Spring makes me very hyper, it's all that burgeoning life goin' on. I have very little inclination to stay inside, much less sit at the computer while there is much lovely air to breathe and so much weeding and planting to do. I am, it seems, a fair weather friend, or rather, a foul weather friend. And, we live near Prospect Park which in the midst of the urban jungle is chock-full of many kinds of wildlife, 16 waterfalls, natural forest and meadows. It has always been a sacred and holy place for me since I was a child. My parents would tell of dates they had in the 20's, walking to the park and rowing on the lake. It was the first place I was allowed to go on the subway with friends and no adults. I had dates of my own there, as well as going to the wonderful concerts every summer which range from The NY Phiharmonic to all kinds of ethnic music to au courant Big Stars. For FREE, Bring your own blanket. When I was 24 and newly emancipated, I lived across the street from the park. One late night in a heavy snowstorm, I entered the park alone (very reckless) and hid behind a tree and pelted the few carst that were out with snowballs. Totally one of my scariest and most fun experiences.I worked in the park (another dream) for 5 years for a non-profit, teaching about the urban environment. In all these years, only one thing was missing from the park experience and that was a dog of my own.
I am living a dream come true! We are both exeedingly blissed out at the park; there are smells galore, meadows to roll in, squirrels to harry, birds to chase, a sandy dog beach by the lake and new doggie friends to make. And Carmelita loves it too! Like a pedophile who hangs out at playgrounds, so I would haunt dog runs all over Brooklyn, always living in fear of being busted as dogless. Others may have bibles or pornor hootch at their bedside, for me it was always dog books. With the coming of Carmie, she of canine perfection, I have acheived doggy nirvana. On our first visit, she chased geese, rolled in mud and barked at four horses on the bridle path. Silly puppy.
She is much friendlier with other dogs in the park than she is on our block, where she protects her territory. Also, she no longer growls at the cat who lives nextdoor, a step closer to cat acquistion! Here are pix of Niecette and Carmie at the park. She is not wearing a muzzle - it is a Haltie, which keeps her from pulling; think horse. I get questioned about it endlessly.
Primavera; first green! It is Spring with a vengence here in NY. The weather is heavenly, the air is like blue and gold gaseous silk, the grass is lush and green satin. Breathing deeply gives me rushes. Our garden is blooming: daffs, tulips, dicentra, euonymous, ajuga. My tiny sticks of pyracantha and forsythia survived, lilacs, clematis, iris, roses and azaleas are on their way and despite being mutilated by Verizon workers, I still have 1/2 a blueberry bush, in bud. I have worked for 10 years on our backyard to create this tiny garden and Carmelita has trashed ( urine-ized) 1/2 of it in 3 weeks. (She is still doesn't get it about going anywhere but the yard, despite being in the dog run, park or walking for hours. Any suggestions?)
We are starting kitchen renovation soon (by the grace of the constructon gods) and I will lose backyard access for a while anyway. Che sera, sera. My garden has always in a state of change anyhow. Survival of the fittest, what?
My niece Sarah, the prolific and intrepid blogger and my mentor in all things bloggy, has invited me to accompany her to TequilaCon, a blogger meeting which to my understanding is a wild, bacchanalian affair comprised of bloggers from around the globe. Although Sarah is sober and just a taste of liquor gets me stoned, and I will know only 2 other people (Mihow and TJ!) and I will no doubt be the oldest person there and I dislike crowds of noisy drunks, it should be fun and quite interesting. It will be a good place to exploit the " Eccentric but colorful Crone" persona I am cultivating, as well as hang with my beloved babygirl. And Steve, Carmie & niecette will have an op to hang at home together.
Come one, come all, be you bloggers, readers, lurkers or friends.
The festivities start at 7:00 PM, Saturday, April 22, 2006 and are conveniently located at:
Stout NYC
Between Sixth and Seventh Aves.
212-629-6191
Be there or Bsquare!
8 comments:
Have a wonderful time. Stern Grve in San Francisco has the free summer concerts as well - at least I think they still do. Bring a picnic and a blanket; arrive at dawn and stay all day.
Love the pics! Glad you're back. Sounds like a fun gathering Saturday night. I suppose there might be bloggers meeting up all over the country. Kind of an internet dating, except it's not dating. Hey, somebody from LA too! Tell him or her you have a lurker there.
I'm going to San Diego this weekend to a folk and bluegrass festival with BW. I LOVE that kind of thang.
Lurking reader, City of angles
Thanks for your Commentary on Prospect Park.
It is surely one of the major Brooklyn Memories that each of us will carry to North Carolina.
Peace & Love,
Marion
You were the coolest, indeed!
Adored meeting you - can't wait to hang out more when I come back to visit Sarah.
My friend Jen (she came w/ me to TequilaCon) used to live in Brooklyn and took me on many walks through Prospect Park - absolutely stunning! She told me that it was designed by the same person who designed Central Park - I think Prospect is even more amazing.
And if crone was what you were going for, you failed miserably (although eccentric is a label I also aspire to one day earn). You were the best tattoo partner a girl could ever have, and so much fun to talk with. LOVED meeting you, and hope you make it to the next TequilaCon!
lovely to meet you on saturday.
Right back at ya!
Dear "eccentric and Colorful Crone.....Your words make me laugh so hard I can be heard accross the country.Your "Doggie Love" has finally be fufilled. I will meet her soon. Like the first week of June.I love you always.Prospect Park still has my greatest memories.
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