Tag Archives: garden

Central Park’s Conservatory Garden

At the top of New York’s “Museum Mile”, between 104th and 105th Street on Fifth Avenue sits Central Park’s gorgeous Conservatory Garden. Six acres of beauty, divided into 3 smaller gardens, representing Italian, French and English traditional gardens are a sight to behold.

“How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking of gardens and gardening.” Alexander Smith

The Vanderbilt family built these gardens and the majestic gates leading into them is well known as “The Vanderbilt Gate”. Made in Paris in 1894, the gates originally stood before the Vanderbilt mansion at Fifth Avenue and 58th St. A magnificent, welcoming entrance for all.

The Vanderbilt Gate leading to the magnificent Conservatory Garden in Central Park

The Vanderbilt Gate to The Conservatory Garden, Central Park

This particular gathering place in Central Park is a “Quiet Zone”. Meant to invite meditation, calm and inspiration, the various gardens evoke a special sort of spiritual energy. When traveling on my own, I always love to explore the parks and gardens that populate so many cities. They provide a respite from the noise and hustle that make up city life.

Stunning pink and greens, in Central Park’s Conservatory Garden

Sundays are the most perfect day of the week for these kinds of explorations. On the classic “day of rest”, I always feel free to wander and pick up on a spontaneous whim and go wherever it leads me. Like the Sunday Drive, a good long walk on a Sunday is a luxurious indulgence.

City Gardens, islands of beauty and rest in the city

The memory of that day inspired my recent Sunday outing to the Conservatory Garden, here in New York. A late afternoon stroll was a balm to the soul. I think that we frequently overlook the things that are right in front of us. Sometimes, I try to apply my travel habits to my own home turf and set out on a Sunday afternoon as a “tourist”.

It’s the perfect way to revel in a Sunday afternoon adventure. “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!

Day of the Month

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This year has been so beautiful in the Northeast. Very unusual, long stretches of balmy weather, blue skies, sunlit days. The Northeast is normally filled with unpredictable weather, ranging from cold snaps, to fog, rainy days and occasional blue skies.

“Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get.” Mark Twain

In my mind, the best days are sometimes “good weather” days. Especially if the weather in a given month is unusual. I’ve decided to chose a “Day of the Month” every month. It’s another way to make yourself aware of the delight that each day brings. Something to look forward to, make note of and celebrate.

Look for the magical beauty of nature and light.

This month, November, I thought that “The Day” had already arrived on November 3rd. On a long walk through Central Park, I couldn’t help noticing how the autumn sunlight burst through the trees, amping up the contrasting colors of the landscape.

Such an unusual November!

On this particular day, I thought that the magical transition of seasons was so clearly evident. The floor of the gardens were covered with fallen leaves, while newly blossomed autumn plants and flowers were peeking through. The combination was startling and beautiful.

Summer passes the baton to Autumn as the seasons change

I find that the complexity of nature reflects the complexity of our lives and can be very reflective of our emotions too. It’s easy to lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, if you simply surrender to it. On this day, I fully enjoyed the wide range of thoughts and feelings, reflective of the landscapes.

The day mixed together a summer temperature of 72, the blazing reds and yellows of tumbling autumn leaves and the bittersweet reminder that winter will soon arrive. Yet, the promise of spring was also present in the newly blooming plants poking through. A truly perfect day. Perhaps the best “Day of the Month” for November. Well noted and captured in thought and memory for “A Table For One.”

Day Trippin’

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I think that day trips are highly underrated. While we spend hours planning for major getaways, we frequently overlook the fun that can be had from just spontaneously hopping in a car, taking a train ride or even a bus to a nearby location for the day. Taking a break from your own routine surroundings, even if just for a few hours, can rejuvenate and reenergize your perspective.

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.” John Burroughs

I have found that there are an infinite variety of things to do when you’re on your own. Breaking out of the scenery you live in is always invigorating. It gives you a different way to see your everyday environment. When you return, after exploring a totally different landscape, you feel that you’ve been far away, even if you’ve just gone an hour or so away from home base.

Break away for a spontaneous adventure, somewhere nearby!

The town of Greenwich, Ct. is not far from Manhattan. I grew up in Rye, N.Y. and attended elementary and high school in Greenwich, so it too is very familiar territory. Greenwich is a great choice for a day trip from New York City. Nestled in the northern end of Greenwich, there are acres and acres of meadows, lines of old stone walls meandering up and down hills, trees as old as those hills and a plethora of expansive fields to explore. And there, you will find the Audubon Center…an absolute treasure, so near and yet so far from the intenseness of city life.

The Audubon Center nestled in the northern corner of Greenwich, Ct.

The Audubon Center of Greenwich is a nature center comprised of over 200 acres of land and offers 7 miles of trails to walk. Who would suspect that such a rich resource as this would be so close to the city of New York? The beautiful welcome center has a gift shop, lots of reading materials, rooms for their regular talks and the people are lovely. Here is where you can rest after a long walk, sit on their back deck overlooking the property and enjoy the spectacular view.

The Audubon Center of Greenwich, Ct.

Pack up your favorite sandwich, snacks and bottled water for a picnic. Don’t forget your sunscreen, a hat and be sure to wear good walking shoes. This is a day trip made to order. The trails are long and complex enough to make it a return-to favorite. For me, the complete contrast from the concrete pathways of the city is a welcome relief. Open sky, earthy terrain, beautiful flora, fauna and birds…what a magnificent way to spend a day! It would be great to go with a friend too. But this is a perfect day trip just for you! Revel in the freedom of a very special adventure on your own.

Create your own backyard habitat!

The Audubon Center also offers great ideas on how to create your own backyard habitat. It doesn’t have to be fancy. These are great ideas from the best experts. Since the Center also offers interesting talks and tours, this will be something to consider doing for another “A Table For One” experience. Try not to waste any time, if you find yourself alone, set out on a day trip! You’ll find it’s one of the best ways to enjoy “being” on your own!

An Unusual Garden

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When you think about nurseries, you may not think of them immediately as gardens. The first thing that may come to mind is that they are a landscaper’s haven. And the source of supply for gardens other than their own. Here, plants, bushes and flowers of all sorts are stocked by season. They offer an abundance of choices.

“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake”. Henry David Thoreau

Nurseries are Gardens too!

But on a recent trip to a local nursery, I was taken with the notion that visiting a nursery can also be incredibly inspirational and so uplifting. And so easily done on your own. The visual impact of so many varieties of plants and flowers, assembled together in their own categories is very different from the impact of a carefully curated and landscaped garden.

Nursery displays are a bit of a riot of colors, sizes, shapes and forms. They have an energy and life that more or less shouts out “look at me”, “pick me”. With pathways and squared out areas of display, walking around a nursery is quite simply, a feast for the eyes. The wide range of robust fragrances also delight and transport you.

It’s a great alternative, if you don’t have access to public gardens…plan a morning or afternoon visit to a nursery. You will thoroughly enjoy it. Take your time there, linger and look for a lovely plant to bring home, nurture, and grow, as a reminder of your “A Table For One” visit. Remember, you’re learning the art of being alone!

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Tag Archives: garden

Central Park’s Conservatory Garden

Observing The Seasons

Day of the Month

Day Trippin’

An Unusual Garden