Bargain Vacation --- Days 14/346 & 347

Walk: Asian Art Museum, Apple Cinema

Distance: 3.75 miles average

So Ciwt saved the plane fare and general travel hassles by traveling locally to one of her favorite places - a local theater.  And Wake Up Dead Man, the next installment of the Knives Out murder mystery movies, proved to be a delightful way to take a between holidays vacation.  Playing the role of Detective Benoit Blanc is such a romp for Daniel Craig who has actually upped his campy-hammy game, and Ciwt enjoyed going right along with him (as well as admiring his acting range).  This time Craig is matched with new-to-Ciwt Josh O'Connor who balances Craig perfectly both in story line and acting skills.  The rest of the cast is star studded, especially by Glenn Close who can do no wrong in Ciwt's book (but not necessarily in her role...).  As promised in the Knives Out series, the murder is wrapped up, but it takes many thought provoking twists and pscho-spiritual turns getting there.

Wake Up Dead Man will begin soon on Netflix (who produced it), but if you watch it there, you won't get the full over the top movie experience or the mini vacation actual theaters provide.  

First One --- 14/343-345

Walks: Hood

Distances: 3.5 miles average

Looks like Ciwt's last (but not least) 2025 Neighborhood Home Decorationg contest has begun. 

Neighborhood Thanksgiving Welcomes --- Days 14/340-342

Walks: Hood

Distance: 3 miles average

So, on her Thanksgiving morning walk today. Ciwt was delighted to see that may of her neighbors had gone from "Thanksgiving, yawn" to "Thanksgiving, Yay!"  with their welcoming decorations.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Up for the Hoidays --- Day 14/339

Walk: Hood

Distance: 3.5 miles

Completely not gorgeous, apparently kaput, end of February-November end, 2025

Nothing looked more lifeless or got less attention than Ciwt's 'dead' amaryllis bulb as it sat in her dark storeroom for eight months after its spectacular holiday bloom.  

Just beginning its gorgeous full bloom, January 10, 2025

But, as Ciwt had read, and every Amaryllis-ite knows, its 'dead' bulbs can return to life.  So, Ciwt thought "Why not give it a try?, plunked her bulb downstairs, ignored it completely as she got rid of everything else in the storeroom (almost) except it.  Then, last week, she thought "Okay, let's see what happens" and brought it back into its old place.  And look!!

Today, 2025

Another Theater Worthy Movie! --- Days 14/337 & 338

Walks: Presidio, AMC Kabuki

Distances: 3.6

So a movie buff friend recommended Rental Family and movie buff Ciwt was only too happy to go to one of her local theaters to take it in.  Here's what she found:  Fantastic cinematography! Mildly engaging rest of the movie.  BUT the audience around her were audibly fully engaged and Rental Family has a 99% Rotten Tomatoes audience rating.  So, Ciwt thinks go yourselves and see what you think.  At the very least, if you too are a movie buff, you'll enjoy being back in a theater watching a worthy cinema production.

Lighting Up --- Days 14/335 & 336

Walks: Hood

Distances: 4 miles

JOLLY LIGHTS Truck

Seeing this holiday lights truck today has Ciwt feeling hopeful about her Annual Neighborhood Christmas Decorating Contest

Chair Mom --- Days 14/333 & 334

Walks: Magic Flute, Nordstrom Marin

Distances: 4.5, 1 mile

 For the reason you see above, Ciwt rarely finds an opening for herself on her sheepskin chair. Maybe they consider it another mom (besides Ciwt who isn't so furry but feeds them...)

Naw... --- Days 14/331 & 332

Walks: Hood

Distances: 4 miles

"Rats on that for a game of marbles.'  Ciwt just became acquainted with this (very) old timey phrase coined by Englishwoman who lived to a ripe old age.  Apparently she used it when she had had enough of some obligation or project.  "Screw it" might be a modern version.  However it is said, Ciwt is well acquainted with the spirit of the phrase in the longish, darkish, drearyish last few months of the year.  Never seems like a time to begin anything of consequence - even holiday preparations if you aren't particularly in to holidays. And all fitness equipment and diet foods seem like enemies.  Comfort food, mystery books, ipad binges or just plain bed with cats (or dogs) call more strongly,  All very anti the Puritan ethic of carrying on and producing with energetic cheer at all costs.  But, often at this time of year, Ciwt just thinks "Rats on that..."