Last days in NYC as a Northamptonite

I got off the F train at 7th Avenue, Brooklyn. It was hot and I had been walking in Soho since morning waiting for Theo. He and I had a quick and tense lunch. I want him to help me move and that just disrupts his whole life. The F was not the right train to take because it was a long way from 7th St and 7th Ave, one block from the apartment. The "7" is what threw me. When I hit the number streets I thought, "I'm almost home."

I am almost home. NYC is my home.

That was on Friday. What a tiring day that was, and having to fill out financial forms for the landlord made me a nervous wreck. I started spinning in the gloom cycle: my credit will suck and I won't get the place; the buyers in Northampton will change their minds; the poodles will cost a fortune to groom here; how will I sell my car; what about health insurance when I'm old; why can't I remember the name of that nail polish color; etc.

Saturday was the most glorious day. The sun was brilliant. I went to the farmer's market in Grand Army Plaza, then stood in the Brooklyn Public Library taking in the smell of books and feeling at home because a library always grounds me to a place. A library card is one of the first things I get in a new city. When I have my library card; I'm home.



Next I went to the Brooklyn Museum to see a show of the best pieces from their collection of fashion design in the US from last century. Exquisite. The young woman who took my photo in front of the museum was adorable. She was with her mother and friends to see the show and was dressed as high style as she could. She wanted to take a really good photo of me and while I was just me in a kind of shleppy outfit, she posed like a fashion photographer, crouching down, her long legs impossibly wide for just that right shot. Fabulous.



The rest of the day was the best time. Theo and Kayla met me on 6th Ave and 4th St. We went for lunch at French Roast and then over to Chelsea. Kayla had never been to Chelsea Market or the High Line. Theo wanted to show her everything. I feel very fortunate to have a son who says, "We HAVE TO go into the fish market. I LOVE the fish market." He's such a mensch.





That night I took the train back to Northampton.