When I was seven years old getting ready for school (first grade) involved watching, and listening as I dressed, to the Today Show. Mother and daddy would turn it on promptly at 7:00 p.m. while they enjoyed their morning coffee, then wake my brother and me to get ready for school at 7:30, when daddy would leave to “go to the base.” At the time, the anchor/host of the Today Show was Dave Garroway, who was sometimes joined by co-anchor, J. Fred Muggs, a live chimpanzee. It was always puzzling to me that a monkey would be doing a person’s job, and my brother and I would dissolve into fits of giggles that the monkey was wearing a diaper–we knew why!

Here in New York, I awakened early to arrive at the Today Plaza, to wave at the co-anchors through the windows.

Let me make it clear that I will NOT be carrying a sign or filling out a card for a chance to be interviewed on the Plaza; just being there and knowing I was there is plenty.

Back to the hotel, and ready to hop onto our 10:00 a.m. two hour bus trip around New York, catching glimpses of The Statue of Liberty,

Times Square,

Broadway, 5th Avenue, fabulous stores, etc. as we ride along. Looking out the window is plenty for us. Some of our group went “shopping” yesterday evening, while I chose to stay in the luxurious hotel curled up with a good book.

Later in the afternoon, we have tickets to the 9/11 site, visiting the museum, then taking an evening tea/light supper near the Memorial Glade

Some of us have plans for a later supper at a really nice restaurant; others will call it an evening early to store up energy for our foray into Broadway and a matinee tomorrow and for the return flight back to Houston at 4 p.m. I plan to meet a blogging friend at an authentic New York Coffee Shop before the matinee.