Toni, I first met Daryl when I was researching my story rating rest rooms in public atriums a couple weeks ago. I saw her playing at the atrium on 52nd Street and went over to see what was up and say hi. I liked her immediately!
And I know you'll never run out of stories or people to meet...I was out walking last night (it's summer here), walking in a new neighborhood when a stranger said hello and then asked me if I knew anyone who's a JP (a Justice of the Peace who is an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes). Why not go to the local library I suggested. Not my local library but the closest library to my parents' house and I've had to go there to pick up or return books. He'd never thought of that...and I only know because I've moved in with my parents for now... 20 minutes later I continued on with my walk.
Yes, it's been ages since I had a handwritten letter (except for yours). I'm old enough to have had pen pals and to collect stamps (although I got rid of most of the stamps ages ago). Hand writing uses a different part of the brain. If only I had time to do more of it!!
She seems like a quintessential New Yorker, someone from a Maira Kalman book. I think it’s so great that an office building will still pay an actual human to play music in the lobby.
I love this interview so hecking much! I also love her delight and appreciation of her life, and your brilliant laugh! This gave me the lift I needed today. Thank you!
Despite trying to always beware of recency bias when I share an opinion, this is, without doubt, my favorite interview of yours ever! A GREAT finish to the year!! While I am sure I may have missed some of your writing I have always been a fan and makes it all the more likely this hot take will age well. I think a piano well placed is one of the very best things there is. I play a clavinova these days for occasional inspiration so the talent is all the more clear when you get to experience it and realize the talent you are witnessing. When I first moved to MN I loved an old Irish pub that had someone at the piano most of the time. It seemed a place people were passing through for inspiration. One of the bartenders who worked there (and hence listened by my interminable blather) was an aspiring author. He broke through and wrote a series of fun mystery novels. He died at 47 from prostate cancer but lives on with his books. Same goes for a your profile of Daryl. Music has a way of staying present in us long after we heard it. A wonderful thing. Enjoy your recharge.
Wow Mr. Dolan that is high praise from you! Thank you. Although if you re-read you'd see I actually said next Monday's issue will be the last of the year. So maybe that one will actually turn out to be the best.
I had no idea what a clavinova was so I Googled. It's a digtial keyboard that thinks its a piano. I think I have one in my closet and I'd get it out and play it if it did not weigh 800 pounds.
Well since you've written OVER A GROSS of posts so far, I think it unlikely, statistically, that you will top this one next week. We will see. Our Clavinova is pretty old but works amazingly well. While the purists are sure the Steinway is the way to go, Yamaha pianos are fantastic. If they can make a Clavinova work GREAT for 30+ years I can only imagine their pianos are topnotch. If we downsize further I would probably put wheels on the legs but for now, if moving it, those furniture disks make it pretty easy to move -- not that heavy really (perhaps 80-100 pounds). The one we have is so old that it originally included a 3.5" diskette. I swapped out the drive with something newer and now it can access about 200 diskettes worth of recordings. Kinda fun. I wish Yamaha made mobile phones. https://photos.app.goo.gl/L8bPg3NvXANukyND8
To quote the beginning of this post: ‘I’ve got nothing to say this week.’ A porky, unless of course Daryl Sherman is a re-run and my 80 year old brain has, somehow, forgotten her!
You could run this piece every Monday until you come back and no fan of yours worth the name would complain. Personally, I still rate your interview with the flower man from Ukraine my favourite ever. Is it too late to do reruns for the next four Mondays? Then there is the Naked Cowboy…. Have a lovely break ❤️🐰
A P.S. I should have added that to say someone is telling ‘a porky’ is a light-hearted response to something that appears to be said ‘tongue in cheek’ and gives no offence. Your words made me smile. 🐰aka Kevin
Thank you for this story about the charming piano player. It’s all about connections and your stories show us how fascinating it is to get to know the people around us.
It IS all about the connections, Debbie. There was a lot I didn't have room to include about Daryl's friendships with the kids manning the Starbucks counter, the security guards, the folks at the bookstore.It's quite a little community!
I don't know anything about her TOKYO gigs, Emily, but I know one of her annual London gigs is playing a birthday party for an older gentleman. It started when he was 81. He is now 96. It's still a good party although now it is an afternoon affair.
“I don't care, because I love my own company. I make myself really laugh. I have a good life and I have an American Express card and I can do anything I want."
“I don't care, because I love my own company. I make myself really laugh. I have a good life and I have an American Express card and I can do anything I want." #lifegoals
another absolute banger!!! will miss you, but enjoy your time off!!!
That’s lovely! Amazing lady earning a living, doing what she loves, at the age of 75! She’s looking amazing! What a life. Adore the pictures from her past. Another wonderful interview. Thanks so much. And I love that traffic cone tree. Great job. Have a wonderful festive season dear Anne. 🤗🤗😘❤️
What a wonderful interview. She is exactly the person I would want to know more about. How many people walk by her a wonder “Who is she and how did she get there?” Thank you for getting the answers to my questions. I think I would enjoy her interview with you. Turn around is fair play, as the saying goes.
Now I have an assignment for you. I would love to know more about the Collage Lady.
Thank you Charlotte! I'd love to know more about the collage lady too. But Daryl told me that when she and some of the atrium guards tried chatting her up, they didn't get very far. And she definitely gives off "leave me alone" vibes.
THANK YOU, Anne -- this was perfect! Whoever can say "I make myself really laugh" must be an exceptional person. And she has such an expressive face! About the traffic cone Christmas tree: you had me fooled once again; I thought the website was a joke --but no, it's real! And indeed, "There's no one more orange than me" must make one proud, I bet. 😉
No dancing Christmas tree from a gift shop?? Seriously, love this year’s Christmas issue. Like Amy - The Tonic, would also love a follow up issue on her questions to you and your answers.
That’s such a lovely and interesting profile. She’s happy. It comes through. Someone take this amazing lady to lunch!!!
Toni, I first met Daryl when I was researching my story rating rest rooms in public atriums a couple weeks ago. I saw her playing at the atrium on 52nd Street and went over to see what was up and say hi. I liked her immediately!
And I know you'll never run out of stories or people to meet...I was out walking last night (it's summer here), walking in a new neighborhood when a stranger said hello and then asked me if I knew anyone who's a JP (a Justice of the Peace who is an independent and objective witness to documents people use for official or legal purposes). Why not go to the local library I suggested. Not my local library but the closest library to my parents' house and I've had to go there to pick up or return books. He'd never thought of that...and I only know because I've moved in with my parents for now... 20 minutes later I continued on with my walk.
Those random encounters are so fun, Ruth.
By the way I've been meaning to thank you for the LOVELY letter! I got such a kick out receiving a hand-written note in my mailbox. 💛
Yes, it's been ages since I had a handwritten letter (except for yours). I'm old enough to have had pen pals and to collect stamps (although I got rid of most of the stamps ages ago). Hand writing uses a different part of the brain. If only I had time to do more of it!!
She seems like a quintessential New Yorker, someone from a Maira Kalman book. I think it’s so great that an office building will still pay an actual human to play music in the lobby.
And you know I love that cone tree!
I thought of you when I was taking photos, Mr. Stephenson, of course.
I had to Google Maira Kalman. Now I wish I could pay her to be MY illustrator.
Oh, Anne! This interview with Daryl was so wonderful, as is she! And the traffic cone tree is perfection! Thank you! 🎄🎶 🎹
So glad you enjoyed both as much as I did. Thank you Jolene!
I love this interview so hecking much! I also love her delight and appreciation of her life, and your brilliant laugh! This gave me the lift I needed today. Thank you!
That makes me happy to hear, Lala. And I agree what makes Daryl great is her delight in seemingly everything she encounters.
This was WONDERFUL. What a fascinating individual. I wonder what her rent is now on that apartment.
I'd love to know too, Justin. She said it's gone up a lot, of course. But it's rent stabilized so hopefully not too much!
Despite trying to always beware of recency bias when I share an opinion, this is, without doubt, my favorite interview of yours ever! A GREAT finish to the year!! While I am sure I may have missed some of your writing I have always been a fan and makes it all the more likely this hot take will age well. I think a piano well placed is one of the very best things there is. I play a clavinova these days for occasional inspiration so the talent is all the more clear when you get to experience it and realize the talent you are witnessing. When I first moved to MN I loved an old Irish pub that had someone at the piano most of the time. It seemed a place people were passing through for inspiration. One of the bartenders who worked there (and hence listened by my interminable blather) was an aspiring author. He broke through and wrote a series of fun mystery novels. He died at 47 from prostate cancer but lives on with his books. Same goes for a your profile of Daryl. Music has a way of staying present in us long after we heard it. A wonderful thing. Enjoy your recharge.
Wow Mr. Dolan that is high praise from you! Thank you. Although if you re-read you'd see I actually said next Monday's issue will be the last of the year. So maybe that one will actually turn out to be the best.
I had no idea what a clavinova was so I Googled. It's a digtial keyboard that thinks its a piano. I think I have one in my closet and I'd get it out and play it if it did not weigh 800 pounds.
Well since you've written OVER A GROSS of posts so far, I think it unlikely, statistically, that you will top this one next week. We will see. Our Clavinova is pretty old but works amazingly well. While the purists are sure the Steinway is the way to go, Yamaha pianos are fantastic. If they can make a Clavinova work GREAT for 30+ years I can only imagine their pianos are topnotch. If we downsize further I would probably put wheels on the legs but for now, if moving it, those furniture disks make it pretty easy to move -- not that heavy really (perhaps 80-100 pounds). The one we have is so old that it originally included a 3.5" diskette. I swapped out the drive with something newer and now it can access about 200 diskettes worth of recordings. Kinda fun. I wish Yamaha made mobile phones. https://photos.app.goo.gl/L8bPg3NvXANukyND8
To quote the beginning of this post: ‘I’ve got nothing to say this week.’ A porky, unless of course Daryl Sherman is a re-run and my 80 year old brain has, somehow, forgotten her!
You could run this piece every Monday until you come back and no fan of yours worth the name would complain. Personally, I still rate your interview with the flower man from Ukraine my favourite ever. Is it too late to do reruns for the next four Mondays? Then there is the Naked Cowboy…. Have a lovely break ❤️🐰
aka Kevin! I had to do a little Google search to learn that "a porky" is slang for "a lie" in the UK. Love this!
No, Daryl is not a re-run, I just had nothing to say in my letter. I had plenty to say about Daryl!
I have done re-runs in the past as you know, but I want my holiday break to be a real vacation, which is why I'll be sending out NOTHING. :)
I understand the distinction. Forgive me. I am not into New Year resolutions but I hope that 2025 becomes everything you want it to be. 🐰aka Kevin
A P.S. I should have added that to say someone is telling ‘a porky’ is a light-hearted response to something that appears to be said ‘tongue in cheek’ and gives no offence. Your words made me smile. 🐰aka Kevin
Thank you for this story about the charming piano player. It’s all about connections and your stories show us how fascinating it is to get to know the people around us.
It IS all about the connections, Debbie. There was a lot I didn't have room to include about Daryl's friendships with the kids manning the Starbucks counter, the security guards, the folks at the bookstore.It's quite a little community!
Cocktail piano! A "Daryl Sherman" sounds like a cocktail---would you like a Tom Collins, a Mary Pickford or a Daryl Sherman?
Request: Can you please interview the Banana Man and get his story?
Also: How great to live in a place called Woonsocket?
Jules, come to think of it, you're right. A "Daryl Sherman" DOES sound like a great cocktail.
And I love the idea of doing something on the banana man!
Awesome! And for the future, maybe a post titled: "People I've met with names that sound like cocktails."
omgeeeee, what a doll! so glad that you included the video. lady needs a biopic, TELL US ABOUT TOKYO
I don't know anything about her TOKYO gigs, Emily, but I know one of her annual London gigs is playing a birthday party for an older gentleman. It started when he was 81. He is now 96. It's still a good party although now it is an afternoon affair.
“I don't care, because I love my own company. I make myself really laugh. I have a good life and I have an American Express card and I can do anything I want."
ICONIC.
I loved this line too!
“I don't care, because I love my own company. I make myself really laugh. I have a good life and I have an American Express card and I can do anything I want." #lifegoals
another absolute banger!!! will miss you, but enjoy your time off!!!
Loved that line too, Megan!
And I will enjoy my time off for sure, but I've gone one issue left in the year. You can't get rid of me that fast! :)
ha. I must have misread that this was the last til January. so YAY!!! it's like a bonus issue for me. (oh wait, I have plenty of issues already...)
I love that take on "issues" Megan. I will consider mine a bonus as well. :)
That’s lovely! Amazing lady earning a living, doing what she loves, at the age of 75! She’s looking amazing! What a life. Adore the pictures from her past. Another wonderful interview. Thanks so much. And I love that traffic cone tree. Great job. Have a wonderful festive season dear Anne. 🤗🤗😘❤️
Thank you Beth! I'm with you. I hope to having as much fun as Daryl is when I'm 75. And wishing you a lovely holiday season as well!
What a wonderful interview. She is exactly the person I would want to know more about. How many people walk by her a wonder “Who is she and how did she get there?” Thank you for getting the answers to my questions. I think I would enjoy her interview with you. Turn around is fair play, as the saying goes.
Now I have an assignment for you. I would love to know more about the Collage Lady.
Thank you Charlotte! I'd love to know more about the collage lady too. But Daryl told me that when she and some of the atrium guards tried chatting her up, they didn't get very far. And she definitely gives off "leave me alone" vibes.
THANK YOU, Anne -- this was perfect! Whoever can say "I make myself really laugh" must be an exceptional person. And she has such an expressive face! About the traffic cone Christmas tree: you had me fooled once again; I thought the website was a joke --but no, it's real! And indeed, "There's no one more orange than me" must make one proud, I bet. 😉
Thank you, Jessica!
If all goes well, I will be reincarnated as a traffic cone.
Fingers crossed!
What a great gig! Daryl is delightful! Thanks for the great interview!
I know what you mean, Candace. I am a little jealous of Daryl's job.
Glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you!
No dancing Christmas tree from a gift shop?? Seriously, love this year’s Christmas issue. Like Amy - The Tonic, would also love a follow up issue on her questions to you and your answers.
Merry Christmas Anne, and to everyone here😘🎄
Haha I forgot about the dancing xmas tree, Raquel!
Merry Christmas!