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!

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Sand Castles By the Sea

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!

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.

Life

Pretty much my life right now…minus the cute doggie. What I wouldn’t give to have a sweet dog love to cuddle during this quarantine! Lucky for me, although I can’t have a dog of my own…YET…when this is over I get to go back to walking all of the sweet doggies that are on my roster from beforehand. For now, I’ll have to enjoy Netflix, writing, and pictures of cute doggies. I hope you enjoy this post! Hope it brings a smile to your face. 🙂 Have a great day, everyone!

Photo Credit: Roberto Nickson

Twitter: @rpnickson

What is True?

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

Calm during the Madness

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!

RDP Wednesday: Hold My Hand

Within seconds of reading today’s prompt, the very first thing that popped into my mind was my mother. The one helping me through all of this. She is a pillar of strength, and I can only hope to be as strong as her someday. Hopefully that day is soon. I’m very blessed to have such a good example in my life. I feel for those who don’t, as it is a very tough lesson to learn on your own. Here’s to the hand holders, the confidantes, the strength-givers, and the positivity offerers. Here’s to the helpers. Here’s to the examples. Here’s to the people working every day to fight this thing and conquer it; and conquer it we will. Here’s to the advocates. Here’s to the non-profit organizations offering any and all assistance. Here’s to the heroes. Here’s to the nurses, doctors, emt’s, hospital workers, police officers, grocery workers, drug store employees, and ALL of the helpers. I am so grateful for you. Living in NYC during this trying time is not easy, and I see the essential workers headed in day in and day out, putting themselves on the front lines while we have the blessing of staying safe at home. I truly hope that the world remembers and celebrates these heroes, courageously fighting the one thing that is terrifying so many, long after this pandemic. May we remember just how much they have done for us. May we fight for their benefits and their health. May we unite to be of service to each other. May we repay them with kindness and fabulous paychecks. Also, here’s to the teachers, who are currently adjusting to an entirely new way of teaching. Here’s to the educators who are working to provide assistance to the families with children at home by any means necessary. Finally, here’s to the world. May she heal during this time. May we learn to treat mother nature far better than we have for a long time. Also, here’s to you, dear ragtag community members and readers. We can do this.

RDP: Flounder

Flounder. That’s an interesting word. I’d like to say that I’ve pulled up my bootstraps and fought my way through this with a smile on my face. Honestly, floundering is something that is hard not to do. At this moment it seems like the Big Apple is unrecognizable. I look out my window and it looks like a New York City I don’t know. It’s…devoid of people and energy. It’s…not NYC. I can only hope that everyone is at home re-configuring their lives and succeeding in the best way possible. Truthfully, this is the first time that I’ve gotten myself to the page. It’s a whirl of craziness even though everything is so still. Thousands and thousands of New Yorkers have all of the sudden become unemployed and the city is doing it’s best to accomodate all of that. It has put a massive strain on the infrastructure of the city, and we are all struggling to get through. We have quickly become the location with the highest amount of cases in the US and times are very uncertain. The interesting thing is, we will not be defeated. NY’ers…are tough, diligent, strong, and courageous. It’s been incredible, the way that the community has shown love during this time. I’m proud of my co-workers and proud of my city. NYC strong. We can do this. It may be dark now…but it will be light in time.

Photo credit: Alexis Azabache. Follow Alexis on twitter: @alexazabache1

Calm

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

As life grows more tense,

Here in NYC,

As the city feels,

Like the world is crashing down around us,

I find myself going deep within.

It is a constant reminder,

To breathe in,

Breathe out.

I tell myself,

We will get through this.

This, too, shall pass.

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

I try to calm the worries.

I try to slow the world around me,

By centering myself when need be.

We are in this as a planet.

We are in this together.

I close my eyes,

And I imagine,

Breathing in,

And breathing out.

Lots of love to my fellow…well…everyone out there. Times are going to be very hard, but we will prevail. We must. I’d love to say I’m some sort of zen master, but that’s just not true…Ironically, as I was writing this poem, I was constantly envisioning Star Trek’s Vulcans and their serene nature. I know that’s off topic, but I hope it gives you all a chuckle during these pressure-filled times. Have a great night!

P.S. Somehow I’m on a night sky beach phase. Maybe it’s my body telling me that I need to listen to that when all of this is over and travel is safer. Hmmm…