Tag Archives: New York City

Art Inside Out

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!

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!

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

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.”

Copyright 2015 Marion M. O’Grady  All rights reserved.

Day of the Month

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.

Day of the Month November

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!

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

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.”

Copyright 2015 Marion M. O’Grady

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween

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!

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.

Halloween

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.

NYC

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!”

Copyright 2015 Marion M. O’Grady

All rights reserved.

Stralimitata

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

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

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

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!

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

Day Trippin’

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!

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 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.

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!

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!

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

All rights reserved

Look Up

Sometimes, being alone can leave you wondering how to change a melancholy mood on your own.  It’s much easier when you’re with friends and loved ones, to lean on them for some help and encouragement to pull you up, into a more upbeat mood.

Sky over Manhattan

Sky over Manhattan

“I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with wings”                      Gustave Flaubert

I love horseback riding and pursued it as a favorite sport for a very long time.  I loved jumping and practiced three times a week, hoping one day to vacation in Ireland on a horseback riding trek.  One of the techniques that I found very difficult to master was to look up, rather than down, as I approached a fence or wall to jump over.   Keeping my head up would help develop my skills enormously and improve my performance.  It was challenging.

Sky's no limit!

Sky’s no limit!

So I kept working hard, by going over and over the approach in my head.  I visualized “looking up”, when I wasn’t actually riding.  I think it was also a matter of trust.  I knew that I was too much in charge and I wasn’t completely allowing my horse to play his own part in the jump.  It’s a team effort.  There’s an inexplicable moment when you have to transition and let go.  That’s the looking up part.

When I finally mastered the art of “looking up” in the sport of jumping, it was a huge breakthrough!  It made all the difference in the world.  It was noticeable and I moved quickly, as a result, to a highly advanced level.

You see all sorts of new things when you look up

You see all sorts of new things when you look up

I often think of this exercise when I’m feeling a bit blue on my own.  If you look up, it’s amazing what happens.  We’re all so buried in devices, hunched over, walking intensely and not paying any attention to what’s around us.  We all spend a lot of time looking down.  Looking up is such a great discipline.  We have to be reminded of it.  And it’s amazing what happens!

Remind yourself to look up, find the sky if you’re feeling blue.

The sky is a natural draw at sunrise, sunset and on a dark night when filled with stars and moonlight.  But the sky that graces the day can also be an uplifting and fascinating sight.  It’s constantly changing.  It’s a great reminder that things keep moving.

Try looking up at it, anytime and see what you find.  I call it “skyscaping”.  Look beyond the obstacles and find the highest point.  And then go for it!  Your mood will change almost immediately.  And that’s “A Table For One” great moment.

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

All rights reserved

Strand-ed? Shop!

 

Books on a Certain Famous Corner in NYC!

Books on a Certain Famous Corner in NYC!

Some of the most fun shops are located on iconic street corners.  Weathering rain, snow and scorching summer sun, these book-boothes of the famous Strand bookstore stand more than time-tested in the heart of NYC.

“Who seeks shall find.”  Sophocles

Although I walk by these stands with some degree of frequency, in a rush usually, I love to carve out time to visit this iconic location for books and novelties that make great and inexpensive gifts.  The thing that’s really fun about shopping here, is that there’s so much going on around and it’s all outdoors.  You can find a selection of art and  “coffee table” books, children’s books, classics.  Although the stands are just a sampling, they’re an excellent representation of Strand’s full offerings at their store.

Linger And Look!

Linger And Look!

These are really simple, rough-hewn stands and tables that always remind me of how much is out there and available when you want to stop your world and go shopping.  Actually, this simple location is an inspiration to me when I travel too.  I look for similar set-ups and have found them…from Paris’ Left Bank all the way to a famous park in San Diego, California, where artists gather in an almost in-promptu array of tents and outdoor displays to sell their works.

Once you’ve located something similar, be sure to seek it out and keep it in mind when and wherever you travel.  At Strand’s street corner location, there are also lots of great souvenirs.

Tables of Great Souvenirs

Tables of Great Souvenirs

Buy a super tote, a city branded notebook to keep your journal on where you are…shopping for these tokens is a great way to spend an afternoon.  And if you pick something out for a friend, they’ll feel like they’re a part of the delightful time you had shopping for something different!  It’s something you can do, wherever you go.  “A Table For One.”

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

All rights reserved

 

Search For Sweet Sounds

I love music.  All kinds of music.  Listening to music is one of the best pastimes you can embrace when you’re on your own.  Music elevates your mood, transforms your day, sets you on a path of wondrous self discovery.

“Without music, life would be a mistake”  Friedrich Nietzsche

Throughout my travels, I’ve found that music is everywhere.  On subway and transit platforms from New York to Paris.  On street corners, in parks and even in the tunnels under bridges in places like New York’s Central Park.

Trio Uses Acoustical Advantage of a Tunnel

Trio Uses Acoustical Advantage of a Tunnel

In open areas I’ve heard music played, across a full range from classical music to jazz and hip hop.  Sometimes, I’ve even discovered a bag piper practicing his skills in an open field or by The East River in New York.  Musicians will gather to play their tunes in the most unusual places.  On occasion, I set aside an afternoon to go and look for music.  It can be anywhere, but on a sultry summer afternoon on a weekend in New York, music fills every corner of the vast expanse and quiet niches of Central Park.

 

Jazz Quartet Cool Vibes on a Hot Day

Jazz Quartet Cool Vibes on a Hot Day

Not only is it easy to find, it’s delightful to come upon these talented groups and so easy to linger with a gathering crowd, to enjoy their gifted offerings.  With so much to enjoy, try treating yourself to an afternoon of fine music wherever you are.  Set out to find it and you’ll have yet another great experience of “A Table For One”.

Music is Everywhere!

Music is Everywhere!

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

All rights reserved

Break For Lunch

When I think about how many lunches I’ve spent rushing through the meal or eating at my desk, it’s hard to believe.  Frequently, I am thinking I’ll get more work done.  Or that , if I don’t have a client lunch or one with a friend scheduled, that I should use the time to catch up on other things.  I think a lot of people do this.

“Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking, if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”   Voltaire

Find a Quiet Hideaway

Find a Quiet Hideaway

Instead of rushing though every lunchtime, try making a pledge to “take yourself out to lunch”, even if it’s just once a week.  Brink a notebook along and see how refreshing it can be to write out a few notes.  Not about work and not a “to do” list.  Just write about your thoughts in the moment.  It can change your mood from stressed to relaxed, almost immediately.  If you need to take any devices with you, try to put them aside and avoid using them during your meal.

Bring a notebook!

Bring a notebook!

Your meal can be a really simple one, but it should be special.  I like to select a quiet cafe and one that might even have music.  The ambiance and music can transport you, even before your food arrives.  And it also helps re-set your mind and inspire your thoughts.   Here’s a delicious meal at a little French Bistro, where the setting, along with Edith-Piaf style Parisienne music and a Croque Monsieur provide a perfect lunchtime escape.

Croque Monsieur and a salad!  Delicieux!

Croque Monsieur and a salad! Delicieux!

By all means, take time to find a really unique lunchtime escape and treat yourself to a well deserved lunch on your own.  You’ll go back to work completely refreshed and ready to plunge back into all those “to do’s”.  What could be a  better result for taking time to break for lunch with “A Table For One?”

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady

Find A Bench

I’ve always loved benches…looking at them that is.  My life is always in such a rush.  I’ve always wondered why people seem to love sitting on them so much.  Recently, on my walks, in my travels, everywhere I go, I’ve started to notice them more, especially when I’m alone.  And so I’ve come to experiment and have acquired a new appreciation in their potential to inspire.

“With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.”                                                                                                                                         William Wordsworth

I think benches are a subtle invitation to join the party.  Benches ask you to slow down and take the time to just “be” in a setting.  Benches ask us to become a part of the picture.  To think.  To contemplate.  To just exist freely in the moment.  To observe.  To see what’s around us and to take it all in.  When you sit on a bench, you join the scenery.

Benches Are Everywhere!

Benches Are Everywhere!

I notice benches now, wherever I go.  If I’m on my own, I’ll try to carve out some time to sit and enjoy myself.  Sure, you can also bring along your coffee, take time to read the morning paper or and afternoon with a book.  But for me, just taking the time to look around me is transporting.  It’s not passive.  It’s an active and purposeful engagement with everything I see.

Take a Front Row Seat!

Take a Front Row Seat!

I also love to take a step back and think about why someone actually took the time and effort to plan where a particular bench is placed and why.  And I understand better now, why people put plaques to loved ones on benches.  Benches are places where you can go and sit on your own yet feel a part of all that’s around you.  You can completely connect with the environment.

Benches in Beautiful Settings

Benches in Beautiful Settings

Benches are a wonderful discovery for “A Table For One” experience.  They provide a unique opportunity to take a front row seat to your surroundings, to relax and and to join the setting.  Treat yourself.  Go out and find a bench for yourself…and enjoy the art of being alone!

Copyright 2015 Marion O’Grady