Pink Saturday Goes to the Tulip Festival

A perfect pink tulip for Pink Saturday

I finished the Around the World A to Z on Friday and spent the next 36 hours floundering around for topics to blog about. Many of my blog posts in the past included pictures I'd taken during my trips around New York City, and now my trips don't go beyond walks around the neighborhood. I was totally stuck for a post yesterday, but as I walked in my neighborhood I realized there were some extraordinarily beautiful places that I wanted to share. 

 It's tulip time at the West Side Community Garden

One of my regular excursions for the last few years was a walk to Trader Joe's. On the way home I'd buy an iced coffee at 7-11 and then stop at the Community Garden around the corner. The only time I'd skip my garden stop was during the very worst days of winter when it was too cold to sit out. I'm skipping Trader Joe's and 7-11 for now, but I walked up to Central Park -- pictures for another post -- this afternoon. On the way home I passed the Garden and got to see the Tulip Festival, sadly through the fencing. 

   I loved these beautiful pink tulips...

...and these lovely purple tulips

I posted these pictures on Facebook and one of my friends mentioned the Tulip Festival in Holland, MI, which I promptly added to my "someday" list of places to visit. I'd love to spend time surrounded by fields of tulips. Is anyone else a tulip fan?

Besides the local sights, I've got a list of posts to get ready for this week. There will be monkeys, mileage and money this week, along with a birthday celebration. I hope you'll all stop by and visit.

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

Pink Blossom Pink Saturday

A few days ago I celebrated Pink Saturday just a block from home

Blossoms are everywhere and the medians on Broadway are especially pretty this year. It may be the saddest spring I can remember, but the blossoms are extraordinary. 

This picture was taken just a block from home. On the right is a food delivery truck -- our lifeline -- and on the left, more beautiful blossoms. 

Looking downtown on Broadway, noon today

Yes, it was cold, wind and rainy this morning, so the weather wasn't conducive to essential errands 

or walking for exercise, but the street wasn't that much emptier than most days.  It was, though, eerily empty for noon on Sunday.  And yes, I was out walking for exercise. I entered no stores, I wore a mask and latex gloves. When I got home I took off my shoes at the door. I then washed the gloves -- in case I had inadvertently touched anything -- and then washed my hands. After that I took off my coat. It's cumbersome, but as the days are going by, it's becoming routine.  

Somewhat to my surprise, the days go by quickly. Today I had a fun Zoom get-together with friends around the country, spent time cooking and watched two episodes of an Australian mystery. I decluttered, made a few phone calls and responded to a lot of text messages. I read newspapers on-line and listened to the Elton John television special while I worked on this post.  How was your Sunday?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself. Much love, wash your hands and don't touch your face.  

Tulip Time

It's time for the Tulip Festival at the West Side Community Garden

 

One of my post-working pleasures is my walk to Trader Joe's for groceries. About once a week I walk the little over half a mile walk to get groceries. On the way home I usually stop for coffee and then I spend some time at our neighborhood community garden. Sometimes I finish my coffee before I begin to worry that my frozen foods are melting and at other times I juggle a bag of groceries and my coffee and walk the remaining three blocks home. I needed the rest stop in February when I was just getting back to walking after my hip replacement and I took my first pictures of the season then.

 

 

That was not quite three months ago. The first little shoots that thrilled me are long gone. My gloves and hat are tucked away and soon my coffee will definitely be iced, with a double portion of ice. Now it's a glorious time of the year, time for the tulip festival. I made my grocery trip on Friday and the tulips were in bloom at their peak, in just about every color imaginable. It wasn't a sunny day, but the rain held off for my walk home and my coffee time enjoying the tulips. They were so beautiful that it was difficult to leave. It was only the thought of my defrosting foods that sent me home. 

 



Behind the scenes at tulip time

 

I spent some time chatting with one of the volunteer gardeners as she trimmed and weeded. It felt like a behind the scenes look at what goes into keeping the garden the oasis of beauty that it is.

 

It's not for lack of thinking of Buttercupland that I haven't posted, but I've been making up for the quiet winter of recovery. It's all been great, but I've truly been running around. I spent the early part of the week visiting in Vermont and then catching up with errands, Weight Watchers and gym time when I got back to New York. This weekend was a wonderful theater whirl with my fifth grade friend, Lonni. We enjoyed the revival of "Kiss Me Kate" very much. It's been all fun, but once again I realize I don't quite have the energy I had even five years ago. How can that be? I don't feel any older, but my body doesn't always cooperate with everything I'd like to do. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

 

With this note of reflection, I say good night and sweet dreams. Not quite as many plans for tomorrow, but I am joining gym friends for my first Aqua Aerobics class and I need my energy sleep. As always thanks for visiting and have a great week.  

 

It Might As Well Be Spring Pink Saturday

 Almost happy spring!

 

I get so impatient once daylight savings time begins. Once the days get longer something whispers to me that it's spring. Fortunately I'm still watching the weather and wearing my winter coat and carrying my gloves and hat. Today was brisk and rainy and definitely not a spring day. But I stopped by Home Goods in the last week and this cute guy greeted me. He certainly has the look of spring and Pink Saturday. 

 



 

I also discovered this collection of bunnies that just about hopped into my shopping cart. I'm not doing a No-Spending March, though I'm trying to keep my spur of the moment purchases very few. I eyed the pink bunny and decided a photograph would have to do for now. I'm going back to Home Goods tomorrow and if the bunny is still there, he may come home with me. I feel so cheerful looking at him.

 

 My question of the day, blog buddies:

Do you  change your dishes/ mugs/serving pieces for the seasons? 

 

I never have, but after looking at this spring collection I'm tempted to pick up a few new pieces to lighten up the look of my table. I'm particularly taken with the pink pitcher in the center of the table. Most mornings I brew two cups of coffee into an earthenware pitcher. The one I have has cracked and this would be a great replacement. I'm also thinking of adding a mug (or two) from this collection. I will report back on any new coffee serving pieces that I buy.

 

My recovery process has gotten back on track. I really listened to my physical therapist and cut my walking back. It was good advice and for the most part I have had much less pain. I've been back to the gym twice and look forward to returning to Yoga in April. Despite my little setback I'm pleased with my progress and look forward to being more active as the month goes on. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and hope the next week brings all of us spring days! 

F Is for Fifth Avenue

 

Once upon a time there was an enchanted lake...

You think you've entered an enchanted kingdom and if you turn your head you'll see a handsome prince on a white horse arriving to rescue the princess in the far tower. But his beautiful and bucolic scene is thirty yards from an entrance to the Fifth Avenue subway station. We owe this scene and the other photographs of Central Park to Frederick Law Olmstead, one of America's pioneer landscape architects. Olmstead began work with the English architect, Calvert Vaux, in 1857 and the first area of the park was opened to the public in 1858.

Spring and forsythias come to Central Park

Olmstead and Vaux created a jewel of 843 acres in the center of Manhattan. One hundred and fifty acres are in seven bodies of water, 250 acres of lawns and 136 acres of woodland. The benches in the photograph are a few of the 9,000 in the park. They would stretch seven miles if placed end to end.

Few places are more idyllic than Central Park on a sunny spring day.

 

 



A detail of the wall surrounding the park and the sign for the 5th Avenue Subway Station.

I've enjoyed our visit to beautiful Central Park and the A to Z Blogging Challenge and I hope you have, too. I fell behind in the alphabet -- my dear friend L was visiting -- but I've got all of my photographs for G ready to go. My hint for G is that it was almost lost to the wrecking ball, but very fortunately was saved. You'll see the beauty that was preserved tonight. Please stop by!

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful Sunday.    

Central Park Pink Saturday

I had some grandiose thoughts for this post. I was set to write about the grandeur of spring in New York City. Alas, Friday's practically summer weather -- when I wore a sweater and just about skipped down the street -- rapidly returned to winter. I wore my winter coat this morning, but forgot gloves and my hands were as cold as any January day. I think I need these spring pictures more than I anticipated, just to remind me that spring really is just around the corner. 

My Friday walk -- after my coffee at a.cafe -- took me past Central Park, which was festive with the first of spring flowers.



This little girl -- adorable in pink -- did skip down the sidewalk.  

Another symbol of Pink Saturday in the spring is this bright pink ice cream truck. I've been very disciplined resisting pastry, but I gave in to my urge for soft ice cream and had my first of the season. I am a soft ice cream fan and it was as good as I remember from years past.

 



I spent this morning doing what else -- drinking coffee! I had a great visit with my college roommate and enjoyed either "M" or "P." Good coffee, lots of catching up and laughing. Coffee and friends -- a perfect morning!

As ever, thanks for visiting. Please stop by tomorrow for "C" is for...