Tag Archives: relax

Go To The Beach!

Why not treat yourself to a day at the beach alone? Beach days shared with good friends and family are wonderful. But it’s easy to forget how enjoyable a beach day can be, even when you’re on your own. Give yourself the chance to connect with your soul and take a rest from the formal activities that fill most of your days. Go!

“I have the world’s largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world…perhaps you’ve seen it.” Steven Wright

Going solo to the beach is a miraculous experience. A day well spent on the beach, can be filled with wonder, relaxation and discovery. It’s like a week of vacation when you’re out there on your own! Unplug. Leave your devices at home.

Toes in the sand!

The first step is to go early, before the hot afternoon sun bakes down, creating a fiery, scorching bed of sand against your bare feet. Drop the sandals, opt for a really great foot scrub of sand and shells and just feel the sand in your toes. Feet feel happy, when freed up and let loose. And one of the only places left where bare feet can still happen safely, is on a beach!

Choose your sweet spot!

Next, carve out a spot that’s yours. Claim your space and set yourself up with a beach chair and umbrella, big towels, a floppy hat, great book, a sandwich, fruit and a large bottle of ice cold water to last the day. Plan to spend your time slipping the day well into a late afternoon of total rest and relaxation. Listen closely to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. Bring along a notebook and pen, to write your thoughts. No devices here.

Take a swim as frequently as possible. Enjoy drying off by taking a nice walk along the shore. Pick up a few shells and colorful rocks to display on a shelf when you get home. It will help to remind you how delicious a day at the beach alone can be. Next time you find yourself with a free day in spring, summer or fall, consider gifting yourself with the super indulgence of a beautiful day at the beach! That’s A Table For One!

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.

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!

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!

Small Hotels

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Small hotels, sometimes in out-of-the way places can be a great option when you first start out traveling alone. Recently, I stayed in a small hotel, just outside of Sorrento, Italy. Located in Vico Equense, it was just a quick 11 minute train ride into Sorrento. The Hotel Aequa featured all the advantages of a small hotel for solo travelers.

Hotel Aequa, Vico Equense

Hotel and Garden

“The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.” Gilbert K. Chesterton

The price included a European style buffet breakfast each morning. I had asked for a double room with small balcony and view, thinking that the single rooms in Europe are still quite small. It was a good choice, because the bed was bigger and the balcony provided access to beautiful views of the hotel property, Bay of Naples and the stunning Mount Vesuvius.

View from the Balcony

Small hotels can be both intimate and private, depending on how much you want to engage with the people around you. Again, this can be ideal for those first venturing out alone. The hotel clerks are there to help, the guests at breakfast and around the pool can sometimes be friendly and engaging. But if you really just want to relax, read, sun yourself, etc. you can easily opt to do this without interruptions.

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Tag Archives: relax

Go To The Beach!

Winter Storm Jason

Search For Sweet Sounds

Find A Bench

Small Hotels