Last Legs?

I was on my way to the hardware store today, but couldn't reach it directly because of a traffic accident.  So I took a detour, and ended up going by this house on a corner on a street that I never go down.  I do go down the next street over on my bike when on the way to buy bagels.  I was stunned when I saw this house in such bad condition, and for a moment wondered why I had never seen it before.  It has a fence around it, but there are signs of fresh wood visible in some places inside.  The rear of the roof probably hasn't had shingles on it for more than 20 years.  So I am wondering if someone is going to restore it.  It seems like monumental project, though.  Stay tuned.

The High Line, Revisited

After we spent time at the 9/11 Memorial, I suggested that we go uptown some and explore the High Line, one of my newest favorite things.  Vince and Jo Anne and Kathy really enjoyed seeing this amazing place.  They loved the plantings and the old railroad tracks, and the creative design and all the places to sit.  And then this...  I have showed you the sculpture before, and there is always a crowd around it.  But this was really unusual - I took this shot over the shoulder of a woman wedding photographer after she did this photograph.  I have no idea where the bride is, in case you wondered.

Beware the Oculus!

This is a new building which opened recently, known as the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.  It used to be called just the PATH station where trains run from Manhattan to New Jersey.  They are not finished with construction but the station is open.  They call this building "The Oculus" which seems to be a misnomer, because an "oculus" is a circular opening in the centre of a dome or in a wall.  Santiago Calatrava, designer of the station, said the Oculus resembles a bird being released from a child's hand. The hub is composed of a train station with a large and open mezzanine under the National September 11 Memorial plaza.  I have been looking forward to seeing the inside of this for a couple of years now.  

Penn Station Decorated for the Holiday

When we arrived in Penn Station yesterday I immediately noticed the American flags hanging from the ceiling of the concourse.  I had never seen that before - at least I don't think I ever did.  I liked the subtlety of this - a nice way to celebrate July 4th.

9/11 Memorial

Vince wanted to visit the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan, so we went in today.  We just toured the outside part of the memorial, deciding not to see the underground part.  I have seen the underground museum, and it is a wrenching experience, taking you back to the days of the attacks and destruction.  Not for the faint of heart.  The outside plaza with the memorial pools are just sublime for so many reasons, and they are very calming.  The fact that the pools exist in the footprint of where the two World Trade Center towers once existed is very powerful as well.  This part of the memorial is called "Reflected Absence" and was designed by Israeli architect Michael Arad.  We should be thankful for his understated brilliance.  Of course, half the people who visit the memorial do selfies of themselves and the site.  The pools, by the way, are one acre each in size, and are the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States.

Mysterious Flowers

I have passed these flowers on my bike rides dozens of times.  But today, as I was cycling along, I had on my mind that I hadn't come up with a photo for the blog yet.  The flowers flashed by on my right and I kept going.  Then I thought, "Don't be dumb.  Stop NOW!"  So I turned around and came back.  I always carry my iPhone with me, and that's what I used to take this photograph.  Worth stopping for, right?  Notice how I am not mentioning the kind of flowers these are?  That's because I haven't a clue.   But fortunately I know I have knowledgeable readers, and they will know what flowers these are.

Oh No! The Relatives Are Here!

OK, so "Oh No" is a joke!  It is a joy to have relatives visit.  And look, we're using the new back room!  Vince and Jo Anne are down from Rochester for the week, and Neil came down from Connecticut for a couple of days.  What a wonderful gathering.  Sitting around talking and enjoying each other's company.  Oh, and then there is the food.  Kathy has been working overtime on wonderful things for us to eat.  Note to my sisters who just visited:  We had Chicken Simon & Garfunkel this evening, just as we did when you were here!