It was cold and silvery, the sunlight having not burned off the fog. Everything had a shimmer to it, the city looked like a mirage. I happened to have my camera (my good camera, not my phone) in the car. I was taking a run along Boulevard East and had to stop and take some pics, including one of my gorgeous dead boyfriend. I love visiting him. Today is good. Some semi-bad news, some really good news. Managing it. Exercise is one of the keys and I’ve been really getting into it. And shrinking in size, which is freakin’ great! I have a long way to go, but I’m on the road back to being the muscly little bitch I was in Chicago, running 10 miles a day. It feels good. Lots of writing and meetings and screenings over the next couple of days. I wanted to start off the marathon right, and the morning was just so beautiful. I’m pretty psyched how these came out.
I mean, for real? It looks like an urban Narnia entryway. Mr. Tumnus will make his appearance shortly.
It’s rare you read a book that so changes how you look at the place that you actually live. Mark Helprin’s “Winter’s Tale” was one of those books and it was all I thought of this morning as I looked at that city through that haze of mist. Magic.
Hi, honey! How are you?
Our new-ish nearly-finished skyline. I’m not used to it yet. I still find myself starting sometimes, startled, when I get a glimpse of downtown from far away. But I’m glad it’s fucking taller, I will say that.
Sheila, thanks for these. Went back to West New York/Manhattan for T.giving and realized that I didn’t miss living there any more. Am happy up here in NH. But seeing your pix. I miss how
got interrupted, sorry.
I miss how THAT feels. Being inside those pictures. The reality of being there isn’t it. Somehow, if I could climb inside the pictures……
Anyway, thanks for posting these. Means a lot.
Melissa
I feel the same way when I see a picture of Chicago – it’s like my heart stops for a second. I don’t wish I lived there anymore (well, sometimes I do), but the place is and was so important to me that pictures are very powerful reminders.
Shelia:
Could not agree more with you about “Winter’s Tale.” Peter Lake is my guide to NYC and its environs.
By the way, Helprin’s latest (’12) “In Sunlight and In Shadow,” which I’ve just started, seems to have similar elements, but now our New York is 1947.
In the meantime, keep running and writing and the reverse!
…Bill
Bill – what a coincidence, I just bought Helprin’s latest and am almost afraid to start it (I loved Winter’s Tale so much). I’ll get to it in 2014 once I clear the deck of the other books I am reading. I can’t wait.
and thanks – yes, it’s good to get back to running. My body likes it, so does my mind!
I have Helprin’s latest on deck as well. I haven’t quite felt up to it yet. I loved Winter’s Tale as well (and it was your review Sheila that motivated me to pick it up from my TBR pile!) but I found it very rich, something to be savored.
Totally. It was one of those books that so many people in my life had raved about it took me years to pick it up. I’m so contrarian sometimes. But boy, that opening chapter? The white horse in the Bowery? I was totally hooked.
I look forward to the movie with ….. fear and trembling. I don’t know if I can subject myself to it since that book just lives in my mind so vividly.
I’m so pleased you picked it up because of me, Dan! :)
Glad you linked me. That first picture is like a portal into a fairytale. A good picture to have on your wall and look into before you fall asleep and walk into your dreams. We must get together – calendars out!
It was a magical mild morning! Unfortunately I think I got a chill that day and am now felled by the second flu in 5 weeks. Dammit.
Yes – I will get my calendar out! Let’s get together.