escape to bear mountain

With 3 weeks left in New York, I was honestly in need of a break. Being from Ohio (and not even the country), the city air wasn't doing wonders for my unsuspecting lungs. So, what better to do than pack up and go for a hike?

Despite the feelings of what you may have missed out on, it's a good idea once in a while to forget about all of the madness that surrounds you, pack up, and just get out there.

down on the corner, party in the street

edgar mueller, 3D pavement artist.

rust and shine

(chelsea market)












(american museum of natural history)

diamonds on the soles of her shoes

well, that's one way to lose these walking blues...

I think I need all of these...

I have yet to find out what draws you to a certain book on the library shelf. I read the inside jacket of each selection to ensure that I don't end up with 20 pounds of reading that I know I can't carry, but it's usually only the spine that has the power to bring me to a certain book to begin with. Somehow, I ended up exchanging my failed start at a (rather boring) typical novel, its cover swirled with coils and calligraphy, for a pink spine reading "Rat." The 60s inspired girl on the cover was interesting enough, so that was that.

I don't know what it was the simplicity of the writing, the honesty of Rat, or the strange give and take between a seemingly happy upbringing and the harsh reality of the grown up world. It wasn't a book that changed my life or made me smile after reading the last line, but Rat, despite the title, charmed me just enough.

All on the Fourth of July

So I haven't really figured out what one does on the 4th in NYC. I've heard quite a bit of mention of Jersey and the Hamptons, but that becomes complicated when you yourself are from Ohio. I'm guessing I won't find myself at a backyard bbq, swimming, and relaxing on grassy hill as the sun sets and the sky lights up with fireworks, but at least I can rest assured there will be plenty of hot dogs in the city.



Oh the smell of the smoke as we lay on the land
And the feeling of finding my heart in my hand
And the tiny tin voice of the radio band singing
"Love must stand"
Love forever and ever must stand
All on the fourth of July.

-James Taylor, On the Fourth of July