Well, it has been a bit since I last posted an update on what’s happening in NYC. Seems like time has quickened the last while. Things are going well here at the unit on 762 St. Nicholas Ave. Each day has its own flavor, but some flavors are tasted oftener than others.

The weather has been turning more to summer. It often is sunny here in the city, temps between 70* and over is common. We have had some days in the eighties, and today about 90*. The city is still green, trees at full leaf and still flowers about. The many parks are beginning to fill up with grills and games going strong. Soccer is a popular sport here, with diverse ethnicities more tended to that sport. The city has many professional sports teams, so often the subways are full of fans of all sorts on game day, each supporting their team jerseys. We have been doing a lot of grilling in our courtyard, burgers and ribs and chicken mostly. So, food is an important part of unit life.

Today, we took Carson to the airport, he has served his term here and has headed back to NC. We will surely miss him here as he is a fine young man, filling his spot very faithfully, as all have since we arrived. Carson arrived 4 days before we did, so, he is the last one of our first four boys. Now, no comparisons will be made on how it was and what it is now. Tomorrow, Nicholas Warkentin from Hydro OK will be coming to fill his spot. Always an interesting discussion on what the new guy is like. I don’t think any of the current boys have met him. That also means tuning up for welcoming the new guy, which adds a fair bit of disturbance at an unlikely hour.

As for company, our calendar has some dates marked! We are grateful for those who have come to visit us. We also enjoy meeting the boy’s families and friends who have visited. Kate and Liz are here now visiting, school being over and no place to call home. They leave Wednesday afternoon and will go to Tay and Joanie’s to help in sweet corn harvesting and selling. Between us and the boy’s families and Stan’s company, we have a nice bit going. Others are planning to come if things work out.

We had our first open service at the Bowery last Sunday, a very interesting event. We had a group of about 20 people, a van load from PA joined us and we sang for half hour in the subway hall first, it went really good. A few people stopped and listened, and some recorded on phones. At the Bowery, there was probably twenty homeless people who came and took in the service, a requirement to get a meal for supper. They were respectful and applauded after each song. Todd had a nice talk on hope and after visiting a few of them, we headed back to our house and had our own supper. It was a positive experience.

We continue to acquaint ourselves with more of the city as well as having spots we like to visit again and again. With the daylight lasting longer and more things opening for the summer, there is always more to do and see. We would enjoy the opportunity to show you around to.

Tuesday evening was what NYC calls Manhattanhenge, it is when the sunset lines up with a few main streets. You can stand on those streets and see an awesome sunset, which only happens twice a year. My wife and I and the twins went to 59th Street and watched, along with many others crowding the street and blocking traffic. Drivers in the city use their horns as often as they want!

Wishing you all the best as the busy summertime fills your days. Be safe!