This month Emma performed in William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. The play was put on by her charter school Hickman. The middle school age kids sign up for the class for the winter session and spend the next 8 wednesdays (plus a few extra rehearsals) learning old English and memorizing their lines. It all culminates with a impressive performance on the stage with cosumes and scenery for the community. Emma has a blast.
January and February are not my favorite. However February’s pink flowered covered trees help tremendously!
A rainy walk.
Candlelight makes interiors nicer. This was an afternoon electricity black out.
We decided to get rid of our TV and put up a bunch of artwork on this wall again.
A valentine’s themed park day was a highlight.
A trip to the bakery.
More rain. Lots and lots of rain.
Thankful for the magnolias.
We visited the Oakland museum with Gene and saw the Creative Growth exhibit of local artists.
We hung out a few times with Cindy and she made us yummy food.
Emma helped Robert in the Bonsai garden.
Quince at the Bonsai Garden.
We had a mini date at the local brewery the 2 Pitchers.
Once we brought Emma and discovered Friday nights are popular with families.
First magnolias at the Gardens of Lake Merritt.
Emma being a super reader.
Tracking state quarters.
2023 book list:
the porcupine year
we all want impossible things
these precious days, essays
edie richter is not alone
witch of blackbird pond
the color purple
magic hour (kristen hannah)
mixed up files of mrs basil frank
healer & witch
main street
tomorrow and tomorrow… (half)
ben and me
this time tomorrow
temple alley summer
cloud cuckoo land
circe (part)
really good actually, a novel (part)
little fires everywhere (part)
tuesday (-> sat) with the castle
the vanderbeekers of 141st st &
vanderbeekers and the hidden garden
eleanor oliphant is fine
the seven year slip
talking at night
trumpet of the swan
makoons
Looking at this list I can see that I began and ended with a book from the Birchbark series by Louise Erdrich. Emma and I have really treasured every one.
Also I noticed that I was starting books that did not resonate with me at the time and did not finish. I had heard so many good things about Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow and yet only read half of it. I am certain I will pick up that and Circe again in the future.
I actually read a couple books with time travel and really enjoyed them. So happy to have read both This Time Tomorrow and The Seven Year Slip. They were filled with so much tenderness and love.
So much happens in December. We made crafts and knitted, made spiced nuts and carefully wrapped gifts. We ice skated and ate meals with friends and family and had so much fun that I did not take any pictures at all. Still, I am so glad that I continue to share a few photos here to help me remember. And I know this is true at the end of every month but somehow at the years end I really want to hold it all and not let it go. This blog has preserved the sweetest moments for me to look back on. It is my heart on the internet. Thank you for visiting.
We brought Hugo, our Norfolk Pine inside and decorated our apartment for Christmas.
We attended a concert at the Paramount called “Let Us Break Bread” that honored Tina Turner. It was a lot of fun and totally worth it even in our top floor balcony seats.
We flew to Los Angeles to visit family.
Emma and Grandpa. We stay in Grandpa’s living room and watch old movies with him every day.
There were many old photo albums to look at and I snapped so many photos of my Mom. I still wear her blue shirt. 
We had a wonderful time with family, delivering and opening presents and sipping prosecco (me) at the huge Christmas Eve party. Lots of sweets, yummy food and good conversation.
Stocking treats for me.
Here is Emma sporting a new shirt and jewelry and eating blueberries on Christmas day. Such a lucky kid.
After Christmas we are eager to return home to maiki.
We walked around the lake and visited the library in Chinatown.
Spent the last day of the year in Dimond park by Sausal creek with friends.
