Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I knew we wouldn't get the best view by leaving our apartment at 8:30 a.m. to see a 9 a.m. New York City parade; the front line spots get snatched up way before 6 a.m. However we did find a place to sit in Bryant Park with a small window see the balloons. Here is a video of one of them coming through on 6th Avenue. We enjoyed being in the crowd, seeing little kids all bundled up in their hats and mittens, and sipping on Duncan Donuts coffee. Best seats were back at the apartment in front of the TV.

Governor's Island

This is the building you enter to catch the Governor's Island Ferry. It's located in the southern tip of Manhattan. My family and I took the 10 minute ferry ride with hundreds of others, many on their bikes, this summer. Governor's Island is a great place to enjoy grassy, rolling hills and learn a little history. There are many activities offered through the warm months that include art fairs and such. Next time I go, I'll take advantage of the bike rental. I highly recommend doing this, plus the ferry's free.

Not a good place to take a call. . .

This statue in front of Macy's is NOT a good place to take a phone call, especially at the top of the hour when those bronze figures start swinging their hammers at that bell. I won't make that mistake again. The best place to take a phone call on the streets of NY is at an actual phone booth. . . or a Starbucks. The former is not that prevalent; the latter everywhere.

Manhattan's Grey Dog Cafe

There are three Grey Dog Cafes in Manhattan. The one on 16th Street between 7th and 8th is the largest, most comfortable one--where you don't feel bad sitting a little longer and reading your newspaper. They are all near SOHO and all are populated with good-looking young people, some with little children.  

The Grey Dog Breakfast $12

You order by standing in a fast-moving line from a limited, but interesting menu, then find a table. Take your coffee mug to the counter where a sign says "free refills and love" whatever that means.

Veterans Day Parade

In New York, one may just be walking along and run into a parade like this one I encountered on Fifth Avenue on Veteran's Day. The police were allowing people to cross intermittently which I had to do. I crossed at about 12:30 p.m. Heading home around 3 p.m. the parade was just winding up! I learned it began at 11 and that over 25,000 people marched in it. Here's a link to more photos by the New York Daily News.

Here are my photos. As I was taking pictures, I noticed that several military groups were being followed by women, young and old, carrying pictures, probably of lost loves ones--which made me weep right out there in public.

Pumpkins in Pots

I love coming across sites like these giant pumpkins on display at someone's private residence.

Ohio Lawn Creature

The last time I was back in Ohio, I drove by this strange thing. I had to do a double-take. I turned the car around to get a better look. What is this? Why would someone put it in their front yard? It is so whimsical. I wonder if the person who made this was chopping a tree down and noticed this animal-like shape once some of the limbs were gone? It was right before Halloween. Maybe that had something to do with it. Here's my friend Ruthie's comment:

"I can see it's a very long-tailed mammal, although I notice that its teats are not in the normal spots.  It probably has young somewhere close waiting to nurse--or, if this one is the juvenile, I don't want to be around when its mama comes looking for it. It may be suffering from a mutation; it appears that the tail is far too heavy for the body, therefore it is stuck in this person's yard. Veeeerrrrry interesting!"