Tag Archives: inspiration

Library Walk

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!

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!

Stralimitata

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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

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

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

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!

Dining In…Summer’s Bounty

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There’s a sweet moment of time in-between seasons, when the season exiting surrenders one last burst of divine bounty, before giving way to the next season’s start. If you follow the farm, as suggested in an earlier post, you’ll come away with the cherished fruits of the season.

“Life is like jazz…it’s best when you improvise.” George Gershwin

Next, what to do with them? Improvise! On my recent trip to Augustine’s Farm in Greenwich, Ct., I found lots of extraordinary heirloom tomatoes. There is no consistency in size, shape, color or taste. They are all, quite simply, and very individually, delicious.

A great big pot of summer’s best harvest! Heirloom tomato sauce.

Find a recipe you like and adapt it to your own unique taste. I find that using high quality produce, such as these extra-special tomatoes and herbs are enough to stand up on their own. I like to keep it simple, because these batches of saucy deliciousness are going to be mostly frozen for the winter. Cover and leave to simmer slowly for 1 1/2 hours or so and then use an immersion blender to finish.

Later, on a cold and dreary winter’s day, when the days are too short and the skies are too cloudy, I will take out a serving of summer flavor and remember that even the winter season will eventually change too!

Typically, the night after cooking and freezing my tomato sauce, I’ll give it a test run. This time, I cooked fresh Prince Edward Island mussels for my trial run. Having left the heirloom tomato sauce as a simple basic, I’m able to make different variations later. For this test run, I added spicy red pepper flakes and more fresh basil. Adding a little chicken stock, sea salt and fresh ground pepper is all you need. Next, I cooked up some al dente whole wheat pasta from southern Italy, to go along with this delicious meal.

Beautiful Summer Bounty with fresh mussels and pasta

I always recommend plating every meal with purpose and imagination. In this case, I broke out my lovely fall inspired bowls, since the theme is the changing seasons. What could be better than summer’s bounty served up with a nod to autumn? Add a special glass of bubbly or your last taste of the season’s rose and you have a wonderful combination of fresh delight. This is a perfect way to extend your trip to the farm right to your own table and freezer. You will continue to enjoy these treats all winter long! And that’s “A Table For One”!

Summer Daze

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Let’s face it. Summer ends way too early and not according to the actually season. The hectic pace of our society demands artificial deadlines, starts and finishes to almost every season. Most noticeable among them, is summer.

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Mahatma Gandhi

When you’re on your own, you have a unique opportunity to follow the rhythm of the seasons as they’re meant to be. Even if you have to adhere to the artificial timing of a season, due to work or other obligations, feel free to follow the flow of mother nature too. Indulge yourself.

Augustine’s Farm

I have found that the best bounty is available on the cusp of every season. While you have to wait for a season to begin without knowing the exact time and day it will blossom, the change of seasons is something you can sense, feel and predict more easily.

Farmstands speak mother nature’s language of the seasons

If you follow the farm stands in your area, you can connect with this precious phenomenon in a very real way. To my mind, there is no better way to celebrate the seasons than to simply find a local farm. Get on their calendar. It’s perfect. It’s accurate. And it’s true to the earth’s own finely tuned clock. Farm stands speak mother nature’s language of the seasons. They are also very specific to your exact location.

Seasons Change on Mother Earth’s clock

Today, I woke up with an anxious feeling that summer was escaping and I may not have captured its essence in every way I hoped to. So it was time for “A Table For One” adventure. I wanted to bottle the flavors of summer in a fresh tomato sauce and to freeze summer’s sweet corn to brighten the coming winter’s days. I could have gone to my local market, to shop. They’re still stocking much of summer’s delicious bounty.

Augustine’s Farm in Connecticut…simply the best!

But instead, I made this a special outing. It’s such fun to go hunting for a local farm. You can meet the farmers, experience the delightful sights and smells of the harvest and learn more about the foods you love to prepare. Most of the people who run these stands will also have time-tested and proven recipes to suggest, if you ask them. On this trip, I came away with pounds of heirloom tomatoes for my sauce, lots of ears of summer’s last sweet corn, ripe yellow peaches, all kinds of fresh berries and the delightful experience of a day fulfilled. Summer at it’s very best. Never pass by an opportunity to break out and make something ordinary, extraordinary. “A Table For One”.

Search For Sweet Sounds

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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

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

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!

Break For Lunch

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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

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!

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!

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?”

Find A Bench

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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!

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!

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 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!

Summer, Hot Dogs and History!

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“Life is like riding a bicycle: you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling.” Claude Pepper

It’s summer. If you ask me, among the most “iconic” foods of summer, the simple and forever humble hot dog ranks among the best. Everyone loves them. And although humble, the hot dog holds an elevated place on Coney Island, street corners everywhere, barbecue grills and in out-of-the-way places. Hot dogs are fun. Who knew that they’re also historic?

History in a Hot Dog!

“A Table For One” is all about the art of being alone. Look for ordinary things, like hot dogs, and find a way to elevate them. It’s all about making the most simple outing different and memorable.

Simple Summer Food In An Historically Designated Place!

I’d venture to guess that everyone has a sweet memory of hot dogs, discovered and consumed somewhere on a summer day that evokes all the divine memories of family, love and summer.

Although you can eat a hot dog anytime of year, the art of enjoying a really good hot dog goes along with a steaming hot, beautiful mid-summer day. Wherever you chose to go for one, be sure to linger. Layer it with whatever are your favorite condiments. Mine include Walter’s special mustard. It’s dark mustard with just the right amount of chopped up pickles in it. And they even sell the mustard so you can re-create the experience at home, or use it on other things, like your sandwiches.

Eating a really great hot dog on a sultry, lazy summer afternoon can transport you back to childhood, happiness and the simple joys of summer. It’s a perfect outing for “A Table For One”. Go eat a hot dog! And by all means…take the time to enjoy it.

Department of the Interior Landmark!

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Tag Archives: inspiration

Library Walk

Christmas and Trees

Observing The Seasons

Stralimitata

Dining In…Summer’s Bounty

Summer Daze

Search For Sweet Sounds

Break For Lunch

Find A Bench

Summer, Hot Dogs and History!