New Chuke

On my many travels to the New York Public Library on 5th avenue and 40th street, i pass BCBG Max Azria,  the high end fashion store, located directly across 40th street from my destination.  The windows are beautifully done and cause me to stop and linger every time i need to return or pick up a book.

Many times i have wanted to go in and just look.  Several times i have, but with varying results.  My body frame is not the usual for the designer fashion but the draw of the fabulous designs in the window, and the styling, is candy for my artists eyes.  Most of the sales people have been kind and helpful when i have asked a question or requested a peek at something on the bottom floor.  Sometimes not, making me all the more determined to check things out.

Sean Combs had a store on the block before BCBG's which has since closed.  I loved the windows there too and would go in even though a men's store.  The graphics and styling intrigued me.  Never bought any thing in his store but have regretted not even purchasing a t-shirt.  Now it's long gone so i only have BCBG's left to salivate over.

Well----several weeks ago i noticed an adorable Bobby's hat  like the police wear in London, on a mannequin, and so i popped in to see and ask the price.  The price point for hats was not bad and i thought maybe i could treat myself to the treasure, but low and behold the hat was way big and not as attractive on as i hoped it would be.  Too bad!!!!!!

A few days ago i made my regular trip to the library and was stopped dead in my tracks when i saw, on the head of a mannequin a chuke with a veil.

My mother spoke french Canadian when i was growing up.  My grandmother lived with us.  Chuke was what we called a "stocking cap" or winter warm hat of simple design to keep the head warm.  My brother once went shopping for a winter hat and came home amazed because no one had chuke's in stock.  It was winter and there should have been plenty.  What a surprise when my mother told us that chuke was french for stocking cap.  No one understood what my brother was asking for.

Well, the reason i'm saying all this is because a few days ago i walked by BCBG's on my way to pick up a book i had on hold, and low and behold i saw the same hat on a mannequin that i saw a few weeks ago while watching the fashion runway show from Paris.  Bill Cunningham from the Times, did a video report on  women attending the show and women on the street wearing the chuke with a vail.  OMG How perfect was that.  When i saw that hat, on the mannequin at BCBG's, i had to have it.  Well, I did.  I splurged and bought my self a gift.  Veils are cool  but on a chuke---Now that's beyond cool.

Can't wait to tell my older brother about my new hat.  He will probably say "it's not a real chuke".  That's like my dad telling me many years ago that  my new Fry boots were "not real shit kickin boots" when i told him i bought cowboy boots. What do they know--They're boys.

My chuke however,  instead of being made of  wool, is make of angora and has a fab angora pom pom.  A little luxury never hurt anybody.

Frida and Diego

My nest, on the 19th floor, is serene and calm now.  For two weeks i was without my fish and found myself looking for them in the morning when i woke up and longing for the slow undulating sight of fish enjoying their world.

The new tank i created is a zen tank with different size glass balls and a glass spire plus blue gravel and lots of glass  marbles, and a couple flowers swaying back and forth.  My goldfish Frida is adorable with a white face and a tiny golden liner around the lips.  Diego is larger and i'm afraid has the bully instinct.  I need to watch him though cuz i have fallen in love with Frida and i don't want her abused. She seems the smarter of the two and gets away from him so maybe it will be ok.

Life is good with fish and i'm glad my good friend Bobby gave me the tank long ago that set me on this new fish adventure.  I've lost a few but i guess that's part of the deal when dealing with gold fish or any fish actually.  We are all creatures of the earth who live the best we can and then we die.  Nature.

The Dilemmas of Friendship

Having had the great fortune of a loving family,  two wonderful children and a grandchild that i adore plus friends in my life from long ago and now, i find myself in a quandary.

A long time friendship is changing.  I'm sure friendships are constantly changing due to circumstances in one's life and maybe that's what's happening to mine. Whatever it is, it has been painful.

My friend from an early age and i, have kept a periodic in touch relationship.  Life happens and due to marriage, divorce, kids, jobs, and moving, the time in communication has been sporadic until the last few years.

The two of us are in constant email mode.  Both of us like to write and love communicating via email. She keeps me updated on her always active and social life, her travels, her friends--all her happenings on an almost daily, sometimes more basis.  I do the same.

The time has come to cut back i think.  Can't really explain it but the feelings are as if i am paralyzed and unable to deal any more with the circumstances of her life.  It hurts.  I have no control (nor do i want any) over her life.  She doesn't need my approval or my comments.  I do however have feeling and even when i express them they seem to hit dead air.

Life goes on and friends come and go but some friends are more important then others.  It makes me sad to see a friendship i care about so much, slowly die.  We are both responsible.

I must say though,  our several year email marathon would make an intriguing book.