NYC Day One: An excellent beginning!

We landed in NYC after a red-eye where Corinne and I both slept surprisingly well. A cab ride into the city where we dropped off bags, and away we went, walking over and up to Central Park South, where we enjoyed a quick breakfast of eggs and baked goods at Sarabeth's.


Then we thought, might as well head off walking to our next destination, Pier 83, where we'll take the Circle Line boat tour around Manhatten... many blocks and a blister or two later, we did indeed arrive at the pier in time for our jaunt.


Yes, we did wander through the craziest few blocks in the city--Times Square...

On our tour a zesty guide named John regaled us with interesting details on both sides of the Hudson as we set off toward the Statue of Liberty. We then dipped around the bottom of the island and headed up the East River, all the while soaking in the sights of so many beautiful architectural details.






What's that last picture, you ask? Why, that's a Costco! I saw the sign from the boat and just had to capture the picture for husband. That is one mega-Costco, fitting for a mega-city.

Crossing under many bridges, we finally found our way back on the Hudson side of the island, listening to "New York New York" sung by Frank Sinatra. Funny guy, that John. Funnier still was the lady who (with a little help from our friend Gallo) thought John surely must be speaking just. to. her, so responded to pretty much everything he said with her own, quite enthusiastic, responses. It was a very entertaining three hours.

Giving our blisters a break, we cabbed it to the World Trade Center Memorial. Quite a security process getting into the area, but completely worth it. The peace and quiet of the two reflecting pools dampen the noise of the city, and the cut-metal nameplates are a beautiful touch. You can search for a name on computer kiosks and they will tell you right where that person's name is located around the pools. And the trees that line paths between the pools are beautiful, creating a very serene environment. A really beautiful outcome, these 11 years later. I thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the sense of remembrance and solemnity, especially so with Corinne, who I spent the original 9/11 day with, 11 years ago, in San Diego...


"Generations do not cease to be born... and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out."
-James Baldwin
(From "September Morning," a book of readings from the first 10 years of 9/11 memorial services.)

From the WTC we headed back up town to our hotel, just in time for the rain to start in earnest. We slopped through the rain to dinner with John and Wendy, friends from Walla Walla who relocated to NYC 8 years ago, and put our tired feet up while we phoned our dearests at home.


Wendy and I after a lovely dinner in the MetLife Building just off Grand Central. Pizza! A very fitting ending of our first day in the city.

JFK on the boarding pass

t's here, finally... the week my girlfriend Corinne and I are taking to the city... New York City. We've had it on the books for a few months now, as something out there to look forward to... a birthday celebration too (me, later this month)!

There are a lot of cities in this country that are worthy of a week's exploration, I wouldn't argue with that. When I really sit back and think about it, I could probably find ample to explore and entertain in Boston, San Francisco, Palm Beach, Ashland or any number of smaller cities. But for me, New York has just the right amount familiarity mixed with enough unknown to be comfortable and still exciting.

My first foray to the city was when Shelby and Kim lived there (1997-2001), and for any number of reasons (or none at all) I was able to visit them once or twice a year. Seth's very first plane ride was to NYC at 8 months old. When he was about four, he and I had a horrific trip back from NYC in which he threw a major fit and I tried in vain to get him to a calm place, all the while fending off comments from little old ladies seated nearby about what a sweet child he was. Headache-inducing, I tell you.

Since Shelby and Kim moved west, the trips have been far less frequent--having people to see and a place to stay sweetens the deal, absolutely. I went to visit a friend who was working in the city in 2003 (and met up with dear Kate for a lovely day of wander); husband (boyfriend at the time...) took me there for my birthday in 2004, which was lovely and romantic; and I took Seth for a fabulous explore (he was much better behaved than previous trips!) in 2005... and there you have it. Suddenly, seven years have passed with JFK on a boarding pass, and I woke up one morning last spring with an itch to go.

We have a full week planned, C and I. A chillax and poolside vacation this is not... my goal is to post as we go (so you'd want to be my Facebook friend, for sure, this week. Either that or hide me out of annoyance. Your call.), but we'll see how that works in reality.

I have been humming while packing...

 

Friday night grateful moment

s I sat beside my boy this week in parent-teacher conferences and listened to his shockingly deep voice conversing with a teacher, it was a bit startling to realize just how quickly the years go by. It made me very grateful for every moment I have with him. (And a little bit grateful, too, for good PT conferences.)

If you haven't had the pleasure of viewing a Veggie Tales animated story, you're missing out. Well, I don't know if you're missing out, per se, but you will probably roll your eyes and move quickly past the clip below. But if you have seen this video about a plump blueberry (Madame Blueberry to you) and her voracious need to acquire more and more stuff from various "StuffMarts," you will more likely smile (as you roll your eyes?).

This video was one of the Veggie Tales that Seth watched a lot in the 3, 4, 5-year-old range (I think. I don't really remember, to be honest...). When the little refrain of "a grateful heart is a happy heart" went through my head today at some random moment, it was a little blast of nostalgia, and a good reminder too. There's a lot of truth in this little girl's song...

 

I hope you have grateful heart going into this weekend. What's on your gratitude list this week?

Peace.

Midweek reminder: The fog is telling you something

his blog post has been in my mind for awhile now, and I've even sent it to a few dear ones who I thought would appreciate the sentiments as applicable for where they're currently at, whether their life challenges are personal, professional, spiritual... or of course, a combination of it all!

We've each had times of greater fog and lesser fog... (and if you haven't, I suppose it will sound awful and ominous to say "your time is coming," but life does seem to hold challenges for 99.999% of us). For me the key, and the most salient point the writer makes, is that without the fog, we don't have a great need for a lantern to light our way.

"Life is hard. The road is long and narrow. The workers are few. We may see more fog than light for years at a time. But the fog is the entire point. It represents our need for the light and the confirmation of our calling. A life without fog is a life of complacency and boredom. It’s reading the last page of the novel and skipping the conflict, climax and resolve."

I may have already mentioned this, but really, click over. It may not speak to you, now, today, but my guess is that it will; at the very least, it might compel you to reach out and be a bit of light in someone else's fog. I'm a big believer in the Lantern, but I'm also a big believer in each of us being a little light to each other.

Friday night grateful list

here is so much in this world to be thankful for, every day. I saw the above list this week, and while each bullet point doesn't exactly speak to my life at *this moment* (ironing? Does anyone really iron their clothes any more?), it does capture the spirit of finding gratitude in the little things. The basics, I love the basics.

For me, this week, the basics were:
*Check-ins from Seth. We've changed up the routine for the young man a bit, and he's riding the bus home. It's taken a little getting used to (on his part), but he's adapted well (I think my telling him that at his age I took the city bus an hour to school... in the dark... and cold... helped a bit). He calls me when he's home and let's me know the homework and snack situation, and I can carry on and get a bit more done before I head home too.
*Sunshine. We have had some frost this week, but having the morning dawn crisp and clear is one of my favorite things about fall in Walla Walla. The sunshine has been awesome.
*My morning routines. (I told someone this week that when I wake up I get up--it's like one fluid motion, more or less, and very much in response to the alarm during this darkening season--and got a look like I must be nuts. Maybe I am?) I love my morning rituals of making breakfast and coffee and puttering in the kitchen.
*Connection. As humans, connecting seems to be the thing that we want most and also fail at most frequently. Our self-focus gets in the way, a lot. Perhaps that's why when it happens--when people are able to GET each other and the fact that we ALL have struggles and issues and imperfections--it is so meaningful. We're in this boat/world together, and that's a good thing.
*Words. Crafting words that can convey meaning is always something I enjoy. There are times I'm moving too fast to really take the time necessary to edit as I should, but lately I've been enjoying helping others find a way to present situations and challenges with words that aid in the acceptance of said situations and challenges. The turn of a phrase can make all the difference.
*Early evenings. That's my clever way of turning the infernal darkness of the fall/winter into a positive! No sunshine? Put on your jammies and make a cup of hot chocolate! Go to bed early! Make soup! Watch telly! There is something about the way the world hibernates a bit that gives me energy in other ways. Right now, I'll take it (and I'm loving it too)!
*A warm bed, a warm house, a specific warm body next to me. ;) Thanks for always warming my feet, husband.
*Health, for my family, myself, my friends. There's so much not-well in the world, I do thank God daily for health and safety, and don't take it for granted.

I hope your basics have been covered this week, and then some. What's on your grateful list?

Peace.

Thursday 13: 13 things I love about fall

1. Putting on my jammies and robe early in the evening and somehow feeling like that's just fine. Do that in the summer and it seems very slackerish...

2. Hot drinks for the purpose of warming me up (not just waking me up!), inside and outside (hands around the mug).

3. Brisk temperatures. Not cold during the day yet, but brisk. I adore brisk.

4. Autumn light. It's leaner, thinner, the shadows longer. Awesome light.

5. Birthdays: mine and the boy's. Double awesome.

6. Less yard work. Triple awesome. I am very much over the yard by the first of October, true story.

7. Holiday anticipation.

8. More energy. It's like clockwork, the way my energy picks up in the fall and winter. I love being able to count on that.

9. Baking! And not worrying about the oven warming up the kitchen too much; in fact, looking forward to that fact.

10. Pumpkin in just about everything (that one is extra-specially put into the list for Jen, who does not understand the "pumpkin in just about everything" phenomenon. I'll take your share, dear one.)

11. All those shows that somehow don't have episodes in the summer (I find the whole "season" thing doesn't work for me in TV land, ha)--The Good Wife, Homeland, Castle, etc.--are back. That fits in with the jammies-early mentality I mentioned previously...

12. Craftiness gene gets switched back on. Related to the more energy and the less yard work... get out the yarn! Crochet hooks! Fall decorating!

13. Layers in clothes: cardigans, scarves, tights, boots, sweaters and coats! Some of my very favorite items.

I could go on for a bit longer, but I will hold myself to just 13 for now...

What is your favorite thing about fall? Give me more ammunition for my autumn love!

Thanks WWJen for this photo on FB yesterday--lovely!

For more Thursday 13s, go here.

Midweek reminder: C.S. Lewis x2

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."

[To have faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.

Both quotes from C.S. Lewis; both were needed reminders in my week.

Oct. 1, 1996, a really fabulous day!

eth is 16 today. At exactly 11:24 a.m., if you must know... and you know you must! It remains a day of great joy in my memory but I would be waxing nostalgic and less than truthful if I said it was THE best day of my life. So much has gotten better since pushing out a 9.1-pound baby. Watching him grow into the wonderful and joyful young man he is today *is* one of my favorite things, ever.

When I was looking for cards for his birthday, it really stood out for the first time that the kid cards didn't fit, but the "Grown Son" cards didn't quite either. He is between two worlds (more that the usual two worlds he straddles) and doing so well at gently leaving the kid one behind and embracing the man one.

There are many things to celebrate about Seth today, from his bright eyes and easy grin to his creativity and intelligence, quick wit and thoughtfulness. As I've said before, many times, his heart is a good heart, one that seeks to do right and forgive and include. He is a loyal friend and an affectionate and loving son. I have said, also many times, that I think God gave me exactly the right kid for me. While that may sound selfish and very "me" oriented, I don't think so. God didn't just give me a kid who says "how high?" when I say "jump." He gave me a son who has nudged me at times to love people who are hard to love, ask the big questions about how we got here and what we are to do with this life, walk what I talk and be a better person. Maybe that's just inherent in having a child and seeing yourself mirrored in so many of their actions, for good or for bad. But I've only got the one, so this is what I know: I am blessed, beyond, for this boy and his love.

I went through Seth's baby book this past weekend, and read snippets I'd forgotten completely--his first words, some of his early habits and activities--and ran across these images from his ultrasound. I know some people don't think there's much to see in an ultrasound, but I remember walking away with these pictures and feeling like I'd seen my BABY. Seeing that profile and that little penis (it's the "?" in the second photo, in case you can't tell!), it was really all quite REAL, suddenly.

There have been many times over the years when I've looked across at his profile--especially now when he's driving and I'm beside him in the car--and thought back to these ultrasound shots, reflecting how very much he still resembles the shadowy forms in these images. 

So about the "?" shot. They're not supposed to put a label on THAT in the ultrasound room, and the radiologist actually isn't allowed to give you the gender. He just very obviously looked across at me and gave the eyebrow raise as he typed in the "?" and said the doctor would further elaborate. So when the doctor came in he laughed at the image and the question mark, and revealed that usually he doesn't say one way or the other unless he is 100% certain. If he's wrong, he treats the new parents to dinner out at the finest local restaurant of their choosing. He proceeded to say that if the baby in the ultrasound was not born a boy, he would treat to dinner out... in Seattle... for four (not his usual two)! He seemed pretty certain that Seth would be a Seth!

Happy birthday, Seth. I am, today and every day, so blessed to call you my son.

Friday night grateful moment

ow long has it been since this blog has sat quiet a whole seven days between posts? Awhile, really, take my word for it, you don't have to actually look back and read to find out. A looooong while. But, this week got a little busy and then it got busier and then busier, and I looked up and here it is Friday night. Happy happy happy to be at Friday night!

My first thought was "I'm too tired" to articulate my gratitude and off I went, searching for visuals to do the trick. But then I got a second wind of sorts and decided to take a stab at actually verbalizing a few of the things I am most grateful for. For all its "effort," putting the thoughts into words that string together and (generally) make sense helps transition me more solidly into a lasting state of grateful.

Toward that end...

I adore living where there isn't a lot of light pollution. A few nights back we went to sleep with our bedroom deck slider door open, enjoying the evening air. Well, the enjoyable evening air turned to really-cold middle-of-the-night air, so I got up and closed the slider, but couldn't help looking out and up at the beautiful, brilliant stars. I am so grateful for even fleeting reminders that we're part of something so much bigger. (I know I've posted the image above in previous grateful posts but I can't help it. I think this one is a keeper.)

Every time I eat a tomato from the garden, I feel like I'm living on borrowed time. OK, so that's a little dramatic. But I AM enjoying every last tomato, and the flavor just never gets old. I'm so grateful for home-grown produce. (Time to mow the basil again this weekend! I feel a pesto dish or two coming up!)

I saw a friend in passing today, someone who used to be more of a friend than currently, and this thought went through my brain: I'm grateful for every friend I've ever had. Friendships change, and morph, and can come around again or leave entirely. I've been changed by friendships; I've learned a lot over the years: about the value of friendship, about myself and about others, as well. There are some people I wouldn't invite back into my life for anything, but that doesn't take away from the time we were closer.

I am so grateful to live in a home that has love and kindness and tenderness at its core. My men are so accommodating of my sometimes-emotional ways, and don't mock me when I cry at silly ads on TV or Secretariat or... (fill in the blank). I get hugs when I need them, and affection and compliments and appreciation for my contributions. Being me is pretty awesome.

source

Today the temperature was in the 80s. What's up with that? I am grateful for the sunshine and warmth, even though in my fall-lovin' brain we should be cooler and rainy and such. But I keep thinking I really shouldn't still have to water everything, should I? I fear my yard walkabout this weekend... what may have expired from my neglect? We'll see...

I'm grateful for the coming week, the coming month, the season that is upon us! I know I give a lot of whoo-hoo to autumn, but Oct-Nov-Dec hold my very favorite dates of the year. Now to remember to breathe and actually enjoy it!

When I get a little caught up in my own head, thinking over the same petty issues or problems, I am always always grateful to be able to turn to my collection of sayings and images and wander through, looking for something to jump out at me. It never fails that something grabs my attention, at least one, maybe more... This week, it was this simple piece, from one of my favorite artists, Rachel Awes:

I hope that you have a lovely weekend, filled with all the things you want and need to greet another week!

Peace.

Friday night grateful moment

This night, I am feeling blessed, and grateful. And tired. And a little bit not-sick, still. But mostly, blessed and grateful...

...for Friday nights, for the peace and relaxation that a day of rest promises.

...for the anticipation of sleeping in. Sometimes that's even better than *actually* sleeping in, though that's pretty special as well.

...for our sweet pooch, Chief, with his persistent affection and loving ways. Sometimes I'm still amazed that we only have one dog, after having had such a pack. But we're pretty content with our one (Sara, that was just for you). He's awesome.

...for my guys and their appreciation of me. I'm a lucky mom and wife.

...for the earlier evenings. I am less fond of the darker mornings, but I guess we can't have one without the other. I have been going to bed earlier because of the darkness--in fact, once it's dark I'm convinced it's much later than it is so last night found me thinking about PJs around 7:30. Ha.

...for peanut sauce. We had noodles and vegetables and spring rolls with peanut sauce for dinner. As much as I may make it from the same recipe, each time, there are times when it's just better than others. This particular batch was sublime. Yum.

...for teamwork. Husband and I tackled a DIY project this afternoon--mostly he tackled and I assisted--and we got it done! Two sets of hands is a good thing.

...for not having ever truly succumbed to illness in this duel I've been in with the sore-throat-gravelly-voice-cough monster. I never actually Felt Bad, so I insisted frequently last weekend to my brother and sister-in-law, "I am not sick!" I think that actually helped, in a weird mind-over-matter way. That, and I would have felt horrible to land on their doorstep, BE sick, and spread germs throughout their house. Hence, I was NOT sick! (I do, however, currently clear my throat a lot and suck on throat lozenges. Great traits in a co-worker, don't you think? I want to be 100% by Monday. 100%!)

...for the previously mentioned brother and SIL, and their girls. We had a wonderful visit last weekend, as always, and enjoyed hanging out, eating, talking, roaming the Olympic Peninsula and just being together. The boys had their annual football outing and the girls enjoyed girl time. I am always grateful to have a sibling in this world, but especially that I have Shelby, and that he has Kim. Love you both.

...for flexible and gracious friends, who understood when I bailed on everything from lunch to coffee this week. This was a short week, having taken Monday off as a family, so the other four days felt especially short in the work arena.

...for anticipation. I've alluded to an upcoming trip, very vaguely at best, but finally feel close enough that it will happen: dear friend (or as we refer to each other: heirloom friend) Corinne and I are headed to NYC for a week of girly time in October. We've been hatching and planning and being completely dorky with filling up a spreadsheet of everything we want to see and do... and I think it's finally hit me that we're doing it. I love the anticipation!

...for the months ahead (speaking of anticipation!). Here we are, just on the cusp of my Favorite Season Ever: Fall... ahhhh. In spite of some horrendous wildfires in Washington and Idaho that have smoked up our valley and made it seem like a warm version of Narnia (always gray but never rainy, that works, doesn't it?), it is slowly getting cooler during the days, and the brisk overnight temps have slowed down growth, including the weeds! October, November and December are my favorite months of the year, and Here They Are. Whoooo!

...for all the information that is available to so many these days. (I would say "everyone," but I know there is a digital divide and would love to help bridge it...) I live in awe of the www that precedes every url out there. It's an amazing thing, and something I don't take for granted. There's a lot of garbage that comes along with the amazing, but it seems worth the effort to sift through it, to me.

...for end-of-season watermelon. Seth and I can be quite voracious with the watermelon, and as they've been disappearing from stores, we've been savoring each one like it is the last one we'll ever eat. And by savoring, I mean inhaling. Such flavor! Already looking forward to next summer. Ha.

I could go on. Seriously. Some weeks I am just so grateful for all of it, from the fact that I woke up this morning, to the fact that my son still hugs me quite readily and my husband tells me (and shows me) that he loves me, frequently. And I can read! And write! And pray without worrying that someone will report me. And enjoy the bounty of a rather overproductive agricultural community. I am even grateful I can sing, though it's best if that stays in the shower...

Other weeks it take a bit more mental finagling to put words to my gratitude. I'm not sure why that is, but it just is. But I don't worry; I've been doing this long enough now to know that the words always come back, and the gratitude just IS, words or no. I'm grateful for that too...

I hope your weekend brings you relaxation and joy, and peace.