I’m a native New Yorker; and New Yorkers are used to looking down.  We often live and work in skyscrapers.  Many of us work or play downtown. We travel via the many bridges leading to the island of Manhattan; affording us a bird’s eye view of the iconic skyline. We walk a lot; and those of us who have a thing for lovely footwear know – the mean streets of NYC can be mean to our lovely shoes-so we spend a lot of time looking down and watching our step. Also, while, yellow taxis are a popular mode of transportation in NYC, you can’t call yourself the real deal until you’ve climbed down into the subway system and traversed the city in the belly of the beast.  You have to master the metal dragon if you want to earn street credibility. Additionally, and ashamedly, native New Yorkers sometimes look down their nose at the transplants; the interlopers; the “wannabes”, the posers; the outsiders; to the city.  Finally, if one of the before mentioned outsiders should piss off a New Yorker, you can bet, the New Yorker will get down and dirty and go toe to toe with the offender.

I certainly could have captured a down image, close to home, for this week’s challenge;but I didn’t.  Instead, I chose to look elsewhere for my photo. I left the Big Apple and traveled across the country to Seattle, Washington; the Emerald City to bring you this entry.

Below is a picture taken at the Central Library of the Seattle Public Library.  The glass, steel and concrete structure is eye-catching; inside and out. The design consists of many different angles that result in spaces that are grand and soaring. This photo is a view looking down into the The Norcliffe Foundation Living Room.

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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It’s been a long while since I submitted a Girls’ Got to Eat Post (GGEP). I have not been fasting. I promise you; I’m still smacking my lips and snapping “pics” of memorable meals and munchies.

For this post I perused the produce aisle of the local Asian Market. Shopping in the market is always an adventure.  I like that it feels as if you need to have your passport stamped when you cross the threshold into the store.  I get caught up in the buzz of the place; add to it that I am naturally curious and an adventurous eater – I’m hooked.

Whenever I go to the market to pick up a few items on my list; I inevitably give in to a little impulse buying. A recent discovery for me was the Dragon Fruit. It is also known as the Sweet Pitayas; and let me tell you, I am sweet on it.   It was love at first sight.  It is an exotic beauty. It is red/fuchsia skinned with large scales tipped in bright green (I’m on the lookout for the yellow-skinned variety). The beauty isn’t just skin deep with this fruit.  When you cut into it you meet the inner beauty that can be surprising. It’s surprising because the flesh can be either white or bright fuchsia. Both colors have tiny edible seeds; similar to a kiwi.

A Bushel of Dragon Fruit

When I first came across the fruit, I immediately tried to find it in my, dog-eared, copy of the Field Guide to Produce by Aliza Green (a great companion when shopping at the farmers market).  The Dragon Fruit is not in the guide.   I turned to the Internet to learn its origins and learn how to select and prepare the fruit. There were many articles and even a few videos on the subject; including an oddly funny demonstration on peeling the fruit; set to sexy jazz music (a fruit striptease?!?). I also found some mouth-watering cocktail recipes using Dragon Fruit infused vodka by Skyy Vodka .

Most of the articles described the flavor and texture of the Dragon Fruit as being an intermingling of kiwi, pear and watermelon. I agree with that description.  It is refreshing with a mildly sweet flavor. It’s delicious on its own and would add a new flavor note and plenty of eye appeal to a fruit salad; perhaps with a drizzle of rum for zip.

The intense color of the Dragon Fruit belies the mild flavor

If the Dragon Fruit is new to you; I hope you will give it a try. If you are already familiar with this fruit, please share your recipes.  Sharing is caring!!

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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I was an imaginative kid. I believed that many of the inanimate objects at home had very animated inner lives, and were really invested in the day-to-day activities of the family. There was also a cast of fantastical characters that included the usual suspects of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

These familiar myths were deeply sowed in my fertile imagination by my parents and siblings. They were skilled at telling me stories about these fantastical beings; complete with very detailed descriptions of their personality traits, likes and dislikes, and job responsibilities. I was convinced my family had firsthand knowledge and personal encounters with them all. I thought it was fun and exciting. I believed in them all; for a while. I regret that it didn’t last longer.

Peer pressure in grade school compelled me to search for Christmas gifts around the house. I never hunted for presents, until my friends at school sent me on that fateful mission.  I believed in Santa Claus. I understood Santa didn’t deliver gifts until Christmas Eve; while you were sleeping. I learned otherwise; when I discovered wrapped gifts in the basement cedar closet; one afternoon.  I was about 8 years old.  I regret looking for the gifts. I regret finding the gifts. I regret that a childhood myth was demystified; far too soon.

For this weeks entry I’m sharing an early picture of me and Santa Claus.   I regret that I didn’t hold onto that relationship longer.

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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Encarta Dictionary defines prayer as – address to God; a spoken or unspoken address to God, a deity, or a saint. It may express praise, thanksgiving, confession, or a request for something such as help or somebody’s well-being.

I think it is a fair definition of the word, but it also seems a little incomplete; to me. The definition doesn’t take into account the span between a prayer request and a thanksgiving – that in-between time; that watchful waiting time; that can sometimes feel way too long for our liking. That can be a period of anxiety that can delay or block the Amen. It seems to me, that it is during that span, that our spiritual practice is challenged. It is not the time to slack off and become the spiritual equivalent of a couch potato.  We need to push through and  turn it up and change it up so we will be able to discern the divine opportunities; and be ready for the blessings.

The picture below was taken at The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona. In this place of natural beauty sits this beautiful manmade edifice; carved into the side of a red rock mesa.  It is a major attraction, in an area that has a thriving tourist industry; with a sometimes wacky and sometimes tacky new age/spiritual component.

Fortunately, the Chapel of the Holy Cross does not participate in any of the P.T. Barnum like razzle dazzle. The place manages to be a popular attraction, without feeling like a circus sideshow.  It is a Catholic chapel, but people of all faiths, or no faith, are welcome to enter the sanctuary.

For this photo challenge, here is a shot of my good friend “M” praying; poised and ready to receive her blessings.

Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. (Sarah Ban Breathnach)

and what’s church without a little music….

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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I have a new project underway.  On my knitting needles is the Sundance Makeup Bag. The free pattern is from Classic Elite Yarns and it is available online. For my project, I will be using a modified version of that pattern.  The modified pattern is contributed by Ravelry member, Woolbear.  Woolbear’s  version, thoughtfully, eliminates some of the trickier design elements of the original pattern; making this project suitable for new knitters.  It is also free and available online.

I’m calling my project - It’s a Sensational day for a Sundance Makeup bag.  I’m a Van Morrison fan. The project name is a corruption of the lyrics to his song Moondance.

This project is my introduction to the seed stitch. It also allows me to practice left and right slanting increases. The other skill developing element of the project will be sewing in a lining (yikes!). Here are the project details:

Project Name:     It’s a Sensational day for a Sundance Makeup bag

Pattern Name:     Sundance Makeup Bag – click here for the original pattern. Click here for Woolbear’s modified pattern. (you must be a Ravelry member to access the  pattern)

Yarn:     Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand Yarns - the color  is called Mustard. I’ve had this yarn in my stash for years. It’s perfect for this project because the makeup bag  will, undoubtedly, be defaced by lipstick, face powder, lotions and potions. The yarn is a worsted weight and machine washable acrylic. The bright color will make it easy to find in my oversized and overcrowded handbag.

Needles:     4.5 millimeter

Fabric Lining:     To be determined

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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It is a sad street; buildings boarded up; storefronts shuttered up; warehouses looking world-weary and looking not long for this world. The desolation is creepy at night and, like most people, I navigate my way via another route at nighttime.  During the daytime, I’m sometimes drawn to the desolation.  It is a desert in many ways, but for me it is also an oasis; a quite refuge.  In the middle of an urban soundscape filled with screeching, clanking, and honking; this street is quiet. When I venture there, I have the street to myself and only share the pavement with a few feral cats.

I hadn’t been down that stretch in about two weeks. The unseasonably warm weather has me back to walking and wandering. While strolling that street I stumbled upon something new – signs of optimism and hope; “space for lease” signs in the windows of a row of storefronts. The spaces are being renovated by a hopeful and ambitious real-estate developer.

Soon, there will be entrepreneurs filling those spaces.  They have hopes and dreams of growing brand new small businesses or expanding their businesses into something more.

Those signs and storefronts are signs of hope for a community.  Those signs hold the promise of jobs and services for folks hoping not to be forgotten and pushed out of their changing neighborhood and a changing America.

I hope and I pray that all the stakeholders get what they want.

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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The fifth annual Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok, kicks-off skates-off on Friday, February 17, 2012.  The 3 day event is a celebration for those currently involved in ice hockey and offers newbies a chance to strap on some ice-skates and give it a try.

The fun begins on Friday, February 17^th with Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey Day. Fans around the country will wear the jersey of their favorite  hockey team.  A Facebook page will be available so that fans can show their love of the sport and show their team spirit by submitting photos of themselves, their friends and colleagues donning their favorite team’s jersey at work or at school. Click here for the Facebook page.

Saturday, February 18^th is Try Hockey Day.   Over 200 ice rinks will be offering FREE hockey clinics to introduce more than 4,000 kids to the sport. A list of currently scheduled clinics as well as information on how local associations or rinks can host their own event can be found here.

Sunday, February 19^th is Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day. USA Hockey is asking its fans to post stories, photos or videos of their hockey heroes to USA Hockey’s Facebook wall to share with the world. That wall is here.

Also, on Sunday, fans can look forward to NBC’s Hockey Day in America coverage; more than 6 hours of games and human interest stories about the amateur athletes, fans and celebrities who have a passion for the sport.

Finally, don’t forget to enter the “Hockey Weekend Across America Get Your Gear On Sweepstakes”.  Reebok is giving away 3 sets of equipment as part of the 2012 Hockey Weekend Across America celebration. The entry form is here.

Do go out and have a good time playing hockey; just don’t come out looking like politician, John Kerry. I could certainly name a politician or two who could benefit from a hockey makeover, but a black eye and swollen nose is not a good look for John Q. Public.

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

I have a theory with regard to neighborhood gentrification. I believe there is a direct correlation between the amount of new money being pumped into a community and the number of simple chalkboard A-frame signs lining the sidewalks of the neighborhood.  When the neighborhood is poor, the shopkeepers advertise with large garish neon colored posters. They are usually stuck right on the windows.

Conversely, when the new money arrives, the posters are pulled down and the shopkeepers start scratching out simple folksy chalkboard advertisements.  They are placed on the sidewalks. To gild the lily, some will also set a water bowl down for the dogs.

It is my belief that the shopkeepers in the poor neighborhood think their potential customers can’t read very well and so the bold colors are necessary to pull them into the store to spend money.  Conversely as the neighbors’ change, the storekeepers believe the newcomers are better readers and appreciate a turn of phrase. Additionally, they understand their potential customers have money to spend, yet they don’t want to be seen spending it in an attention grabbing way. A handwritten chalkboard looks practical and simple and belies the fact that they are going into a store to buy something silly and indulgent like gourmet dog biscuits; at $20 per dozen.

Peace,

ATreeGrowsinBklyn

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