Trinity Church and Graveyard

I took a lot of photos while visiting my son in New York on Sunday, but the place that I loved the most was Trinity Church. We had just finished lunch at a restaurant on Stone Street and were strolling up Broadway towards Wall Street. I was snapping photos and being a complete tourist and a spire of what appeared to be a church caught my eye up the street.

As we came closer, I saw that it was, indeed, a church and I stopped at the gate surrounding it with my mouth open and my eyes lit up. All around me were modern buildings and here on this square patch of land I was immersed in the past as I gazed in awe through the fence at gravestones with dates etched on them from the 1700's. My son led us forward and told us to come in and walk around.

Even though people were everywhere outside of the fence, it felt quiet in here. There was a distinctly reverent feeling about the place that I can't quite describe. I could see that it was cared for very well and the church is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Alexander Hamilton, Robert Fulton, William Bradford and Captain James Lawrence are but a few who are buried here in the cemetery. I also found out that the pirate, Captain William Kidd, lent the runner and tackle from his ship to aid in hoisting the stones to build the original church. The first church was built in 1698 but was destroyed in the Great New York City Fire in 1776. The second one, which stands here today, was begun in 1788 and completed in 1790.

My son had been planning on showing us the building where he works when we stopped here on this serene patch of land. As I came out of my reverie to ask him where his building was, I was surprised when he pointed to the building directly behind the church grounds. He told us he can see this place from his window and he can see the water from the windows on the other side of his building.

Just beautiful.

For more information on Trinity Church and its three graveyards (two are located elsewhere), visit this Wikipedia site.

I guess that concludes my visit to New York City. I can't wait to return and am surprised about that. I like some surprises, don't you?

Until tomorrow, my friends.

My visit to the city

My eldest son had vacation last week and stopped at our new home on his way back to New York, where he lives.

On Sunday, we drove him back to the city and spent the afternoon there. Traveling in the car was me, my mother & father in-law, and my two sons. My husband elected to stay home because he hadn't had a day off in a couple of weeks. I have always been more comfortable in the country, and although I was excited to see where my son has been living, I didn't think I'd like it much at all. But I was in for a huge surprise.

I remember my husband and I driving by the city last summer, on our way to Maine. We could see the skyline from the Jersey Tpk. and we both were wondering aloud how our son could live there. And now I understand. I love where he lives! It was a beautiful day and we walked all around the financial district right near his aparment and I'm sure I looked like a crazy tourist snapping pictures everywhere I went, but who cares! I can see why my son loves living there and I'm really happy for him.

We had lunch at a restaurant on Stone Street, a tiny cobblestone road lined with bistros and restaurants, all with tables in front of each one that took up all the room in the street. I'll be posting a little more about my visit later in the week. But here's just a couple of pictures of things I found interesting. Some were taken from the car window and others were taken while walking about.

Oh, and as an aside, I completed my goal for today which was to get an external hard drive. I've got a Maxtor one Touch 4 with 500 gb of space on sale at Staples right now for $99. Life is good again. Until tomorrow, my friends.

Up on the roof

No, you haven't arrived at the wrong site. It's still me, Country Girl. Today I was visiting New York City, where my eldest son resides. We drove there to take him home after a visit to see our new place. This is the view from the roof of his apartment, located in the Financial District, about 2 blocks from Ground Zero. If you look really closely, even click on the picture, you'll see scaffolding along the skyline at the far left at the bottom corner of this picture. The blue is the river and by the scaffolding, well that's where the World Trade Centers used to stand.

As I write this, it's late at night and although my other son and I arrived home hours ago, I've only just begun looking through my pictures from our visit today.

And, of course, I had to finish the final chapters in the Harry Potter series I've been reading. I'm done now, and I think I'll be able to get on with my life. Unfortunately, I'm out of disk space on the laptop and may have to go out tomorrow and get an external hard drive to store my massive photo files. I'm getting tired of transferring files to disks. Kacey, got any suggestions on photo storage?

So I'm just posting this one photo for tonight. I don't even have enough disk space to work in Photoshop, so this is it. I also have a pic posted on the Picture A Day blog, but don't get depressed about it. I wasn't! On our tour of my son's neighborhood, we ended up at Trinity Church which has one of the oldest graveyards in the city. I found myself completely drawn to it, couldn't leave actually, and had such a feeling of utter contentment that I can't even describe it. I think everyone was waiting for me just to move on and continue our tour, but I was mesmerized by the place. Annie, out of everyone, I think you'll understand.

Hopefully a new hard drive will help this low disk-space situation. Luckily, I have off from work tomorrow. It's my last Monday off until the new school year begins.

Until tomorrow, my friends.

Here's looking at you, kid

It's early Saturday morning as I write this and I've got much to do today. Tomorrow we take my son back to the city and I won't be home until very late. His train didn't get into Wilmington until 10:45 last night and I am sad to report that the book I'm reading kept me up until almost 2 am. Those who have read this series will understand. I'll be back Monday! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

Up for air

I have come up for air from my Harry Potter-induced fog. I read so long last night that well, I was uncharactistically late for work today. I mean, I'm oftentimes just a few moments late, but never 45 minutes! Unfortunately, when George tried to wake me at the regular time, I fended him off and fell soundly back to sleep.

This isn't my Skywatch Friday post, although it looks like one. You can find that on my other blog, A Picture A Day.

After a long day of scheduling students' courses for the coming school year, I came home and did some chores and it started raining. PERFECT WEATHER for finishing a book! And finish Book 6 is what I did and Oh. My. God.

I wasn't expecting that.

I want to thank everyone who commented yesterday and made me feel better about my newly- admitted addiction. Yes, I could be addicted to worse! But the person who was responsible for getting me to read these books in the first place is not really talking to me right now. He's angry with me.

He thinks I am clueless. He will not listen to me nor will he listen to his father. He will not listen to advice. The young seem to forget that their parents were young once and possibly made the same mistakes. Most of us want to spare our children those same mistakes, but ah, well.

Part of the reason I began reading these books in the first place was that I felt closer to this person in doing so. These were stories that he knew and loved and had been suggesting to me to read for years. These were even the same pages that he turned. We would discuss characters and plots. My love for him will never die and I hope we can overcome this.

On another note: I have much to do before our company arrives Saturday. I am not going to beat myself up about it, though. But I will admit that I can't wait to dig into the next and final Harry Potter book. And yes, Mental Pause Mama, I think I must be a speedreader. I graduated from the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading Course, you know. Does anyone remember Cheech & Chong's parody on this? The Evlyn Woodhead Spid Riddin Course: Where my riddin has im-PRO-vid won-der-FULL-y. Hilarious.

Until tomorrow, my friends.

My addiction

It's 11 pm and I've been putting off doing my post because, well because, I have an addiction. It's not my bucoholism this time, but rather oh, hell. I'm just going to come out and say it.

I am addicted to Harry Potter books. Gah!

You probably don't think this is a big deal. But it's getting in the way of things. I should be doing other things like oh, say getting my vehicle registered in the new state in which I live, or maybe getting a bank account set up closer to my new home. How about getting my PA license? What I really should be doing this week is cleaning and getting my house ready for the weekend because we're having my husband's entire side of the family over for dinner on Saturday. That's just a few days away! And my eldest son is also coming to see our new place. I'm picking him up at the train station Friday evening. It's Wednesday night and I don't even have the guest room ready.

You'd think I would be busy trying to get all this done. But do you know what I've been doing all evening?

Reading.

I even read when I throw George's doggie toys to him. I mean, I cheer him on occasionally but it's bad, I tellya. Bad.

While I'm driving home from work, which, by the way, I love to do, I'm thinking about reading. I really enjoy driving. But I can't wait to get here and get the few chores out of the way so I can SIT DOWN AND READ THE DAMN BOOK.

Have they put charms or hexes on these books, to make unsuspecting persons addicted to them?

I don't know what's going on. All I know is that I started reading the first book just before my son was in the hospital a few weeks ago, and I'm almost finished book 6. Have you seen how thick these books are? I have read almost 6 books in three weeks time.

At least I'm still finding time to take pictures and take the poor unsuspecting pup for his walks. He has no idea what a nut I am.

Um, I think.

My Saturday morning with George

On Saturday morning, I wanted to sleep in. And by sleeping in, I mean until 8 or even 8:30. But a certain dog who, will remain unnamed, kept coming into my bedroom to see whether or not I was awake. And finally, that certain dog jumped on my bed and nudged me until I yelled at him to "get down, George!" Oh, there I went and named him.

It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been so tired. And if his paws weren't muddy. My husband had taken him out for a little walk before he left for work and George always manages to get his paws wet. Luckily, Saturday is the day I wash the sheets, so right into the washer they went. Naughty dog.

It was chilly and wonderful when I got up. The sky was blue and George couldn't wait until I got dressed and took him for a walk, but coffee was needed. And checking e-mail, and writing to my sisters. While I finished my coffee, George brought me every toy from his toybox and laid it on the couch next to me. I was getting a hint that maybe someone needed to go for a walk REALLY BADLY.

So I stopped writing and quickly got dressed, grabbed the camera, and off we went. George raced on ahead of me and we took the usual route, under a canopy of trees that covers a road that traverses much of the edge of the property. Here is a picture of that road, below.

I was thinking of going all the way around when I heard the geese on the pond and saw the sun glinting on the water. We cut across the meadow and headed for the pond on the other side, through the woods.

I posted this same picture on my Picture A Day blog, so some of you may have already seen it. It's a small pond, not nearly as large as the one where we used to live, but it's beautiful here. There's a small island that you can see in the second photo, with a little house that I suppose is for the geese. Even the geese here have it good, don't they?

The final photo is heading back home down the main farm road. The barn is off to the right and the roof of our house is on the left. And wouldn't you know, when we got home, and I sat down with a second cup of coffee and proceeded to go online, that pup started bringing me every toy in his box. Again. Luckily, my husband came home for some coffee and to drop off some stones for me to finish the rock patio and he offered George a ride in the gator. And then they headed off together, dog and husband, riding side by side. I thought it was a funny sight and it happened so quickly that I couldn't run and get the camera.

Oh, pardon me, but I hope you didn't come here for the excitement, because this is about as exciting as it gets. Unless I'm meeting up with wild turkeys and roosters at the local garden store. Or driving to the licorice store. Or talking to bugs. Oh God, I'm pathetic!

Great movie quotes

I was visiting some of my favorite blogs today and while reading a post about pets on the Mental Pause Chronicles, I saw in the comment section that MP had inadvertently left out her dear friend, Annie's pet, Stella. I'm sure MP feels really badly about it, but let me get to the point.

What is the point? Oh, yes. Great movie quotes.

Immediately, I thought of a Streetcar Named Desire and Marlon Brando screaming into the night, "Stella! Hey, Stella!"

And so I give you the top ten movie quotes of all time. I just love movie quotes, don't you? Well, don't answer that if you don't give a damn. Which, by the way, is Number 1. Also, please note Number 10, which I just used in this Skywatch Friday post.

1. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." (Gone with the Wind, 1939).

2. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." (The Godfather, 1972).

3. "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." (On the Waterfront, 1954).

4. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." (The Wizard of Oz, 1939).

5. "Here's looking at you, kid." (Casablanca, 1942).

6. "Go ahead, make my day." (Sudden Impact, 1983).

7. "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." (Sunset Boulevard, 1950).

8. "May the Force be with you." (Star Wars, 1977).

9. "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night." (All About Eve, 1950).

10. "You talking to me?" (Taxi Driver, 1976).

For more quotes, visit American Film Institute's movie quote site. I mean, if you give a damn, of course.

Here's looking at you, kids.

Storms hit area

The day dawned chilly on Sunday and the skies threatened rain all day, while thunder rumbled off and on in the distance. At one point, we heard the rain coming as it crashed through the woods and then it poured in torrents, lasting a full minute with the sun breaking out immediately afterwards. Several hours following this, however, late in the day while supper was roasting in the oven, a severe storm hit, pelleting us with hail and huge cracks of lightening that sounded like they'd take the house down.

I took this picture from my the sliding glass door in the bedroom. Can you see all the hail on the ground? George ran and tried to hide, but I comforted him and told him it was okay. My husband didn't agree. The owners are away on vacation this week and he's been left in charge of the whole farm. He was so nervous about the horses being out in this, that he took our Element and went out to check on them. During the storm. Luckily, all seemed ok. Horses were taking shelter and the dogs were quiet. The storm lasted about a half hour, continuing to pellet our house with hail. Surprisingly, we didn't lose power. By the time the rain was finished, we ate our dinner and then my husband went out to survey any damage and check on all the animals. I followed a few minutes later. As I left the house, I noticed right away that many of my potted plants had been damaged severly. Their leaves had been torn through and some lay in shreds. Eventually, I met up with my husband, who told me that the sunset against the barn was a beautiful sight and maybe I'd want to get a picture of it. Then he went on his way. I took a picture of him walking away just because I felt like it.

He was right. The back of the barn did look pretty.

You probably can't tell, but this horse is still really wet.

As are the ponies. They're soaked through.

The barn cat's dry, though. He came out when he heard my voice.

Anyone else have any severe weather in your neck of the woods?

Until tomorrow, my friends.

Giveaway at Little Red House

A blogger friend, Mary, has a giveaway going on right now and through the weekend. All that's required to enter is to leave a comment on this post on her site, Little Red House. You could win a decorating book or two and some beautiful notecards that Mary designed herself, using her photography. So head over on to her site and enter, if you're so inclined.

Oh, and if you go, please take a moment to vote for her photos that she's entered for inclusion in a coffee table book about her home state, New Jersey. Mary has a widget on her blog page for you to vote. It's on the top right. I just love her photography and it's always good to support your friends. I'll be here when you get back!

About a dog

Remember when I told you that I didn't want to take my camera out when my friends were here last weekend? I didn't want them wondering as to whether or not I'd be posting pictures of them on my blog, and who needs that sort of pressure? So I kept my camera to myself, until George decided to grace us with a show of his frisbee catching abilities.

As we all sat on the sidelines, my husband threw one after another for George to catch. What a ham! He loved it.
I think he was playing to the audience because we were clapping and exclaiming "what a dog"!

He missed this one, though.

Go get it George! This one's going right off the page.

He keeps bringing it back for more.

And more.

Extreme border collie concentration here.

Great catch, George!

Time for a well-deserved rest.

Thanks, George,

for that excellent display of doggie talent!

Until tomorrow, my friends.