Category: Nature

NYC Street Photographs

The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park
Times Square
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Something Magical…

Although Christmas is over, it seems to be an unspoken rule that many places are not taking down their decorations just yet. I understand. In fact a large amount of shops and public areas in NYC never took down their lights throughout the year. It seems that the shop owners probably left up the decorations to be taken down a while after the holidays, but then when the pandemic started, without saying a word to each other, they decided to keep the lights of Christmas alive throughout the year. Even into the summer there were trees filled with beautiful lights outside restaurants. There were all kinds of wonderful expressions of spirit and solidarity if you looked in the smallest places. Well…this is one of the most beautiful ornaments I have ever seen…and I couldn’t pass up taking a picture of this wonderful tree that is, you guessed it, outside! Enjoy, and there will be more photos coming your way often! Here’s a little love and spirit to ya!

A Hazy Day in NYC

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!

Magical Manhattan

A journey through the outdoors…in the midst of a bustling city. Follow my blog to see images you don’t normally see.

Windbag

Ha ha! Windbag! What a great word for today! We have lots…of examples of windbags over here, without mentioning names, lol. Blowing lots of hot air; just full of it; flying high on hot air, itself. In fact, hot air is the only thing keeping it afloat, like a kite. The kite won’t work without all of the air buoying it from underneath. Without the air, the kite can’t fly, but take the air out from under its wings and the kite stays grounded…food for thought?

Cloister

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.

Endless Branches

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.