The Cheap Brother... I Mean The KID Brother

As I began this post Sunday evening, it was 33°F/1°C here in New York City. But it was sunny and around 40F/4C earlier in the day. This, apparently, is as good as it gets. Today is partly cloudy with a high of 23F/5C and a low of 5F/–15C. (And that doesn't account for 'real feel.') At least we've got a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean.

THE COLOR- AND PATTERN-COORDINATED DOWAGER DUCHESS.
(THAT'S HER VERY COOL FRIEND ROSALIE IN BLUE AND GRAY.) 

THE VIEW FROM THE BALCONY SATURDAY EVENING. 

A COLD CONCH SHELL ON THE BALCONY.
(WHATEVER WAS INSIDE FLEW BACK TO JAMAICA LAST WEEK.)

FROM THE KITCHEN WINDOWS.

ICE FLOES IN THE NARROWS? (FROM THE DUCHESS'S WINDOWS.)

My Mother The Dowager Duchess has a beautiful view from her windows at Rehab, too. She's back in her first room, with a view of the Narrows leading into New York Harbor. Ice floes are visible!

THE KID BROTHER ... WEARING GEOFFREY BEENE.

The Kid Brother was over Sunday to chill with us for a bit. That 40°-day didn't feel as warm as expected. We went out for lunch at the Parkview Diner and, while we waited out front for the car to pick us up, we all stood with hoods up and scarves wrapped tightly. San Geraldo and I wore scarves purchased for about 3 euros each in Spain. The Kid Brother wore an Italian-made Geoffrey Beene scarf. And since it was the night of the Academy Awards here, I captioned the photo appropriately.

WITH SAN GERALDO FACING AWAY FROM THE WIND.
(THIS WAS THE "WARM" DAY; BACK BELOW FREEZING AGAIN TODAY!)

We had another lunch feast at the Parkview Diner and when the bill came I passed it to the Kid Brother. He passed it back to me like a hot potato.

"THANKS FOR LUNCH, CHUCK!"

"YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN, WISE GUY!"

Then The Kid Brother headed home and we headed over to Rehab. (The Kid Brother spoke to The Dowager Duchess by phone before we went out to lunch.) The Duchess continues to thrive and we're hoping she'll be home very soon.

MY FATHER'S MAPS AND GUIDE BOOKS GOING BACK TO THE 1950s.
(THESE ARE SOME I DECIDED TO HOLD ONTO.)

Being back here in Brooklyn and in my mother's apartment for so many weeks has been, well, interesting. I now spend about an hour each morning lying in bed and reminiscing (or, more precisely, dwelling) on my past. (I wasn't always the joy-filled, confident, brilliant, witty, and stunning specimen you've come to know on these pages.)

I've been going through closets and shelves and trying to get things a bit more streamlined and less cluttered. I've come across things that bring back bittersweet memories (and quite a bit of dust). I'll share more of my discoveries in coming days ... or weeks ... or whenever I come up for air.

I miss reading all the exceptional blogs I follow. I'll have so much catching up to do once I'm back in Spain. The Duchess told me to send continued thanks to you all from her for all your kind comments, messages, and good wishes. She enjoys feeling the love and support from all around the world. Of course, I thank you, too! So, now it's time for lunch with the heavenly San Geraldo...

And then back to rehab!


Other than that, I can't control my destiny...