Pink Saturday: In the Neighborhood

 

I've started to take my annual photographs at the major sites around the city. I've been to Rockefeller Center and to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, and those posts will be coming up. But this week most of my excursions were in the neighborhood. I've chosen a few of my favorite photographs to share for this Pink Saturday.

These pretty wreaths caught my eye at one of the many tree sales areas in the neighborhood.

I found a veritable forest in the middle of Broadway and couldn't resist adding lights. 

Baby Yoda joined our Penguin buddy around the corner from my building.

Tomorrow Pep and friends will be making their annual holiday visit for Monkey Monday: Holiday Edition. It promises to be a very festive day. We've got a new member of the group -- hint, hint in this post -- and a special appearance by the Snowman Orchestra and Chorus. 

As ever, thanks for visiting. Wishes for a great week!

Let Us Have Peace

 

The resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia

If you enlarge this photograph and look very carefully you'll see the epitaph for President Grant, most known for his military career, "Let Us Have Peace." When President Grant died in 1885, his desire to rest next to his wife, Julia Dent Grant, made burial in a military cemetery impossible. Instead it was decided that he would be entombed in a mausoleum that would be built in New York City. The granite and marble structure was dedicated in 1897. When Julia Grant died her remains were brought to the site known as Grant's Tomb. 

The two-term President's accomplishments include one that many of us value and a great gift to our country. In 1872 President Grant signed the act that established the first national park, Yellowstone. 

I visited the mausoleum after the Running of the Goats, which  took place in the park, which is across the street. It's a great neighborhood, including Riverside Church, Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. 

Somewhat belatedly, I'm happy to share the winner of the mystery novel giveaway, Deb, at A Day in the Life. Deb will be receiving The Terrible Tide and Amends for Murder, which both look like good summer mystery reading. Over at Coffee Light and Mysteries Noir, 

the winner was Jeanie, at The Marmelade Gypsy. Congratulations to the winners. I wish I had books for everyone who entered. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool.   

Here's Looking at You, Kid(s)

 

Welcome to the Running of the Goats!

After a one year hiatus -- we know all about last summer -- the goats returned to my beloved Riverside Park. Yesterday I took the M5 bus to Riverside Drive and 120th Street to see the return of five goats who will be taking a working vacation eating shrub in Riverside Park.  For yesterday's festivities, Skittles, Buckles, Mallemar, Chalupa and Ms. Bo Pep -- don't you love their names! -- were joined by nineteen other goats for a symbolic run into the park. 

In the truth in blogging confession, I didn't actually see the goats run into the park. I got there at the start of the program, but in order to get a good spot where I would be able to see the run it would have required much better planning and probably getting to the site at least a half hour before the start. It reminded me that my social skills, especially when it involves any event that includes more than a dozen people, are still very rusty. 

No, we're not in "Casablanca," but here's looking at you, kid!

But the crowd fell away fast and I walked down to a much less crowded spot and got to snap goat pictures to my heart's content. The goats were totally oblivious to the cell phone snaps going on all around them and kept munching throughout their fifteen minutes of fame. 

It's a big weekend of blogging coming up. Tomorrow we're making a stop at a landmark historic site making a first time visit to Buttercupland. We'll follow that up with a return visit to White Flower Farm for Pink Saturday and on Sunday we're celebrating National Ice Cream Day.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool!

Pink Saturday Goes to the Balloon Festival

Thanks to our neighbors at Balloon Kings!

One of the things I've missed the most during the last year are the events that were part of New York City life. A lot of them were indoor events, but there were so many fun things that took place out of doors. I was delighted to see that Balloon Kings, a local balloon bouquet business, was sponsoring a balloon event to celebrate the 50% expansion of indoor seating at restaurants. Out of doors and on the first day of spring, I knew I'd be there. 

Looking west towards Broadway

Looking south on Amsterdam Avenue towards downtown

The balloon decorations were at several neighborhood restaurants. One was a favorite (pictured below), but I've never tried the others. The area is a "restaurant row" and the lineup of little buildings that you see on the left belong to the restaurants on the block. This goes on for five or six blocks and there are probably five restaurants on each block and both sides of the street. It's somewhere I often choose when I'm thinking of eating out and there's a terrific variety of cuisines to choose from. Almost all of them put in outdoor seating in the last year and now is the perfect weather to sit outside for a meal.  

A balloon bouquet for March Madness

It was fun to usher in the spring with these perfect Pink Saturday event and pictures. The week ahead is a quiet one, but some prepping and cleaning for Passover, which begins on Saturday. Tomorrow we're doing a Mug Monday in New England and announcing the winner of Craft Coffee. I hope you'll join us for the coffee fun.   

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great spring week. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: It Might as Well Be Spring

 

Everyone has been outside enjoying the spring weather

This was my view yesterday. The weather was in the sixties and I sat outside and enjoyed an iced coffee without being on the outlook for a heater to keep me warm. Today was a little cooler, but still sunny and comfortable and I walked over six miles. My drink of choice was a decaf latte and I felt positively buoyant as I sat outside enjoying my coffee, the company and the weather. 

My schedule for tomorrow is Weight Watchers in the morning via Zoom and  a walk in the afternoon. Tomorrow night I'll be working on a post with a blog question. I will be asking advice from my dear friends in Buttercupland. I'll leave the question for a surprise, but I hope you'll assist me with a big blog project. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

On the Streets (Near) Where I Live Pink Saturday

 

I met this cutie during today's walk. Loved the pink accessories.

After two days of snow I took full advantage of yesterday's sunshine. It wasn't warm out, but it was sunny and the sidewalks were clear. I bundled up and met my friend, Jane and her cute daughter, Hannah, and we set out to enjoy the sun and look out for pictures for this Pink Saturday post.

One of the first sights that caught my eye were these pink and purple wrapped bulbs. 

We all stopped to admire this Valentine window with its cute treasures. 

It might as well have been spring at one of my favorite neighborhood stores, Magpie. 

So enjoyed our outside dining at Harvest  Kitchen on Columbus Avenue

Our walking got us hungry and after a couple of miles we stopped for lunch. New York City has indoor dining again, but we chose to eat in the out of doors section. I've eaten a number of meals in the middle of the street, but it still feels very strange. There was good ventilation, but this restaurant was one of the coziest I've eaten at. The temperature yesterday was thirty -five degrees, but thanks to the heaters it was comfortable and I even unzipped my coat. 

We had several discoveries during our adventure. There's a new "Dessertery" about to open that will feature ice cream and macarons. We studied the menu at a Vietnamese sandwich shop and put it on our list for a future lunch. We also added a new Chinese dumpling restaurant to our list of places to try.   

We've got relatively warm weather -- forty degrees and up -- predicted for this week and I'm so looking forward to getting in my miles without being dressed for a trek across the tundra. What are your plans for the week?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas: You Never Know Who You'll Meet

 

My new friend, Buddy

I've tried to make the most of this week and the superb weather and I'm happy with the pictures I've been able to put together in the neighborhood. I'm having thoughts of next year's cards, though if I don't get busy writing cards I will lots left to send next year. 

This photograph may be coming to a mailbox near you in 2021

Whenever I think I've walked on every block in the neighborhood (especially during my walks in the spring) I discover a block that looks totally unfamiliar. This happened today and I so enjoyed seeing the beautiful brownstones on West 88th Street. 

I found this fun doorway on the street where I met Buddy. There are so many elements that I like, and I'm especially a fan of the big wreath above the doorway.

I know I think the same thing every year, but I can't believe that Chanukah is half over and that Christmas will be here in less than two weeks. Weather and travel permitting, I'm still planning to visit a few favorite places to visit. The forecast for tomorrow is heavy rain, but Tuesday looks clear. I'm going to make every effort to get to Rockefeller Center and see the tree. Today would have been perfect, but I was concerned that it would be too crowded.  Though this year has been very different than past years, December is rushing by just like it always has.   

As ever, thanks for visiting, stay safe and enjoy the season. 

One of My Favorite Days...

 

...is the day the Christmas trees arrive, and that was today.

It's not quite set up, and it's not in the same place as last year, but my heart skipped a quick beat to see the trees return to the neighborhood. They're now one block further from home, but easy enough to pass by when I'm out walking. I was concerned that this year our regular tree sellers wouldn't be back, but I was happy to see the scaffolding going up yesterday and the trees out on display this afternoon. 

 This is 2019. Different block and different trees, but same wonderful scene. 

One of my favorite local stores and their Thanksgiving turkey display.

I'm not planning to use too many pictures from years past in my holiday posts, but tomorrow I'm bringing out pictures of the 2018 floats from Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  They're always fun to look at and since it's not possible for me to see them up close, we'll  go back in time. One of my goals this weekend is to see the Macy's windows, weather cooperating. 

We've had perfect fall weather and enjoyed lunch outside today.  Fingers crossed that it stays this way through Thursday and I'll be joining friends for Thanksgiving dinner on their deck. It will just be the three of us and there is plenty of space for distancing. I'm focusing on gratitude for joining with friends of long-standing (over fifty years and many celebrations and dinners), and not being sad about the celebration we're not having this year. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!

A Pink Saturday Happy 25th Birthday

 

Happy birthday to the Little Garden Around the Corner

Actually this pretty little garden is down the block and not around the corner. I pass it often and always enjoy the bright colors and variety of flowers. During one of my walks yesterday I noticed that the garden was celebrating its twenty fifth birthday, an occasion well worth celebrating on  Pink Saturday. 

 Thank you for the many flowers and many colors, beautiful!

These flowers are from a different house, but they, too, deserve a shout out and thanks. My walks have been brightened by the efforts of many neighbors I haven't met and I am so grateful. 

We are nearing the end of September and the end of the Buttercupland Walking Challenge. If you're a friend of Buttercupland and you've walked a mile at least 25 days of September, you're part of the challenge. I'll be posting on October 1 , and you'll be able to post your mileage. My goal for September is 80 miles and I've walked 73.1 miles, as of yesterday. I hope I've had lots of walking company this month.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.   

Welcome to Riverside Park

Welcome to beautiful Riverside Park

Blogger has been slightly more cooperative this evening and I'm happy to reschedule our visit to Riverside Park. The weather is slightly cooler, but the rain held off. Let's get a jacket and put on our sneakers and set off for the park. 

When I moved to this apartment almost thirty years ago I don't think I'd ever set foot in Riverside Park and it wasn't a factor in choosing my apartment. As the years have gone by, and especially in the last few months, it is a literal answer to prayer. 

In the Nineteenth Century the population of New York grew substantially. After Central Park's completion in 1859 a decision was made to add parks on both the east and west sides of Manhattan. In 1865 the city acquired 700 acres on the Hudson River. In 1873 Frederick Law Olmstead, who had designed Central Park, began the design for the new park. The work didn't go as quickly as Central Park, but in 1880 Riverside Park was completed. 

I took a number of pictures of the park, including my favorite spot, a rock garden that includes a topiary dog. Sadly, this was the only picture I was able to download because Blogger is still misbehaving. My goal for tomorrow is to spend time doing research about what the problem may be. 

Besides my Blogger mishaps, all else is okay. The weather has been lovely and I've been getting out for walks. I've been doing a lot of reading -- book blog post to come -- and I'm enjoying my Weight Watcher groups via Zoom and of course, cooking and cleaning the kitchen.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Much love and wash your hands.

Sunday in the Park with Masks (Mostly)

Alas, I downloaded my pictures of Riverside Park and they're not appearing. The little ball just keeps spinning. I'm assuming it's Blogger's semi-annual bout of temperment. I'll try again a little later, but I didn't want to let the day go by without saying hello.  

Open Street Saturday

Bikes, games and walkers share the road with cars and trucks as part of  Open Streets

Open Streets began in March when a small group of streets -- generally adjacent to parks -- was closed to vehicles for part of the day. As March became April and now May, more streets have been added to the list. One of the streets is a portion of my street. 

During the week the sidewalks and parks haven't been crowded, but come the weekends and the nicer weather, there are crowds. The program on this stretch just started on Wednesday and the street hasn't been crowded, but as the weather continues to get nicer I'm expecting more people enjoying the extra space. It's been particularly nice to see kids riding bikes -- lots of training wheels -- and playing games. 

My view first thing this morning. It was a beautiful day to be out and walking.

We're going outside tomorrow, too, and we'll be visiting Riverside Park. We'll also be doing our first giveaway in quite awhile. I hope you'll stop by.  

As ever, thanks for visiting my little corner of the world. Take good care and wash your hands!

Welcome to Central Park

Please join me in Central Park 

The very closest park to where I live is Riverside Park -- just a block away to the west -- and it's a frequent walking destination. But when I get a little more energy I walk up the hill -- four long blocks -- to Central Park. They are both beautiful urban oases, but Riverside is very much a park for the neighborhood and not a destination for all of New York City. We'll be visiting Riverside in the week ahead, and for today we're spending our day at Central  Park. 

You may have seen photographs of Central Park recently and the park probably looked much more crowded. I stayed on the very edge of the park near one of the entrances and it was blissfully empty, even in the midst of many people visiting the park for fresh air. 

Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States. There were already landscaped parks in Paris and London and New York City had advocates for establishing a similar setting in Manhattan. The location was debated and ultimately  700 acres were taken by eminent domain. The area is filled with rocky outcroppings which create a great landscape, but were unsuitable for commercial development. These were not empty acres, but rather the home of 1,600 people. These residents included Seneca Village, a settlement of African-American landowners that dated from 1825. The photograph above is literally the site of Seneca Village, which went from what is now West 82nd St. to West 89th St. 

In 1857 Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmstead were selected to design what would become Central Park. It was a massive public works project with over 20,000 workers, including stone cutters, engineers and laborers reshaping the area's topography to create the pastoral landscape. More gunpowder was blasted in the building of Central Park than at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. This was followed by workers bringing in three million cubic yards of soil and planting over 270,000 trees and shrubs. In 1859 this urban masterpiece was opened and by 1865 the park received over seven million visitors a year. What a legacy to New York City and to the world! 

What a legacy to New York City and to the world! I've always appreciated the beauty and proximity of Central Park, but these most recent days have made me even more appreciative. 

It's been cool here, but we've had beautiful sunny days. Flowers are in bloom and we're having a glorious spring. 

As ever, thanks for  visiting and take good care. Much love and wash your hands!

I Love You Berry Much Pink Saturday

I Love You Berry Much!

I was just about ready to write my Pink Saturday post for this week. I'd taken the pictures, cropped them and had them downloaded. As soon as I got back from the library I was going to write my post and it wasn't about meringues. But on the way to the library I passed Mokum, a local restaurant, and saw these amazing meringues. It took every ounce of willpower to keep walking to the library. The meringues were definitely calling my name. 

I liked the look of the berry meringues, but I'm not a fan of strawberry flavored sweets. I'd much rather treat myself to the chocolate variety I saw in the next window, and I'd like a touch of the chocolate sauce, too.

My choice for sweet treat of the week!

However, it was the third window that got my vote. I'm a fan of almond and butter pecan and best of all, pralines and cream, in ice cream flavors and in meringues, too. I still made my way to the library without a detour, but one day I will definitely return. I think I will save my treat here for a birthday outing for a friend or a visit with an out of town guest. Come and visit soon, my friends! 

I enjoyed my walk and my coffee treat on the way home. It's cold but clear and sunny and a great day for February. Looking forward to blog visits and catching up on the news in BlogLand. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a pretty in pink Saturday. 

Seven Out of Ten

Upper West Side Doorway

I finally caught up with my audiologist this afternoon. As part of checking in with the receptionist I was asked for a photo ID and my insurance card. My response was "Of course." The tone of the very nice woman made me ask if most people who came to the office were unable to produce either. Her response surprised me. She said that seven out of ten patients carried neither ID or insurance cards to their appointment. I was just about speechless. 

Most of us at the audiologist are Baby Boomers and Beyond Baby Boomers. I believed that we are people who  make sure we have some kind of identification when we step out of the house. We might never need it, but on the very off-chance, G'd forbid, something happened, we would need both identification and insurance cards. I've been trying to remember the last time I left home without some kind of ID. My guess is probably some time in college. Once I got to New York in 1975 it would be a very rare occasion that I was roaming the streets without ID and as time went by, insurance card and a credit card. I know this is Manhattan and a percentage of people may not have driver's license, but there are non-drivers license IDs, too.   

My question, dear friends in Buttercupland, do you leave home without any identification? What other items do you always carry with you? Lipstick? Wallet? Phone? Seven out of ten or three out of ten? 

I'm happy to have seen my audiologist and back to wearing my hearing aids again. I got very lax about wearing them -- no good reason -- but I'm back in business and it's great to hear a noisier world. Fortunately my hearing has remained stable and I'm committed to being more compliant. 

One day (and a half) left for No-Spending January. I was early for my audiology appointment and stopped for coffee on the way. I spent $3.00 for coffee, but I had a cozy place to wait between appointments. I've got a $2.00 snack savings for today. 

My No-Spending January total: $164.16

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday Yellow Taxis

Iconic yellow cabs on a rainy winter day

I like the concept of Wordless Wednesday, but it's hard for me to put it in practice. It doesn't seem like a blog post without a few dozen words at least. This Wednesday was a very sunny winter day, but a few weeks ago I was happy for a bus stop shelter in the rain. 

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts about my crockpot cooking. I'm going to use parchment paper on my next attempt and I'm optimistic I will have better results getting my cake out of the cooker. I've been looking through crockpot recipes and there's an apple cobbler that's next on my list for adaptation. In addition to fresh apples, it calls for brown sugar, a box of cake mix and a stick of butter. I'm sure it's delicious, but not as Weight Watchers friendly as I'd like.  

To respond to the question(s), "Why is it taking so long?" I am sure the proper authorities are being prudent after two gas explosions in the last few years. However, not to disparage any government agency -- I've worked for several -- but things run slow and there are a number of desks this needs to be shuffled around.

I've had two more good No-Spending days that were also no-snack days. I'm still not feeling 100%. I did get to Weight Watchers today, but I went home after a quick trip to Trader Joe's, skipping lunch with friends. Yesterday I stopped by the Vitamin Shop for a protein bar and switched from my usual Quest bar to a brand that was on sale. I bought two of the sale brand for $1.12 total, instead of $2.49 for the Quest bar. The difference in flavor was minimal and my savings were $1.37. My savings for yesterday and today: $21.37.

My No-Spending January total: $136.16

This has post has turned out to be a lot less wordless than I thought it would be, but I'm glad to update on two major Buttercupland topics, the Gas Line Saga and No-Spending January. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!

Spooky Time Is Here...

In our lobby...

...and down the block!

I didn't see as many buildings decorated for Halloween this year, but my neighbors on the next block didn't disappoint. The welcome for trick or treaters was ghouls and ghosts and bright red lights. It was spooky, even in daylight. I didn't go out tonight to get the full effect, but I bet it was even scarier. 

Apparitions, spectres and a giant spider in a tree!

At the foot of the spider tree!

My goal for tomorrow is to resist the half priced candy when I stop in the drugstore to pick up a prescription. I'm 90% optimistic that I can do it. I know we're heading into the sweet treat time of year and I want to be able to wear the same clothes in January as I can today. So far, I've had one mini Mr. Goodbar, and I'm claiming that as a success for Halloween indulging. 

It's a quick trot to Thanksgiving and then in a blink it's Chanukah -- beginning December 22 -- and Christmas. As is traditional in Buttercupland, Christmas posts will begin after Thanksgiving. There will be lots of pictures of  lights and decorations, not to worry! They just won't be posted before Thanksgiving. November posts include book reviews, an update on my eye health, autumn in Maine and a giveaway, plus a few surprises.   

It's bye bye to October and welcome to November and a big thanks as ever, for visiting. Take care and see you in November. 

The Gas Line Saga, Part II

 Flowers on Fifth Avenue. #momentfromlastweek

 

From time to time my friends who don't live in New York tell me what an exciting life I must lead. I'm sure they're thinking of television shows and movies where there's always a place to park  and life's problems are resolved in at most sixty minutes. Even the grittier Law and Order wraps up every issue in sixty minutes, no matter how difficult the issue is. 

 

Life in New York is not "Friends" or "Will and Grace," and the last week has brought this back to me, big time. Right now a truck is parked next to my building. It is a "temporary" source of heat so we can have hot water. We spent twenty-four hours last week without hot water while the NYC Department of Transportation provided a parking permit for the truck. In the next three months -- in time for "heat season" -- whatever needs to be done to our furnace will be done, so that our 1910 building will have heat. It's not glamorous, but it's real life in New York City.

 

It's six days into the Gas Line Saga and so far I'm faring okay. Right now I'm depending on my trusty microwave and beginning to start using the air fryer. I baked one small pudding cheesecake in the air fryer and I'm ready to get into more serious baking. I realized I needed a small baking pan that would fit into my air fryer, and I will look for that in the next few days. Right now I think the only other thing I may need is a single burner for eggs, pancakes and stir-frys. Fortunately, I don't have a family to feed, so I can get by with pretty much with what I have.  

 

I have two friends in the neighborhood that have not had gas in their buildings for the last year. When I learned this I realized that my building's problem was not rare or isolated. Sadly, as infrastructure is neglected, these issues will occur more frequently, and that, my friends, is real life in New York City.       

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a very fun Wedding Wednesday. I hope you'll be back to join me.

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and thanks, too, for all the good suggestions and good wishes. Much, much appreciated. 

 



 



Number 19 on the List...

Couldn't resist this perfect Swiss chard

What list, you ask? The list of things that you never expect will happen to you. These are things you hear about on television, you read about in the newspaper and you chat about with a friend. The top of the list are fires and floods and tornados and dread diseases. Somewhere around number 19 is a faulty gas line in front of my building in Manhattan. I never expected to come home this afternoon and find a notice that the Department of Buildings had shut off the gas to my building, and that it might be shut off for "many months." Many months!

I'd like to say that I was totally calm about the news. Wrong, but not totally hysterical, either. I use my stove a lot. Two favorite meals are omelets and pancakes, which are quickly cooked on the stove. I'm also on a spinach/kale/Swiss chard diet for my macular problems and I stir fry spinach at least four times a week. These foods came to mind immediately.

But about an hour later I calmed down. My microwave will be my best friend and I did a search for microwave baking recipes. There seem to be thousands and I will start pinning on Pinterest. I have an air fryer that I have used twice. I'm going to start looking for recipes to make that appliance earn its counter space. I'm not buying any new small appliances until I know that I have a need for something that can't be filled with the ones I already have. I'm also going to pray that "many months" become many weeks fewer and by veggie roasting time my stove is back in business.

Fortunately I'd already cooked the majority of the rainbow Swiss chard in the photograph. I've got a few peaches I planned to turn into spiced peaches. They can be cooked in the microwave. It's not my first choice, but I'm sure they will taste good. I'm not a particularly creative cook, but it's time to become a more creative one.

There have been two terrible gas explosions in Manhattan in the last few years and despite my annoyance, I'm grateful that we are not a third. I'm also grateful that we can remain in our building while the pipes are fixed. I'm profoundly grateful that this is number 19 on the list and not numbers one to ten.

That's my news. I hope your news is that all is well and that you're keeping cool. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and appreciate your stove!   

The Journey of Five Hundred Miles

2019 is the year for the journey of 500 miles

 

For the last two years I've taken the journey of 1000 miles. In each year I've walked over 1,000 miles. This averages out to approximately 2.8 miles a day. I've tracked my mileage each month and have been pleased to pass the 1,000 mile mark in both 2017 and 2018. I've walked my miles on three continents and in five countries. What started as a Weight Watchers challenge became my fitness pleasure and structure. 

 

I knew 2019 was most likely not going to be a journey of 1,000 miles. I had my right hip replaced in January and I barely walked a mile a day in the month following. I'm making a good recovery, but my daily average is closer to two miles a day. I overdid it in my first few months and developed tendinitis, which slowed me down a lot. The tendinitis pain is (mostly) gone, but comes back on days when I push myself too hard. I'd hoped to be totally back to where I was before my surgery, but that's just not my reality. 2019 will be the year for a journey of 500 or 600 or 700 miles, and I will be grateful for whatever my final number will be.

 

As the years have passed I've learned that exercise and vegetables are my best friends. I was never a gym fan, but I've found a number of things that I like to do. Besides walking I enjoy chair Yoga at the local Y and strength training. I 'm not always in the mood to do them, but I always like the results and how I feel after my sessions. Last week I added water aerobics for seniors with arthritis. It's been on my list of things "to do sometime" for the last year and I'm glad my friends from Yoga class pushed me. It's great exercise and I've found I can follow the session with swimming laps. I'm also optimistic that the water aerobics will help with strengthening my hip muscles. Is anyone else a fan of water aerobics?

 

 I'm waiting for the Ark to arrive any day. We've had more rain in the last month than I can remember for a long time. I hoped to share some pretty May photographs, but instead I give you Broadway on a rainy May day. 

 

 Looking North on Broadway, Lincoln Center to the left

 

Looking South on Broadway, Dante Park

 

I'm starting to get ready for my next adventure in the 2019 Journey of 500 Miles. It involves luggage tags, Dramamine and warm sweaters and yes, an umbrella. Please stop by for my next blog post and adventure reveal. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting. Stay dry, take care and have a great Wednesday!