Posted April 20th, 2003 by Michelle

I’m lying across a bed in Hillsdale, NY, with a Tofutti Strawberry Cookie bar melting beside me. I’m letting it melt because I just ate one that was mostly frozen and I’m pretty sure this one will taste better. It’s been a magical few days. 20 degrees warmer than forecasted- 70’s rather than 50’s- and long lovely days filled with bike rides and Rook games and wine and friends. The rest of the world stands still for me when I’m here. Even heated political discussions don’t leave me feeling as hopeless as when I’m in the city, in the thick of it. I called this afternoon and asked a friend to work for me tomorrow night- I’ll make up the shift later in the week- just to have one more full day here. Sean and Jordi had to leave this afternoon, but my mom is still here, and she and Ian and Tessa are working on the film score down in the living room. I’m debating between reading one of three books, taking a bath, or just going to bed early.

I can’t really complain, not about much right now.

On the way up, Ian, Tessa, my mom and I mapped out our plan if something were to happen in our beloved city. We’ve been talking about it for months, and as Tessa says, nothing may ever happen, but if it did and we had all this time and never planned anything, I’d be really annoyed. We needed to find a spot outside of the city, one that is accessible by car, bike and foot, and that would be easily remembered. We settled on the first spot we found- a “comfort station”, or set of bathrooms, that borders a park on 242 St. and Broadway. No matter where you are on the island, start heading north and eventually you will run in to it. If something were to happen in the city, and cell phones are down like they were on 9/11, we will all head for this spot, and then find our way up here to Hillsdale. It’s not a perfect plan, but it’s a plan. I hope to never have to use it.

I’d like to thank the powers that be for two things: the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and Tofutti soy ice cream products.

Hey, Dad, I don’t have your number in the desert so Happy Easter! And a happy Easter to the rest of you. May you all hunt many eggs and eat lots of chocolate.