Today I met up with Zoe and Vera and Marina for lunch at Outerlands. They say on their website, "Outerlands is a gathering place for sea goers who seek warmth, shelter, food, and fellowship. it is a retreat from the saltwater chill, or a place to hang your hat after a long day's frolic in the sun. it is a home for art and music." Outerlands is way out near the ocean, nondescript from the outside, but absolutely beautiful from the inside. It's made of rough pieces of wood recovered from the beach and from garages. The boards of wood are various colors of sun bleached gray. The counter has beach rocks embedded in the wood in a swirled pattern along with fragments of driftwood. The windows are wide and square, with views of the ocean. Sitting there with three of the most peaceful, kind-hearted, genuine, patient and thoughtful girls I know was an absolute delight. I was happy even before my organic local and unbelievable food arrived. We discussed food and we discussed plants. I took my shoes off and felt the round, comforting rod of my wooden chair on the arches of my feet. I felt the sunburn running along my legs from body surfing until my brain froze yesterday. I drank my cappuccino and watched with delight as my gypsy skirt billowed every time the front door let in the San Francisco wind, and I enjoyed the curiosity and good company of these girls. After lunch we stopped in a flower shop that looked like a log with a hole cut in the middle. We explored the white washed greenhouse in the back filled with succulents, and we made bird noises and giggled on the patio. Then we went to an organic health food store and contemplated every single kind of chocolate they had to offer. After that was the cookie shop where we were offered shots of milk with our cookies. We made plans for Yosemite, for more food, for more fun once everyone is back from visiting family and friends and far off boyfriends. I have been so grateful for these lazy summer days, playing on the beach, eating, hiking, being with friends. Despite the stress of not having a job and the fear of my future, things are pretty darn good.
