Graduation Day

For reasons I won't go into until AFTER that diploma is framed and on my wall, I did not attend either the Hooding Banquet or Graduation. Not to worry. When the time is right, you'll hear the whole sad story.

Instead, I chose to go into The City (there's only ONE - New York City, of course).

There were major performances at the Ballet and the Opera, so we were absolutely unable to get a reservation at any of our favorite restaurants on the UWS, where my daughter works, so Friday night we had a FABULOUS dinner at Portofino on the UES.

It was pouring down rain, but we might have been in a little bistro in Roma. The food was fabulous! And the bread, oh, the bread was surely made in heaven by the angels.

The wait staff were well trained, very efficient, and, to a person, Italian studs with flirty dark eyes, faces like chiseled statues, sexy, dangerously intriguing Italian accents and perfect, gorgeous bodies. Not a bad bun in the house.

This morning, Saturday, we slept in, and then went to the Ritz Diner for a great breakfast (I had the Mozzarella and Basil Omelet and great hot NYC coffee), and then a three hour walk around the City.

First stop - Strawberry Fields and the tribute to John Lennon, who was tragically shot and killed not far from this spot, at the entrance to his apartment at The Dakota, which can be seen from this memorial. It still makes me sad, all these years later.

We also stopped at the "Angel of the Waters," the Bethesda Monument - one of my very favorite places in the entire Park. Somebody's saying "Hey, isn't that . . .?" Yup. If you saw "Angels in America" you will recognize this place.

We walked across and through the park from the UES to the UWS - and yes, this is Trump Tower. Actually, one of five Trump Properties in Manhattan. Like him or not, Mr. Comb-Over is a pretty amazing mogul.

And here, at Merchant's Gate, we were treated to an amazing dance troupe. These boys were fabulous. You can just catch the spirit of the moment, but being there was really pretty exciting.


The boys sometimes performed alone, or did intricate dance routines with each other. Either way, their moves really excited the crowd who applauded wildly and, true New Yorkers, left generous tips.


All in all, NYC is still my favorite place in the whole world to be. Lucky me - it's just 55 minutes by NJ Transit Train.

It was a perfectly wonderful way to mark a 'commencement' - an ending (thanks be to God) and a new beginning.