Thursday, December 3, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

As we begin to tiptoe into early December, I begin to realize that I do need to keep a list of two with me at all times.  Yes, the Christmas card painting has been coming along nicely, but other aspects of December activities need attention.



I almost forgot to open day three of the above Advent calendar that's pinned up on my kitchen wall.  I've also got the electronic fun of opening windows on another Advent calendar, a Jacquie Lawson design, awarded to my by Elizabethd of Cornish Cream.  It's a pleasure to have each of these beautifully illustrated calendars there to slow me down and remind me to enjoy this season, a day at a time.

This morning my other official appointment calendar called for me to make a semi-annual visit to my skilled dermatologist for a skin cancer check up.  Total body.  My history of Mohs surgery for basal skin cancer has centered on my face, with a few excursions to my chin and shoulder.  I now use sunscreen daily and try to keep out of midday sun.  I'd never wish others to have the facial stitching up that I've experienced, and yet am very grateful to have had excellent surgeons coming to my rescue.

Good news!  I got an all clear verdict today, and will have my next check up in six months.  Unless...I should see something that looks like ... I now know what.

So, after my morning appointment, I stopped by Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue to see that department shop's decorations, and to treat myself to a particular eye cream product, with a bonus gift on the side.


The Fifth Avenue entrance to L&T is covered with artificial greenery and lots of lights.  The display windows themselves were a bit underwhelming.  I'll show you just a few samples.


In a few days, I hope to be able to take some other photographs of more dramatic decorations.  This is just a little preview.


The shallow lawn spaces in front of the main 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue New York Public Library have been decorated with a cover of branches of natural greenery, and some red winter berries, and strings of blue LED lights.  I saw many active sparrows seeking some tasty tidbits from these expanses.  Also noticed that brown fallen leaves were layering on top of the designers' efforts.


I'll be retuning to this Library on Sunday afternoon for the annual Holiday Open House and will be interested to see how the ecologically pure decoration is faring.

Now, while all this has been going on in my little life, the news media have been filled with more stories about horrible events.  Here and there.  Lives taken away by bullets.  Lives taken away by reckless drivers and knives, and other means.

My work days stretch into late evenings, and center around pleasing customers with products and service.

There are many challenges to our appreciation of what might be a joyous season.  I am determined to share more city views with you all that do indicate what it is to live here now.  If I show enough variety, it might be easy for you all to make your own conclusions.

Thank you all for your visits.  I am glad to be able to share comments with you all, giving us more notions of what we have in common and what differences intrigue us.  


42 comments:

  1. Three cheers for your all-clear - may the problem referenced never trouble you again! As you say, one is so grateful for the skill of the medics in this field.
    Your advent calendar reminds me of the ones I used to have as a child, rich with blues and gold. Is that the Jacquie Lawson of ecard fame? Her work is gorgeous.
    And small works of beauty are a wholesome response to the tragedies around us. I am so sorry for lives lost this past 24 hours.

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    1. Frances, thank you for those kind words. Yes, the digital Advent Calendar that Elizabethd sent me is by that famed and talented Jacquie Lawson.

      Let me tell you again how much I am enjoying your own daily Advent calendar posts...what beautiful paintings you create! xo

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  2. I'm so pleased you had a good outcome to the check up and know how stressful the treatment and tests can be. Your cheery traditional calendars are a lovely way to mark the days, the new tradition of chocolates behind the calendar doors feels not quite right (that's my Protestant Fenland roots talking). Over on Instagram I'm marking the days with thoughts from my studio.
    xx

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    1. Celia, I thoroughly agree with you about not wanting any chocolates in my Advent calendars.

      I'm going to see if I can gain entry to your instagrams...they are bound to be fabulous. xo

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  3. Let me add to the list of well wishers regarding your health care. I am sure you will be taking all the correct precautions. Good for you for awarding yourself a little treat. As you say, the news has been particularly dire and is getting worse by the minute.Goodness prevails on a daily basis, small acts of kindness make life worth living.

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    1. Thanks, Val. I agree with you about trying to give a little boost to the good in our world.

      I'm looking forward to seeing your quilting book!
      xo

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  4. Thank you for such a lovely post Frances - nice decorations to cheer us up too.
    Good news about the medical check up too.

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    1. It is my pleasure to share some holiday time NYC with you all. More pictures to come, I promise.

      Yes, it's always a relief to get an all clear report from a doctor. xo

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  5. Ah.........New York in the run up to Christmas. This time two years ago I was just flying home from there having had the most amazing five days ever.
    So glad you got the all clear.
    We live in a very scary world at the moment for sure.
    Love and Hugs from The UK-x-

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    1. New York can be a rather amazing place throughout the year, but during December everything really does get some extra polishing.

      Glad that you've had the opportunity to see it for yourself and hope you'll be able to visit again. xo

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  6. Hoera for the good outcome to the check-up. That is such a good news! You are rigt to get yourself a little treat. Have a nice weekend.
    P.S. I wish the world was a better place with none bullits and violence.

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    1. Thank you so much for your message. I think that being able to communicate with lovely other bloggers like yourselves helps bring lots of beauty to the world. xo

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  7. Lovely warm up to Christmas - yes we must delight in all the good things we are lucky enough to enjoy!
    New York is a lovely city to Iive in right now.
    See you very soon.

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    1. Elizabeth, I am looking forward to seeing you soon, and also to seeing wonderful Christmas posts over at your place. There is so much to see in our fair city around this time of the year. xo

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  8. Good check-up and lovely scenes make for a beautiful day.

    The world of ours gets more frightening, but we cannot exist in fear. We must go on with our lives and look for the good that surrounds us.

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    1. I so agree with you...it's good to go out and enjoy life and being with other folks who love peace and happiness, and helping each other.

      xo

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  9. Dear Frances, We have so many things in common. I won't name them all. Most of all we love and appreciate the arts and we love to contribute what we know how to do best.
    A suspicious mole on my forehead was just diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma. Will have Mohs next months. I'm in good hands with a brilliant surgeon specializing in skin cancer treatments.
    You are wise to wear sun screen every single day. Keeping fingers crossed for continued and excellent check-ups.

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    1. I truly appreciate your visit and comment, Gina. Best wishes on your upcoming Mohs procedure. It really is an amazing technique. We are fortunate to live in an age that includes excellent doctors who care for patients like us.

      xo

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  10. Frances, I had a few spots removed last year on my nose, so I understand your concern, mine have not returned..yet. You have certainly reminded me of Christmas past with the Advent Calendar, we always had one as kids.You're right, it is a wonderful way to appreciate each day up to Christmas.I think it must be a thrill to watch your city come alive with lights and decor at this season, let us see more! When next I visit my son in NYC, I think it will have to be at this time of year.

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    1. Jeri, my initial Mohs surgeries were way back in the 1980s, and I'm happy to report that each "cleared" area has remained clear. I suspect that my sun damage came way, way back in my Virginia childhood. Nowadays I encourage others to take care of their skin and am very glad to be able to recommend my excellent doctor to friends who might have concerns about a certain little something that doesn't look just right.

      This is a fun time to be out and about in NYC. The lights on the big tree at Rockefeller Center were switched on recently, and there are lots of Christmas trees for sale at sidewalks stands as well as at the various farmers markets. What is odd is the still rather warm weather....

      It would be grand to meet up with you whenever you do have a return visit to this city. xo

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  11. Frances, even at my age, you have to drag me kicking and screaming to the doctor. Haven't been to the derma in several years. Have to make that appt. On the other hand, like in the Polar Express, you can still hear the bell.

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    1. Donna, I'm not all that keen to visit doctors myself, but I'd never again want to go through the Mohs surgeries that followed my initial basal cell cancer diagnoses. All would have been less traumatic if I had made an appointment earlier. Live and learn, eh?
      Here's a confession. Although I have seen and admired the illustrations...I've never actually read The Polar Express. I expect to be in the vicinity of a Barnes & Noble shop tomorrow, and will remedy this lack. I want to hear the bell. xo

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  12. New York in Christmas time...would love to do some shopping there right now! A lovely post from you Frances again...
    Have a great weekend and take care!
    Titti

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    1. It is pretty exciting around here at this time, Titti. Odd that the weather has yet to turn chilly. No hat or gloves required yet. Maybe next week.
      xo

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  13. Your affairs and photos are more real and more pertinent to me than the international anguish in the press, Frances. There is only do much we can do to help, but we can connect with one another and wear sunscreen.

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    1. Mise, by now I hope you know that I admire the way you think, and express yourself.
      Strangely warm weather this Saturday, but ideal for getting lots done. Sunscreen in place, I took the subway downtown to the farmers market for apple replenishment, with broccoli on the side. Much needed hair cut. A bit of Christmas gift shopping and neighborhood grocery shopping.
      I meant to take some photos in my travels, but will defer that promise to tomorrow's travels and events. xo

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  14. A lovely post Frances. I am so pleased to hear you got the all clear and glad you had a little treat. Enjoy the small pleasures of the countdown to Christmas, as I hope to do too.....wishing you a happy December.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, I very much appreciate your visit and comment. I was once rather blase about getting an all clear from a doctor, but nowaways I like a bit of celebration.

      More Christmas countdown accomplishments today, It's fun to have a mix to going out into those seasonal NYC crowds and doing a bit of shopping (like apples from the farmers market) and then getting back home for some of my own creativity.
      December is quite a full month! xo

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  15. I hope that you take pictures of your Christmas cards to share with us. Your watercolors are so lovely. I also am turning my thoughts to lists of Christmas to do's.

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    1. Promise to take those photographs, Vicki.

      Ooooh, it is getting a bit more busy here this week. I worked the late shift tonight...supper after 11, and will be back at work again tomorrow at 9:30.

      Thank goodness, this is a seasonal manifestation. xo

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  16. Good news that you are clear Frances and I do sympathise as I found out last summer that I have a red alert out for skin cancer too - just a warning shot but I too need to be much more careful! My very fair skin doesn't cope too well with being out in the sun even using lots of sunscreen.

    Like you, I love advent calenders and we have always had the paper ones while the children grew up, and I still buy one for us every year as it's such a lovely tradition. My boys all receive an advent calender card each November, which they also enjoy. This year I have an advent candle too and love that quiet time when I light it and all is peaceful in the house.

    Enjoy NY in the run-up to Christmas!

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    1. Marianne, thanks for your comments. I do occasionally mention my skin cancer history in a post as a way to alert others of the dangers, and to encourage anyone to have any suspicious bits checked out.

      Wow...it is getting very busy around here! xo

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  17. I'm so very pleased to read about your 'all clear', life has been challenging recently so I'm soaking up all positive news! Cx

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    1. Chris, when we've got a bunch of unwelcome challenges, it is always good to open the door to positive stuff also passing nearby. Not always easy...

      xo

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  18. It’s nice to hear that your exam gave you good results. My husband also had an exam and his bladder cancer has not returned either. Looking at all the glorious Christmas windows of large department stores is such a joy for children and adults alike. So many children live in suburbia and do not see these lighted displays. I know my grandchildren do not, but fortunately they will be in Paris at Christmas, and there I know there are lovely windows too. I wish I could go with you to the NY Public Library – I still have the hat I bought there that cold November day – I’ll be wearing it as soon as we get some cold weather here – we are still in the 60s F.

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    1. Still strangely warm here, too, Vagabonde. Perhaps this is the new normal?

      Your grandchildren will be dazzled by those Parisian lights, I am sure. Do you ever look at my friend Carol's blog Paris Breakfasts? She's great at showing us delights year round.

      Glad to hear your husband's good news. xo

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  19. What a lovely place, and fifth avenue looks amazing. X

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    1. Thank you Su...yes, the Avenue has got some very pretty places. xo

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  20. I am very glad to hear of your all clear report. We have been living through, thankfully, increasing intervals of check ups for my husband. It is almost possible to forget about the cause now.

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    1. Lucille, it's always a great relief to get a good report from a good doctor. Sunscreen forever! xo

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  21. Very, very pleased to hear of your all clear, and hoping that it remains so. On another note, I do so love that gingerbread house! xx

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    1. Gretel, I appreciate your kind words. I don't think I ever met a gingerbread house (or man) that I didn't like! xo

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