Cincinnati Creatures

Pulling into my driveway in Cincinnati, I saw this little chipmunk sunning itself on the front porch stoop. I often see chipmonks in our yard. I also have seen the neighborhood hawk perch in the maple tree staring at the deck hoping to surprise-attack one of them. One time the hawk and his huge feathery wings crashed into our back bay window trying to secure his dinner. Imagine having to worry about something trying to eat you every time you went outside your home. Imagine having to catch your every meal to survive. Such drama in my back yard!

Attentive Waiters

I LOVE to crunch on ice, and I sometimes dip my fingers into my water glass to get at it. On one occasion while dining at this nice Italian restaurant near Manhattan's Midtown, I did that, and it wasn't long before the waiter brought me a glass full of ice only with a SPOON it it! He laughed along with me, but I felt a little silly. Just be careful in NY restaurants, because your waiters are quite attentive! (-:

Valentine's Day at Greenpoint, Brooklyn

The sun was out this morning, so I decided to bundle up and get out of the apartment. I have been wanting to explore the local bus routes, because taxi transport here is limited and I've been interested in the area where my husband runs just south of here called Greenpoint. So I looked up the bus route to get there. I still had to walk eight city blocks to the bus stop.

The stop was located along a busy street, and there were a couple of people waiting. A two-sided glass shelter enclosed a bench where four could sit comfortably. I felt plenty safe. Greenpoint was two stops away. The bus itself was clean and modern-looking. There were about 20 people on board, and I had no problem finding a seat. Bus fare is $2.25 cash or you may use your subway card.

Here are two photos of downtown Greenpoint. My friends and family from Chrisney (Indiana) may think, like I did, that it looks a little like Rockport (Indiana)--a local main street with small dress/re-sell/shoe repair stores plus a diner here and there.

I dopped into several shops and noticed most people were speaking Polish. I was too intimidated to order a sandwich at the local meat market because of that. But I have since read about Polish meat markets, and I wish I had brought home some sausages. You can read a great blog entry about Greenpoint's meat markets here: Untapped New York.

It was Valentine's Day, and the candy and flower shops were bustling. I took these pics later in the day back in LIC.

Arrojo's Salon

For a real treat, take yourself to Nick Arrojo's hair salon on the Lower East Side where Nick Arrojo, of What Not To Wear fame, runs a salon, school, and coffee shop. You'll be greeted up front and escorted to the coffee shop waiting area where someone will ask to take your coat and bags. An assistant to your hairstylist will fetch you and take you to the styling area.

I was there for cut and color, so I was visited by two young people, master colorist Amanda and master stylist James who looked at me so sweetly that I immediately liked them. Their pictures from the website show exactly their kind expressions that day. I was going to put their last name here, but their business cards only give their first names--so New York.

Amanda, Master Stylist at Arrojo's

James, Master Colorist at Arrojo's

As they worked and talked easily with me, it was obvious that they truly enjoyed their work. . . and their life, for that matter. I felt like I'd made new friends. Oh, and my hair looks great!

My Attempt To See the Westminster Dog Show

I studied several online sources to educate myself about the Dog Show, but when I arrived at Madison Square Gardens I learned the dogs were at a couple of the piers along the Hudson River. They are there during the day and at MSG during evening. Sigh. This is just one example of how confusing it can sometimes be to get where you want in New York City. You think you have armed yourself with all you need to get to the right place at the right time only to learn that you're way off course. I can't explain this or else I would have been at the right place at the right time on this particular day.

Anyway, I had made a mental note of which hotels were accepting dogs as guests this week, and one was right across the street--so there I went. The Hotel Pennsylvania is where I took these photos. It didn't cost me a dime--admission to the Dog Show would have $35 which included a $10 up charge for renovations at MSG. I also went to the lower level where one could get one's dog washed, let him or her do his or her business in a room full of straw, and get some exercise on the tread mills.

We Ate This on Fat Tuesday

Our first time to eat crawfish was last night at The Delta Grill in Hell's Kitchen on 9th and 48th. They were having a Fat Tuesday party. For a $25 cover charge, you got a free Hurricane (drink) and an all-you-can eat buffet of beans and rice, chicken gumbo, jambalaya and these bright red creatures with pointy heads and claws and bug-like legs sticking out all over the place. We had to ask how to eat them, and had some trouble managing.

Queens Theatre

We took a taxi to Queens Theatre Sunday afternoon to see the Light Wire Theatre's production of The Ugly Duckling for $14. Great value! And it was a chance to see one of the acts from America's Got Talent.

The performers use "electroluminescent" props to create larger than life puppets. All the lights are turned down in the theatre, and then glowing outlines of creatures and their props pop up here and there and disappear just as suddenly.

We enjoyed it, but we were one of two couples there without children. I thought that would be the case, but I really wanted to see this act, and the children laughed at surprising times during the play, which was cute. (They loved it when the little ducks quacked.)

It was a small theatre, and I learned it was one of the pavilions of a 1964-65 World's Fair--not to be confused with the World's Fair. The official World's Fair Committee did not sanction this one. If you're interested, read about it here.