Labor Day Weekend

Monday was Kate's birthday so I took that day off making this a very short work week for me which made the whole re-entry process far less painful. Friday night Kate and I went off to the local Sephora make up shop with a gift certificate burning a hole in Kate's pocket. I think the reality of all those products with a squad of heavily made up young woman threading their way through the aisles was a show stopper for Kate. She suddenly looked like she wanted to escape and so after we made a comprehensive but quick tour of the entire store, we found a wandering make up artist to advise us about what the best kind of eye liner and mascera to buy. Apparently blue and green eye liner were what the make up doctor ordered and that plus a mascera constituted our ill gotten gains that night. I have to say that it was rite de passage of me going with my daughter to explore the world of make up. Several years ago after watching me put on my make up, Kate finally figured out that she doesn't have to wear same kind of make up. I think that was a big relief to her. And it was a big relief to me to say No make up at school and have her nod a quick assent.

Saturday was my birthday -- I am 105 years old -- and so I didn't have to do the first dog walk this morning although we did take her to Central Park for a fast romp through the glades. I consider that trip an investment in keeping her occupied so she doesn't eat this carpet too. Then I got to read until my afternoon massage at Tiger Lilly in Chinatown and dinner with Kate and Arnie at David Bouley's Bowery restaurant. While have always liked the food there, I have always hated the staff who are unbelievable difficult. This time I may have worked my way out of loving that restaurant. I mean, why do people try and seat you practically on top of the kitchen. I know someone has to sit there but it's not going to be me.

Kate went on an outing that afternoon with Dyan which included some new and very pretty earrings for her as well as a trip to the Guggenheim. I could never have persuaded Kate to set one dainty toe in an art Museum but that is what friends are for, I'm thinking.

Sunday we rented bikes in Central Park and spent about an hour making the loop from Columbus Circle up to 110 Street and back and then took Kate to see Jersey Boys which was just as wonderful as it was when we first saw it 4 years ago. A quick dinner at a Chinese restaurant capped off the day and Monday we had a traditional lunch at Bar Pitti with John and Lucy Sheftall who had just driven McKay and Lucy from Georgia to their respective institutions of higher learning. That's quite a road trip.