We've been in Berkeley for a few days. Lots of visiting with friends and family, but have not managed to remember to get pictures. Will see friend Loretta and brother Jim again and hopefully get photos then.
We're staying in the same house as we did 2 years ago in the Oakland part of the Rockridge neighborhood that also extends north into Berkeley.
For those into house pics, there are more in the post from our 2021 visit
On Sunday morning, we visited the very close by Temescal Farmer’s Market. Of course we get California produce in NYC, but avocados and walnuts right off the tree are pretty special.
Really lively scene with music and prepared food as well as fruit and veg. These eye-poppingly large artichokes impressed me:
And this handsome fellow was on hand to keep us safe:
There’s a lovely walkway with tables and lawn for enjoying your purchases while listening to the music
Next stop was the Mariposa Bakery which produces some of the best gluten-free baked goods in this area.
Back at home base, I laid out my haul for the day:
Pumpkin tamales, sweet jalapeño salsa, walnuts, zucchini, a “Scottish” empanada filled with lamb and mint, avocado, nectarines, hybrid mango-plums which are sweet and tangy. There were also some purple potatoes which I expected would have purple flesh, but the inside looked more like a white potato - possibly the most delicious potato I’ve ever tasted. I wish I had asked for the name of the variety.
From Mariposa bakery, we got some Viennese Tea Cookies I remembered from last visit and a gluten-free baguette which I’m looking forward to trying.
I also had a lovely visit with a high school friend, Lisa Braver Moss. Sadly we forgot to take photos, but I don’t think she’ll mind if I post this one (source:
https://piedmontexedra.com/2019/08/at-home-with-piedmont-novelist-lisa-braver-moss) from an article about her second novel,
Shrug, After 50 years, there was plenty to talk about, including her book which tells the story of a young woman negotiating the crazy political and social culture of 1970’s Berkeley while struggling to grow herself up in a home marked by abuse and mental illness. It was a privilege to be able to talk directly with the author of a book I so appreciated.
Lisa got out our old HS yearbook to compare notes and prod each others’ memories, particularly of chorus and theater productions. Later conversation turned to all the changes we’ve been through, aging and it’s consequences, gratefulness for the things we now enjoy and worries for the way our country and culture are shifting. Sometimes reunions with old friends leave you wondering how you were ever connected, but there was no lack of common ground here.
