Final Faves: New York Mix ~ Brooklyn, The Park and Around Manhattan

Life has got to be lived --

that's all there is to it.

~Eleanor Roosevelt 

Most of these photos were taken on my last full day, in New York, and on my way home the next. 

It was the end of August and difficult not to anticipate the coming of September and "School" starting. Doesn't September always feel like that? For me it does. It always feels the start of the year. And now, with my job teaching (even though many students we've had for years), things really switch up in the fall, because we also get a lot of new students.

But ... I still had a full day in New York!

The Mercedes Apartments ...

And time to fuel up, at Giorgio's Country Grill, with a rather enormous breakfast ...

The church across from Larry's.

Hell's Kitchen area

There is a calmness to a life lived 
in gratitude,
a Quiet joy.
~Ralph H. Blum

This was the day that it started to rain, when I was in the park ...

Central Park

But not before doing a little field sketch!



This is at the South End of Central Park, but over on the East Side,  north of the Plaza Hotel, where I ended up charging my iPhone.

With arms outstretched   I thank.

With heart beating gratefully   I love.

With body in health   I jump for joy.

With spirit full   I live.

~Terri Guillemets

My last day in N.Y., was also the day my niece moved into her new apartment, in Brooklyn. I ended up being there for the Ikea deliveries and the first dinner in their new place. (It's still New York, so that meant ordering in, since the kitchen wasn't unpacked yet.) It was perfect timing that I was there that day!

Brooklyn

Up on her roof!

I am thankful for my struggle because without it.

I wouldn't have stumbled upon my strength.

~Alexandra Elle

The Manhattan skyline, from her roof! The big building in the distance, on the right, is Freedom Tower.

And then ... Time to go home.

I love a window seat!

Well, that trip was a huge thing to be Thankful for, this year! Thanks to my Dad and Mom for the "birthday mileage!" And there is just so much more to be thankful for. As always, my incredible family and friends, my health and the health of those I love. Everything else? Gravy!!!

I feel so blessed.

I hope you feel that you are too!

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!!!!

See you in December! ;)

Blessings and light!

Rest and be thankful.
~William Wordsworth

A day in Brooklyn

I took the A train South to Lafayette Sreet in Brooklyn to meet my friend Lisa Russell. Lisa and I met a hundred years ago. High School to be more specific. We were at cheerleading camp (no one believes this now of two artsy geeks!) and got into trouble when Lisa snuck into my dorm room. She was the enemy, you see. We were from cross town rival schools.

She moved to New York more than a decade ago and now lives in Brooklyn where she edits the documentaries she shoots in Africa. She is quite the adventurer. Last year she went to the Congo by her self! For me, Brooklyn by subway is an adventure! (I don't know why subways freak me out a little) But, come to think of it, it's all an adventure.

If you are interested in checking out what Lisa does you can check out her blog. She has done some amazing work. Her films are about various subjects including women's health and obstetric fistula.

On that note, let's get back to our fun in Brooklyn! Loved this first shot of the "pistachio" building! Most of these shots are about color which is pretty appropriate for this artsy and unique place. I loved it there.

This is in Lisa's place, the poster is for the film she has been working on, Myth of the Motherland.

We ended our day with a 2 for 1 wine special and four hours of conversation in a booth at Maggie May's. I think that's what it was called. Hmm. Well, Maggie something's. I can't remember. I will blame it on the 2 for 1 special!

"I see my path,

but I don't know where it leads.

Not knowing where I'm going

is what inspires me to travel it."

~Rasalia de Castro