Friday Four No.15

On a Friday, (admittedly not every Friday, but on as many as possible) I share “Four Things For Friday”. They are a collection of things I’ve seen, heard, or experienced during the week. Thoughtfully chosen, and intended to spark your curiosity, imagination, or inspiration. HAPPY EXPLORING!

What did I enjoy this week?

Autumn walks. I love every season of the year for different reasons, but the fresh air and bright colors of Fall are always incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating after the long hot and humid summers of New York city life.

Taking a walk around the city to breathe in all it has to offer is a favorite pastime and this week was no exception. Before the chill snaps arrive, walking in cooler air under blue skies, fluffy clouds, and sunshine is reviving, and where better to head than to enjoy The Highline.

The Highline is a park in the sky. Created by turning a disused raised railway line into a park that inspires and engages. For 1.45miles you can stroll along, without cars, and take in the city from an elevated perspective and marvel at the design and curation of plants and wildlife, manicured as if it had been left to grow wild on a disused rail line.

I lived in New York when it first opened in 2009 and over the years I’ve seen each section open and seen visitors and locals flock and be magnetized to it as if it were a pot of gold - which in essence it is, gold for your soul. A filling of nature and all it has to offer leaves you feeling rejuvenated after spending time in its company. And, if you visit often enough you know exactly when to stroll by at its quietest moments.

All that is left to spot of the old Highline is nestled into a building slightly south of location, and if you look up you’ll spot it.

What public creativity did I spot?

The Sequin Tapestry at Hudson Yards. Hudson Yards is New York’s newest, and only neighborhood to have been built from the ground up in one go. Intentionally designed and built. With the first phases now open and the new shopping center open it’s a new pull for visitors of the area.

One of my favorite pieces in the center is the currently installed work by Lara Schnitger which is a sequin wall. It’s an interactive experience and a sensory delight from sight to touch to sound.

The interactive tapestry invites you to positively express and communicate messages. Find a spot and start brushing the sequins to all be aligned (the feel), as the swoosh (the sound) gently responds, and the colors (sight) sparkle and change, it draws you in to be in the moment and conjure up a message to share. It will live momentarily before another passer-by has a message to share with the world.

Of course I couldn’t help it but be drawn in, and what better way than to send a special message around the world to a friend for her birthday.

Image from Gourmade.com, used respectfully.

What was I moved to do this week?

A dear soul departed Earth this week and that always brings with it emotions and feelings, uniquely experienced by every single one of us when we experience a loss.

I wanted to do something for his wife and while I know she was going to be surrounded by beautiful flowers of love and support somehow I wanted to do something else than flowers. It also had to be something that I could send my mail as she lives 3,000+ miles away from New York.

She and her husband, together, have travelled the world, enjoyed cuisines far and wide and loved to cook and entertain. I felt that in some way I wanted to cherish and honor that.

No matter what happens when you lose someone you go into survival mode, processing as best you can, putting one step forward in any way you can find that is fitting for you.

Knowing his wife well I felt moved to send her a series of home-cooked frozen foods, that I knew at 89 she would welcome the ease of cooking something that tasted good and perhaps might just ease (even momentarily) the immense pain of adjusting to life without her husband she held dear.

So, on deciding what I wanted to send my search began. Home-cooked, with as many fine ingredients, without being “messed” with too much, packaged beautifully, and thoughtfully prepared food. As well as options of dishes that would appeal to her tastes. After a bit of searching I discovered a gem of a company.

Gourmade. A British company that came to be after wanting excellent quality, delicious home cooked food and needing more convenience. As their website highlights, they worked hard to develop their recipes. Perfect! Not only were the options immense, the quality hit the mark, and I could add a gift message.

So, 21 dishes were sent with much love and went out to our dear friend to provide a little bit of comfort in a time that is undoubtedly one of life’s hardest moments.

I’m now hoping Gourmade opens a U.S. location (New York please) with all the British treats that I miss from home. Gourmade.. if you’re reading.. you have one customer already!

Why did I pinch myself?

New York Baby. I’ve lived here over a decade, it’s a long time, in fact I think I can probably safely say I’m an adopted New Yorker.

I do not take it for granted one little bit. This city is magical. Yes, at times it drives me completely bonkers, but the love always comes back.

As locals we will tell you that we avoid touristy spots, if we can we will skip Time's Square entirely and go out of our way to avoid going through it. However, I have to say, when I do find myself in the middle I always take a moment to breathe it in, stop and appreciate its size, its energy, its vibrancy, and all of its over-the-topness (yes, technical term).

I pinch myself and remind myself how grateful I am to live and be part of this unique eco-system in the world. A place that many dream of visiting or living in, and here I am, being able to be part of it daily. Each time I do it’s as if the city responds with gratitude and things just seem to sparkle that bit more on those days. People become kinder, experiences gleam, and opportunities unfold in new and unexpected ways.

So, here’s to wishing you a weekend that brings with it new and gleaming experiences no matter where in the world you are.

Friday FourSarahNovember 8, 2019Friday Four, ThoughtfulComment