Matinee Monday

The Plaza in front of the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center

When I first moved to New York I tried to do everything cultural that the city offered. I had a subscription to the ballet, went to dance programs and chamber music events. I bought opera tickets and went to museums and poetry readings. Over the years I have simplified my cultural life. I still like the ballet and poetry, but I focus much more now on museums and theater. It's not the cost that deters me from trying to see "everything," though that is part of it, but my own interest. I started off with a love of theater and that love has grown deeper every season.

I am a member of the Lincoln Center Theater, which permits me to buy tickets to Lincoln Center productions at a discount, a subscriber to the Pearl Theater Company, which presents classic plays, and Theatermania Gold.  This last group gives me access to last minute theater tickets at a greatly reduced price. This has been a great season and last week I had the privilege of seeing "Ann" at Lincoln Center.

I am often wary of one-person plays. How can one person hold my interest for the duration of a play? Holland Taylor more than held my interest. She made Ann Richards live on the Lincoln Center stage. It was lively, funny, interesting and poignant. My friend, Mary, who I shared an office with at City Hall, thought I would really enjoy the talk of politics and she was very correct. You may know Holland Taylor from "Two and a Half Men," but to me, she is Ann. It was a very enjoyable theater afternoon and I am tempted to check Theatermania Gold to see if there is a ticket available. I'd love to see it again!

We had lovely spring weather today. I spent the morning unpacking two of the bags I brought home from the office and washing my snow globe collection, which was looking a little dingy. I had lunch with a friend, treated myself to a manicure and bought furniture polish and a mini-seedless watermelon, not at the same place. I am making every effort to snack more healthily and the watermelon was a perfect snack. The streets of New York are snack temptation on every block and I don't want to get in a habit of sweet coffee drinks and cookies all day, both for the calories and the cost.

To those who sacrificed so much so that we could have calm and happy May days, my abiding gratitude.

Wishes for a Sunny Week!