Just when
you're grateful the year wasn't worse,
I'm coming
right at you with this year-end verse!
Alceste warns,
"Do not let your bad verse get loose."
I just hope mine's
less Orante, more Dr. Seuss.
January
'T
was the break for the winter that I did outreach.
(More
time to save schools with no students to teach.)
Too
busy to see that Leah Garchik had called
For
new words to a song, and I was appalled
That
no readers submitted (at least to my knowledge)
A
verse for our school, for “We’re all City College.”
So
I wrote new words, way past the due date,
And
she kindly let me turn in work that was late.
To
the tune of “If You Are Going to San Francisco”
If
you’re going to San Francisco, let’s hope you’ll find our City College there.
Those who are there in
San Francisco know City College has got a lot to share.
All those who come to
City College know that it stands for people everywhere.
In each class at City
College the world’s reflected. Let’s show the world we care.
In
anticipation of accreditation—we hope.
We
will support it.
For
three generations it’s brought education
to all
We
should support it.
Never
abort it.
All
those who go to San Francisco
Be sure to look for City College there.
Be sure to look for City College there.
If
you come to City College
Credit
is yours. It’s open. Take your chair.
If
you go to San Francisco, let’s hope you’ll find our City College there.
Chez Panisse is where Javier took me on the first
Restored from the fire, it was good!--None the worst!
View and Chew
One
group que j'adore c'est le groupe View and Chew,
So
named by chère Jana cause here's what we do:
We
practice our French after our amuse-gueules
As we watch Village Français, tout ensemble, pas seuls.
At the first of the year, Joel and Jacqui provided
A wonderful soiree for all the invited
To thank Robert Liu, our incredible host.
They're pretending to argue, but this is a toast!
A friend and a colleague--a time for some sharing
Of all that she meant to her family and us.
She left all her writing. That's really a plus.
Beforehand Janet and I went to get Lynn
And looked at Lynn's cookbook. (We'll never grow thin.)
February
Working for CCSF as concerned faculty.
She later faced a serious threat to health but now is better
As she informed all worried friends in a well-worded letter.
Maxine and Jerry and I had lunch here.
I hope I see them more than once this next year!
Written by my UCLA teacher. Take a look.
The memoir she wrote and read from is all fact.
About the risk she too, it's called The Marriage Act.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18079938-the-marriage-act
For
VD I treated to twenty-two dishes
At
Aziza, where pebbles completed our wishes.
Then
with friends we did what Super Bowl fans all do.
We
got together to watch Walter's great barbecue!
There's
nothing like sports to excite true fans' mood
Unless
it is sharing delectible food!
So
after our Super Bowl lunch I thanked friends
With
a verse no one seemed to read all to the end.
To
the tune of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
Lunch Chez Panisse, dinner Aziza.
We’ve
eaten well (and paid !) this year.
But
of the dishes that we ate
The
ones I highest rate
Are
those we had we two
at
this barbecue.
Great
veggies cooked a la parilla.
Soup,
salad produce from their yard.
Then
Orfa’s ratatouille dish
Was
all that we could wish
Great
to see quinoa too
The
Campbells, Torres, you.
The
pictures show our greatest pleasure
We
shared good food; our friendship grew!
Our
meals together rival the four stars.
(Super
and toilet bowls do too!)
'Tis here that we no longer sing to the tune
But toilets will make a big comeback quite soon.
This was the month that we gathered for Karen
A friend and a colleague--a time for some sharing
Of all that she meant to her family and us.
She left all her writing. That's really a plus.
'Twas a day off that we had a campus Day On
A friend and a colleague--a time for some sharing
Of all that she meant to her family and us.
She left all her writing. That's really a plus.
'Twas a day off that we had a campus Day On
To clean up the campus, so I went along,
But I was determined to make my commission
To clean up a spot that I'd made my long mission:
For twenty long years I had seen this before
That a teacher looking for results just cannot ignore:
Teachers, even those with class, don't always see the after.
We want to make a difference. So please review with laughter
This is the clearest sign I've seen of difference I've made.
So on to sweet retirement, where although I'm underpaid
I look back on the year of sweetest students and colleagues
Who did the thoughtful things that every working person needs!
Sweet students planned a party disregarding sign on wall,
The great View and Chew group toasted with a drink not at all small!
Sweet Jana and Bill wrote a song that's sung to "Hello Dolly!"
All these rewards remind me that retirement is no folly!
Thanks to those who couldn't wait until the year '15,
But offered mini-celebrations in the time between:
Jeanne and Ken, Shehla, Beth, Suzy, Kathy, thank you
Along with Eileen, Charles, Mo-Shuet,Victor, Bob, I
rank you
Among the most thoughtful of friends. Commencement is forever
And I'll take you along with me whatever I endeavor.
And Camilla, feting Nicole and me, gave us each a crown
So we can reign in our retirement and bring the whole court down!
(I'm also grateful to Ron, who's my finance adviser:
May his help in retirement make me money-matters wiser.)And Joyce of Zanze cheesecake fame invited retirees
Over to her home to talk and speculate with ease.
The thoughtfulness of friends who celebrate for every reason
Fill me with warmth the whole year through, not just the Christmas season!
They also fill me with good food, as here in Paula's home.
A place we top tapistas go--food better than in Rome!
Let's
Ogden Nash this poem a bit: Easter
rhymes with seaster.
Or
sister, if you'd rather, has to rhyme with Ister,
That
holiday that's after Lent finds us with well-loved brother
(Who
this Christmas asked me if he could now call me his mother)
Traditional
our family goes to buffets all our Easters
At
Indian restaurants--vegan ones--preferred by David's seasters.
But this year we saved Indian for our Thanksgiving Feast.
So here you see us at Jack London Square--the bay that's east.
In May, besides retirement, was a fifty-years notation
Of my pomped and gloried class's high school graduation.
The
Days We Are Remembering
To
the tune of “The Days of Wine and Roses”
The
days we are remembering
Nineteen
sixty-four
We
walked out the door
Of
a school that didn’t have the Internet.
The
faces that we met
Were
really there before.
Facebook
was not a buzz word.
We
liked people then
With
a ballpoint pen
In
a yearbook that they couldn’t soon delete
In
sentences complete
We
didn’t even tweet.
Nostalgia
is a danger
If
we hold too fast
On
things that cannot last,
So
let’s celebrate the changes we have seen
And
figure out together
What
they mean.
June
Patty, my first husband's sister, turned a lovely eighty June.
I made her a giant card and said I'd send it her way soon.
(See December.)
I got the picture but not the date. I'll look into this soon!
July
Of wonderful Katja, Nicole's mom, who here I want to say
Is worthier than the song I wrote to honor her this year.
But this photo (Nicole took it) makes music to the ear:
She's said "Cherished pre-occupations" get her behind. I think that's great.
Spending
time on what we love means never really being late.
Ninety
years she's been a good model for how we all should live our lives.
So
I gave her photo flowers-- eighteen-- (Can I count?) high-fives.
'Twas July when chere AnNIE flew here to our coast.
She is one among dear friends that we all love the most.
We're dressed up to go--and guess where we're heading?
Up to Marin for Francoise's country wedding!
Words Annie
and I wrote for Francoise and Barry
To the tune
of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" (which we learned as children as
"Here comes the bride. Big, fat,
and wide--which Francoise definitely wasn't)
Francoise et Bar-----ry
se marient
Et tous leurs amis
Sont vraiment ravis.
All paths have led
To this, newlywed!
May "C'est la vie" be "la belle vie" instead!
All of us raise a glass as
we sing to dear friends now!
May every wish come true
as said in their wedding vow.
Nous sommes heureux et honorés d'avoir été invites
alors buvons et mangeons a satiété
pour partager leur félicite.
to the Tune of "La Marseillaise"
Just
eight days beyond July the Fourth
And
two days before the Bastille
Our
dear friends these two countries united
With
their friendship and love and good will.
With
their friendship and love and good will.
From
the World Cup of wine keep on sipping
There's
joy in the white and the red.
When
rhymes lead where they've been led
We
all know what pleasures lie ahead.
Francoise
and Barry, cheers!
Have
fun through all your years.
You're
now beloved husband and wife.
A
la votre, here's to life!
I think I culture-shocked Annie when she first turned up
And I wanted to watch with her a game of the World Cup.
Later she gamefully joined us, Debora, Javier and me
And pretended to be engrossed, as in profile shot you see.
Everybody wanted to be our Annie's host,
But Deborah and I
let her sleep not all the time but most
In what I call Nicole's glass castle, where she luxuriated
As an AirBnB, it's very highly rated!
Here's Nicole with Beth and Annie and me.
We're outside the courthouse where we had to be
To give our support to our so well-loved college
As most people in San Francisco acknowledge.
To
Another visit we enjoyed was also in July
When Pat and James of Martin clan made time to stop on by!
They live in Atlanta, where law says "Pack a gun!"
But they were of a different mind and quite a lot of fun.
They live in Atlanta, where law says "Pack a gun!"
But they were of a different mind and quite a lot of fun.
Other images of summer were at near Stern Grove,
Where concerts, picnics we've enjoyed would fill a treasure trove.
August
Jake, a former student and quite an inspiration
Invited me to ceremony and lunch graduation
From Culinary Arts. And then to food faire out on Folsom.
Delicious food and unlike some street fairs there even wholesome!
This was the fortieth year since the film The Conversation.
So I invited friends to Union Square for the occasion.
Gene Hackman's character felt bad, a conscious that he bore.
That was long before Snowden and the film Citizen Four.
http://www.uchastings.edu/news/articles/2014/09/the-conversation-symposium.php
This year I came early every time but one,
And coming early really adds a lot to all the fun.
I saw Darlene Love in her sweats in early morning hours
Before she sang all dolled up to applause that came like showers.
September
'Twas September, my first month of being retired
That I took off to see a Swiss writer admired
For novels like much-praised Leon and Louise
And I'd get to see Jutta, a chance I would seize.
And then I'd see New York, my son and a friend
Coming up from the Southland. In planning we'd send
Just about eighty e-mails to plan shows and stay.
Special agent, son Jonathan secured Lady Day,
Italian film music played at Lincoln Center
Jonathan became our trip planner & mentor.
He also configured a way on a dime
To get paths divergent to cross the same time.
Jutta and I met on train, Zurich station--
A feat that brought us both relief and elation.
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Capus/e/B0034P656Q
'Twas
Olten with Alex Capus the trip came to be
Like
Skidoo and West Africa--something to see!
A
restaurant that he among three writers founded
Impressed
and surprised us because it all sounded
Like
actors all have to take orders from diners
While
writers own restaurants, which really seems finer. (a status diviner)
From
restaurant we followed this writer to bar
Galicia--where
we met lovely Nadja the Star
In
the life of this author, who took us on tour
Through
the town to the rivers and then (no detour)
To
their home, where she served a fruit tart and mint tea
While
we talked, looked at pictures and books and could see
Their
bookshelves with toy cars as well as good reading
The
family with five sons, inclusive, the meeting.
Jutta
and I brought the diaries we've shared
Though
she took back the first, Volume two still compared
Quite
favorably. And we added each day
Whatever
we did, felt, or wanted to say.
We
went into Zurich and made the wise
choice
Of
seeing Old Town where for years lived James Joyce.
We
also saw art of Corbusier, Courbet
But
it was Alex Capus' art which most
brightened our stay.
Hail
to thee, favorite writer, and to all
your good writing!
We're
grateful our trip brought us more than a sighting!
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Capus/e/B0034P656Q
'Twas then I went to NYC, my first free-from school fall,
Arriving on the day Karl said was "the least worst of all."
Sweet Karl met me with my sweet son, Manhattan's Jonathan
After my high-tech self-check of Passport was all done.
A
reunion with My Best Friend Back in Fifth Grade
Was
enhanced by the Shankers-- the difference it made
To
see such a model of New Yorker pair
Who
were loving and kind and so willing to share
Their home with a view of the Empire State--
The room of Matteo, born at later date!
Jonathan, Shankers made our New York stay
A not-to-forget one. And Kim made the day
When she stopped by to join us, and ate the next night.
Total vegan with us. She's a total delight!
So
one more great hug both communal and single.
To
the best of New Yorkers with whom we could mingle!
And another hug to My Best Friend in Fifth Grade,
Who continues to rate among Best Friends I've made.
And speaking of such, there are those I don't see
Every year but who really do matter to me.
Take Katherine and Barry, who live life so well
But don't live it here--Arizona they dwell!
Jeri from Hawaii kept us (wittily) up to date
On the Big Island volcano's Jim Kauahikaua, who's her mate.
And as scientist in charge at the big observatory
Attended to the lava flow as well as his own story!
It's not fois gras our View and Chew serves, and what's best of all,
One member heads the International Veggie Festival!
http://worldvegfestival.com/2014/
http://www.theterencerattigansociety.co.uk/
Ken's September 75th Birthday
It's not fois gras our View and Chew serves, and what's best of all,
One member heads the International Veggie Festival!
http://worldvegfestival.com/2014/
The Browning Version's a great play.
(You can say THAT again!)
Society is bowing now to Terence Rattigan.
http://www.theterencerattigansociety.co.uk/
Ken's September 75th Birthday
Ken does not drink wine, I
learned. (It took me 18 years)
I figured it was just too strong and
wondered about beers.
But now I know that Ken prefers
something I'd call frisky:
Instead of wine he likes a shot of
Dewar's--Dewar's Scotch whisky.
I thought of getting Dewar's Scotch --a
birthday gift for Ken--
A full-sized bottle for someone
who's tall among all men.
But then I stopped to contemplate
this great man's craft, vocation
And chose instead these miniatures a
crafty innovation.
Though Dewar's of the full-size kind
may be delectable.
I knew Ken would prefer to have the
small kind--the collectible.
October
In October I got to see after five decades.
A classmate with a winery and drank the wine they made!
They invited Javier and me to have lunch at their place,
Which really was a mansion putting my house in disgrace.
"I thought I'd have you over, but now I've changed my mind."
But I'll let them come and I'll leave my self-consciousness behind.
I
put out my recliner to make room for one just bought
So
anyone could take it if some resting place they sought.
"Take
it if you feel inclined to be laid back, reclined."
We
noticed after a few days, the right word was "Declined."
I've
heard that the Salvation Army has no lack of them
With
indentations of the heads found dead laid back on them.
Javier advised me, and his words were, I surmise,
Right on target--quite astute and I take words of wise.
"Maybe
you should make a sign or even post a letter:
'Nobody
was found dead here' so takers will feel better."
By the way, the man you see beside this old recliner,
Is Efren my techie help, and he could be no finer!
I met him in a tech-help lab one year when I was teaching
And I was so impressed by him that I did some outreaching.
This year he helped me to install my new computer Dell
He knew each step to transfer all the old software so well
And when I got a wall unit and found I couldn't fit
The old DVD-Comcast stuff I had inside of it
He went out shopping with me to select some newer one.
He's bright and patient like my very own son Jonathan.
Here's Luz, another who helps me, standing in the hall.
And when I say she helps me, I mean she does it all.
Others who have helped this year are Patrick, David, Kurt.
Their skills exceed my own for , I here frankly assert!
And when I say she helps me, I mean she does it all.
'Twas the year I began to do what I should do
And ordered my veggies from Farm Fresh to you!
Their skills exceed my own for , I here frankly assert!
Every October we celebrate Mother
By going some place that she loved like no other.
At an Inverness spot we let more ashes flow.
Then we ate at the Station House and said, "Giants, go!"
With the judge Curtis Karnow, the ACCJC's tort.
Who articulates insights that we are not losing!
November
Somewhere near to that
rainbow's pot of gold,
There's a love story of
Derek-Jessica to be told.
In two thousand and ten
this couple met
In a time-honored
way. You guessed it: The Internet.
His last day of activity
He got from his soon
bride be a letter.
They soon met and did both agree
They had a special chemistry--
The good got better!
Somewhere near the D.R.
they took their vow
Husband, wife as we come
to celebrate these two now.
Above the rainbow, so they
say
Blue birds can fly so
flying high are they!
Seven hours were spent with me by generous dear friend Jeanne.
Fulfilling all my birthday wishes as I've never seen!
I also loved the birthday treat with Gecko Gecko prep.
Then Molly Ivins back to life at nearby Berkeley Rep.
Some
friends were early birds with their congratulations
For
my turning seventy. "When is the
celebration?
I
can't believe you're seventy!" They
told me as in shock.
"Neither
can I," I said checking calendar and clock.
"Sixty-nine
is the new..." Javier searched mentally.
I
finished for him. "Sixty-nine is
the new seventy."
Incredible Jenny, who(m) I met through her mother
Wrote a wonderful poem that's matched by no other.
Playing with the number in syllables that rhyme,
She alternates between 6 and 9 each time!
Sixty nine, they said was fine, 6
But how they blushed at the double meaning 9
“Oh my, I’ve crossed the line, 6
I’ll round down to save the awkward sting.” 9
“Drat! You mustn’t do that, 6
Either you will make her a liar 9
If she does not confess, 6
Or force her to say ‘one year higher!’9
Don’t you put the poor dear 6
in such a position you damn tool. 9
Send red and pink roses 6
And cards aplenty; don’t be a fool. 9
Happy Seventieth!6
You’ll say to Tina in her parades 9
To give her a taste of 6
next year’s wishes for seven decades.”9
“You’ll confuse her to skirt 6
allusions to an inverted sign? 9
You’ll laugh ‘til your throat’s hurt 6
When Tina says ‘Oh, no! Sixty-nine!’” 9
'Twas also the year I lost diamond from setting
Of ring and agreed that Javier would be getting
Another for me, representing September
The month Club was founded--a way to remember.
on card with rhinestones that were dotting the i's,
He added a note that was cute--no surprise:
If the sapphire replacement's not your dream come true:
Here are three other stones that we'll cut out for you.
Good friend Beth reach sixty years. (No one thought her older!)
This collage is a good eye test. But-- as we all told her
What she did for another friend could never be outdone.
She found us in Sausalito and invited us up for fun.
And with Beth, make no mistake.
Fun will always include cake!
Manfred's wonderful new book, Survival in Paradise
Was my gift to a friend who deserved something especially nice!
Mikhail, turning seventy, had once been my dear student,
And Manfred was my teacher once, so I thought it wise and prudent!
Olga too was a student long ago--and loved the book.
Here my teacher and my students are together--take a look!
http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000688997/Survival-in-Paradise.aspx
And speaking of books, there's a bit more to tell:
Who translated Colette rare pieces? Morel!
http://www.sunypress.edu/p-5992-shipwrecked-on-a-traffic-island.aspx
And speaking of books, there's a bit more to tell:
Who translated Colette rare pieces? Morel!
http://www.sunypress.edu/p-5992-shipwrecked-on-a-traffic-island.aspx
Discussed these books this year--I and Jonathan--
Usually online from east coast to the west.
But having Jonathan right here is what I like the best!
Here he's with my tenant he had never met--That's Tommy.
And here he's helping with the living tree set up for Mommy.
Jonathan,
who in tech things seems less like son than mentor,
Continues
to work in New York at S-K Cancer Center.
Reading
the rave reviews he gets is something I've enjoyed,
And
thinking of the job market, I thank God he's employed!
"Leisure time" often comes in forms like carrying pickets.
But here you see a few hours spent on shows and movies--tickets!
Here you see a celebrant, a friend now sixty years
Whose party at the Berkeley Club brought him and magic cheers.
And Steve and David, special guests, brought this quite special cake!
Steve I saw at gatherings supporting City College.
David I saw through his poems--great insight and great knowledge.
So great to see Linda at least once this year!
Next year looks more hopeful from what I now hear.
Wish Shehla were forefront on this picture page.
There's an adage that goes "Beauty before age."
Kathy and Suzy and I form a KAST
That's Supporting each other each month . May it last!
At pre-Christmas dinner we added an actor.
Jonathan's always a wonderful factor!
David, our brother, in red suit and beard,
Is someone we love and someone we've cheered
Just when you think that my poem's merciless,
I'm bringing you friends this time versi-less.
Let these photos do the praising of hosts
Who bring Christmases that matter the most
Carol and Michael from our now defunct Shakespeare group here!
We get together now and then, more now I hope next year!
Ulysses, who lives out of town, was someone's company!
Bill Carey played throughout the year. With Vilma he's now well.
Two years ago leukemia almost put them both through hell.
So blessings on all those who bravely face some serious trouble.
(That's all of us!) May all the triumphs over double!
My co-Madre Jackie gave us this nativity.
Peace in the Middle East--in captivity!
Jackie represents the best of those we didn't see
But love and think about a lot like Becky and Jamie,
Megan, cousins in the South and also in the West.
Friends like Katherine, Barry, who remain among the best.
The Anminiroti, a name I've now created
That's Annie, Minako, Nicole (of course abbreviated).
And Rosa, Tina are the roti you see at the end.
Our listserve is a quintet that I hope will never end.
We connect this continent with France, Japan, and Spain.
May this sweet quintet with us forever now remain.
This year I finally faced Facebook and caught up on some news.
May most of yours be good news to comfort or amuse.
This is the Christmas tree at Stonestown Y,
Which reminds me of the spiral building way off in Dubai.
It goes up but not out in a way that's very ample.
I guess they want us Y folks to have a good example.
But slim or stout, may you have a year ahead that's this:
The chance to eat and play and work as you follow your bliss!
