Private and Public Parks

One Saturday hubby and I were walking (and walking and walking and walking) around the Chelsea area when we came to this beautiful park enclosed by a lovely iron fence. But the gate was locked even though there were people inside reading, playing with their kids, etc. Apparently, they all had keys. . . keys to the park. This park was a private park accessible only to people who lived in that area or pay for access.

I guess in the city, you have to devise some way to entice renters to live in your building, so the landlords decide to offer a park that keeps you safe from "the public." I'm not sure what I think about this yet. Not something I have ever encountered in the Midwest.

By the way, here are some pictures from my recent visit to the Central Park Zoo which is open wide to the public.

You have to try the Macy's Fashion Consultant!

So my husband calls and says do I want to go to this benefit tomorrow night?

Off to Macy's!

After trying on 34 black dresses, I settle on one and head to the counter to purchase it. I asked the associate if there is a delivery service, and she says yes, but she needs to ask how to do it. She goes off briefly and comes back with Marcy.

Marcy is one of ten Macy's Fashion Consultants at the NY store. Apparently most Macy's have Fashion Consultants. Who knew? And I should have known! So I show her the dress and ask if she has an opinion about accessorizing it. (I love sales people with opinions. Really.) So she and I spend the next hour getting just the right necklace, earrings and handbag for it! A very nice service even if she does get commission on things I purchase. It saves me a lot of time, and I don't end up buying something that isn't right and never wear again.

She gave me her card and said to call her anytime I'm in the store. She even told me to use this private dressing room near her office when the store is busy.

This service is totally free!

To all my friends who like to shop with the help of someone with an opinion, you need to find this person at your local Macy's!

The Hudson River Pier

You can buy a ticket to circle Manhattan in this beautiful boat that was just coming in from a tour when I took this picture on the Hudson River. To the left of the tallest building is the Statue of Liberty.

Ask a Cop? No, push a button.

There are several NY City policemen throughout the subway stations. I have been so tempted to use them as information booths, but I have resisted because that's not their job. I have, however, discovered that there are these buttons you can push that gets you a real live subway smart person! You just say something like, "Uh, yeah, I want to go to so and so." And the human voice on the other end assures you that there is a way if you follow their instructions. If they would only provide someone to read you a bedtime story and tuck you in. . .

Evening in Bryant Park

There are plenty of chairs and little round tables on which to place your book, coffee or shopping bag at Bryant Park now that they have removed the ice skating rink. Here's a picture of the park just before sundown from its southwest corner. The building in the back is the Public Library. A fresh carpet of lush green grass (sod) has replaced the ice rink area, and it's really beautiful.

Also at at the southwest corner is a make-shift bar sponsored by Southwest Airlines. Do you think that was a coincidence?

Anywho, I digress. . .

Today I am humbled by the fact that if it were not for my brother, I would not be here living it up in the big city. He lives next to my mom and dad and takes care of both of them every single day from rewiring their telephones to joining them for coffee daily -- from upgrading Mom's computer to building her flower beds. He does this AND manages his own business.

The picture in this entry is of two things he loves, his beautiful wife, and a tractor that he refurbished inside and out! Not to mention that he has a son who just graduated with a perfect 4.0 in undergraduate med school.

A picture from the top of my building.

The top of my building has lounge chairs and tables to sit at plus a nice planted area with hydrangias and flowering bushes. Here's a picture I took yesterday -- do you see the Empire State Building in the background?