SF Opera - First Glimpse of the Sets

Rehearsals are underway for our first opera of the Autumn Season - *Rigoletto*.  I thought I would give you a preview of what some of the sets look like.  

Rigoletto

i Capuleti e Montecchi (The Capulets and Montagues)

Moby Dick

                 Lohengrin  
                                                                                                                          
(This one makes me very nervous....PLUS....I don't see a Swan - which plays a prominent role in the Opera...)

Tosca
Do you have a favourite?

Must dash off to another *Rigoletto* rehearsal....more to come soon!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

The Beginning of Autumn

Hmm....somehow, I feel *robbed*......we, in SF, have had NO SUMMER!  None!  And, the other day, when the Sun shone weakly - for a few hours....somehow, Autumn was waving her wand....and was sending subtle messages that she was *just around the corner*.... come along for a walk with me...

The Seasons are beginning to change...  my FAVOURITE time of the year is coming....

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Animal Wednesday - The *Vase Diver*

I didn't have time to take some *live* photos for Animal Wednesday....but a friend sent these to me and I loved it.  I hope you do too!

After the kitty has dived in and all that remains is her tail - swaying in the air, I immediately think of a Cobra's head swaying to the Snake Charmer's flute!

Can you see Lo's Bliss, Marianne's Spook, Suki's Bibitty or Lynn's Henry V doing this????    Naaah.....me either!

HAW!

Love,

♥ Robin  ♥

Mimi, Mimi, MIMI!

I promised you some photos of my favourite *California* Dog....my friend Joyce's Mimi.  She's part Border Collie, part Blue Healer....and the smartest dog I know!

Off on our walk.....  almost....Mimi gazes intently across the street where a new neighbour has moved in.....a Calico Cat!  Mimi is NOT amused....and spends a great percentage of her time, indoors and out, waiting to see Ms. Calico!

Next to *Calico-Chasing*.....Mimi's favourite pastime is chasing the ball!  She can do this for HOURS!

During my stay with Joyce and Mimi, the weather was in the high 90's....there is a large Polo Field nearby, where Mimi can run, leap and play ball - even in broiling temps!  (We brought LOTS of water....so she could refresh herself!)
Here, she has just finished drinking.....and is not-so-subtly telling Auntie Robin: "It's time...throw the ball"!

After all that exercise.....time for bed!

Enough of this photo taking!  I need my *Beauty Sleep*!

I miss her a lot....but, will see her and Joyce in a week or so....*my baseball team*, the Atlanta Braves, will be in SF to play Joyce's team, the Giants, and it's *DOGGY DAY*...where all the attending dogs can run on the field!  (After the game...)  We'll meet up!

HAW!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Basking in Warmth

Ummm....  warm, delicious memories of four sun-filled days *up North* in Santa Rosa!  I had the best hostess..and her wonderful dog, Mimi.  (I'm saving Mimi's photos for Animal Wednesday.)  We hiked, we explored some quaint towns, we ate and drank, we stayed up late and chatted like Schoolgirls - we just relaxed.....  something I really needed.  After so many weeks of bone-chilling wind and fog, I could feel my body slowly unwinding from it's *frozen cocoon*...and beginning to soar!

Some of the Garden "Wildlife*!  A-ha-ha!

Hmmm....does anyone know what kind of tree this is?

Why, a *Woodpecker Tree*!  Here is Mr. Woodpecker, proudly guarding the nest! Look at all those holes in the Tree Bark!

Couldn't believe it when I saw the *Raven Theater* in Healdsburg!  I had to shoot this for all my *Raven Sisters*!

And, of course, the REAL thing!  Mr. Raven struts his stuff!

Quail were everywhere....  I love their sweet voices...

This almost looks like the *Old South*, don't you think?

Ah....a relaxing time......feeling refreshed - and that's a good thing.....because......

Crossing the Golden Gate....an *old friend* awaited........FOG!

 Well, at least I have my photos and memories to help keep me warm!

Love to you all!

♥ Robin ♥

*Fleeing the Fog*

Today, I'm headed up North to visit my friend Joyce and her wonderful dog, Mimi, for a few days of SUN!  It's going to be HOT - yes - HOT there.  Can't wait!!!!  I'm bringing halter tops, sandals - and (gasp) even a pair of shorts!  (Which I DID get to wear while I was in Santa Fe..)  Of course, I am bringing a hat and Sun Block too....

Back on Wednesday....

Love to all,

♥ Robin ♥

Chasing the Fog on Animal Wednesday

I decided to *confront* the Fog....and went out to see if I could find anyone for my Animal Wednesday Post! So, I put on my *Summer Clothes* - turtleneck, heavy jacket and a hat and off I went - heading West.

I had only walked a few blocks - when I met some Ravens.

Hi Lo!  CAW!  CAW!

And right there, above them......the first wisps of FOG!

This little Finch was scrambling to find something to keep his tummy warm because he lives only a few feet from.....

Can't tell what this is?  Really?  A-ha-ha!  It's the Pacific Ocean.....I am high atop a cliff overlooking the water....  I'll come back on a sunny day and 
re-shoot for you so you can compare.

Leaving you with a lovely version of *A Foggy Day* by the great George Gershwin.  (I know, the lyrics are about London.....but hey, this could have been written for SF too!)

You know I don't JUST listen to Opera!   ;)

HAW from foggy SF!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥