Go!

The Simpson Street Taxi service arrived right on time, despite traffic delays due to the Back to the 50's Car Show on the Fairgrounds!   We loaded up, and headed to the airport dodging tree limbs and debris from last nights storms.  Check-in was a breeze and at the security checkpoint, Stella learned that belts must be removed as she tripped the security sensors.  I had to reluctantly leave my coffee mug in the "taxi" without finishing it, so my first mission was coffee.  There are no Caribou Coffee shops in NYC, so I left my Caribou card at home....silly me, I forgot about the airport here!   Randy got his Burger King breakfast of champions and Stella got a muffin.  Next stop, La Guardia!

Stella is happy she does not have to practice driving in Manhattan!  I told her people use horns instead if brakes. Our cab ride took us straight through Harlem! Stella said she had never seen so many people walking around, it reminded her of the fair.  We arrived slowly, but safely to The Strathmore our Riverside Drive destination and were greeted by Randy's cousin Joan and our doorman, Mario  Yes, pretty cool, we have a doorman, for two days. 

We got settled in and had a lovely chat and snacks with our gracious hosts Joan & John Kavannaugh. The apartment is beautiful.  John met Franklin Delano Roosevelt III back in '65 when he was involved with Encampment for Leadership, started by Eleanor Roosevelt.  They have been friends ever since and live in the same building and helped Joan & John settle here.  FDR III's daughter Pheobe was the model for a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt at 72nd and Riverside, that now is a destination added to 'The List'.  Hope to fit it in on one of our museum junkets. The apartment is a pre-war beauty with 12' ceilings and hardwood floors.  

Joan has beautiful quilts, this one on the bed and the 'H' for Helgoe quilt, hanging on the wall of another room, made by Randy and Joan's Grandmother Melena Helgoe.

After a respite, we walked to see St. John the Divine Church.  

There was an art installation by Jane Alexander depicting atrocities and inequality in South Africa.  We were too late to see some of the pieces as the church was preparing for a Solstice Celebration organized by Paul Winter. The concert was being held at 4:30am Saturday.  I saw huge drums and gongs and Stella said "no" when I looked to see if she would accompany me!  The space is immense and the stained glass amazing.  My photos cannot do it justice.  Use your imagination!

These are a glimpse of Jane Alexander's exhibit

The Crucifix on one side of the chapel and on the other side was the Ascension.

This was a haunting piece, the base are red rubber gloves that look like blood.

 This was powerful, the marching jackels.

I know I shared the possibility of challenges in finding potties in Manhattan when you need one, but so far....so good!  LOL

There was another fascinating exhibit called Hidden Lives; Urban Refugees. You can see some of it here:  http://www.hidden-lives.org.uk/    Joan wanted us to see the white peacock that lives in the gardens, but the gardens were undergoing some repairs, but we happened upon a harp trio playing near the Children's Sculpture Garden fountain.  The harpists were part of a city wide, 'first day of summer' celebration called "Make Music New York" where thousands of musicians gather in groups of like instruments around the city and play!  Happy happenstance that we stumbled upon it.  It made me want to go and find the other groups all over the city.  

I decided not to sit down as the bees were swarming the gardens.  Could have something to do with the beautiful hydrangeas everywhere!  (So that is what they are supposed to look like!)

We walked back to Riverside Drive and ordered in fantastic food from a little local Cuban place called Havana Central.  While we waited for dinner, John & Stella played a little piano. John is a very talented pianist and is in a singing group!

We all ate too much, so after dinner Joan, Stella and I walked up to see the campus of Columbia University.  Stella thought it was nice, but not the place for her. PHEW, one less college on the list and one thing crossed off "The List".

On the way back, Stella's ice cream radar was in full gear and we stopped at Haagen Dazs for a treat

Tomorrow is a big day, so off to sleep to the sounds of a busy city, many floors below.