Thursday, September 15, 2011

Water Towers and Ice Coffee


Summer sweltered and rain drenched us repeatedly, but cooler breezes are blowing in now. The kids are back in school and I am drawing plants and bees in the community garden and remembering a summer camp trip up the Empire State Building.

 Cup of the day #87
Garden cup by Gwyneth Leech
Colored India ink on white paper cup

What is it with groups of kids and high places? I also escorted Grace's second grade up the Rockefeller building in June on a 98 degree day. The views were hazy and we were like eggs frying in a pan on those shadeless terraces.


On both trips I longed to high dive into the water towers that be-deck so many rooftops - the quintessential New York view. Or to find my way to a scintillating roof top pool or secret garden. Surprising things to see from above. At least the Art Deco interiors of both buildings are lined with cool marble, delightful to lean against while waiting in endless lines to ride up and down in tiny elevators. 


Dropping the kids back at air conditioned buildings after each trip, I rushed for the nearest ice coffee and then retreated to the community garden where I could recover in the shade of twining grape vines and spreading trees to draw plants and bees in blissful silence.


The city is full of contrasts!

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