On the platform

Hi Mom,

Look at the fabulous opportunity the subway platform provides for artsy photo-taking experiments! Not a rare sight these days, me on the platform en route to something or another. But this weekend there is no subway service out to where I live. They're doing repairs, so we're being tossed into the great shuttle bus adventure. Buses replace trains, the signs tell me, between where I live and well, anything I'm trying to access.

On the bright side, you get to see all the exciting stuff that happens above ground. On the other hand, less snack huts, less people-watching, and more snow slowdowns. But who am I to complain, I guess--I live in a city with 24-7 transportation.

Love,
Karen

Free Sunday

Hi Mom,

Went to the Frick today. It's a big house full of some rich guy's art. He had very good taste. Tried to get there in time to pay-what-you-wish, but I wished too late. I had no idea there was good reason to be picky about that sort of thing, but they're sticklers to the T.

Saw a few El Greco paintings, some other nifty stuff. I have a list of what galleries are free/cheap when. I should probably put them on rotation. Tell me which ones you want to see for next time you're in...we can go even on full price days!

Love,
Karen

And mo' snow

Hi Mom,

They're selling snow brushes at 7-11 these days. I haven't owned one since I lived in Michigan (no car) but they were at first a surprise to see. Then I passed this parking lot.

Makes me a little homesick, actually. I think of all those hours I spent freezing cold, brushing off the car, de-icing my windshield, and then, as I turned the car on, having a pile of snow start the process over again.

These days I just walk places. Maybe I should buy a snow brush for old times' sake.

Love,
Karen

Gone Fishin'

Hi Mom,

Happy Valentine's Day! A bunch of us went out for dinner, and on the way to the train, my friend made a comment about how many fish there are in the sea. We got to the platform and it seemed appropriate to take a picture of these fish. Fish on the subway. Same idea, New York-style.

Love,
Karen

Yoga Train

Hi Mom,

Yoga mats on board! The people to yoga mat ratio increases dramatically when we hit the top of Brooklyn. Coming from where I live, there's nae a yoga mat in sight for a good 20 minutes. Then they strike--purples and yellows and greens all tied up, tucked under some good looking 20- or 30-something's arm. There's even probably dog yoga somewhere around here.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against yoga. It even looks fairly worthwile. I have no interest in doing it, nor carrying one of those mats around with me, but I know enough people who swear by it not to knock it.

Love,
Karen

Reasons to play the flute

Hi Mom,

There's always music in the subway. Sometimes it's someone on a violin, other times, a guitar or two. Very rarely do we find an entire piano on the platform.

It was a rare sight--so rare, in fact, that I let my train go by to stay and listen to him play. He was pretty good, too. The guy with the steel drum even stopped to give him airtime. That's how you know people respect you in the subway.

Meanwhile, I couldn't help wondering how he got the darn thing down the stairs. I can barely make it with a suitcase.

Love,

Karen

Snow sticks

Hi Mom,

The streets are still covered in snow. People are braving the weather and snowmen are out in full force. I stopped by Central Park to see their handiwork and watch people sled. More people are on foot than on the roads though, it seems. I think they could use a few more salt trucks out here...

Brooklyn got a lot more snow than Manhattan did, and much like back home, they actually need the roads to be plowed. Wonder how long it'll last.

A friend of mine called this morning to ask if I knew how to shovel a sidewalk. Of course, I do, but this is one of those times when you don't want to be too quick to volunteer your expertise...

Love,
Karen