walk the course

eleventh fairway

the pond

After having spent nine hours in the car yesterday (accompanying daughter to an accepted students day at a college in Maryland) I needed to get out this morning for a walk and a think. So off to the golf course. The dog and I kept up a brisk pace as it was sunny but cold - she was off leash and and all I had to do was call her name every now and then when she ran off a little too far. 

back to the bronx

Yesterday I went back to the New York Botanical Garden with two of my friends. It was a spectacular sunny day: we spent some quality time with the orchids and then wandered over to the forest to see if we could catch a glimpse of the owl. And we did - it was far away and high up in a tree so we really needed binoculars...  A gentleman shared his sunflower seeds with us and we shared them with the chickadees - too cute!

which one should i choose? (thank you for the photo, f!)

divas of the plant world

Today's treat was a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens to peek at the Orchid Show. This year's theme is "On Broadway" or something along those lines. Entering the pavilion the first thing you see is a huge stage of orchids in the middle of the pond. Spectacular. I obeyed the signs and wandered through the various climate zones wondering where the performance was. And then I came upon it - truly a singular sensation - a huge chandelier of orchids hanging over a pool surrounded by layers of plants like rows of seats in a theatre. Plus a walkway of orchids everywhere; all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, fragrances: a multisensory feast. These photos don't do it justice - do visit if you can between now and the end of April.

city time

One of my favorite things is home from college for spring break. She's exhausted having had tests every day last week (plus the social commitments of a sorority girl...) and she still has work to do while she is home. One assignment is to discuss a piece of Etruscan art so yesterday we drove into the city and toured the Roman and Greek Galleries at the Met. In all my years of visiting the museum I had never been to those rooms. There are many beautiful and interesting items on display - too bad I know nothing about any of them. Fortunately she was able to enlighten me and I left a little bit wiser. A trip to the Met is not complete without a stroll over to E.A.T. on Madison Ave for a tiny ficelle sandwich - the most uncomplicated and delicious treat: a piece of crusty sourdough with butter and a couple of thin slices of either cheddar, salami or ham. And we HAD to pick up a box of cookies from William Greenberg for dessert. It was one of those perfect days to be in the city - sunny and just a little chilly - so we extended the pleasure by shopping and stopping and we had great success adding to the summer wardrobe at Olive and Bette's - what a fun store.

Another favorite thing has been rehearsing for her senior class show so I haven't seen her much. Looking forward to the first performance tomorrow!

swimsuit shopping

I'm trying really hard to post only my favorite things BUT at this stage I must share what has to be one of my least favorite things: swimsuit shopping. A couple of days ago I was browsing around Lord and Taylor for a suitable black frock for my daughter to wear for the salsa dance  (yes, salsa!) in the senior show. It must have been just minutes after the swimsuits for summer '11 had been put out on the racks. And what a cheerful and bountiful assortment of suits there were: bikinis and tankinis and full suits and cover ups in all shapes, sizes and colors. Something for everyone, I thought at the time. I didn't have time to try anything on right then so I returned the next day full of enthusiasm and hope. Perhaps I would be able to find the perfect suit to take to a wedding in Florida next month. I've been alternating between a tired, reversible Tyr racer back lap suit and some frumpy black thing from Lands End for the past couple of seasons so I'm definitely in need of an update. I cheerfully pulled a selection from the racks and went into the dressing room. Oh dear. There's a reason they don't show the full view in the 360 degree mirror on "What Not to Wear" - it's not nice. This fairfield femme's reflection gave me pause - I had to avert my eyes and almost fled in horror empty handed. But I was brave, took a deep breath and tried on one more suit. Thankfully I found it to be acceptable. It's a nice looking suit on the rack. Does it look good on me? No, but it was the best of the bunch and it will do the trick (for a few more years!).