City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

Many of these posts offer a bit of a guide to the city where I live. I have lived here many years, yet still remember a younger version of myself who had only read about New York. My teen aged appetite was fed by novels and also by the weekly delivery of The New Yorker magazine. My appetite for London was simultaneously being fed by novels from many eras and the weekly delivery of Punch magazine.

Only one of these magazine is still flourishing. My reading Punch as a child and teenager was due the gifts from the same great auntie who taught me to knit. She was a major influence on my big city aspirations. It was my grandmother whose generosity gave me the necessary $100 for my very first trip to New York. Decades later, I funded my own first trip to London.

So, the lure and experience of these global urban giants are held closely in my mind and heart. I so enjoy the opportunity to pass this enthusiasm on to others. (At the same time, my decades of living in New York has also increased my interest in the wide open air and landscape of the country. It's the land in between that does not hold my interest.)

With this backdrop, how grand it was to meet a delightful couple who live in Wales, and were making their first trip to New York. These are very sophisticated folks, and so my tour guide duties were not required to explain what it uptown, what is downtown.

Instead, we shared the treat of visiting my once-upon-a-time workplace, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a big building that sprawls its rectangle into Central Park, while clinging to its Fifth Avenue address.

Those of you who have visited this place know that it is a treasure chest, full of representations of wonderful creativity from many eras and countries. In warmer weather, the Museum can be crowded, maybe a bit too crowded. In the chilly winter months, visitors can have a much more relaxed and welcoming experience.

And so, my friends Chris and Tom from across the Atlantic and I had a grand time in this elegant time machine of cultural excellence.


Tom was kind enough to take this photo, and being a very fine artist, got a great view. Chris and I were in good hands. We three had such a good time getting better acquainted, trading anecdotes, trading opinions on art, trading laughter.

I wish that we could soon again have the opportunity to continue our conversations. Tonight they are home, and today, I have had another day off, a day during which I was "on call" awaiting a call from other friends, who might have needed my help in getting one of these dear friends home from a hospital stay. As I turned out, this friend did get home, and is now resting, without my assistance. My assistance will no doubt be helpful in the weeks to come.

As I waited today for a call or e-mail, I busied myself with completing those Crofters wood socks that you might remember from an earlier post.


This is my second pair of hand knit socks, and I do think I have got the hang of it. Not at all the complicated process I used to imagine. Later this evening, I might just start another pair of socks, just to be sure the turning of the heel is securely within my repertoire.

Tomorrow, after this day's relaxation, I will be back to the shop, for a day that will demand energy, poise, discretion, strategy, humor ... oh, lots of qualities that have nothing to do with knitting socks.

Best wishes to you all.