Thursday, February 16, 2017

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

It has been a while since my last post.

Over nine inches of snow fell upon New York City.


I was very glad to have retired last March and to no longer be responsible for any snow shoveling.


City Sanitation Department trucks with snow plow attachments made a quick job of clearing the streets, as apartment building employees cleared the sidewalks.


Meanwhile, while keeping warm indoors, I began a new knitting project.


Knitting continues to be a relaxing, even calming, activity as I continue to follow the actions taken by the new President and his staff.


This afternoon, I watched a 75 minute long press conference held by the President.  It was very alarming to watch the President's behavior.


Back in the 1970s, during the evenings when I watched televised coverage of the Watergate Hearings that occurred prior to the impeachment of Richard Nixon, I began crocheting a complexly patterned bedspread.  I almost finished that bedspread, and eventually donated it to a charity thrift shop.


These last two photographs are of parts of a knitted patchwork blanket I made for fun, not as a distraction from worrisome governmental developments in our country.


It's possible that I might now be taking a pause from blog land, because my concentration is now on other matters.  I am still posting over at my Instagram page.

I imagine that before long I will be back here with some more city views.  Thank you all for your visits and comments.

60 comments:

  1. Hello from Connie in Indiana. I loved visits to NYC when I used to see family from time to time. I haven't been there in several years as they've moved elsewhere. I love to knit but am not as proficient as you. I consider myself somewhere between beginner and intermediate. My stitches are fine now, it's figuring out what the pattern abbreviations mean and/or figuring out how to accomplish those which I've not done previously. But I love yarn and needles and putting them to use! I am a new reader of your blog and my blog is only a few months old, although I've blogged previously on a different one. connie

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    1. Thank you, Connie, for your visit and comment. I do hope to be posting more blogs eventually.

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  2. I want to try instagram so I must start soon so I can keep up with your wonderful posting. I think mine will be about "thehamish" !
    Lovely photos of your snowy street. Beautiful.
    Kitting is beyond my ability to use my hands and mind, the counting would be the worst dropping stitches all over.
    Did you watch any of President Clinton's ? or just Nixon and Trumps ? The sex, Lewinsky scandal, travelgate, false statments, blue dress, Vince Foster, Filegate, Whitewater, Susan McDougal, Rose Law Firm, John Huang and all the foreign donations, plus the Chinese arm dealers and pardon gate, Marc Rich, especially Marc Rich.
    I can't handle any of our so called government anymore. Whatever party Democrats or Republican they are all just awful. And here I was I was holding out hope. Plus Trump's name sends me over the edge !
    No watching no heart attacks for me.

    Take care and keep knitting.
    cheers, parsnip


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    1. Parsnip, I think the hamish would love IG!

      Oh yes, I have followed all the political scandals for decades. All of them. If you have not read it, I very much recommend Jane Mayer's book, Dark Money.

      Knitting is good! xo

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    2. Political scandals, have worn me down. Clinton was my breaking point especially Vince Foster. The x knew people in the Clinton White House, it was so awful that it has soured me on all my political work.
      I have my "Daily Action" IM everyday and can send messages so much easier to my Senator.

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  3. I hope nothing serious is wrong Frances. I enjoy your views of New York and it is especially interesting to see the snow and hear about the practicalities of the it. Thank you for picturing it. Your posts are like Picture Post news for me!
    Regards and look forward to when you are back. I will continue to see you on Instagram of course.

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    1. Thank you Rachel. I'm okay, just find each day passes by so quickly...some of my "blog time" is now caught up in contacting my elected representatives, and trying to finish some of the excellent books I've been borrowing from the library.

      I'll never give up sharing my city views over here. I'm so fortunate to have connected with lots of great folks (like you) all around the world via blogging. xo

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  4. Such intricate patterns! You knit and crochet beautifully. Those projects certainly do not allow your mind to stray much to other matters ..
    Thank you for the photos of a snowy New York

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    1. I appreciate your comment very much. Knitting can sometimes keep some horrid news a little more away from the front of my mind...even if knitting cannot be a magic wand.

      I'll definitely be posting again...after all spring will arrive soon. xo

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  5. Hello Frances, how lovely your artwork is. I admire your awesome ability to combine the colours so harmoniously. It is so sad to see more and more bloggers leave, first it was FB, now it is IG, ppphhhhh. I know it is difficult to blog, I struggle myself but I will miss your entries.

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    1. Bayou, it's grand to hear from you, as always. Not to worry...I am not leaving blogland...it's more that keeping up with so many other current interests is stealing time away. I love the blogging medium and the wonderful community I've discovered via sharing my city views. xo

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  6. I am in awe of your intricate knitting Frances. I can't knit to save my life...or crochet for that matter.
    Thank you for showing us the snowy streets of New York. One of my dreams is to walk in Central Park in the snow.
    I think we are all feeling overwhelmed with everything going on in the political world.
    Come back soon Frances....you will be missed.
    Hugs from The UK-x-

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    1. Sheila...those kind words are greatly appreciated. Yes, much current news developments are odd and getting more odd.

      Yesterday's Presidential press conference alarmed me. Here in NYC, we have been aware of the new President's character for decades and truly still are in a bit of denial that he is President.
      I'll be posting more blog city views before long. Promise! xo

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  7. Sometimes we need to step back for a while, but don't disappear, dear Frances.

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    1. Elizabeth, I won't disappear. I'll be using some of my "blog time" to contact my elected representative and take part in other actions.
      xo

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  8. Such lovely items you are creating, Frances! I haven't managed to post a blog entry since the election. I hope to start again before this month is out. Take care.

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    1. Wilma...grand to hear from you...all the way from beautiful Belize! I have been missing your posts and the way that they allow me to see a very different part of our shared world.

      Yesterday's press conference was frightening to watch, even though I was knitting away the entire 75 minutes.

      I definitely have not given up on blogging. xo

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  9. I can't believe it has been nearly a year since you retired Frances. I watched to news conference in awe, not only did I think he had lost it, but also that so many Americans would have voted that in office. It was unbelievable. I think he is so deep in over his head, he has lost it completely. If they don't impeach him, maybe he'll just up and quit. I remember his offspring saying the presidency was a step down for him. I could just go on forever. Now, I'll miss your posts terribly. please keep in touch. I feel such a kindred spirit in you. Be happy.

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    1. Donna, what you have written expresses what I felt watching those 75 minutes. I just keep contacting my Senators. We New Yorkers are also now being forced to pay for Huge amounts of security around the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, as well as having our our safety affected. Strange Days, as Jim Morrison sang.

      Now...I will be blogging again...promise. It's just right now that I am feeling a bit time-challenged. I agree about our being kindred spirits! xo

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  10. Some of the best days that I have had since retirement have been when I wake up and see snow and know that I don't have to drive to work in that anymore.

    Your pictures of NY in the snow are lovely and brings back memories.

    The news conference was maddening, frightening, and depressing. We need a super-hero or many super-heroes to come along and save us. However, except for a few voices, Washington is very quiet.

    Hopefully, we will see you soon back at Blogger.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment! Yes, snowy days look so different from the retirement vantage point!

      It was amazing that by the day following the recent snow, my neighborhood was almost all clear.

      We may have to be our own super-heroes this time around. It may take a while for some of the politicians to realize that their own power might be affected by affiliation with the President. However, I'm not exactly a fan of the Vice President either.

      It won't be long before I will be blogging again. xo

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  11. I'm waiting for the snow to leave; I still must shovel and clean my car to go to work. Your Fair Isle is incredible. It's been years since I've done such work, and wonder if I could, again. I'm working on a sweater for my granddaughter, and we hope it will be done for this winter, though probably not.
    I'm looking forward to your return. I hope all is well in the meantime.

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    1. Thank you for those knitting compliments, Joanne. I just like the color play that fair isle allows. Sometimes, I will realize that some combo is not what I wanted it to be and just unravel it back a bit to try another color scheme or motif.

      Your granddaughter is lucky that you are making her a sweater. It was my own great auntie that taught me to knit ... about 60 years ago!

      I plan to be blogging again soon. Right now, my days are just a bit too full. xo

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  12. Your fair isle playing reminds me of the baby blankets my mother used to knit for her grandchildren. Like you perhaps I think she enjoyed the planning as much as the knitting. I recently found the blanket she knitted for my son and have draped it over the back of my bedroom chair to admire. She used crowns and anchors and waves and flowers interspersed with geometric shapes and blocks of pattern. Your patchwork blankets look very interesting and so much more complex and beautiful than the memory blankets that are springing up all over the place. Lovely too to see your NY Winter Wonderland and lucky that you can enjoy the view without venturing forth on icy sidewalks.

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    1. Sarah, I enjoyed reading about your mother's knitting. It's grand that you can see that blanket every day.

      It would have been a very strange NYC winter without a true snowstorm. However, now we are hoping for a slow coasting along to truly springtime weather.

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  13. PLease don't stop blogging.I look forward to your news from NYCBeautiful knitting,as always.HOw did you ever find time to go out to work.I

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    1. Forgive my tardiness...I thought that I had sent you a reply to your kind comment. I won't stop blogging, promise! Just trying to get more of a handle on what to accomplish during my waking hours. Now that the weather is getting somewhat warmer, I also want to spend more time over in the Park, as well as keeping in contact with my elected representative.
      (I did have to keep many of my interests "on the shelf" during my many years of employee-dom.) xo

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  14. More snow?! Oh no! I´m not a fan of Instagram at all, I have it, yes, but I dont like the STREAM of pictures all the time...well, that´s me!
    Have a lovely friday Frances!
    Titti

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    1. Titti, I think that might be our last snow of the season...but sometimes we receive a surprising helping of flakes as late as March or even early April.

      I may grow to feel the same way that you do about IG. For now, I don't follow very many folks and don't feel overwhelmed. It's been a pleasure to reconnect with some former bloggers, too. I just post an IG picture when I want to...no fixed schedule...just like my approach to blogging.

      Happy sunny weekend to you! xo

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  15. I have been following your blog lately and have really enjoyed reading about life in New York. Hope you'll be back soon.
    By the way, from the other side of the Atlantic I watched the press Conference held by the President. It was like watching a freakshow.

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    1. Thank you for visiting my posts and leaving me this comment. Yes, seeing that press conference on television as it took place was startling.
      I'll definitely be blogging in the future!

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  16. I'm relieved for you, Frances, that you're not having to battle with that snow. Thank you for sharing your beautiful knitting, you know from IG how much it's cheered me up. Take care of you, Cxx

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    1. Chris, it's good to remember my snow shoveling in front of the shop as something in the past tense. It was strangely enjoyable in a way...great exercise.
      Lots of knitting underway hereabouts! xo

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  17. Beautiful knitting, and lovely snowy pictures. So glad you can now stay home and knit if you wish Frances, instead of battling to work through all weathers. And knitting is such a calming activity at times of turmoil too. Your fair isle is just gorgeous. Hope to see you soon, but in the meantime take care x
    Helen xox

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    1. Thank you for such a kind compliment! You know how much I admire your creativity.

      The current fair isle scarf project continues to exert a calming effect...I'll be posting some photographs before long to show how much longer the scarf has grown, and how the color combinations are evolving. xo

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  18. France's, you are so talented; painting knittimg, photography, blogging... And then everything you do you also do very well!
    I will miss you. I have already noticed your absence on some blogs that I read; I miss your lovely comments there. I'm glad though, you won't be giving up blogging but only taking a little break. I will keep a lookout for new posts. Thank you, Frances.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. Maria, I am so happy to see your comment. Your kind words are very much appreciated. Yes, I am just taking a bit of a break from the time I have been giving to blogland every day.

      I will definitely be blogging again soon, and greatly look forward to visiting other folks' blogs and commenting again. What a big catch up I will have!

      xo

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  19. I do hope more people are taking action like you it will be the only way to get change. Good luck and hope you will come back and share your experiences.

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    1. Trish, thank you for this comment. I am so fortunate to be retired and to have some time to contribute to activities that I do hope will help our country (and perhaps even other parts of our shared world.)
      I will be back to regularly blogging before long. xo

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  20. I sometimes feel we have landed in an alternative universe and can only watch in astonishment... I do envy you the snow fall - it has been a few years now since we had proper, deep, thick snow and it is special when newly fallen. The knitting is sublime. Blogging does seem to be falling off the agenda for so many people, but it's good to keep posting occasionally and keep in touch with blogging friends and I do hope we will see you from time to time as you will be much missed. Keep in touch x

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    1. Dear Marianne, my own thoughts echo what you've commented about the alternative universe. I believe that we might have been lulled into taking certain freedoms for granted, and also not enough vigilance.
      That one day of impressive snow accumulation was fun. Today the temps reached about 18 C.
      Knitting calms me.
      Not to worry that I might have abandoned blogging. No Way! I will definitely stay in touch. xo

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  21. I understand how your president makes you worry. Also in Holland it's the talk of the town.
    I will follow you and your pictures on Instagram but hope to see you soon here again, lovely greetings.

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    1. Thank you, Jolanda. I will definitely be blogging again before too long. It's such a pleasure to be able to visit with you both here and over in IG land, too. xo

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  22. Snow and knitting are a good combination. The addition of scary and irritating news - not so much. We have had endless snow here in Anchorage. But spring will come eventually! I look forward to keeping in touch on Instagram. Enjoy your blog break, Frances!

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    1. Carol, It is grand to be able to leave you a quick comment on your beautiful IG posts, and also have this blogging medium as a way to connect.
      Besides increased correspondence with my elected representatives, I am also reading a super book, Selection Day, by Aravind Adiga. I have a friend who's a cricket fan, and very knowledgeable about this sport which features in the novel. It's good to be able to read about a warm weather game, and have a friendly source who will answer my dumb questions.
      All this while keeping an eye on snowy Anchorage. xo

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  23. I hope you won't be gone for too long, Frances. I am just getting back into Blogdom and I would miss you posts should you be elsewhere!
    From our side of the border the goings on in DC, NYC and in Florida are alarming!

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    1. Pondside, I will be returning to more regular blogging soon. Promise.
      From our side of the border, alarming can seem to be an understatement. xo

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  24. Although not following regularly in the last couple of months, I will miss your posts, Frances! Hope to read from you soon and to see your pretty new knitting maybe finished. I see you are worried and there's a serious reason for that!
    By the way, I sent you the small gift two weeks ago. Hope it reaches you safe and sound!xx

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    1. Dear Rossichka, thank you for your wishes...and for sending the gift. Perhaps I can guess what it might be? I will be keeping a close eye on my mailbox. Thank you so much, in advance!
      I'm just having a little blogging break, to allow time for some other interests.
      Yesterday was beautifully, even strangely, warm and springlike here. I saw lots of snowdrops in Central Park. Love to you. xo

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    2. Today, I saw the first snowdrops here, too!:)

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    3. Rossichka, I am thrilled to report that I have received your delightful gifts. I will email you! xo

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  25. It must be worrying times in the U.S. at the moment. I'll miss your NY posts Frances and hope all is well xx

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    1. I'll be cranking up some more blog posts soon, Gina. I'm just juggling my priorities a bit differently for a while. xo

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  26. I love your snow pictures. We are having a too-early Spring -- beautiful but worrying. The President is not beautiful but he is extremely worrying.

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    1. Thanks Vicki! In the past week, there have been several days when it was "sweater weather" which is very odd for February. Wondering if "odd" is the new normal for various aspects of our lives? xo

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  27. Nice views from your street with snow...good stay at home to knitting and very lovely your works!!Have happy week end

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    1. Gabri, more recent weather has been very spring like...much warmers. Now we are wondering if we have seen the last snow flake of this winter. Happy weekend to you, too! Enjoy being outdoors looking for early flowers. xo

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  28. How strange to see your photos of thick snow just when I am hoping that the first signs of Spring in my garden will lead to better weather, warmer temperatures and less RAIN!!!
    I need the lawns to dry out so that I can give them the first cut of the year - the grass is getting rather too long. The borders look so untidy as well, with last year's browned stems now lying in haphazard fashion all over the place, hiding new growth of primroses, etc. I am hoping to get out there and tackle the gardening jobs very soon! I hope it isn't long before you return to your blog - I haven't been commenting recently but I do try to keep up with my favourite bloggers. - Rosemary x

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    1. Thank you, dear Rosemary, for your comment. It's always so interesting to see how far ahead you all are in welcoming spring! I do envy you your garden. xo

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