Brooklyn Bridge

SG and I spent yesterday afternoon walking over the BK Bridge and wandering down the Promenade in BK Heights. I love NYC history, particularly around the 1800's and the bridge's story has always captivated me (Side note-- if anyone is interested in a GREAT NYC History documentary, check 'this' out-- PBS 14 /12 hour series sucks you in and brings you into every corner of the city's a-mazing history)  First of all, just building something of this scale back in 1869 totally blows my mind, pair that reality with the fact that the stories of its construction are fraught with disaster. The head engineer, John Roebling, died as a result of injuries incurred early on in the project and his son, Washington, took over. Washington, along with many of the workers, was stricken with the Bends as a result of construction deep under the river.  He  became paralyzed and never returned to the site, his wife acted as his intermediary as he directed from his window with his "spyglass".

 The tower arches remind me of a cathedral.

Saw these locks attached to a metal ring on the bridge- each had a message written on it. 

 

Guest Poster

I was inspired to start this blog for a number of reasons, mostly because I thought it would be fun, it was the new year etc, but also to remind myself to celebrate the every day-- that hasn't exactly come to fruition, but here and there I get it right. Someone who always gets it right, in terms of appreciation, is KCL. She has been such a great friend to me, from the moment she asked to me sit next to her when I was the new girl in school, to when I stood by her as a bridesmaid in her wedding! She does such a great job at celebrating life's little pleasures and I was totally psyched when she asked me to be a guest writer on her blog!

I wanted to create a post that was a blend of our distinct styles and emblematic of the fact that, though we are super different, we fit perfectly together!

Please visit her blog 'here', at classygirlonrockswithatwist.blogspot.com, to see what I cooked up and explore her fabulous musings. . Here are some preview pics!

It's Friggin' Snowy!

Good Lord, I felt like Shackleton ('here')  coming out of the subway the night before last! Last winter was snowy and the city's relationship with snow removal in Harlem was, shall we say, loose. I remember getting to my subway stop and looking down the two flights of stairs that completely did not exist, they had been replaced by a long, steep, snowy ramp. I literally held onto the railing and slid down on my back. Totally ridiculous. Harlem was pretty much a glacier for most of Jan/Feb, which was sort of fun, I have to say.

This winter, down in Soho, snow removal is swift and efficient. In fact, there is a HUGE industrial dumpster outside of my apartment and I realized yesterday that is full to the brim with snow....this could be interesting when it begins to melt and creates a slow tsunami traveling down my block. That being said, there is a lot of snow and trash on the sidewalks, it is a strange combo.

Anyways, here a are some pics of the snowy world in which we live.

Life. With a Camera.

Searching through my iPhoto library for a specific pic (which of course I could not find) I realized how many photos had accumulated and thought, why not throw some up-- its snowy and wet outside, maybe people do not have anything better to do than peruse my life throughout this last year.

Something about the silhouette tree I seem to like....

 

Skies at home.

Harlem

Home.

Colors...

New Home

Fun at Jo's

I Will Be Happier Than a BIRD With A French Fry!

Beautiful calligraphy done by Pamela LaRegina, find more of her amazing work 'here'

Obsession/Love Affair/Friendship

I do not know whether my obsession/love affair/friendship with Central Park is emblematic of my status as a New Yorker or as a Country Folk-- but really, this is immaterial, the obsession/love affair/friendship stands. Today it snowed and I had a rare moment to sneak into the park and feed my infatuation. 

I have spent an inordinate amount of time in the Park-- mostly running, but some walking as well. I have been known to drag SG uptown just to walk around, and still have my eye on one of those boats rides around the lake...Hasn't Happened yet, but I will report in if it ever does! Despite knowing the park well, I find I discover something new each time I visit. I love the stone slab stairways, the eclectic iron and wooden bridges, the ponds, the paths, the gazebos, benches and little hide-aways.  Walking around, I feel as if I have been taken back in time, and really, one has, being as the park was completed in 1873. I love thinking about all the new yorkers and world travelers throughout history who have walked amongst its paths. 

New Yorkers all over the city sent in Haikus to the Times, about the snow-- I liked this one. 

Mister and misses
cardinal sit lightly but
still the pines drop snow

— James Moening

Wandered into the park. Snow falling.

 Don't know how this came out this way, since it was not dark outside, but I must say I love it!

These babies jumped the gun...It's gonna be a rough week for them!

I LOVE this bridge! 

Give me a camera and suddenly I think I am Man Ray! hehe...

 

LOVE this Stone archway. 

Someone loves the park like I do!

AND just when I have forgotten that I am in NYC and am completely transfixed by the beauty that is Central Park-- here is a reminder, right there on my favorite bridge- of the world that lies waiting for me outside park walls.