Category Archives: Things To Do

Spring

Spring is arriving early! Last year’s winter season seemed never ending. But this year, the winter has been relatively mild in the Northeast. And it seems to be morphing seamlessly into a March debut!

“With the coming of spring, I am calm again.” Gustav Mahler

Spring in New York City is always a very welcome sight to behold. It starts slowly, barely noticeably and then suddenly bursts out in full regalia. Although it’s only March, the daffodils are already blooming.

Daffys in the city!

In New York city, you’ll see lots of spring flowers newly planted along the streets. Although not in an entirely natural setting, they provide a happy sign of wonderful things to come. Set against the gray skies and dull street sidewalks, they pop out of their beds in a startling shock of awakening colors.

Spring sidewalk blooming beauties!

Then too, the ever-present flower stalls along Manhattan’s side streets take on an even brighter look with flowers that are specific to spring. Forsythia, tulips, daffodils, all look fresh and bright and new. An inspiration to pick out a few bouquets and bring them home to celebrate the new season!

The city flower stalls display spring flowers with cheer!

New York’s flower stalls display spring flowers with cheer!

Be sure to mark the seasons wherever you are. Go out and observe what’s changing and then incorporate what’s new into your home as well. It’s a great way to enjoy a day that doesn’t end, with “A Table For One”. Celebrate!

St. Patrick’s Day NYC

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I’ve come to think that New York City is one of the most exciting and accommodating cities in the world for Parades. New York puts its rich diversity on display every year, with a host of parades honoring many different nationalities. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of them and its said that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. Certainly, in New York this is true!

“I’m Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. I’m Italian on Columbus Day. I’m a New Yorker every day”. Tamara Tunie

New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

The Parade participants march their way up Fifth Avenue from midtown all the way up to 86th St. On display are the many counties of Ireland represented by flags, banners and people whose heritage dates back to these specific geographic areas in Ireland. Many of those observing the parade happily cheer the counties their ancestors hail from too.

Bagpipers and their stirring aires!

One of my absolute favorite things about St. Patrick’s Day is the number of bagpipers that come out in full regalia to march in the parade. All along Fifth Ave., the stirring sounds of blaring bagpipes, drums and flutes fill the air. It’s a truly unique and moving sight to see!

“Up Mayo!”

You can imagine that, with a last name of “O’Grady”, I definitely have Irish heritage. My lineage also includes ancestors from France and England as well. But I have to admit that I get a huge kick out of observing St. Patrick’s Day and attending the parade whenever possible. I especially love seeing the County Mayo contingent marching. That’s the county where my last name comes from. In Ireland, if you said you were from Mayo, the response apparently was “God Help You”, because the soil was so rocky, it was nearly impossible to grow food there.

I like to think that some of my good traits can be traced back to this wonderful county that challenged my ancestors who learned to prevail and overcome any obstacles in their way. As they say in Ireland “Up Mayo!” Take “A Table For One” moment to enjoy a parade!

Library Walk

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I was walking yesterday in New York along a very familiar street in midtown. For some reason, I looked down, as well as up and discovered something entirely new. The street I was walking along had been named “Library Way”. I’ve walked these blocks in New York so many times, but never noticed this delightful tribute to the iconic New York Public Library.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust

Library Way

I know it’s not just me. It seems many of us are always in a rush, coming and going. When you’re out and about on your own, no matter where it is, you have a great opportunity to take the time and really look at your surroundings. Try to notice things that have always been there “hiding plain sight”. You may amaze yourself, as I sometimes do, as to what you see.

Sidewalk Inspirations

In addition to the street signs, looking up, I discovered an entire series of amazing and inspirational sidewalk plaques lining “Library Way” starting on 41st St. and Park Avenue, all the way over to Fifth Avenue. You could easily spend a good 1/2 hour or more meandering down this “Library Way”, reading each of the plaques that honor great authors of many centuries.

Wonderful thoughts along the “Library Way”

Of course, this wonderful pathway leads to the iconic mid-town New York City Library itself. An architectural beauty with rich history and a bountiful offering of treasured books for the reading.

Beautiful New York Public Library

Love this fascinating transformation of an ordinary NYC sidewalk into a magical pathway leading to an NYC landmark. And to think it’s been there all this time unnoticed by me as I rush from one meeting to another. I’m so happy I took the time to look up and look down! I’m going to do this more often now. And I hope you do too! That’s “A Table For One” delight!

Winter Storm Jason

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Winter storm Jason will be traveling up the Northeast Coast of the U.S., wrecking havoc in his path this weekend. It’s the first snowstorm of the year and is promising to be a giant one!

“Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.” Kin Hubbard

This storm is big enough to warrant a name, and so I decided to spend some of my time inside, looking into why we name storms. I guess I’ve pondered this before, but never had the time or inclination to actually research it…another great opportunity when you’re spending some time alone, you can delve into a subject you’ve been curious about.

Next stop East River!

Generally speaking, this is what most people think, when gearing up against a storm the size of Jason. Panic prevails and the stores become overwhelmed by dazed customers rushing in to buy things they never thought they needed…cannned goods along with the staples including more milk and water, bread and eggs than they could possibly consume in the 24-48 hour duration of these “weather events”.

Run on Groceries as Jason’s arrival is anticipated

Not to make light of legitimate concerns over safety in any storm! Having lived on the U.S. Northeast coastline for most of my life, you learn to respect mother nature, take nothing for granted and always hedging against the worst…especially in a storm that merits a name!

Stockpiling for the Storm

So back to my findings on this particular “naming” topic. The naming of hurricane storms started in 1950. Before then, these were tracked by years and the order in which they occurred. But apparently, that frequently caused confusion when 2 or more storms were brewing near each others longitudinal and latitudinal positions ‘s at the same time. It was thought that there would be more clarity in communications, therefore, if these huge storms were instead given names.

It wasn’t until 3 years later, in 1953 that women’s names were used, in addition to men’s. Atlantic based hurricanes rotate names every 7th year, unless a particular storm was so devastating that the name is subsequently retired. There are 78 names that have been retired since 1954. 2005 holds the record for retired names within one year, having 5 taken off the roster, including Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma.

Jason arriving NYC chez moi Upper East Side

But winter storms only began bearing names in 2012, when The Weather Channel thought that, like hurricanes, giving these huge storms names would help communicate better to the public when an outsized storm or blizzard was coming. It began with a November Nor’easter that The Weather Channel named “Winter Storm Athena”.

And so, as the weekend kicks off, we run to the market, shore up our pantries and hunker down for the arrival of Jason. He promises to make quite a mark on the Northeast corridor!

Be safe everyone! And if you’re on your own, be sure to enjoy “A Table For One” this weekend.

New Year Lights

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This year, I stayed in New York for New Year’s Eve. I’ve visited lots of different places on New Years, hosted wonderful dinner parties on Nantucket and rung in most “new” with great friends.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, It will be happier.” Alfred Lord Tennyson

I love the start of a new year. And celebrating at home means cooking the best recipes of the year, serving the best champagne I can find and watching the famous ball drop in Times Square. I never tire of the midnight toasts and warm embraces of loved ones and friends.

But, like most holidays, I love to extend the celebration and make it last as long as possible. In New York City, that’s easy. In the days following New Year’s, a walk through the city at night presents a perfect opportunity to continue the holiday, by observing the beautiful street lights.

Holiday Street Lights in New York

Taking an evening stroll through the city, brightens the early-dark-nights of the New Year. I always make a point of exploring the side streets and avenues without a specific plan. I love all kinds of walks, but the purpose of this one is simply to wander and observe.

Park Avenue’s Holiday Light Displays

It can be very rejuvenating to begin the new year by observing all of the beauty around you, no matter where you are. Extend the bright hopes of a new year beyond the traditional New Year’s eve midnight celebrations!

Colorful City Lights NYC

Open your heart and mind to the hope that the year ahead will be filled with joy and the anticipation of all things possible. And be sure to use any time on your own to explore, wander and enjoy every moment with all of your senses recharged! That’s what starts a New Year right at “A Table For One.”

Collecting Christmas

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Years ago, along with the commitment to buying a bit of a bigger tree each year, I also began to collect ornaments from my travels. It’s a great way to capture the essence of a special place you’ve been, or a special year you’ve had, or even just a keepsake as a treasured memory of home. Christmas is a holiday you can celebrate all year, by collecting these mementos.

“One Christmas my father kept our tree up till March. He hated to see it go. I loved that.” Mo Rocca

Creating a Collection of Ornaments

Christmas is so much a celebration of joy. It brings with it nostalgia, anticipation of wonderful things to come and the warmth that comes with memories of good times with friends and family. So, the first Christmas that I woke up alone in my little studio apartment in New York was a bit disorienting. I had never imagined that I would have a Christmas morning alone. It was both startling, disconcerting and also fun in a very different way. I felt accomplished, having set up a tree, to ensure my Christmas day would start out festive and joyful.

Collect your ornaments all year long, including the wonderful places you visit!

I think that’s why having a Christmas tree every year, no matter what, became such an important thing to me. It’s a wonderful and constant companion to the holiday, no matter if you’re with friends, family or on your own. You will find yourself with plenty of time and parties to celebrate the holiday with lots of people.

But waking up to a tree dressed in the beautiful reminders of all the great places you’ve been to, or things that you’ve done, people you’ve known…that’s a really special thing that I think everyone should aim for at Christmas. You get to savor the experience every day that the tree is up, not just on Christmas morning itself. And it becomes so personal.

Bermuda!

I have ornaments from London, Paris, Nantucket, New Mexico, Arizona, Provence, Italy, and more. I have a small collection of glass bulbs from my mother’s trees. I have ornaments that friends and colleagues gifted over the years. I have a small collection of wooden ornaments, shells, a small creche. I have a beautiful collection of the 12 days of Christmas. And some that I made as a child in school. Each one has meaning.

I always try to leave some ornaments out for anyone who comes to my home over the holidays to hang. It gives me great pleasure to share my tree. I call it “honoring the tree”. And each morning leading up to Christmas, I turn on the tree lights, and sip my cup of coffee or tea while looking at it and recalling the meaning behind each treasured decoration.

Buckingham Palace London!

Playing special Christmas music. Waking up to the refreshing aroma of pine, looking at this beautiful and unique creation. All of it makes me feel so happy. It’s a gift you can give yourself, every year, a very important one I think, especially if you’re on your own.

That’s “A Table For One” exquisite celebration! Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas and Trees

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One of the most wonderful things about December is the number of Christmas trees that spring up everywhere. I love Christmas and I love the proliferation of trees!

“I know that a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania is about the most random place for a country singer to come from, but I had an awesome childhood.” Taylor Swift

I can totally identify with Taylor Swift’s description of an awesome childhood, having grown up on a Christmas tree farm. It sounds like a dream come true!

Trees line the streets!

Christmas tree shopping was a ritual in my home growing up. My Dad would pile us all into the trusty woodie wagon and we’d all head out to pick one out as a family, which was never easy! The catch, however, was that my father loved to buy “live” trees that could be planted after Christmas. This made it extra special, because you could see each Christmas tree permanently growing on our property. It was a unique and truly memorable way to celebrate.

The tree is always the highlight at Christmas!

That may be why I became enthralled with Christmas trees from childhood, onward. When I moved into New York to my first apartment, a small studio walk-up, I made a pledge to buy a Christmas tree every year, despite the tiny size of my apartment. Living on a shoestring meant that I had to start with a very small tree. I promised myself to buy a bigger one each year, until I could afford a big one, in the 6 foot + range. And that’s exactly what I did!

Tree in my building in NYC!

Now, I live in a building in NYC that celebrates Christmas with a giant tree that delights all of us. I still buy my own tree, but the ones they display surpass any height of an indoor tree that I’ve seen. It’s just delightful to come home to it every evening during December. We also have evenings with music and champagne! It always inspires me to go out and take notice of all the trees in the city and wherever I go, during December.

It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas coming with “A Table For One!”

Observing The Seasons

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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.”

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Category Archives: Things To Do

Spring

St. Patrick’s Day NYC

Library Walk

Winter Storm Jason

New Year Lights

Collecting Christmas

Christmas and Trees

Observing The Seasons

Off Season is On

Art Inside Out