Pink Saturday Goes to Washington (CT)

The view from The Po Cafe, Washington Depot, CT

Unfortunately this photograph wasn't taken today. Sadly there was barely a scrap, if any sunshine, on much of the Eastern seaboard today. I was in New York City and one of the suburbs (Hurray!) and I wore soggy socks just about the entire day. But I have no complaints. I spent the day with friends, took the railroad to Westchester (first trip via the train in sixteen months), and had a wonderful cookout, just eaten indoors. 

One of the letters I didn't get to include in the A to Z Challenge last month was "W."  But I thought this was a perfect time to share one of my favorite "W's" and favorite New England towns, Washington, Connecticut. Washington is a small and quintessential New England town, clustered around the Congregational Church, founded in 1741. 

The sun was really shining for my visit to Washington in April.

 

The church was founded in 1741 and the territory was

 incorporated in 1742 and named "Judea."

The town, in the northwest corner of Connecticut, was incorporated in 1779, over one hundred years after the first towns in the state were founded. Northwestern Connecticut  was a favorite area to visit when I was growing up, but somehow I don't remember visiting Washington. This area is close to the New York border and it makes a great day trip from New York City. 

I'm hoping for a return trip this summer and a chance to sample the cuisine from The Po. The Po is short for post office and it shares its building with the town post office. Connecticut had very little indoor dining during my April visit and it was chilly for takeout that day. It's one more missed treat I am looking forward to. 

I hope you've enjoyed our Pink Saturday visit to beautiful Washington, and yes, it's named for President Washington, who travelled through the area. I hope you've enjoyed sunshine and good times with family and friends. 

Please join Buttercupland for Monkey Monday tomorrow. Pep will be celebrating an anniversary and he's eager to celebrate with all of his friends. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.   

What I Remember on May 29

 

"Ask not what your country can do for you. 

Ask what you can do for your country."

For those of us who grew up in the dinosaur years of the 1950's it's easy to remember the birthdays of two American Presidents. February 12 is Lincoln's birthday and February 22 is Washington's birthday. Presently the two days are lumped into one long weekend of shopping and known as President's Day, making a nice break in the middle of the winter. 

I first heard the speech inscribed on the monument above on January 20, 1961. There was a blizzard on the east coast and in a complete rarity, my father was home for the day. I sat with my parents in our den clustered around our black and white television set, watching  JFK's inauguration. I was mesmerized by the handsome young president, by his beautiful wife and by his extraordinary inaugural speech. I've heard a number of inaugural speeches since, but I don't think I can quote a line from any of them. 

In addition to Washington and Lincoln I remember one other Presidential birthday. Every May 29 without being reminded I remember that this is President Kennedy's birthday. He was born in 1917, the same year as my father, and both died much too young. My father at 63, and the handsome young president at only 46. 

In the waning hours of May 29 I remember John F. Kennedy and at least in photographic memory, visit his memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.  Very shortly it will be Memorial Day and our hearts and prayers will turn to those buried in Arlington and cemeteries throughout the world who gave their lives to protect our country. My gratitude and my thanks today and every day. May their memories be for a blessing. 

As ever, thanks for visiting.  

(Almost) Back in the Air

 

And the first long distance destination of 2021 is Colorado -- next week!

For the first time in sixteen months -- possibly the longest time since 1972 between flights -- next week I'm off to the airport. I'll be heading to Colorado for a week of Rocky Mountain air, sunshine (I hope), swimming and walking. I'm excited and nervous, which is pretty much how I feel before every trip. 

I made the plans just a few weeks ago and it's only in the last few days that I realized I'm really going away. In the past I'd planned my travel with a long lead time and started putting the details in place months ahead. I've got a couple of phone calls to make to clarify a few things that I couldn't find on line -- mostly questions about needing to make reservations ahead -- but otherwise I managed to put a tentative schedule together for the almost week I'll be there. 

Tomorrow I'll put together the list I make before every trip. I need to remember to cancel my Sunday newspaper, do laundry, reserve a trip to the airport and plan a dozen other details that are part of going away. But for this trip I need to remember extra masks and my vaccination card. The latter is not all that different from the international vaccine card I brought to the Amazon to show I'd had yellow fever vaccine a few years ago. If I forget something it won't be the first time and I hope it's nothing more difficult to find in Colorado than a new toothbrush. 

 I'm so grateful that life in New York City is more vibrant daily. I'm back on the subway as much as I'm riding the bus, the gym in now open seven days a week instead of six and tomorrow, for the second week in a row, I will be attending my Weight Watchers meeting in person and not via Zoom. Just a year ago none of these activities were part of my daily life and I had no idea when they would be. 

As a note about the snow globe above: yes, it's a little worse for wear. I dropped it packing up the snow globe collection before the gas pipe reconstruction last year. I bought Elmer's Glue to seal it and didn't realize that Elmer's Glue now comes in colors. It's held up, but I think I may be time to find a replacement.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Still Not Much Spending May

 

I'm happy to report that only groceries went home with me,

 not a bright summer dress or any other "stuff."

It's now twelve days and counting since I began Not Much Spending May, and it's been surprisingly easy to stick to my resolve. I have bought a somewhat expensive airline ticket -- more about that in another post -- but no things. I've also cut back on buying coffee or snacks while I'm out and I'm not feeling deprived in any way. 

I did some serious decluttering over the weekend -- three bags of paper, a bag of things to go to the Salvation Army and a bag of junk -- and discovered a dress that was unworn and in the pile to list for sale. I decided to try it on one last time before listing it and to my surprise I found it fit well and was a lot cuter than I remembered. I've also (re)discovered at least fifty Forever stamps, which was a great and very pleasant surprise. 

I've got seven more days of Not Much Spending and, though I'm sure I can keep away from buying things, the thought of things I'd like is creeping in. I was down the block from Home Goods this afternoon and I thought I'd like to see what was in stock. But good sense stopped me and I decided not to go where temptation could draw me in. 

When I did the original post earlier this month, a number of the comments mentioned buying garden supplies and plants. I would put garden things in the same category as food, absolute necessities in the spring. That said, is anyone else trying Not Much Spending?

I'm starting to really schedule activities again, mostly outdoors and (in public places) masked indoors. I enjoyed returning to in-person Weight Watchers last week and  it's got me back to healthier eating. I didn't go wild in the last year, but little treats and less activity added up to eight pounds since March, 2020. We are now wearing shoes for weigh-in and I know that adds a bit, but I appreciate -- and need -- the encouragement to be healthier. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Pink Saturday Takes a Staycation

 

Not quite a Pink Saturday, but a beautiful lilac Saturday in Lower Manhattan. 

Last Saturday I took a wonderful 'Staycation" in Lower Manhattan. I've got some trips away planned, but I had a great time enjoying all that New York offers in my most favorite season. My college friend, Jane, and I hopped the subway and rode to the end of the Broadway line, South Ferry, and the very tip of Manhattan Island. From there we walked through Battery Park above and then walked up the west side with the Hudson River on our left.

It wasn't just lilac time, but also iris time and I re-discovered the beautiful gardens of Battery Park. I'd worked in the area from 1999-2005 and walked often in the park, but had no memory of the flowers. What a sweet discovery!

If you could see through the hedge, you would see 

the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. 

    

Our lunch view may be the best view in New York City

Our lunch plan was to eat in a favorite French restaurant at the World Financial Center marina, but alas, like so much else these days, it was entirely booked. We found another restaurant in the area and found we had the best view in New York. We watched the Statue of Liberty, the boats in the harbor and Ellis Island in the far distance. The weather was perfect, our meal was delicious -- although a bit pricy -- and for those moments I felt I had gone on an elegant vacation, without needing a suitcase, a passport or a flight. 

Last week was a busy week with my gym class, in-person Weight Watchers and the fun of the retirement party. I also spent the last two days -- super hot out -- working on decluttering. I made some really good headway, but there is still so much to do. Does anyone else feel that paper just magically appears and multiplies?

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a good week. 

   

My First Party of the Decade

In addition to a wonderful evening, the party was in one of the most iconic places in New York City. This was my view for the evening.  

This was my amazing view at  the end of the evening. I looked up after the goodbyes were said and I saw the bright lights of the big city surrounding Grand Central Station. 

My retirement anniversary is the end of this month (next week!) and I will then officially be retired for eight years. Some days I feel that I've always been retired, but I know that I spent more years working than I will spend doing anything else. I have memories of events, accomplishments, aggravations, but at when I look back at my working years I most reflect on the people I worked with. It's only fitting that my first party post-Pandemic and the first party of both 2021 and the decade was a party last night for one of my most valued colleagues. 

What a sweet evening it was, and without missing a beat we slipped back into the long years of friendship and collegiality as though we'd seen each other last week. We caught up on our families, how we fared over the last year and then started to recount memories of the decades we spent together. There was lots of laughter, a few tears and then a lot more laughter. My gratitude to my friends who put the party together and made sure there was a proper sendoff.

I realize I've been an absentee blogger this week. But as I start to do more in person, it's taking a lot of energy. Yesterday I was at the Y for my exercise class and then a quick trip to Target for groceries, followed by evening party time. Today I returned to Weight Watchers, followed by lunch with friends.  Though last year at this time it was only a dream, today it was once again a reality. Of course we met in a different venue, wore masks and then had lunch outdoors, but in the ways that were important we were together again.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.   

The Return of No Spending (Most of) May

 

Today's temptations at Target. I'm happy to report I beat temptation. 

In years past I've begun the year with No Spending January. But in the topsy turvy world I've been living in, January, February, March and April marched by and I didn't even think of my usual no spending months. Until today. 

I'd noticed a cute nightgown in a store window a few weeks ago and it's been on my mind.  While I was out and doing errands this afternoon the thought passed my mind that I'd really like to buy it. I didn't even consider that this nightwear was over $100.00 and that I have enough nightgowns/sleepwear/robes to last me decades. In 2019 I bought two nightgowns and was given one as a gift. They are cute and barely worn. About two seconds after this thought went through my mind I realized I was on the cusp of some very irresponsible spending. Though I'm four months late and we're well into 2021, it's time to begin No Spending (Most of) May.

Generally my no spending months have meant not buying things, but didn't include meals out, tickets to events or travel. I amped it up in January 2020 and added tracking spending on eating out snacks and lunches. It had been a "spendy" December 2019 and I was looking at two big vacations later in 2020. I decided I needed to be more prudent in January knowing I'd want to be able to indulge myself later in the year. 

We all know how 2020 went. No big trips, no tickets (except for less than a dozen virtual events) and only one weekend out of town. I tried (and mostly succeeded) not getting carried away ordering online last year. I did go wild early in the pandemic and bought pink hair color. which I've used twice. I bought a few small appliances for that pesky no gas situation in my building and several pairs of black leggings to replace the leggings that I wore out. I haven't made many other "big" purchases, but didn't think about small treats here and there.     

Christmas/Chanukah 2020 was a lot less expensive than in the past. There were  gifts, but no events and the only spending for New Year's Eve was a few treats to perk up the evening. December slipped into January and no spending was far from my thoughts. Until today. 

As life opens up I can see I need to start to return to a greater money mindfulness. I'm back to regular haircuts (as opposed to five months without a cut or color last year), gym membership and last week I bought my first theater ticket (for March 2022) in a year. I'm even thinking of getting a manicure next week for my first in person party of 2021. I've got no complaints about needing to watch my pennies (and dollars). It's everything I hoped and prayed for during the long months past. 

Anyone else joining me in No Spending May? I won't be blogging about it in every post, but will report back on my success at the end of the month. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a fabulous Friday. 

 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: T Is for Tulips

 

(Belated) Greetings from the Annual Tulip Festival at the West Side Community Garden

Alas, the Tulip Festival, tulip time and Blogging from A to Z have come and gone for 2021, but the beauty of this year's festival remains. It was as beautiful as any year I can remember and after going through my photographs a number of times, I've selected my favorites to share. These yellow and red stunners stood out even in a garden of gorgeous flowers.  

While not as spectacular as the yellow and red tulips, purple is one of my favorite colors

 and I enjoyed this mix of purple and white tulips. 

 The magnificent Parrot tulips, or what I believe to be parrot tulips. If I have misidentified them, please feel free to correct the identification. There are 75  species of tulips and this is one of the most eye-catching with the fabulous ruffled edges. Though we think of tulips as being a product of the Netherlands they originated in the Middle East and the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. This fact was completely unknown to me before I began this post. 

One perfect Parrot tulip

I've got two more posts to "complete" my favorite things. One post is a travel post returning us to New England and one takes us back to the Metropolitan Museum. I plan to post both in the next week. There's a giveaway coming up, too, for spring fun. 

It's been a busy week with more of the "regular" activities returning. I was at the gym again this morning and next week in-person Weight Watcher meetings return. I've been attending faithfully on Zoom, but I'm excited to see my friends in person. We'll be in a different location and slightly different times and different days, but I'm grateful to be back to activities I enjoyed. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take time to smell the flowers. 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 

...Said Pep Le Monkee

FYI: Pep is pictured without his mask only during photo taking

I'm not sure who was more excited about our first post-Pandemic trip, Pep or me. Pep was  dressed and ready for days before we left. I, on the other hand, was not as organized and forgot to bring my Derek Jeter Yankee t-shirt. There was no monkey business from Pep on this trip. It was his first road trip and he helped out with navigating. He did great until we got to the George Washington Bridge, a challenge for the most experienced navigator, and got confused with the Upper Level and the Lower Level. 

The littlest Yankees fan and one of his favorite places in the museum. 

Pep and I especially enjoyed the Plaque Gallery, where the Hall of Famers who had been admitted were honored with plaques. It's considered "Sacred Ground"  to those of us who love baseball and I was moved to see the tribute to a tiny percentage of the 19,000 players who have been part of baseball through the decades. 

The Plaque Gallery at the Baseball Hall of Fame

Pep wears the same number as his favorite player, Mariano Rivera, of the Yankees. There were so many fascinating areas in the museum, but the Plaque Gallery was a favorite for both Pep and for me. 

My previous visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame was with my parents in 1960. I've wanted to go back for a long time and I'm so glad that my return visit surpassed the memories I had of that first visit. If anyone is a baseball fan, or has a family member who is a baseball fan, I highly recommend a visit to the Hall of Fame and to Cooperstown. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Pep and I weren't. 

I haven't forgotten the letters that I omitted from the A to Z Challenge and while I probably won't post about all of them, I've got a few I'd like to do. In honor of Tuesday, tomorrow's post is "T," and it's a big favorite of mine. 

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

Happy Pink Saturday Mother's Day

 

Bouquets of good wishes on Mother's Day

 On this Mother's Day Pink Saturday we're going to celebrate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While our way of remembering our mothers is via photographs that wasn't always the way, especially for those with the means to engage portrait painters. I stopped by the museum on Friday and found several mothers and children who permanently reside there. 

Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan and her son, Charles Brinsely Sheridan

I encountered Mrs. Sheridan and her toddler son in the British gallery. She does have a first name, Heather, but for time and all eternity, here she is the wife of the British dramatist and mother of  Charles.  

Please meet Madame Phillipe Panon Desbassayns de Richemont and her son, Eugene 

Madame de Richemont, Jeanne Egle, and know to her to friends and family as Egle, was the wife of Philippe had a long government career through one of the most difficult periods in French history.  

Latona and her twins, Apollo and Diana

Latona, the Roman Goddess of the Dark, has a much more upbeat look here as she gazes at her beautiful twins fathered by Jupiter, Apollo and Diana. These two sleeping cherubs have big futures ahead. Diana will become the goddess of the moon and the hunt and her brother will be the god of light and the sun. 

Now we're stepping back just seventy years to one of my favorite pictures of my mother and me, some time during my first winter, 1951.

Thanks, Mom. You are always the light and sun to me.  

Even though I was only away for four days it's taken a few days to get back to my regular New York life. Pep and I had a fabulous time and we're both ready to travel again. I've got a few more pictures of Pep enjoying the Baseball Hall of Fame for Monkey Monday tomorrow. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day and week.  

On the Road Again

 

The Plaque Gallery at the Baseball Hall of Fame

Cooperstown, New York

I’m on the road again and this trip is to a place I’d long thought about returning to, Cooperstown, NY. It’s a quick trip, but so enjoying the fabulous scenery and today’s visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I took a lot of pictures and will do a fuller post when I get back.

Cooperstown is located on beautiful Otsego Lake. After my visit to the Baseball Hall — fabulous! — a drive around the lake was the perfect follow up. This is Glimmerglass, as James Fenimore Cooper described it.

My favorite baseball fan, Pep, joined me on this field trip. I forgot to pack my Yankees t-shirt, but Pep was in full Yankee regalia for our visit. He loved his visit and is now a very tired (and happy) monkey.

Tomorrow is another day of fun and sightseeing. I was a little rusty making plans, but I’m quickly getting used to being on the road again. Thankfully!

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

Blogging from A to Z: Z Is for Z

 

Please meet the adorable Z, my doggy niece

Yes, I know it's May and the challenge is officially over. I've walked my first two miles of the month, been to virtual services this morning, the bank and did a little grocery shopping. I even got to the library to pick up a reserve book, only to discover that I'd reserved it for a branch across town and left the library empty-handed. 

I wrote the paragraph above yesterday and fully intended to finish this post earlier today. But I got completely and happily sidetracked when I got a text from my cousin who was in New York City for the day. He asked if I wanted to get together for lunch and I opted for a lunch with my cousins. 

I swapped blogging and the gym for lunch with family at Katz Deli, 

home of the best pastrami anywhere. 

If you remember the deli scene in "When Harry Met Sally," you've seen Katz. It's not fancy -- actually it hasn't been renovated since Truman was president, if ever -- but the deli meats are fabulous. They've installed great protocols for this era and for a beautiful Sunday afternoon it wasn't a long wait. I loved Sunday lunch out, the pastrami, walking on the Lower East Side and especially spending time with Trish and Jay. 

Speaking of family, I want to introduce my doggy niece, Z. My introduction to Z was, "Z, meet Aunt C." It was love at first sight for me and could you find a cuter doggy niece in her chic raincoat? She's the sweetest and a great addition to the extended family. 

As May progresses, I'll be posting some of the "missing" letters of the challenge. But I'll also be posting new activities as we move forward, beginning with my next post. Pep and I are taking our first post Vaccination trip and we're both very excited.  

Pink Saturday is back -- computer issues last week -- and we're happy to be part of the fun. Please stop by and spend time with some of my favorite bloggers. 

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