Mr. Obama: Lipstick on a pit bull OR How much did you pay for lipstick 10 years ago?
All week long, the pundits have told us that the political conversation has been held hostage by a “pit bull wearing lipstick.” Sarah Palin’s now famous comment: What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.”
On the Chris Matthews Show this morning, I heard him say that the Palin lipstick comment was intended to throw Obama off message, away from the real issues facing America today.
But Mr. Obama, if you wanted to change the conversation to the scary things that are happening to our economy right now in a humorous–and reaching- out- to- women- way– you might have said: What did you pay for lipstick ten years ago? And what are you paying for lipstick today?
Follow the money….
Pretty Leaves
Images of Quarry Park
On Promises
[I have been looking for a photo of Bryant and me taken on one of my birthdays–but I haven’t found it yet. Also, the note below was not ripped when I received it from Bryant. If I wasn’t home, he was going to leave it at the door. There were some phone numbers I didn’t want to post so what you see is a bad job of cutting & pasting.)
On Promises
Dated 18.March.2008
By June Morrall
A few months ago Bryant Wollman came to visit me. It was an unusual visit because I hadn’t talked to Bryant in many years, decades, actually.
He was wearing what appeared to me to be an authentic Scottish kilt outfit, the knee socks, the whole thing. He looked terrific.
Why the kilt? Bryant was a popular tour guide at the historic Filoli mansion and gardens on Canada Road in Woodside.
Coincidentally, my friend, Mardi, who lives in the Deep South, and was staying with her daughter in San Carlos, went to see the magnificent Filoli estate the same week Bryant visited me. During our chit-chat, Filoli came up as well as Mardi’s guide, an impressive man who looked exactly like Bryant.
It was Bryant.
Bryant always went “all out,” the Scottish kilt an excellent example. He was enthusiastic, truly, and as curious as a child. He was very smart—but he could be wonderfully silly. It’s fun to look at my “mind’s screen” and forever see the growth of a tiny smile on Bryant’s face turn into contagious laughter.
I never saw Bryant sad or melancholy.
What I may not have fully understood was his extremely poor eyesight. Clear vision is the main way we navigate through life. If you don’t have it, you develop other senses. When Bryant was in his 50s, laser technology made it possible to surgically correct his vision and he was just delighted with the results.
His corrected, now “better-than-perfect” eyesight was one of the things we talked about the last time I saw him in March.
We talked easily on that late afternoon. I should have asked what prompted him to visit me but I didn’t. It was as if he came over all the time. We talked about how the Coastside had changed, grown so big and some of the friends we had in common. The closest we came to addressing the future was when we talked about where we might move to and Bryant said:
“Where is there to go?”
This is the same question I’ve asked myself many times. I know other long time Coastsiders who have wondered the same thing and come up with same answer as Bryant. There is no where to go. The Coastside is the best place to be–maybe in the entire world.
Bryant said: “Where is there to go?” That was the clue I didn’t pick up on. I should have asked him what he meant. Well, no matter, now we know.
He praised all of his friends. He ticked off their names, told me what they were doing now and how proud he was of all of them. How I wish I had praised him. I didn’t. I was holding my breath, because, obviously, I sensed something but didn’t catch on.
Bryant Wollman was indeed “the model patient,” as Michaele Benedict called him. And that’s what he was doing. He knew his days were limited. Instead of telling us, his friends, he came for a last visit to tell us how much we meant to him.
I wish I had told Bryant Wollman how much joy he brought into my life.
Oh, but this piece is called “On Promises.” I didn’t tell you the meaning of that. On that last afternoon I saw Bryant, he was wearing the Scottish kilt costume because he had just come from his volunteer gig at the Filoli Estate in Woodside.
He was so colorful, I wanted an image at once. The photo was okay but Bryant made me promise not to post it.
“Do you promise?” he said, not once but several times and even when I promised-promised-promised,, I could tell he didn’t completely believe me. In the end I convinced him, however, and got my photo, which I will not, as promised, post in this story.
On Quarry Park
Quarry Park, so lovingly developed by El Granadians, was an “experiment” that could not fail.
(The “experiment” part refers to a group of local citizens taking care of the beautiful park.
Quarry Park demonstrates what good citizens can accomplish when they set their collective to a project.)
As with most enterprises, in the beginning there must have been a group of enthusiastic workers who dwindled down in number as the months passed.–leaving a few, hardcore, dedicated people. I think of them as “invisible” people because they are the kind of folks who do things that nobody knows they are doing but it’s for all of us, for the community as extended family.
I was at the park today with Burt; the kids were in the swings, watched by their doting mothers and it was just a lovely (foggy) day. Burt asked: “Who’s responsible for all of this?”
I said, “I don’t know who they are but they deserve a lot of thanks How much love does that take?”
Today I learned that the operation of Quarry Park has been turned over to the County of San Mateo. Make sure you visit the park, take the whole family, and continue to enjoy it, but remember it was a small group of terrific locals who are responsible for it.
Marion Brenner’s Exciting Pix of Bay Area Gardens
New Garden Design by Zahid Sardar
Photographer Marion Brenner
End of Summer
Ocean Shore Railroad
RIP: BIG George Moore
Story by Sam Varela
Dear Friends,
Just to let you know, George Moore’s passing was on August 28th, one week after celebrating his 62nd Birthday (who knew?). Although it was anticipated, it was still accepted with extreme sadness. His memory is a special private place in each of our hearts. However, we all can recall with a smile that special memory that will always remain with us because of the Special person that he was. Though many have tried, none can replace the image of George and his aura and charisma. His Cowboy hat, Hawaiian shirt, BMW, Barrel Chest, Looks the lady’s loved, Pineapple treats, Surfing Legend, and his Class and Style.
There is more, of course, but we can each insert our own special time and incident. What a character, and proud father, he was!
We are currently trying to organize a gathering, to celebrate his life and will keep you informed of when it will occur. It justifies some set-up time, in order to do the quality event he has earned. We are looking at possibly, late October or early November, on a weekend, with no conflict and enough lead time to allow us all to gather together for that date. It will be good to break bread, talk and celebrate our special friend’s life. We are planning to hold the occasion in HMB, probably in Princeton by the Sea, near to Mavericks and to the harbor. Just a place that was close to his heart. (and where they will take the likes of us!)
Everyone will be notified once there is a fixed date, and in the interim, please lite a candle and say a prayer. Be grateful he passed through our lives with the style he did. Til later George!
With All the Best To You,
Sam
———–
From Peter Adams:
oh no — another old friend gone. here’s a photo of george [at the bar of course!] with beard
during the installation of my stained glass.