(Editor’s Note: For those who might be new to this blog, and/or just forgot, I occasionally mention “Steve”. Steve refers to a stroke that I experienced about 3 years ago. The reader, you, probably won’t even notice “Steve” unless your notice any egregious grammar mistakes.)

I started thinking about post last summer while house sitting for friends house in the City. The first day of a New Year seemed appropriate to finish it thinking about resolutions and such. Not that this is not in any way a resolution. I mean, it took me 5 months to finish this. Onward.

As I said the impetus for this post was house sitting for my friends who have several critters. I apologize if I misspell any of their names.

Left to right: Wallace a geriatric Bassett Hound, Arwen some kind of terrier (?) of indeterminate age- at least I don’t know how old she is, and Colson a cat. All of them were easy, friendly though Wallace drank incessantly and Arwen has “little spastic dog syndrome”, she loves you but is terrified of you as well.

I also brought my buddy Roan, who you will learn about shortly.

Roan is a geriatric Queensland Healer. He’s 19! All the critters get along famously and I often saw them lying about in several variations of repose:

I was looking forward to house sitting #1 I like my friends and was happy to perform a favor, #2 I would have a free place to stay in San Francisco, #3 I like pets and my friends have three. While I was there I went for several walks which gave me an opportunity to explore the City. I saw lots of new to me stuff that was cool, mundane, as well as historic…wait…historical? Steve?

Where I was staying was about 2 or 3 blocks from a Peet’s and on my way back to the house I saw this.

First this caused me to chuckle, then a bit sad. Chuckle because it is a funny, sad because it shows lack to detail that seems to be lacking these days. Yes, I am allowed to say “these days” because I am on the backside of 50.

Just across the street I saw this.

So, clown fatalities?

(Editor’s Note: Steve really fucked up my spelling which in turned has fucked up my blogging. I send too much time correcting spelling. So from this popint fowrad I am only going to corerct the words rthat interfere with understanding. This way this will force me to concentrate and this will blog will me a more authentinc account of my ongoing recovery. Fuck Steve. )

I brought my faithful companion Roan on this trip I had an excuse to wander the neighborood.

File under good boy.

The house is near Stern Grove so we walked around there a bit and one day we saw a turtle train.

File under turtle, turtle, turtle….GOOSE! (Duck?)

Another day venturing a bit further I came accross I building that had interestng architecture. Being of the curious type I wondered if it was a school since had the look of one. After the walk I found the place on Google maps and learned that it was it was the Pinehurst Lodge.

File under historical.

File under cool.

Since a have trouble taking good photos I stole these from Pinehurst Lodge: A Parkside Refuge, a publication on SF Heritage webpage.

“Pinehurst Lodge is tucked down 30th Avenue just before it dead-ends at Wawona Street and the forested Stern Grove/Pine Lake Park. Built in 1928–29, the red brick structure at 2685 30th Avenue is set back from the sidewalk with a circular entry driveway, its grounds surrounded by a low brick wall. For the last ninety-one years in this quiet and stately setting, with a mission that has evolved with changing times and needs, the lodge has served children and women requiring help.

The Junior League of San Francisco built Pinehurst. A national philanthropic and social organization for women established in 1901, the Junior League is still in existence today, with more than 140,000 members in almost 300 chapters across the country. The San Francisco chapter had a significant number of charity-minded wealthy women on its rolls. At the suggestion of the Associated Charities, a “Junior League Home” was established in 1921 to temporarily shelter children waiting for adoption or foster home placement.1 “

Checkout the full story, especially if you live in SF. I it was interesing to learn aobut the history of this place since I am adoptee. Fascinating to think about how much history surrounds your home. I also discoverd a related podcast Outside Lands Podcast Episode 360: Pinehurst Lodge

Speaking of history I oftne wondered, while driving around the City, what this was. Well wandering around I found out!

It’s an underground reservoir! Thank Google!

File under historical.

I appreciated the Art Deco flourishes but I now I have more questions. Like, what the heck does this quote mean in upper left photo: “BUT THE LAND WHITHER YE GOTO POSSESS IT IS A LAND OF HILLS AND VALLEYS AND DRINKETH WATER OF THE RAIN OF HEAVEN”. Also, what does the warning on those doors mean? “DANGER CONFINED SPACE” Um, it’s an underwater reservoir. Well, I suppose some people do need warnings about hot coffee too. (Learning about this I am reminded of post I wrote years ago about water temples https://geowoodward.com/2013/06/21/adventuring-in-california-water-gold/ )

I found the reservoir on my way to a lunch spot my friends recommended then got distracted by this stuff:

File under cool.

Interestingly I found these intersections on Google Maps and it seems that cool paitnings appeared within a year or two before I was taking the photos.

File under good timing.

Prior to house sitting my friends took me to lucnch to discuss the particulars of the job and I observed the following:

File under cities are cool. (The lower left photo was actually in a different neighborhood, I just liked the juxtaposition.

There is something to be said writing about photos I took and concurrent exoperinces I had six months ago, I’m not sure what though. I started this yesterday January 1, 2025 but I’ve thought about the photos on and off for a while. I suppose I was thinking about resolutions as this a New Year and all.

I decided to look up ambitions and resolutions. When I Googled ambitions I was looking for a definiton but I received a link to a TV series sheesh. So let me add definition

plural noun: ambitions

1. a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.”her ambition was to become a pilot”

noun: resolution

1. a firm decision to do or not to do something. “she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more”

Wait, what? A firm decision to do or not do something?! Huh? I do that all the time! What’s so special about New Year Day? I suppose it’s just another day to do or not to anything cool, mundane or historic, or historical. Whatever you choose to do on this, or any other day, be present, mindful, and whatever that means to you. Be curious. Be reflective. Be aware.

Follow your ambitions.