PARK ROW. Yesterday four of us rented a couple of rowboats in Central Park and cavorted on the water — chatting, picnicking, playing "bumper boats," and admiring the many different configurations of ducks, geese, turtles, and birdwatchers. (One group of birders was looking for warblers, but I listened carefully and didn't hear anyone singing "Strangers in the Night.")

Maintaining an old tradition, I rowed alongside the fancy Boathouse restaurant to see if anyone would toss out bread, booze, or employment. One woman offered drinks, but she turned out to be joking. Better luck next time!

The boating excursion was due, in part, to the weather, which has suddenly become quite satisfactory here in NYC. (An online weather report said that the temperature was 70 degrees and even felt like it!)

Rowing at the park continues through October, according to the Central Park website.

Photo: David Marc Fischer