Saturday
Before I even got up, Derek was offering me toast and jam. I think living with a pregnant wife, he understood that we have certain needs.

I sat on the sofa, nibbling at very good toast and looking out at the flourishing green yard just beyond the row of naked bay windows.

I saw bamboo, ferns, a stunted rhododendron with one purple bloom, and abundant wild flowers. When we went out there shortly thereafter, Rena showed me her lettuces, some herbs, a Japanese maple, and a row of peas climbing up the fence. Their full sun is limited to this part of the year, so they can only grow a few things. I liked the yard though — I like gardens that look a little chaotic and wild, rather than rigidly arranged. Maybe that’s why we don’t weed our own garden more often.

Today’s plan was to get some brunch, go to the Mission, then Rena was going to work at noon. It was already much warmer than it had been the day before. I packed a cardigan in my purse but didn’t even need it. We walked to Duboce Park, then found out Chow on Church was open already. They have changed their hours. I wanted eggs. We got a good table on the patio immediately (early for brunch), and I got a one-egg Benedict with bacon instead of ham. Oh it was so good. Plus potatoes, greens, a small OJ, and a coffee. I was refueled. Rena got pork chorizo scramble, I think, with black beans. It looked awesome.

Last week Rena saw a wrap coat at Thrift Town — something that could be worn on a big pregnant belly. She didn’t buy it though, so wanted to go back in the hopes it would still be there. So we took the wretched 22 bus to 16th and Mission, my Least Favorite Intersection in San Francisco and Possibly the United States. It hasn’t changed at all, it’s still pretty much a garbage dump. The first thing I saw was some woman pushing a stroller containing a completely unshaded baby in full blinding sunshine, who was completely naked except for its diaper. Yeah. Who needs sunscreen, not a baby!

ANYWAY the coat was gone 🙁 Drat. We picked our way up 18th Street, passing the absurd crowd in front of Tartine, stopping happily at Dolores Park Cafe, where Rena got an iced coffee. I had a bottled water. We sat at an outside table and watched the people walk by with their many dogs and children. The weather was fantastic. I could have just sat there for hours. I love that cafe verily.

By this point it was time for Rena to go open her shop. Please buy lots of things there. Inside the store was still nice and cool. I had to pee, as usual, then my old pal Ert showed up 😀 and I went off with her to relax at her apartment on Valencia for a while, then walk to Four Barrel for an iced coffee of my very own.

I wanted ice cream, so we went to the Indian place up the road. We got waffle cones and sat in a window seat trying not to drip all over everything. After that, the next thing I wanted was a manicure dammit, I’m on vacation. Ert wanted one too, why not, and furthermore, didn’t want to take Muni to Cole Valley, so we were getting a goddamn cab. Yeah!! Air conditioned! Soon we were back at Carl and Cole, another of my old favorite spots, making an appointment at Lavande for thirty minutes hence.

I decided on a French mani because my hand is never steady enough to do them myself. Ert chose a deep blue OPI polish which looked awesome, and was perfect because she was going out that night and why not do it up with a fresh manicure? We were pleased as punch. We hopped the N back through the tunnel (by hopped I mean “did not pay”, tee hee), and I experienced my first episode of someone giving up a seat for me because I am so damn preggo. And I took the seat, because my legs were already starting to hurt.

I said farewell to Ert at Dolores and Market, and went back to Rare Device to hang out with Rena for a while. Her shop is so rad. I bought a necklace, whee. By 5:00 my legs were now killing me, and I figured I’d take Muni back up to her apartment and relax. I got about one block and felt like I could barely walk. Where to sit down? I landed at Hollywood Laundrymat, where I read trashy magazines for a half hour and blended in. Just the ticket.

Back at their place on Oak, I decided a shower was definitely in order. It helped a lot. Soon after, Rena got back home and we started kind of making dinner. I felt really lazy, though. Or exhausted? Derek made a salad from garden greens, and some wild rice pilaf. While waiting for dinner, Rena and I shared a gigantic Bubby’s dill pickle. It was so awesome in its spicy saltiness. The final course of the evening ended up being deviled eggs at 10pm.

As we ate and lounged around, the main topic of conversation was baby names, both serious and not-so-serious. We shared our lists, which have a couple names in common. It was a really nice evening, to end a wonderful day.

donuts at Four Barrel

Next: Sunday.