When I arrived in New York I was sick, and then the place I had planned to stay fell through, but I was rescued by friends old and new. I was astonished once again that people can be so generous – particularly those who let me crash in their precious private space.
Jess and Brian have my sincere and lasting appreciation. The folks who called in favors to get me sorted medically know that they can call on me for help whenever they like. I am of course humbled to discover that so many people will offer advice and solace: thank you.
Once I had rested enough to enjoy the city I had a predictably fabulous time, much of it based around …. shopping! Life in the UK offers many pleasures, but not necessarily all the consumer goods I feel compelled to acquire.
Brisk effort quickly procured moisturizer, sunblock, new shoes, a dress with buttons on the sleeve, and of course, new spectacles. What would a trip to NYC be without a visit to Fabulous Fanny’s? The proprietor has style to spare but, unusually, is totally honest about which frames look good on my face. And, this time, the shop had expanded – he showed me some special things in a back cupboard!
I visited with too many people to list, but aside from those noted above had an opportunity to see Ayun a couple of times. One humid Saturday I stood laughing in her kitchen all afternoon, watching her make food from a crumpled up twenty-five year old recipe that had been through the wash.
She pieced the paper together like a puzzle but pieces kept blowing away, and she wasn’t really sure of how much flour or sugar to put in the cupcakes, but the end result was of course delightful. Then she took me to a picnic in Central Park, where I finally got to meet Spencer, and hang out with charming denizens of the stage and screen. My favorite guest (held aloft by Ayun):
Other features of the trip included watching a lightning storm from the Q train as it crossed the river; eating vegetarian dim sum with Gabriel in Chinatown; and winning a small green accordion at a spelling bee (even though it was a consolation prize).