LIFE IN GENERAL – I listened to Billy Joel’s song this past week and feel like I understand it for the first time ever. There is definitely a state of mind that you fall into living here. Not sure if it is the pace, the activity, or just the general spirit and excitement of the city. It feels invigorating AND challenging at the same time.
The week was generally quiet. The beginning of the week was beautiful with a couple cool days and hardly any humidity. By Wednesday, that was gone though and the heat and humidity were back up to uncomfortable levels.
FOOD – My adventure with food this week involved a trip to Katz Delicatessen. Their story starts “Back in 1888 a small deli by the name of Iceland Brothers was established on Ludlow Street in New York’s Lower East Side by the Iceland brothers. Upon the arrival of Willy Katz in 1903, the name of the store was officially changed to “Iceland & Katz”. Willy’s cousin Benny joined him in 1910, buying out the Iceland brothers to officially form Katz’s Delicatessen.”
I went there after church, arriving around 1:00 pm only to find a long line outside. I’m told there is always a line at Katz Deli. So you wait in the line outside and then you wait in another line inside with a meat cutter who cuts the meat and prepares your sandwich. Oh my was it good. I had a Reuben that was too big to eat. You really need to go there in a group.
CHURCH: My place of worship this week was Calvary St. George’s Episcopal Church on the lower east side of Manhattan. It is a beautiful church. The homily was fabulous and the pianist and soloist were wonderful. A perfect Sunday service.
According to the church website, “The life of a parish is like the life of a family, and the parish of Calvary, St. George’s, and Holy Communion in the City of New York traces its roots to 1749 when Trinity Church established the Chapel of St. George’s on Beekman Street in lower Manhattan. Over the years, the congregation developed in strength, until in 1811 it became a self-supporting parish of the Episcopal Church. In 1846, St. George’s moved to Stuyvesant Square.”
THE TENEMENT MUSEUM – After lunch I walked a ways to Chinatown and made a stop at The Tenement Museum. Now that was a find. I took one of their tours and learned about working women of the time.
LADY LIBERTY – The heat is back and humidity came with it. Looks like the week ahead will continue with temps in the 80’s and humidity in upper levels.
ELLIS ISLAND – Day 2 at Ellis Island is complete. I’m learning so much and am enjoying my time there.
ARGOSY BOOKSTORE -Argosy Book Store, founded in 1925, is now in its third generation of family ownership. The oldest and only remaining family owned bookstore in NYC.
THE WHITNEY MUSEUM – The Whitney Museum of American Art was incredible. I found it interesting although I must admit my art appreciation has some challenges. I often feel overwhelmed by the piece or feel little if any understanding of the piece. I shared that with an artist I met and she offered me some suggestions. Art, she says, is not something everyone will like. However, if you can focus on one part of the piece and appreciate that it will help. Look at the technique the artist used or maybe their choice of colors or even the style of the presentation. Concentrate on appreciating that first. Worry less about understanding the actual piece if it feels overwhelming. Just focus on the small parts. Great advice and I can’t wait to try this out at my next museum stop.
MAIL – Thanks for all the mail this week. You really made my week! Amber, Kyle, Anna, Katie, Dana, Jack, and Luke. And thanks to those of you who called. What a treat to hear from friends and family.
Here are a couple random family pictures and shout outs to my grandkids who started (or will start) school this week. The only one missing is Michaela, who is busy starting her senior year in high school.
