City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York on a chilly New Year's Eve.

Yes, wintry weather has finally reached us.  I assure you all that I will not be amongst the folks gathering around Times Square waiting for midnight!

I do want to share just a few recent city views with you as this old 2014 draws to a close.

After many months of construction and installation behind visual barriers, new fountains in front of The Metropolitan Museum of Art have now been revealed.

The circle of spouting water is programmed to dance through a loop of choreography.  Tourists seem to enjoy having their photographs taken at the fountain edge.

While the plaza renovation was underway, there was some discussion over whether the food vendors who park their stands along the Fifth Avenue curb would be allowed to stay amid the new splendor.  I hope that you can see their brightly colored umbrellas just behind the arc of the dancing waters.

Over in Central Park this is a subdued time of the year.  Preparation has been made for a time yet to arrive when the lake will freeze.

Neutral colors dominate with brighter accents provided by visitors' warm clothing and the for-hire carriages and pedicabs.

I think that the subdued colors are beautiful in their own way.  There are lots of interesting textures to add to the visual interest.  Perhaps you all can detect a few red leaves and berries.

It was mid-afternoon when I took my walk, and cloud cover was thickening.  Everything seemed softened.  Rain seemed possible.

The following photograph shows the tall buildings of Central Park South, the road at the southern edge of the Park.

Walking home through the Strawberry Fields area, I was delighted to see this brave little cluster of snowdrops.  Earlier in my walk, I had seem evidence of hungry little squirrels nibbling on other tender shoots that had poked their heads above the leafy ground cover.

Earlier today watching television, I saw spectacular New Year's fireworks broadcast from Australia.  It's fun to watch the stroke of midnight arrive around our world and in many cases to realize that some of you all are already celebrating 2015.

I'll cling to our old friend 2014 for a bit longer, being somewhat reflective of all that has transpired in the past year.  All in all, I think that 2014 has been very good to me, and am particularly appreciative of the many connections that I have been made via this little blog.

Thank you all for your visits and comments.  I am looking forward to seeing you again in our Happy New Year.