I love the story about the Planks and that you were able to speak to the owner. That's NYC price gouging for you. The wavy edge probably makes them look fancier than with a straight one. Thanks for this tidbit!
I started reading and was like, "oh, yeah, planks." I grew up with them bcse I am from New Orleans. How great to learn they originated there. I went to school in the French Quarter and across the street was our version of a deli. I recall getting an iced gingery flavor bcse I wasnt crazy about sweets. I want to say we got planks bcse they were a great deal--huge and filling.
Jump to today, if I were an Anchorite: I would order in gingerbread planks to my little cell with the window. Along with a café au lait from Café du Monde. I would entertain folks until I was exhausted by the repartée and then close up my tiny window to the world to be left the hell alone with my latest book. Anchorites Unite! ...as long as there would be an en suite bathroom.
I just have to say, I recently discovered your newsletter and it’s an absolute delight to read. I’m a native New Yorker who lives on the West Coast, but there’s so much about New York that I miss (and apparently am not aware of, e.g., the Bryant Park, bathrooms) and this newsletter is full of humor and discovery. Keep it coming, please!
I’m going to my bodega to find a plank. I’m curious how much it’ll cost in my neighborhood.
The Bryant Park bathroom is so nice! Nicer than those at the NYPL. Which seems wrong to me. I think they should hire Mr. Williams. He deserves a raise!
If I ever make it to NYC, then I must make it to the fancy bathroom! I love your newsletters and look forward to them every week. I didn't even know I was curious about some things until I saw them in your newsletter! Keep on keeping on!
While I'm definitely going to visit the Bryant Park bathroom next time I'm in NYC, thanks to you, I'm also dreaming of seeing a small aerobics class in the subway bathroom. Now there's an image I can't shake for some reason.
As a resident southeasterner, I’ve never seen a strawberry plank, probably because I have overlooked them. I now expect I’ll see them in every convenience store I visit, and am very curious to see what they’re selling for down here.
I also want a third option- cannot choose between anchorite or hermit. I also cannot go without a walk. If I am a hermit, can I still pet dogs and hold babies, if I don’t talk to them? It doesn’t seem like I could through the bars anyway, in anchoritic life
Battle of the Bryant Park Bathrooms!
Your newsletter - the highlight of my Mondays 💗
I love the story about the Planks and that you were able to speak to the owner. That's NYC price gouging for you. The wavy edge probably makes them look fancier than with a straight one. Thanks for this tidbit!
Anne! Yes! Planks!
I started reading and was like, "oh, yeah, planks." I grew up with them bcse I am from New Orleans. How great to learn they originated there. I went to school in the French Quarter and across the street was our version of a deli. I recall getting an iced gingery flavor bcse I wasnt crazy about sweets. I want to say we got planks bcse they were a great deal--huge and filling.
Jump to today, if I were an Anchorite: I would order in gingerbread planks to my little cell with the window. Along with a café au lait from Café du Monde. I would entertain folks until I was exhausted by the repartée and then close up my tiny window to the world to be left the hell alone with my latest book. Anchorites Unite! ...as long as there would be an en suite bathroom.
I just have to say, I recently discovered your newsletter and it’s an absolute delight to read. I’m a native New Yorker who lives on the West Coast, but there’s so much about New York that I miss (and apparently am not aware of, e.g., the Bryant Park, bathrooms) and this newsletter is full of humor and discovery. Keep it coming, please!
I never thought bathrooms could be so captivating!
I already live in a forest. On an island. And I really do my best to avoid social settings. Hermit, for sure.
Djhn gives new meaning to the accolade “way to go!”
The plank story was great! Maybe next time you can blow the lid off the black & white cookies you see at every bodega.
Hot off the press, I kindly suggest a thorough investigation into this madness:
https://apple.news/AALGiGpJMSfexeCSTK5FZmg
I’m going to my bodega to find a plank. I’m curious how much it’ll cost in my neighborhood.
The Bryant Park bathroom is so nice! Nicer than those at the NYPL. Which seems wrong to me. I think they should hire Mr. Williams. He deserves a raise!
If I ever make it to NYC, then I must make it to the fancy bathroom! I love your newsletters and look forward to them every week. I didn't even know I was curious about some things until I saw them in your newsletter! Keep on keeping on!
While I'm definitely going to visit the Bryant Park bathroom next time I'm in NYC, thanks to you, I'm also dreaming of seeing a small aerobics class in the subway bathroom. Now there's an image I can't shake for some reason.
I made a major junk food discovery this evening: Butterscotch Snickers.
I'm sure the strawberry boards are nice but these are amazing:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd2p42RtBjE
Hermit. I just could NOT stay in a cell!
A joy and a delight
As a resident southeasterner, I’ve never seen a strawberry plank, probably because I have overlooked them. I now expect I’ll see them in every convenience store I visit, and am very curious to see what they’re selling for down here.
I also want a third option- cannot choose between anchorite or hermit. I also cannot go without a walk. If I am a hermit, can I still pet dogs and hold babies, if I don’t talk to them? It doesn’t seem like I could through the bars anyway, in anchoritic life