Summer has arrived

Ah, summer.  Been a long time coming.  And no, not the usual "June gloom" that means summer in San Francisco, with all-day fog, grabbing a sweater and a coat to head outside, Birkenstocks left in the closet.  We are having sun, warmish days, with the fog coming in on its cats' feet overnight, keeping it comfortable.  Perfect weather, in other words.

The sort of weather that makes one want to be outside, to find errands to run, and take long walks.  I am doing all of the above, especially the latter.  I just discovered that Fort Mason--the incredible bayside national park area--is 1.7 miles from my apartment, meaning a round trip walk is just shy of 3.5 miles, a respectable daily stroll complete with uphill portions.  So long as it isn't raining, I will be making that stroll daily.  Added bonus (aside from bay views and the scent of cones being made at Ghirardelli) is taking the walk on North Point Street, few tourist crowds.  Yeah, Beach Street is prettier, but the people-dodging would make it a nightmare at any real walking speed.

The cats have been enjoying their favorite hobby of watching the pigeons.  No nest this year, my balcony is empty of the junk that drew them here last year.   They still wander the balcony and gaze at me and the kitties, somehow they know a screen keeps them from danger.

Hello world!

Welcome to my spot on the Web.  I'm not quite sure where I will be going with all this...a little about my wanderings in San Francisco, a little about my cats, a little ranting about being unemployed for the zillionth time, a little about the treats I find in my City by the Bay. 


Who am I?  Well, those of you who are quite lucky know me as Gretchen J.  TheJonesGirl.  Gumdropgirl.  I'm a thirty-something woman living very near the Bay in San Francisco.  Living near the Bay is great.  Well, unless one's father is calling her at 6AM to warn of tsunamis predicted in the next couple hours.  But that it more than made up for with the sounds of foghorns and sea lions most every night.

Why San Francisco?  I fell in love with the city as a child, going to visit my Great Aunt Martha and Great Uncle Bob in, first, their big house in West Portal...it was so exotic to a Fresno kid.  Up the hill from a MUNI station, lots of small, interesting restaurants and shops a short walk away, the fog in mid-summer.  Later, they moved to a building near the Castro which was a dream to the teen me.  A roof deck!  Close to everything I could want.  After college, I did everything I could to move to the city and fifteen years later, I am living my dream.

For work, I am an Executive Assistant.  I like it, and it allows me free time, to not be wed to my job.  I love politics, taking classes at City College for fun, reading and playing in the city by the Bay.  I live with two very big cats and am happy as can be.

Hope you enjoy my ramblings and photos as they come, can't wait to share them...