Wheeling Around

We haven't forgotten you!! We've just been out and about a lot, gulping down summer, getting work done, traveling and, oh yes, experiencing obnoxious travel delays.

But let's start with the stroller. The U.S. importers of Micralite, the space-age English pushcart that Thalia spends so much time in, have asked us to write a testimonial to their product. And you know what? We're going to do it. Yes, we are shills for a $400 item. We drive a car we bought for $1 and has the body of a defensive lineman on medical retirement. Our "new" bathroom sink is a 1920s number we bought on ebay (and is currently serving as a planter on our terrace). We are not prone to material indulgences. But.

This stroller can be steered with one hand. Its huge rear tires bound up or down stairs, and the whole thing is light enough to be carried, child strapped in, into or out of a subway station. It's a smooth driving machine. It folds in half at the click of a button. And it's damn cool looking.







Look how many places it's been already. The above are:

Salt Marsh, Brooklyn. A lovely spot next to Jamaica Bay, just off Marine Park.

Chicago, Millennium Park. We were there for grandma Sandy's 65th birthday party...and she didn't even know it. Thank you, Toby, for a fantastic weekend. Happy birthday Sandy! Happy birthday Helen! (Our moms have the same birthday, June 15.) The party itself was in New Buffalo, Mich. When you're in town there you must go to Redamak's, one of America's great burger joints.

Coney Island. This photo was taken outside Nathan's Famous minutes before a wild deluge. We took refuge inside Nathan's, but with sheets of rain blowing sideways we didn't stay especially dry. There was nowhere to sit so I nursed Thalia standing up (I have a photo, available on request).

We almost didn't make it to picture #3. Getting back from Chicago was a 30-plus hour ordeal. Eve flight was cancelled due to thunderstorms, they reschedule us for 1 p.m. the next day (which was a second surprise treat for Sandy), and then...we board the plane and we sit on the runway. For 3 hours. Wait, that's not the bad part. Then: THEY LOSE THE STROLLER. My theory...for the first time in all my flying life, the airline (American) did not preboard the babies!! When we griped to the agent she said, "Well, we don't consider that to be a disability." Well, we were among the last to board, and instead of coming in all at once our strollers trickled in one by one. And some didn't make it onto the plane.

Stroller and child were happily reunited the next day.

OK, you've waited long enough. Here you go: