Chance = Change

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

San Francisco

                                                The Romantic Doggie Run

Hi Momma-

Peter and I live in a wonderful apartment on Lombard Street that – when we first walked into it- reminded us of our West End Avenue co-op in NYC that you visited so often.  We knew, within 5 minutes of entering it, that it would be our first San Francisco home.

First, I thought someone had left all the lights on because even from the entrance hallway it looked so bright. But all we had to do was walk a few steps into the kitchen, then the dining room, then the large living room to realize it was natural light flowing in from all the many windows.  This gave my weary, home-seeking heart just the lift it needed to feel encouraged that this might be the place.

We went from room to room – it’s not very large, maybe 2/3 of the NYC space, and 1/5 the size of the house in Virginia – and once we saw the gigantic walk-in closets, shining hardwood floors and yet more windows, we both knew quickly that this was the place we wanted.  So, we asked to meet the Super, who turned out to be an extraordinary man, bright, verbal and nice, and whose enthusiasm about taking care of these old Lombard Place buildings (there are three of them connected by gardens!) was contagious: we went right to the management office and signed a lease!  We had ourselves a place to move to in our new city of choice.

Peter has turned one of the walk-in closets into a cunning office/music studio.

And the building has its own dedicated dog run, out in back, where not only can all the many dogs in the buildings have a place to  “go” but when you take them there, you see the Golden Gate Bridge!  It is glorious. Glorious to take Sally and Cyrano for a pee! Imagine! Glorious!  You would adore it.

This morning, the Bridge was draped in the soft white shawl of fog that gives it one of its many mysterious “looks”. At odd moments, it looked like it had been gently erased – that it had disappeared from the its familiar spot on the horizon and had drifted off to somewhere else it simply had to go, like a hair appointment or couture fitting . But then, moments later, the fog would stealthily sift away and there was the top of the Bridge’s stanchions , sharply peaking into the sweet sky. It had gone nowhere. It was playing coy behind its shawl  and wanted to make its fans smile.

I see this show – this feminine , flirtations display – every time I take the doggies out to  do their thing.  And every time, it’s a brand new Bridge. 

The view from our roof – the 360 degree panorama – would make you weep with joy.  I only wish you could see it.  But I bet your view is pretty good too, right?

We’ve found a good home here, Momma.  And I miss you.

As ever,

Evalyn