Do you like the headdress I made for her?

 

 

Is Petaluma the New Paris?

Have you seen Harper's Bazaar Fall Travel issue? And their top ten list of places to visit?

It lists Petaluma as #1. They feature McEvoy Ranch for its olive oil, wines and skincare products. Awww, how nice you might think. Petaluma is finally getting its props. Too bad they didn't enumerate its other charms: restaurants, antique stores, walkability, sweet neighborhoods, etc.

 

The big news is that Petaluma is listed as #1 while Paris, France is #10!

 

But wait: maybe this is some kind of joke, because Marfa, Texas is #2. Texas!!!!

Yet #4, Seattle, is right on. Seattle is beautiful, interesting, and filled with cultural and scenic opportunities. Still not Paris, but certainly ahead of Marfa, Texas. And then you get to their #7: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and you know this is a crap list. Any list with Pennsylvania ahead of Paris is not just scandalous, it's nuckin' futz.

 

Petaluma is not

 

the New Paris!

 

 

Little Free Library

A Little Free Library opened around the corner from my house and I'm thrilled. Isn't it cute?

It's a popular Take-a-Book, Leave-a-Book program that is sweeping the nation (and spreading elsewhere in the world).

It's a great way to share books in your community. I've been wanting to install one, since I live on a street with a lot of foot traffic, especially by kids. I don't have carpentry skills and could buy a kit, but plan on trying to build one next summer. The variety of LFL's is immense, from simple modest structures to elaborate ones to clever, creative and humorous ones.

note: following photos used with permission from LittleFreeLibrary.org

Set your books free! Let the children read!

The End of an Era

Roger Stewart MD

Roger Stewart was a phenomenal physician, a true gentleman, a vigorous citizen who remained engaged with US and world issues until the very end and a close friend who I admired greatly. He had an old-time general practice in Forestville, a small Sonoma County town, where he did everything from attending births and deaths to surgeries, large and small. He also practiced in England and even on a cruise ship. Not to mention his years at Kaiser. Roger had a talent for establishing deep friendships and knew his friends, coworkers and patients intimately. He told wonderful, riveting stories that I will never forget. He lived long (into his nineties) and well. I am so grateful to have known him. Thank you, Roger, for everything....... I love you.