Sawdust on the Floor, Hot Pastrami on Rye, Six Foot Sandwich and Send a Salami

Katz’s Deli in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

My sister took me there for lunch on Thursday. We shared a hot pastrami on rye with both fresh and pickled pickles. I’d never been to Katz’s before but would definitely go again. Everyone gets a ticket upon entering. You have to show it when you leave and pay, even if it is blank like mine was as Mary treated.

I sat at the table while she got in line for the carver to carve the meat. I can tell you the sandwich was delicious. as were the accompanying pickles.

A huge menu and lots more to order but half a sandwich was plenty. A nice woman let me photograph her matzoh ball but I didn’t think the photo looked good enough to post.

Before we went, Mary answered my query by googling and finding the chow hound telling the difference between pastrami and corned beef.

While we were there she pointed out the sawdust on the floor. Lots of celebrities photos and neon beer signs from floor to ceiling.

I’d heard of the slogan- Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army but didn’t remember the song which is also my sister’s reference. Thanks Mary.

A popular spot for lunch. Fellow diners at the deli.

Hot Pastrami on Fresh Rye as photographed by my iPhone.

Two kinds of pickles. both delicious, iPhone shot again.

You can order a six foot sandwich to go for $275

(Took this with the Canon 5D 50/ 1.2L lens, no flash)

Packing up the six footer in a special box. Plenty of muster and mayo went with it.

Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army

Staten Island Ferry Ride – New York City

The Staten Island Ferry

Fact: 365 days a year, 24 hours a day

Fact: a 5 mile trip, about 25 minutes one way

Fact: 21 million people a year ride the Staten Island Ferry

Fact: There are nine ferries in the fleet

Fact: The three new ferries were made in Wisconsin at Marinette Marine

Fact: If you saw the movie Working Girl in 1988 the ferry is in the opening credits (see link below)

How much does it cost to ride? It’s free. And a lot of fun. We used to go when the kids were younger. It was one activity I really wanted to do again this visit to NYC.

Mary and I went boarded and rode over to Staten Island. We stood outside on the upper deck. After a smooth voyage and wonderful view, we got off as everyone has to get off the ferry.

We walked down the ramp and followed a path and then got right back onto the very same ferry to return to Manhattan.

As we left Manhattan and looked back

A different Staten Island Ferry in the harbor. Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

The Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty Framed in the Ferry Door

A pigeon is a passenger on the ferry

Ready to disembark

Passengers waiting for the doors to open so they can board the ferry on the Manhattan side

Carly Simon sings Let the River Run Opening Credits of movie Working Girl 1988

Weekly Photo Challenge: The World Through Your Eyes

The challenge of curves spoke to me immediately.

This week’s challenge – the world through your eyes, did not.

But then I looked at the photo of my sister in NYC from the other night, the reflection of Freedom Tower (behind the buildings in the foreground) in her sunglasses as we sat along the Hudson River at Battery Park. A literal interpretation. It seems I set it up AFTER reading the challenge today.

Vacuuming the Sewers in New York City at Night

What is a Vactor truck?, I had to ask.

Another man on the sidewalk said, “Haven’t you ever seen a vacuum cleaner before?”

(Not exactly an ElectroLux), Mary said to me.

It was night in the West Village near Bleecker and West 10th. What a nice guy. I can’t tell you his name which is too bad. He said, “sure you can take my picture.” when I asked.

He explained how the other truck had a camera they could look down into the pipes drains and sewer.

Coney Island Carousel Restored

My sister Mary sent me a New York Times article by Lisa W. Foderaro about the restored B and B Carousel in Coney Island.

The restoration took place in Marion, Ohio and took more than five years. We took the subway/train out to Coney Island on Tuesday morning and found where the horses were located.

As we approached the carousel pavilion’s new location along the boardwalk, we were surprised at the giant lettering in bright colors. The horses had real horsehair tails! The special lead horse was carved to commemorate Lincoln’s Centennial of his birth(1909) by famous carver Marcus C. Illions.

There was a paper sign taped on the lead horse with the Lincoln relief, NO RIDERS but the carousel attendant asked if I would like for him to take it off so I could photograph it. Very nice. I’m showing the ornate horse with the paper sign, too.

A carousel bench before restoration with all the layers of paint and after restoration is shown below.

Each horse had a unique expression and markings. We enjoyed the ride and had great fun. (And the restrooms are clean and colorful with confetti-like decor)

The lead horse carved to honor Lincoln’s Centennial of his birth in 1909 by Macus C. Illions

Carousel Bench BEFORE restoration

Carousel Bench AFTER restoration

Carousel Pavillion workers adding the lightbulbs on the letters

And another article about the horses being sent to Marion Ohio.

They were lovingly and expertly restored at Carousel and Carvings, by owner Mr. Todd W. Goings.

You might remember that Mary and I rode Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO (Brooklyn) during my Spring Break from school.

How Many Hot Dogs in Ten Minutes?

Food eating contests aren’t really my thing- in fact, I don’t understand the urge to prepare and practice for such an event! Or what one might feel like afterwards.

But today when my sister pointed out this sign, I tried to fathom what the numbers meant. And the countdown ’til July 4th is visible on this sign.

My sister found a stat on a guy who in 1972 ate 19 and in 2012 the guy ate 68! That’s quite an increase in consumption.

Did I mention that this effort takes place in TEN MINUTES time??? I don’t even want to witness this contest in person but I find it amazing that it exists.

This is an INTERNATIONAL contest. You can read more about it here And yes, there is an International Federation of Competitive Eating who approves such contests.

You don’t just show up. You have to qualify. Joey Chestnut has been winning since 2007 but competition is nipping at his heels.

There’s a female champion, Sonya Thomas.

A little controversy- this guy’s photo was removed from the sign in 2011 and last year Takeru Kobayashi wasn’t allowed to compete and ate hot dogs on the rooftop in Manhattan? Check out his other food competitions if you wish- includes cow brains and Twinkies but not eaten simultaneously, different contests at this link. My sister said when he is not competing he eats cabbage and fasts. Good plan.

He pioneered the Solomon Method- break in half and eat both halves at once then eat the bun. (or something like that)

You can jump and down while you eat them. Or sway side to side.

Mary found the sign AFTER we had each consumed one hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard. I was reminiscing about visiting Nathan’s on Coney Island with my 3 kids in November 1991. When we were there at Thanksgiving the place was deserted.

And if hot dogs aren’t for you there are the frog legs….

(note the calories listed on each menu item)

Tourists in Our Own City- Just Ducky Tours

Saturday afternoon Steve asked me if I wanted to take that Ducky Tour we had seen last week when we were downtown at the Arts Festival.

After a moment’s hesitation I threw on some clothes and we went. What a good idea.

Had to wait and hour and a half for the next available tour as the weather was great and everyone was out. We sipped a Yuengling at the Hard Rock Cafe and then made our way to the line that was forming at flag #3 for our boat.

We had a lot of fun. It was so enjoyable. Especially the rivers part. Steve said he would definitely go again.

Everyone looks at you as you drive past and then you all quack like a duck so if you aren’t in a cheery disposition or that seems too too corny, don’t go. It was really funny and fun and I documented the experience with the camera.

The feeling of driving into the river and leaving land was really a cool sensation. And now I know where to take the grandchildren when they come to visit the city. They would love taking a Just Ducky Tour.

Did you see the movie Saving Private Ryan? the driver asked.

Just Ducky Tours Amphibious Vehicles History

All six boats drive off at about the same time, like a convoy

Self portrait in the rearview mirror

Tour guide Cait finds some humor to entertain the tourists. Us!

Salvaged from a building? Who are these figures and what are they doing?

Historic Landmark Smithfield Bridge

First you drive around downtown and see everything you know from a different vantage point.

PPG Plaza and fountain.

Looks like a character from a novel.

Headed to find her car in the parking lot.

The Blimp and PPG building

Driving down the Mon Wharf, right into the Monongahela River!

Underneath the Fort Pitt Bridge

The fountain is working again.

What a Just Ducky Tour Boat looks like on the river.

There are the companion Ducky Tourists.

We were on the Monongahela, The Allegheny and the Ohio Rivers. RIght at the point.

What it looks like when the amphibious vehicle drives out of the Monongahela River.

Right next to us on the road. Watch that Baby!!!

Returned safely to Station Square.

They told us NO one has had to use a life jacket in the 16 years of Just Ducky Tours. I took some photos of people driving the boat and am emailing them their pic.

Quack Quack Quack!

School’s Out for the Summer!

Well it WILL be out come Monday, June 17th (the final day without students)

The lockers were all opened and cleared out after the students left. What a collection in the lost and found.

I still have to turn in my keys and get signed out. The grade summary reports got turned in Friday. The books packed from the shelves in boxes or cupboards. Ripped down the bulletin board paper and thought about what color for next fall.

This lone work boot and the baseball were in the hallway by an open locker.

Thought about how I could have rearranged the still life to improve the composition but didn’t touch it,

just moved myself and the camera.

Happy Summer- I’m turning off all alarms.

Happy Father’s Day to my Son

Happy Father’s Day!

I’m a proud mom! Here is my son Mark who is a wonderful father to Anna, Michael, Jack and Maura. (Excellent Mom Erika, too)

Bringing Maura home November 2008

No matter the season…………….

Coaching Michael

Sledding with Jack

At the Pirates Game Willie Stargell Statue- Mark with Anna and Maura (and Grandma on camera)

PNC Park Pittsburgh PA

(and if you are new to following the blog you might enjoy this Father’s Day Tribute to my father) Continue reading “Happy Father’s Day to my Son” →