Our Retreat was only a week ago now but it seems in the distant past because I’ve been so busy. Catching up with my photos since, as I’ve said before, this blog is in place of a scrapbook. Blog post of Day 1.

I decided to get out for a walk before everyone else was up. I didn’t have a plan except to explore some of the streets and head towards a park. This is a view looking north from Buena Vista Park.

A screenshot from my phone showing my route. I like this app because I can figure out where I’m going as well as track the details later.

When I got back to the Home most people were in the dining room and ready for our customary breakfast–PIES! With apple, pumpkin, peach/berry, lemon custard, quiche, and a couple of breads, I think all the food groups are represented!

We gathered in the parlor for more spinning and knitting time with plenty of good conversation. As our group expanded we gathered all the furniture in this room for our circle.

By late morning we had a plan. Most of the group decided to check out some yarn stores. Two of us decided to walk into Golden Gate Park and go to the deYoung Museum.

This was one piece of art along the Golden Mile in the park. Another is visible through the center.

I took lots of photos in the Museum, but include only a few here. It is so easy to take dozens (or hundreds) of photos, but in reviewing them I wonder why I did. Most can be deleted.

There are a few pieces that I like to remember. The photo doesn’t capture what I saw. I was taken by the perspective–the back part looked so three dimensional but it is only the lower part that really is.

This one makes me wonder WHY? This is part of an exhibit of glass art, but I don’t understand the dog attached upside down to the table.

A contemporary Diné (Navajo) rug called “Sailing the Cosmos”.

This one is created, according to the sign, of “yarn affixed to a wax covered board”. You can’t tell from this photo but when you see it close up you see the individual strands of yarn, not sewn, not woven, just in place to cover the board.

The description of this one says something about exploring where the boundaries of tradition and innovation begin and end… Cotton warp and weft; plain weave with symmetrical knots, wool pile, and cotton fringe. I couldn’t tell if the lower part is coils of yarn (reminding me of the piece in the photo above) or if they are attached in some way.

I was impressed by the detail in these pipes carved of walrus tusk.

We ordered dinner in on this night and had a few intense games of Battle Sheep, another Retreat ritual.

The rest of the evening was spent relaxing in the parlor.