I'll be at simplyfrances.com

I'll never be too old to enjoy an afternoon at the Museum of Natural History. Many consider it a kids museum, so consider me a 50 year old kid. Actually a kid would say they are 49 & a half, generally they don't round up unless a car or an R rated movie is involved. My original plan for the day was to take the 3 hour Circle Line cruise around New York. I love a ride on a big boat. Then my young friend from Israel called to say she would be returning home this week instead of the end of the summer, so we're meeting up tonight for farewell pasta and vino. Her parents and little brother are here, so we will be a merry table-full. I wanted to stay on the Upper West Side, and the Museum had two new exhibits - The Largest Dinosaurs and Frogs - so it was a no-brainer. You know I only wandered off once as a child. I was maybe 8 or so, and friends of my Uncle Peter took me and my brother Joey to the museum. I was amazed by the dioramas, and simply walked away to enjoy each on my own for hours. I happened on sort of learning room, and that's where they found me stroking a rat's coat. It was just the coat - friend Rat had left this plane of existence. After I got my exhibit tickets I headed for one of the little cafes for a snack. A lovely woman named Julie from Philly asked to share my table. She was showing her brother,Eric from Colorado around town. I told them that I was studying for a tour guide's license - you need one here in NYC - my dream is to one day lead a free walking tour on Sunday afternoons. I gave them my blog addies, and told them to drop me a line next time they're in town on a Sunday. Right now I'm at World Coffee sipping a Diet Coke and doing everything on my phone but talking. Thank you God(desses) for blogging apps, email and all the rest. Just so you know, this is not my only blog, go to www.francesd.com to check out all the places I hang out online. There's loads of photos of New York. Okay, time to head towards the restaurant. Til next time.

No more random watching.  My favorite shows are DVRed now; I set aside an hour or so to watch them;then the set goes off.  If I choose to watch an On Demand movie, then I won't watch my shows on anothet evening. Why? Because I need to write in my paper journal and read books. Because I need to connect with my favorite bloggers by visiting their sites and commenting. Because lounging on a futon does not burn calories, no matter how hard you wish. I'm also catching up on my sleep.  This girl was looking like a raccoon that went ten tounds and lost.  Whoever said, 'The most important thing in your beauty kit is a good night's sleep' wasn't lying. Recently I re-opened my weight loss,blog.  It's had several incarnations that all fell flat, but ever hopeful here is, giving it another shot. Today I hit Google to find some like-minded ladies. I'm on the mobile so I can't do links, but I shall be posting a few later in the day when I'm in front of my desktop. There are some great ladies out there burning calories up! Okay, time to get some of that sleep I was carrying on about earlier . Ciao Bella

This is Larry Gaga - a man that makes things happen. He tends bar at a restaurant I visit now and again. Whenever I go I like to hear about what he and his favorite lady are up to. His favorite lady? Lady Gaga. Larry attends every Lady Gaga concert he can. It was his dream to meet her and recently he did right here in New York, as you can from the framed photo on the bar. And if you click this link you'll see Lady Gaga singing to Larry and friends at the Monster Ball. I was delighted to hear her say out loud: "I recognize you all." The song is Paparazzi. I'm now a fan of both Larry and Lady Gaga. Larry keep making those dreams come true.

These should be illegal.

Preparing to be launched on the Slingshot - and no that is not me.

The Slingshot in action - that couple is at least 20 stories high!

I love this old sign.

A good resemblance don't you think? Again not me.

Most definitely not me!

It was chilly and overcast, but the ocean as always was awesome to be behold.

It's a little late to be going to the beach, but I like going later in the day. The amusement park is much more magical by the light of the night. I have been longing to sit on the boardwalk, look out at the ocean and have a good think. Actually it's less of a think, and more of an emptying of the head. There's too much stuff in there right now. Too many images on my mind's screen. Too many strange dreams. Too many questions.

The past week came with two events; one very happy & one very sad. The 26th marked the 8th anniversary of my favorite uncle's passing, and the 30th was my daughter's 28th birthday. Peter was also my daughter's favorite uncle, and she his most favorite person on the planet. The circumstances of his death were like something from a three hankie movie. A 60 year old bachelor who lived with mother all his life, he was hit by a cab on a dark rainy night after spending the day at the nursing home, where his mother was recovering from a fall. He didn't die till over a month later. While his cracked knee and broken hip healed, he contracted a hospital disease, and died from pnuemonia.

Sitting here on the D train with tears in my eyes now. Across the subway car a young Asian boy looks directly at me. He knows something is wrong; I feel the good vibes he is sending my way. Thank you my friend - I'll be okay - this pussycat always lands on her feet.

My daughter being 28 was a grand event. She lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts with a husband that simply adores her. Oh and that's today's event - their 7th wedding anniversary. My daughter posted the most adorable pic of herself having a celebratory lobster dinner last night. She was wearing on those plastic bibs adorned with you guessed it - a large red lobster. The son-in-law had a steak. I celebrated with a lovely Indian meal here in New York. Then again if you keep up with my blogs and Facebook you already know I am always having an Indian meal.

My first ever trip to Coney Island was with Uncle Peter, our granduncle Peter and my btother Joey. It remains one of my favorite places to go til this day.

Okay, this mobile is down to it's last bar, so let's get this posted. And yes, I have a backup mobile in my bag. A blogger my dears is always prepared.

Happy May Day to all.
Happy Anniversary to my darling daughter and dear son-in-law.
Happy Trails Dear Uncle Peter wherever you are.

because trees live inside

This past Sunday I treated myself to a membership at New York's MoMA.  There's nothing nicer than a walk through, a snack at the cafe & a sit down in the outside area.

Here's a few photos:

Sometimes the post title comes to me first, and the post follows. Sometimes it's the other way round; let's see what happens.

So yesterday Good Buddy sent me a text inviting me to meet her for a movie. We went to see 'Rango,' and if you are considering adding this movie to your list - please don't. Yes, I know Ebert liked it, but believe me the dear man was having a rare off day.

The film is the communal bad dream of a lot of very talented people. It's animated. Too mature for children, too boring for adults.

But I was good company and that makes a lot of things very doable.

When the movie finally ended we decided we wanted salads. It was freezing out, and GB does not like the cold at all. Girlfriend is in long johns the end of August no lie. So we're on a freezing 8th Ave trying to find somewhere to go. GB doesn't drink, and 8th Ave is the land of noisy Irish bars. Great for our blogger, but not for her company.

So I said, 'Let's go uptown to the 24 hour diner.". Fine with her so I stuck out my hand for a cab. A gypsy cab (non-yellow) pulled up, and I hopped in.

Good buddy kept saying, "Find out how much he wants Franny.". I figured how much could he want? Forty bucks! for a ten dollar ride. We hopped out, and somehow she made a 104 bus appear from nowhere. Yes, it was an actual 104 bus stop, where 104s stop, but she made that one appear from nowhere - I promise you she is magical.

The gypsy cab was rolling alongside our bus, and we scowled out the window and cussed him good.

We ended not at the diner, but at a quite nice restaurant that happens to be open 24-7. It's French, and good buddy was looking forward to creme brûlée for dessert. They were out of creme brûlée. Good buddy is not easily fooled. She knew they didn't have any to begin with. "Frannie French restaurants do NOT run out of creme brûlée.". Gospel as far as I am concerned.

Things I love about GB

1.). Super Supportive. If I am worried about something she is nothing but positive encouragement. I remember the day I called to tell her my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. "Don't worry Frannie. They'll zap it right out of her.". She talked about celebs and friends who had beat cancer, and gone on to lead full normal lives. The woman had me pumped. GB was absolutely right too; my daughter is now two years totally cancer-free.

2.). Nothing is a Competition. Know how some woman make everything a contest? I hate that. GB is cool. She does her own successful thing, and cheers you on with your projects. I remember the night she called one of my favorite photos 'art.'. She talked up that photo so much, made me feel so good, that I am never without a camera in my bag.

3.). Her Daughter. GB gave birth to a young woman that I love second only to my own incredible offspring. She's is a helluva mom. If you know of a Mother of Year contest leave the info in comments, 'cause I'm getting out my crayons and writing a letter.

There's more but I'll save it for another time.

Hope you all have or find such a friend.

Oh, what about a title for this post.

Let's keep it simple - GB & Me.

Ciao.

 

Sculptures in the Times Square Show 2011 include:

• Mouse (large) (2007) by New York artist Tom Otterness with the Marlborough Gallery

• Star Fountain (Blue) (1999) by Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2001) with Nohra Haime Gallery

• The Uros House (2011) by New York artist Grimanesa Amorós with the Nina Menocal Gallery

• Counting Sheep (2011) by Brooklyn artist Kyu Seok Oh with the West Harlem Art Fund -- a 36-foot long installation consisting of a flock of 24 hand-made paper sheep designed to invite people in Times Square “to relax, count the sheep and even doze off a little.”

New Yorkers and visitors can view all the sculptures from Tuesday, March 1 to Monday, March 7 in Times Square. The first four installations are at Duffy Square and the Broadway Plazas between 46th Street and 47th Street. The 24 paper sheep by Kyu Seok Oh are exhibited on the Broadway Plazas between 45th Street and 46th Street near the Marriott Marquis Hotel