First round.....

The Christmas holiday went by quickly, and was enjoyable overall, although, it didn't start well for me. On the eve of the 24th, unexpectedly, I had to cope with a small incident.

At 6 pm, as I was exiting my apartment with hands full of stuff, the door closed behind me accidentally, while I didn't have my keys in hand. No matter, I thought.....the master key available in the building could be used to solve this small inconvenience, but I was sorely mistaken!

There was only a 'relief' doorman on duty, who did not have access to the needed key, and, the solution turned out to be a lengthy and costly one. Even a friend of mine that has access to my apartment happened to be out of town. The only alternative I was offered was to wait for the super's backup man that had all keys with him, to come in from his home, 1 1/2 hour away, which he offered to do when called. Needless to say, in addition to the annoyance, I was late for my dinner appointment and frustrated! As I discovered post facto, there was a better and quicker solution, if the doorman had followed the instructions left by the superintendent, but didn't!

Let's hope that the second round of New Year festivities go a bit smoother.

Bouche de Noel

 
 

Season's Greetings!

The rush is ongoing everywhere in NY city, especially since the trasportation strike that has affected us all for a couple of days, just ended. However, I feel pretty comfortable because I'm almost finished with all I need to do before tomorrow night. I've written to everyone on my holiday list, I've answered the ones I didn't expect to receive, but did, purchased and wrapped the gifts to be made, and made the necessary phone calls, expected by tradition by the European relatives and friends.

Now, I've got to straighten out my desk and my apartment, which are both in a bit of a mess, and prepare myself to enjoy the upcoming holidays. I am always a guest at friends' homes for Christmas eve and day, and even Hanukkah. Many a year I have hosted a New Year's Eve party, but this time I am a guest even at such an affair. Thank goodness it takes place in town and I don't have to travel long distance for it (have done enough traveling this year....!).

Soooo.....all there is to do is to wish everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Happy 98th birthday!

Party's preparations

 

Party time

Yesterday I attended a lovely party for a long term friend who just turned 98! Her real name is Angela, but she is known by all as Lina (abbreviation of Angelina).

She originates from Italy, but has been a resident of the U.S. since she was 9 years old. She is the mother of two, the grandmother of four, and the great grandmother of 10! I consider her like a second mother – she married the same year as mine did, and I met her almost half a century ago, just before mine passed away still young.

For a variety of reasons most of her grand and great grandchildren could not be with us at this party, but close relatives and friends were present, and this gathering turned out to be one of mature participants, more or less within the same age group. The large banquet table was filled with foods and goods of all sorts, lovingly prepared and presented by her daughter and son in law, who hosted, as usual, the celebration. The former has wonderful taste in decorating the settings and the house, while her husband (almost ready for retirement) has taken up experimenting with cooking, which he is great at, enjoys very much and is successfully in doing.

The remarkable woman we celebrated yesterday worked hard throughout, and dedicated her entire life to family and friends, who now are willing to travel long distances to join her in celebrating her birthday. She still displays a sense of humor and such a youthful voice that could be the envy of young people. Right on, dear Lina, I am looking forward to your 100th!

More snow and..... messy NY

 

 

First snow

This morning Mother Nature has reminded us that the winter season is here. The first snow is blanketing New York, just a couple of inches worth, but more is forecasted to be in store for the next 24 hours.

It's Sunday and there is not a sound to be heard here. What a blessing to feel cozy in the warmth of one's own home,... but my thoughts go out to the less fortunate around the world, where lack of shelter, or comforts, or natural disaster can make life quite difficult.