Escaping the Heat

I'm probably sounding like a broken record, but as y'all know, it's HOT. Ass hot. No breeze, no air conditioning, no real relief even at night. This basically sucks the...well, I won't get into what it sucks, but y'all know. After sweltering yesterday even as Bean and I tried to run from air conditioned store/restaurant to air conditioned store/restaurant, I decided to drive up to the city and spend the day in a normal summer environment, i.e., 80 degrees as opposed to 100+.
I recognize that there are places in the world that get 100+ temperatures as a matter of course, but not the Bay Area. This is just wacko, and there's all this folderol about power emergencies coupled with "heat advisories". So..don't turn on your air conditioner, but don't get too hot.

???

Anyway, Bean and I went up to San Francisco this morning, picked up our friend Tara, and headed over to the zoo, which is conveniently situated right at the ocean---alas, no comforting fog rolled in, but it was definitely one of the cooler spots in the Bay Area, I have no doubt, especially on the north side where they are trying to keep the polar bears and such in the shade. Bean fed budgies and eastern rosellas in the "Binnowee Landing" area (little Australian birds), and thought that was pretty cool, petted sheep and goats in the "Family Farm" area, rode the carousel at the end of the visit (the fancy pig---we liked the pig), and the big highlight, rode the "Little Puffer Steam Train". She was beside herself with excitement; I could hardly hang on to her. It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. Clearly we will be returning to at least some of the zoo's attractions. Tara and I had intended to go to Lovejoy's Tea Room afterwards, but discovered they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. D'oh. Wound our way over to Samovar for a slightly different tea experience, but to tell the truth, after walking around the zoo all day, a more substantial Indian and English tea meal hit the spot. Bean ate her tofu curry and rice, my smoked salmon, some kiwi, and coconut rice pudding. Quelle sophisticate.

And in case anyone is curious from my last post...looks like the Hoffmans are having another girl. Gene is going to want to ship out in about 13 years, no? Nothing is going to be painted pink just yet, as these things can be wrong, but I have to say...two little girls is starting to sound like a lot of fun. Lots of tea parties.

Congrats, Heather! Another little girl will be fantastic fun!

Jenn

fab news!!!
But enough complaining about the heat... today, the temp. in Toronto is 47 deg. C. (117 F for y'all)!!!!!