Powered by Blogger.

Long before...

Long before anyone thought of saying the word sex on television, and let alone that there would be a hit show with sex in the title, the West Village -- where most of "Sex and the City" takes place -- was an Italian neighborhood. It was a neighborhood of families and bakeries and butchers, anchored by the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to this world by my dear friends, Lydia and Dina, now both of blessed memory. They had grown up in the neighborhood and Dina remained here for all of her life, raising Debbie and Kevin here. I had the good fortune to work with Lydia and to get to know her family and be introduced to a world I never would have had the fortune to get to know.


The Church is still on the corner and the little park on Sixth Avenue is named for Father Demo, the long term pastor.



The neighborhood, like so many Manhattan neighborhoods is less ethnic, and now more "Sex and the City." It's got nice shops and cute sidewalk restaurants. It is also blessed with little parks on a number of blocks. The one below, named for Winston Churchill, is one of my favorites.


In a lucky fluke, as part of my job I needed to go to a photo shoot in the neighborhood. The shoot took no more than ten minutes and I got to meander slowly back to the subway, enjoying the good luck that put me in the West Village, one of my favorite areas in NYC, in the middle of a perfect summer afternoon. I only had to walk one block out of my way to be at my favorite gelato store, Grom. And so I found myself this afternoon sitting in my favorite gelato store, eating a cup of my favorite flavor of gelato, (tiramisu, if you're wondering) and listening to one of my favorite songs, "Landslide" sung by Stevie Nicks.
If I am in a turnipy mood in the days or weeks to come, feel free to remind me that there are moments of grace past and future and every day is a gift.

9 comments

Amrita said...

I wrote such a long comment and it got wiped out. I really appreciate what you displayed, the free use of the word sex should be castigated.

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Ah, memories! Some sweet, some bittersweet, some downright painful or nearly blissful!

Glad you enjoyed yr "Gelato and the City" trip down memory lane! Well, I'm a rube out here. I have never had gelato nor tiramisu!

Anonymous said...

Your photos make me long to come to the city! Wonder if hubby would notice if I escaped for a weekend? We're only 6 hours away...

Joyful Days said...

"A turnipy mood." Love that!!

I was looking at the Grom photo, wondering, "What is Grom?" Glad it is your favorite store!! I'd love to try that.

Blessings,

Julie

blushing rose said...

Simply beautiful post ... TY for sharing such wonderful words & pics. TTFN ~Maryodn

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Buttercup, Love the neighborhood. Are you so blessed or what? Beautiful post honey, just beautiful. That little outside dining picture is so calming. Makes you want to sit down and dine. I'll take a cup of tea please. Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for sharing. Country Hugs, Sherry

k and c's mom said...

Beautiful pictures; thanks for a peaceful post.

Julia said...

Turnips shmurnips!!! Snap out of it lady. ;)

Thanks for the tour. I need to travel in my next life, or rather life when kids are older.

Thanks for your support with ODP. Last night when started reading her blog I was all cross eyed... It was just too late for me to absorb.

Simply Debbie said...

Dear Buttercup,
I love Winston Churchhill Park....I love the fence and the flowers.
Congrats on your award.
Just as the seasons change and the flowers and buildings and everything around us freshens up or falls apart or is purposely tore down...or seems to be under construction or a new face is painted on or a new neon sign is hung to attract, Life waits for no one...it just keeps on putting the sun to sleep at night and wakes the sun up in the morning and the rooster dances with the alarm clock and so it goes.....
enjoy the days you can set on the bench and watch life walk by you.........
Thank you for the beautiful pictures.
YOU ARE GOING TO BE OKAY
Angel Hugs
debbie