On a lark...

· Maine Event

Today was date day, so after a quick run to the farmer's market, we set out on our adventure. We took the J downtown and walked up to North Beach. It was hot (75°) in San Francisco, which meant everyone was out. It was also the Chinese New Year's parade - it is the year of the fire horse! As we were walking past Cotagna, on a lark, we decided to check whether there were any walk-in spots for lunch. They put us on a list and said they would text within the hour, one way or the other. We meandered around, stopped by AB-fits to browse, stood around in the shade at the park, and admired the buildings. Just as we were contemplating where to have lunch, Cotagna texted that our table was open! This place you can never get a reservation for anymore (unless you are free during lunch on weekdays), so we haven't gone in years, so it was a treat. We sat outside, and it was so incredibly pleasurable, and the food was great. Then we made our way home and went to Bernal Cutlery. All shopping resulted in nil. Yet, the company was wonderful, the weather was delightful, and the food was great.

"On a lark", as it turns out, is not necessarily derived from the bird. It is unknown, but the most plausible option comes to us from a Northern Middle English dialect; the word lake or laik means to play, frolic, or make sport.

Don't go up Kearny from Broadway and then speed downhill in reverse. Tragedy. In fact, don't speed in reverse anywhere.

At 10am, the park was relatively empty. At 2pm, it was a sea of humans, with no grass showing.
This is a giant Pride of Madeira and it was covered with honey bees!
Mt. Tam! and you can even see the observatory
We had a wonderful meal here years ago, and I'm so sorry we didn't take more of you here. Cafe Jacqueline is no more.
Chinatown festival day
Beginning
and end...
Art space
San Bruno Mountains
Millions of insects were apparent in the streaming sunlight nearing the time of sunset.
Jupiter and the twins

6:32 am – 6:09 pm, which is 11 hours and 37 minutes of daylight!

The bird of the day is a Red-winged blackbird.

Here is a poem for you.

Sending oodles of love,

Tawnia

Bird List - 20 species today

Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Western Gull
California Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-masked Parakeet
American Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler