Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
My Sleepy Benji
It’s a cold and rainy day in the Great Northwest and Benji is hunkered down inside.
His eyelids are getting heavy….
Can’t hold out much longer….
Closing with a flourish.
Happy Caturday from Susanne and Benji.
New York City in Monochrome, and Black and White
I’m still resting up from an awesome week in the Big Apple and going through my pictures to create more stories to tell you, in living color.
But it’s not hard to imagine New York in black and white, so for this week’s Sunday Stills and Monochrome Madness challenges, I thought I’d present a few desaturated photos from the city’s landscape.
I’ll start with this lovely street of Brownstones, the classic New York dwelling.
And how about the beauty below? I stumbled across the ornate Alwyn Court; apparently there’s a famous restaurant within, the Petrossian which is the sign you see on the front. I wish I’d stopped for better close-ups, but I must have been on the way to someplace else, like other New Yorkers.
Speaking of ornate buildings, I’ll have more to share on the icon below, the Empire State Building, in a later post.
In the meantime, you never know what (or who) you may find inside.
My brother took us to another New York icon, historic Grand Central Terminal, which was saved by Jackie O! back in the seventies. Can you imagine wanting to tear it down?
That same day we walked through Bryant Park where this little carousel was located. Beautiful in color, kind of creepy in black and white. See for yourself.
Speaking of creepy, the Dakota Building has an unfortunate history of being the place where John Lennon once lived, and tragically died.
On a more cheerful note, how about the bridge below? The views of Manhattan Bridge were great from the Brooklyn Bridge. I’ll have more to say about our walk across it 10 stories above the river, in a later post.
Finally, I’ll close with the magnificent Manhattan Skyline, seen from the Brooklyn Promenade.
New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town, in color or black and white!
More to come.
~ Susanne
New York City’s Backyard – Central Park!
Who’d have thought there’d be an oasis of nature to enjoy in America’s largest city?
Certainly not me and yet, there it was, Central Park, a highlight of our trip to New York, in all shades of living color.
Honestly, I should have known. My brother, who was our wonderful host in the Big Apple, shares often enough about his daily walks through the park, these from last November, at peak color!
In fact, he was the best tour guide, taking us to many of his favorite spots.
A refuge in the city, Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and established in 1858. It’s 2.5 miles long, .5 mile wide and covers 843 acres. It’s a wooded landscape with gardens and lakes and fountains, walking paths, bicycle lanes and places for horses to pull their carriages. It has large outcroppings of boulders where children can climb and locals sit and ponder, and wide green lawns where families can picnic and play baseball.
Still, with 58 miles of trails, we couldn’t do it all. I already want to go back for another walk in the park, but this will have to do for now.
More to come from New York City. Stay tuned.
~ Susanne
Back from NYC – A Conversation with the Cats
“We really missed you, Sue.”
“I know you did, Benji. I can tell. I missed you too.”
“You did, Sue? Honest?”
“Well, sure I did, Benji. I don’t think I saw a single cat in New York City. Lots of dogs though.”
“You’re kidding, Sue. Not a single cat?”
“Well none that I can remember. I don’t think cats like strolling in Central Park like the dogs do. And even if there was a cat, it wouldn’t have been you, Benji. You’re the best.”
“Aww, thanks, Sue.”
“What about me, Sue? Did you miss me too?”
“Of course I did, Tiger! You’re the best, too!”
“Thanks, Sue. Appreciate it.”
Back in the Pacific Northwest where despite the drizzle and gray skies, all is well.
~ from the office of Susanne and Benji and Tiger
More Reflections, this time from NYC
Winding down from an amazing, whirlwind trip to New York City! I will have much to share in bite-sized portions in the coming days, but until bags are unpacked and memories jelled, here are a couple photos from the oasis of Central Park to tide you over.
New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town!
Susanne
Reflecting on Still Waters
And closer to home, last week at Anthony’s Homeport in Des Moines, where we celebrated our 42nd Anniversary. Yes, a time for reflection.
For #Wordless Wednesday
~ Susanne
Oo-la-la! A Fall Trip to Mt Rainier
On our last sunny Saturday we headed to Mt Rainier for a fall hike, and we took the Stevens Canyon entrance on the east side of the park and avoided the crowds.
The mountain was out and glorious,
and interesting clouds filled the sky. (Exactly what is that approaching the mountain with laughter proceeding from his mouth??)
We took the road less traveled through tunnels, quiet and deserted, to Box Canyon.
We had the trail mostly to ourselves.
Box Canyon is a narrow slot canyon carved by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River and the river can be seen some 180 feet below the bridge. More on that, here.
After our walk, we continued up the road, enjoying the fall color and more interesting views of the mountain,
on our way to Reflection Lakes, for one of the best photo ops in the park. (It didn’t disappoint.)
Then it was up to Paradise where the crowds were thick, and the parking was full, so we didn’t stop. No need, we’d already had our fill of awesome views.
We headed back down the mountain and left the park around 4 pm. exiting at the Nisqually entrance where the cars extended for almost 2 miles to get in!
We had lucked out.
~ Susanne
A Riot of Color at Coulon Park
Yes, indeed, it’s that time of year.
Every few days, I’ve been visiting the park waiting for peak color to arrive. Arrive it did, yesterday.
And yes, I dressed for the occasion.
Can you guess what this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge is?
Yep, Leaves and Trees.
~ Susanne
Happy Sunday Flowers – and my Ketchup and Mustard Rose
I recently showed you pictures of a little rosebud that overcame being planted in the wrong place in the spring, then being cut back and transplanted at the wrong time, in the middle of summer.
You may remember I was so happy to see it budding in October.
I’ve been watching it slowly unfurl revealing mustard yellow petals on the outside, and red ketchup inside.
Today I decided to cut it and add it to a vase with a few other flowers,
flowers that I extracted from a lovely bouquet my husband surprised me with earlier this week.
We are all happy together.
~ Susanne
Let Sleeping Cats Lie
My sweet Benji.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 