Don't underestimate the power of the 'stroll'

If anyone were to describe me, a statement like this would probably be part of the description:"She walks very fast with her back straight." Let me just stay "Things, they are a changin."

The first few days here, my friend (who drove the many miles from Iowa to NY with me) commented on how slow the people walk. I hadn't noticed, but since then I have become one of them. For me, if I walk fast I just might not get there(because I will die, or at least feel like I am dying) I have discovered the stroll as a means of survival.
In New York everyone walks, and not just a small distance. Three days a week I push a stroller with either my little 2 1/2 yr old Lucy in it with Sammie on a leash or visa versa. We walk 11 blocks to and from the day camp twice a day. On the other days we walk 10 blocks to the park.

When I get groceries I take a cart on wheels and walk 4 blocks to market and return with a cart FULL of "stuff". I am lucky, my flat is on the ground floor, most residents have a flight or 2 of stairs to climb with groceries in hand.

New Yorkers walk and walk and walk. IF you want to take the train (subway) you need to walk to the station. Then you need to walk down the stairs. When you get to your drop off site you need to walk up the stairs and in some cases, a lot of stairs. Then you have to walk to your destination.

Does this sound like a bad thing? It isn't. You just have to remember to Stroll.

Did I say this was going to be easy?

My intention was to journal my journey from Iowa to New York city. Well, THAT didn't happen! I have been here for 3 1/2 weeks now and I DO have some stories.

As the photo shows, my friend (who volunteered to drive with me and then fly home) and I set out on June 26th and arrived in Brooklyn on the 28th.

Going across Manhattan to get into Brooklyn was not the best idea MAPQUEST ever had. That truck you see in the photo drove down the length of Manhattan starting at Times Square during the Gay Pride Parade. Two little ladies in that big truck stalled in the middle of the celebration; yeah well it sounds funny NOW. We did have quite a view.

Check in regularly if you want to see New York city through the eyes of a person who has lived in small towns in the Midwest her entire life .

That's all for now.

The best laid plans...blah blah blah

What a day I had yesterday.

I was so excited to see an empty square on my calendar, an entire day to spend as I wished. My plan to get my shopping done in the morning was good, I would take the dogs for a nice long walk in the woods when I get home. (My companion Sammie, a little 6 lb. Maltese and my daughters huge black poodle )

I really got into my shopping and was relieved that I didn't have to teach the art class I have been teaching on Thur afternoons since the first session had just ended and we were on a break. I came home with way too many bags, not just grocery's, a frame for my last painting, a couple of tee shirts, some self tanning cream and new lipstick and lotion for my very dry face, and oh yes, the grocery's that the trip was all about. Really, I MUST stay away from Super Target!



I walk into the house,bags in both hands, with 2 hysterically happy dogs barking and jumping their greetings to me and the phone is ringing. It is the art center giving me the news that two students showed up for the second session.........WHAT?! No! I have groceries to put away, I am hungry , the dogs are lonely and need a walk. I tell the art director to give the students some paper and watercolor paint to keep them busy for 15 min. I frantically stuff all the grocery's into cupboards, the microwave and refrigerator to protect everything from Jasper, the HUGE black poodle. I grab some art supplies and Sammie (no way is my sweet little guy going to be cooped up in this house alone with this HUGE poodle any more.) and jump into my car. I close the car door and discover the index finger on my left hand is still outside the door. Weird, no pain.When I opened the car door and removed my hand I discovered that the finger was wedged into the rubber lining of the door. Lucky for me.

Sammie was a little anxious when I first got to the art center so I held him as I started to teach. Within a few minutes I looked at my finger and it was rapidly expanding in size. I had no feeling in the finger, that was a good thing, right? The gals at the center brought me a little baggie of ice, so I rested my left hand on that which freed up my right hand to hold Sammie. When I wanted to demonstrate a procedure to the students I would let Sammie walk around the table. It was really cute when he started to drink the water we were cleaning our brushes with and walk through some wet paint and then walked across an empty canvas with his little green paws.

Next weeks class may be more organized but I am sure the students won't think it is nearly as much fun.

Tomorrows blog will be about the next step on my list. The saga continues on the journey of my next adventure: moving to New York.
1. I have decided to move to N.Y. to Nanny for a year.
2. Should I sell or rent my house?

Of course I will want your opinons so keep tuning in and thanks so much to those who have already commented. I will get back to each of you soon.

Diane