California trip, June 24

Moving day for Maureen today, and we worked our tails off! In the forest of boxes we were somehow able to get to the kitchen and dining room, where we had a breakfast of blueberry pancakes with authentic maple syrup, and good strong coffee. Then, after getting ready, we drove to a U-Haul place to rent a van for the day, to transport everything we had so assiduously packed on Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon and evening. Maureen drove the van back home, and I followed in Maureen's car. Thank God we had a dolly and were able to put together a smooth assembly line operation of loading the van properly. I would load 3-4 boxes onto the dolly and roll them out to the van, and would then hand the boxes to Maureen in the van, and she would place them properly to minimize any damage and keep everything well protected. The bulk of the boxes included glassware, china, books, and other beloved items. Then came all the art work Maureen has displayed in her apartment, all of which had to be carried out independently and stowed properly to prevent glass and frame breakage. By 3:00 we were finally able to leave, after loading bookcases and some final odds and ends. Then we drove from Mountain View to the southern side of San Francisco, on the bay, where Maureen's new condo is situated. She is in the same complex as Randy and Shu (son and daughter-in-law), but in a different building. Her apartment does not face the bay itself, but has a lovely living room wall of windows facing the rest of the complex and the hill behind it. Candlestick Park, where the SF Giants play football, is right next to them, although it will be torn down next year. It is also the site of Candlestick State Recreational Park, so Maureen will have a wonderful place to walk in the future. We parked underground, which was wonderful because it had been drizzling all day. We reversed the process and brought everything up the elevator with the trusty dolly, but the process was quicker than the packing process, chiefly because we had an elevator and the distance was closer. Maureen's condo has a larger kitchen than she has currently; lovely hardwood floors, a large living room / dining room with a wall of windows at the end of the living room; two bedrooms (one of which she is going to rent out come September); and two bathrooms. Unfortunately, there is no patio and no fireplace, but in spite of these missing elements, Maureen will make a fine home for herself there, I think. After placing all the boxes in the middle of the floor (Maureen's son Randy will be painting her walls once he returns from China next week), Maureen and I left and we returned to Mountain View at 6:40, just in time to return the U-Haul van to the dealership by 7:00. We then went home, freshened up, and went to dinner. To thank me for helping her move today, Maureen took me out to dinner at a restaurant in Mountain View called Scratch. We shared rotisserie chicken with fingerling potatoes, baby carrots and baby parsnips, broccolini, and herbs. For dessert we shared a fantastic rhubarb bread pudding topped by strawberries and a wonderful dash of custard. The rhubarb gave that dessert its moistness, and it was one of the best desserts I have had in a while. And now it is about 10:15, and I am fading fast. I could certainly use a good massage therapist right now--Marie Thomas, where are you when I need you? But it has been a good day, and much has been accomplished. And so good night! I hear there is to be no packing tomorrow! Hallelujah!