A garage on Fair Oaks street is transformed into a Halloween candy distribution center

Fair Oaks street, straddling San Francisco’s Mission and Noe Valley neighborhoods, was again closed this evening to vehicular traffic for the traditional Halloween trick-or-treating. Garages and entryways to houses were decorated for the occasion.

About half the parents dressed in costumes as they chaperoned their kids along this charming street lined with many Victorian and Edwardian homes.

Costumed toddler and father go trick-or-treating

Thanks to Tan, the operatic plot of ‘The Bonesetter’s Daughter’ is not convoluted. I won’t reveal the entire story here as I encourage you to experience this opera or the novel yourself.

The language was powerful and the audience attentively followed the libretto, responding to the supertitles with laughter or gasps of shock depending on the situation. Yes, I think Stewart Wallace’s music took second place in this work. Oh, well.

The adaptation of Chinese melodies, opera styles and instruments made this work seem fairly fresh and interesting. The music was certainly expressive and there were many emotionally touching moments delivered by the three heroines. Yet, I don’t think there is a memorable orchestral segment or aria to extract for popular concert performances or recordings. Interest in opera might be boosted if there were modern pieces to add to the broadcasting repertoire. Just think how often the universally beloved Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ is played.

The costumes and set design helped to convey the distinctive Chinese-American immigrant experience for the most part. The Ghost (Precious Auntie) looked a bit like a cross between a Barbie doll and senior Pacific Heights society matron with bad hair. I would have envisioned her in a Chinese robe. I think the need to give this opera a contemporary, edgy touch gave the designers a difficult challenge.

The aerial acrobatics  would have been unobjectionable if no one had witnessed the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony last month. But now the acrobatics over the stage with lots of visible wire look third-rate in comparison to the dramatic Beijing feats.

Despite my quibbles, this opera is a very emotionally moving work that celebrates the special love-bond between mothers and daughters, and the Chinese immigrant experience. I must read the novel.

First stop was Goodwill. I found a cake stand but not the right dishes to fit in the 2 racks. Polly bought 2 sweaters and a fine handpainted ceramic plate from Turkey.

We wandered into Japantown to get lunch. I was ready for cold buckwheat noodles and sushi on this unusually warm day. Polly had a bowl of clams in a delicious broth. Then we hit the stores again. The Gallery of Jewels held interesting treasures like a magnificently large clear orange garnet set with with diamonds in a ring. A gold necklace with small rough yellow diamond accents caught Polly’s eyes. Perfect for casual modern day dressing.

Several stores displayed wonderful kitchenware and furniture but much too pricey. A lot if it all looked mid-century which is all the rage now. Unfortunately, I was born in the Sixties and have seen more than enough of that stuff.

We tried two consignment stores to end the afternoon. The Symphony’s store had an rustic-elegant set of green glazed ceramic plates but again was too pricey for me. We certainly did not need another set of dishes for 8 in our tiny kitchen. As I had not bought anything all day except lunch and a couple of drinks, I consoled myself with a couple of auction catalogs in a smaller store a few doors away. I can dream about the fine museum quality furniture and jewels as I lie on our old sofa at home and flip through the catalogs.

Oddly enough, the best find of the day was what I found at the begining, and it was for free—The folding screen. I will start thinking of ideas for painting it. Perhaps grape vines graphically presented by bold, black brushstrokes.

For the meal itself, my friend Steve and I shared roasted green peppers with an aoli sauce. Then I had a very rich, tender pork confit with bacon, potatoes and watercress. I tasted Steve’s goat cheese sampler for dessert. The accompaniments were more interesting as I had tasted the cheeses before. Pickled cherries (paired with ash covered Selles sur Cher from the Loire),  marcona almonds (with Le Sarlet from Poitou, also from France) and a rose petal jam (with the Pate de Cabra, Spain). Although the jam looked almost like quince paste, it was definitely of floral origins! Had a heady perfume.

Roman ruins can be explored outside the lower village, out on the plain below the hill where the cathedral is situated. The cathedral looks spectacular against the foothills of the snowy Pyrenees. On the plain, you can also visit the nearby miniature basilica of St. Just de Valcabrère, built in the 11th or 12th centuries.

St. Bertrand de Comminges in the foothills of the Pyrenees

According to legend, King Herod and Queen Herodias were exiled to this village and that makes me wonder where their tombs are.

Peaceful Secret Beach on Kaua'i Northshore

The beaches on the North Shore of Kaua’i are perfect for restful getaways. Secret Beach is usually quite empty owing to its obscure pedestrian entryway. A couple of people may walk by every 30 minutes or so. You can have your own space hundreds of yards away from other beachgoers, for the entire day!

Lumaha’i is another beautiful broad expanse of sandy beach, most famous for being the film location for South Pacific’s scene where Mitizi Gaynor sings about washing that man out of her hair. On my first visit to this beach, I lay under the casuarina pine trees listening to that musical on my iPod. Bliss.

Anini Beach, which is protected by a large lagoon, is perfect for swimming as the water is so calm. I remember sitting on a beach chair at the water’s edge and letting the tide run up around me.