Today was my birthday and of course my brother's birthday. I woke up with the sun shining down on the garden outside the window. We walked down the pathway into Noe Valley towards our favorite coffee shop where I had my favorite blend of "Dancing Water." Truly, it tasted like the waters were dancing when I drank that coffee. So peaceful everything seemed today. We continued walking until we stopped once again at the mission district. This time, we traveled to the "Jelly Donut," a delicious little donut shop on the outskirts of the mission. I selected my birthday donut filled with custard (apparently my twin without me knowing selected the exact same donut-must be a twin thing.)

Before moving on, the whimsy behind the birthday donut is a tradition worth sharing. I cannot quite remember when it first started. I do have memories of being quite young in Oakmont and being delivered a chocolate donut with sprinkles into the bedroom with a candle to sing happy birthday. I believe it was my parents who started this tradition, and I think it is beautiful. The very prospect of waking up to the world, being thankful for the beautiful day and being delivered a warm donut with a candle marks the beginning of something so very special. My mother and her mother were always individuals who enjoyed celebrations (and I think my mother's birthday is actually one of her favorite days and so she decided to pass this whimsy onto us.) So now, my husband knows that on this day we must always find a donut to eat and we will continue to pass down this tradition some day to our own children and my brother and his future wife will one day do the same. Why wait to sing Happy Birthday when you can celebrate that rainbow sprinkled goondess before your day even begins? A reminder that no matter how old, your birthday is a day of whimsy. Because there is nothing more wonderful than realizing you are one year older having yet another year, another chance to see the world in a completely different way. 

So we visited this Jelly Donut place in San Francisco, and I must say the donuts were delicious. Not only that, but we were given a few free donuts as well-talk about whimsical beginnings. We spent much time in the Mission District looking at Balmy Alley which holds some of the most beautiful and concentrated murals in San Francisco. Every one of those murals had a story to tell from Women Resistance to political statements and other civil rights activist movements all created through a rainbow palette full of colors. Honestly, walking down this alley is better than visiting any museum. The work is pure-a mixture of new and old tradition and culture. 

We spent some time walking in the Mission and then headed over to "The Garden Steps" which essentially are a series of very steep steps with beautiful flowers and greenery on either side. I must say, there is amazing whimsy in artistic steps. I think it has something to do with the fact that new perspective is always reached at the final destination. We walked up towards the sky until we landed at Coit Tower. This tower has incredible history, beautiful murals on the inside and allows you to see a completely new perspective of the city of San Francisco from the very top. We climbed the steps down and down again and headed towards Little Italy to explore a bit more of this little town. Something also quite whimsical I have noticed about California is the amount of houses they pack into one city but also the great balance of green spaces. Whatever street you walk down, you almost always can find a beautiful park (some smaller than other) but nevertheless a reminder that a balance and enjoyment of the outdoors is what helps to create a whimsical being. We grabbed foccacio style pizza known as "The Golden Boy" during our adventures here. Awesome crispy bread and delicious toppings-truly a pizza well-eaten. 

We headed back down to the wharf one last time and stopped by Pier 31 teeming with shops and interesting people and of course the sea lions. We must have watched the sea lions for a good thirty or forty minutes; so very entertaining. We continued to stop and just watch the clouds and the sun shift by the water and then made our way through the "heart of the city" (downtown San Francisco) back to the SF Jazz Center for a final show. We listened to "The Cookers" most of the players were well known and had been playing jazz for ages. It was a two hour constant with only a brief intermission, and it was so worth the long walk. Truly, best jazz I have ever heard and the stage was magnificent-one of the very first stages designated to jazz in the country. We were in the balcony seat so that we were able to see the piano players fingers move-everything from an aerial view. A wonderfully whimsical way to an end a beautiful birthday in California. With new quotes gathered and new perspectives, I can honestly say California was both a relaxing but also educational whimsical experience.