New York On My Mind

      I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and I've noticed that New York is in a lot of people's photos, and on a lot of people's minds...It's on my mind too this morning. I'll tell you about that in a minute.
        Ashley and Aron (Hither & Thither blog) live in New York, so it's understandable that they would be talking a lot about it.

      I mean...their whole life is New York. And they just recently had a new sweet little baby, Hudson, who they've just been venturing out with...to show him their great city! How could they 'not' talk about it?!

       And, Oh Yeah, Vanessa (The Voyage of V blog) recently moved from Sweden to New York....and with a whole big old, new city like New York, including the Brooklyn Bridge, which she took a walk over for the first time the other day, to explore....you'd expect her to be talking about it too!
         In fact, she's taken some gorgeous pictures of her whole transition period...I can't show you the pictures though.  I didn't have time this morning to wait for permission to use them, and her bio says that if I do she'll hunt me down! O_0  LOL So, I don't want hurricane Irene AND Vanessa hunting me down today!! ^_^ You'll just have to follow the above link and see for yourself!
       But Jan (Becoming blog), I just found out this morning, takes a yearly trip to New York City, The Big Apple. Her and her daughter just got back. There's some very nice photos on her blog too. My favorites are of Central Park...
       

         ...and this store window showing the latest imported jewelry.

        Apparently it looks like the trend might be for 'BIG' this year. As I said to her, maybe my poor little crocheted necklaces might have a chance to get out in the market this year!! :-] I did just sell three yesterday!! :-) We'll see!
      Also, Remember The Pioneer Woman?!        

       If you've been following my blog for a while, you know how much I love her blog!! In fact, hubby just recently made a recipe of hers that I shared. Well, She's got a new show now...on The Food Network !! And they have a location in...you guessed it...New York!! Although I'm not sure if that's where she'll be shooting the show from. But, it doesn't matter. I'm definitely gonna be watching it!..You can check out her intro to the new show HERE.
      But the reason I've had New York on my mind is because of Hurricane Irene. I have friends and family that live in New York and it looks like they're gonna take a direct hit from the 'Big Girl' before she breaks up some and heads our way. {Some forecasts say she 'may' be just a tropical storm by the time she reaches us. That'll still be a lot of wind and rain, but not more than 135 miles an hour winds...which is on the other end of what they're saying we could get!}}
     So, be safe New Yorkers!!! Now is not the time for excitement about hurricane pictures and that! Now is the time to 'baton down the hatches'! Make sure you have enough supplies. And time to keep an eye on older neighbors, family, and friends who may be a bit nervous about what's ahead.
     There's one other 'great' thing about New York. It's something that I've been enjoying for a few years now. It's the PS 22 Chorus!! It's an Elementary School chorus from Public School 22 in Graniteville, Staten Island New York.
       Wikipedia says it's composed of 60 to 70 5th graders, and it's directed by Gregg Breinberg.
PS22 is the largest elementary school in Staten Island and it draws students from a wide cross section of ethnic groups and socio-economic levels. 
       I didn't know all the details until this morning. I just know I love them!! And I always go over to Youtube to check on them from time to time to see what new songs they're singing. If you haven't heard them, you're in for a treat! The first time I heard them I got goose bumps and started to cry!!...Here's one of their latest...

         Students are assigned to the chorus after an annual auditioning process at the beginning of each school year.  The chorus meets twice a week during school hours to practice, and performs throughout the year at school functions, local events, and on special requests.
       With earthquakes happening, and a hurricane on the way, I didn't want my only thoughts of New York to be about worrying. Thanks to the PS 22 chorus it won't be...Have a good day everybody. And if you live in the path of Irene, get prepared and stay safe.
         I'll leave you today with the very first song I ever heard PS 22 sing...Get out your hankies. ;'_';



Describe The Sky

Evoking awe and bouts of wonder.
Such inspiration, you just want to cry.
With birds high-flying, and winds a blowing,
what words would you use to describe the sky?

Would you say, whether clouds are upon it,
that it blankets a wondrous space?
Or would you be more awed and humbled,
hoping there you would find God's face?

I would say that when standing quiet,
looking up at the sun or moon,
there's a feeling of peaceful oneness
that I hope won't go away too soon.

Evoking bouts of awe and wonder
was probably what it was designed to do;
That is, besides giving off light and weather,
and the most spectacular view!