A blog about New York City, my books, and my cats. Mostly.
My friend Jackie is updating my blog so it’s looking a little off lately. It still needs a few tweaks here and there. We’re also going to try adding pictures of Bodhi, Bali and Bleecker to the banner. I hope that works out. I don’t have the greatest pictures of them, but we shall see. Here they are, hanging out on the bed. The one thing I love about the new blog is there are room for bigger pictures!
I was asked, “Are you here for research or visiting?” I’ve never been asked that before. “Research!” Of course. Duh! As per usual, I’m looking into a very, very morbid topic. True crime is all the rage right now, and my angle is the most, I don’t know how to put it, maybe dramatic? It has to do with something I learned while researching my book about the NYPD’s Cold Case Squad. I always meant to come back to it and I think the time is right.
I took this picture on my way out.
I wanted to let people know about a new literary journal called 34 Orchard Street. “A literary journal that takes you dark places.” Because …
“Darkness is just across the street.
“Everyone has a haunting.
“If it’s not a ghost in your own home, it might be the ghost that lives in that house they told you about at the end of the block—the one that’s always for sale, or the one that is abandoned, staring at you with darkened windows like doleful, empty eyes: Stay away from the house at 34 Orchard Street, the older kids told you.”
Sometimes darkness is right in front of you, and getting CLOSER. (You’re getting pictures of Bodhi because 34 Orchard Street doesn’t have pictures yet that I can grab and post.)
I do most of my research at the main branch of the New York Public Library, a beautiful place to work. Here is a quick shot looking up.
And this is a shot across the subway platforms, as I’m waiting for my train to go home. A different kind of beautiful place.
My friend Barbara and I have been going to see the Grace Church performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors for over ten years! The actors never change, except Amahl, for which I am grateful, they are all so delightful. Thank you Tami Petty, Aram Tchobanian, AJ Stetson, Alvin Crawford, Bob Lukomski, the Grace Church Adult Choir, Dr. Patrick Allen, and this year’s Amahl (last year’s also) Sarah Weber.
