Seen in NYC

It's been freeeeezing in NYC. Lots of knitwear being worn that I've failed to photograph. But I did take one photo:

I saw this sweet dog on the street and stopped the owner and spoke with her. I asked if she had knit this sweet pink sweater for her sweet-faced dog and she had. The dog's name? Sweetie.

Hot Dogs and Headbands

Everybody knows about the NYC dirty dog--the hot dogs that sit in lukewarm water and are sold out of carts. But, for me, the tastiest NYC frank can be found at Papaya King. **

Papaya King is a tiny take-out on the corner of 86th St. and Third Ave. Red and yellow "decor," no seating. If you want to eat there, you stand at a counter. Papaya juice and hot dogs? Sounds crazy--but surprisingly good together.

I was having my "two, well, plain and a papaya" the other day--and over the sounds of people ordering, the rumble of the subway underneath, the brakes on buses that stop on that busy corner, people walking, talking shouting outside, I could hear Aaron Copand's Appalachian Spring playing on Papaya King's boom box. *** The Simple Gifts section started and I couldn't help but think how much I was enjoying the "simple gifts" of the sounds, sights, tastes and even the smells of NYC.



(I didn't think to take a photo till I was finished. Sorry! )

Standing next to me was a woman wearing an attractive headband. The colors of it complemented her hair and, being the old lady who speaks her mind that I'm turning into, I told her that I liked her headband. Not to my surprise, she told me that she had made it herself. Crocheting and yarn and wire were all involved. To add sparkle, she clipped on a large earring.



What a precious and "simple gift" this woman gave me when she shared not only her know-how but also told me of her granddaughters and how they ask for headbands to match all their outfits. "Too many crazy colors--but, I make them."

** There are other hot dog and papaya stands in NYC--but don't be fooled by these impostors. Papaya King on 86th and 3rd is the best!

*** Yeah, Appalachian Spring was really playing. Beyond bizarre. Papaya King's ambiance doesn't exactly shout classical music.

What to do on a Snowy Day

Lots of snow here in NYC and it's still snowing.

So what did I do today?

Shovel the stuff? Nope.



Walk a dog? No way.



My snow day world:

Birthday--Part 2

Today was perfect!

Hubster and I took a walk in Central Park where we saw

a lake


ducks


an artist


and a couple posing for wedding photos.


We ate lunch.

No, not here!


Here.


I have a thing about eating outdoors (or semi-outdoors) on my birthday. The restaurant must be airy and light and have a beautiful view. I did OK with this for this birthday!




And finally, at home, there were

roses


and birthday cakes!


Thank you, everybody, for your warm birthday greetings! You all helped make this such a wonderful day.

New Things

Thank you, everybody, for your comments and kind words about the passing of Barney. I truly appreciate each one of them.

On a happier note, Spring has started here in NYC!





And there's something else new around here--

Random Saturday

The hubster and I and were uptown, dowtown all around the town on a foggy Saturday. Some random NYC shots of the day:

Where in the World?

Where in the world was I today that I saw

a tranquil lake


golden trees


horses and dogs




soccer players



and croquet players in their whites.



Here's some hints:

I also saw a certain knitting diva,



spinning wheels



and spinners and knitters alfresco.



Answer:
Hubster and I took a walk in our front yard, NYC's Central Park on this perfect fall day and



went to Cara's Spin-Out!

The Boogie Down (Baroque) Bronx

NYC is full of quirky places. Saturday evening, I went to an event at a place I haven't been to in almost 40 years.



Contrary to what the sign says, that's the facade of the Paradise Theatre. It's located on the Champs-Elysees of the Bronx--the Grand Concourse.

Opened in 1929, it's a fine example of "atmospheric cinema." Built to resemble a Baroque Italian garden--and Baroque it is!







Back in the day, it was a venue for live acts and movies. I remember seeing "Rosemary's Baby" there with a then boyfriend from nearby Fordham University. Early in the '70s, the Paradise was divided into a multi-plex and then it closed in the early 90s.

However, in recent years, there's been several new owners who have brought the Paradise back to life. So much of the interior was destroyed that they had to work from old photos to recast many of the statues and to restore the ornate work.





I was there to attend a concert by my all-time favorite baseball player. Uh, no, he didn't play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on his bat.

Bernie Williams #51, former centerfielder for the NY Yankees is more than a terrific ballplayer. He's also a guitarist and composer. Latin, rock, classical--Bernie does it all.

Here's a link to a video of Bernie playing with the Allman Brothers last spring.

But, back to Saturday night. Yeah, that's Mr. Feliz Navidad himself Jose Feliciano up there on the stage with Bernie.



They each played their own set and they also made some music together. Muy caliente! They don't call the Bronx "The Boogie Down Bronx" for nothing!

WARNING WARNING WARNING!
Knitting content ahead!

Oh, right, that's why you're all here. OK then -- the Tabloid Socks are in need of toes:

The New York Look

What is The New York Look? Can you buy it?



I don't think so.
It's often an attitude.
That moment when somebody catches you taking her photo.



It might be in the messages that a bus carries



Or maybe it's in the contrasts



Perhaps The Look is in the ever-present tearing down and building up



or it's in the reflections of the old in the new



This weekend, we're finding it in the Subway Series



Today's Snit is also a Knit--
I'm still knitting the bibs. I've entered the Twilight Zone of Knitting! I'm working on the ten-stitch, five inch straps and they don't seem to be growing. Will I ever finish? Or is knitting garter stitch baby bibs my personal hell?