finally? maybe?

Are we finally over the hump? Are the frozen days behind us? Spring seems to be making her beautiful appearance and none too soon. The sunsets linger and are perfect. Flowers have sprung up through the ground surrounding us with vivid color. The trees and their hearty branches have are sporting fantastic shades of green. Winter was long. Winter hard. Winter was cooolllld. But all in all Winter was great.

That being said we are welcoming Spring with open arms. Restaurants have flung open their windows and sidewalk dining. Skin is showing up after hiding beneath warm outerwear. The water surrounding this most incredible island is filled once again with an assortment of sail boats. The fences protecting the grass have been taken down and everyone is enjoying the soft joy of barefoot in the grass.

The parks are alive. The people are alive. The city is alive. Welcome Spring.

Barbara

Tuesday morning started off on the Upper Westside at the ABC Studios. Being in the audience at The View was the plan. Once again I must admit I don't watch daytime television so I am out of the loop but love going to tapings. The View is actually a live show so it had an even more fun dynamic. Walking into the studio and seeing the stage set with five chairs was jackpot central. It meant the one and only Barbara Walters would be there that day. I have been a long time fan of Ms Walters since I was about 8-years-old. The show was fun. Barbara was amazing. Eva Longoria was a guest so we walked away with her cookbook. Who knew? Oohhh and the Real Housewives of NYC were there. Bingo. Loads of fun and a lot of laughs. And did I mention Barbara Walters? She is gold in my book.

Miss Jackson

Saturday night took us to the most beautiful Radio City Music Hall. The evening brought us the talents of Janet Jackson. Having not seen Janet live since early 2002, she was better than ever. Radio City was an amazing backdrop to Janet. It is a wonderful intimate concert venue. Janet took the stage at 9 pm and didn't stop until about 100 minutes later. She owned it. There aren't enough words!

Ahh and sweet Janet's encore was "Together Again" with photos on the screen of childhood photos with MJ. Spectacular.

Sold out and worth it!

march march march.

Almost halfway through March and it is hard to believe. The winter has been cold and long, but always fun. The month of February brought visitors leading to nights out painting the town red. It also brought several days back to our roots in Texas while my other half was on the other side of the world more than 8,000 miles away.

The nights out on the town were grand. An evening at the roof at the Gansevoort reminded me that this is truly the city that never sleeps. With spectacular views and a fun group of friends it was a night to remember. This past weekend brought together a dinner to celebrate a birthday in the crowd. Pipa supplied the awesome food and drinks and the people supplied the fun. Around the table we have every corner of the World covered and the conversation was lighthearted and amazing. Diversity is a true blessing in this city. I love knowing some of my closest friends and I have virtually nothing the same in our backgrounds yet we find ourselves on the same pages of life. While hanging out under the glittery chandeliers of Pipa we had hours of conversation and delight.

This week will bring the annual St. Patrick's Day parade up 5th Avenue. If you have never seen this spectacular vision of greens floating up the Avenue you should check it out sometime. It is fun, crazy and full of Irish pride.

Japan, oh Japan. Much sympathy and concern for the devastation that has happened and continues to happen. All of our Japan based friends are accounted for and we are blessed. I can only hope for many miracles in the next few days.

cinquenta y seis

What a winter! So far the little place of New York has measured in at 56 inches of snow this season. It seems about every five days we have been hit with a snowstorm and even some ice. The city is amazing when coated with fresh powder. There has even been an official snowday for the NYC public school children. It was a day filled with lots of sledding and lots of fun. It is a joy to watch the teamwork and collaboration that the kids do when developing the best "run" on the hills.

Of course there is a downside to snow in the city. We have tons of people, dogs, buses, cars, did I mention dogs, and just tons of things happening in general. In many spots that initial lovely white layer quickly changes from white, to gray to black. Oh and let's not forget the yellow. With the tremendous volume of snow this year the huge piles aren't melting anytime soon. Lucky for us there are still some relatively white spots in the neighborhood. That being said, I would highly recommend not eating the snow. Ekk. There is a lovely sort of peace when gazing out the window at a snow covered park. I will admit it blows my mind that I haven't seen a single blade of grass since our last day of visiting Texas on Dec. 31. More than a month and not a single vision of green.

Even with the gray, the black and the yellow I do enjoy being a city dweller when the weather turns snowy. I am tremendously thankful that I don't have to shovel, plow, blow or drive in the snow. I would be terrible at all of them. Bless all those that keep our streets and sidewalks clear. I do not want their jobs!

So 56 inches and counting...where will this winter top out? There is a few more inches of snow on the horizon for tomorrow.

Remembering the Miracle

What a moment!

And the survivors.

NYC needed a miracle on that cold winter day and I am so thankful we got it. Thinking back to the moment a neighbor called and said there had been a plane crash in the Hudson. I was extremely nervous to turn on the news not knowing the cause. Thankfully the unknown can also bring happiness!

Holidays complete!

The holiday season is never complete for me with out witnessing the home season of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As I have mentioned before and will mention again Revelations is my absolute favorite piece of performance art.

Revelations
I am a pretty lucky girl and get to see many fine things throughout the course of a year but nothing ever moves me as much as Revelations. I count many of Ailey's pieces as top notch but Revelations is his defining work. There are no words to tell how much this piece embraces me. A short film was shown this year on the the 50th anniversary of this magnificent piece of work.

Celebrating Revelations at 50 Film
The evening was perfect. It was a true blessing to take my favorite child in Manhattan to share in the beauty of Alvin Ailey and his dance. AAADT has now completed its home season and will hit the road. Their tour across the USA is something you don't want to miss. If it comes near your hometown you must go. Revelations might move you as much as it moves me! Enjoy.