Governors Island

Cup and Saucer

Coming up Eldridge Street, I saw this vision of diner loveliness.  Oh, but I didn't have time to go & eat there!  I'll be back within the next few days.  What a perfect diner name - Cup & Saucer -  and what a no nonsense exterior. That sign gladdens the heart!  From what I gather, the inside decor is of the same vintage, & the kitchen turns out classic, no nonsense diner grub.  Absolutely worth heading over to Canal for.  Cup & Saucer, Cup & Saucer, Cup & Saucer ...

8th & 13th

Chinatown Red

Rudy's Pastry Shop, Ridgewood

Bravo Shoe Repair

These guys do a fantastic job.  Prices are very reasonable, & they work quickly. 9th at Sixth.       

                

C Town Looking Grand

On the List

I've been familiar with the 4th Ave. IND station for over twenty years, but until this week, I had no idea that it was on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was built in the 1930's, & got its spot on the list fairly recently, in 2005.  To be honest, I found the place fairly depressing for a number of years, but over time - the thousands of early mornings standing on the platform - I've grown to find it extraordinarily beautiful.  Being at an above ground station is a fine way to start the day, & the light up there is really something. 

Chelsea Flower Show, 1952

On such a miserably hot day, why not look at some archive footage of the Chelsea Flower Show, & discover the source of British patience? If you feel like it, you can also look at the shows of 1936 (nifty clothing) and 1966 (colour!), but I'm quite happy with this one, with a brand new queen.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2010/may/24/chelsea-flower-show-1952?intcmp=239

Early Morning, Fourth Avenue

Back Yard Before (Please) Rain- 8:30 p.m.

Bryant Park - 7:15 a.m.

EV Grieve on Brian Rose's photographs of the LES in 1980.  They include this great shot of  Second Street at Houston:

Late Sunlight

Ferris Street

Down by the Water

Esposito Truck - Banana Baby

Evening Sun

6:32 a.m., 4th Avenue

6:30 a.m., Tenth Street

OTB

I heard that there was some sort of police activity around the OTB last night, & while idly googling for information, came across Billy Boy. Who knew that the local OTB was the opening setting for a 'psychological crime thriller' currently available as an 'All Romance E-book'?  No mention of dates here, but I'm thinking it's set in the mid to late 80's.

The Off-Track betting parlor at the corner of Brooklyn's 12th Street and 5th Avenue didn't attract many local shoppers. But it had its loyal contingent of pensioners, laid off truck drivers, and a small but active fellowship that convened there for something other than the action at Belmont or Hialeah. The OTB especially came in handy for Billy Conover when he wanted to cop an ounce of pot or a handful of Black Beauties.  This morning he had a hangover which only a mega dose of ups could cure.

..."Tito around?" he asked a dope fiend who had been a junkie when Billy was still sucking his thumb. Fat now, and permanently stoned on the legal dose he picked up at his clinic, chased down with a pint of cheap wine, the meth-head held court at the OTB like a veteran warrior, one of few survivors of a generation decimated by overdoses, gunshot wounds and AIDS.

"Try Manny's."

Questions of Travel

"Oh, must we dream our dreams
and have them, too?
And have we room
for one more folded sunset, still quite warm?"

Court Street

Poggioli, not Corcoran