Category Archives: Blog

Observing The Seasons

I think that one of the most engaging activities you can do on your own, is to observe and make note of what goes on with a particular change of season. Reflecting on your surroundings can be inspirational. When you encounter a difficult or challenging passage in life, I think that looking outward becomes even more important than looking inward.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy

Season changes are rarely the same. Especially these days, with the impact of global warming and the resulting changes in climate everywhere. This year in the northeast, the winter was unbearably cold and destructive. But the spring, summer and now the fall have been glorious.

A Rose in November?

On this off-season trip to Nantucket, I found roses blooming amid the fading hydrangea. What a contrast! Here, the autumn had already settled in. Leaves were falling and the chill of the air made it clear that we had already moved closer to the coming winter season. Summer was long over.

New Blooms in November

What’s really striking about this phenomenon is that it’s not a common one. These roses usually bloom twice on Nantucket. Once in June/July and again in September. I don’t recall ever seeing them bloom a third time, much less in November!

Autumn Roses!

I thought about how meaningful it is, to see new life burst out from the fading plants. It looked like a significant symbol. One that represents the notion that, just when you think a certain phase of your own life is coming to a finish, new growth appears and blazes through to remind us that there will be spring ahead. That, in order to let new things come into your life, you need to allow the old order to pass gracefully. To surrender to the change. Not fight it.

Sometimes, you will find yourself at “A Table For One” reluctantly. That’s OK. Life is full of twists and turns. Just remember to look around and absorb what your surroundings are telling you. It can be so richly rewarding. Let the old fade away and the new take hold!

Off Season is On

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Traveling off season can offer wonderful opportunities to explore. It sometimes seems that life is in such fast motion that it’s hard to recognize the special moments until they’ve come and gone. And it seems, they come and go far too quickly. The speed that we all move at these days, creates a blur. It’s difficult, if not impossible to focus. There’s always one more thing to rush on to. One more issue to address. Not enough time in a day. Off season can be slow and savoring.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” Soren Kierkegaard

The fact is, that most of the things we’re in a hurry about won’t really matter in the long run. It’s so important to understand this and to do all you can to really “experience” your life. Planning with purpose is an important aspect to exploring things on your own. Here’s a great example: having come and gone from Nantucket to New York so frequently and seemingly always in a rush, there are some things I just haven’t had a chance to do. Especially in the off season.

Nantucket Scallops Fresh from the Bay!

So this year, I decided to slow down the manic travel plans in November and take time out to enjoy a uniquely Nantucket Island experience. The anticipation of getting one of the first batches of succulent Nantucket Bay Scallops fresh from the sea can’t be overrated. This happens in the “off season”, specifically in November for the commercial fishermen. The bounty is fragile and every year, lately it seems somewhat diminished due to environmental changes.

Glidden’s Seafood Store

But it’s not just the future peril of this delicacy that draws special attention. It’s the fact that you can literally shop for them on the same day they’ve been harvested from the sea by the scallopers. We all love the “Farm to Table” movement. There’s something equally amazing about the “Sea to Table” phenomenon.

Fresh From the Sea

Glidden’s, one of my favorite fish shops sells daily catch, huge lobsters and the first scallops of the season. I decided to buy 2 pounds and freeze some of them for winter trips to the island. When the scallops are first in, most of the restaurants that remain open, make their own special recipes. As for me, I love to prepare them in EVOO with a bit of garlic and butter to finish. Salt and pepper to season, with fresh lemon, parsley and red pepper flakes. Keeping it simple allows the sweetness of the bay scallops to shine through. Nothing could be better. Visit the island, shop the fish and cook a delightful meal. “A Table For One.” Let the off season begin!

Art Inside Out

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a New York icon. It beckons visitors from all over the world with complex, diverse collections of art and breathtaking one of a kind exhibits. For me, it’s also a prominent presence in my neighborhood. And there’s as much to see outside as there is to see inside The Met!

“Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” Claude Monet

I love visiting museums when traveling and I’ve been lucky enough to visit so many, both here in the U.S. and overseas. One thing I find intriguing and sometimes also striking, is the exterior of museums. The setting. The building itself. How it sits where it is.

The Met Offers Inspiration in Color Inside and Out!

On this particular fall day, the exterior of The Metropolitan Museum of Art was ablaze with a full range of autumnal fire-like colors. The walls of glass reflected both sky and neighboring buildings in a perfectly arranged display.

Explore every angle of the museums you visit!

I like to take a walk around the exterior of the museums I visit, in order to understand and appreciate the eye of the architect/s who designed the buildings. To imagine how they were inspired to create and choose every detail of the structure. Architects are also artists in their own right.

Nature’s colorful bounty reflected as art

On this beautiful day, the colors of autumn bounce in the reflection of The Met’s glassed walls. The dappled light dances off the cement walls and inspires an unusual sense of life and anticipation of things to come. I think it’s a great idea, when you’re out and about for a museum visit on your own, to be sure to explore nature’s art and how the architect’s eye worked to create the building itself. If you do, it may even give you better insight into the art collections inside. And if you have a neighborhood museum nearby, be sure to observe how the changing seasons enhance the structure. Embrace the moment. “A Table For One.”

Day of the Month

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This year has been so beautiful in the Northeast. Very unusual, long stretches of balmy weather, blue skies, sunlit days. The Northeast is normally filled with unpredictable weather, ranging from cold snaps, to fog, rainy days and occasional blue skies.

“Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get.” Mark Twain

In my mind, the best days are sometimes “good weather” days. Especially if the weather in a given month is unusual. I’ve decided to chose a “Day of the Month” every month. It’s another way to make yourself aware of the delight that each day brings. Something to look forward to, make note of and celebrate.

Look for the magical beauty of nature and light.

This month, November, I thought that “The Day” had already arrived on November 3rd. On a long walk through Central Park, I couldn’t help noticing how the autumn sunlight burst through the trees, amping up the contrasting colors of the landscape.

Such an unusual November!

On this particular day, I thought that the magical transition of seasons was so clearly evident. The floor of the gardens were covered with fallen leaves, while newly blossomed autumn plants and flowers were peeking through. The combination was startling and beautiful.

Summer passes the baton to Autumn as the seasons change

I find that the complexity of nature reflects the complexity of our lives and can be very reflective of our emotions too. It’s easy to lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, if you simply surrender to it. On this day, I fully enjoyed the wide range of thoughts and feelings, reflective of the landscapes.

The day mixed together a summer temperature of 72, the blazing reds and yellows of tumbling autumn leaves and the bittersweet reminder that winter will soon arrive. Yet, the promise of spring was also present in the newly blooming plants poking through. A truly perfect day. Perhaps the best “Day of the Month” for November. Well noted and captured in thought and memory for “A Table For One.”

Halloween

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You don’t have to have a crowd to celebrate holidays. If you find yourself on your own, for a holiday that you’re accustomed to sharing with lots of other folks, go ahead and explore the new and endless possibilities to enjoy it alone.

“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.” Judy Gold

Ghoulish Gang of Ghosts Gather to celebrate Halloween in NYC!

Halloween is a great example of a holiday that you can enjoy, regardless of who you may or may not be with. Hang a sign on your door indicating that you’re open for Trick or Treaters. Spend some time selecting special treats, other than the usual bags of candy. Wear a costume to answer the door. Make a note of the best-dressed costumes. Take photos.

NYC Townhouse wrapped in police tape “lockdown” for Halloween!

Or go out yourself, to explore and enjoy the activities that abound. If you’re in a city, it’s great to photograph all the decorations that folks set out on their doorsteps, for special attention. For example, in New York, the variations are endless and wonderfully creative. Every year yields more intrigue and imagination than the one before. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment, so go wander and revel in the fun.

Trick or Treat!

Here’s a great “brainy doorbell” I rang this Halloween at a townhouse on the Upper East side that was wrapped tight in police tape (as a joke). Of course, no-one answered…that’s part of the spookiness of Halloween delight! Trick or Treat…”A Table For One!”

Stralimitata

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The Pope’s visit to the United States was amazing. In New York, the effect was electric. On his return to Roma, he was asked by reporters to describe the cities he had visited in the U.S. Washington, he described as “formal”, Philadelphia, “friendly”. But for New York, he found it necessary to create a new word for his experience!

“Loving your language means a command of its vocabulary beyond the level of the everyday.” John McWorter

Pope Francis In Central Park

The Pope called his experience in New York “Stralimitata. Roughly translated, it means “beyond all limits.” I think a lot of us who live here and lots of folks from all over the world, who visit New York would agree! And it’s a great way for us to describe his visit to New York as well!

Blessings from Pope Francis

At the last minute, I received a ticket to his quick drive through Central Park, on his way to the Madison Square Garden Mass. It was startling and moving. So many people of so many faiths joined in celebration. This particular part of his journey included all the people of New York, all faiths. The tickets were not only available to New York Catholics, the city was in control of most tickets, for anyone who wanted to attend.

A Day To Remember! Pope Francis in Central Park

I felt torn between receiving his blessing in the open and photographing him as he passed by. So I did both. I put my phone down as he passed in front of me and then picked it back up as he proceeded forward. So the photos are a bit blurred, but the experience of Pope Francis in New York remain forever clear and bright!

The Pope Project

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I think it’s a great idea to focus your adventures on something exciting, whenever possible. For those of us in New York, this week will mark Pope Francis’ first and historic visit to New York. It coincides with the UN Assembly, so the city is awhirl and gridlock will be at an all-time high.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller

Most days, New York is in full gear and locked in its well-known high energy mode. But for special events like the ones coming to our fair city this week, the electric frequency levels burst into full-on rocket liftoff mode! And the excitement it generates is unparalleled.

New York City’s Giant Pope Billboard near Madison Square Garden

At times like this, you can literally “feel it in the air.” So I decided over the weekend, to make this week my “Pope Project” and try to visit some of the places the Pope will see, while he’s here. I also find that the preparations for such events are just as exciting as the events themselves. And when you create a special project for yourself, such as this one, it gives you a full agenda for any and all time that you have on your own.

NYPD “blocks” all over the city in preparation for a whirlwind week ahead!

From the giant billboard hand-painted last week on a building near Madison Square Garden, where the Pope will say Mass, to the smallest detail of hand-hung “no parking” signs on the trees of the street where he will stay, you can see the anticipation take hold. There are honestly no contenders, in my mind, when it comes to the NYPD. And evidence of their hard work is already visible all over the city too. In anticipation of the crowds that will gather, starting on Thursday, there’s fencing, cement blocks, street closure warnings and all sorts of other indicators of what’s ahead for both the force and NYC residents!

Signs of preparation for the Pope and the UN Assembly this week!

No doubt all of the media will be out front covering the Pope’s every movement. But I find it really exciting to capture the week from my own humble perspective. Although I tried to get tickets to see him in Central Park or along his journey down Fifth Ave., I didn’t win any of the many lotteries that were held. So, now, I have a really perfect “A Table For One” week ahead, as I document my own experience. Maybe I’ll get lucky and catch a glimpse of him somewhere along his many routes. But if not, just getting out and about to see the preparations and experience the city as it lights up in anticipation is really very special. I think everyone should take on a special project once in a while, to enjoy their time with “A Table For One.”

Dining In…Summer’s Bounty

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There’s a sweet moment of time in-between seasons, when the season exiting surrenders one last burst of divine bounty, before giving way to the next season’s start. If you follow the farm, as suggested in an earlier post, you’ll come away with the cherished fruits of the season.

“Life is like jazz…it’s best when you improvise.” George Gershwin

Next, what to do with them? Improvise! On my recent trip to Augustine’s Farm in Greenwich, Ct., I found lots of extraordinary heirloom tomatoes. There is no consistency in size, shape, color or taste. They are all, quite simply, and very individually, delicious.

A great big pot of summer’s best harvest! Heirloom tomato sauce.

Find a recipe you like and adapt it to your own unique taste. I find that using high quality produce, such as these extra-special tomatoes and herbs are enough to stand up on their own. I like to keep it simple, because these batches of saucy deliciousness are going to be mostly frozen for the winter. Cover and leave to simmer slowly for 1 1/2 hours or so and then use an immersion blender to finish.

Later, on a cold and dreary winter’s day, when the days are too short and the skies are too cloudy, I will take out a serving of summer flavor and remember that even the winter season will eventually change too!

Typically, the night after cooking and freezing my tomato sauce, I’ll give it a test run. This time, I cooked fresh Prince Edward Island mussels for my trial run. Having left the heirloom tomato sauce as a simple basic, I’m able to make different variations later. For this test run, I added spicy red pepper flakes and more fresh basil. Adding a little chicken stock, sea salt and fresh ground pepper is all you need. Next, I cooked up some al dente whole wheat pasta from southern Italy, to go along with this delicious meal.

Beautiful Summer Bounty with fresh mussels and pasta

I always recommend plating every meal with purpose and imagination. In this case, I broke out my lovely fall inspired bowls, since the theme is the changing seasons. What could be better than summer’s bounty served up with a nod to autumn? Add a special glass of bubbly or your last taste of the season’s rose and you have a wonderful combination of fresh delight. This is a perfect way to extend your trip to the farm right to your own table and freezer. You will continue to enjoy these treats all winter long! And that’s “A Table For One”!

Day Trippin’

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I think that day trips are highly underrated. While we spend hours planning for major getaways, we frequently overlook the fun that can be had from just spontaneously hopping in a car, taking a train ride or even a bus to a nearby location for the day. Taking a break from your own routine surroundings, even if just for a few hours, can rejuvenate and reenergize your perspective.

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.” John Burroughs

I have found that there are an infinite variety of things to do when you’re on your own. Breaking out of the scenery you live in is always invigorating. It gives you a different way to see your everyday environment. When you return, after exploring a totally different landscape, you feel that you’ve been far away, even if you’ve just gone an hour or so away from home base.

Break away for a spontaneous adventure, somewhere nearby!

The town of Greenwich, Ct. is not far from Manhattan. I grew up in Rye, N.Y. and attended elementary and high school in Greenwich, so it too is very familiar territory. Greenwich is a great choice for a day trip from New York City. Nestled in the northern end of Greenwich, there are acres and acres of meadows, lines of old stone walls meandering up and down hills, trees as old as those hills and a plethora of expansive fields to explore. And there, you will find the Audubon Center…an absolute treasure, so near and yet so far from the intenseness of city life.

The Audubon Center nestled in the northern corner of Greenwich, Ct.

The Audubon Center of Greenwich is a nature center comprised of over 200 acres of land and offers 7 miles of trails to walk. Who would suspect that such a rich resource as this would be so close to the city of New York? The beautiful welcome center has a gift shop, lots of reading materials, rooms for their regular talks and the people are lovely. Here is where you can rest after a long walk, sit on their back deck overlooking the property and enjoy the spectacular view.

The Audubon Center of Greenwich, Ct.

Pack up your favorite sandwich, snacks and bottled water for a picnic. Don’t forget your sunscreen, a hat and be sure to wear good walking shoes. This is a day trip made to order. The trails are long and complex enough to make it a return-to favorite. For me, the complete contrast from the concrete pathways of the city is a welcome relief. Open sky, earthy terrain, beautiful flora, fauna and birds…what a magnificent way to spend a day! It would be great to go with a friend too. But this is a perfect day trip just for you! Revel in the freedom of a very special adventure on your own.

Create your own backyard habitat!

The Audubon Center also offers great ideas on how to create your own backyard habitat. It doesn’t have to be fancy. These are great ideas from the best experts. Since the Center also offers interesting talks and tours, this will be something to consider doing for another “A Table For One” experience. Try not to waste any time, if you find yourself alone, set out on a day trip! You’ll find it’s one of the best ways to enjoy “being” on your own!

Summer Daze

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Let’s face it. Summer ends way too early and not according to the actually season. The hectic pace of our society demands artificial deadlines, starts and finishes to almost every season. Most noticeable among them, is summer.

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Mahatma Gandhi

When you’re on your own, you have a unique opportunity to follow the rhythm of the seasons as they’re meant to be. Even if you have to adhere to the artificial timing of a season, due to work or other obligations, feel free to follow the flow of mother nature too. Indulge yourself.

Augustine’s Farm

I have found that the best bounty is available on the cusp of every season. While you have to wait for a season to begin without knowing the exact time and day it will blossom, the change of seasons is something you can sense, feel and predict more easily.

Farmstands speak mother nature’s language of the seasons

If you follow the farm stands in your area, you can connect with this precious phenomenon in a very real way. To my mind, there is no better way to celebrate the seasons than to simply find a local farm. Get on their calendar. It’s perfect. It’s accurate. And it’s true to the earth’s own finely tuned clock. Farm stands speak mother nature’s language of the seasons. They are also very specific to your exact location.

Seasons Change on Mother Earth’s clock

Today, I woke up with an anxious feeling that summer was escaping and I may not have captured its essence in every way I hoped to. So it was time for “A Table For One” adventure. I wanted to bottle the flavors of summer in a fresh tomato sauce and to freeze summer’s sweet corn to brighten the coming winter’s days. I could have gone to my local market, to shop. They’re still stocking much of summer’s delicious bounty.

Augustine’s Farm in Connecticut…simply the best!

But instead, I made this a special outing. It’s such fun to go hunting for a local farm. You can meet the farmers, experience the delightful sights and smells of the harvest and learn more about the foods you love to prepare. Most of the people who run these stands will also have time-tested and proven recipes to suggest, if you ask them. On this trip, I came away with pounds of heirloom tomatoes for my sauce, lots of ears of summer’s last sweet corn, ripe yellow peaches, all kinds of fresh berries and the delightful experience of a day fulfilled. Summer at it’s very best. Never pass by an opportunity to break out and make something ordinary, extraordinary. “A Table For One”.

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Category Archives: Blog

Observing The Seasons

Off Season is On

Art Inside Out

Day of the Month

Halloween

Stralimitata

The Pope Project

Dining In…Summer’s Bounty

Day Trippin’

Summer Daze