Pink Saturday Goes Shopping

 

After all of our cold and snow last week had supremely sunny days. I chose one of them to be a tourist in New York City and spend some time in midtown. I visited Rockefeller Center and window shopped on Fifth Avenue. Even if I'm not traveling to distant places, I'm enjoying visiting some of the legendary sights in New York. I took a lot of pictures and will be doing blog posts about some of the places I especially enjoyed. 

I'm always on the lookout for Pink Saturday posts and I found this week's post at the Versace Store on Fifth Avenue. They created an all pink window just for me. 

 I don't actually shop at Versace, but I definitely window shop at Versace. 

I couldn't walk two steps in these shoes, but they're fun to photograph. 

There's also a blue window, with more practical attire. No fear, I'm still window shopping. 

The Peanuts sneaker!

I found my favorite picture of the day while I was waiting for the bus. I turned around to see the store in back of where I was standing and saw the perfect Pink Saturday picture, the Peanuts tennis shoe. I'm kind of in love with it, but since the least expensive pair I saw on eBay was $285.00, I think it will be an unrequited love. 

Amazingly, tomorrow is March 1. The days are getting longer -- Yay! -- and though we may still have cold days, the longest part of the winter is behind us. I'm on the lookout for spring flowers, more sunshine and more tourist trips around the city. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

One Word Wednesday

 

Reunited!

I believed that my missing glove had gone the way of all socks, but I was so wrong. On a day that I didn't believe I'd need to wear gloves ever again -- mid fifties in New York City today -- I pulled out a much lighter jacket. As I was putting hand sanitizer in my pocket I felt what I thought was a mask tucked there sometime in the fall. It wasn't a mask, but my "lost" glove. I thought I'd checked every possible pocket and drawer, but evidently, I hadn't.  

This happy discovery was one part of an almost spring day that made me believe in hope, optimism and sunshine. Though I rationally know there is still a long way to go to a post-pandemic life, today made me believe it's just over the horizon. It may be a long walk to the horizon, but it's out there. 

On a totally different note, I spent the morning working on sorting my sock drawer. I realized that mate-less socks give me no joy and it was time to divest myself of these lone socks. I've now got an organized drawer and rediscovered a number of pairs of socks that had been hiding in the back of the drawer. I felt as though I'd been out sock shopping and didn't spend a penny. I've also got some pairs of socks that I probably won't wear again and I'm hoping to find a group that will accept gently used socks. If anyone knows of one, please let me know. I'm happy to send them to a group that can use them. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

What a Difference a Day Makes

 Central Park in the snow yesterday

When I got dressed to go out this afternoon I put on my "light" winter coat, sneakers and put an umbrella in my tote bag. I can't remember the last time I used an umbrella, but I'm almost  positive it was sometime in 2020. Yesterday for my walk in Central Park I was dressed for a day in the tundra, wearing wool gloves, wool hat, heavy winter coat and boots. 

I thought I might have the park all to myself, but even on a snowy day, there are few corners of Manhattan where there aren't other people, and I enjoyed watching this group at play. The official playgrounds were closed, but the group definitely seemed to be making their own fun.

When I left the park around noon the snow wasn't sticking to the sidewalks and it was relatively balmy, warmly dressed as I was. About a half hour later when I emerged from the grocery the temperature had dropped and the snow was turning into a big slippery mess. I began to rethink my winter wonderland escapade. I only had a short distance to get to the bus home and then two blocks from the bus to my building, but icy sidewalks are my kryptonite, and I made sure to be very careful as I walked. 

The winter has definitely not ended and we could still have some days of big slippery messes ahead, but I am actually beginning to think of spring. I'm going to be on the lookout for tiny shoots of green and the first spring flowers in the next few weeks. 

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. 

The Journey of 10,000 Miles

 

It begins the same way the Journey of 1,000 Miles begins, with a single step

Yes, you read the title correctly. We're taking a journey of 10,000 miles. 

I embarked on my first Journey of 1,000 Miles in January 2017. My Weight Watchers leader suggested choosing a challenge for the year ahead. I chose a somewhat ambitious goal of walking 1,000 miles during the year as a way to encourage myself to walk more. I was walking about two miles most days and with a little extra effort and planning I could increase that. I quickly realized I needed to be consistent. If I didn't do the work all year I wouldn't be able to complete the challenge by walking 500 miles in December. I liked the structure (and the exercise) and finished the year with 1,039 miles. 

I continued the challenge in 2018 and walked 1,060 miles (approximately), surpassing my 2017 mileage. I kept track in 2019, but only completed 850 miles (hip replacement slowed me down) and walked 919 miles last year. My total mileage for the last four years is 3,860 miles.

If I could walk to Australia, it would be a 10,000 mile journey. 

During this week, my friend, Betsy, and I were out for one of our walks when she commented on my 10,000 mile journey. I started laughing at the thought and put it out of my mind. But when I got home I realized that I was well on my way to 10,000 miles. I did a search and saw that Sydney, Australia could be my (virtual) destination for my decade long challenge, at a distance of 10,277 miles. Barring anything unforeseen, my goal is to complete this challenge by walking 10,000 miles by December 31, 2026. 

If I have learned anything in 2020 it's that there is always something unforeseen. But I have also learned that the journey is more important than the destination, and it's always worth trying to reach a goal.    

New York City to Magdalen College, Oxford,  England, 3,408 miles 

While Sydney is my final destination I'm enjoying the stops along the way. Counting my miles in 2021 I've now left England and I'm on the European continent. I'm somewhere east of Amsterdam, a city I hope to visit and where I'd like to walk sometime in the next six years. 

I'm not sure if I will get very far beyond New York City this year, let alone to any other countries, or even states. But like a pilgrim of the Middle Ages I'm on my quest and excited and eager to see where the bends in the road take me for the next 6,000 miles. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

It's Time for Yardi Gras!

 

In every other year New Orleans has celebrated Mardi Gras, but this year it's Yardi Gras

Last year an estimated million people were in New Orleans celebrating the last days before Lent begins, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). This year the bars were closed, there were no crowds and the highlight of the celebration is Yardi Gras, where New Orleans residents decorated their yards, instead of floats. 

I've had the privilege of visiting New Orleans twice for Mardi Gras. The first time was in 1973 and the city quickly became one of my favorite places. Instead of studying, which I should have been doing as a graduate student, I accepted a friend's invitation to drive from Nashville to New Orleans and live out one of my dreams, being part of the Mardi Gras celebration. 

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans (from a 1991 trip)

We arrived just after dawn and the fog was just rising from the city, making an almost magical scene. We were on a shoestring budget and our meals were mostly taken at McDonald's, with a splurge for beignets at Cafe du Monde. My memory is fuzzy about where we actually stayed, but it wasn't a fancy hotel. I had a fabulous time, but I also resolved that one day I would return to New Orleans and stay in a nice hotel and eat at some of the fabulous restaurants the city was known for. 

In 2013 I visited Mardi Gras World and saw how the parade floats were put together.

There have been four more trips to New Orleans, staying in hotels and eating some of the best food in the world. The last one, which included a visit to Mardi Gras World, was in 2013. I was sure I had photographs from the other three visits and went through the obvious places where I stored pictures, but alas, didn't find them. I am sure that somewhere in my decluttering is another box of pictures with the elusive pictures. 

Music on the Mississippi (1991)

I took this picture in 1991, long before I dreamed that my cellphone (also a fantasy at that time) would permit me to record this musician's performance and share it on my blog, another fantasy in 1991. Tonight one of my fantasies is a sixth visit to New Orleans. I am trying to keep my travel fantasies in check, since it's so unclear when travel will become feasible for me again. But seeing that fantasies do come true,  I'm adding a return to the Big Easy to my travel dream list for the future.   

I know most of us are doing very little to no traveling now, but what places are on your lists when it's feasible to begin to travel again? My hopes for my first trips are Maine, Vermont,  and to see friends and family in Connecticut.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take care. Sending out prayers for safety and electricity to  Texas and Oklahoma.

 

Pink Saturday Valentine's Day

 

Love and hearts on Valentine's Day!

I loved this beautiful bouquet at a very high end florist...

I loved both of these beautiful bouquets at the same florist... 

And these beautiful orchid plants.

I found this beautiful floral collection at a florist just a few blocks from the site where I got my second dose of vaccine on Friday morning. I stopped and snapped a few Pink Saturday valentine pictures while I was out and about. I wasn't sure how I would feel for the next day or so and couldn't let some fabulous floral shots go by. As Friday progressed I was achy and tired, and the feeling went on through last night. I got up this morning with just the usual collection of aches, but feeling good. I'm very grateful for having come through the side effects as well as I did. I did skip my monthly bible study -- couldn't keep my eyes open -- but was awake for a 70th Zoom surprise birthday party for a friend from Girl Scouts.  

Fortunately, the predicted sleet (my least favorite weather) didn't take place and it's a relatively warm 35 degrees. I'm going to take advantage of something I haven't seen all that often lately and have sorely missed, sunshine. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Valentine's Day Wedding Wednesday: Nessie and Edgar

 

Congratulations to Nessie and Edgar

 Buttercupland is Pleased to Announce the Marriage of

Nessie Jean Scotland and Edgar "Easter" Bunny 

December 31, 2020

New York City

Honor Attendants were Miss Fluffy and Jamie Scotland and the Best Man was Paws Bear. 

Entertainment was provided by the Snowman Chorus. The recessional music was "The Easter Parade," in homage to the groom's family tradition.  

Instead of the traditional cake, Cadbury mini eggs were served. 

The bride is originally from Inverness, Scotland and moved to New York City in 2019. She is a noted social media influencer. She is descended from a long line of distinguished sea creatures from Loch Ness, Scotland. The groom is a long-time resident of New York City. He serves as Chief Transportation Officer of his family's egg delivery business. They will continue to reside on the third bookshelf, next to the cookbook collection. 

Buttercup note: It was a spectacular wedding. The bride looked elegant in her faux satin gown with its lace train. It was the perfect end to a challenging year to see our newlyweds so in love and happy. Even Pep LeMonkee, the bride's ex, joined in the celebration and had a great time. 

I hope you've enjoyed our celebration. It was fun to remember the wedding and to share the wedding album. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy! 

The Journey of 1,000 Miles, Chapter Five

 

My view from the bus stop today, mile mark 2.6 

In January 2017 I decided that I would walk 1,000 miles during the year. It was a challenge and I wasn't sure I would succeed, but I put on my sneakers and put one foot in front of the other and by the end of 2017 I had walked 1,039 miles. I found I liked the regular exercise and the discipline and I made the same commitment for 2018 and again walked over 1,000 miles. 

I began 2019 by getting my hip replaced. I knew there would be days I wouldn't walk a mile, let alone two or three miles and made my commitment to walk 500 miles. I ended 2019 with 850 miles and was very happy with the number. Last year I resolved to walk 1,000 miles, but 2020 wasn't a year where I walked all over New York City and a dozen other places. There were days I walked around my block four or five times, avoiding everyone I encountered. I even stopped tracking my mileage. Fortunately my Fitbit didn't stop tracking and, at the end of 2020, I added up my miles and my total was 919 miles. 

I wasn't sure I would do my 1,000 mile journey in 2021, but, at the beginning of January,  as I reflected on the year ahead I realized that regular exercise was one of the few things I could control this year and I needed as much structure as I could build into my life. I recommitted to my Journey of 1,000 miles and walked 80+ miles in January. 

Even though it doesn't look like 2021 will be a year where I walk all over a dozen other places, I'm optimistic about expanding my world in New York City. I am scheduled to receive my second dose of vaccine on Friday and by the beginning of March i think I will feel more comfortable planning walks throughout the city. I will still be masked and I'm not sure how comfortable I will be eating indoors, but I'll be looking for outdoor events, especially as the weather gets nicer.  

A coffee stop at Breads Bakery on Broadway. Great coffee, great bread and heaters!

Though snow was predicted for today it didn't materialize and it was a pleasant enough day to enjoy coffee out of doors -- as long as heaters were provided. I made the most of a snowless day and ended up with 8900 steps, not quite 3.6 miles. Tomorrow looks equally warm and snowless and I'm planning another three mile day, too. 

As ever, thanks for stopping by. Take care and keep cozy. 

All-Points Bulletin (APB) from the Buttercupland Department of Public Safety

Missing: One Glove

Which may be the story of everyone's winter.

An APB, also known as  KLO4 in Australia and APW in the UK, has been issued for the mate of the plaid glove seen above. Last known whereabouts: My coat pocket. It could be anywhere by now and is missed sorely. Please come home. 

The Department of Public Safety reminds all citizens of Buttercupland that gloves like to go wandering and citizens must be alert to to the whereabouts of gloves at all times. Remember, once you let a glove out of your sight, that glove can be anywhere -- except where it belongs on your hand. Not a pretty story for freezing cold days of February.    

I've been priding myself on keeping track of my gloves the last few years, so the disappearance of this glove makes me especially sad. I brought two pairs of gloves back from Scotland, two summers ago. I got them in Inverness at the same time Nessie became part of the Buttercupland family. I lent the first pair to my cousin in December, 2019 and hoped to retrieve them in the early part of 2020, but we all know the early (and later) part of 2020 wasn't a time for much socializing. Alas, all that's left of my Scottish glove collection is the one lonely glove in the picture. Fortunately, I've got several other pairs of gloves and I'm heeding the warning from the Department of Public safety and keeping close watch over the ones I still have. 

Yesterday morning on Broadway

Today was sunny, but this was the scene yesterday morning. I went out early, before the snow stuck, and had the neighborhood mostly to myself. As I've mentioned many times I'm not a fan of winter, and as the years gone by, my apprehensions about slipping have increased. But in the quiet moments of the morning I appreciated the peace and solitude in the middle of the big and usually very noisy city. New York City has a forecast of snow at least four times in the next ten days. I hope I'm still appreciating it at the end of next week. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!

A Few of My Favorite Valentine Things

Always on the lookout for unicorns,  even during a quick stop at Walgreens 

Since I heard about the sad passing of Christopher Plummer, aka Captain von Trapp, yesterday, I've been humming songs from "The Sound of Music." The first one that came to mind was "My Favorite Things," a song that always makes me smile. During a visit to the drugstore this afternoon I saw several Valentine candy boxes that also made me smile. Instead of buying candy. which I absolutely don't need to eat, I started snapping pictures. Inspired by "My Favorite Things," I'm posting a few of my favorites for Pink Saturday fun. 

Minnie and Mickey have begun their Valentine celebration

I love the look of the pink unicorn and Minnie and Mickey, but for eating enjoyment I'd pick this box. I know dark chocolate is the healthiest, but I am a fan of milk chocolate and I love, love Reese's. I'm also a big Kit Kat fan. It's not a fancy box, but this is the one for me. 

Anyone a fan of conversation hearts? These bring back memories of grade school, but I'm not sure I've had one in decades. I like the idea of the SweeTARTS version. 

What's everyone else's favorite Valentine candy? So far I've resisted buying any candy, though I'm sorely tempted. I try to wait until after the holiday and pick one favorite at half price. I'm a big candy fan and if I started eating now I' have eaten much more candy than I should eat. My eye is going to be on the Valentine Reese's. 

Miss Fluffy thanks everyone for the kind thoughts. I hope to  feature her next week. She was part of a very special wedding, that I'm hoping to blog about on Wedding Wednesday.

I made the most of what, may be, the last sunny and relatively warm February day for the next week. I made sure to get my three miles of walking done -- pictures to share tomorrow -- and several errands. I stocked up with groceries and managed to bypass wings, chips and all the Super Bowl temptations at the grocery.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy.

Go Red!

 

Miss Fluffy says "Go Red!"

It's the first Friday of February, National Wear Red Day, and once again, Miss Fluffy is Chairbear for the Buttercupland celebration of this important day. February is American Heart Month, to bring attention to taking care of our cardiovascular health, and today is set aside to remind women that heart disease is the number one cause of death for women. It's fun to think of February as all hearts and flowers, but still more important than Valentines is taking care of our hearts. 

The American Heart Association website has good tips about heart health and articles on medical research that includes women. Both of my parents died of heart disease, so this is a cause I value highly. As of yesterday, I've joined a study that's collecting data on cardiovascular health and the relation to exercise and sleep. I'm excited that I can be part of the effort to provide information that may be useful in preventing heart disease and stroke. I've been in other medical studies before, including one that lasted ten years, for people at risk for melanoma. 

With as much snow as fell on New York on Monday, my neighborhood is mostly shoveled out. The biggest impediment to walking today was big puddles that formed in crosswalks on this forty-five degree day. The forecast for next week is more snow and much colder temperatures, so I made the most of today's glorious weather. I met a friend for an outdoor coffee get-together, mailed two packages at the post office and got in almost three miles of walking. I attended a Zoom Weight Watchers meeting in the morning and watched a live stream of Friday night services, as well, so it was a very full and productive day. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

 

Where Are the Snows of Yesteryear?

 

 

My view looking north on Tuesday

I spent a fair amount of time Monday looking out of my kitchen window at the rapidly falling snow. It eventually left over sixteen inches of snow in my neighborhood and the city became a non-moving winter wonderland. During one of the many moments a phrase came into my thoughts. "Where are the snows of yesteryear?" Actually it drifted into my mind in French, reflecting the years I studied French from junior high school into college.  

Before I congratulate myself for my great recall, or anyone else congratulates me, I need to share that I had the author of the quote wrong and didn't realize that it's one of the great quotes in literature. I also didn't realize that reflecting on the "snows of yesteryear" would take me back sixty years and through a myriad of memories. 

A little blurry, but here are the snows of yesteryear. Somewhat more precisely, 

my backyard, circa winter, 1960.

This seems to be the only photograph of that particular snow day. There's no note, in either of my parent's handwriting, giving the date. The date would be nice, but what I'd really love to know is why they took this one photograph on that snowy day. We didn't take a lot of pictures in the 1950s and 1960s and generally photographs were reserved for formal occasions, which this clearly wasn't. Whatever the logic, I'm grateful this moment in time was preserved. We spent a lot of time as a family shoveling snow together, as well as raking leaves in the fall and this brings back those happy memories. 

Grateful for snow blowers and people who cleared curbs and sidewalks. After a day of walking in my building halls -- got to get those miles in -- I was out walking on Tuesday and yesterday. 

Sledding time

I wasn't the only one outside on Tuesday. There were sledders, people walking and dog walkers, too. I had plenty of company. 

Today the snow is receding into memory. It's forty degrees out and sunny. I've got a walk scheduled in a little while and I'm delighted, that while I'll still need books, I won't need my heaviest coat. The prediction for tomorrow is equally warm and I've got an outdoor coffee meetup with a friend on the schedule. What's on your schedule?

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy.