City Views, Country Dreamso

Good afternoon from a hot and humid New York City.

In my last blog, I was complaining about the noise being made by a skilled team of workers who are doing some required maintenance on my apartment building's facade.  That work is ongoing.  I received a notice from the building's manager indicating that on August 8 this noise, with accompanying dust, will reach new heights.

I keep thinking that every day will bring the project nearer to completion.  This must be true.

Meanwhile, I manage to continue with some of my own projects.  The above photograph shows the blocking of my lacy Halligarth shawl, knit from a Brooklyn Tweed pattern designed by Gudrun Johnston.  I love the look of the multicolored blocking "jigsaw" squares peeking through the lace.

This was the first time that I'd used blocking wires, and it was interesting to see how using these wires, pinned at intervals through the shawl into the blocks below, really did transform the stitches.

The following photograph is poor, but it does give an idea of how I was able to get more definition to the points of the scalloped edging.  If any of you all reading this post are knitters who've been wondering whether to invest in some blocking wires, I would recommend them.

Even when the air is hot, and there is not much of a breeze, it's still good to get outdoors for a walk.  The exercise is good, and there's always something to catch the eye.

These patterns in these photographs of sidewalk shadows made by mid-afternoon sunlight passing through a gateway on my street reminded me somewhat of some the knitting I've been doing.

That particular afternoon, I decided to take a walk down to Lincoln Center, the performing arts center just a few blocks down Broadway.  It was a Sunday afternoon, and I passed by a regular Sunday sidewalk attraction.  These flowers are leftovers from some sort of wholesale florist establishment, being sold by folks who have found a way to salvage them.

Most of the flowers always look a bit bedraggled, but clearly some folks are attracted by them and make purchases.  Behind these orchids you can see multi-colored "street furniture" that contain various free newspapers.

The reason I was headed to Lincoln Center was that afternoon's Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors concert, a tribute to the late folk singer and environmental activist Pete Seeger.  As I'd expected the intense heat had not kept crowds away.

I think that you can just about make out the stage in the background of the above photograph.  There are lots of seats arranged in rows in front of the stage, but on this particular afternoon, there were thousands more folks milling around, sitting on the plaza grounds, and actually sitting on the street and sidewalks just outside the Lincoln Center property.

A powerful sound system had been designed to provide balanced sound for the folks sitting in the rows of folding chairs.  It was very difficult to hear anything very musical above the din made by all the other folks who were chatting with each other.  I felt sorry for tired and cranky children who'd been brought by their parents to this sort of historic concert.

It was all too much for me.  I decided to just walk back home, and try to find a cooling breeze on Broadway.

There would be other concerts, other days.

My building is not the only one in the City that is having repair work done during July and August.  I found this usually elegant Upper East Side doorway looking a bit underwhelmed by the various posted building permits.  I am sure that all will be clear and shiny again by September. 

I have continued to make weekly visits to the Union Square Farmers Market, and took this photograph to show another leafy part of Union Square.  Just behind those flowering shrubs, there are some tables and chairs where you can rest in the shade.

And in the open, paved area where the Farmers Market stands are pitched, we continue to be dazzled by fruit, veg and flowers.  I am happy to report that ripe tomato season has finally arrived!

In my walks around the City, I've also encountered more flowers planted in front of various apartment buildings.  Many different color schemes are in play.

There are very few retail shops along upper Park Avenue where the atmosphere is elegantly residential.  However, there are a few florist shops.  The next picture shows a lavish display in front of one such shop.  The orchids on the inside of this shop looked much prettier than those I saw on the Broadway sidewalk.  

These pretty blooms were in a planter just outside the doorway of a posh apartment building.  I did not see or hear any noisy, dusty construction going on at this location.

Once again I will give you a glimpse of a current knitting project, another fair isle cowl, knitted as a tube on a circular needle.

I am exploring combinations of neutral colors.  Some of the colors of the wool are so close (yet very different) that it's necessary to do this knitting in natural light.

When I began typing this post, I was certain that a thunderstorm would occur before I'd clicked on Publish.  However, once again, Mother Nature has surprised me.  The air has become less humid, without a storm.  The sky is blue.  Perhaps it's a perfect time for a little walk.

As always, I thank you all for your visits and comments.  It was my intention to post more frequently during July, but laziness took over.  I wonder if August will be different?