New Yawk, New Yawk

Our holiday journey back east included transportation to or from 6 different airports:
Portland.
JFK.
LaGuardia.
Tampa.
Fort Lauderdale.
Las Vegas.
Portland.

Helloooo Americana. Pics are here.

Memory of New York? The Botanical Garden exhibit featuring building landmarks remodeled on miniature scale out of wholly natural (as opposed to synthetic) materials. A house decorated to the hilt with wreaths, ribbons, candles, lights -- you name it! (O'Neils - we don't have any of your Christmas photos, please send the huge blown up Homer Simpson in the front yard, etc..) A family that rivals my own in decibel levels, cooing over the youngest generation, love and chatter and munching, laughter (cackling?) and plain holiday cheer perhaps fueled by an excellent wine selection (I know my cheer was so fueled).

Nick and I did spend one eventful evening in the City. I guessed correctly on almost ALL features of Nick's best friend James' new girlfriend. That's right, I'm awesome. She is short and dark (check!), dresses trendy and not too cute (ding!), and she works in publishing (ka-ching!). Pitchers of Sangria, then a sobering visit to the WTC site, and a good sit-down with Fred Lin who, contrary to his Hippocratic Oath advised me to take up snowboarding.

We watched Gold-fingaaaaa! to celebrate Christmas day. Mr O'Neil was duly tricked into a goose chase around the house, at the end of which was the spectacular prize of Ale-8 "A Late One," the Kentucky beverage of choice! Kind of sharper, sweeter ginger ale. The absolute best, however, was the clue

O T O G
U F O T

Mr O'Neil asked, "Ot. Og. Oof. Ot. What is this?" We gestured to the mirror, which the clue was hidden behind. Mr. O'Neil, handicapped by my handwriting, asked, "Go to F-you?"

After we finally rose from the floor - which the three of us hit after this question - and gathered our breath, we suggested that he try again.

He consulted the mirror. "Go to-to F-you?" he asked. (If you haven't figured it out, sleuth, think hard and look at the second photo in this series.)

This was New York City. Oh and we went to the Met! (If you ever go to the Met, remember, it is FREE. There is a recommended donation of $20, but they are loaded and you and I are not. So- give what you want, but don't give $20 if you would rather give zip.) We saw Washington Crossing the Delaware - check it out yourself here. The painting is HUGE. The plaque next to the painting advises that there are several historical inaccuracies but nevertheless, the painting was popular in Germany during the Nationalist period. Fascinating Germans.

No ice skating in Central Park, but that's OK it was too warm for the illusion of ice. And no New York Times, which I regret but - who wants more international depressing news over the holidays? Not even me.

We did enjoy wonderful visits with the hostess with the mostess Aunt Mare and the artful, fun Aunt Jacobean. This Kentuckian (Mid-Westerner? Southerner? Non-Yankee?) received a lesson from Jacqueline and Richie on the difference between a New York accent and a Boston accent. Does everyone know this? New Yorkers transfer "O" sounds to an "Aw" sound - so it's New Yawk, oh my Gawd, get me a cawfee, I'd like a glass of wawdder. Bostoners and their environs turn "O" to "Aaa" and "Ar" to - well, "Aaa." So, a sample, "Where'd you paaak the caaa?" and "My Dunkin' Donuts aaan't cooked, they taste raaa." I do not yet sound convincing mimicking this accent, apparently, but I'm getting there, I'm getting there.

We attended a beautiful Midnight Mass at Holy Family, the Priaulx family Catholic church (thank you, O'Neils, for the hugs and the ritual - I will remember it), and an incredible performance of O Holy Night, my mom's favorite.

A very good Christmas. The time flew.