Publisher, Full Access NYC
It was 11pm on a Sunday and 4 balls of sourdough dough sat on my counter. They had been rested, stretched, rested again and were nestled in their baskets ready for an overnight proof in the refrigerator.
Then I felt the urge to bake. But why turn the oven on when most people are going to bed? Because I had some very special loaves to work on.
Claude Monet’s Garden is located about 1.5 hours outside of Paris. If you are spending some time in Paris or the north of France, this striking garden is something to put on your travel itinerary. I had spent an afternoon in Giverny visiting the grounds and taking pictures as quickly as my camera would allow. It is a gorgeous space and if you are looking to bring back some concepts for your own garden (or purchase some seeds to plant) Monet has you covered.
There is a large kettle of water right behind the counter, in plain sight of everyone in the store. Bagels are boiled and go through their preparation right as patrons are placing their orders.
We all recognize some of the historical or interesting places in the cities where we live. And we all fall into the pattern of being comfortable excusing ourselves as being too busy to go or rationalizing we will visit another day. Those days turn into months which turn into years. I am guilty of this and the Morgan Library is a prime example. It’s right on Madison Avenue and I have literally passed it 1,000 times. And finally, one rainy Friday evening, I forced myself to walk through the doors and couldn’t have been happier.
A few things in the NY retail scene make me happy.
100 year old family businesses, preferably that have been in the same location or neighborhood where they started.
Shops that are about 150 square feet, crammed with all manner of products.
Specialty food shops.
New York has some distinct historical advantages. If you wanted to visit the final resting place of our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant, simply head to 122nd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Like new adventures or last minute plans? Well, keep your ears open, especially when you’re in a new city and sitting on local public transit.
I was heading to Philadelphia for 12 hours and got to the city about 3 hours before the event I was attending. As I sat on the SEPTA between Trenton and Philly, I overheard a father and son talking about the Auto Show that was in town (and where they were going.)
A quick google search later, I saw the show was at the convention center (right above the train stop where I was going to exit) and since it was February and cold out, this was clutch. Entry was $14 (perfect.) And just like that I have my local activity for the afternoon.
The Baylander (IX-514), long since retired from naval service has found it’s way up the Hudson and is docked at the West Harlem Piers off 125th street.
The culmination of years (that turned into decades) of digging and construction was realized today with the public opening of the second avenue subway line.
Lookup the definition of serenity and San Diego is likely to appear. You might also take a page from Frank Costanza’s playbook and repeat “serenity now” as you board your west coast bound flight to escape a New York winter.
