Traces of the Founding Merchants
and continuation of a good thing:
Expectations
My favorite dog in the whole world is an English Springer Spaniel. Had one in another life and consider it the dearest of dogs. So to this day, when I see an English Springer Spaniel on a walk, my heart skips a beat. Not only does it skip a beat, but I look at the dog fondly, and as I approach it, I expect the dog to act as if his/her long lost friend has just reappeared. What in fact happens is the dog, walks on by, not even giving me the time of day, as if I am just another admirer, in a long block of such folks. I’m crushed. The dog is just fine but the owner looks at me with wariness and picks up the pace.
The Building[s]
As you exit the A/C/E trains at 34th and 8th Avenue, on the north side, this is your view. [You do recognize the Empire State Building!]
And then you turn to your right, Madison Square Garden!
De-flowered
In the past I have purchased roses in bud and waited for them to open, but they never did. I finally know why. I pass this flower stall attached to a deli on my way to the subway. I often see the flower seller busy with his bouquets but just recently the pieces fell into place. When rose is a bit past the bloom, and the outer petals are turning, he removes them. He is left with the inner part of the flower, that has not yet opened and that just happens to resemble a ‘bud’. Well it isn’t. I feel had.
Rooftops of March 24
Found that I had the picture after all. Have a look.
Tulipmania
No doubt in my mind I would have been a tulipmania person in old Holland in the 1700’s. These tulips are current, but the pictures are of old specimens. I cannot walk by without bringing them home; I mean I bought them. Did not pick them in the park!
All the Pleasure..
..and none of the work. These are in my most local park. These are not cheap throwaway bulbs.
Flowerbeds
Around the bottom of trees in small spaces, larger spreads in small parks, window boxes, everywhere tulips and other bulbs are blooming. What amazes me is that they are standing unpicked. Everyone walks by and enjoys them, but no one is cutting them for their personal enjoyment. I’m impressed. I know of sub-urban stories of blooms being cut right out of the front yard.
The Womb of Adverts
Subway cares are individually devoted to one advertiser. You can ride in the Delta Airline car, the Lion King car, the MTA car, your choice when you step through those open doors. However, it’s tough when you’re waiting on the platform and a car slides by that has new ads you haven’t read, but by the time the chain of cars comes to a halt, it’s 15 cars further up the platform. So you enter a car where you’ve read all the posters and hope for more legroom as compensation.
Great news!
This is another one of those ‘great news!’ but I really don’t know details, and neither does anyone else working for the MTA. At least not anyone I asked. To purchase a ride-the-bus-card, one usually goes underground to the Metrocard vending machines . Once you locate them, and understand that they are always at the entrance to the subway, it’s a no brainer to get a ride-the-bus-card. But if you’re a tourist and you see a bus you want to take what then? At one time you purchased tokens; now the same Metrocard is used for bus and subway. But most people above ground don’t know to go underground to buy an above ground card. But a good thing is happening. I just can’t tell you how often as I have only seen it twice. A MetroCard vending machine, at the bus stop! It is so unexpected and so infrequent you might overlook it. But when you see it and figure out what it is, it is a lifesaver. Because bus drivers do not sell tickets, make change or conduct any business transactions. They do all the other things you have read about, but you getting on with fare is all up to you. So keep a look out on your next trip here, there very possibly is a ticket vending machine at the very bus stop at which you are waiting!