The High Line – Part Four Last in the Series-Seeing the Small Details

This is the last in my series written about my experience in walking The High Line, New York’s famed pedestrian walking park.

I have already shared much about this glorious adventure, so we are just down to the snippet sightings that I haven’t written about but that I feel are worth sharing.

The first image is the word LOVE spelled in English in large stack letters. I, of course, truly embraced the message this piece of art envoked for I believe more love is what our world sorely needs. Now that being said, directly behind the message in English, LOVE is also written, but this time in Hebrew. I was very moved by this display as I think it speaks volumes about unity and tolerance. Also, not seen in the photo but still apart of the same scene, and just as worthy to mention, was the same message, LOVE, this time spelled out in Spanish. No matter the language – the message is the same, and I thank these wonderful artists for conveying it to me and all the others who take this walk.

The second photo brought forth a belly laugh. It is a huge statue of Trump, dressed in a jailhouse jumpsuit and bound in chains. He is standing at a railing overlooking the City. No matter your party affiliation, the statement that this New York apartment owner is making will certainly make you chuckle, if nothing else. Divisive behavior delivers that type of reaction.

The last photo is the top of a tall building – its message simply says 1 Woman. There is much contemplation I feel in seeing this and I could probably go-on for days with my musings, but I think it is best that I leave the ponderings to you, the reader. I WILL leave you with this, however – One Woman – yep One Woman is all it takes.

I hope that you all will digest this post in the spirit it was offered. I loved being offered the opportunity to walk The High Line and discover these wonderful works of art and human statements. It will surely go down as one of my most favorite memories of New York (and believe me, I have many!)

Happy Saturday.

Figured It Out

You may have heard me mention Pearl Bailey’s Shangri-La on more than one occasion. This is a reference to the full and lushly landscaped mecca that the Professor and I created for the likes of our maniac puppy, Pearl Bailey. This lovely oasis is completely enclosed which creates the necessary boundaries for this devious Diva. Now that PB has grown into a full-sized dog (a-hem), she has happily and rightfully claimed the serene refuge as her own.

This morning our demon dog was anxious and I didn’t exactly know why. So, after I let her out I picked up my coffee and took up a spot on the wonderful screen porch which is cantilevered over the yard and watched as today’s episode unfolded.

First off, she walked the entire perimeter, a slow saunter with a great deal of sniffing added for highlight. Next, she took a sit under each palm tree and gazed up watching for any activity. Finally, she laid down in the center of the yard giving herself a good vantage point should anything require her immediate attention. And, that is when I figured it out!

Figured out what you say? I figured out what is at the root of Pearl Bailey’s obsession with Merle the Squirrel. You see, Pearl Bailey is out in her oasis about four times a day (and she can stay out for as long as she likes as long as a peaceful quietude is maintained). The rest of the day, she and her cohort, Ella Fitzgerald, are inside resting up for the next meal. It is during the unoccupied times in the yard that Merle has free reign. So this preoccupation that Pearl Bailey has for the rodent is really all about ‘who’s in charge!’ If Pearl Bailey is out there, she rules the roost, but if she is inside Merle can run amok.

So, when Pearl Bailey finally came back in after this morning bivouac, I asked her straight up, “You in charge out there?” She looked at me with sarcasm which conveyed, “Of course I am!”

And, there you have it – right from the horse’s mouth!

Optimism…Learn How

You have to put yourself in the right position to receive what goodness is coming to you. Spending time in giving thanks is a great place to start. These small acknowledgements keep you aligned. Offering a daily prayer for divine understanding will allow you to recognize what it is that you haven’t seen before, and thereby deliver to you the lessons you need to succeed.

My mantra of ‘I Can Do Better’ is working. Each day I am dedicated to trying to do as much good as I can, and I believe that by applying this creed throughout my day I am realizing more compassion in my everyday life.

This topic I speak about boils down to loving one’s self and being brave enough to ask for more love to come to you. It also reminds us to be disciplined in our work of reaching for a higher good. As a result of this practice, I have found that my world is more optimistic and broad, and that is a very good thing to obtain!

Headed to Asheville

As I headed out this morning on a trip to Asheville this is what I came across!

No, not really, I am at home on the island but I thought a little amusement was in order for you on this Tuesday morning!

These hilarious photographs are part of a commercial advertisement posted from the Tourism Bureau for Asheville NC, a city located in the far west corner of North Carolina nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture. I don’t know alot about this interesting town but I do know the folks there have a great sense of humor!

Hope I made you laugh today!

Happy Tuesday.

Robber Baron

This morning, I watched with great interest a story on the beloved Alex Trebek and his journey so far with his devastating cancer diagnosis. I was so moved by the positive and uplifting spirit that he displayed even after receiving the recent news that his cancer had bounded back with a vengeance. The honest manner in which he delivered this news was nothing short of inspiring.

It is important to mention that Alex, since receiving his diagnosis in March of this year, has not missed one day of work even through his days and weeks of two rounds of aggressive chemotherapy. When questioned where this determination came from, Trebek answered, “I just need to continue doing what I have done for the past 36 years. I am 79 years old, and I have had an amazing life. Do I worry about what happens when I die? Like anyone else, of course I do, but my questions are more directed to what will happen to those I leave behind, not for myself.” This says to me that Alex has been fulfilled in this life and will meet the next realm with the same spirit – he will seek to attain perfection and live up to whatever is placed in front of him. His testament to continue to ‘do what he has done’ is like a seeing a valiant flag of victory waved.

In this day and age, one does not have to go far to learn of someone in their circle who has or is suffering from cancer. My experiences in dealing with my father’s diagnosis, received at a young age, left an indelible mark on me and my siblings when he lost his battle. Where I do not have any room in my heart for hate, I do admit I hate cancer. It is a robber baron.

My Amusing Muse

We keep a pretty tight schedule around here during the work week. While the Professor keeps things humming downstairs in his office, I am upstairs in my studio. Pearl Bailey loves to keep me company during this time, and this arrangement makes me quite happy. Throughout most of the day, but particularly during these times, I am apt to hold long and deep conversations with Her Highness. Sometimes she listens intently but most times her interest is mild. I can always tell when her interest is beginning to wane for that is when she strikes her favorite ‘lying on her back’ pose. I always cajole her and tell her she is silly yet she persists in the pose, sometimes holding it for an hour or more!

I love seeing the far-away look in her eyes as she gazes at the ceiling. I think ‘is she pondering what I have just told her’ or ‘is she tuning me out and entering into dream state’? I love the spirit of this intelligent animal even though I throw her under the bus whenever she has deemed to become one with a dirt pile. My respect for her is still immense.

This morning was filled with a different delight. Today’s antic had our Miss Silly Pants taking her typical stance but donning an almost laughing posture. I have to tell you, when I looked over at her I busted out in giggles of pure amusement!

What a great way to begin a Monday morning!

Guilty Pleasure – Just Say Yes

I have a guilty pleasure. It is tame by most accounts; every Sunday morning while the Professor is still sleeping, I enjoy watching episodes of ‘Say Yes To The Dress!’ The allure is not because I need nor want a wedding dress, Lord knows I’ve done that enough! My attraction to the show is more than dress dreaming, it’s more like by my viewing the show I feel like I am invited into a very special moment in the lives of these happy people.

This morning was no exception. Today’s show was about this absolutely lovely young bride-to-be and her intended groom who was wheel-chair bound. In keeping with the show’s format, Randy Fenoli, one of the stars of the show, asks…’How did you meet your fiancé ?’ The story this young woman told was nothing short of dazzling. She explained to Randy that her fiancé , while playing football during his freshman year of college, met with a devastating tackle which left him paralyzed from the neck down. She said that she and her fiancé had met on-line through social media. She told him, ‘When Chris and I began talking, I knew he was in a wheel chair, but 5 minutes into it that image faded away as it was clear that didn’t define him. The more time I spent in his presence, the more I knew that whatever life threw at me, I could make it through because we had each other. Together we are stronger.” I thought that was such a profound statement for this beautiful young woman to make.

Carrying that mantra into our everyday lives makes me excited for the future of our humanity. As a nation, together we are stronger! Henry Ford said “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”  Just as an outstanding athlete cannot belong solely to himself, we, as a nation, need to keep reaching for others to stand with us in solidarity in order to effectuate change. And, to be victorious, we must be courageous in our reaching.

The lovely young bride’s story above has the most spectacular ending. Throughout the year of wedding planning, she and her fiancé worked tirelessly to demonstrate their mantra ‘Together we are stronger’. Minutes after being pronounced husband and wife, this amazing young woman reached down and helped lift her groom from his chair and stood before family and friends and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Then delicately they turned, and both WALKED, small step by small step, back down the aisle clinging to each other as a married couple.

In unity there is strength.

The High Line – Part Three Writings on the Wall

Whoever said ‘there are signs everywhere’ was correct.  And, viewing this collection of overhead signs from New York’s glorious elevated pedestrian park ‘The High Line’ gave me great thoughts to ponder.

The unrelated signage, obviously created by separate individuals, had a distinct collective feel to them. In the foreground, a vivid painting of rainbow colors superimposed by the images of Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. Both of these great individual’s lives were spent in service to others, but in vastly different ways. Whereas Mother Teresa devoted her chosen life of social activism to the needy and poor, Mahatma Gandhi spent his life, right up until his assassination, working tirelessly on political activism in leading India’s campaign towards independence. Yet their ‘purpose’ was uncannily similar. Gandhi has been quoted as saying, “Happiness is found when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”, and Mother Teresa’s, by her vow to give “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor,” makes clear that a life of service to others is the key to greatness. Think of it this way, Gandhi’s quote is a call to take action by aligning thoughts, words and deeds; and Mother Teresa through her deeds puts into action her call to do good.

The next board over in the photograph was the most stirring to me. It was a depiction and translation of a book inscription found in a relic old volume. Originally written in Arabic and dated March 1892, the translation tells us of a man, Fathallah Saad, who by the inscription, claimed ownership to a book that he had bought using his own money. So many images ran through my head in reading this billboard sign. Was this gentleman an Arab or an Egyptian or Palestinian? And what experiences did he have that lead to this inscription? Was it a part of his culture to claim ownership to a book, and was reading a book so important to him that he felt his ownership must be established in black and white?

The final board hovering over in the right margin is of a Mexican national speaking to the citizens of the United States, “A Wall divides more than just people. There are over 800 species that share the border. #keeptheborderWILD.” This sign is so representative of our country’s current events; it truly leaves one with the idea to look at an issue from another point of view. It doesn’t mean that you or I have to change our stance on the issue, but asks us to just consider another side of it when deliberating. I find that challenge refreshing.

I love the thought provoking messages I received in viewing these signs from the wonderful elevated vantage point of The High Line!

Saint or Sinner

Last night, waiting at the top of the stairs for the rest of her pack to ascend, I found Pearl Bailey bathed in light. Hmm…I thought, is that a halo?

Now, as I have clearly demonstrated in previous writings where I have
offered her antics as delicately as I can, Miss Pearl Bailey is far from a
saintly creature. But I will admit, despite her mischievous behavior, she does  possess a heart of gold.

Since I am always one to give credit where credit is due, I’ve decided to contact the Vatican and see if they would be willing to consider her for canonization! I am thinking she could be recognized as Saint Pearl Bailey, Patron Saint of Good Intentions and Loathsome Deeds.

I wonder what they’ll say?

Happy Hour

On Cloud Nine ♥ Over The Moon ♥ In Seventh Heaven

In keeping with my crusade “I Can Do Better”, I have begun to look around for actions I could take each day to perpetuate this thought. It hasn’t been difficult to find a small change that would make someone’s day better, and I find that I feel the change too, resulted from my improved mindset. Reap what you sow…’Right, Grammie?’

Today I was preoccupied with the Professor and his eye surgery, and as I was sitting in the waiting room I began to ponder what small changes I could make. My mind wandered and I had a ‘Eureka’ moment – how about, instead, starting the day with….Who Can I Make Happy Today?   Now let me tell you, many ideas starting whirling in my brain right off the bat!

The word HAPPY is defined as ‘an unexpected pleasure’. I wondered ‘what action could I spontaneously take to make someone happy?  ‘Ah ha!’, I thought, what about this example:

I have a friend who rises very early every morning; her family’s travel is such that she is often alone. Why not fix a cup of coffee and reach out to her early morn for a ladies chat? I know this call would be received with loving emotion, and certainly would be an ‘unexpected pleasure’.  

Making her happy in return would make me happy.  She, beginning her day happy, will certainly carry forward into her daily actions, and so on and so on!  I smell ‘epidemic!’

Making it a spiritual exercise to do good every day is really propelling. I hope the contagion of this behavior pattern is catching you, too.

Who Can You Make Happy Today ♥