NYC - Upper West Side and Central Park

cheese!

brownstones, bluestones 

Empire State Building & the Freedom Tower

Thank you Patrice for reminding me that I've been away too long!

(and a belated Happy Birthday)

Here are a few photos of my adventures this summer.

My brother came to town in July and we went into to NYC for the day.

We spent most of our time in the Museum of Natural History (photos to follow)

but also managed a visit to Zabar's, a walk through Central Park

and then up to the top of Rockefeller Plaza.

Another great trip.

Thanks Dave!

Hope everyone is well, I may have dropped out of the cyber world

for a while but you have all been in my thoughts.

xo, j

jacobsburg state park

thistle

honeysuckle

the shade of crossing over a tree line

a view of the blue mountain, the appalachian trail runs along the top 

cute home along the creek near the parking lot

pig riding a unicorn?!?

pajamas 

This morning I was up and on the trail by 11:30am.

It's been sizzling hot and I wanted to try and beat the heat.

Because of the high temperature the stream trails were very busy,

crowded with barking dogs and laughing children splashing about.

I opted for the meadow trails which were steamier but less traveled.

Within ten minutes I was drenched in sweat...summer time!

*smile*

Gnats dove for my eyes, wiggling about as I brushed them away.

The humid air amplified the thick, sweet smell of honeysuckle

  while catbirds and rufous-sided towhees sang at every turn.

(catbirds "mew" and towhees sing "drink-your-tea!")

Thistles and day lilies are just starting to bloom.

By 1:00pm, when the parking lot was near full, I was on my way home.

I popped a beer into the freezer and took a cool shower.

Then a veggie burger and tabbouleh for lunch with my icy drink.

The rest of my day was spent catching up on some 

hand washing and then painting until evening.

Hope everyone enjoyed this first weekend of summer.

xo, j

A Florida Walk

morning thunderstorm from my parent's back porch

favorite park from my childhood

 a home in my old neighborhood

spanish moss...sigh

the woods

 the trail

The day after Christmas started with a heavy morning thunderstorm.

As is typical of Florida, the weather quickly cleared.

My brother and I have started the tradition of taking a walk 

through the woods behind our old neighborhood.

This time we tried a new trail...so beautiful.

We also took a drive around Lake Alice and saw a small Alligator, maybe 3 1/2 feet long.

For some reason it feels odd if I don't catch a glimpse of a gator while home!

I returned with three different types of acorns filling my pocket.

What a great day.

*smile*

Back Roads and Hawks

I woke up this morning intending to go for a hike at Jacobsburg State Park.

Unfortunately, I left my car's headlights on over night and drained the battery.

After roadside assistance came and gave me a jump

I decided to make the drive to the park anyway.

(what better way to recharge the battery!)

I didn't stop for fear the car may not restart 

but instead drove around the backroads for a while.

I saw a Broad Wing and a Marsh Hawk along with my usual Red Tails.

It's migration season and they like to follow the mountain chain South.

ps. the car battery is recharged and working fine now

The Catskills

A lovely if stormy weekend in the Catskills.

There were deer everywhere, an unexpected hillside of

lupines and daisies and a mysterious old home 

all along the clearest of trout waters.

I could stay there forever...

Saturday - Downtown Bethlehem

It's one of those near perfect days...

the sky is bright

roses are blooming

and small white flowers

seem to float in the shade

Sunday Drive

Finally rain!

We are 6" below the normal rainfall for the year 

so today's steady showers are a welcome relief.

Leaves are popping...that sharp chartreuse color 

made even more intense by the misty sky.

The homes are on a small dirt and gravel backroad

that winds along a stream and through a small gorge.

An apartment dweller can dream...

Friday - Fish and Book Arts

There were a few freight cars sitting on a side track near where I live.
The first time I saw the fish like rust patterns I was smitten.
It reminds me of salmon swimming upstream.
Luckily, I photographed them before the cars moved on.

The tunnel book was one of the last books I made.
The french-like neighborhood piece was for work.
It's not like me to scribble something so quickly...but it was fun!

Happy weekend!

Saturday - After work

Although I still have a very bad cough, I couldn't bring myself to 

go straight home after work today.

So I drove down a little side road about a mile from where I live.

Tucked back and away was the Knauss homestead built in 1777.

I especially liked the raised beds just outside the back door.

It helped to get some fresh air and feel the quickly setting sun

on my face for a few moments...

Hope your weekend is full of warmth and light.