New York City, December 28, 2014

★★ The otherwise dull gray morning sky briefly developed, in the east, shining metallic patches, which reflected in the mirrored building to the west. In early afternoon, some wan sunlight made it through. The clouds were more interesting when one was out under them; overhead, some of the dimples in them went clear through to blue. Puddles lay in the gutters and at the seams of things. There was no need to fuss with zippers or hats. For a little while, out the windows beside the swimming pool, the clouds pulled apart into white. Then they closed over, duller than before. After sundown, though, the thin parts of the gray acquired a bright blue glow, like a remnant of some nicer day than the one just ended.