92Y, connect to the YMCA, is a cultural and community center. For over 140 years, this Jewish organization has offered arts and ideas for the community to help change lives and improve the world. I went to hear a reading by Zadie Smith as she promoted her new novel, Swing Time, a first. She read for twenty minutes and was then interviewed by Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah. It … [Read more...]
Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue
Friday the 8th of December, 2016, in the heart of this beautiful, chaotic, metropolis, I headed for the YMCA (92Y) via the Ralph Lauren's Flagship store on Madison Avenue, a first. Central Park was my route, and when I found the castle, (what the store looks like) a tall, dark, and handsome young man opened the door and welcomed me. Since I was there to check out an antler … [Read more...]
Katz, Jackie, and Juilliard
The day started as usual, watching morning TV, writing, and looking for interesting events or places in the City. Bingo--the deli by SoHo where the waiter heard “I want what she had!” in the 1977 movie, When Harry Met Sally, Maps revealed it was 4.6 walking miles. I chose my best comfy shoes. I planned my walking tour: head down Broadway to Richard Rogers Theater on 46th to … [Read more...]
City of Extremes
Today, I had four hours before a 7:00 play. I walked slowly, a first, down 57th and wondered in and out of galleries and accessory stores. On 5th Avenue, I quietly enjoyed the windows, lights, and music. I allowed myself to take it all in. At Rockefeller Center, I watched the ice skater for a long while, marveled at the 94’ tree. and sat on a bench and relished, again, the … [Read more...]
Surprise visit, theater and critiques
After my last blog, I met a sweet friend, Kiersta, at the Rockefeller tree, a first. She treated me to a liquid refreshment at Bar SixtyFive at the Top of the Rock. So fun, and a-mazing views! I’ve also seen three theater productions: Fiddler on the Roof; Senior Moment; Terms of Endearment. Three firsts. One made me think about the power of traditions, one was … [Read more...]
Where?? W-A-I-T…DANG!
On Cal’s last day we had an agenda, and things don’t always go as planned. We found Fox and Friends studio on 48th and 6th, a first. Our friend Nancy in Estes Park asked us to wave from the window behind the news set. It sounded easy enough. We did find the studio, they were filming, and Ainsley Earhardt waved to me, but the window behind the set showing live traffic and … [Read more...]
A slower, spontaneous pace, whew
Since my last blog, we checked out Rockefeller Center and the beginning of holiday glitz. It is so fun to visit sights from the morning news. Sunday, stepping off 5th Avenue toward Church, a sign outside a Presbyterian church read, “Post-it Prayers. Step inside & post yours.” So I did. A first. At St. Thomas Episcopal was a sign, “…Choir of men & boys.” So, I … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving feast and Black Friday
I’m not always with my family on Thanksgiving, but I missed them more this year. It wasn’t that I wanted to be with them, I wanted them to be with me, with us. I thought of them throughout the parade. The kids especially would have loved it. I’ve never believed the old saying, “You can’t have it all!” I know it’s true, but I still ask, “Why not?” Cal treated me to dinner at … [Read more...]
All Ballooned up
OMGoodness! My husband, Cal, came in on Tuesday night. It was sweet to see him. Playing in NYC is more fun with him as my companion. Yesterday, we learned NOT to go to a grocery store in NYC the day before Thanksgiving. A first and last. It was dangerous. We were bomb-blasted by carts being scurried around by women with panic in their eyes, and men scratching their heads. I … [Read more...]
Food, food, and MORE food
Today I was in the audience of a Dr. Oz taping, a first. I applied online and showed up on W 66th at 8:45 as directed. All men and women in line sat in the Audience Holding Room. Around 9:30 they ushered into the filming studio according to a letter or symbol on the back of our tickets. They first called the “Stars,” then the “VIP’s,” then the “O’s,” and I was a “Z,” the last … [Read more...]
St. Paul, Patrick, and Luxury
It was two blocks to Saint Paul the Apostle church, a first, and the congregation was chatty. I sensed it was a neighborhood church and they knew each other. The choir boomed, and the priest spoke as if he was everybody's friend. I liked it there. I decided my Sunday was going to be a window shopping kind of day. I walked to the West side of Central Park and then down 59th, … [Read more...]
Walking, writing, and Aida
Walking North on 9th Avenue, a first, I found myself silently singing lyrics from my childhood Sunday school; “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.” The Upper West Side, lying between Central Park and the Hudson River, buzzed with cultures … [Read more...]
OMG. NYC – I’m HERE
Today is my second day, and I have already slaughtered my fiscally responsible budget and put two pounds of muscle on my walking legs. I’ve dreamed of this extended stay in NYC since my first visit in the 70’s. My last birthday motivated me to activate a wish into reality. This old country girl is going to experience a first every day for two whole months. Watch me twinkle. I … [Read more...]
Her money defined her
As I drive through North Platte, NE, I always think of Janene. I didn’t know her well, but she intrigued me. She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted and flaunted what she had. She was brash, with style. She had amazing clothes as well as shoes, jewelry, and handbags. She drove a big Lincoln, and her brick home was fit for entertaining royalty. Her bedroom was … [Read more...]
Sam and the bow of a boat
I had the pleasure of visiting with an artist who was living in a rustic cabin on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park. Her name is Sam. She shared the details of an online art class she was taking. The course required her to use the same subject or object for each assignment, incorporating the various techniques of each lesson onto the subject. Her choice was the bow of … [Read more...]