NYC: Details Part 1

Look Closer

I love taking it slow and looking a little closer. If you don't, you miss some incredible things.


St. Paul's Chapel Pulpit

St. Paul's Chapel Chandelier

Angel on headstone in St. Paul's Churchyard

Concrete alcoves on side of building near ground zero

Winged god on front of building near ground zero

 

Carved arch with pheasants and cherubs

 

Amazing brass entryway on art deco building next to Freedom Tower

 

Bird carving on the facade of the same building

There is so much to take note of, and when you do, it forces you to slow down....and this is a good thing.


I went to the 9/11 services in my hometown of Hampton last night. Each year our Legion carves the names of fallen soldiers from our state who have died in the War On Terror on a memorial it established.  Last year there were no new names. What a blessing. Unfortunately, last night, five new names were unveiled. The families of the fallen are present, the Governor speaks, the anthem is sung, a wreath is laid at the memorial, the Governor talks with the families.......it's an emotional event.  I hope and pray next year, that there are no fallen from our state (or any other) and that no new names are added.

We watched a program on The History Channel last night. I've seen it before, but it's worth watching every 9/11. It is a compilation of video footage shot from mostly amateurs, people who just happened to be in the midst of the tragedy. Very powerful and heartbreaking, but better to remember than forget.

Live each day to the fullest.

Ciao for now,

9/11 & Moving Forward

Rememberance & Revival

The spirit of this week in history was palpable as I stepped into St. Paul's Chapel last Friday- 9/6/2013. I was teary eyed as soon as I walked through the door and saw the memorials lining the perimeter of the historic church which became a refuge for rescue workers following the attacks of 9/11. Each and every one was moving. While I made my way around the chapel, I stopped and listened to one of the first responders recount that day to tourists from another country.  They listened with mouths agape as he told of the horrors. Tears streamed down my face for the hatred man can hold for his fellow man, for the lives lost, for the horrific memories that those affected first hand must live with each and every day.

Yet there was hope all around us in the city last weekend.  

All around:

The thoughtful, hard work that the men and women building freedom tower put in every day to create something strong, resilient, hopeful and entrenched with significance to honor the lives lost and mark the events of that sad day.

The birth of a new skyline not to replace the old, but rather to honor it.

The juxtoposition of the new against the old that remains.

Standing guard over our city and country, holding a light for peace.

Take a moment today to remember all who were affected and those lost on 9/11. Take a moment to  imagine a world at peace. 



ps- in case you missed this in the photo, it's worth mentioning that the third picture of the memorial altar has a note in the front and a picture of Rafael and his best friend Alicia Titus who was lost on 9/11. The picture was taken that morning at 6 a.m. Heartbreaking..........

In A New York Minute

Quick and Full

Our trip to NYC was over in the blink of an eye and packed with people and places we love.


I'll share it more in depth over the course of this week, but here's a synopsis of what we did.

We did get to sit and talk around my Godmother's kitchen table before we headed all the way downtown on Thursday. We stayed in the Seaport/Financial district two blocks away from our friend's Irish Pub. We were welcomed like regulars....it's like Cheers....where everybody knows your name. There are some serious characters at TJ Byrne's.

On Friday, we hoofed it about the city.

We walked to Freedom Tower and Saint Paul's on Friday. What a glorious day. Not a cloud.  I'll share those pics with you on Wednesday.

From there up to Washington Square Park. Never disappoints. People playing chess, sunbathing, people watching and always great musicians.

Over to Mulberry Street where we enjoyed lunch across the street from where my Grampy Cocciardi was born.

Back downtown to the Seaport.

Explored a new park right on the water where we are definitely having a picnic some day.

Then we took a really great happy hour boat ride on the Zephyr. An hour and a half of sunset heavenly views of the city.  Up the East River a ways...............

...then back down and around the tip .............up to the Empire State...

....back down to the tip (that's Freedom Tower on the right)....

.....and a quick visit with my lady friend. The evening could not have been nicer. Yes, I was teary eyed at Lady Liberty and it was one of the best boat rides ever (check that off the Summer to do list).

Saturday we headed out of the city and up to Yonkers where my parent's were born. It was time to celebrate my Aunt Joan and Uncle Bobby's (my mother's baby brother) 50th Anniversary!!!  We are fuzzy because everyone who tried had trouble operating my camera to get a pic Gar and I with the guests of honor!

Visited with cousins and aunts and uncles we don't get to see nearly enough of which is always fun.  

We were lucky enough to fit in another visit with the Anniversary couple in the morning before we headed to see my Godmother again.  We lucked out and were able to be the surprise guests at her Granddaughter's First Birthday party. So I got to see my other set of cousins.

Lots of reminiscing, hugging, kissing, love and a LOT of laughter this weekend.  I'll bring you along for a more in depth visit to NYC - just wanted to give you a teaser.  Great time and wish it didn't have to end.

However..........reality calls.

Ciao for now,

 PS- man o man do  I need to pull my yoga mat and walking shoes out..........or dancing shoes. Anybody else?

An Island Afterall

Surrounded By Water

One of our favorite things to do when we get to NYC is to get out on the water. Slow boat, fast boat, it doesn't matter to us. It's just a great way to see the city from an entirely different perspective. It's also a great way to cool off on a hot day.

This time around, we went with the fast boat. The Shark. It's a giant speed boat. It had to be the emptiest we'd ever seen it, maybe because we took the last ride of the day. Everytime we take a ride on this thing, you get off with sore ribs from laughing so hard. It's a hoot and a half.

Leaving the pier, our niece Ali knows what she's in for because she's taken a ride before, but her boyfriend Jay doesn't.

The boat screams around the tip of Manhattan from the Seaport, through the harbor and up the other side. See the Lady Liberty behind us? Don't worry, we'll get closer.  Can't you tell we're all having a terrible time? All you want, is for the captain to go even faster.

Always lots of beautiful boats in the harbor.

Now up the Hudson just a bit to get a good view of downtown. The boat was moving and grooving, twisting and turning up spray the entire time. (The first time Gar and I took this ride we sat in the 'wet' seats. We were drenched. This time we sat up front where you get a good bit of spray but still walk off with dry pants.)

Then a little closer to Freedom Tower. I'm sure there is lots of progress from last year, but not a ton from the outside.

Now a u-turn and past Ellis Island to the Statue of Liberty for a photo op.

She really is something to see.

Back around the tip and by the Staten Island Ferry.



The East River is calling and so is the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge in the background.

And before you know it, you're pulling back into the Pier. We didn't want it to end. It was a perfect day for a boat ride.

I simply love this part of the city. Just beyond the boats is Wall Street and the Financial District.

What a day!

Today, back in NH, the sun is shining. Not sure for how long though. There is supposed to be rain coming in.  I'll have to get some shots of the rose bush by the front door before it does rain because it is full bloom (a week or two early, like everything this year). The neighborhoodlums were marveling at it yesterday evening. It couldn't be more covered in roses.

Take time to smell the flowers today and make it a great one.

Ciao for now,