361. Yelp! I've Been Kidnapped by the Yorkshire Terrierist!

With 20 minutes to spare yesterday, the spontaneous -- some might say impetuous -- action was taken to purchase a JetBlue ticket (the last seat on the plane!), pack a bag, shower (in that order) and speed to the airport to accompany Abigail and Mr. Jefferies back home to New York.  OR it could be that I have been kidnapped.  By the most terrierful terrier of all.  He demands steak and kidney pie and Yorkshire pudding, and perhaps I will be released to go back home on Monday.  

Meanwhile, Abigail and I are having a fun mother-daughter weekend, and Mr. Jefferies is busy setting about to charm the pants off everybody he meets.  Our seatmate on the way down was a Cuban American who was heading home to L.A. after his dream trip to Vermont to experience his first white Christmas (we Vermonters very kindly obliged).  He is a huge dog lover, and when we took the two seats next to him, he gave a huge thumbs up.  He said he had seen Mr. Jefferies in the airport and missed his dogs, but he had also seen many families with -- and he delivered this line the same way I might -- with [shudder] kids.  He was assuming and dreading that -- horror or horrors -- that some of those [gack] kids would be seated next to him. Instead he got the pleasure of our company and Mr. Jefferies'.  

When we got to New York, Abigail and I took Mr. Jefferies for a walk to the dog park.  That dog continues to amaze me.   He's such a smart little son-of-a-gun.  He's only six months old, and he is already seemingly well seasoned as a little walker -- not intimidated by people or big vehicles or loud noises, walks along like a little pro, knows to stop at curbs and take cues for starting up again at the white walk light.  He knows his street and likes to sprint the final two blocks, knows his building, and when let off the elevator, he knows exactly which door is his.  Sharp as a little whip.

Santa brought him a new red sweater, and he wore it on the walk.  With that sweater on, he brings coos and smiles from almost every New Yorker we meet.  

The guy has quite a lot of power and quite a lot of clout.  I'm actually not sure steak and kidney pie and Yorkshire pudding will be enough.  

Mr. Jefferies in his native environment:

After we exhausted the little guy, Abigail and I set about to exhaust ourselves.  We went to the gym, then out to dinner, then ended the day with a trip to the top of the Empire State Building.  It's right in her neighborhood, and it's a shame that we've only just walked past it.  Last night was THE perfect night for going to the top -- the crowds were low, and the temperature was brisk but not terribly freezing.  The city-lights-studded clear view was just wonderful, the skaters at Rockefeller Center looked like swarming fleas, and though it had started to rain on the street level, it was spitting snow at the top, which added a magical quality to it.  I was only pissed off by people once -- when a group of beautiful Italians were afraid to go through the revolving door and held me up from getting through myself.  (Pretty good for me -- only pissed off at people once? Excellent.  More proof that my therapy worked -- or not.) 

Abigail wouldn't let me buy the cheesy tourist photo they took of us.  Spoil sport.  

Comments

[sandy]

It all sounds heavenly, Nor! Enjoy every stinking minute of it all!
xo to you and Ab and Mr. J!

[elizabeth a airhart]

i was born in elizabeth nj long time ago
and still have memories of rides up to the
top of the empire -and the lights-and store windows

warm here in florida
mr jeffries would like barkly square

[margene]

Ms. Norma, you are one smart cookie. NYC? What a perfect idea.

[kathy]

I'm soooo jealous. I want to go to New York to visit my little nieces in their pink Christmas hats (knitted by Aunt Kathy of course). Have a great time.

[Renee]

Spontaneous trips are the most fun! I love hearing about your adventures and Mr. Jeffries has it going on.

[regina]

Ooooh, that sounds wonderful. I love going to the top of the Empire State Building. I used to do it whenever relatives from overseas visited, but it's been a while.

[kmkat]

I saw a surprising number of people traveling with their dogs at the airport last Saturday, too. Dogs are better travelers than some children (mine were always perfect, of course). Have a great time in NYC!

[Dave Daniels]

What? No photos of the handsome Cubano-Americano????
Have a wonderful time in the southern climate!

[Beebs]

What. A. Great. Decision. ! Enjoy your w/e... and hugs to Mr. j.

[Cookie]

Sounds like a wonderful weekend get away. I wonder if Mr. Jefferies will let you got home.

[Doris]

I am jealous. I am supposed to be in NY (where I grew up) today with my husband and son and his girlfriend. But my son is sick and we have had to cancel. There is some talk of doing it tomorrow...but I think that is just talk. Lucky you, Norma! Have a great time.

[Birdsong]

What a fun escapade for you... enjoy the time with your daughter and the terriorist.

[Katy]

If you have some spare time in the early afternoon, go up to 93rd & Madison to visit Annie's Knitting. Mr. Jefferies is welcome to go yarn shopping, too.

[anne]

NYC???
oh i am SO not talking to you til you're back in the miserable vermont weather.

[minnie]

go back later and see if you can get it!

[naomi]

Hey, I know that park! It sounds like an excellent weekend. :)