City Views, Country Dreams

Happy May Day from New York on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

I'm going to be staying indoors, because it is pretty soggy outside; however, I do want to share some random city view photographs I took while the sun was bright yesterday.

I recently showed you all yellow tulips blooming along Park Avenue.  Over here on the west side, we also have some interesting plantings along Broadway's median areas.  These tulips are fully bloomed, but still carry some drama.

The ranunculas and pansies have been planted in window boxes decorating the front of a neighborhood Chase Bank.  I am pleased to report that they have been allowed to do their flowering performance without any pedestrian tampering.

Looking westward, I was struck by the mixed architectural angles.  It's very shady along that block.

Continuing on, a yellow cab and I passed by the local Apple shop.  Last week was a tough one for Apple stock, but the shop did look busy, if not frantically so.

The next photograph is included to reveal that there are many empty retail spaces along the city avenues.  This is a large space that has an indoor public space with tables and chairs at its entrance, created as a tax trade off to allow the building to be very tall.  The restaurant that was behind the public space closed well over a year ago.  There is a separate entrance to the luxury residential cooperative apartments that are in the upper floors.

It was not very warm yesterday afternoon.  That did not stop some from lining up for ice cream.

Lots of flats of bright annual flowering plants were on offer at this small Saturday farmers market.  Many buildings do have balconies, roof gardens, or other spots to plant these lovelies.

This is the time of year when lilacs are on offer.  Although lilacs are beautiful, I always associate them with hay fever season.  They catch and carry windblown tree pollen very well.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this little cutie speeding down the sidewalk on her scooter.  Dad was managing to keep up with her.

Several years ago, rent-a-bike stands began to appear around the city.  The locations of these stands have increased quite a bit.  Delivery truck drivers and folks wishing to find curbside parking places are not thrilled by these bike stands.

Now, we are about to witness the operational launch of these wi-fi kiosks, that seem to be intended to replace most (but not yet all) of the old pay phones.  

I've lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years.  It is fascinating to contemplate how much change has occurred.  What's next!

It's now time for me to fix myself a little lunch, and get back to my current knitting project.  I've been commissioned to make something special.  I can say no more.

Thank you all so much for your visits and comments.  Let's have a grand time celebrating the arrival of May.