City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from warm and sunny New York City.

The warmth is a surprise after our recent chillier, cloudier and even rainier days and evenings.  I was so glad to have only needed a light sweater for today's walk in Central Park.

The horse-drawn carriages and pedal-powered carts were doing good business, but lots of folks were just using their own feet as I was.

Some of the trees are real dazzlers in their autumn splendour.

Some of the lawns are very overgrown, with lots of leaves waiting for the rake.  There are lots of partially nibble acorns and other nuts partially hiding underneath fallen leaves and green ground cover.

When the sun slipped out from behind the large fluffy cloud, the colors took on additional brightness, and the air added some warmth.

I am fortunate to have most of this week as days off from work, and have been doing a bit of very overdue de-cluttering, straightening, and ordering of various bits and bobs around my apartment.  I am very proud to have taken time to do this, particularly as it meant carrying on with my project while having the drillers still carrying on with their own project just the other side of the wall.

Taking the walk in Central Park gave me a reward for my efforts.

The following photograph shows the model boat pond, where remote-controlled model boats share the shallow water with ducks and an occasional dog.

On a day like this, the reflection added to the beauty of the surroundings.

On my homeward walk through the Strawberry Fields area, I smiled at all the tourists who were making their own respectful visits as fans of the late John Lennon.  

I like the varied colors of the leaves on this shrub.

Nearby I saw lots of the little orangey mushrooms that you might be able to see through the wire fencing in the next photograph.  Perhaps you all have some idea of their proper name.  I do not.

I really enjoyed having a bit outdoor exercise and got home in time to enjoy my sandwich lunch in peace while the drill team enjoyed their own lunch break somewhere off their scaffolding.

A few days ago I visited a members preview of the fantastic Matisse Cut Outs exhibit which has now officially opened at The Museum of Modern Art.  It is much the same as the exhibit that was a standout at The Tate.  I highly recommend the exhibit, and am very glad that my membership card will allow me unlimited visits without the bother of a timed ticket purchase.

Thank you all for your visits to this place, which definitely does not require a timed ticket.  On the topic of time, I laughed when I discovered that the Central Park Horse Show I mentioned in my last post was over before I took my photographs.  Obviously, I am not always on top of events around NYC!

I've now got to think about dinner preparations and just where my next bit of de-cluttering will be directed.

I hope that you all are also enjoying some time outdoors in this wonderful month of October.  There is so much to see!