Back to Ashland

When I left you, we were just getting on the road to Ashland, from San Francisco.  Our first stop, for breakfast, was one of those places that I think you can only find on the road in America - a nameless town (actually, Hank and/or Pat could probably remember, but I don't), with a locally owned bakery that morphed into a restaurant that added on a store.....                            

(Pat was obviously pleased with his choice!)

We got to Ashland safe and sound, after the obligatory stops at the Olive Pit for a years supply of olives, and some rest area and gas breaks.  Seven hours, as advertised. 

As with everything we do, we have our traditions around Ashland. and one is that our first meal we always have at The Lark, the restaurant in the Ashland Springs Hotel.  From left to right, yours truly, Hank Andy, Pat, (Hank, Andy, Pat and I know each other from Bank of America in San Francisco in the 80's), Carol (my friend and neighbor from Salt Spring Island in the 90's) and Linda (Andy's wife, and our former colleague from B of A).  The meal was excellent, as always, and everyone was in fine spirits and looking forward to our theater experiences.

Another tradition is eating breakfast at the Bread Board at least once (some of us made it more than once!)

And of course, there's the theater.  We all make different play selections, and I can only speak to mine.  My first play was Lear, and it led my rankings as best play this season.  It was in the New Theater (now known as the Thomas Theater - must have cost the Thomas family a pretty penny, that), and so very intimate in all its cruelty.  In modern dress, as they mostly are these days, but the Lear - and all the men - were fabulous.  The women, not so much, but noone was going to like anyone but Cordelia anyway.  Anyway, great theater experience.

Time always seems to stand still in Ashland, so even though we see six plays in four days, there is time to see the colour in nearby Lithia Park...

... see the arts and crafts show, see a non-to be- missed (at least by Hank and Andy) college football game in a local sports bar, and, of course, support the local Ashland economy by shopping.  But, meanwhile, back to the theater.

Next up for me was Streetcar Named Desire.  I must be the anniversary of Tennessee Williams birth, or death, or something, because there is a lot of Williams going around.  Streetcar has been played in Vancouver in recent memory, as was a play called His Greatness about Tennessee Williams himself.  This was a wonderful production, with a great Blanche,  The Stanley was no Marlon Brando, but he had some very good moves - oh, they were all good.  (Did you know that Karl Maldin played Mitch in the first Broadway production in 1947?  ) 

Then, Cymbeline, in the Elizabethan Theater.  First, a word about why we are in Oregon on this particular weekend.  It is the last weekend that the Elizabethan Theater, an open air theater, is open, and the tickets were half price.  For that reason, we were willing to try, to see just how cold it would be in the open air theater.....

As you can tell from the looks of Hank, above, it was very, very cold.  As for Cymbeline, well, there is a reason why they play it every 30 years.  Enough said.  It was meant to be a belt notch for me.  As it turns out, it was only half a belt notch.  Several (including me, but not all) left at intermission.  The cold was only part of the problem.  The rest was that the new crop of actors just aren't enunciating as well as the old ones.  Bad as a play might be, you want to hear the words.

Next, two modern plays, The Unfortunates, a new musical about a group of soldiers who maintain their courage through song (review: interesting and well done, but could have explored the topic better) and Liquid Plain, a world premier, part of Ashland's American History series.  We were wait listed for this play for the longest time, and finally got the tickets two days before we arrived.  We were all thrilled, as we had seen the previous ones in the series (although they are in no particular historical order), and it was worth it, although all agreed that we understood it better after the after-performance talk and Q & A given by one of the actors.  I finished up with Midsummer Night's Dream.  Unfortunately, they did a much better production several years ago.  This year, the Oberon and Titania were weak, and the Puck was downright silly, and not in a good way.  Add that to the cold, and Carol and I left at half time.

Shows seen by others, to various degrees of acclaim, were My Fair Lady ( 5 stars from all who attended), The Tenth Muse (rated the best in show by Carol) and The Heart of Robin Hood (three thumbs down from all who attended) and The Taming of the Shrew (Andy and Linda both loved it).

I know it sounds like a lot of negatives, but overall, it was a great experience for all of us.  Live theater is like that, you win some and you lose some, but for those of us who love it, well, it can't be beat.  And then there was the company, and the food (we have adopted a new Italian Restaurant on Main Street (which shall remain nameless as I can't remember its name - I'm sure Hank and/or Andy will let me know).....

and ....

....saw the Green Room show (outside, on the plaza between the theaters)

 ....and generally enjoyed each other's company.  All in all it was voted the best Ashland weekend ever.  We are already planning for next year.  Put your hands up, all who wish to join our merry band.  As they say, the more the merrier!

And, on Monday morning we went our separate ways home.  Again, uneventful trips for all, as one would hope.

On Tuesday, October 15th, I was lucky enough to score a rush ticket for the opera (I do so love paying $30 for a $120 seat!), and Peter enjoyed a wonderful (as usual) dinner at Absynthe, in the Hays Valley in San Francisco, and a wonderful night att the opera.  Falstaff (Verdi) was delightful, Bryn Terfel in fine voice, staging, directing, music, all wonderful.

And on Wednesday, I was on my way to Palm Springs.

Mariah picked me up from  the airport, and we had our -you guessed it - traditional - lunch at Sherman's Deli.  Neighbor Michael, god bless him, has taken care of everything, so the place is wonderful.  In mere hours, what with everyone saying "welcome home", it was as if I had never left.  I do love it here........

Am  back to the gyme (1 1/2 hours each day), and bridge.  Have made a few new friends, and connected with lots of old ones.  The Palm Springs Art Museum  had a reception for new members...

.....which I enjoyed a lot I may volunteer there - it is a far better museum than you might expect.

Mariah's friend Soo and her son Jake moved here from Seattle last spring.  I had met Soo, but in all these years had never met her son.  They had discovered a new (to us) place in Palm Desert called Clementine's, with a pasta and wine night...

Good conversation, good food, good everything.  I don't think there is anything about the desert I don't like, but in particular, it is the air.  Mariah says it feels like silk on your face, and that is certainly what it felt like going home in the balmy 60's with the top down.........

Well, that about brings you up to date.  I am starting my new classes tomorrow, and am fully booked through the weekend, but will try to post next Monday.  Meanwhile, I am taking reservations for winter visits.....

Date Line: Palm Springs

Bet you thought I would never get here!  The last week in town was a round of good-bye lunches and dinners, including lunch with former colleague Mickey, who I hadn't seen since May, and the annual birthday lunch with friend and former law school mate Richard, and his wife Lynda (formerly my assistant, when I had my own practice, but that is a long story).  This time dim sum was at Kirin, aas our usual haunt, Victoria, was closed for rennovation.  (review:  good food, but not as good as The Victoria.  Better seervice though).  I hadn't seen Lynda for years and years, and I was thrilled she came along.  It was great to get caught up! (Sorry - no camera in evidnce!)

Also reconnected with former colleague Deb, who I probably haven't seen for 5 years or more.  She turned up at the White Rock Bridge Club, of all places, so I dragged her up to Steveston for dinner at - you can probably guess - The Blue Lagoon.



I actually snuck in some culture as well, Eugene Onegin at the Metropolitan Opera at the Movies (as I call it) on Saturday morning.  It is an opera not done all that often, Anna Netrebko was singing, it is Tchaikovsky, the music was glorious - well, enoigh said, when the encore comes to a theater near you, go see it.

Followed by yet more dim sum (I am trying to get my fill of ethnic food while in Vancouver.  Aside from Mexican food, I don't get much of it in Palm Springs)  with the usual crowd...

Left to right, Arlene, Sheila, Joyce and Jennifer

(and yours truly, second from the left, of course)

...and finally, one last party on Monday, the 7th (I left on Tuesday!), for Dieppe, a new colleague, turning 50.  As I think I mentioned last post, we used to celebrate lots (births, and deaths too) at work in the old days, but have gotten out of the habit in recent years.  I'm glad we are getting back into it.  Anyway, this was yet again more Chinese food (fine by me, of cours, see above) and a pretty big turn out.

To the left is Enid, party planner extraordinaire; on the right. Dieppe, the birthday girl herself

(The last two were just to show you how gaudy the place really was, at the New China Seafood Restaurant!)

Even had time for a last round of bridge with the boys.  My only regret was that the last few days were marred by a cold, making me miss two theater opportunities (The Habit of Art, which my friend was directing) and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, being done my one of our - by our, I mean Tom and I - favourite local ensembles).  Oh, well, you can't do everything.  I do hate being sick though.  I know I'm suppose to just soldier on, like a good girl, and all I want to do is whine!

But, one way or another, sick or not, on Tuesday, October 8th, I was finally off.  Closing up shop in Vancouver is not all that hard - tell the managers that I'm going, give June the key to the mailbox, and I'm off.  It gets a little convoluter, in that I went to work, came home, parked my car, and then had a taxi to take me to the airport, where I caught the bus to take me to Seattle, where Mariah picked me up.  I overnighted at her house (after making a start on Mexican food at her local tacqueria) and she took me to the airport for the short hop to San Francisco.

As usual, stayed at Hank's, whos lodgings are always open to me, thank goodness, and on Wednesday night, we did our usual "hello" dinner at the Alamo Square Bistro (as promisd, no more pictures of me and Hank at the Alamo Square Bistro).  It is such a fine neighborhood eatery, great atmosphere, great food, great service, I never tire of it; besides it has become a tradition.

(A brief aside,  I have puzzled out why I am so found of the traditions we - all my friends and I - have built up.  I think it is because my childhood was so chaotic that I like the stability that rituals and customs and habits provide.  How's that for sidewalk psychology of the Lucy variety?)

And on early Thursday morning,October 10th, Hank, Pat and I climbed into Pat's BMW for the 7 hour drive to Ashland, Oregon, home of the by now infamous Oregon Shakeseare Festival.

Where we will take up the story next time.......