November Radiance

I was going to start with, “I know I mention this every year, but this is the date I first arrived in San Francisco, back in 1999.” When I had a look, it seems I might not have actually mentioned it since 2022. In any case, since that week changed my life, I do remember it clearly, and pretty fondly. Especially as I pass by the hotel I stayed in, and the places I ate and drank coffee, even more regularly now I am living where I am.

The other night I dreamed about where I used to live in London, as I have a few times now (though not as often as I dream about Tassajara) – sometimes the house, sometimes the neighbourhood. The house is always different, but I still have possessions there after all these years, and there is a certain appeal to being there. In the most recent dream, the old woman who used to live downstairs had finally died (her husband did die while I was living there), and the furniture was being carried out. I used to dream about school the same way – that I had been gone for a while, but could go back and pick up where I left off.

In reality, I am very happy in California – and the few trips I have made to the UK in the winter only go to affirm this, on the weather front if nothing else. Although we are braced for some heavy rain to arrive this evening, the past week has been warm and sunny. Ruth had an old friend visiting from the outer reaches of the Bay Area on Saturday, and we went to the top of the Coit Tower, something I have never done before. I thought to take my camera, and the photos of the views, in the strong low sun were rather good.

Having the benefits of our city life reflected back by a visitor is always nice, but we are never slow to remember them either – we sat in the park again with Georgie on Sunday afternoon, soaking up the warmth. The brightness of California light in winter always delights me. I never take this for granted, even if we might not get another chance until the spring.