There’s nothing like a walk along the river on a hazy day in NYC. Despite the fog…it was actually very warm, with folks in short sleeves/shorts and it was a balmy day. During Covid I have been exploring photography and spending time outside in the evenings. Let’s see where this project takes me…Won’t you join me by following my photography? Please like, comment, share, etc!
A journey through the outdoors…in the midst of a bustling city. Follow my blog to see images you don’t normally see.
Oh, who wouldn’t want to make a sand castle by the sea?
Just relaxing,
Just you and me.
I love the breeze,
Running through my hair.
I love the feel,
Of the balmy air.
I love the summer nights so sweet.
I love the sand beneath my feet.
I love the endless ocean waves,
I feel they go for days and days.
I love the feeling, oh so free,
Of just “being,” you and me.
P.S. This post could not have come at a better time, as my mother reminded me via such a happy picture of the two of us, that this time last year we were in Bermuda, one of my favorite places on the planet. The culture and the environment there are like none other. I can’t wait to go back someday!
If only
I could be cloistered in The Cloisters
That beautiful structure
Standing in the center of a gorgeous park
At the highest point in Manhattan
A park so peaceful
A place so open
A world so green
Looking out over the Hudson River
With the sun shining on the water.
If only
I could look out
From the top of the stone ramparts
Filled with history
That tell the story
Of a massive battle.
Fought closer to home
Than we could feel
From our classrooms in the West.
Out here
This battle
Took place
Where. We. Are.
When it is no longer far away
We have no choice
But to take note.
Remember.
History. Is. Now.
Make it what you want
The future to reflect on.
Yesterday, while walking to do an errand, stuck in my own head, thinking about trying to keep distance from people who did not seem to be thinking about social distancing, I randomly looked up to the sky. It was a beautiful, bright blue day, and, very uncommonly, I could see the moon crisp and clear. It made me stop and think about my previous post. I had written about looking up to the sky, centering oneself, and being grateful for the frontline workers. Sometimes I forget my own advice, as I’m sure we all do. Yesterday, I stopped and took a breath. The sight of the moon looking down over the world reminded me that there is something so much bigger out there than all of us. There are larger forces at work than mankind. It was very comforting thinking about how all of us are simply small creatures allowed to live on this beautiful planet that has, miraculously, supported us for so long. It reminded me that the world provides us with what we need if we stop and listen. I couldn’t let myself forget that moment, so here is the photo that I took.
Although I know that today’s word is twinkle, this memory of the moon popped up in my mind as I started deliberating what to write about. I generally go with whatever the first thing is the springs to life, as I enjoy writing stream-of-conscious style posts. Also, the cosmos is just such a fascinating, beautiful, unifying place. I wonder what it’s like to look back at the earth from the International Space Station and see the world for what it really is. What a life-changing experience. What a point of view.
I never thought I’d say this when this all began, but this quarantine and horrific disease has caused me to do, among several options, one specific thing: branch out. Yes, you read that correctly. It has forced me, from the confines of my nyc apartment, to reach out to those that I don’t talk to often enough. It has guided me to reach out to those who might need a boost (and sometimes they reach out to me for the same). It has pushed me to re-think where my life is and how I can get to the next point. It has shown me that what I was doing was decent then but it no longer works now. It has pushed me to grow stronger due to the stress of everyday living around here. It has made me realize who my true friends are. It has shown me more about myself than I realized it would (or could), and where I am vs. where I think I am as a person. It has proved to me that I can do much more and better than I assumed would be possible. In fact, the very first day of my isolation my one of my biggest worries was how well I would mentally handle being inside for such a long period of time. I’m an outdoors girl. I need the fresh air ALL of the time and space to burn energy. That is all still true, but my newfound ability to adapt and keep calm under these circumstances is something that I didn’t think I could do. I have. I’m proud. I’m also blessed that I am able to spend time at home and be healthy, as others may not have a home or may be struggling in the hospital. I count my blessings for this. I am a lucky, lucky person for all of the great people in my life. Ironically, being stuck indoors…has forced me to branch out in ways that I never imagined possible before. I hope you are feeling positive, world, and all my best to everyone out there. We will get through this together.
A lonely walk…but lots of beautiful branches to see/connect with. It’s hard…but we’re all in it together.
Truth. What is true? Let’s ruminate on that for a moment. The first thing that came to mind when I read today’s prompt word truth, is about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the word true. In fact, I’m not even sure I can accurately describe it, but I’ll try. Truth is…complex. What is true for me may not be true for you. That’s crazy, right? I mean, how many different truths could there possibly be? The TRUTH is…I think there are many.
Truth.
What is true?
Is it a feeling,
Deep Inside?
Is it linear?
Is it one size fits all?
Is there really only one truth?
How will we ever know?
Science can answer many of our questions,
About that I am certain.
Logic is absolutely real.
Emotion is magic.
It grows and changes.
It can make you do the most daring things.
It can do the opposite.
Emotions are different for each one of us.
Our hearts feel different.
Our minds interpret the same feelings differently.
So is there one universal truth for everyone?
I’ll leave that open for you to decide for yourself.
My answer,
Quite plainly,
Is no.
Emotional truth is different for everyone.
Everyone is having a different experience.
It’s quite fascinating,
Really.
The key thing to do,
Is to listen.
Be open-minded.
Be compassionate.
Be kind.
Be open-hearted.
Be true to you.
Photo credit: Francesca Saraco, Burst
Today I forced myself to get out for a brief walk in the park to give my body some much-needed exercise. The scenery did not disappoint! I’ve been writing a fair amount during my quarantining due to Covid-19 in NYC and social distancing, but today I needed a break. I hope the picture I took at my local park makes you happy!
When I thought about the word water for today’s daily prompt I considered coming up with a beautiful poem (or, hopefully beautiful, lol), but nothing came to mind. Sometimes I try too hard when it comes to writing (and life, in general). I can’t seem to be comfortable not churning out work that I think is profound. That’s not to say that any of my past work is viewed as profound, in my opinion, but sometimes I think that maybe I try to make each thought and/or statement much deeper than it really is in that moment. In other words, I’m creatively stuck just a bit and I forget that that’s okay; that not every post has to be perfect and shiny. Not today.
So here’s to loving writing by the method of brain drain today. Here’s to imperfection. Here’s to letting my mind wander and not judging what comes of it. So. Water.
When I think of the word water I hear the gurgling nature of the ocean as you come up to the surface after dunking your head, when your ears are adjusting. I think of the aqua blue beauty of the ocean in Bermuda. I go to my happy place: Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. It brings a peaceful smile to my face in a time where the world is anxious. It brings some calm to my paranoia. Bermuda. 🙂
Photo Credit: Matthew Henry
Empty space.
Endless room.
Endless possibilities.
Endless…
Assuming nothing…
Blank slate.
Leaves space for everything.
For depths unknown,
Adventures unseen.
Knowledge unending.
Smiles to be had.
Hearts to be glad.
Positivity can fill.
Nothing.
Possibilities abound…
MusicTrGrlinNYC 