Wet Day then Fireworks (and a Giveaway!)

So what happened to wanting to do black and white...? Um, I discovered it was difficult. Herewith last week's Wednesday monsoon...

taken from a bus going down the East Side.

What charming distortions the raindrops make!

As they teem down the windowpane.

Lots of bright colored umbrellas as well as the black ones.

How oddly painterly it looks

and what nice colors.

This umbrella is on its last legs

and this one is positively busted.

Luckily the 4th dawned fine, so all the sellers of patriotic stuff

could set up shop on 23rd Street.

Dallas BBQ celebrates everything.

So, up to the roof at 9:25 pm to take hopeless photos.

 Such fleeting joy 

much better enjoyed without trying to capture it.

My friends at Novica, who sell all sorts of lovely crafts and clothing from all over the world, have offered me two $50 gift codes(one for me and one for one of my readers). I'm probably going to get a pretty Indian blouse. So do write a comment and I'll draw a name next Sunday 14th.

Note: US and Canadian people do not have to pay any customs duty. UK customers seem to have to which seems a pity. Em of Dartmoor Ramblings ended up paying too much around Christmas time....

The Day After Christmas

Wet but not cold.

The snow melting rapidly.

My main blog is now here

Wet Monday

The last day of November, rather damp and chilly as I walk through Union Square.

My main blog has moved here.

Oh,Well....

Waiting for the bus and walking the dog

are rather damp occupations lately.

This morning.

But yesterday afternoon the sky was blue

and there was a little hole in the cloud.

LilyHydrangea thinks it looks like an eye.

So then I thought of Keats:

When I behold, upon the night's starr'd face,
    Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance.......

And Hamlet to Polonious:

 Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel?

ps. maybe I should get a day job......

pss Lala's beautiful plate post from Spain is here.

Wet

Blazing June! Hah!

The man going to work is wet.

The dog is wet.

So are the leaves.

A dry patch under a building's canopy.

Mysterious Night and Wet Morning

 A poem for a wet Friday

Acquainted with the Night by: Robert Frost   I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, O luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night.

This morning was wet.

Had to take the dog out anyway.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Wet May

After an absurdly hot late April, it has reverted: rain and more rain.

The woman on the bus in front of me was dressed for the dead of winter.

Puddles reflected newly leafed branches.

Armfuls of lilac at the green market at Union Square and this curiously

 retro stall selling somewhat healthy cookies.

Somehow a hint of patchouli about it.

It rained in the evening too, and the taxis swished over wet pavement.

Real English weather.

I rather enjoyed it.

Rounded Shapes, Alas, and Evening Sights

A week of afternoon excursions. Here the waitress at Tea and Sympathy on Greenwich Avenue.

Sarah Laurence and I order tea and scones with cream. Yum.

We talk about books. 

Go to her site to see details of the Blogger Book Boost which seems a splendid idea.

All those long dark evenings to be filled with vicarious adventures.........

Here a chair in Tea and Sympathy -- a symphony in brown and sort of round. 

Here another symphony in brown. The pumpkin pie at City Bakery on 18th Street. More round shapes. I have a shot of hot chocolate -- the server thinks a whole cup would be too much. 

Even I have to agree.

To atone for my disgusting greed, I walk home both evenings.

The advantage of rain is that it reflects things.

Here 23rd Street opposite the Chelsea Hotel.

It might be quicker to bike.

Or hitch a ride on a truck on 8th Avenue.

Wet Day/Tagged

Alicia Padron a most wonderful illustrator of charming children's books tagged me to write seven things about myself. (You should go to her site to see the banner of a dog flying over the Empire State Building.)
How can I resist?
So:
1. I love rainy days...the rainier the better...
Here people trudge along 8th Avenue.



2. I revel in reading really long books. Middlemarch and War and Peace are my idea of fun.
Another person on 8th Avenue. Doesn't black and white look more chic somehow?



3. I think people who talk on cell phones while checking out at the super market are excessively rude. Is the salesclerk not worthy of 'Good morning' at least? They should pay $20 extra as an 'unpleasant person' tax.



4. I like the crossing guard's super bright slicker. (You can see I'm running out of puff here...)



5. Being inside on a wet evening is bliss. Time to read all those long, long books...
6. My favorite food is probably bread --hot, crusty bread straight from the oven with butter and crunchy honey or strawberry jam.



7. In case you have fallen asleep at the dullness of this post, I throw in a photo of me as a drippy hippie selling beads I'd made on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence circa 1973
Once upon a time....

Wet Day

Very mild and warm.
The leaves painting the sidewalks yellow.
The little playground (upper middle) deserted as yet.



The traffic passing by obliging by being red and yellow.
All the gardening machines the workers think necessary outside getting wet.



They painted these designs on the street a few months ago. To point space aliens in the direction of 8th Avenue perhaps.