New York! What can I say about New York?! I feel like I was, and I suppose I was, visiting an old friend. An old friend who has improved, is friendlier, brighter, bigger, and even more fabulous than when I saw them last. That was 9 years ago. Six weeks after 9/11. New York was bruised, damaged, violated then. All is better now. We take better care of her and don't take her for granite. She never did take us for granite. We were what she was all about. The people, the diversity, the appreciation of having the world at one's fingertips, all enclosed in a rather neat and convenient package. New York. Foods, lights, noises, the smells. The welcoming smell of the chestnuts roasting on the tops of the food carts, the dusty, tar-ry smell of the subway as the warm wind is pushed ahead of the trains, the smell of autumn in Central Park. Italian food wafting across the street. The many faces all displaying their own version of beauty. Museums with anything you can imagne right there for you see. Art, displays of human bodies, window shopping, celebrities having afternoon coffee just like the rest of us. Pampered puppies, ladies in stylish finery, taxis, traffic, music on the platform at 32nd Street. Institutions like Macy's, Times Square, all right where I left them. And landmarks as well - The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, new ones like Time-Warner Building. The list goes on and on. New York. What else does one need to say?
Frank is one of my dearest friends. We had a great catch-up dinner at "East of 8th". I could not keep my voice from cracking or my eyes from tearing up as I told him I had the thoughts in the past that I was afraid I would never see him again - I thought our paths would probably never cross. I am glad I was wrong.
Old and new friends at Musical Mondays at SPLASH, down in Chelsea. Michael, Jordan, Jhett, and Ron! We had a blast! Broadway tunes on the big screen, happiness was overflowing. What a treat!
Art and architecture
Ran into Joel Burns who was in town to do the TODAY Show. He is the gentleman who did the very emotional "It Gets Better" video. He is from the Fort Worth City Council and is truly a gentleman and fine person. I could not thank him enough for his contribution and compassion.
JUMBO-TRON in Times Square. I am behind the second planter from the left with a small bright light in front of my face - I was taking a picture of the jumbo-tron taking our picture. Michael is to my left. Amazing technology!
The Empire State Building
The Village - typical street scene
The Village
Lions in front of the New York City Public Library at Bryant Park
Store Window
5th Avenue in front of The Metropolitian Museum of Art
HOT DOG!! Get your dirty-water hot dog, here!!!
There was the morining I got on the "C" train at 135th street. She jumped on, slung herself onto the bench and immediately began digging in her bag for lotion. She caught me watching her and returned my smile. The lady was so comfortable where she was. Her dark skin was shiny now. Her face was broad and friendly. This was a ritual done many times-riding the train was a much a part of her total being as taking a deep breath upon awakening in the morning. There was the man at Port Authority, friendly and helpful who gave me very easy directions for my next bus. The waiter from Russia - big smile, black hair and blue eyes who told us 3 times how happy he was to be in the United States and especially New York. I could go on and on. The small things I remember and will hold as dear memories. This is truly a city which keeps inventing itself, yet remains the same. A million tree campain by 2012 is underway for the 5 Boroughs making it greener - the electic/hybrid buses help too. The Bloomberg Islands all along Broadway make the Big Apple much more user friendly. My trip was fantastic. My friends are doing well - better than when I left them. They all seem happy and healthy. New York, I hope it won't be as long until next time and I want you to know, you never, ever let me down.
New York! What can I say about New York?! I feel like I was, and I suppose I was, visiting an old friend. An old friend who has improved, is friendlier, brighter, bigger, and even more fabulous than when I saw them last. That was 9 years ago. Six weeks after 9/11. New York was bruised, damaged, violated then. All is better now. We take better care of her and don't take her for granite. She never did take us for granite. We were what she was all about. The people, the diversity, the appreciation of having the world at one's fingertips, all enclosed in a rather neat and convenient package. New York. Foods, lights, noises, the smells. The welcoming smell of the chestnuts roasting on the tops of the food carts, the dusty, tar-ry smell of the subway as the warm wind is pushed ahead of the trains, the smell of autumn in Central Park. Italian food wafting across the street. The many faces all displaying their own version of beauty. Museums with anything you can imagne right there for you see. Art, displays of human bodies, window shopping, celebrities having afternoon coffee just like the rest of us. Pampered puppies, ladies in stylish finery, taxis, traffic, music on the platform at 32nd Street. Institutions like Macy's, Times Square, all right where I left them. And landmarks as well - The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, new ones like Time-Warner Building. The list goes on and on. New York. What else does one need to say?
Frank is one of my dearest friends. We had a great catch-up dinner at "East of 8th". I could not keep my voice from cracking or my eyes from tearing up as I told him I had the thoughts in the past that I was afraid I would never see him again - I thought our paths would probably never cross. I am glad I was wrong. 
Old and new friends at Musical Mondays at SPLASH, down in Chelsea. Michael, Jordan, Jhett, and Ron! We had a blast! Broadway tunes on the big screen, happiness was overflowing. What a treat! 
Art and architecture
Ran into Joel Burns who was in town to do the TODAY Show. He is the gentleman who did the very emotional "It Gets Better" video. He is from the Fort Worth City Council and is truly a gentleman and fine person. I could not thank him enough for his contribution and compassion.
JUMBO-TRON in Times Square. I am behind the second planter from the left with a small bright light in front of my face - I was taking a picture of the jumbo-tron taking our picture. Michael is to my left. Amazing technology!
The Empire State Building
The Village - typical street scene
The Village
Lions in front of the New York City Public Library at Bryant Park
Store Window
5th Avenue in front of The Metropolitian Museum of Art
HOT DOG!! Get your dirty-water hot dog, here!!!
There was the morining I got on the "C" train at 135th street. She jumped on, slung herself onto the bench and immediately began digging in her bag for lotion. She caught me watching her and returned my smile. The lady was so comfortable where she was. Her dark skin was shiny now. Her face was broad and friendly. This was a ritual done many times-riding the train was a much a part of her total being as taking a deep breath upon awakening in the morning. There was the man at Port Authority, friendly and helpful who gave me very easy directions for my next bus. The waiter from Russia - big smile, black hair and blue eyes who told us 3 times how happy he was to be in the United States and especially New York. I could go on and on. The small things I remember and will hold as dear memories. This is truly a city which keeps inventing itself, yet remains the same. A million tree campain by 2012 is underway for the 5 Boroughs making it greener - the electic/hybrid buses help too. The Bloomberg Islands all along Broadway make the Big Apple much more user friendly. My trip was fantastic. My friends are doing well - better than when I left them. They all seem happy and healthy. New York, I hope it won't be as long until next time and I want you to know, you never, ever let me down.
