SHEEP MEADOW IN CENTRAL PARK:  It was Sunday, August 15^th; the blistering sun was my companion.  I had read chapters in three books, well at least a few pages in each:  The Red Pony by John Steinbeck, The Return by Victoria Hislop, and The Blue Orchard by Jackson Taylor.  Anyway, happiness was I lying on the grass in Sheep Meadow at two o’clock in the afternoon.  This fifteen-acre flourishing heaven is located from the west side at 66^th Street to 69^th Street, as well as the east side.  However, I wandered in at West 67^th Street and Central Park West, whereupon, feeling nostalgia about the empty red brick Tavern on the Green Restaurant.

“What a lovely day,” I smiled and stared at the baby blue sky.  I am relaxed taking in the rolling clouds.  I lied on my back, then on my stomach, followed by sitting up reaching for several concord grapes.  As I grabbed another, I saw a young man in oversize Levi’s jeans cut-off at the knee pulling a grocery store cart.  He said.  “Heineken, Corona, Corona light, water, ice-cold Corona,” I was eating, drinking Pellegrino water—he moved along.  Five minutes later a middle-age salesman with salt and pepper hair approached my vicinity.  “Corona, Water, Spring Water,” he shouted.  He found a buyer three feet away, I paused to gaze at the abundant dense grassland.  And once I adapted to the sellers, I scanned through my Atlantic Monthly magazine—read, rested and returned to my Whole Foods’ prepared sandwich.

Hours later, the majestic bright blue sky never changed, except a twinkle of a breeze here and there, I became one with all: couples flying kites, Frisbees players, ping-pong challengers, soccer championships, cyclists on breaks, persons on cell phones, and children laughing—running away from mom and dad.

In the end, I see why thousands of common folks, status folks and folks from foreign countries venture to Central Park to mingle or just be with self.  It’s a $2.25 metrocard fare or free by roaming feet.  Of course, if Sheep Meadow is not your style—easy on over to Le Pain Quotidien.  It is located at the West 67^th Street entrance, and you can sit outside while drinking organic draft beer, eat Vegan ice cream or pick-up a pre-package picnic box and walk along to your special spot.  Either way—spring, summer, fall and winter is winsome in Central Park.  Catch it if you can at www.centralparkny.org/visit/things-to-see.com.