Was it a preview of a return to child-free late middle age? Hard to say for sure, but Ginny and I had a good time Sunday in Manhattan. First we had a leisurely stroll up Fifth Avenue for a tour of 
the Big Street’s holiday decorations (nice flags outside Cartier’s, nicer rocks inside), and then a very fine brunch at Cafe Boulud in the Surrey Hotel on East 76th Street. Ginny had the tarte
flambee and the Maine Peekytoe Crab Benedict, and I had the charcuterie and the fines herbes omlette. Afterwards, we went around the corner to the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, right at 74th Street, and heard the Pipes of Christmas, a program of Christmas music played by bagpipe, brass and string instruments presented by the Clan Currie Society of Summit NJ. A very lovely program, perfect for the season, even if my favorite moment was the rousing rendition of “Scotland the Brave” that closed the show. Outstanding!
