blossoms of spring

i went to college in washington d.c. and one of my fondest memories is the cherry blossoms. spring in washington is a special time and it opened my eyes to the gorgeous flowering trees that are actually quite abundant in new york too, lucky for me. and right now is the sweet spot but it won't last long so we have to soak in all the beauty, and my god, are they beautiful.

i am beside myself with all of them - cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, apple blossoms, magnolias and dogwoods - and i wish they'd never go away.

these blossoming trees come in many varieties and colors but are, for the most part, made up of a collection of little flowers that, together, look like pillowy puffs of white or pink on the branches. when you see them up close, the blooms themselves are surprising and delicately beautiful.

i have a special love for the white pear blossom trees that line many of the main roads around our area on long island. OMG. they are simply breathtaking - there's no other way to put it. mitchell can attest to my feelings here, as i have been regularly stopping him mid-sentence and saying "just look at those trees." one of the only standards i have written in stone is that at some point in my life, i must have a few of these trees on my lawn - what lawn, i don't know, but it has to happen. they are dreamy.

i'm only sorry my camera is broken (thanks, jumbo iced coffee) making it so i can't capture the beauty to share. so instead, i'll share some pictures i've found around the web.

i hope you have some of these trees in your area and that you use this weekend to take in their special, exquisite beauty because they'll be gone far too soon! make an artist's date of it and breathe deeply while you admire.

photos from http://www.enjoylifeandprosper.files.wordpress/, http://www.bitworking.org/, http://www.types-of-flowers.org/, http://www.strangertoholiness.files.wordpress/, http://www.onlinephotolibrary.com/, http://www.english.cri.cn/, http://www.mooseyscountygarden.com/, http://www.visitjapannow.jpg/, http://www.swarthmore.edu/, http://www.sunnyskeptic.typepad.com/, http://www.about.com/

tiny treasures...self-talk

you know when you're browsing through greeting cards and you stumble upon that perfect message that really speaks to you at that moment? a lot of times it's not appropriate for the occasion you're searching for and you can't think of who you'd send it to at the moment, so it slips away. well i have an idea of who to give it to...you! there are so many beautiful, inspirational cards out there, and at any given time, you're sure to be able to find one that speaks directly to you - who you are on that very day, in that very moment.

this week's tiny treasure is to do just that - take a few minutes (like the artist's date i took myself on to papyrus many months ago) and to to the nicest card shop you can. try and make it one that plays nice music and has kind cashiers. choose the section you'll explore -- encouragement, get well, congratulations, love...whatever feels right, and look through all the glorious cards...the pictures, the fonts, the special messages crafted of meaningful words and suspended moments in time.

i have bought myself two cards recently, and they both speak to me so gently and so deeply. one of them says on the front "there are years that ask the questions while other years answer," and then inside it says "listen to your heart and you'll know just what to do." when i bought it a few months ago, it meant something specific to me, and now it means something entirely different. i love how simple words can camouflage themselves that way.

and the one i bought myself just yesterday says "when the winds of change feel too strong, close your eyes and let the breeze blow through your hair."

sometimes a sweet card with such an honest, simple statement displayed somewhere prominent can change the direction of a mood or a day just enough. (i have one inside my medicine cabinet and the other, i'm using as a bookmark). for the sweet card to be from yourself speaks volumes about loving and caring for ourselves the way we do for others.

give yourself a card today...you can even send it in the mail if that's your pleasure.

photos from www.vromansbooks.com

library love (and other phases)

one of the best things about reading the work of excellent writers is that they sometimes illuminate something inside you that you couldn't quite pinpoint. hali bey of concrete magnolia, one of my favorite blogs, did that for me this morning, and i'll tell you how.

in her post this morning about the library, she talks about going through phases. here is what she says:

"i am a person who goes through phases, i become interested in things, pledge loyalty, earn the badge and take on a new name and for some time, this new thing will become so much apart of me."

to me, her thoughts express perfectly how, for people that move in and out of loves and obsessions and discoveries, a phase is so much more than a fleeting time -- it becomes a part of who you are and who you become, even if the love for that thing itself lays dormant for a time, or changes and means something different at one point in life than it did at another. hali's post on the library tells that story.

and funnily enough, the thought it brought me to was about my own library experience. my love for the library feels so strong and important right now, and yesterday as we drove by the beautiful building, mitchell pointed at it and said "your favorite place!" and i felt so content in that moment - content that my love and allegiance to this old-but-new place was known and validated, and even more than content that i share my life with someone who feels the gravity of my phases, of how they become a part of me, and loves them for me, and through me, and right along with me.

photo from www.concretemagnolia.com

a sunday among the stacks

so here are my most recent memories of libraries:

1. high school librarian coming into my junior year english class dressed as a human-size book to teach us, yet again, the dewey decimal system. and we still didn't get it or care.

2. stern looking ladies at the "circulation desk" of my public library growing up constantly shushing us and being what seemed like purposely not helpful in locating the books we needed for our reports and projects. thank GOD for the internet (and al gore, of course).

3. being so delinquent on some borrowed books from my college library that i had to make an emergency bursar's office run a couple days before graduation be permitted to walk. and i was a flagbearer (stop laughing) so not walking would have been a problem.

so i guess it's no wonder that i haven't set foot in a library in many years. and i can say it was worth the wait - on a whim, i decided to stop into the port washington public library yesterday afternoon, and it was the loveliest day i've had in a while. first of all, the library itself is beyond beautiful. modern and linear, and flooded with light. also, there was interesting and lovely artwork all around. combined with the comfortable furniture and the hum of classical music, i was ready to move in.

currently on display is the work of carlos page, an argentinian sculptor now based in hoboken. i love the mix of materials he uses and the ways it relates to the building's style and textures. frankly, though, i just loved that it was all there and so beautifully exhibited. it reminded me what a beautiful and vibrant community port washington is, which can be a little easier to forget when its not in its full spring and summer water town glory.

i was equally thrilled to see how frequently the library has live music and other cultural programs - i am so there, now that i know about these things.

you know how barnes and noble has chairs and tables that you can sit at and read? even though they don't say so, i kind of feel like it's possible to overstay your welcome there if you're not spending money. but not at the library. people were there reading the newspaper, doing their taxes, just gazing out the huge wall of two-story windows at lower main street...it was amazing.

looking out the windows, i realized that there is a terrace which is open in the warmer months which overlooks lower main street, and although it looked cold and bleak yesterday, i was thrilled at the idea of it in just a couple short months. so i was further pleased to see these pictures on the library's facebook page. so pretty! i can't wait...

and i was beyond excited by the ease of navigating through the library's collection. it's all computerized and easily searchable on computers placed throughout the library, and any books which are checked out or belonging to another library can be easily requested right there - sort of like a netflix situation but with books. of course it sort of figures it would all be computerized now, but libraries always seemed a bit out of date and behind the times to me before now, so i was happily surprised.

i am so happy about my discovery of the library, though i'm sort of kicking myself for my ignorance and for not thinking to explore it sooner. but of course, no point in looking back, only forward, so i am thrilled without measure that i've come upon such a special place to spend time. it seems like a perfect place to read and listen and observe, perfect for an artist's date - a place to spend some much cherished time in peace and quiet with only myself and thoughts on a page.

carlos page photos from http://www.carlospage.com/index.html, terrace garden photos from http://www.facebook.com/ (pwpl page)

a walk in the park

earlier this week, i had a morning meeting in another part of town - columbus circle, which is a vibrant, pretty part of the city primarily due to its proximity to central park. i got there early, as i often do when i'm not sure how long a different commute will take, and i had about 45 minutes to kill. i had a choice - i could sit and drink my coffee and read in a starbucks or in the time warner center mall, or i could walk a few blocks to central park to some benches right on the perimeter.


i debated for a minute, but then decided to make it a bit of an artist's date, and make the extra effort and the extra steps to make the 45 minutes more enjoyable for myself. and it was really, really nice. it served as a nice reminder that your time, no matter where you are and why you're there, is YOUR time, and should be used the best it can be. i think we all think about ways to make our time work for us and be efficient, but the part we sometimes forget to think about is how to use even the time we don't have 100% control over the best we can.

even though i was on the other side of the city for work and not my own choice, i had a really nice experience there and reconnected with a part of the city in which i hadn't spent any time in quite a while. it was nice to see the city through a different lens and enjoy the real mix of urban and nature that is unique to the parts of the city that surround the park. by using the time in the way that i would enjoy it most, i spent 45 minutes enjoying myself rather than just killing 45 minutes of my life. when it was time to go to the meeting, i felt like i'd had some real me time, which was a nice way to start the day. it also highlighted for me how much i've missed my balcony time since our move and the colder weather, so it showed me i need to reinstate some quiet time in the mornings.

and it was so much more pleasant to look at the last of the fall leaves and the dogs and joggers than it would have been to stay a part of the fray - construction, police activity, latte orders being barked constantly. if i had done that, i probably would have had that feeling we all know..."well that was 45 minutes of my life i'll never get back." the truth is, i can't get back the 45 minutes i spent at the park, but i wouldn't want to.

read into this

this summer, i've been charmed by very lovely efforts in pursuit of personal enrichment and happiness employed both in my town and in the city, and i was inspired to write about it today after reading holly's lovely post on decor8 about a community bookcase.

on the homefront, the port washington public library has a set-up at the train station every wednesday where you can borrow books - no library card, no charge, no form to fill out, NOTHING. you just take a book or two on your way to the train and you return it to the library when you're done. that's it. and i'm guessing everyone actually returns them, otherwise they'd probably stop doing it. that makes me really happy. and it draws my attention to the fact that the library might have some other programs of interest to me. i'll report back on my findings.

also, i discovered that in the lovely bryant park in the shadow of the new york public library, there is "the reading room," a concept which first appeared in this park during the depression, and was brought back this year. the original idea was that there were thousands of people with no jobs - nowhere to go during the day and nothing to do, so books and periodicals were provided as a public service. the program ended when there was a resurgence of jobs due to the war. well, what's old is new again, and it's a program i really love. if my office were a little closer, i'd be there every day for lunch reading and people-watching.

my love for this program, sponsored by HSBC, led to doing some further research on bryant park, and i learned that the park is actually privately run on behalf of the city and has the mission statement below, which i love. LOVE.

the BPC is privately funded, and operates bryant park with private sector techniques and management methods. working as agent for the city of new york, the BPC provides sanitation, security services, spotless restrooms, colorful gardens, and seasonal horticultural installations for the park, and maintains a lush lawn that is open to the public.

the BPC also works with civic minded corporations and park patrons to offer interesting amenities, free educational programs and free high-level entertainment for people of all ages. careful selection and management of concessionaires ensures that park visitors have access to high quality food and merchandise. as it strives to improve the park each year, the BPC pays close attention to other models and constantly seeks innovations, whether from its own staff or from outside, always with an eye on the ultimate goal: presenting the perfect park to the public.

pretty special, isn't it? it's the perfect place for an artist's date. and wait, there's more:

experience the good life for no cost. bryant park has a new spot to relax and recharge. the southwest porch, located near the southern end of the fountain terrace, offers all visitors the ambience and luxury usually available only to a few. equipped with adirondack chairs, sofas, and couches typical of those found at expensive hotels and resorts, southwest airlines is giving all of new york an al fresco lounge to celebrate its new service to laguardia airport.

plus, stop by the porch with your laptop, ipod, or cell phone for a different type of refueling – power outlets are available to keep all of your devices going.

bring your lunch, your book, your friend, or just yourself. it’s a fantastic new way to enjoy NY’s most beautiful park.

i just love the idea of a park being run in such a way that totally gets it, understands the whole point of things. a park should be enriching the community it serves, and this one is. the park also offers, all for free, live piano music during the day and as part of their "after work" schedule, tai chi, yoga and knitting classes, "meet the birds" sessions, piano in the park, poetry readings, ping pong tables and tournaments, chess and backgammon and petanque. check out the september schedule - that's more programming than some members-only clubs offer! i'm already thinking of ways i can incorporate this park into my life.

oh, and there is an old-timey carousel and there will be a fall festival with live music every night after work, and in the winter they have a pond for skating and a huge holiday market. and they're giving away free ponies!!

all but the pony part is true. amazing, though, right?

skating photo from http://www.tripadvisor.com/

a lunchtime stroll

in the glorious weather we've had yesterday and today, i was thrilled to get outside a little for lunch and bask in the air of impending fall. it's been the sort of thing where you can just sense that everyone is happy to be outside and enjoying the sun's bright light and the crispness in the air. and i have to say, the lift in my mood is notable. it just underscores the thing i always think about making sure to take care of yourself by doing things that make you feel good.

here are some of the things i saw yesterday and enjoyed, starting with the gerbera daisies above - i love how the center of the yellow ones matches the petals of the orange ones perfectly. almost like they planned their outfits together.

across from the park i sat in, i saw the balcony below, like it was carved out of the building's face - so cool! it's right around the corner from my office, yet somehow i've never seen it before. guess i should get out more.

and right underneath the cool balcony, this interesting looking italian restaurant. it looks sleeker and more casual than many italian restaurants. it's not trying to look fancy or european, just kind of basic and literal - in a nice way.


inside, i could see that several walls were painted with oversized flower murals which i think gives the space such a festive feel, unlike many italian restaurants which have overly heavy, traditional decor. this little area in one of the windows would be so nice for a private dinner party with the window overlooking the street and the happy mural on the wall.

next, i went into the amish market across the street and browsed the aisles. i love seeing pretty jars and packages all lined up on shelves. there's something about it that i enjoy- organized, yet random in a way too. it's inspired the way i organize my own pantry because i like the way it looks when i open it.

always surprises me how many varieties of flour there are!


amish market has some really great looking jams and preserves, and it reminds me of one of my favorite things that i've seen ina garten do, where she puts together a breakfast basket with fresh baked scones and muffins, and then some whole fruit and homemade jams and flavored butters.

even without doing all that work, i love the idea of bringing a basket to a weekend host or hostess with a few pastries and a couple nice jars of jam. they even have a christmas one, which would be great for a holiday gift with some shortbread or scones and a nice box of tea. that's one of the reasons i love browsing and window-shopping - i find it's the best source of ideas. then i write them down, and have a list to consult when i'm in need of fresh inspiration.

i am making a promise to myself to make sure i get out of the office most days each week. so many of us skip taking a break because in some ways, it's easier to. everyone is so busy and pressed for time, and who wants to be stuck at the office finishing work when you're supposed to be leaving for the day? so we scramble and cram, and skip the breath of fresh air or walk around the block. but it's an important thing, in my life at least, to have a change of scenery and that time just for for me, even during a busy day. it's something i notice the need for when i do it, as opposed to when i don't. because when i do it, i just feel more human, better, happier. and shouldn't we feel that way, even on workdays? in a way, life is too short not to, and in a way, it's too long not to also.

it's the same concept as artist's dates - just to sit outside in the almost autumn air and read, to see pretty fall flowers that i've missed over the spring and summer, or sit in a park with my sister and laugh, or go to the farmers market once a week - those are the kinds of things that fortify me, and it's my responsibility to make sure i do them.

are you with me?