City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

The sun set several hours ago, and the lamps have been lit. This reminds me that I am coming to the end of my stay at home vacation and will be returning to work on Sunday morning. More precisely, I will be returning to work at the shop on Sunday morning.

I have had a fabulous time these past weeks in my own modest version of Santa's workshop. It has been a treat to spend each day doing what pleases me.

I have painted lots and lots of Christmas teacup cards, and now feel that I will be able to complete the remaining cards at a reasonably relaxed pace.


I am close to the finish line on my first ever sock knitting project. This pair of striped socks will be a gift for a family member. It was such fun learning how to "turn" the heel. Turned out to be easy, and so I think I will be making more socks in the months to come.

I love to knit, having been taught when I was very young by my dear great auntie. I used her double-pointed needles for these socks, and remembered her with every stitch.

The picture below does not show berets, but rather some crocheted pot holders. Long ago, my grandmother used to knit pot holders from cotton yarns, and so I am continuing her tradition in my own way. These will also be given to family members who'll remember the ones that our grandmother made.

The fringed scarf will also be a Christmas gift, and was begun in hopes of using up a considerable amount of my considerable collection of four-ply yarn. It was knit on a long circular needle on which I cast on 350 stitches. I changed the yarn color on every row, and that is how the fringe developed.

This elf did not stay in the workshop for the entire holiday. The weather has been mostly fine, and encouraged me to have lots of long walks in Central Park and also to travel to various parts of the city of meet up with friends.

My usual weeks feature somewhat unpredictable schedules, and this often makes it tricky to plan getting together with my dear friends. It has been delightful to spend recent hours in cafes, chatting with friends while having lunch, or sipping tea or coffee watching delicious pastry disappear.

Knowing what fun it has been to see many of these folks has made me adopt a November resolution to truly attempt to see them more often.

Now back to the workshop so see what else is underway. Crocheting is fun and quick and inspires experimentation is a way that knitting does not. If a crochet notion just isn't working out, it does not seem so monumental a decision to unravel it and try again. The picture below is of a scarf that will also make inroads into my yarn supplies. The circles in the squares, or diamonds, remind me of Indian mirrored embroidery.

Perhaps some visitors will remember seeing this following scarf in its earlier stage, when it was only a twisty rope of fluffy mohair. I have now added a band of fluting via black merino yarn, and plan to add another band of grey tweedy yarn. The finished scarf will have three colors and three textures, and will surely be a one off. It will also be a Christmas gift.

These little stars are crocheted from cotton yarn, and are the beginning of a second galaxy. The first collection of stars was done in seasonal colors and then sort of strung along a little rope/string that was also crocheted. It became a starry bunting that I gave to a friend as a birthday gift.

This time off has also given me time to indulge my love of reading. I have read several books during the past days, and currently am enjoying this latest in the author's series about the lady philosopher who lives in Edinburgh. I would say that Edinburgh itself is a character. It's a delightful series that I would recommend.

I would also greatly recommend the value of having a minimum of two weeks away from one's usual routine and responsibilities. Staying at home has been relaxing and rewarding. Perhaps next year I will be able to actually take a holiday journey. Meanwhile, reading blogs by folks from all over the world allows me to have amazing travels.

Thank you all for your marvelous posts.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York.

My long-awaited vacation break began last Sunday. I am feeling more and more relaxed each day, even though I still try to fit many activities and interests into each hour. The difference, of course, is that I am selecting each of those additions to the agenda.

I have been spending hours at my work table, crocheting some birthday and Christmas gifts, returning to a long-set aside sock knitting project, and very much enjoying the annual watercolor painting of my Christmas cards. None of these can be rushed, and it is delightful to let the time melt away.

So far this week, the New York weather has continued to be mild, and has encouraged my taking lots of walks around the neighborhood and through Central Park. I have been arranging lunches with various friends. These friends of mine are loyal, even though I confess that my usual work schedule really does play havoc with the possibility of our spending much time together.

Yesterday, I headed downtown to our Chelsea gallery district, to meet a fellow artist friend. We wanted to see a few exhibits and have lunch, and get well caught up on our conversations. One of the shows that we saw featured some of David Hockney's recent Yorkshire woodland landscape paintings. I had seen some of this series last week at an uptown branch of the same gallery. I would say that visiting the paintings does tell the viewer a bit about those woods.

I convinced my friend that it would be fun to take a walk along the nearby High Line, the elevated old railroad track that has been transformed into a sort of urban nature walkway. You all might remember I first saw this space last summer in full bloom. I was curious to see how it was evolving with the new season.

We saw lots and lots of dried or drying plant life. The picture below somehow reminds me of a William Morris design.



In the background of the next photo, you can see a bit of the metal railing that reminds the walkers of the walkway's boundary. It also gives a bit of a frame to the wispy plants.

Just over the top of the railing you can see the open, cloudy, sky and the State of New Jersey across the Hudson River.

This is another westward view, and includes a graceful shrub whose name I do not know.

And, if one pivots and turns the camera Eastward, the dark geometry of city architecture presents a true contrast.

It was very breezy up there on the rails, and so we retraced our steps, climbed back down a stairway to the street level, and found a delicious little restaurant for lunch, and more conversation.

It was a lovely day to get outside, and so refreshing to the eye and the soul.

When I got home, my energy level was still great, and I returned to my work table with enthusiasm. What a grand holiday I am having!

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York, on Halloween Eve.

As I walked through my neighborhood this afternoon, I could not resist taking out my camera to record more pictures of decorations on a special West Side brownstone'd block. There will be a children's Halloween party along this street tomorrow afternoon.

This lady looks just a little different from the farmers who we normally see at our weekend green markets.

I would wonder if sampling her produce would be wise. Not sure if you can read the poster affixed to the front door. It asks us to Stop Genocide.

This gentleman was standing on the steps of the adjacent house. He makes me rethink the concept of organic.

A bit further down the block I saw this display affixed to a window. Please note that the metal window gates are there to keep more than spirits from entering that home.I fear that this photo might be too out of focus to propery show the fiendish artisty that made the display reality.

What more is there to say ...

Happy Halloween!

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

Halloween is a few days away, and I hope to write again before that glorious holiday ends. However, knowing how my schedule sometimes surprises me, I thought that I would show you some of the spirits around New York this evening.

As I left the shop this night and glanced upwards, as usual, to the Empire State Building, I saw that tower against a cloudy sky, through a bit of a drizzle. Its colors tonight honor our wonderful baseball team, the New York Yankees. Tonight, if the weather dries somewhat, those players will take their next step toward playing again in the World Series.


Yes, I know that the World part is a bit over the top, but we have been calling our annual national baseball championship that for quite a few decades. May the world forgive us. May the Yankees win again.

I took my usual subway ride and then, with my camera in my hand walked a bit through my neighborhood looking to see if Halloween was in the air. A brightly lit shop window had this fellow wearing sunglasses, though I am not sure that he actually had eyes.

I turned down a side street, and found eyes, very large eyes in a brownstone window. My hands shook, and the picture was blurred.

I tried again, and found myself even more shaky. How is it possible for two window shades to evoke such power?

I scurried home and cut a few lights on in my little apartment. I looked in one of my mirrors and saw that even I was succumbing to the Halloween spirit.

My goodness. I tried another click of my camera and found that abstraction had taken over.

May I wish each of you great fun on Halloween, and may your spirits celebrate, wherever you and they might be.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

The past week was challenging at work and at home. The shop was very, very busy. I also learned that I have a bit of osteoporosis. I found it difficult to reach a comfortable level of free time.

Therefore, what a pleasure to wake up on this day off, without any beep from the alarm clock, and to realize that last night's thunderstorms had left this city with a clear blue sky.

This was a good day for a long walk. Central Park continues to show its transition to autumn colors, little by little.
My destination was a glorious cultural institution, Japan Society, that's located way over on the East side near the United Nations. The last time I visited Japan Society was many years ago, to see a Noh theatre performance. Today's goal was to see an exhibit of the textile designs of a Japanese national treasure, Serizawa.
As I had expected, there were very few other visitors at the time I arrived, and so I joined a group of six folks for a tour of this exhibit given by an excellent museum docent. He was British, spoke Japanese, and clearly was very enthusiastic about his subject, and delighted to find us a receptive audience. I usually steer clear of museum tour groups; today's experience makes me question that pattern.

The exhibit truly covered more than textile design, since Serizawa was a master of stencil art. The graphic design and colors involved in the many items on display were dazzling in their elegance, wit, communication, colorways, delicacy and boldness and variety. The way in which the designs bridged tradition and modernity was remarkable. It really is quite a show, and one that I will remember. I want to do a bit more research about this artist and also about the entire medium in which he worked.

It can be so inspiring to see something creative that is far different than anything you have previously know about ... and yet to feel instantly drawn to it. That is the feeling that I had this afternoon.

As I left the gallery rooms that had housed the exhibit, I happened upon another amazing show. Apparently the museum was also being used this afternoon for a gathering of Japanese families who were presenting their little girls in full kimono regalia. The girls were about five or six years old and so beautiful in their finery. Lots of photographing was going on. I felt that I would be intruding if I took out my own camera. It was very difficult to keep my recording totally in my mind's eye.


It was still quite early when I left the museum, and the day was gorgeous. And so I took a bus for a bit of my return journey, but then did another short detour through the Park. The scene below is just at the southern end of the Park. The tranquility of the view helped me hold on to the beauty of the exhibit.

I also managed a few errands before returning home, and then sat down to experiment with a bit of crocheting, just to continue the quiet, restful spell of the day. It is unusual for me to work with mohair, and I had forgotten that I had this skein of frothy pale ivory mohair/wool. I am playing around with a stitch called string of hearts. It will eventually be a twisty, textured, lightweight strand, that might be wrapped round and round to make a scarf. I surely do hope that the mohair bit won't prove scratchy.

I have also done a few sketches this afternoon in preparation for my annual Christmas card project. I think that I might have incorporated some of Serizawa's vocabulary into my card design. Since I will also have tomorrow as a day off, I'm hoping to pursue creative activities during much of the day, aside from the time I will have to devote to yet another doctor's appointment, and a visit to the dentist.

As we head towards Halloween, I do want to send lots of wishes to all you spirits around the world for a delightful holiday.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

It has been more than a month since I have been able to have a walk in Central Park. This shocks me. A five-minute walk gets me to the Park.

Since my last post my life has not allowed me very much time out of doors. I have walked to and from the subway train station. On days off, I have hurried to get my grocery shopping done, I have taken the bus that travels across the Park via the transverse.

I have taken subway and bus rides to various doctor and dentist appointments. The long overdue general check up from my gp (aka primary care physician in the States) has revealed that I must alter my diet to reduce my "bad" cholesterol level. My "good" cholesterol level seems to be graciously high. My dentist is now midway through an expensive fixing of a vintage filling. The replacement will be a porcelain crown. That crown will cost the same as a brief holiday. I will chew in relaxation, reflecting on this juxtaposition of economies.

Work has filled my days and also interrupted more sleep patterns than I would wish. Well, why would anyone choose to have one's sleep patterns interrupted by dreams clearly inspired by work place concerns?

Back to today.

A day off. However, this day off also required me to be up around 6 in order to attend an early managers meeting ... across the Park. I got up, had a non-egg breakfast to respond to my doctor's instructions, and then got myself over to the East Side via subway and bus.

The meeting was much the same as many other meetings.

Afterwards, I visited my nearby former workplace, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to see the Vermeer exhibit. The Met owns quite a few Vermeers. This fall, another painting, "The Milkmaid," is on loan from the Rijksmuseum. I will surely return to see this exhibit again before the Milkmaid returns to Amsterdam. It was grand to just pop in to renew acquaintance with this lovely picture today. It took me far, far away from work concerns.

Let me now start the photographs!



It was a warm autumn day, with a bright blue sky. I walked back home through the Park, and made sure to take a leisurely stroll down the flag stoned pathways of the marvelous Shakespeare Garden.

I have written about this garden before, and shared some photographs of its springtime face. It is just as lovely during each season of the year.

There were a few other folks wandering around the Garden, and several were taking photos.

There were many more flowers still in bloom than I would have imagined.

Of course, many of the plantings had reached the seed pod stage, yet colors were still plentiful. Lots of bees were buzzing. I was wearing one of my multi-colored hand knit sweaters and for a moment thought that some of those bees were switching their buzzing targeting over to my sweater. I made a quick and discrete retreat.

Even a few roses were still in full flower. The building just visible in the background is a chalet
-styled cottage that serves as a children's puppet theatre on weekends.

I could not resist taking a photo of this pretty mother and her twin girls in the snappy red coats.

Lots of the garden had gone on to its autumn coat. Somehow, this one reminded me of a circular staircase.

There was a bit of breeze and some of the wispier plants were blowing in it.

These stems could easily inspire a drawing or even embroidery.

The area around these lavender flowers showed evidence of some trampling by animals. I do hope that those were not insensitive humans.

I just could not resist taking a picture of these remaining orange beauties, with their jade green leaves.

I am not sure whether these are buds or pods. I just liked their shapes.

You can see just how clear and blue was the sky. And how the rose hips and branches made a design to inspire silk tapestry.

And the Shakespeare Garden also has its shady ferny areas. Again, nature clearly knows how to create beautiful shapes.

Earlier this year, I took a photo of this entrance to the Garden, as spring arrived. I thought it was just as beautiful today.

I continued my walk along the western side of the Lake, and passed under the translucent canopy of a wisteria arbor. The light was beautiful, just after midday.

And then I finished by walk, and began to think of what I would have for lunch.

I knew that I had some leftover soup in the fridge.

Beautiful Central Park does not stay beautiful all by itself. There is a large group of gardeners who care for it. Some are New York City workers, and some are paid by the funding by members of the Central Park Conservancy. I love this Park so much. I am very proud to contribute to the Conservancy

The rakes leaning against the tree in the above photo just seemed so graceful a reminder to all who passed by. Why not help this Park to remain the beautiful place that we love.

My long walk really did relax me, and took my eyes and mind far away from the job place.

I hope that you all will also enjoy seeing early fall in Central Park. By the next time I visit this route, I am sure that the leaves of the trees will be turning yellow, gold, orange, red ... and brown.

Best wishes.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

How is it possible that this is September 2? Can the calendar be correct? Of course, the calendar is correct, and it even tells me that a full moon is just around the corner.

We are beginning to see the last days of our summer in this city.

I had an early start this morning, as I was required to attend a meeting of fellow shop managers, in one of our company's shops. It is a tiny shop in the East Village neighborhood.

My plan was to meet a friend for an early lunch after the meeting's scheduled 11:30 adjournment. If it were a weekend, we could call that brunch. Alas, the meeting ran very long, with lots of chat and questioning and answering.

By the time we did get up and out and said our goodbyes, I was very late to meet my friend a few blocks away in a cafe that we like. The cafe is the sort of relaxed spot that encourages all patrons to linger as long as they like.

Well. I arrived to find that my friend had kindly waited for me and and also had wisely already ordered lunch and almost finished it. Neither of us is a cell phone user. I was so embarrassed to be so late, so glad that she had waited.

I ordered my lunch and coffee, she ordered another cup of coffee. We got quickly into a great catch-up chat and visit. Finishing lunch, we decided to walk westward to the ... West Village, seeking out a park space where we might continue to relax and talk and talk some more.

The space where we decided to find a bench is a funny, wild little garden next to St. Luke's Church. I am sure that some devoted volunteers have been responsible, over the years, for this tranquil spot's evolution.

It is so quiet, with a curving brick pathway rambling around the space. There are perhaps ten wooden benches along the pathway, that welcome folks to either sit and read, or have a lunch, or do a crossword, or sketch some plants, or watch a baby having an afternoon nap, or just chat.

A tall brick wall surrounds this garden, so that the average passerby would not realize what a haven is near.

As we sat there, we saw lots of sparrows, and some butterflies and even some bumble bees. Getting into the rhythm of nature's beauty really does help to soothe our city-dwellers' stressful thoughts. One just gives into the gentle breeze, the dappled sunlight, the respect for the garden that every visitor shows.

Time seems to melt. No appointments need to be kept. No cell phone rings. No helicopter is heard overhead. We spotted a tree that we decided might be some sort of crab apple tree. Most of the flowering plants were clearly nearing the end of their 2009 display. Even so, they were splendid.

After some hours, we did decide to hoist ourselves from that bench, and begin to wander our way out of the garden.

This pathway near the church itself was bordered by roses still producing blooms.

Another pathway lead to the Church's school, and on another side of that path, strollers could see the back of some very beautiful village houses. It is rather unusual in this city to have such access to the back gardens of private homes.

Leaving this remarkable location was not easy; however, we did need to think about getting back uptown to our homes, and wanted to manage that journey before the afternoon commuting rush hour.

And so we did. This was such a refreshing day. I think that it will give me some beautiful little vignettes to remember in the next few days, when shop matters will again challenge my patience. It's grand to have gentle, yet strong positive images at the ready.

Those of you who live in the country may find this tribute to nature's beauty a bit silly. This city dweller thinks that an afternoon like this is priceless.

Best wishes to you all.