"Little Lamb Who Made Thee...
These are a few of my Favorite Things...
Denzel and I -- Perfect Together!
"The Taking of Pelham..." was not my first choice movie, but my college roommate Jane wanted to see it and in this time of summer, when the choices are few for folks older than sixteen, I agreed. Generally I don't see scary movies, and the first half hour of this one really scared me. I stuck it out and liked it. Great shots of New York City and as someone who loves mass transit, I found the train scenes fascinating.
But my most compelling thought was that it was great to see the lead, a middle-aged civil servant depicted as handsome and smart. I'm coming up to my 21st anniversary in government this week and I've met a lot of civil servants along the way. Some of the brightest and hardest working people I know work in government. Some of our colleagues are less bright and less hard working, but I don't think that's unique to government. I like seeing the media depict folks who are 40+ as intelligent and attractive, and in this movie Denzel is both. It's a rare moment when I write a thank you note to Hollywood, but this is one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Just like my mother told me many years ago, you have to be a friend to have friends. Same is true in Blogworld. And so I set off to make friends. I wasn't actually looking for friends, I was looking for interesting blogs to read and to be part of a blog community. I looked for blogs of middle years folks and blogs of writers and found some wonderful people all over the world. One blog led to another and to another and to another and now I can genuinely say I have blog friends, or more accurately blog sisters.
What a lovely community I have found! From Texas to West Virginia, from New Zealand and New York, England to India and Indiana, Oklahoma and Arizona and Alabama and a dozen points around the world. I have had two sad times in the last few months and you have been supportive and caring. I can't thank you enough dear blog sisters, you are all the best!
"We will grieve not but rather find...
"My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold... ...
This is a Temporary Interruption
At some point I will blog retrospectively for Bastille Day (July 14) and declare a Buttercup Holiday for Kristen's birthday. No fear, Buttercup will be back!
Long before...
The Church is still on the corner and the little park on Sixth Avenue is named for Father Demo, the long term pastor.
In a lucky fluke, as part of my job I needed to go to a photo shoot in the neighborhood. The shoot took no more than ten minutes and I got to meander slowly back to the subway, enjoying the good luck that put me in the West Village, one of my favorite areas in NYC, in the middle of a perfect summer afternoon. I only had to walk one block out of my way to be at my favorite gelato store, Grom. And so I found myself this afternoon sitting in my favorite gelato store, eating a cup of my favorite flavor of gelato, (tiramisu, if you're wondering) and listening to one of my favorite songs, "Landslide" sung by Stevie Nicks.
I'm Overwhelmed
We Have a Winner...
It's my birthday!
Our site to celebrate. We had a lovely time, but we were so lonely for our dear Barbara, whose birthday was July 6. How we miss her!
Tonight -- on my actual birthday -- I will be celebrating with Mary. I am one lucky duck!
Happy birthday to all the July babies! Wishes for love and laughter and larkspurs!
P.S. On the way to the restaurant tonight I passed Magnolia Bakery, well known for cupcakes and "Sex and the City."
A giveaway for Happy 100...
Sunday in the Park with Buttercup...
Columbus Circle fountains
Tonight on Wall Street, facing Brooklyn
Two thoughts on blog comments -- love those comments! Please keep them coming.
Yes, a trip to Montana -- especially with a few folks near and dear to me is a great idea. Next summer???
Happy to feature my dining room table in a post to come. It would be fun to set it with some of my "treasures." I'd like to see some table treasures of my blog friends. We could call it "Table Talk Tuesday."
Thankfully my aunt is doing a little better and hugs and birthday wishes to dear Amy.
My next post is #100. Hurray! Thinking of a little giveaway to say thanks to all who stop by and visit.
Closer to Home
This picture was taken one Memorial Day weekend in the early 1990s, and what a happy memory it is.
Dear gentle readers, hope you are having a good weekend. I spent yesterday with my cousins in Connecticut. Unfortunately my aunt is in the hospital and having a tough time. Keeping my aunt and Amy of "THERE'S AN ANGEL ON MY PORCH" in my thoughts and prayers.
Happy July 4th!
Continued thanks that America still exists today and prayers and hopes that it will exist many centuries forward.