News

These are some of the news cameras lined up Sunday morning hoping for a shot at something regarding the explosion in Chelsea. There was really no new news to be had and they were 3/4 of a block away from the detonation site so it's unlikely they would have anything photo worthy to shoot but hope springs eternal.

This is 5 blocks from my apartment...luckily safer and quieter there.

Morning temperature: 76 degrees

Steps: 11,423

Morning Walk #115 - Around Chelsea

61 degrees & 75% humidity

Once again the predicted rain held off for my walk

574 Sixth Avenue, a four floor building, opened in 1904 for the Knickerbocker Jewelry Company. Its' elaborate cornice was designed to attract attention of the riders on the 6th Avenue Elevated Train. Today the ground floor tenant is the Hollywood Diner.

The lamp posts are lit in Union Square Park.

A woman wipes off a bench and sits. She clasps her hands, closes her eyes and, presumably, meditates with a smile on her face...for a long time

Trucks drive carefully down the walkway of the park. Tree trimming about to begin

Reading email I see that my friend, Ken, a runner, has had a serious injury to his ankle and foot. Please send healing thoughts his way.

Dropping off the compost then heading over for a grocery stop

Steps: 6563

Morning Walk #45 - Chelsea & Union Square Park

77 degrees, sunny, 84% humidity

Still quiet in the city but quite a few people pulling suitcases behind them

The 1904 YMCA building...no longer the Y but there is still a 3 floor gym

Dogs barking at the doggy day care center

A car with the license plate "Jesus365"

A runner stops me to ask directions to Times Square

The park is not the cool oasis I'd hoped

The GreenMarket comes to life with the Dancing Ewe Farm and Berried Treasures

A man says hello, introduces himself (Horace) and talks and talks

Some trash bags on the street are labeled "rodent repellant trash bags"

Steps: 6473

Morning Walk #40 - Chelsea to Union Square



If you think it's not that funny - maybe a less amusing cartoon would be helpful
 

74 degrees, cloudy with a touch of a breeze

Rain was predicted most days this week. I was lucky that the mornings were dry although rain did fall at some point each day

I mention the constant construction but today it occurred to me how much harder it is to put up new construction within tight spaces. It must be a struggle to get supplies in without knocking down the surrounding buildings

The Spingler Building on Union Square was built in 1896 but its' predecessor was built in 1878 (a neighbor to Tiffany). And that Spingler Building was built on the site of the Spingler House Hotel (1864).  This all happened on Henry Spingler's farm which was on land he acquired in 1788.  He built his farmhouse on the spot where Union Square Park is now located.  Another Spingler House Hotel was opened in 1889 a few blocks away.  Henry Spingler died in 1814 but his name lives on 200 years later on the Spingler Building.

A bird drinks from a puddle left from last night's rainstorm

A squirrel running across the paved path stops to scratch his armpit

A female scream...I can't see her but a park employee chuckles...moments later the screamer walks up to me and tells me her story of the bold squirrel. She was prepared to share her breakfast sandwich with him but not at all amused when he ran up her leg.

A man sits by a sign indicating he is hungry and would appreciate donations. The slightly unusual part is that he is lost in the book he is reading.

Two dark skinned men are laughing and talking when one calls the other that word that is currently bringing down Paula Deen. They continue talking and laughing. Context is everything.

The Krup Kitchen store features a pink refrigerator and an eggplant purple stove

A truck full of porta-potties pulling a trailer full of porta-potties stops at the traffic light...at least, 14 bathrooms from the CallAhead company

Steps: 8302

Morning Walk #19 - Chelsea & Hudson Riverwalk

Next door to Heavenly Bodyworks, an auto body shop

Sunny and humid! I guess it's always humid in the morning but this was intense

Just noticed that the renovations being done to Clement Clarke Moore's seminary was actually the development of the Highline Hotel in some of the original gothic buildings

Another small construction site must be bigger than it looks because it's a 4 porta-potty site

At the riverwalk lots of purple plants in bloom

The biggest dandelion plants I've ever seen

Huge bees buzzing around flowers

A police boat pulling a smaller silver boat on the river

Lots of boats this morning in addition to ferries - a barge and its' tugboat, pleasure craft and a kayak

A runner passes by with music so loud he must be hearing impaired

The Frederic Fleming House - originally a 1920's residence for "wage earning young women" now a residence for formerly homeless individuals

Chelsea Community Church welcomes people of all faiths and of uncertain faith

Steps:5682

Morning Walk #15 - Chelsea Piers

Surprisingly, no rain yet again in a week with predicitons for morning rains 4 out of 5 weekdays

Heading towards Chelsea Piers for possible shelter in case of a downpour

A memorial of candles, flowers and photos along a chain link fence

A large bronze plaque for Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. (son of the Civil War general) 1904 - 1909. He was responsible for the building of the Chelsea Piers as well as much other construction in NYC including Grand Central Terminal. 

Signs for the High School for Public Service Prom

The area north of Chelsea Piers is quiet with few people

A woman holding what looks like a large pink flower above her head with arms outstretched. It turns out to be a pink umbrella - not opened completely but no clue as to why she is holding it like that.

Always amazing to find parks, playgrounds, and playing fields tucked in between high rise buildings

Old 19th century buildings reborn in the 21st century

A sign for the Susan B. Anthony Real Estate Company...apparently not named for the famed Miss Susan B. but a modern day woman of the same name

A little girl in a gray pleated skirt runs on her orange scooter

A sign says the building on W. 22nd Street is the 1835 James N. Wells Mansion - it's not looking very mansion-y but interesting just the same.  Mr. Wells was instrumental in developing Clement Clarke Moore's Chelsea estate into lots (and making himself a lot of money).  The house became a home for the aged and is now 30 apartments.

Heading back home amid a sea of children heading every which way to school

Steps: 6168