I Miss New York, I Love New York 💚💚💚💚💕💖💖🗽🗽

Remember getting a pastry (or grilled corn muffin, or bagel) and coffee in a paper cup from a cart or deli on the way to work? Photo from here.

We took it all for granted. Hopping the bus, meeting for lunch, stopping at the New York Public Library, where the lions greet you outside as you climb up the stairs. 

Working hard, living happy.

Museums, skyscrapers, churches big and small. Broadway, Starbucks, pizza places on every corner, the doughy, saucy scent wafting into the air. 

Lattes, flower stands, women and men in fashionable clothing. Pretzel carts with yellow and blue Sabrett hot dog umbrellas. Fruit wagons, the ballet, Post Offices, bars, fast-food places. Swiping a MetroCard, leaning into the turnstile. Hard faces, soft faces but most of all, when push comes to shove, underneath it all, friendly faces.

Overhearing conversations, because you cannot help it--people talking on cell phones on their way to the Port Authority or Grand Central Station. I was once behind a young dad, on his way home to New Jersey, checking in with his child. I used to call home a lot on those walks back to the Port, too.

Tonight I watched “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” released in 1961, based on the novella by Truman Capote.

It made me long for so much of my city:

• Central Park.
• High fashion.
• Taxicabs.
• Young dreams.
• Colorful parties.
• Newspapers.
• Venerable, old New York Public Library.
• Fire escapes (though I do see some here in Montclair).
• Colors on trend.
• Hustle and bustle.
• Tiffany & Co.
• Its unique spinning base--to hold you as you find your way, and your love, and your friends, and your gifts, in the smartest, brightest metropolis.
• Personal interactions--with cabdrivers, grocers, storeowners.
• Fountains.
• Handbags.
• Fancy stores.
• Landmarks.
• Famous hotels where people meet for drinks.
• Tall, narrow, metal mailboxes that open with small keys--like the one Sis had for years in the vestibule of an apartment building on East 82nd Street.
• The place where I used to get a pedicure, in some upscale salon on Fifth Avenue, where they played this movie on a constant loop.

By the time we can all fully immerse in our beloved city again, things will be different. The things we knew and loved, or just knew, will be gone. Will subway fares be electronic--no more cards? We will wear masks at the majestic library, the Metropolitan Opera. Will we still want hot dogs from a rolling street cart? They were the best hot dogs in the world, nestled in soft buns with mustard and sauerkraut.

Punch went to visit Mimi this weekend. No school tomorrow for MLK Day. I will be leaving here about 2 p.m. to meet them and get Punch back. Dan made a healthy Sunday dinner tonight for the two of us, just like we used to have in my apartment in Ocean Grove. Broiled salmon, mashed potatoes, salad. It was nice. Peaceful and nice. We crave this peace.

Good night to you.