Tuesday, January 27, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

Yesterday, we were warned that a blizzard would descend upon our city overnight.  Businesses, including my own employer, closed their doors earlier than usual.  Transportation was affected.  For the first time because of snow, the subway system shut down for the night at 11 p.m.

The snow had begun falling and accumulating before midday.  

It was a relief to get home last evening and know that whatever the blizzard brought us, I would have today as a "regular" day off.


Around 9 p.m., I took a few photographs of the view from one of my windows.  Dark and ominous, with some lingering Christmas lights, some street and building lights, and the glow of fallen snow.

Heavy clouds added to the dark sky.  Vehicular traffic was limited to emergency vehicles (which did not include either taxis or take-out delivery bicycles) and Sanitation Department trucks with affixed snowplow attachments.  The city's quiet was interrupted only by the scraping sounds of snowplows making their rounds, keeping the streets clear.


When I woke up this morning, I realized that the blizzard had not lingered in New York.  News broadcasts revealed that it was Boston that was now hosting the historic snowfall.


Yes, a delicate snow was still falling, and the air was very cold.  Snowplows continued their rounds.  Some brownstone steps and sidewalks had already been cleared.


The views from my window did not look quite so ominous in the grey morning light.


Having promised to show you all some snow scenes, I quickly finished my breakfast, donned layers of clothing to keep me somewhat warm, picked up my camera and headed outdoors.

You can see that the street and most sidewalks were already cleared of snow, with only a bit of slush to be found around the edges.


I encountered quite a few young men carrying shovels for hire.  They do a fine job for residences and businesses whose folks do not wish to take care of this duty themselves.


I include this close up view of the fire hydrant against the stripes of the plowed roadway in order to show that the snow's depth was not very deep.


Continuing my stroll around the neighborhood, I discovered that nourishment was available for those who had not brought home groceries before the snow began.


Cabs were once again traveling along Amsterdam Avenue.


Pizza by the slice or whole pie was available.


However, many banks were closed and seemed a bit frosty.


This quaint little church, in the shadow of high rise apartment buildings, seemed shut up tightly, although its walkway had been cleared.


These fellows were working well as a team and swiftly taking care of business in front of this brownstone.


Over on Columbus Avenue, I liked the filigree appearance of these trees.  The red lights of the Don't Walk sign add a touch of color to the scene.  The holiday snowflake decoration is still attached to the street lamp pole.


I wonder how this small bike came to spend the night at the curb?


The steps up to the doors of 110 had been liberally sprinkled with chemical, snow-melting "salt" that is very dangerous for dogs whose owners do not outfit them with protective boots.


Across the street, the red doors of this church seemed firmly shut.  In the foreground you can see that sidewalk shoveling has effectively covered over garbage left on the sidewalk for overnight pick-up by someone who clearly didn't comprehend that the usual garbage truck rounds would be otherwise engaged.


This beautiful entrance way always catches my eye, no matter what the weather.


It has become more and more rare to spot payphones along the sidewalk.  I guess it was during the peak of last night's snow and wind that snow actually found its way into the Titan's enclaves.


These benches in the middle of Broadway can be pleasant places to rest during milder weather.


It was only 25 degrees F. as I took my brief stroll, and I admit that my camera clicking fingers were beginning to feel the chill.  And so, I began to head home.  Just then, I saw yet another snow plow getting ready to make a turn up a street that was already rather clear.


I could not resist the photo op.  The driver made too wide a turn, had to reverse, correct his angle and give it another go.


Mission accomplished on the turn, he made his way up the street.  I made my own way up the sidewalk.


How pleasant it was to return to the warmth of my apartment and prepare this little report for you all.

I am now going to have a bowl of delicious lentil soup.  Regular readers might remember that I'd put some of last week's soup in the freezer.  Its time has now come.

I send my very best wishes to all the folks up in New England who are now having to deal with the blizzard that spared us.  Thank you all for your visits and comments. We are now a day closer to springtime.


61 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures!
    Actually I'm pretty glad it wasn't as huge as predicted!

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth.

      I completely agree that this amount of snow was plenty. xo

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  2. I'm glad you escaped most of the snow, your pictures do make everything look extra pretty though don't they. We're forecast a light flurry here later in the week, most of that will bypass me as we rarely get much anyway.

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    1. Su, if I had not been such a lazybones this morning, I think that I would have seen more fresh snow, and less evidence of clean up.
      xo

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  3. So glad you escaped the blizzard! And got a day off. We have about the same amount of snow here on our mountain.

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    1. Oh Vicki, missing the full brunt of the blizzard was very fortunate for us. The sun actually broke through for a little while this afternoon. But it is still cold!

      xo

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  4. When I heard about how the authorities deal with the snowfall over there I was struck at how efficient it all seems - over here we panic at the thought of a flurry! My brother said the strangest thing he noticed was how quiet everything went - really strange for the city that never sleeps! Hope you have managed to keep warm and cosy x Jane

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    1. Jane, I think that the city officials learn a lot from each major snowfall, and try to improve both the requisite technical and political skills.

      The stillness was grand. xo

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  5. I saw it on the news and on all kinds of media. Not the big snowstorm that was expecting but still nice! And the city was so quit, no cars and traffic, must be very special. Loved your pictures and your story. Lovely greetings.

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    1. Jolanda, I appreciate your comment very much. Yes, those quiet hours were amazing.

      xo

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  6. Oh, those weathermen was so wrong, and I for one, am relieved and happy.

    I love the pictures of New York. It is my favorite place, no matter the season. I lived my first 16 years there and it is still very much a part of me.

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    1. Oh, there are many of us that were very relieved with how the forecast panned out.

      Hoping that you will continue enjoying my city views.

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  7. Like the lady above, I'm glad the weathermen's calculation were slightly off course (although it wasn't much fun for Boston, I see) and that you weren't snowbound. Lovely to see your photos. Keep taking care! Cx

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    1. Chris, we had some actual blue sky and sunshine this afternoon, which provided another welcome surprise.

      Thank you for your kind wishes. xo

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  8. That was an invigorating walk around your neighborhood. The snow makes all the buildings look so lovely. Also it must have been quieter than usual in the streets. I bet your fingers and toes were quite cold. One year - I think in the 1990s – we were in New York in January. On Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday it snowed. We walked in Central Park and it looked like fairyland. Then I bought a hat later too, made of feathers or fur, in a second-hand shop, but it kept my ears warm.
    I really enjoyed the walk with you and am pleased that the snow was not as heavy as predicted.

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    1. Vagabonde, I didn't stay outside for too long. I figured that there would be plenty of snow scenes to photograph within a few blocks' range. Part of my route was determined by my efforts to avoid deep pools of slushy water at street intersections.

      My good fortune held! xo

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  9. I really enjoy your photos of NYC. Glad you didn't get a bad fall, it was on the news here (England) and I shivered for you all!

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    1. Thank you very much for your visit! I was lucky on that walk not to experience any slipping or sliding. But it was, and still is, really cold.

      Please do visit again.

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  10. Frances.. Thank you for braving the cold to share your pretty city views. The entrance is lovely indeed.. I'll wager in any season...and the church's red doors are so eye-catching against the brick and snow. It is a good thing when the powers-that-be take these weather advisories seriously. Here in Georgia, our officials learned that lesson the hard way in 2014! Stay warm and cozy... Susan

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    1. Yes, Susan, it's definitely better to over prepare than under prepare in situations like this.

      Cheers!

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  11. It's nice to have the excitement of a pending blizzard without it's being too disruptive. Thanks for reporting for us. I loved seeing your photos and also like your enthusiasm about being one day closer to spring. It can't come soon enough for me!

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  12. Glad for you it wasn't too bad, but I have seen pictures of places where it is and feel so sorry for those people! Lovely to see so many pictures, a beautiful entrance indeed!

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    1. We definitely were lucky this time around. It's really tough for the folks who live east and north of us.

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  13. Dear Frances, what an accomplished reporter you are! I am amazed at the efficient way the snowfall has been cleared on streets and paths. I had no idea the garbage trucks transformed into snow ploughs.
    Yesterday I recalled a wood engraving by Clare Leighton called Snow Shovellers, it shows men clearing the sidewalks of Manhatten, do look it up - you will see how similar it is to your photos! I remember the print well as I (unsuccessfully) bid for it at an auction.
    My friend Terry who lives near Boston was in the eye of the storm, you can see and read how she fared on her blog www.hencam.com

    Enjoy your soup and stay safe on those icy side walks!
    Celia xx

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    1. Celia, I am a Clare Leighton fan and will definitely look up that Snow Shovellers print.

      Thank you also for the hencam.com link. The Boston area really did get hit by this storm.

      Our sidewalks are now pretty much clear...but I think I saw snow in the forecast for later this week. Not historic snow, though. xo

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  14. Hello Frances,

    We are much relieved that your report is of happy, snowy images rather than a white wipe out of epic proportions as forecast.

    We like the idea of the entrepreneurial snow shifting young men and can certainly say that we should definitely hire one!

    And, how wonderful to return to the warmth of home and lentil soup. Lentils are traditional New Year fare here in Hungary as they are reputed to bring good fortune all year. We do so hope that this will be the case for you!

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    1. Thank you all for your visit and comment. When I went out for that walk, there was a rather nice atmosphere apparent. I think that everyone was so relieved that we could be outdoors having a walk.

      Back to work for me downtown today, so it will be interesting to see how clear the streets and sidewalks of our Soho neighborhood will be. When I lived there in the late 70s-early 80s, the then crumbling cobblestone streets didn't get my city snowplow attention. It was a different world.

      The Hungarian New Year lentils are similar to the black eyed pea tradition I have followed since my Virginia childhood. Maybe that luck worked with the snowstorm?

      xo

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  15. Your pictures make it look beautiful Frances but I am pleased you escaped the worst of it.

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    1. Thank you Gina!

      Now we just need to have the temperature remember how to rise above freezing. xo

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  16. Hello Frances, good to see that it was much less bad than predicted and thanks for this great stroll round. One of my ex-colleagues went to Boston and his headquarter meeting was cancelled and then he could not even return back to Europe. I wonder if Boston was prepared in the same way than New York?

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    1. Bayou, I have great sympathy for the folks up in the Boston area. It's going to take quite a while to sort out all the snow up there. Cape Cod and Natucket also really got hit.

      I am glad that our various municipal systems didn't get challenged in the same way.

      xo

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  17. Hello Frances, as with Elizabeth's, so with your's - I do so enjoy reading about NYC. I have only been once with the farmer (who is not a city boy) and we did meet Elizabeth, who kindly took us out for coffee and showed us a little of your city. But when I look at your photographs and also those Elizabeth puts on, I do feel as though I know New York a little better - and I love what I see. I shall put you on my side bar so that I can call regularly. Best wishes. It is snowing here as I write this.

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    1. Thank you very much for your visit and comment. I am delighted that you like my city views. Elizabeth and I do enjoy showing a bit of the flavor of our city to folks who might not live very near here.

      I think that I have seen a mention of snow in the forecasts for later on this week. Non-historic snow. Thank goodness.

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  18. Glad to hear you did not have the weather predictions of the storm to battle with. It seems another world with the snow, a much slower and more tranquil place, maybe because there are so few people about. I notice how colours stand out, the blue jacket and bright reds against the black and white. Your photographs really capture the scene so well. I really understand the thought of a hot bowl of soup, nothing seems to warm and comfort like homemade soup on such cold days. I have been making it too.
    I enjoyed seeing your lovely bright colours and patterns in the latest knitting. And I followed the link to see the kimono exhibition. So much colour, such a contrast to the outside world.
    I hope you are keeping warm. The snowdrops are out, listening to this wild wind outside It is comforting to know spring is on the way. Best wishes and take care.x

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    1. Thank you Milly. It was that slight hush to our city that was so amazing to witness beginning Monday afternoon after sunset when the snow did begin to thicken.

      I wish you could have seen that Kimono exhibit in person. It was rather special. The Met owns lots of kimonos, so there are always some on display,

      Yes, I'm warm indoor, but outdoors is another story, with the temperature staying well below the freezing point.

      Spring countdown continues. xo

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  19. Really nice pictures from a winter wonderland hi hi! Well, I heard about the storm on the news and everything looked closed down at the time...
    I hope the weather is better now, I´m thinking of you Frances, take care!
    Warm hug,
    Titti

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    1. Titti, yesterday and today we have beautiful sunny blue sky, but oh so very cold. xo

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  20. Love your pictures, they bring back memories! We have visited NY twice and both times it was snowy, absolutely loved it, a real novelty for Australians. Glad the storm wasn't as bad as they said it was going to be Frances.

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    1. Thank you, Janice. Wishing that we had a bit of Australian warmth in our air right now!

      Please do visit again.

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  21. Thanks for pulling on your coat and going out to take photo's for us to view! Really enjoyed seeing NYC in the snow from your point of view.. thanks for sharing!
    Jay

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    1. Jay, thank you for your visit. It's a pleasure to show some of New York to folks to who don't live here...and to folks who do, too.

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  22. I enjoyed your snowy pictures very much, Frances....thank you for going out into the cold to take them to share with us. I was so glad that the predicted blizzard didn't happen, and the snow arrived in manageable amounts. It was interesting to see the streets being shovelled so efficiently. I loved the pretty church and the snow covered bicycle. Wishing you a happy and cosy weekend.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, we were all revealed that the historic snow depths did not accumulate.

      Today we are in a deep chill with fierce wind swirling and howling. Indoors is the place to be. xo

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  23. What a lovely view you have from your window Frances! It's exactly the sort of view that I have in mind when I think of an appartment in NY!

    I am so happy to hear you did not get the snowpocalypse!

    Wishing you a lovely weekend!

    Madelief x

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    1. Way back when I first saw this apartment with a hopeful real estate agent, I also loved that view, Madelief. It's the northern view, too, so that gives the perfect light for painting.

      I just wish the room were a little larger! xo

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  24. Dear Frances, thank you for being selfless and courageous, going out to make this promised snowy report in such an unpleasant weather!
    Your photo story is intruguing as all the rest! It's nice to wake up and find out that your world hasn't changed dramatically!
    Shakespeare was right - "All's well that ends well!"...:)
    Hope life has got back to normal!

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    1. Thank you, Rossichka, for your kind comment. Actually, curiosity also motivated me to venture outdoors.

      However...today is super cold, with very strong winds blowing and so I plan on keeping busy indoors. Even my usually overheated apartment seems a bit chilly...I actually have added a cardigan layer for a little extra warmth. xo

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  25. Here the news carried reports critical of the New York officials who shut the city down in anticipation of the storm, and yet that much snow - and I know it's no a lot - can bring whole towns to a standstill here in the UK, we just don't have enough money invested in snow clearing vehicles that might not be needed through an entire winter. New York on the other hand looks to me to be very well prepared.

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    1. Ahh Annie, there is quite a history of snowstorms having political implications for various NYC mayors.

      When I first moved here back in the 1960s, Mayor John Lindsey was held responsible for one of the NY boroughs, Queens, not having timely snow clearance...and became a one-term mayor. Our just prior mayor, Mr. Bloomberg, got bad marks for being at his Bermuda home during a certain big snowstorm. The current mayor, Mr. DeBlasio, was probably much wiser to err on the side of caution.

      Another, much less powerful, snowstorm is due to arrive tomorrow night. Another chance for the mayor to shine or not.
      xo

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  26. I thought of you when I heard the predictions - so relieved that you were spared the worst of the storm. You're such a good sport to go out picture-taking for us!

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    1. Pondside, I actually enjoyed my rather brief walk, and the opportunity to share my neighborhood with you all.

      Today is very cold. Strong winds have been howling since last night. Tomorrow night we shall get more snow...but not of blizzard dimensions...or so the forecast says now. xo

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  27. Us over here on this side of the Atlantic was quite worried about you guys in NYC. It was quite severe weather warnings. But luckily it didn't hit the city as much as was expected.
    Stay warm and take care!
    xoxo Ingrid

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    1. Thank you, Ingrid. We were very fortunate last week. We got a bit more snow beginning last night, that evolved into icy rain, then turned back into snow this afternoon. It's below freezing, so the sidewalks are slippery...glad to stay indoors today! xo

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  28. Does it continue cold? No snow here but distinctly nippy.I have followed your example and made some soups to warm us up in the evening. Chicken broth with rice noodles, coriander and mint was a success. Thanks for your encouragement about the knitting!

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    1. Lucille, your chicken soup sounds delish! I'd planned on making more soup today, but needed to go to the shop for just a few ingredients. However...another round of icy precipitation make me change my mind, and stay indoors, finishing my latest fair isle scarf. I'm blocking it now.
      Your own knitting really is lovely. xo

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  29. A day closer to springtime. What a lovely thought.
    We heard on the news here that the anticipated storm never fully materialised in NYC. I expect you are not at all sorry.

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    1. Your news report about our deflated blizzard was correct. The little snow, icy rain, snow precip that started last night and just stopped is actually more of a hazard than just a plain old snow would have been. Staying indoors finishing up a knitting project was a pleasure. I took more photos through the window, so might do another weather blog post. Stay tuned. xo

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  30. We watched reports on tv and heard how you were expecting several feet of snow. I thought about you and hope that you would be safe and warm with knitting needles to hand.Your last post inspired me to make some soup, I chose spinach and watercress, it tasted lovely but the colour was most off putting!

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    1. Valerie, lots of knitting has been getting done during these cold days. Knitting and soup making go well together.

      I've been using spinach in my pasta dishes, but haven't yet made any spinach soup. Thank you for the suggestion. And color advisory. xo

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  31. Thanks for sharing great article

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    ReplyDelete