Manhattan Labor Day Tour

To celebrate Labor Day I biked through Central Park to the Hudson, up past the GWB, down to the Battery, rested, then cycled north on the East River to 78th Street. Did 32-35 miles. Both my apples are sore and exhausted.

Do you like old New York City photos and stories? Then check out my 1960s memoir,"I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood."Available at Logos Book Store and online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

The book has 110 Amazon five star reviews out of 110 total reviews posted. We're pitching a perfect game. My old world echoes TV's "The Wonder Years" ~ just add taverns, subways and Checker cabs.

You can also purchase my photography portfolio, "River to River - New York Scenes From a Bicycle" on Amazon.

On Being a Parishioner in the Church of Mara

You’d think I have an ownership stake in the New York Giants based on the joy and affection I derive from and convey for the team. I love playing catch with a football, and miss playing tackle football every day but I have a more complex role as a devoted parishioner in the Church of Mara.

I stunk at basketball, I can’t dribble with my right hand. Once the defender knows you can’t drive right you’re dead. I can’t jump. I haven’t liked the Knicks since the 70s. 

I can skate but I can’t stop. When I go ice skating I have to go in circles or hit a wall to come to a halt. I stopped loving the Rangers when they lost their minds and traded Ratelle, Park and Middleton (500 goals) to get Phil “I’m going to stay in front of the net for a while” Esposito & Ken Hodge (8 goals) his Sancho Panza. The Rangers Cup in 1994 was a blip on my radar. 

I couldn’t hit a curve ball or a fast ball. My Yankees passion waned when they desecrated Yankee Stadium hiring the guy who designed Alexander’s and Korvette’s to do the 1973 renovation. My Yankee flame went out when Steinbrenner’s pompous mouth appeared in the media more than his team. George blew my buzz.

Getting older I seek comfort sources that sooth or rile me up like when I was 10 and there was nothing more important then the 25^th anniversary Superman double issue due out in one week. I didn’t sleep the last night before I bought it in the candy store.

The Giants remain the one team in sports I suspend my disbelief and let their victories lift me higher than any recreational drug ever did. But, if I am willing to put all my love temporarily in one place, then its loss will take me equally the other way, and for a long time I’m sad. I have places where I find relief.  They don’t fix it instantly but they ease the ache.  Pictured below are three of those spots. Central Park, Union Square and the Hudson River seawall.

I’m hopeful for Sunday’s game.  The Giants and 49ers have a long history of breaking each others heart. Only one moves on. 

As Elvis Costello says, “You can please yourself but somebody’s gonna get it.”  

Sunday, somebody gets it.

Kodachrome December in NYC

December opened in Kodachrome.  Warm sun, billowing clouds, a yawning moon in a blue sky.

Walking through Central Park, Columbus Circle  and following the sunset downtown thought of Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady when I measured my love for the city.  In the West Village, I watched Night Fall On Hoboken.




The next "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" show is Tuesday, December 13th @ 6pm @ Cornelia Street Cafe.

Please come down to the Cafe for a special holiday show with gifted tellers and marvelous songsmiths: Barbara Aliprantis, Kelly Wallace Barnhill, Carl Kissin, Mary Lee Kortes, Thomas Pryor, Elizabeth Rowe & Amanda Thorpe.  Admission is $7 & that includes one free drink.

Here's a link to many pictures from the last two days and a few oldies that for some reason just fit in.

From Uncle Mommy's Cookbook: An Irish Sandwich

Tom & Uncle Mommy on Circle Line to Bear Mt. 1962

Just made an Irish sandwich: Iceberg Lettuce & lots of Hellman's Mayo on Wonder Bread. Uncle Mommy taught Rory & I how to survive when the fridge emptied before the Sloan's grocery run to 86th & York Avenue on Friday afternoons after school. New TV guide day, maybe including color pictures of Emma Peel, Elizabeth Montgomery or Mary Ann from Gilligan’s.










Murray Parker on n/e cor of 83rd St. & York Ave ~ 1966



Murray Parker’s grocery on 83rd & York filled in the food gaps during the week when Mom forced a two milk & a pack of Marlboro’s expedition. I’d be playing in the street and she’d throw money out Chickie Murphy’s apartment in the front of the building. One out of two times the coin laden money ball would whiff through my hands and smack me in the forehead. I'm a clutz.




Marvin Gaye was on my transistor radio.

Under A Crescent Moon in Central Park ~ Ridiculously Deep Indian Summer

When I'm sad, a sunset can put new sneakers on my soul. Instantly, I run faster and jump higher.  Add 70 degrees to the sunset and I'm surfing clouds.

Yesterday, I walked around the reservoir heading west.  After dark, I biked south along the Hudson River seawall under a crescent moon.  Be careful next few days as seasons flip, you'll need your Autumn Sweater.

Saw the oddest thing in my travels, a pleased piggy offering a carrot to a hungry bunny.

More ridiculously deep Indian summer pictures here.

New York Skyline From Top of One World Trade Center

Made plans weeks ago to tour the World Trade Center construction site. Not feeling too swift was not going to stop me. Biked to the location and met my friends.

We saw everything below ground and skyward from the 73rd floor of One World Trade Center. At times it was surreal, then it turned majestic. Especially, when we climbed to the crow's nest with the wrap around view of New York's Skyline. Thank you, Garland Jeffreys for writing this beautiful song. Here's a peek. More coming during the week.