Thursday, October 1, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York on the first day of October.

As is often true around this time of the year, there is an Atlantic Ocean hurricane finding its way into our news headlines, and stimulating milk sales in local grocery store.

Before I get swept into this theme, I wanted to share with you all some city views from the past few weeks.

This is a grand time of the year to take walks around the city, creating yet another competitor from my spare time.  I now have a tower of books either waiting for me to read page one, or for my progressing toward the book's final page.  The book which I've most recently begun is John Banville's The Blue Guitar.  Its main character is a painter, and I immediately recognized the choice of Constable clouds on the novel's cover.  It was almost a year ago that I was fortunate to visit the V&A Constable exhibit, along with Celia Hart and Gina Ferrari.


I wish that I could be traveling over to the UK again this autumn, but practical considerations will be keeping me in New York until the new year.

However, just over a week ago, I had the immense pleasure of meeting a longtime blogging friend, Elizabeth Musgrave, who writes Welsh Hills Again, and her husband.  Once again, it was as if I was meeting someone whom I'd know for a long, long time.  Blogging creates marvelous opportunities.

We joined my NYC friend and fellow blogger, Elizabeth Wix, for a hearty lunch at a typical New York diner, and then set off on a wonderful walk along the length of the High Line park, that has been created on what was formerly a derelict, unused above ground railroad track.



The weather could not have been better, with a clear blue sky and a slight breeze.  I was amazed to see just how much new real estate construction has been encouraged by the success of the High Line.  

In the following show, you can see some actual railroad cars "parked" on rails at street level.


 Elizabeth is now back home in Wales and has written a post about their trip to the States.

In a prior post, I promised to take some pictures of the lady apple farmer's stand and hope that you all will be able to make out some of the names of the apples shown on her signage in my photos.  I was sorry to find the Cox's Orange apples were sold out before my arrival at the market.  Maybe I will have more luck on my next visit.


I did buy at least one sample of many varieties that I'd not before tasted, and of course, by the time I got home, I had no idea which one was which.  They are all delicious!


The charge for most of the varieties was $1.50 per pound.



I try to select the smaller apples, preferring them to the giant versions.





Moving on to the seasonal vegetables that are new to the mix, I liked the colors, textures and shapes of the squash, cabbages and cauliflowers nestled together.  I did not buy any this time, but will have many more opportunities.  I am savoring my final weeks' opportunities to find perfectly ripe and tasty tomatoes.

Some folks have asked me to show some of the progress I've been making on my marathon knitting project.  The following photograph shows last week's status of the back of the jacket.  I am so, so close to completing this jacket.  I just need some dedicated hours.



Let's see, what else do I wish to show you all.  Well, it must be Central Park, where the end of summer has many signals.


I love the blowzy look of these overgrown areas of the Shakespeare Garden.  I wonder if the gardeners have had some weeks off, or perhaps have been guided to just let nature run its course.


I find this maturity lovely, even on a cloudy day.


Would you all guess that this is in the middle of a large city?


There are still some very delicate little flowers to be found.


The tree leaves are still mostly green.


How I wish that I could properly identify the stars of this show.


Another sampling of purple flowers decorating the garden.


Well, at last...I do know roses when I see them.  There are still a few around.


I took this photo to show twigs tied together that earlier in the season supported some flowering plants...peonies, I think.



Don't know what this is either, but I like the look of the wispy, light-colored lines against the little green leafy ground cover.


And then there is this rather frothy appearing off shooting from another mystery plant.  Forgive me my ignorance.



Another span of froth, with some other garden visitors arriving in the far background.  The scale of the tiny folks compared with the seemingly large foreground froth amused me.


The ruby coleus leaves glowed beautifully against the softer green tones.  Or so I thought.


Green and brown leaves like these are something I might yet get around to drawing.  The composition interests me.


I also could not resist this view of another sign of autumn.


The density of the flowering plants against the texture of the nearby trees made an intriguing contrast, that seems to blend into a soft and misty distance.  Remember, this is in the middle of New York.


Another city view that seems very far from Times Square.


If you click to enlarge this final photograph you will see the remains of a large stage at the far end of the Great Lawn, where on most days, softball is played.  On the day before I took this photo, the stage was the site of a concert featuring Beyonce and others.  


I am hoping you all have enjoyed seeing this very random collection of early autumn city views.  Before long the trees in the above photograph will be showing their golden leaves.

Although the Pope was in town for a few days, and all sorts of international politicians have been in town for the United Nations session, there are many parts of the city that seem untouched by such news making events.  These are the parts that I endeavor to show you all.

Thank you so much for your visits and comments.  

48 comments:

  1. Thank you for showing us beautiful views from your city.You live in a wonderful place. Hopefully we have a chance to visit NYC some time. Your knitting looks gorgeous.
    Have a lovely day.

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed my city views...hoping you vill be able to visit NYC ... fall and spring are fabulous seasons here. Thanks for the kind words about the knitting, too. xo

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  2. So many beautiful pictures Frances, from a beautiful city! Central park look´s like an dream full of flowers, lovely and so green...always nice visiting you and your nice blog!
    Have a fine day and take care...
    Titti

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    1. Titti, there are lots and lots of areas of the Park that have sprawling green lawns, and many of its paths are edged with shrubbery and various flowers. Springtime is the most effusive display, but I also like this early autumn stage of plant life. xo

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  3. Great impressions, Frances, thank you for sharing. Elizabeth is not changing, it's amazing -- she looks exactly as young as when I met her in Wales,many moons ago.

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    1. Oh bayou, I am so glad to have actually met Elizabeth after all our mutual years of blogging. I am hoping that some day you and I will also be able to have the opportunity to chat in person. xo

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  4. I love those green places in cities where you can imagine that you are deep in the heart if the countryside. We have woods near us in London where you can do that. I don't know a lot about flowers but think it's fine to describe them as frothy.

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    1. Katharine, I completely agree with you. Being able to visit such areas is very soul refreshing. Sometimes, when I visit the Shakespeare Garden, I'll encounter one of the gardeners who can fill me in with lots of info. This visit was on a Sunday, so I hope the gardeners were resting elsewhere. xo

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  5. Great post! I think I need to see the Shakespeare Garden in autumn - before they tidy it up!
    Good to see the progress of your knitting project.
    Of course I'm really impressed.
    Yes, apple gawking is a good hobby. I managed to get some lovely Coxes the other day.
    See you very soon.

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    1. Elizabeth, the Garden is now really overgrown, and beautiful. I imaging that after this weekend's brush with the offshore hurricane, it will be even wilder. (Thank you for taking the photograph of Elizabeth, Ian and me...I should have given you full credit in the post.)

      Still hoping to taste one of those Cox's apples. I've only tasted them in the UK. xo

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  6. Autumn in NY looks wonderful - full of colours I wouldn't associate with the city.

    Would love to walk the High Line. One day perhaps.

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    1. Well Mountaineer, with a few more wet, chilly nights like last night, the tree leaves are going to be turning yellow, orange, brown and red. A shift from so much green is just around the bend.

      You would definitely love the High Line walk. I know you Will have the opportunity! xo

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  7. Wonderful photos.My son,wife and three children are coming to New York later this month.They are all soooo excited.

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    1. Your son and his family have picked a great time to visit NYC. Not too hot or cool, lots of cultural doings going on, Hoping they get to visit the High Line, Central Park and one of the farmers markets...the Union Square market is the best. I'd also recommend taking the ferry over to Staten Island and back.

      xo

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  8. What an interesting and informative post Frances. Also it brought to mind that on my old computer I used to blog with Elizabeth Musgrave. I must look her up again.
    When the farmer and I came to New York a few years ago we met Elizabeth Wix and had a lovely morning together.
    On the subject of apples - do look out for Egremont Russetts - they are eating apples just out now and they are absolutely delicious.

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    1. Isn't blogging a great way for folks who'd not otherwise ever meet, to get together and become friends. Even better is the opportunity to actually meet these folks in person. I think I've mentioned before that it was via Elizabeth Wix that I found your truly wonderful posts from beautiful Yorkshire.

      Thanks for the apple tip. I am going to ask that lady apple farmer about the Egremont Russetts, and whether she raises anything close to them.

      xo

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  9. Lindas as imagens;
    Adorei conhecer seu blog;
    janicce.

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  10. I so enjoyed your pictures of early autumn in New York today dear Frances. Lovely that you met up with your blog friends. The apples do look so delicious, and what a wonderful range of different varieties to choose from. I loved the picture of the Michaelmas daisies.....such pretty shades of purple...I have tried to grow them here but they don't seem to like my garden. Your knitting is progressing beautifully......such pretty fair isle patterns and colours.
    Wishing you a wonderful autumnal weekend and a happy October.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen. thank you so much for those kind words. Perhaps one of these years when I get back over to the UK, we might actually meet. I think that would be grand.

      Micahelmas daisies...thank you for naming those flowers. I've read Michaelmas daisies in many a novel, but was never quite sure when I was actually seeing any of them over here in New York.

      I do want to finish the fair isle jacket...i've got so many other knitting ideas bubbling up, waiting to be cast on some needles. And then...there is all the patchwork also vying for my time.

      xo

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  11. Well it was wonderful to meet you and Elizabeth Frances and our day with you was one of the highlights of the trip. I really do hope to see you here one day. Love your Central Park pictures. I think using a park well is one of the secrets to living happily in the city. I am also very impressed indeed with your knitting. Just beautiful and so intricate. I am afraid my current attempt at knitting five year old grandson a black and tan cat just doesn't compare! xx

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    1. Dear Elizabeth, it was a joy to meet you and Ian, and I know that we will be seeing each other again in future.

      It's so interesting to see from earlier comments here that you and I have a few other mutual blogging friends. What a grand community this is.

      I want to see that black and tan cat you are knitting for your grandson. I just know that he will be thrilled. xo

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  12. Hello Frances,
    Might the purple flowers be a form of aster?
    I am visiting in Boston suburbs right now and the chrysanthemums are ubiquitous, colorful and happy. They seem to be a regional favorite in New England. The leaves are just beginning to turn and presage a magnificent Northeastern Autumn.
    Cheers,
    Diane from Denver

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit, Diane. Yes, I bet that some of those pretty purple flowers are asters.

      There are lots of mums appearing over here, too, mostly in planted areas around trees in front of apartment buildings. We've even got some beginning to bloom in front of my own building. (Wish that the planters-in-charge had chosen other color combinations, though.) xo

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  13. Purple flowers are what we call Michaelmas Daisies, which are off the Aster family. Your frothy creeper looks like a wild clematis, we call it 'Old man's beard'.
    Another lovely wander with you Frances, thank you!

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    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I knew that you would know the names of what were mysteries to me. You are very sweet to tell me their names, and I am going to try to remember them. I remember that a late friend of mine in the UK had beautiful clematis at his cottage. Lovely memory there. xo

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  14. You're very good at meeting people, Frances! Well done to you and Elizabeth for forging connections.

    I've found John Banville to be amusing and kind whenever I've met him; may the cloudy book go well for you.

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  15. Thank you, Mise. It's fun and interesting to find out what a small world it can be. Having read many Banville novels, including those written as Benjamin Black, I could almost feel able to say that I, too, have met him and find him amusing and kind. Lucky you to have actually met the man.

    xo

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  16. Thank you for this beautiful album of early autumn in New York City, splendid sights!

    The purple, crocus-like flowers under the "There are still some very delicate little flowers to be found" line are Herbstzeitlose, autumn crocus or meadow safflower. They start appearing in Austria's meadows in late August, announcing the coming of autumn.
    May autumn be a beautiful one,
    Merisi

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    1. Merisi, I so appreciate your helping me with the name of those delicate crocus-like flowers. i am going to make a note of it...so I will remember it when I see then next year!.

      Isn't it interesting, and perhaps even grand to see the changes that autumn brings? I'm very glad that we were spared any major effects of the current hurricane...just some wind, rain, and general cooling of the air.

      xo

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  17. When I was a child we had an apple tree in our garden reputed to be an American Mother. Have you ever heard of this? It was the brightest waxy red with a delicious juicy crispy interior. Some of the skin colour would bleed into the white flesh. My son has just flown back into NY. I hope the hurricane passed you by!

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    1. Lucille, I don't think I've ever heard of an American Mother apple...could it be similar to the Red Delicious? I'll have to ask the lady apple farmer about this.

      Although there was lots of rain and wind for a couple of days, the hurricane actually stayed away from NYC, and yesterday...the sun and blue sky returned brilliantly.
      Hoping your son has lots of grand weather while here. xo

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  18. I very much enjoyed this and was especially pleased to see the photo of you with Elizabeth who I also had the pleasure of meeting recently. We're in the wars again so it was like a breath of fresh air coming here to read your blog. Cxx

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    1. Chris, it was grand to finally meet Elizabeth. She said that you'l told her she would recognize me!

      Hoping your wars calm down soon. Glad you enjoyed the post. xo

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  19. Lovely photos Frances, and lovely memories of our day together in London last year.

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    1. Gina, I wish that I could visit The Fabric of India with you this autumn. My 2015 travel plans are on hold, but next year will be a different story. xo

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  20. What a wonderful post today.
    And how lucky your are to have that wonderful farmers market. the apples look fabulous.
    We have several Farmers Markets and CSA groups that and wonderful. But with our growing season and hot desert summers our seasons are so different from yours.
    While your still freezing and just starting spring our spring tender greens are almost over. As we slip into summer we find lots of tomatoes, melons, chilies, more chilies and stone fruit from higher up in the valley.
    Then the fall comes in with much as you have.
    But I always sigh when I see Elizabeth's posts. Lovely markets. Especially all the cut flowers.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Thank you, parsnip, for this lovely comment. There are many NYC farmers market venues, so that it's possible to visit some every day of the week. Still...my favorite is the Union Square location that appears in most of my market posts. Elizabeth and I try to meet up at Union Sq regularly to peruse and shop for produce, before adjourning to a nearby cafe. Lots of fun.

      I was very interested to learn how your local growing seasons compare with ours. Please do visit again. xo

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  21. That's a very good price for decent apples! As always, it's lovely to see how the seasons are treating you and your wonderful city. Blogging has been the best way of meeting up with what are now old friends, hasn't it, and so pleased to hear you met up with Elizabeth, who I know of. xxx

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    1. You are right about the apple prices...though some of the farmers do charge a bit more.

      And dear Gretel, you are also correct about blogging leading to many friendships. It still amazes me in a most wonderful way. xo

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  22. Gorgeous photos - you are lucky to have so much beauty in Central Park - and without the chore of looking after it all too!

    I actually live in Constable country, so his clouds are what I see every day and they are stunning. I recently went on a short photography course at Flatford Mill which he painted so memorably. Another connection, Frances.

    So glad you and Elizabeth and her husband were able to meet up and enjoy a day together. As you say, blogging does create opportunities.

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  23. Marianne, I appreciate your kind words about the pictures. I rarely put my non-prescription reading glasses on when walking in the Park or taking such photographs, so i just try to judge the overall composition and click the button.

    I envy you that photography course under those remarkable clouds.

    It was grand meeting Elizabeth and Ian, and really feeling that we'd known each for a long time.

    Maybe next year I will get back to Constable country myself. xo

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  24. The Banville book sounds quite interesting (just what I need, another book to read.) And I loved the trip to the Shakespeare garden. Beautifully blowzy in the best autumnal fashion!

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  25. Vicki, I had to return the book to the library ... not enough time to finish it...but put my name back on the request list.

    Have you ever read any of Banville's crime novels written under the name Benjamin Black? They are quite good, too. xo

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  26. City Views, Country Dreams has been included in our A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that we hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-sunday-drive.html

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  27. How did I almost miss this post? It looks like you have had a grand time meeting up with friends, I am sure you all enjoyed the Skyline. Your jacket is exquisite, an heirloom piece indeed. Shame you can't make an autumn trip to the UK but The Shakespeare garden is a great compensation.

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    1. Val, it was a truly splendid sunny afternoon walking with friends from here and there along the High Line.

      I am definitely looking forward to getting back to the UK early in 2016. Hoping to see you then. Congratulations to you on being included that prestigous exhibit.

      (Still hoping to finish that fair isle knitting before it's cool enough to bring out the down coat.)

      xo

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