Tag Archives: bubble

I reside in an apartment in a Manhattan brownstone that is so rustic, I suspect that it was built shortly after the pilgrims dropped anchor at Plymouth Rock.  This past Saturday was possibly the best weather day of 2012, a day that was sunny and warm, with little humidity.  It followed an evening so cool and comfortable I entered a coma in my air condition-less hovel where I soundly slept twelve hours straight. I celebrated the advent of this glorious day by doing what else?  I purchased a tube of toothpaste.

After completing my errand, I had no desire to return home.  I was feeling uncharacteristically nature-y having had my first good night’s sleep in a month.  Therefore I decided to hang out in my back yard, a place that is walking distance from my sanctum sanctorum, Central Park.

I walked up West 73^rd Street where I indulged my Vespa fetish when I saw a lovely red one with a very cool black and red saddle.

Across the street stood the Dakota where Roman Polanski filmed Rosemary’s Baby in 1967.

I enter through the West 72^nd Street entrance and walk a narrow path where I see this tree.

I instantly think exactly what you’re thinking:

Me (and you):  Is this a Juniperus virginiana?

I walk further and see what I am quite sure is People-us On-a-rock-ana but I do not encounter a sign so I have to rely on my stellar powers of perception.

To my left is a whole helluva lotta green.

To my right I see a cart full of plants.

Sheep Meadow is significantly more populated this day than it was when I last visited two weeks ago under a sweltering sun.

In fact the weather was so lovely it was possible to take a leisurely stroll in a black suit.

I headed over to see the roller bladers showing off.

This guy with all the joint protection was very good, not that it’s apparent in this picture.

These guys are not performing a bro-dance with each other, even though this picture gives that false impression.

It’s even possible that this was the first and last time they ever met.

On my way to the band shell, I walked past statues of Victor Herbert, an early 20^th Century composer, and Beethoven with a nymph, possibly symbolizing a 19^th Century groupie.

I also encountered a quartet of modern day musicians that sounded great.

There was a crowd gathered in front of the band shell.

They were watching these very acrobatic dudes showing off impressively.

They asked two boys in the audience to participate.

Then, they resumed their acrobatics

I popped an Aleve and moved on where I next encountered the soap bubble dude.

I made my way over to Bethesda Fountain.

Boating rentals did well.

As did the professional photographers.

This guy was in a world of his own doing yoga moves.

I thought:

Me (thinking):  Now I’ve seen everything … and a gondola?  Am I in Venice?

The boaters were heading towards the boathouse where I’ve been known to pound a beverage from time to time. (hiccup)

Here’s the Trefoil Arch.

I did not walk under it.  Instead I headed for the Ramble, a place that in the not too distant past was notorious for gay male cruising.

Now it’s considered one of the top bird-watching locations in the US.

All I encountered was a guy serenading his girlfriend with his guitar, a squirrel and one lone robin.

I could hear a chorus of birds singing in the branches, but I couldn’t see any of them.

So I photographed a squashed orange safety cone and moved on.

I then walked down a dirt path, not one of my favorite things in life, since I much prefer concrete and real stairs or an escalator.

The path led straight to the mouth of the lake but I firmly planted my foot to ensure I would not belly flop into it.

I resumed my hike and saw some flora the botanist in me called the ouchy pointy plant.

I also encountered that robin again for I am sure that’s the sole robin in this 1.3 square mile park.

I saw a stream.

And Turtle Pond, the place where there’s all you can eat green algae.

I saw the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, something I had no idea existed – puppets in my back yard!

I walked past Shakespeare’s Garden, not that the Bard ever saw this patch of foliage himself.

The Delacorte Theater where free Shakespeare in the Park is staged was doing sound checks.

Meanwhile more fresh air lovers were hanging out on the Great Lawn.

I hope whoever is assigned to mow it has access to a lawn tractor.

The ducks were taking it easy, too.

So were the turtles in Turtle Pond.

Here’s Belvedere Castle, no big city park is complete without its castle.

Then I headed home to brush my teeth.