Sunday, January 25, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

Do you all remember the song lyric, "I've been for a walk on a winter's day?"  Earlier today, taking advantage of sunshine, blue sky and temperature above freezing, I took such a walk and enjoyed it very much.  I did not really dream of California.

Today is Sunday.  On Tuesday, a winter blizzard is forecast.  Sometimes the weather forecasters over hype the drama.  I do hope this is true this time around, because around 12 inches of snow has been predicted.  Tuesday is already a scheduled day off for me, so if the big snow does arrive, I will be able measure my wish to take lots of snow scene photographs to share with you against my natural inclination to stay warm and dry indoors.  Knitting perhaps.

In my last post I showed a photograph of a zigzaggedy knit scarf.  That scarf no longer exists.  I was not pleased with how it was developing, unraveled it, and cast on a new version.


I prefer the flow of the colors in this version, with the bands of turquoise/purple stars appearing somewhat randomly throughout the smaller details of the rosy checkerboards.  


I should be able to finish the scarf on the upcoming blizzard day.


I would already have finished the scarf if I had been allowed to take my knitting with me to the courthouse where I spent two days as a potential juror last week.  Knitting needles are not allowed past the security checks.  Instead, I took along a hefty Georges Simenon omnibus containing five Maigret novels.  Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses is the novel I am currently reading.

Of course, when I was amongst the jurors summoned to a "voir dire" courtroom process before a judge, a defendant, prosecuting and defending attorneys, I kept my book firmly closed.

I believe that jury duty is an important duty for us to accept.  I have served on juries before.  I was greatly relieved when I was one of those whom the judge excused from jury duty late on Friday afternoon.

Some city views are not pleasant ones.  Without revealing another word here about the nature of the case that was seeking its impartial jurors, I will say that sitting in that courtroom gave me much to consider about how fortunate I have been in my own life.

My good fortune includes making the acquaintance of so many interesting people around the world via this blog.  I continue to thank you all for your visits and comments.

In my next post, I do hope to take you outside again to see how this city handles a snowstorm.

40 comments:

  1. Love those song lyrics, Frances! :-)
    I am looking forward to see some winter images of New York. I fondly remember an early April day at Washington Square, when snowflakes came flurrying out of the sky like feathers and covered the blooming magnolias and daffodils while I was having coffee at a corner coffee shop there. I had to go buy winter shoes.
    Stay warm and safe,
    Merisi

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    1. Hoping that you had your camera with you, Merisi...much more important that winter shoes when a surprise snow starts falling.

      xo

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  2. Your new scarf shimmers with colour!
    I have never been called to be on the jury, I wonder if I ever will?
    I spent the whole day working hard in the garden, while a Cliff was out walking, it was mild (about 6C) and sunny so it was energising, I didn't even think about all the things I have to do this week. We are promised a change back to cold winter weather on Wednesday - but not 12inches of snow! Stay warm and take some photos if you can.
    xx

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    1. Oh Celia, the accumulation estimate is now up to 2 feet.

      xo

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  3. I hope the court case will bring a fresh start as well as an unravelling, just like your scarf, though it is more likely to be a miserable finale. And I'm glad you don't have to follow through; you would have been the most patient and conscientious of jurors, but what a relief after that to be home among the tea-cups.

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    1. Mise, with the storyline involved in that case, I actually do doubt that there will be any fresh starts.

      Wish that there might be, but it just seems unlikely.

      Thank you for your faith in my juror abilities. Yes, I am glad that they were not tested this time around.

      xo

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  4. I saw on all the websites this morning that you are in for some bad weather. Since you get bad weather every winter I am sure you will be prepared, but this one seems to be particular bad, so take care! And that scarf is beautiful!

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    1. Phyllis, thank you for visiting and commenting. Please do come back to see what snowscene photographs I may manage tomorrow.

      Cheers!

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  5. How I love the colours in that scarf... They just sing out from the screen! I have never been called for jury service so I'm not sure how they pick out the names. Stay warm and safe if the blizzard comes Frances. X

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    1. Until fairly recently, certain folks were exempt from juror duty because of their professions and certain other attributes. When that chsnged, and everyone got into the pool, the requirement became much less of a hassle. Two days' service is now usual, unless...you do get picked for a trial.

      xo

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  6. Hello Frances,

    Reports here of the snow make quite alarming reading so do take the greatest of care of yourself, Frances.

    Your scarf should come in very handy to fend off a wintry chill. We love how the icy blue snowflakes are interspersed with the warm red glowing embers. The two sides of winter.

    No doubt the snowy images will be a sight not to be missed and we shall look forward to seeing them. Only slight flurries of snow here in Budapest at present......perhaps we are next in line after you.

    It is always good to hear your news. Blogging does make the world a smaller place.

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    1. Thank you all for your comments! Now the forecast is for snow to begin this afternoon, pick up considerably overnight (2-3 inches per hour) and finish up with about 2 feet. That is quite unusual for these parts.

      (That scarf is destined for my etsy.com shop.)

      xo

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  7. Just thinking of you, Frances, as I watch your mayor on our news talking about this 'historic' storm. Hope you are safe and warm throughout. Your scarf is truly gorgeous xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Jacqui. Yes, the snow predicitons seem to be using that word "historic." I do remember several really big snows during the 30 or is it 40 decades I've lived around here. Guess that this one will try to outdo those.

      Folks are being urged Not to Go Into the Parks, because of danger of heavy snow on trees causing branches to fall. I will surely heed those warnings.

      xo

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  8. Thank you, Sue. I plan to add that particular scarf to my etsy.com shop. Believe me, I have already got plenty for my own use!

    I would gladly share some of the 2-foot accumulation of snow that is now in the forecast.

    We could make a splendid snowman/woman and perhaps even an igloo. xo

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  9. We've just been looking at the weather forecast for your part of the world, Frances and both immediately thought of you. Those predictions look alarming so do take care. Reading this post, I see we've both been unravelling work and starting again, although I'm not sure I could have unpicked that beautiful scarf without weeping! Stay safe, Cxx

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    1. Chris, yes, it's interesting that we've each elected some fresh starts.

      Our blizzard fizzled out overnight. I'll still go out today with my camera, even if I'll not be recording a historic event. xo

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  10. Dear Frances, I hope you will be safe and ok during that blizzard. Do you actually know that Georges Simenon was born in Liège? I have often gone along his birthplace, btw.
    Every time I see your creations I am in awe of your talent, absolute pieces of art! All the very best and let us know when everything is back to normal, please.

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    1. Bayou, I did not know about Liege and M Simenon. Perhaps you will someday do a post about this?

      Thank you for your compliment!

      We are already just about back to normal already after the blizzard sort of passed us by. xo

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  11. We just had the weather channel on television and my husband said that it was cold here, why with 49 F on Tuesday and 51 on Wednesday …. Then they mentioned your weather – 28 F and blizzard on Tuesday and 32 F but sunny on Wednesday. So then, we decided our weather was not that cold after all! I remember well how cold it can be in your city. In November 2013 when we visited, the day we saw you, I think it was in the 30s or felt like it anyway. I bought that hat at the NY Public Library (where we went because it was warm…) but it has not been cold enough here for me to wear it, yet. The scarf you are knitting looks lovely and warm – the colors are very attractive. I’ll think about you on Wednesday when you take your pictures and wish I could come along.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and comment. Yes, it is very cold here...good to have a warm hat at the ready.

      However, the blizzard spared us last night. Good news. Still some snow around to photograph, thought. xo

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  12. Dear Frances,
    your post reminded me of a time when my older daughter was around 12 and returned from school one day announcing dramatically that I'd 'ruined her life'. They'd been asked by the music teacher to bring a favourite song to play; hers was California Dreaming. While the teacher was appreciative, her classmates thought her outdated choice very odd!
    Your scarf is an intricate, beautiful work of art!
    I wish you the best of luck with your snow storm (I am just watching TV reports of its onset now) and look forward to your account of it!
    Karen xx

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    1. Thanks for your visit and comment, Karen. I love the story about your daughter and The Song.

      I am enjoying making that scarf and it's almost done.

      Our forecast blizzard sort of lost its power, drifted away from us overnight. A relief to many. xo

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  13. I love the colours of your scarf.I do hope the snow isn't too bad.When you have it bad in NY it usually reaches us ten days later!

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    1. Our forecast blizzard was easy on NYC, but is being far too generous to the City of Boston. Do keep an eye out for it around your area. xo

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  14. Your scarf makes me want to knit. I can knit and enjoy it, not as much as crochet though. However I'm not up to your skill level using so many colours in each row. I was thinking of treating myself to some very nice quality yarn and knitting something very simple that works because the yarn is so lovely. With knitting it's always scarves, with crochet, it's blankets. All very therapeutic. If only we had a little snow to go with it in London.

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    1. Katharing, my scarf does have many colors, but I only use one or two in each row. Do give fair isle knitting a go!

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  15. You are such a talented knitter Frances. Your scarf looks beautiful!

    Hope the big snow storm will stay away. We even heard about it on the Dutch weather forecast!!

    Stay warm and safe,

    Madelief x

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    1. It's so funny to think of our weather forecast being global newsworthy! We are fortunate that the blizzard did not show our city its full power.

      I still plan to take some photographs later today. xo

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  16. I really love the new scarf, it is a beautiful pattern, and the colours are gorgeous! I hope you keep safe during the big storm that is on its way. Btw, thank you so much for the Uniqlo clothing tips....I will be getting some of those layers......and I think you may be needing yours too during the next few snowy days...Keep cosy, dear Frances.
    Helen xox

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    1. Thanks so much for your compliment, Helen. It means a lot to me.

      This is a great day for Uniqlo Heattech's warmth!

      xo

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  17. Frances, I would not like the predicted storm. Stay indoors and stay warm. Wrap your beautiful scarf around you!
    I can imagine that the judge might not like the clicking of knitting needles!

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth. About taking my knitting to the courthouse...I knew I wouldn't be knitting in the actual courtroom, but imagined that there would be many, many hours spent waiting in a jurors' room for something to happen. Pre 9/11, knitting needles were allowed to enter the building. Not now. Books are still considered safe, although everything has to pass through metal detectors. xo

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  18. One of my favourite songs! I love the subtle transition of colours in your scarf. What patience to unravel something as complicated as that. I was only called for jury service once and as I had just given birth, was exempted. I have been watching your weather forecast with some anxiety. I hope you don't have power cuts. I assume the builders won't be there so it should be super quiet. Slightly colder temperatures forecast here for Wednesday but nothing like as low as yours.

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    1. Lucille, we did luck out overnight with regard to that blizzard forecast. No history-making snowfall this time around. Still cold though, and the snow still looks sort of romantic.

      xo

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  19. That scarf is beautiful! Such talent! I've only once been on a jury and enjoyed it thoroughly -- it wasn't life or death -- just insurance fraud by two fellers each of whom swore the other had been driving the wrecked car because "I was too drunk to drive." Hoping the snowfall is not too dire and that you get dome great pictures!

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    1. Vicki, I agree with you about finding the jury process very interesting, even if some of it can be rather horrific.

      Our snowstorm wasn't as horrific as predicted. Hoping to find some photogenice city views later today. Enjoying being cosy indoors at the moment. xo

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  20. We were watching the preparations for your snow storm with interest from over here. Glad it wasn't as terrible as you had all been lead to expect. Hope you got the scarf finished it loots beautiful.

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  21. I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.

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  22. Por aquí también tenemos una gran tormenta de nieve, espero veas mis fotos y te gusten

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