Bye to 2009 with a jog in the snow

Six months ago there was little chance that the female DG would have predicted that she would be back to jogging (knowing that she was facing Achilles tendon surgery), let alone she’d be taking a spin around Central Park’s reservoir in the snow! The DGs have a big day ahead – more to come!

No excuses – it’s in the 30s!

The sun was shining this morning and  it had warmed up to the low 30s (from 18 when they walked the two short blocks home from the restaurant last night).  So the “no excuses” DGs walked together, this time using the Central Park paths toward downtown.  The Park is magical whatever season – has the female DG, who got artsy with a moored canoe shot, said that enough times? She doesn’t mean to be a broken record but each of these walks really is special.  The male DG – pictured with the Boathouse in the background – could hardly keep his camera in his pocket, the winter light was so perfect.

It gets gusty – and the gimps get going

How chilly is it in New York? The doorman mentioned he almost always walks the less than a mile from where he lives to where he works – but not today! Indeed, there was silence from the park during the normally barky period of 8:00 to 9:00 am, and a look below revealed just a couple of hardy canines. It wasn’t the temps in the 20s that was the real issue – it was the very gusty winds, the kind that can almost blow you across a sidewalk and certainly across a broad avenue that’s been transformed into a wind tunnel. The DG’s bundled up nevertheless and did a mini UES foodie tour – some of the city’s best suppliers and purveyors are within a 10-square block radius. (The potatoes, captured by the male DG, were on display at Eli’s Manhattan on Third.) They brought provisions for their planned New Year’s Eve tasting supper, including a Burgundian cheese last tasted in Ameugny. The marveled at the decent prices for French wine (in comparison to the West Coast, not France)  and snatched up a few bottles from the 2005 vintage. And looking forward to a special dinner tonight at Cafe Boulud, they had an excellent – and light – vegetarian lunch at Gobo; the female DG was introduced to seitan, which she liked a lot. All in all a very satisfying way to pass the day chilly day.

Exploring a new Central Park circuit

Because the DGs plan to walk later this afternoon from the apartment to Rockefeller Center (yes, they must see the tree) and then on to dinner and the theater – a good distance for the male DG – it was the female DG solo in Central Park this morning. She arrived just as the leashless dogs – herds of canines in all sizes – were getting rounded up from their early morning romp, always a fun sight. She made her way up to the reservoir and used the bridal path to circle the park, something she’s never done before. She diverged at the 59th St. end of the park for a look at Wollman Rink and came back by the zoo. Contentment in NYC is walking the park – and sitting in the apartment and watching the park as the light changes throughout the day.

Two for the reservoir

It’s not that the Dual Gs wake up every morning and recite the things that will probably never happen in their life time together – or the things that they’ll never share again. But New York City is a special place for them both. It’s the city of some of their longest walks together and their very best runs. So it was a mixture of great joy (and a few tears) that they climbed the steps of the New York Reservoir at exactly 12:40 pm EST today – something they had wondered if they’d ever do together again. After torrential rains that delayed their flight in last night (and almost dumped them in Philadelphia), the sun was shining brightly and as only New York can do, the skyline was shimmering. The walk from 78th and Fifth, around the reservoir and back, was probably the longest distance the male DG has walked since last summer – and included a couple of the famous hills of Central Park. And somewhere along the way, the female DG noted that it was also a grand way to celebrate five months post Achilles tendon surgery.

Sharing Christmas with best buddies

The female DG realizes not everyone has cherished friends from girlhood like she does and what a blessing. Sharing the Christmas festivities with Cathy and Terye made the day extra special – more so because all of their family was there too. Great fun, great food, great Candy Land theme. Now on to the Big Apple.

Grace visits her fairy godmother

So, yes it’s been a breathless 48-plus hours. Too busy to get grumpy and as the male DG says, “we just stump along.” Christmas breakfast and present opening at the Getze household (Julie, John and Grace) started the Christmas Day festivities. Short break and then they all reconvened for dinner (wow- traditional prime rib and creamed spinach! bigger wow – a cake that looked like a decoration!!!) at Grace’s fairy godmother’s home. Nothing beats two princesses getting better acquainted.

Grace models a tutu

Day two of ‘all about Grace’ featured Christmas Eve family service at Trinity (talk about joyous bedlam!), followed by traditional cracked crab dinner and the opening of one present on Christmas Eve. The latter ritual was started by the female DG’s mother for grandson John. Whatever gift was offered (often pj’s) would come in the same box every year. It’s been lovingly preserved and still hanging together some 30 plus years later. Tonight it housed a tutu for Grace.

Grace gets an auntie

Much merriment tonight at good friends in the City – the home of parents, like the DGs, of an only child. The two families have seen their children, John and Kyle, (10 years apart in age) go from tot to adult. Tonight a new tot was introduced to the faux family – two year old Grace. While Mom Julie’s family provides real aunts and uncles, Kyle (pictured left ) quickly volunteered to be another kind of aunt – not necessarily related by blood – just lots of enthusiasm.

No good photos, no update, blogless

That sums it up. Things are much more interesting over on http://www.gulker.com.