Fall leaves

Northwest corner of Central Park 110th St. & CPW

85th St. at West End

Macy's Parade balloons

80th St. & Columbus
I started the month in Florence, Italy, marveling at the art and architecture masterpieces everywhere throughout the city there were so many it was hard not to trip over them.

I ended this month back in New York gazing up at Kermit the Frog's foot thinking to myself, why did I bother walking seven blocks to Central Park West, only to be diverted back three blocks to 82nd, then redirected to Columbus, redirected again to 79th St, then told I have to wait in a line that goes all the way around the block to the location I started from just to see a few balloons inflated with helium? And all the while getting my ankles clipped by strollers.

Now I think about it, it was easier to see Michelangelo's David than get a glimpse of Shrek. The wait was less than five minutes to enter the museum. Once inside there were no people with children on their shoulders standing in front of me. ..and there was the exquisite sculptural masterpiece, far more worthwhile seeing than a four story high rear end.