I decided I needed to get out of the city, even if only for a few days. So, I’m spending the weekend in Cold Spring. It’s a charming Hudson River town. And, in many ways fits in with my recent posts about quirky American towns. For many years I lived close enough to come for an afternoon. I’ve watched the … Read More
Beacon and Newburgh NY
This morning, I traveled a short way upriver to Beacon. When I was younger, I often hiked in the area. Just driving past reminded me of the difficulty of those trails, including the aptly named Breakneck Ridge trail. As I watched rain dripping down rocks, I imagined how slippery the trail must be. Even on good days, the combination of … Read More
Heading South along the Hudson River
Yesterday I headed home after my brief stay in Cold Spring. Driving back there were hints of spring—daffodils, weeping willows swathed in pale green, buds ready to burst. But, for the most part, branches remained bare and there was a grayness that contrasted sharply with the intense blue of the sky. My first start was at Magazzino, a museum of … Read More
Fort Tryon Park, New York City
Even though it’s not nearby and has hills, Fort Tryon Park holds the title of my favorite Manhattan park. Why? First, it is a ten-minute drive and has loads of free parking. Second, I’ve never seen it crowded, a rarity in the city. Third, and perhaps most germane to my visit there yesterday, it has an easily accessible flower garden. … Read More
Street Art Bushwick, Brooklyn
The last time I visited Bushwick to explore street art was during one of the worst parts of the pandemic. Streets were devoid of people but filled with fabulous art. This time, people swarmed the neighborhood. And, because marijuana is now legal, pot shops were everywhere, including a slew of pop-up shops and mobile weed trucks. Several tour groups passed … Read More
Solar Eclipse (not quite total)
Thin wispy clouds scurried across the sky as if trying to get out of the way of the nearing astronomical event. I’d tried to get eclipse viewing glasses, but when I looked for them, they’d all been given away or sold. The doormen in my building assured me there would be spares. They were correct. When I returned at 3pm, … Read More
Whirligigs
Even if you think you’ve seen whirligigs, you’ve never seen anything like the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson, North Carolina. I’m visiting my cousin in Raleigh, and we took a drive because she knew I’d love the park. Anything hinting of the unusual is attractive to me. This place blew me away, literally—the wind was fierce—and figuratively. I’d seen … Read More
North Carolina Museum of Art – Raleigh
Today my cousin and I went to see an exhibit at the NC Museum of Art: To Take Shape and Meaning – Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art. I’m fond of both traditional and contemporary Native American art and have seen a lot of it over the years. This was a small but well-curated exhibition. While we were … Read More
Recycling
A growing trend is using recycled materials to create art. Think of the quilts created in Gee’s Bend with old clothes and fabric scraps. Scrap metal is a favorite of many artists, as are abandoned plastics and construction materials. Cassette tapes, CDs, old tires, books and much, much more are also used to create beautiful art and make a statement. … Read More
Seattle—Day 1
I’m in Seattle visiting a client, @Pacific Northwest Ballet. Last night, as their guest, I attended one of the best evenings of dance I’ve ever experienced. There were three pieces choreographed by women—Twyla Tharp, Jessica Lang, and Crystal Pite. While they were each different, they complemented each other perfectly and together made a powerful impression. In McCaw Hall, a venue … Read More