Houseguests

Florian returned to the US after a five-year absence.  He couldn't wait to get to the Pines.  I put him to work immediately.

I'd forgotten how incredibly useful he can be.  During a nor'easter he managed to get the gas fireplace going even though our landlord said it didn't work.

He also found our long missing clam rake, buried in sand under the swimming pool.  Too bad it was too chilly during most of his visit to go clamming.  He loves free stuff more than anyone I know!

Vita, Tom's beautiful but misbehaved dog, joined us during our first week together in the Pines.

It turns out Florian's quite the dog whisperer.

Plenty of exercise helped, too.  Vita went running with him most mornings.

We took her everywhere.

By cocktail time, Vita usually barely had enough energy for a sunset photo shoot.

Florian and I always have a lot of fun.  I'd never had a kayaking companion before.

After we left the beach with Vita in a Town car, courtesy of Thom, I was eager to show Florian how much New York had changed since his last visit in 2010.  We took the train to the beautiful new Hudson Yards subway station on the far West Side.

 

The entrance isn't far from the 34th Street High Line extension and cranes galore!

 

It's a good thing I don't have a construction job.

Florian composed this shot.  He wanted the Empire State Building and the cross above his head.

Two can play that game.

 

We arrived at the Whitney just in time to pay what we wanted, together saving $38 over the cost of regular admission. It was my first visit to the new building, too.

 

 

 

Once upon a time (once, you say?), I used to photograph Florian obsessively.  I called this my "Marilyn" series.

You really can't beat the views from the upper floors of the Whitney at night.

Thanks, Gertrude!

Vita enjoyed Central Park as much as the beach.  

We stumbled upon Coldplay's sound check for the Global Citizen Festival.

Chris Martin even sang my favorite song of last summer, with a big boost from Avicii.  I could only get a snippet of it before a staffer told me "no video."

Florian and I also went to see a brilliant show.  Don't miss it--James Lescene is absolutely terrific in a heartbreaking story that turns out to be a thrilling affirmation of living life on your own terms.

It was a perfect night to wander around Times Square.  "There isn't nearly as much neon as there used to be," observed Florian.

He couldn't wait to pose next to this member of NYPD's mounted force.

Gabriel, Florian's husband, joined us in the Pines for our final week at the house we've rented for the past five years.  Florian and Gabriel got married the summer we first rented it. Here they are in the house that Victor and Tommy bought last November.  They won't be with us next year for obvious reasons.  We're losing Steven and Andrew too.

In spite of the weather-related suspension of ferry service at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, everyone made it out by Saturday for our early Thanksgiving dinner.  That 20-pound fresh turkey cost us $95 but it was worth it.  

Yum!

Tom arrived on Monday afternoon, just as the weather finally began to improve.  We've been friends since 1971, our freshman year at Columbia.  A double hip replacement this year enabled him to join me for a walk on Tuesday, something he hasn't been able to do for a long time.  He didn't seem too crazy about fording this swamp on Burma Road.

We stopped by Victor's and Tommy's house on the bay to see if there had been any water damage.  Florian took Tommy up on his offer to have a drink.  Like I said, he loves free stuff.

Tom and I closed up the house for good on Wednesday after Florian and Gabriel caught an early boat.  The wagon sure did come in handy.