The cat is on patrol. He smells gas faster than he smells smoke.
But this does mean I'm getting our stove looked at.
I'm afraid the first I knew of the neighbourhood explosion was a phone call from South Africa, where the news still seemed to suggest that a bomb was involved.
The explosion happened on a block just north of 116th, on Park, which is actually right opposite the Urban Garden Center, which occupies space under the raised railways tracks, there, that take Metro North out of Grand Central. So that is worrying. I am waiting to hear back from Dimitri to hear that they are all well.*
There is a lot of helicopter activity in the sky.
Thank you for all the calls, emails and Facebook messages.
Update: * Dimitri and his staff are safe, but very concerned for their neighbours.
I hadn't even thought of the proximity of this to Urban Garden Center - please update when you hear from Dimitri! They are wonderful folks. This is such a horrible, preventable tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI read about this explosion earlier today on the BBC news website in the UK - and immediately came online looking for news of you. Glad to read now that you're ok, & hope you get good news soon about those you know.
ReplyDeleteAnd very glad to hear you're getting your cooker checked!
I just turned on the news in the UK - and thought of you. So glad to hear you are safe!
ReplyDeleteI just read about this explosion on the news and I am so glad to read that you are ok!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the news, all I could see in my head was the picture of your stovetop. Very happy to hear it's not your building!!!!!
ReplyDeletePhew! I just saw the news and the location of the blast. Glad you are OK.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know you're okay.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you're ok! Was relieved to learn it was not in your immediate vicinity, but I was afraid you might be out on one of your explorations though, so relieved about that, too. My heart goes out to those in the buildings and their loved ones. The buildings close by will probably also be impacted more than is apparent at the outset.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should avoid that faulty burner for the time being. Just sayin'.
Nancy Mc
Still too close for comfort. Glad you are ok.
ReplyDeleteFirst thoughts when I heard of this was I hoped you and yours was safe. Kept checking your blog to see if there was any news here. I agree with Nancy Mc about the faulty burner. Keep safe and warm.....
ReplyDeleteGlad to see an alert Estorbo is on the que vive and has your flanks well guarded.. And knowing he is on the job, we all feel better for your safety..
ReplyDeleteWhat a well-rounded kitty!
Thank God! Hugs...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are all safe. Thoughts and prayers to those who are affected.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this -- good to know you are OK. but it must be upsetting.
ReplyDeleteThank heavens you all are safe. What an awful--preventable--event.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to know all of you are safe!
ReplyDeleteI ran home from work to check on my cats and woke them from their naps (we're on 107th and Fifth) - smoke was billowing by our building, but the super said all was well on the inside. Glad all at Urban Garden Center are well - I was planning a visit this weekend and was worried that people may have been injured there as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that you are fine
ReplyDeleteEllen
I, too, was relieved to read your post.
ReplyDeleteWe saw a picture on tv news, but thought it was a closing shot from the huge explosion and fire in Sydney. Glad you are well, sorry for those who are not.
ReplyDeleteSo relived to hear you and Estorbo are fine! When I heard of the explosion and I remembered your gas stove I was so worried it was on your block! Glad to see Estorbo on guard duty! Hope the Frenchman doesn't have a terrible commute because of the disaster.
ReplyDeleteI have never commented here, but the first thing I did when seeing a newsflash of the explosion was check the map to see how close it was to you. Your blog -- and Estorbo's when he writes -- are a joy. Thank you. But get that stove checked!
ReplyDeleteMary
I'm so glad you're ok.
ReplyDelete*whew*
ReplyDeleteHot bread kitchen??? (Best "bialy's) Trust everyone is safe. GH
ReplyDeleteAy yi yi!!! Glad you are safe. I must say that Storby's jacket suits him well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting. As a cat (and dog :) ) lover, I check in on Estorbo form time to time and my first thought was for him ...and his persons!
ReplyDeletegreat to know. was thinking of you and your household this am when listening to WNYC. apparently the explosion was heard over a very wide radius.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that you are safe. If you put the address 1646 Park Ave, New York City in to Google Maps, and then go to the Street View, you can see the Urban Garden Center. It is just across the street from the site of the explosion.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I hope Estorbo isn't, or won't, be tempted by the birds coming to the feeder that seems to be hanging out over the edge of the building. From the photo it seems a bit precarious.
Scary news. Glad you are all safe, but still, how horrifying. Another none too gentle reminder we must seize each day by the scruff of it's neck and shake all the goodness out.
ReplyDeletexo J
So glad to hear you are all fine!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are all safe and well.
ReplyDeleteThought of you first thing when I heard the news. Glad to hear you're okay.
ReplyDeletePhooooooooooooo. Relieved
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you are all safe--I did what many of the other faithful commenters did and checked the site as soon as we heard!
ReplyDeletewhew... thank goodness everybody is okay......
ReplyDelete