fter Sting, it’s hard to top it but we had a really good day. It was misty and rather cold, but still doable.

The morning broke drizzly and cold, with JB, me, my mom and sister boarding a carriage on the border of Central Park. Through the efforts of Flash the Horse, we circled around the interior of this vast yet beautiful greenspace (yeah, Orlando, thanks for developing the old navy base into Baldwin Park (i.e. Nob Hill for the rich, rather than greenspace for everyone). Not many people were out, so we huddled under our carrage blanket, looking out at the wet, wild woods with its backdrop of soaring buildings, relaxing to the clip-clop of hooves on park road.

After that, lunch (and the best Rubin in the world) at Broadway Diner. Yes, it was expensive, but pre-warned that the portions were huge, we shared meals and just really enjoyed it. And it was warm inside – real huddle around the kugel weather.

After that, my sister and mom dropped off for their play and JB and I continued downtown to Union Square. There, we quickly located The Strand Bookstore, which I’m going to have to call the Mecca for readers. Wow. Shelve after shelf. Floor after floor. I think I picked up about eight books (watch for coming reviews). It’s actually the first bookstore that has defeated me – I just couldn’t bring myself to lug my swag bag down endless aisle any longer.

And Forbidden Planet is right next door. So, of course, another book on the way out of that place, a graphic novel. Maybe I’ll review that too.

Union Square was also hosting a local artiste fair with all sorts of stalls. So JB poured over that while I sat on a wet bench, hugging my books to keep them dry, watching cold dogs sit in the dog run and dream of warm doggie beds.

Okay, so tomorrow, a short day and then home for Christmas. Ready to return to the Shire.

>>>NEXT DAY<<<

>>>PRIOR DAY<<<

>>>YES, I CHECKED – NONE OF MY BOOKS MADE THE STACKS AT STRANDS. BUT YOU CAN GET THEM HERE, AND CHECKOUT IS EASIER. HAVE A LOOK!<<<