MAY-be I've taken my last bite of the Big Apple?

I amour traveling.*

Did you ever deliver May Day flowers?

It was a family tradition as I grew up.

We are also those people who watch the Derby. Do you?
We had big tree limbs come down in the yard 

at the end of last month so we dealt with that.

We hosted family friends for a weekend of touring local sites

and I got windburn on a boat on Lake Geneva.

Spring comes slowly to the Chicago area but we are 

finally pretty in pink.

Being so close to the Chicago Botanic Gardens is such a perk.

Early morning members' only walks let us see 

new plantings and blooms without the crowds.

We were able to see the butterfly exhibit on the day it opened!

A friend sent me an envelope of vintage cards!

So many of them are tiny with rhyming texts.

Some of you have been receiving them for birthday and other greetings.

*A year ago I booked a trip to NYC for a Broadway show tour.

It was indulgent and a splurge but part of my fee was a donation.

(Thank goodness it was planned before plane tickets doubled!)

The group saw three shows: Lost Boys, Giant and Schmigadoon.

(I added a show: Operation Mincemeat - which was my favorite!) 

During intermission it was fun to investigate the artistic embellishments 

of the theaters. This one was my favorite. 

If you don't know, Lost Boys is a vampire themed show.

The lighting, technical expertise, and set design were incredible.

Within the tour group were staff members of the 

Aurora, IL Paramount Theatre which hosted the group.

On Saturday morning we were treated to a panel presentation of two alumni of 

the Paramount who are now in shows on Broadway.

They told tales of housing, auditions, 

and naps under their dressing room chairs.

The event was held at Pearl Studios 

where acting and dance classes are held as well as auditions for shows. 

As we walked down the hall we saw 

parent and child pairs hunched over scripts!

Now for some NYC shots. 

These were taken from the front, passenger seat of the bus that brought the group from the airport into the city. I got this seat because of miscount! Score!

I loved capturing both a window washer and door attendant.

We stayed in a hotel off 43rd so Times Square, the theaters, and the three restaurants we ate at as a group were all within walking distance. 

The tour was very well administrated.

New York cheesecake with carmel for the win!

Lillie's had the best decor, Tony's family style servings suited my personal preference since less food was sent back. 

(We could not take back leftovers because we headed straight to a show.)

No one wants to smell fish at the theatre, darling.

 But honestly, food waste was hard for me to handle... 

I don't like posting photos of other people 

but this one table at Glass House Tavern was charming. 

What a perfect place to eat for a date, prom, or special occasion. 

I chatted up the couple dining there. They were from Dublin, Ireland!

Right below them our group had two long tables.

There were 36 people in our group!

Most of the participants were big time Broadway fans.

They knew which actors were "finishing a run" or up for awards.

There were some couples, a mother daughter pair, 

and one person who was seeing NYC for the FIRST TIME!

At each meal we could rotate around and get to know each other. 

I made a solo journey to Times Square.

I love looking up to see copper roofs and various trimmings.

There's so many people out and about, it's safe - enough.

(I kept an eye on my phone and wallet.)

After I snapped this pic the news stand attendant quipped,

"That'll be $20 bucks!"

I told him I remembered being a little kid staring up at the candy.

I was shocked that Friday night after the show I was a tad bit hungry.

Around 10:30 I walked the block and found the pizza joint that had

"a slice" that looked yummy.

($7 with tax and tip.)

There's nuthin' like garlic breath at bedtime.

I let this guy know I had "pants envy" 

and then snapped a pic after he gave me a broad smile

and moseyed on.

I did get some compliments on my sparkly jacket. 

I also had silver glitter on my face - Taylor Swift-ish.

The first night I bought some postcards too.

If you didn't get one, sorry.

Here's a virtual one!

We were given only nine hours of daytime free time.

Five hours Saturday and four on Sunday.

(Some people skipped events and meals in order to see a different show. One person was able to see Daniel Radcliffe in Every Brilliant Thing - for a price. $)

I know I won't shock anyone by stating that NYC is loud and crowded.

I love people watching and hullabaloo, but it's not for everyone.

I am also comfortable going places on my own. 

Many of the participants met in the hotel lobby 

and walked to and from events as a group.

I did a mix, striking out on my own some and then meeting up.

I like taking photos of the workers around the city.

There was always construction banging, the smell of paint, 

the beeping of trucks backing up, and shouts of directions.

Scaffolding blocked bus lanes constantly.

Cement pouring.

A huge ladder for window washing!

Before the panel I walked down the middle of 

9th where a street market was being set up 

and I went to the Drama Bookstore where there were 

some displays about Schmigadoon 

and an autographed copy of the Giant script.

I had my Hello Kitty parasol which was good for 

blocking the bright, hot sun while traversing the garment district. 

While planning for the trip I thought about catching a jazz show, 

but it was pricy, started at 10:30, and a paid seat could be given away 

if you were late. So a picture of Birdland is all I got.

The schedule was just too tight to fit in a lot of extras.

After the panel I had the blessing of hanging out with a childhood buddy

who took the train from CT to take me to the 

Metropolitan Museum of Art as her guest!

We met up at Bryant Park and then took a taxi to the Met.

There were children coloring at small tables, people doing juggling and 

so many tourists thrilled that the weather was so perfect!

My main objective was to see the display created after the Met Gala.

My friend was worried it would be too crowded.

I am happy to report we had hardly a wait to get into the museum, 

and no wait for the Fashion or Raphael displays!

And yet each time we left an area there were lines!

Since our time was so limited it was a thrill that our timing was so good.

Here I am Vanna White-ing my favorites. 

Not sure I could pull off wearing the one with the holes...

I'm so grateful for the time period I was born into.

I would have been dead as preteen pioneer 

due to my lack of gardening and cooking expertise.

Historically as fashion trends rolled out I would not have 

been a tolerant participant of butt bustles etc.

I had a roommate for the tour and she wore 

loose, cotton overalls all weekend, even buying a pair 

with colorful cat heads all over them at that street market.

Needless to say, we got along great.

My friend's goal was to see the Raphael's.

I told her we were the two angels at the top of this painting.

I am in purple.

The place is HUGE and our time was limited.

Plus, I do go to the Art Institute of Chicago a lot and there are similar works.

We studied the map and I picked out the 

Musical Instruments exhibit for something unique.

We were amazed by instruments with carvings and mosaics,

displays about historical and cultural differences, and 

 paintings of music related artwork.

I took this pic while thinking of my drummer relative.

And these while talking about my India connections.

Before we knew it we needed to be heading back.

But not before I took a selfie with a gargoyle like piece that looks

like one we see at the Art Institute.

We knew we didn't have time to walk to and from the Met 

but now that I checked it off my list we sauntered down 5th Avenue

dipping down into Central Park which was overflowing with 

happy families, locals and tourists. 

Of course we had a BROWN mustard (no yellow!) dog from a street cart.

Yes, I have seen Central Park before.

No, it does not get old.

What an incredible site of beauty in the heart of a city of cement and steel.

I didn't snap many pics because my friend and I were catching up.

Talks of each of our osteoporosis and treatment woes. Ugh.

Updates about parents and family.

I loved this group of ladies in their hats outside the truffles shop where my friend bought some chocolates and shared her promo "freebies" bounty with me.  

She knew my husband would be gobbling them up 

when I got home - and he did!

It was hard to say goodbye, but lovely to be with each other. 

I am so grateful to have a long time friend and someone who 

would go to such lengths to connect. 

Giant was the evening show.

Research it.

Being a former professor of Children's Literature I was surprised 

to learn about Roald Dahl's personal beliefs.

I felt cultured afterwards, but also violated by the anger and prejudice.

Many of my trips to NYC involved The Rosie O'Donnell Show.

This pic was taken from my hotel room 

as a shoutout to my TROS R0sie friends.

My roommate had gone on a tour of 30 Rock that day 

and seen the cast practicing!

She and I stayed up late and watched the show on our TV 

while it was being filmed live just down the street!

Another NYC show to highlight is Stephen Colbert.

I certainly didn't get in to see it, 

but what a loss to have his show end this month.

I took pics while walking to the Museum of Modern Art on Sunday.

The MoMa has huge collection - but I did go onto all the floors!

The works are arranged chronologically.

The sixth floor balcony cafe was full of various languages 

and I could hear church bells.

I sat right behind that bottom, lefthand side bloom.

Spinach quiche!

Many of the diners were directly in the sun

and it was toasty.

I was just right with my Hello Kitty parasol.

I like abstract and "out there" artworks.

I was so glad to see this famous Warhol!

I've been to many Frida exhibits, but I had to pop into theirs.

I gotta say, my New York Times dress went well with many works!

This display made it glow!

Here's what I saw:

Sculptures and paintings galore!

Photos of people sleeping...

There was so much to see it made me dizzy.

But "eye" really enjoyed all the variety!

Just like at the Met, I saw works by artists which the Art Institute holds.

Did any of you play the board game Masterpiece?

It is not everyday that you see mobiles created out of stuffy toys!

I saw some of the Beanie Babies we still have in the basement.

See the ORANGE?

(That's a shoutout.)

I spoke with this woman and told her I loved her artsy choices.

With so much unseen, but lots appreciated, it was time for me to leave.

Here's a virtual postcard for each of you 

and a cool chess set seen at the gift shop.

Amazingly I lucked into seeing a parade as I walked back!

A quick change 

(figures - wrong dress for this selfie) 

and off to the next show!

The line into the theatre was loooooooong!

I did not buy a corn puddin' candle...

I was in The Music Man my first year of high school.

This show resonates. 

~

Okay, now for a confession.

I splurged even more.

There were two participants who were going to a late show on Sunday.

I rode their shirt tails and I'm glad I did!

Here in Chicago a show's name goes on the marquee.

But on Broadway there are big displays of signage!

So dramatic!

(Of course!)

I am not surprised Operation Mincemeat won for best musical at the Tony's.

After the show we three went out for dessert.

 (Since we had to skip it at the last dinner.)

We talked about the shows, the tour, and I told them 

about winning a Marlon Brando impersonation contest.

That story always shocks folks.

It was hard to say goodnight to the city.

Monday was a day of travel 

but I got up early and bought a bagel due to 

peer pressure by a relative. Ha.

(It ended up being my dinner, so thank you.)

I passed by the bus station's 

Jackie Gleason/Honeymooners statue.

Here's a few pics from the ride to the airport.

Bye Times Square.

I'm taking a poll, how many of you have eaten sushi at an airport?

It was good. I survived.

Good thing I ate since our flight was delayed!

I don't know if I'll get to NYC again.

Life's a mystery!

***

After all that whirlwind, life went back to normal.

I noticed the odometer in my mindfulness moments.

Over Memorial Day weekend family came to visit.

We played corn hole, ate burgers and s'mores and were

grateful for the freedom to do so.

Thank you to those who made that possible.

Some of us saw The Mandalorian and Grogu movie 

and I went to the Billie Eilish one.

I listened to some audiobooks and LPs.

The usual stuff.

I lost a button, and dog gone it, I found that button!

I also started weight lifting.

J.K.

I bought two pound weights and I'm working them into my daily walks.

I am a weeny.

This blog is my scrapbook. 

Those of you who view it are precious to me because 

I can only hope you get some vicarious joy while doing so.

I am overwhelming aware that my travel doings are not 

something everyone gets to do. 

I am sending out love.

I hope you and yours have had

some simple pleasures and big hurrah moments.

One of my friends banged a hospital gong to signify she 

was done with cancer treatments!

Now that's a HUGE joy!

Look up, listen, be aware, act kindly.

Peace be with you,

Jen Pen