Seen at Rainbow Grocery store in San Francisco, there is a new brand of tea.  The striking package design conjures up a multiple of thoughts.  Even though economic growth and modernization in China has brought prosperity to many people, many have been left behind.   And many have been perplexed with the complexities of modern life and yearn for simpler times -- even hard times.

This socialist worker is holding up what would have been Mao's Little Red Book is now holding up a cup of tea -- all in the service of capitalism - only $7.99. 

Sometimes conventional wisdom gets in the way of creative thinking.  Sometimes conventional wisdom is good.

After the crepe place closed on California Street near our home, we were wondering what would take its place.  Then a sign appeared that said B Patisserie would be opening a bakery and cafe.  Anxiously we watched as the remodelling s l o w l y moved along.  Sunday I was going out for a walk and someone told me it was open - so of course we went to check it out. 

This old tricycle has been beautifully restored and displayed.  Its bright red color striking against a hite background with a piece of natural wood behind the seat.  It reminded me instantly of the tricycle we bought for Katie who is now about to turn 21. 

Tricycles with their three wheels offer a little more stability so the little toddler can take off on their own .  .  .  . somehow I still feel the same way.

In summers years back when my parents had a large vegetable garden in the San Joaquin Vally, we would reap the benefits of their hard work in the blistering 100 degrees heat and have the sweetest most flavorful tomatoes I've ever tasted.  Every tomatoe since then has not measured up - except for the dry farmed tomatoes that are now in season at the farmers markets and specialty grocery stores.

A special combination of soil, waterfall, and temperature produce small intensely flavored tomatoes that remind me of my parents' tomatoes.  Being farmed without irrigation results in a smaller tomatoe, but the taste is wonderful.

Long before Foodies gushed about local, seasonal, and organic food sourced from small farmers, the Alemany Farmers Market was offering this food in a no nonsense straight forward manner.  In contrast, the downtown Ferry Building Farmers Market garners all the publicity and yes -- it is beautiful and chic no question.  The Ferry Building is located next to the iconic Bay Bridge in a historic skylit building while the Alemany Farmers Market is an outdoor barren concrete shed tucked in at the side of the intersection of two freeways.

Here at the Alemany Farmers Market ordinary people shop.

SOMA StrEAT Food Park opened a while ago.  Its only a couple of blocks from me so I went over to check it out.  There's a changing variety of trucks so there's always something different to try.  Today I had the Salmon Salad (Truck on the right) and the Chairman Bao Baked Pork Belly bun (truck on the left).  Both really good. The sun finally came out so it was pleasant sitting outdoors.

The image at the top is a symbol of Zoroastrian Religion, one of the oldest in the world that dates from about 3,500 years ago originating in Persia (Iran).  I saw it in a doorway on Fillmore Street near Union recently and because of my studies at the Asian Art Museum, I  immediately recognized it.  It has the same Zoroastrian symbol.   The silver bowl below is a recent acquisition by the museum and dates from the 19th century and was commissioned in India and made by Burmese artisans. 

I wondered if there was a Zorastrian organization here on Fillmore, but there wasn't any identification other than the symbol.

The San Francisco Civic Center Plaza is a great place for public art.  I drive by all the time.  Currently an inflated sculpture of a lotus flower greats the many tour buses stopped at this post card site.  The petals wave in the breeze. 

Last week I walked by and the entire sculpture was deflated. I thought it was being removed.  I was wrong, I think they were cleaning it and it was in its full glory when I walked by again.