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Good afternoon from New York on a hot and humid August day.
I regret to report that the fellows continue the drilling on the facade of the apartment building I call home. I keep hoping that this project will soon be finished.
Some days when the drilling is focused in a place very near my apartment I can find a sense of sanctuary in Central Park.
Since it is late August, the Park has a very overgrown, blowsy appearance. In some areas, there is even a wildness about the overgrown shrubs, lawns and drying leaves. It seems a bit crispy.
However, there are still plenty of places to just sit and enjoy the drill-free space.
The Park's late summer flower show is very different from its springtime version.
The shades of green are mature greens, like the darker greens of vegetables that are good for you. The yellow flowers that now bloom where springtime daffodils bloomed look so different.
Little yellow berries are turning a shiny red.
The Lake's algae has an unpleasant green shade. I would not find a rowboat to be a romantic voyage at this time of the year.
Invisible insects or other animals are nibbling at some leaves.
These pretty little orchidy blooms look so delicate with the back lit ferns behind them.
As I was looking at the very tall ferns growing in the Shakespeare Garden, I heard voices and looked up to see a group of folks gathering at an entrance to this Garden. A wedding was about to take place there.
There were a few other folks, like myself, who were not wedding guests but were just enjoying a stroll.
I thought that these multi-colored leaves were quite lovely. I think that most of them were some variety of coleus.
Here's another view of the leafy expanse.
You all can tell from these pictures that the dominant color in the Garden was green.
Lots of leggy, stalky plants and flowers on display in this show.
I thought that the colors of these leaves seemed iridescent. I like the accent of those few yellow flowers, too.
When I walked back home from the Park, I passed by the grounds of The Museum of Natural History. I liked the look of the white bike against the black railings.
The prior photographs were taken some weeks ago, on the same date at the "Super Moon" appeared in its grand fullness. I could not resist taking a walk outside just after sunset, to see the moon rise over the treetops of Central Park.
Yes, I know my photographs are not good, but they do give you all an idea of how this natural phenomenon matched up against the competing electric street lights and building lights and vehicular lights along West 72nd Street.
I took those photographs in the same area where I have taken photographs of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I noticed quite a few other moon gazers out on the sidewalk with me.
The next couple of pictures were taken more recently, to show a very gaudy street planter's bounty.
The large motorcycle parked next to one of these planters gives you an idea of the scale of that planter. The planters are actually there for security purposes, to prevent a vehicle from crashing into a certain Barnes & Noble book store across the street from Union Square Park. This is another example of a city view.
As I near the end of this post, I wanted to show you all my almost finished current knitting project. It is another of the fair isle tubular knit cowls. I've used many shades of green, and blue-green, with a touch of ivory and cream throughout.
When I saw this photograph of length of the color progressions, it reminded me of seeing a display of men's shirts, with checkered ties. Do you all see that, too?
As I have been typing these words, drilling has been ongoing. It's now just about 4 p.m., and so there's only about an hour more to go of the insistent percussion. Perhaps it's time for another little walk outdoors.
Thank you all so much for your visits and comments. I am looking forward to seeing the coming change of season here in New York, and promise to share my impressions with you.
Good afternoon from a hot and humid New York City.
In my last blog, I was complaining about the noise being made by a skilled team of workers who are doing some required maintenance on my apartment building's facade. That work is ongoing. I received a notice from the building's manager indicating that on August 8 this noise, with accompanying dust, will reach new heights.
I keep thinking that every day will bring the project nearer to completion. This must be true.
Meanwhile, I manage to continue with some of my own projects. The above photograph shows the blocking of my lacy Halligarth shawl, knit from a Brooklyn Tweed pattern designed by Gudrun Johnston. I love the look of the multicolored blocking "jigsaw" squares peeking through the lace.
This was the first time that I'd used blocking wires, and it was interesting to see how using these wires, pinned at intervals through the shawl into the blocks below, really did transform the stitches.
The following photograph is poor, but it does give an idea of how I was able to get more definition to the points of the scalloped edging. If any of you all reading this post are knitters who've been wondering whether to invest in some blocking wires, I would recommend them.
Even when the air is hot, and there is not much of a breeze, it's still good to get outdoors for a walk. The exercise is good, and there's always something to catch the eye.
These patterns in these photographs of sidewalk shadows made by mid-afternoon sunlight passing through a gateway on my street reminded me somewhat of some the knitting I've been doing.
That particular afternoon, I decided to take a walk down to Lincoln Center, the performing arts center just a few blocks down Broadway. It was a Sunday afternoon, and I passed by a regular Sunday sidewalk attraction. These flowers are leftovers from some sort of wholesale florist establishment, being sold by folks who have found a way to salvage them.
Most of the flowers always look a bit bedraggled, but clearly some folks are attracted by them and make purchases. Behind these orchids you can see multi-colored "street furniture" that contain various free newspapers.
The reason I was headed to Lincoln Center was that afternoon's Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors concert, a tribute to the late folk singer and environmental activist Pete Seeger. As I'd expected the intense heat had not kept crowds away.
I think that you can just about make out the stage in the background of the above photograph. There are lots of seats arranged in rows in front of the stage, but on this particular afternoon, there were thousands more folks milling around, sitting on the plaza grounds, and actually sitting on the street and sidewalks just outside the Lincoln Center property.
A powerful sound system had been designed to provide balanced sound for the folks sitting in the rows of folding chairs. It was very difficult to hear anything very musical above the din made by all the other folks who were chatting with each other. I felt sorry for tired and cranky children who'd been brought by their parents to this sort of historic concert.
It was all too much for me. I decided to just walk back home, and try to find a cooling breeze on Broadway.
There would be other concerts, other days.
My building is not the only one in the City that is having repair work done during July and August. I found this usually elegant Upper East Side doorway looking a bit underwhelmed by the various posted building permits. I am sure that all will be clear and shiny again by September.
I have continued to make weekly visits to the Union Square Farmers Market, and took this photograph to show another leafy part of Union Square. Just behind those flowering shrubs, there are some tables and chairs where you can rest in the shade.
And in the open, paved area where the Farmers Market stands are pitched, we continue to be dazzled by fruit, veg and flowers. I am happy to report that ripe tomato season has finally arrived!
In my walks around the City, I've also encountered more flowers planted in front of various apartment buildings. Many different color schemes are in play.
There are very few retail shops along upper Park Avenue where the atmosphere is elegantly residential. However, there are a few florist shops. The next picture shows a lavish display in front of one such shop. The orchids on the inside of this shop looked much prettier than those I saw on the Broadway sidewalk.
These pretty blooms were in a planter just outside the doorway of a posh apartment building. I did not see or hear any noisy, dusty construction going on at this location.
Once again I will give you a glimpse of a current knitting project, another fair isle cowl, knitted as a tube on a circular needle.
I am exploring combinations of neutral colors. Some of the colors of the wool are so close (yet very different) that it's necessary to do this knitting in natural light.
When I began typing this post, I was certain that a thunderstorm would occur before I'd clicked on Publish. However, once again, Mother Nature has surprised me. The air has become less humid, without a storm. The sky is blue. Perhaps it's a perfect time for a little walk.
As always, I thank you all for your visits and comments. It was my intention to post more frequently during July, but laziness took over. I wonder if August will be different?
Good morning from sunny New York City.
We've now entered into the days of heat and humidity. Dramatic thunder and lightening, accompanied by heavy showers, add to the excitement of city life.
Strange little City mini-parks contain exuberant flowering displays cheer us as we walk the hot sidewalks. I try to stay in the shade.
During my days off, I also try to stay indoors during the midday hours. I have a fan and cross-ventilation, but no air conditioning. This summer an unwanted complication has entered into my primitive climate control strategy. Maintenance work is being done on the apartment building's exterior. Teams of men arrive at 8 a.m. and leave around 4 p.m. During their work hours they ride up and down on complex automated scaffolding platforms, stopping at a particular floor. They use very noisy drills in their work. While they are nearby one's own floor, one is advised to keep window/s and blinds closed.
This gives an interesting silhouette. The noise and vibration of their necessary work really does disturb the peace.
I have tried to stay away when the workmen are very near my floor. It's more fun to meet friends in cooler, calmer places. I took the bus over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the East Side, and was impressed by the curbside plantings outside some of the impressive apartment buildings across Fifth Avenue from the Museum.
These plantings were very well groomed, and quite different from those plantings behind the fence at Shermsn Square.
It was great fun to meet a friend at the Met and see some excellent exhibits featuring Pre-Raphaelite art, William Morris wallpaper, Byzantine design, and Indian miniature paintings inspired by ragas. Each of these exhibits was beautiful and peaceful, and contained lots of imagery based on nature.
I returned home after 4 p.m. and continued with my current knitting project. Yes, I am knitting with wool.
Using a cool blue and green color assortment seems more comfortable than using firey reds.
I like the notion that I might also be inspired by nature.
This project is being knitted as a tube on a circular needle. I will eventually use that tricky kitchener stitch to attach the ends of the tube to create a cowl. The cowl will be going into my Etsy shop. Cooler weather will arrive.
New York City has complex rules for curbside parking. I cannot understand why anyone would want to own a car in this city, although many folks do own cars. I rely on public transportation and my two feet, but sometimes take a cab.
This week as the sun goes down I have seen a vast array of taxis parked on my street.
The reason for this is the observance of Ramadan by the drivers of these cabs. There is a mosque in the neighborhood.
I hope that you all will enjoy seeing some of these summer city views. It has been a pleasure to see your comments and to see some new followers, too. Thank you so much for your response to my last post's tribute to Paul Mazursky.
Good evening from New York on the first evening of July.
I'll quickly apologize for not having posted in a while, without detailing all sorts of alibis.
Let me quickly upload a photo of a view from my current neighborhood before traveling a bit back in time.
The featured obelisk is not at all attractive to my eye, but it is typical of what is being built in NYC these days.
This evening I would like to remember a time in the mid-1970's when I returned to live in New York after a brief return to my Virginia roots. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to move into a huge, but spartan loft space in the downtown neighborhood that had been named by real estate interests as SoHo. South of Houston Street.
By the time I paid a fixture fee to the prior tenant (a model who was moving to Greece) and got the keys to the building from the landlady, with our mutual awareness that the space was not officially residential, galleries and a few restaurants had already set up business in an area that previously had been HQ for a variety of light industries, primarily in the textile trade.
Rents were cheap, one had to know someone to gain access to such places, plumbing was primitive, winters were chilly indoors. The notion of gentrification was just coming into the lexicon.
I still treasure my years in my Greene Street loft. A year before I moved into this space, a movie was filmed in a loft across the street and the movie's final scene was actually filmed in the street itself.
The film was and is An Unmarried Woman.
I currently work in a shop in SoHo. Nowadays, SoHo is mostly an urban shopping area. The artists have moved. The galleries have moved. Still, it's a destination for visitors from all over the world. Luxury hotels and international luxury retailers have set up business in SoHo.
A year or so ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I spoke with a gentleman who'd entered my workplace. I am now officially a senior citizen, and he was my elder. I enquired if I could help him find something, and he wistfully replied, thank you, but I am looking for something that doesn't exist anymore.
I am a curious person, and asked him to tell me more. It was then that he began to tell me that he'd once made a movie in this area.... I began to blush as I quickly realized that I was speaking with Paul Mazursky.
Mr. Mazursky's obituary has appeared today. I am doubly, perhaps triply, honored to have had the opportunity to meet him, to tell him how much I loved his movies, particularly An Unmarried Woman, and that I could indeed tell him where his remarkable, still very important movie, was filmed.
We had a lovely chat, and I know my blush deepened with every sentence. I "directed" Mr. Mazursky to the block of Greene Street that he was looking for.
Perhaps those of you who read this post might have seen the film, or some of the other films that Mr. Mazursky either wrote or directed. If not, you are in for a treat when you do get around to seeing them.
If you have seen them, then perhaps you will share my thoughts about his talent, and the way in which he was able to translate a very unique New York City time and place into film.
Thank you all for your visits here and your comments.
Good evening from New York on June 6, a date that has great historic resonance.
Seeing the group portrait of international representatives arranged for today's Normandy portrait does make me wonder about how far we have come. How far have we come?
Having posed that question, let me skip merrily along to offering you all some city views from New York.
A week ago, I put on my multi-colored leafy shetland wool cardigan, knit many, many years ago from a Susan Duckworth design, and met my friend Elizabeth at the Union Square farmers market.
Possible rain was in the forecast, but I bravely left my umbrella at home. If you visit Elizabeth's About New York post, you'll get an idea of how we found shelter, and info about uses for chive flowers. As the shower got gentler, we made our way to a favorite cafe for tea. And a catch up conversation.
The rain had returned by the time we left the cafe, and so we said our farewells and I scampered into the nearest subway station to return back up to the West Side.
When I got back to my neighborhood the streets were still wet, but the sun was back. I wished to see a rainbow, but was disappointed.
I'm sure that I've shown you a view of the Ansonia building a time or three in past posts. It is rather grand rising above Broadway, and its halls are filled with ghosts of many famous actors and singers who lived there. It's possible that some famed folks still manage to live there in its current status. I have known some folks whose tenancy status fell afoul of fierce and determined real estate interests.
Looking south, or downtown on Broadway, you can see some evidence of the unromantic real estate encouraged architecture that, though tall, does not really measure up to the beauty of the Ansonia.
Back in the last century the little area that adjoined the 72nd Street subway station was known as Needle Park. The young Al Pacino starred in a movie that had scenes set this this area.
Nowadays, many folks who pass through this area know it only as Verdi Park. There are roses there.
There are now two 72nd Street subway station houses. The following photo shows a view of the uptown exit (at 73rd Street) of the newer station house. Dogwood tree branches shade benches available to subway riders or neighborhood folks wishing to rest their feet.
You can see that the pavement around the station is still damp from the showers. The following photograph shows the statue of Verdi that graces part of the little park.
On that afternoon, as I stood on 72nd Street, between the uptown and downtown subway station buildings, I liked the vantage point of the view down Broadway.
You all can see the various recycling rubbish binds, the police car parked in front of the downtown station house, a city bus making its way up Broadway, and some uninspired architecture lining Broadway in the West 70's and 60's.
Here is another view. The tall building just to the right of the center of the photograph is from an earlier era. The Sleepy sign shows the way to a mattress store.
I keep wishing for more spare time, and truly hope to be able to report soon that I will have more spare time to get around New York City, sharing more pictures with you all.
Today was a lovely day, and I made another visit to the Union Square farmers market. Although I myself cannot quite spot it now, I know that when I took the following photo, it was because a translucent winged dragonfly was nestling amongst these shiny green leaves.
Today's greenmarket visit was a quick one, and I returned to my neighborhood to complete some errands, before getting back home for some knitting.
As I walked towards my favorite grocery store, The Fairway Market, I noticed the marquee on the Beacon Theater, just across Broadway. How blase I have become.
Over the years I have seen many fine performances at the Beacon. Notably, many shows by The Kinks. The Beacon was once an elaborately decorated cinema. It's been through many eras. Nowadays, the seats don't have springs that spring through threadbare upholstery.
The ticket booth is pretty, but you'd be wise to book your tickets ahead via the internet. Do stay clear of the sidewalk scalpers.
Back home this afternoon, I managed to add some more rows to my Gudrun Johnston lacy shetland shawl. It's growing slowly, but steadily.
Here's a closer view.
And here's an even closer view with the pattern stretched out a bit to show the diamond design. It's fun to knit with the Madelinetosh yarn.
And, still indoors, here's another close up view. While at today's farmers market I bought some brilliantly fresh asparagus, and as a visual treat, also brought home this pretty upright fuchsia plant. I so hope that I will be able to keep it flowering for quite a few weeks. I even consulted a Martha Stewart website for care information.
Dear readers, please wish this lovely plant luck on my windowsill.
Thank you all for your visits and comments. I am delighted to have a new follower. Returning to my opening paragraph on this June 6, I would venture that the global community that our blogging makes possible is something that gives positive hope for the future of our actual physical global community.
Best wishes to you all.
