We know each other 45 years - worked together during the Great Depression of 1934, now retired and touring the Big Apple.

Met Mary in front of Trinity Church on Lower Broadway at lO:OO AM. She was wearing shorts with a camera slung across her shoulders. Did I mention she is a great grandmother! Several years ago shorts would have entitled her to a summons from the constabulary. Now, she looked like a tourist.

As most life long residents of New York City know, breakfast in fast food restaurants is the best buy, but the prices change at 10:30 or 11:00 AM.

First we had to pay a visit to the nearest Ladies Room. Took our business to nearby Famous Emporium. Nice saleslady let use the Employee's lounge. No more public rest rooms. Would you believe the door had a combination lock? Stopped to examine the lounge wear on our way out. Could afford the prices when we were working.

We hurried out to eat. Had a scrumptious Brunch, the price was right and congratulated ourselves on our general well being. Now was the time to plan our day's activity

I had just purchased a new camera and wanted Mary's "knowhow" to obtain the best pictures. She was to watch that I didn't put a thumb in front of the lens. Take great pictures of fingers.

That week, on television, we had seen a report of a group of artists having a display along the Hudson River near the World Trade Center. One of the artists with the help of an Agriculture Professor had planted wheat in the Spring. It was now fully grown and soon to be harvested. A Kansas wheat field indeed! On the lower reaches of Manhattan. This was our destination for picture taking.

Not sure of the exact location, we stopped and asked people in the street. They thought we were demented. Finally, a telephone company repairman told us we were one-half a mile too far downtown. The whole area is under construction and it would be impossible to walk from there.

At the present time, a huge complex is going up along the Hudson. Apartments, stores, etc. We decided to investigate. In order to get to it, we had to cross the West Side Highway, pass the entrance and exit to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and walk in the rubble.

The two of us in our open sandals (no orthopedic sneaks for these youngsters) managed to cross safely, dodging traffic all the way. We were able to go up to the seventh floor to see the model apartments, and took pictures of boats and the Beautiful Lady with The Torch.

Back on the street, we retraced our steps and found ourselves in front of a Brand New Hotel on the West Side Highway. Went into the Lobby to rest, admired the Jewelry in a very posh store.

By this time, needed another pit stop.

I asked a Sea Captain standing in front of Bar in the Lobby where the facilities were Funny thing, he "wooden" answer me. Finally found out we had to go through the Bar and turn left. Filched some matches on the way. Never miss picking up a freebie.

Observation #1: New way of promoting business; must go through Bar to relieve oneself, then on way out, fill up again.

Observation #2: V.l.P. Department store has an express elevator to eighth floor for payment of bills. Have to take escalator down, pass every floors can't help spending more money. Sneaky but smart.

Exit from Hotel lends into a purple carpeted, flower filled, three story glass enclosed Lobby of World Trade Building. Then into the shopping area. Banks, stores, restaurants and trains to New Jersey.

By now, our legs were giving out, so we stopped for coffee, Sat at a table for four. Told of our day to a young lady, She envied us our 30 years seniority. A young man, eating late lunch, complained about his baked beans. It was one of his favorite veggies. Mary gave him her recipe. We spread good will wherever we go.

Looked over the merchandise in branch of well known variety store, where we did not buy. We were saving our money for Wall Street area bargain store several blocks to the north. This store (for the uninitiated, let me explain) is the Mecca for shoppers.

We spent a goodly sum, and, as it was now after 4:00 PM, decided to head for home.

Dashed down a nearby subway, stood in front of two well dressed gentlemen, and to our delight, they got off at 14th St. Usually, the well dressed leave the subway at 34th Penn Station or 42nd St. Grand Central, Nowadays, you never know.

"Oh Joy, Oh Rapture" Those seats felt good. We had spent about six hours on our feet and only 75¢ round trip carfare. Never add in food and purchases. "Has nothing to do with the case."

It's so good to be retired in New York!

"Gilbert and Sullivan"

Mary Trimarco

Adele Serkes