Family and Friends in NYC

We kicked off our eight days in New York City with a gathering of Parent-Net friends. Parent-Net was a Princeton alumni forum where people from different classes gathered online to discuss parenting. It became the virtual village that helped raise our kids. About twenty-five of us met to see a Broadway show (The Queen of Versailles - read about it here). Then we got together at Melinda’s beautiful art-filled home, where she had arranged a sumptuous buffet dinner. Alas, we didn’t take any group photos, but it was marvelous to talk with friends I normally converse with online. It was a stimulating evening!

On Sunday we had brunch in Brooklyn with my sister Marg, my sister-in-law Gabriella, and their son Emmett (age 8). Le Petite Cafe was delightful! After brunch, we went to a pinball museum (read about it here) and had some old-fashioned fun playing pinball and KerPlunk.

Marg and Emmett had come in the box bike, so we were able to see it in action. Emmett was quite cozy in there with the rain shield on. I wonder how much longer he will still fit in it?

We walked to the waterfront to check out the view. It was SUPER windy, and raining, and freezing! Still, it was nice to see the sunset behind New Jersey across the bay, and the Statue of Liberty, even for just a few minutes.

It was special to see Gabriella on this visit because she had just published her first book, The Fig Thief. I loved it. Her poetry is lyrical, warm, poignant, and deeply felt. The publisher’s description starts, “These poems rise out of the page and take you by the hand,” and I couldn’t agree more. I’m so proud of Gabriella! Here’s her book cover, along with one of my favorite photos of G with her family, from our visit in 2023.

We were delighted to see Karen and Jimbo in New York City! We enjoyed tapas and sangria in Hudson Yards and dim sum and pork buns in Chinatown. We had a lovely afternoon at Grand Central Terminal, where we marveled at the Holiday Train Show, shopped at the Holiday Fair, and then relaxed with cocktails at one of New York City’s coolest bars, The Campbell.

I was delighted when Jennifer popped down to meet me at Grand Central for a quick visit! It was a last-minute thing and a real treat.