MARCHING EVER ONDearest Family and Friends
57 Cumberland Street, San Francisco CA 94110
Phone Number: +1 415 738 2112
March Highlights
10:10
It’s not Easy Being Green
The principle behind 10:10 is that everybody - whether individuals, businesses or institutions - can tackle climate change by cutting their carbon emissions by 10% this year.
So we agreed, as a family, to implement certain changes in our lifestyle and habits for 2010. 
The push – to become Localvores is still ongoing and in the main we are succeeding. There is evidence that imported foodstuffs are distorting local economies in developing countries. 
We are enjoying the great benefits of fresh and seasonal foods (although Esme is OVER citrus fruits having previously feasted on raw lemons, bring on the apple harvest, and when will local tomatoes come into season!). 
We are also eating less meat and fish without any hardship. As a by-product we are also striving to improve the quality of all foods we bring into our home or consume in other eateries, such as non-industrialised food (ie that with less than 4-6 ingredients on the label) where we have a choice – I’ve started making my own vegetable stock from veg ends collected over the course of a few days. After seeing this highly disturbing film, Earthlings we find it imperative to both cut down on meat, fowl and fish, and only consume free range and sustainably harvested flesh. Although there are problems with the supply chain for this growth area in the US. I’ve discovered a local grower and producer of tofu and tofu products as a meat substitute, yummy sausages!
Of course, the whole area is a minefield. Labels are cunningly disguised to make the product more appealing than it is. I just realised, for example, that the "family farm fresh organic" eggs with charming pictures of chickens leading a bucolic pastoral existence currently in our fridge must be battery reared. Note to self.But back to 10:10.
My resolve to have only 4-minute showers falters regularly. Sometimes I do, and I certainly think about it while dousing myself under the water, but I love standing there under the cascading drops, feeling the heat spread over my torso, especially after being awake for hours working and this is the first time out moment to myself of the day.
Equally, my pledge to take fewer taxis has so far resulted in probably six less taxis taken this year – better, but when one is juggling childcare, getting Esme into bed and a social life, time gets squeezed and cabs get called.
I worry that I’ve become less giving, this article nicely explores my now highly misery and conniving nature – experiments show those who purchase ‘green’ are easily the least generous. I loved the phrase: “However, acting upon one’s values establishes moral credentials that can subsequently license deviating behavior.” Hmm. Another note to self.An additional side issue is that of marital strife. There’s nothing better guaranteed to raise one’s hackles than to be carped at daily about the lights left on, the doors open, the milk purchased in plastic bottles rather than carton, the less-than-full load of laundry, the plastic bottle of water collected when perfectly good containers exist at home…
Check out this excellent film which clearly spells out why epitomises the workings of our capitalist system and the resulting huge pollution and emissions.
I could go on, and as Colman points out, I frequently do, when there’s a perfectly good plank in my own eye. He has been known to mention my penchant for leaving the digital photoframe on in the kitchen when out of the room, one more than one occasion.
However, my darling husband has very helpfully compiled a graphic representation of our energy usage derived from utility bills, and pleasingly, we have reduced our consumption from this time last year, despite very damp and chilly weather during the first three months of the year - these hailstones were in the garden.
So energy saving measures such as turning off the monitor as well as the computer, plugging out at the wall, and turning off one pilot light (and thus only one of the two ovens is available to us), turning off boiling pans allowing the hot water to finish the cooking process and working in semi-darkness rather than add artificial illumination, seem to be making an impact.
Another side issue is heightened negative emotion: such as the guilt and irritation felt when I notice Esme has turned the dimmer switch on low and thus the light was left on all day, or I realise the stereo was left on overnight.
When in other houses and restaurants we marvel at the abundance of foodstuffs and goods now denied us at home. We joked with Tom and Kim that we feel like Britons on war-time rations visiting over-supplied Americans.
We have resolved not to fly to Europe this year, so is it allowed to coax people to come to visit us instead? We can promise to roll out the red carpet… The New York Times recently described our fabulous Mission District as being a great place to holiday!Lovely to see Chris in March, our Visitor of the Month!
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Meal of the Month
Talking of food, the best home-cooked dinner we’re ever likely to eat, was that created by Akemi for us one Saturday night. Or rather she had clearly spent the better part of a week growing the soy beans, harvesting them, making her own tofu, and that was only one dish! And, interestingly, this superb feast contained very little fish, just a small amount for flavouring. Way to go!
The table was immaculately laid out, every little dainty morsel perfectly positioned. There was even a lovely little side table for Esme, who did manage to eat some of the food, but was rather suspicious of it…
The beautifully presented menu (printed for us for our additional edification) ran like this:
To StartGinger infused Sake with Kuko (Goji Berry) – Danny and Colman slurped this down
House Made Tofu
Roasted Genmai (brown rice) Okayu (porridge) with Konbu and Umeboshi – Esme’s favourite
Assorted Plates
Okara (soy pulps) with Shiitake, Carrot, Burdock and Peas
Kimpira Gobou (Braised Spicy Burdock) - yummmo
Hijiki with Abura-age (fried tofu), Carrot and Snow Peas
Spicy Konnyaku (Yam Cake) - the flavour belied its ashtray colour
Cucumber with three kinds of Miso
Yukari (Dried Red Perrill) Marinated Cauliflower
Nagaimo (Yam) with Nametake and Nori
Mains, Rice and SoupChawanmushi (savoury egg custard with shrimp, homemade fish cake, shiitake and gingko nuts) – this was my standout dish, absolutely sublime
Assorted Tempura (Shrimp-stuffed shiitake, Lotus Roots with Miso, Shungiku)
Gravadlax Sushi Bites
Rice with Pickled Daikon
Miso Soup with Cabbage, Daikon and Negi
Dessert (by this time I was well stuffed, like Portsmouth this season, but managed to consume the lot – pure politeness you understand)
Agar-Milk jelly with Kinako (roasted soy bean flour), Kuromitsu with Black Sesami
Green Tea Chiffon Cake with Azuki Cream
Assorted Teas
THANK YOU Akemi and Danny for a truly astonishing meal!
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Adventure of the Month
Russian River
We spent a weekend away in the beautiful Russian River region, Sonoma County, with Geoff, Armani and Marcus, and Ethan, Paula and their dog Iggy, renting a house in Monte Rio.The advance party – the girls and children – drove North from SF after school/college/work on the Thursday – Marcus and Esme very excited about their holiday time together.
The house rented had a hot tub, goldfish pond/atrium feature, and best of all a deck overlooking the muddy green Russian River wending its way to the sea, some 12 miles distant, and nature reserve opposite.
On beautifully sunny Friday morning we went for a stroll in the ‘hood, redwood trees on one side, a lush golf course the other.Our most exciting discovery was the sunshine-yellow spider camouflaged on daffodil petals – beautiful.
Then we went for a (n agonisingly slow from Paula’s POV) walk through the stately redwood trees in the nearby Armstrong Woods State Park. 
Esme determined to take off in any direction especially the one everybody else was taking, much time was spent in cajoling and coaxing. 
Still we managed a (mostly) peaceful circuit through the forest alongside streams, ferns, gullies and ancient trees, playing balancing games along fences and fallen logs.The rich colours of emerald and copper predominated, with the barks, mosses, leaf litter and spring shoots illuminated by shafts of sunshine.
Quiet time in the bed that afternoon – enlivened by the discovery that Esme can now climb out of her travel cot/crib – was followed by the arrival of Geoff and Colman.Ethan and Iggy arrived in time for a three-course slap up dinner.
After the kids were finally in bed and asleep, the grown-ups sampled the hot tub.
Our Eden was complete! Well it would be if the overhanging trees didn’t get in the way of serious astronomy – Colman very excited about the star app on our new iPhones.Saturday was more overcast and a little chilly in the wind.
We had a bit of a battle getting the kids into clothes – their default position was to be naked for as much as possible this weekend – and out of the muddy Russian River.
We drove to Sonoma Coast State Beach. Or rather one section (Goat Rock Beach) of this 17-mile stretch of sandy beach interspersed with rocky promontories with sea stacks.
Unsafe for swimming and besides brrrrr!; people come to beachcomb, picnic, and stroll. 
Our party were content to do the latter: Marcus and Geoff exploring tide pools, while Colman and Esme looked at rocks and sand grains.
I had a blissful hour birding (see below), which took me the whole length to the mouth of the Russian River, where harbor seals and their new-born pups lay on a sandbank, volunteer wardens hovered nearby with telescopes to prevent the public from getting too close.
A watery sun could sometimes be seen; colours were muted, peace reigned.
The boys made a barbecue dinner, 
Esme demonstrating her carnivorous chops as she gnawed at the ribs with gusto; I was kindly provided with a delicious salmon steak instead.
Esme and Marcus had a very fun bath together – refusing to get out for ages.
After dinner we played games and watched a movie. And we departed early (ish) Sunday morning, farewelling Ethan, Paula and Iggy, who departed for SF, while the rest of us went for an hour and a half’s hike atop the ridges in Armstrong Woods State Park.
Our walk took us from far-reaching views across hills and valleys, down to a pond through woods. The children balanced on logs and explored in long grass. Esme wanted to ride in Marcus’ seat on Geoff’s bicycle, but the reality of being strapped in freaked her out, so I carried her back up the hill to the car.Then it was time to part such delightful company and return to San Francisco.
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East Bay Easter
Easter Egg hunt - Alameda
Chris, Darcy, Bella and Zack have just purchased a lovely house with huge empty back garden in Alameda – a city/suburb on an island just next to Oakland. 
We had never been there and were impressed with its small town character with tree-lined streets and Victorian-style homes (more pre-1906 dwellings than anywhere else in the Bay Area). Our hosts have an annual egg hunt the weekend before Easter. Today was the sunniest and warmest day of the year to date – not a cloud in the sky. Phu, Tara and Stella were also there, and the three girls hung out.
The Easter egg hunt comprised herding kids inside while grown ups placed brightly coloured eggs, some filled with ephemera, around the garden.
Only a small amount of squabbling ensued over finding the eggs and accumulating them in baskets. A very peaceful and charming day.
Close by is the splendid shoreline with beach adjacent to a bird and wildlife sanctuary. 
Very kindly Darcy offered to hang out with Esme and Bella while Colman and I took 45 minutes to commune with nature and drink in the views over to San Francisco.Family Fun - Rockridge
Naturally Esme didn’t want to leave – other people’s toys and bedrooms are always preferable to one’s own – but eventually we extracted her and set off to visit Kristan, Steve, Soren and baby Gaby.
A neighbour was having a full-on 4th birthday party, which featured dressed trestle tables, monogrammed water bottles, a fruit sculpture, do-it-yourself baby-pink crown making.
Esme and Soren flung themselves around the bouncy castle with gay abandon.Later, Esme explored the delights of Soren’s considerable toy collection.
The pair of them serenaded us on guitars.Gaby at six months is now all serene chubby cuteness, grabbing onto your hand with vice like grip.
We shared a family meal.
And finished the day with fabulous bath time frolics.
A tip-top day spent in the East Bay!
Family Fun - San Francisco
We've had lovely playdates with friends and neighbours including Marcus
Alex
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Appreciating the Arts
Cultural Dividends
When Buying Nothing last year, I allowed that live performance and gallery attendance did not constitute purchasing items, as it contributed to one’s Lifetime Experience not one’s Lifetime of Clutter.This is an area where it is much easier to Be Green. And in March intensive participation in the arts was a highlight for us.
Colman was Surprised with tickets to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Maceo Parker as part of the SF Jazz Festival.The latter he’d never heard of, but loved the funky old soul cat! Saxophonist Maceo has played with the A-Z of funk greats including James Brown, Prince, and Parliament, and his excellent touring band included British trombonist Dennis Rollins.
We went with Geoff, Armani, Adam and Jen. All of us were toe-tappin’, head-bobbin’ funksters by the close of the set – whose highlight was a chap in the audience being invited on stage to propose to his girlfriend. Luckily she said yes!
We spent a(nother) rainy morning in the de Young Fine Art Museum with Armani and Marcus. We ventured over the Golden Gate Bridge - whose status is so iconic that Esme can recognise any representation of it now – with Georgianne and Sophie to the Discovery Museum – perfect for this age range with a pirate ship, living maze, water course and underwater-themed soft play room with lily pads for bouncing on.
I saw four programmes by the SF Ballet with various girlfriends, including twice with Amy Bethancourt, shortly before the move to San Diego for Geri’s new job – the DLG is bereft…
Academy Awards
And from the sublime to the tawdry. As the holder of the Golden ‘Gina, we hosted a very entertaining Oscar Party.
Initially on superb form – here she is practicing her best acceptance speech smile - Esme was bored until Marcus showed up. Whereupon both bounced on the bed and removed their trousers and underpants, so ran around butt naked in great excitement when not concentrating on the antics onscreen (Ben Stiller dressed as a Navi got their attention) for most of the party to much amusement.
Dress of the Night went to Cati shimmeringly resplendent on Arne’s arm.
Costume of the Night was, quelle surprise, a joint winning effort by Adam and Jen also channelling Avatar.
Even though I didn’t want to win for a third time, so had some deliberate heart over head choices, I did get sucked in to the event and privately gnashed my teeth when wrong.
But that was nothing compared to the raiment rendering that Adam subjected himself to after Michelle regained the ‘Gina in absentia, pipping him and her husband, Brent, into 2nd and 3rd place, her faith in The Hurt Locker proved decisive. I was 4th in the event.Adam has vowed revenge on the “pregnant Hungarian Feminazi” urging Michelle to watch out as the ‘Gina will be his next year!
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Bird of the Month
These Mourning Doves nestling amongst Kim's plants, are a reminder that birding in one's own back garden is always rewarding.
The bird species tally for the Russian River weekend was 28. By definition it’s getting harder to see Life Birds – yet a couple were spotted on this trip – yeehah!
We were in a variety of habitats: redwood forest; riparian woods; high open country; and shoreline.
A fiery-coloured Allen’s Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin, just in from wintering down Mexico way, displayed proudly atop a deciduous tree adjacent to the deck of our rental house in Monte Rio, flying off periodically before returning to his perch.Opposite our deck, across the river, Band-tailed Pigeons Columba fasciata, vigorously flew around and above the redwoods.
So, as ever, the shoreline provided the best pickings. From the ever-mesmerising Osprey Pandion hallaetus gracefully fishing off Sonoma State Beach to the ubiquitous Western Gulls Larus occidentalis, to the flocks of cormorants bobbing and diving in the swell, water birds were the most studied group of the weekend.But were they all cormorants? It took much concentrated effort to nearly/definitively/very likely/probably positively identify some as being divers. But which?
Squinting through my bins, I cautiously plumped for the Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata, on size and white face and throat basis, which as you can see in non-breeding season has negligible distinguishing features from other divers and cormorants. My excitement at a new Life Bird was tempered until a second confirmation sighting.
But no such doubt about the strikingly showy Wood Duck, seen floating down the Russian River from our deck one morning. As so iconic and familiar, I thought I’d seen it before, but was surprised to find it unticked in my field guide. So for distinction and distinctiveness – this month’s featured bird.Top
Mural of the Month
Stencil of the Month
Bumper Sticker of the Month
Ignorance of the Law of Karma Is No Excuse
