New York City, December 7, 2014

★★★★ Whitecaps moved on the dark water downriver. The sun shone full on the face of the slabs of apartments to the west, and put a shine on the wet spots still under the scaffolding. Up in the blue were a few white smudges, like something an archaeologist would point to as the site where clouds had once been. Shadows of curved balconies marched up a tall blank brick wall. Going uptown on the avenue there had been a stiff headwind, and coming back there was blinding head-sun. A recalcitrant and turning toddler was an incomprehensible two-dimensional cutout in the way. “Whoa! It’s totally blue outside,” the three-year-old exclaimed, as the sun headed down.