Friday, December 14, 2007

Christmas time in the City

Don't you love this little "Happy Holidays" sign on Fifth Avenue across from Saks and St. Patrick's Cathedral? Yeah. Happy Holidays, and oh, by the way, ain't no buses stopping here during the "holidays" so just move along.

Another little storm blew through yesterday, but we didn't see much snow in Midtown. Imagine my surprise when I came up from the subway at 116th to find a couple of inches of snow and slush! What a difference 72 blocks uptown make! Another one's due tomorrow night. I should just miss it, as I fly out tomorrow afternoon.

Remember Calvin? Today was his last day. He is now officially retired from the MTA, so I won't hear his "Good Mornings" as I pile out of the #6 Downtown train onto the platform at Grand Central Station. I gave him a fond farewell and a retirement card. I also sent a good word to the MTA folks about him a few weeks back. Maybe they'll give him a little bonus.

At the risk of being really politically incorrect, I think the new "green" Christmas lights on the big tree at Rockefeller Plaza are lame. Little tiny specks of too-bright color. Not nearly as wonderfully soothing as the big ol' incandescent bulbs. And those awful little lights are taking the place of the soft golden/white bulbs all over the city. Now everything is bright blue/white. Yuck. Like those ugly headlights that cars have now. No wonder everyone has a headache. I'm a very environment-friendly gal, but I do draw the line at purdy lights. And the eco-friendly ones are just irritating. Kinda like the difference between old cel animation and new-fangled computery stuff.

Tomorrow, I head out of NYC and back to the ATL for Christmas. So the next time you hear from me, I'll be in the middle "Christmas in Dixie." By now in New York City, there's snow on the ground . . . and in Atlanta, Georgia, there's peace on earth tonight.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, MaryB, and safe travels!

Anonymous said...

I've been cooking all afternoon.
Osso Bucco is out of the oven cooling, to go in the fridge until Sun. morning (Italian food is always better when it sits for a day or two) when it will be re-heated and I make a big ol' pile of orzo. Can't you just hear Mother and the aunts questioning our sanity and culinary taste and what a very strange Christmas feast. That and the bottle of dry white wine used in my dish. Now all there is to do is transport it over the hill to Dahlonega.
Have a safe trip and please pack those little cheese cakes well. I am really looking forward to those. See ya Sunday.
Bro.

Anonymous said...

Hope your travels are safe, your holidays cheerful, and your visit with family and friends just smacked full of Southern grace. And pecans, of course.

Winston
http://nobodyasked.com

Joy Des Jardins said...

Safe travels Mary....the Merriest of Christmases to you my friend.

Hey, even though they got stuck in a frustrating traffic jam....Bella and Bastian got to see the 'big tree' in the City this year. They drove with mommy and daddy all the way from New Jersey. Christmas in the City....is grand.