The Lord is still in New York city

When I began this site many moons ago, I titled it, "She romanticized New York city way out of proportion." While things in my life have changed in very big ways, my love of New York remains the same. I recently returned from New York where we celebrated Michael and Summer's birthdays (they share the same birthday) with friends and family. As we sat in our favorite pizzeria in the Upper East Side, I sat back sipping my wine and watching this wonderful group of people- Michael, his brother and his wife, his cousins, my daughter, her husband and the babies, and my darling former student Lizzy, all immersed in interesting conversation. The feel of New York is different. Everything looks better, tastes better, is better.

We spent the days strolling the streets, visiting the Chelsea galleries and markets, and in true New York fashion, I bought a pair of black Gucci pumps. This was one of the highlights of my trip. I was walking down a street in Chelsea and met a young, very fashionable girl, sitting on her apartment stoop holding a baby. She had just put out some items- the Gucci shoes, some children's books, and some vintage fabrics. She was cleaning out her apartment to make room for the baby and was having a little sidewalk sale. I asked if the shoes were for sale and she explained that she "used to wear a size 8 before the baby but since having the kid she can't fit into any of her shoes." "How much?" I asked. "$20." Sold. They're a little big but who cares! I walked away with my $20 Gucci shoes and a $1 children's book- Madeline- my favorite. Ah, New York.

I spent an afternoon on the Sex in the City tour with Summer visiting all the locations from the hit series. My favorite moment was sitting on Carrie Bradshaw's stoop and drinking cosmos at Steve and Aiden's bar. We had cheese and wine on the 39th floor in Long Island City, saw the "Summer of Love" exhibit at the Whitney, drank la la lalos at Cafe Lalo, sampled blueberry, pomegranate, and passion fruit margueritas with Denice and Lucia, danced to bubbles with Riley, made London giggle, and hung out with my Italian family in New Haven. The best part of New York these days is that I'm with a man who loves it as much as I do (well, almost as much). New York is the greatest city in the world. If you haven't visited, go now. Just be warned, once you experience New York, it will be in your soul forever.

"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years." -Thomas Wolfe