City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

As we begin to tiptoe into early December, I begin to realize that I do need to keep a list of two with me at all times.  Yes, the Christmas card painting has been coming along nicely, but other aspects of December activities need attention.

I almost forgot to open day three of the above Advent calendar that's pinned up on my kitchen wall.  I've also got the electronic fun of opening windows on another Advent calendar, a Jacquie Lawson design, awarded to my by Elizabethd of Cornish Cream.  It's a pleasure to have each of these beautifully illustrated calendars there to slow me down and remind me to enjoy this season, a day at a time.

This morning my other official appointment calendar called for me to make a semi-annual visit to my skilled dermatologist for a skin cancer check up.  Total body.  My history of Mohs surgery for basal skin cancer has centered on my face, with a few excursions to my chin and shoulder.  I now use sunscreen daily and try to keep out of midday sun.  I'd never wish others to have the facial stitching up that I've experienced, and yet am very grateful to have had excellent surgeons coming to my rescue.

Good news!  I got an all clear verdict today, and will have my next check up in six months.  Unless...I should see something that looks like ... I now know what.

So, after my morning appointment, I stopped by Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue to see that department shop's decorations, and to treat myself to a particular eye cream product, with a bonus gift on the side.

The Fifth Avenue entrance to L&T is covered with artificial greenery and lots of lights.  The display windows themselves were a bit underwhelming.  I'll show you just a few samples.

In a few days, I hope to be able to take some other photographs of more dramatic decorations.  This is just a little preview.

The shallow lawn spaces in front of the main 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue New York Public Library have been decorated with a cover of branches of natural greenery, and some red winter berries, and strings of blue LED lights.  I saw many active sparrows seeking some tasty tidbits from these expanses.  Also noticed that brown fallen leaves were layering on top of the designers' efforts.

I'll be retuning to this Library on Sunday afternoon for the annual Holiday Open House and will be interested to see how the ecologically pure decoration is faring.

Now, while all this has been going on in my little life, the news media have been filled with more stories about horrible events.  Here and there.  Lives taken away by bullets.  Lives taken away by reckless drivers and knives, and other means.

My work days stretch into late evenings, and center around pleasing customers with products and service.

There are many challenges to our appreciation of what might be a joyous season.  I am determined to share more city views with you all that do indicate what it is to live here now.  If I show enough variety, it might be easy for you all to make your own conclusions.

Thank you all for your visits.  I am glad to be able to share comments with you all, giving us more notions of what we have in common and what differences intrigue us.