I’m taking my lead here from a recent post by David Liebovitz on his blog titled 15 Things I’d Miss About Paris If I Moved Away (And yes, I know I’ve cheated and only given up 10). If you don’t know about David, he’s a pastry chef living the good life in Paris (a far cry from Oakland, I know, but he did live in Berkeley once), and he writes about that life anecdotally on his mostly food blog–think white chocolate cherry scones, as were a recent post, and very funny observations about the French. And since I love almost everything to do with France, and have always wanted to live there, I love his blog.

At any rate, as the economy has pretty much tanked and all the  freelance work that has sustained me in the past few years here in Oakland has gone to the wayside, I’m trying to knuckle my way through what feels like a very tough existence, and the feeling that the grass seems way greener somewhere else, that is in Big Sur (and specifically Nepenthe), where I grew up and where business is thriving.  So there. The cat is out of the bag. I can’t deny those feelings any longer and so I’ve put it out in the world, kind of like saying–what do I do now? A friend called yesterday to say she was genuinely worried about me, and to reassure me that I would be ok.  I thought, this is the nicest kind of friend, and she also lives in Oakland, and I would miss her if I left, and so many other things too.

My garden

So, here I sit, inside my cozy little garden flat at the first table (solid oak) I ever bought for myself as an adult way back when that my kids reason is really over the hill, and of our pad, that there are way too many things wrong with it (not so, just small, old-fashioned, and without fancy amenities they enjoy elsewhere). Alas. We have nice neighbors, I have my own enclosed garden, we are 2 blocks from the greatest little small town street in Oakland (Piedmont Ave), and just minutes from the freeway and Berkeley and SF. I could go on and on. There is much to be grateful for. There always is. 

But back to the Ten Things I’d Miss, and still counting. 

1. Well, first off I’d miss my quick jaunts into the big city (SF), not something I grew up doing or ever thought would be a part of my life, and on a good day san traffic, it’s a 15  minute drive. Last night, I zipped in around 7 and made my way to my cousin Winona’s hair salon on the tony Fillmore St. for an art opening. Nice wine, great art, good people, and a visit with my family, too. It actually made my day.

2.My coffee stops. I know there are numerous Peet’s Coffees in California these days, but I have to say I love my neighborhood Peet’s and every time I’m away, it is almost routine for me to stop in there on the way home, not only for a jolt of caffeine over ice on a hot day, but for a quick shot of the colorful, eclectic, diverse people in all their stripes that make up the city of Oakland, and who frequent our neighborhood.  

3. Mt. Tam and all that lays on the other side. When we first moved here, we often went over to Muir Beach which reminded me of home; spent many weekends in Pt. Reyes, the kids romping on the hay bales at Toby’s, and Tomales Bay where  friends lived on an oyster farm, and later spent a summer in Bolinas, picking blackberries and making jam with a poet. And then there is the heavenly beach at Stinson, and the awesome hiking all around, that makes me endlessly happy. Not to mention, my cousin’s sweet little house at the top near the German beer garden and her husband and 2 little boys whom I adore (and was at their birth). 

4. The food, stupid! There are so many great places to eat in the Easy Bay, let alone SF, though it feels like ages since I could afford a good meal out, but among the places that I would miss over this way are: The Cheeseboard Pizza in Berkeley (a favorite on a Thursday night or Friday afternoon when the musicians seem to be playing); Cafe Fanny for a great bowl of latte and toast, especially when I’m feeling blue; Dona Tomas on Telegraph, which I haven’t been in way too long, but relish for a night out on the town; and its neighboring restaurant, Pizzaiolo, another popular restaurant that screams with energy and good food and makes you feel you are a part of the scene, even if you are not. There are numerous others–specific bakeries on certain streets, tacos on 4th street on a sunny Sunday, Eritrean food that was new to me a few years back,  and other favorite stops depending on where I am at, and what my budget is. Did I mention Chez Panisse? Another story, another day, and so many other places right here in my own front yard.

4. The Berkeley Farmers’ Market. This bustling, Saturday market always lifts my spirits and makes me feel proud to be living here. Lately I’ve been frequenting the market closer to my home, more like a street faire, but I will say the Center St. market remains my favorite for all its character and select producers in all their honest to goodness way.  

5. The People–did I already say that? I do love the range of people you have in the bay area, all stripes, kinds, ethnicities, and with various influences, educations, backgrounds, and interest. The richness of cultures is amazing, and the people you meet who are doing interesting things always strikes me as unique to this part of the West Coast. 

6. Access to literary readings, films, music celebrations, art openings, and theatre. I realize I don’t take advantage of this enough, but a few of the things I’ve frequented in the past few months remind me of why I moved here to go to school, why it is a great place for my kids to grow up, and why I’m still here: A poetry reading of work by the late Barbara Guest at the venerable Moe’s on Telegraph; a presentation and live reading by leading actors of Voices of a People’s History of the United States, organized by Howard Zinn (incredibly inspiring); Fred Frith in concert at Mills College–awesome; an art event at The Headlands (though I never found it) across the bay; the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the MOMA (only wished I went more than once); and more recently, a Shakespeare theatrical production my son performed in with the Young Actors Workshop, and a  reading by Ruth Reichl in Napa where we had the chance to talk about my own book and hear more about her life. 

7. Hikes–yes, even my several times a week 50 minute hike/walk in my local cemetery with its awesome views of the bay and beautiful, peaceful surroundings. Yesterday, I decided to mix it up and hiked up the steepest trail (I had forgotten how steep) behind the Claremont Hotel. The views and surroundings were breathtaking, though-and if anything, it gave my derriere a great workout and lifted my mood almost instantaneously.

8. Silly as this sounds–I’d miss Market Hall. I have always loved this mega, food hall and before I moved here it would often become the focus point of my visit. It was and remains, my food haven, and is always bustling with people, sounds, smells, and new foods. And yes, it can be expensive, so often enough, I just do a walk through, perhaps pick up just a bit of cheese and half a roast chicken if I’m not up for cooking; add a salad (fresh from the produce market) and a cheap (talking $6-7) but good French wine (bought next door at the wine shop–great bargains when you need one) and you have yourself a very tasty dinner, one I might enjoy al fresco this time of year.

9. My Brazilian dance class, which I’m already missing because I haven’t been all year, and since my teacher is now on a hiatus, or so I think. Also, not my own class, but the ones my daughter takes at Hipline–a bellydance studio on College Ave. owned by 3-sisters who are equally talented and beautiful, and have been great teachers and mentors to Nicoya. 

10. My friends and supporters. I think I’ve made more (or have more) than I really believed, many of them showed up at Nepenthe in support of me during our 60th smash event.  They are great friends and supporters to my children too, and for that I’m so grateful.