Aug. 1

Today was Friday, and Catherine only had one very quick Dr. appt. at 9AM, so that left the rest of the day free. So we took a whirlwind tour of NY with Catherine as tour guide. First we went all the way down to the WTC site. They seem to be moving along with things....there wasn't much to see, like there was the last time Catherine was there....of course, just seeing the size of the area that was blocked off for reconstruction, or whatever they're doing there, was impressive....but I didn't get to see the cross made from I beams, or any pictures, or anything. Later Catherine, looked it up on her Blackberry and found out that the cross has been moved to a church down there, but we didn't know at the time, so we missed that.
After the WTC, we walked down to Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty....we didn't take the boat ride or anything, because the line was (literally!) a mile long, so we just took pictures from the park. After that, we went back uptown, stopping at Chinatown, Little Italy, where we had lunch, the Flatiron district, where I wanted to see the Flatiron building (I think my mother, Catherine's "Nana" worked there years ago), and the Empire State Building. Then we continued up and over to Times Square...apparently they have moved the building where you can inquire about sane day tickets....so we finally found it, but by then it was too late to start thinking about any shows....we were exhausted! It is so hot in this city! I don't know how the New Yorkers stand it...you see men in the subway stations (the hottest places) in long sleeved shirts, buttoned up with a tie, and jacket.....I am standing there in shorts and a tee shirt, and I feel like I'm dying!! Anyway, we came "home" after that, and got home maybe around 3 or 4 PM...we have been in the room ever since....mostly napping! I have a blister on my foot from all the walking, and Catherine is having a back pain (thanks to the bending films we think) Anyway, Bettye called today, as she promised she would, and said the lady that she needs to ask about my staying in the room was unavailable today...so, since a weekend is coming up, she won't be able to find out for sure until Monday, but she said it is the top thing on her "to do list"--so I should know by Monday AM.....
Our plans for tomorrow are the movies (it is supposed to rain on Saturday) and, we found a UU church on our "route", so that is on our agenda for Sunday.
On Monday, Catherine's cousin, Anne is planning to come up and spend a few days with us. So, we are looking forward to that, as well.

Posting stuff has been really difficult due to the fact that this hotel doesn't have Internet service, so we are somehow running the computer off the Blackberry. Also, I was afaid to bring Catherine's good (work) computer to NY, in case it got stolen, so we are using her VT one that is now about 6 years old....all in all it is very tempermental, and, although Catherine tried to teach me how to do it all tonight, so I could get on to post on her surgery day, I had to hand it over to her....I was getting a million error messages, etc.etc. So, don't worry if there is no posting right away on Tuesday.....until Catherine "comes to" after surgery, I probably won't be able to get this thing going!! I'll try to learn to do it this weekend!!