The Best of Both Worlds?

Today I went into New York City to return my daughter’s cat to his rightful owner.  We had had several days of kitten-sitting, and I wanted to get into the city before the big snowstorm they had been threatening.  Despite the impending possibility of snow, today happened to be warm: 41 degrees and sunshine.

I love the city!  I love meandering, walking and walking, taking in the people, the shops, the restaurants - the energy that seems missing from Long Island life.  There always seems to be infinite possibilities of exciting things to do. Last weekend, we saw the play Network with Bryan Cranston and Tony Goldwyn (my Scandal heartthrob).  The play was wonderful, but besides that, Katie Kouric happened to sit in the row behind us, and we saw Geraldo Rivera a few rows away.  Network people at a show about network news. The city often surprises.

Today I walked from 94^th Street on the upper east side to Penn Station on 34^th Street and 7^th Avenue.  I chose Madison Avenue as the street to explore as I made my way downtown, passing many different neighborhoods and stopping in a few fun stores.  (I did buy myself a too-expensive scarf and a pretty spring blouse.) I was alone, and the walking was therapeutic. 

I often wonder if I’d prefer to live in the city over the suburban world I inhabit in Oceanside, Long Island. Long Island can be dull, especially in the winter.  In the spring, summer and fall, I love gardening. I love being outside. I love living 20 minutes from the beach and the Long Beach boardwalk, but in the winter even the beach can be gray and depressing. But I suppose I’m lucky that a 40-minute train ride can transport me on any random day to the magic and excitement that is New York City. Perhaps I have the best of both worlds?