Queens

Let me take you on an excursion through a part of Queens that even I know little about. On our way to the 7 train, I’m excited to see that the Fa Da Bakery opened. I know you haven’t sampled these Chinese breads and pastries but I feel sure you would like them as much as we do. I’m tempted to buy mochi but the peanut ones are sold out, so I resist, and we walk out the door and past the Mexican mothers selling tamales until we reach the aboveground train station. The ride takes us by apartment building windows and the Mets Stadium. We observe planes descending over the bay and others taking off from LGA. Just before the last stop at Flushing, the train snakes underground.

A long escalator comes out at street level and lands us in China(town). This is not our destination, so we’ll save the tour of Chinese culture for another day. I know about a walkway that leads to the next block, and we’ll cross through there to wait for the Q13 bus. I’m feeling quite confident because I’ve done this part of the journey with Laurence. However, from now on, we’ll rely on Google Maps. It says 29 stops to our destination of “Turn the Page Again,” a used bookstore. Forgive me for not talking with you; there’s so much to see out the windows. Cherry trees are in full bloom in the landscaped yards of beautiful large homes that could be Anywhere, USA. Colorful restaurants draw me in. Churches. A large Chinese temple. The stops pass quickly and we reach our destination. Many small stores line this street. The one we want is the smallest of all. The little place lined with books makes my heart smile. One of the mentally challenged clerks operating it asks, “Are you doing okay?” I hear him suggesting books to a child – books that are beyond the child’s reading level. I buy the book, A Disappearance in Damascus, Friendship and Survival in the Shadow of War. (I recommend it.)

Do you think we should go on to Ft. Totten? The bus is coming that takes us there, so yes, let’s! It isn’t far. When we arrive, we walk to the Bay instead of into the Fort. We walk along the heavenly blue waters towards the graceful towers of Throgs Neck Bridge. I let Laurence know where we are. He replies with the Google Map address of a Little Free Library. (He understands my love of books.) Before catching the bus back, we’ll sit on this bench overlooking the bay. Can you think of a more beautiful place than right here: the water, the bridge, the distant hills, the lighthouses, and the old fort?

So ends the telling of yesterday’s outing. It’s home for us. I look around in wonder that we get to live here. Why us? Why don’t you? (You don’t want to?!) It’s too big for me to figure out. Berniece

P.s. Help! I switch between past and present in this article. Writing is hard work. I still have things to learn.