One swan couple per lake please

Lake Kinnelon

Yesterday as I was walking by the lake, these two beauties landed on the water with so much water-slapping noise I thought a small motorboat was putting by. I was surprised that these two graceful birds could make such an ungraceful landing. I mentioned this to friends who said that apparently there are three swan couples on our lake this spring and that the couple I saw were probably making enough noise to mark their territory.

Meeting Crosby & Nash

Just got our photos from our concert evening with C&N on March 16th.

David Crosby, me, Graham Nash, Don

A fun evening.

to Bryan & Carolyn

More of my theories or pearls of wisdom gathered that I hope will enrich your journey:

First from an interview of Michael J Fox in the Parade magazine today,

article by Dotson Rader, Parade

Second from something I heard Brian Tracy say:  You can always change your mind. Nothing is so cast in stone that you can't change a situation that is not working for you anymore, or one does not fit your new goals. There's freedom in knowing that it is okay to change your mind.

Love you guys.

Crosby & Nash, Don & Cathy

On Friday we went to a fundraiser featuring a concert by Crosby & Nash. We were invited as part of someone else's table and it was wonderful - meet & greet with photo with C&N, delicious dinner, then great seats for the concert. There was also a post-concert party but we couldn't all stay. 

Don & I at the dinner before the concert

Graham Nash, David Crosby, & Crosby's son on keyboards
Two beautifully harmonizing 70-year-olds!

They did a few old CSN/CSNY songs, like Teach Your Children and Our House, and told a few stories. The event was sponsored by The Peak, my fav radio station, so I got to meet one of the owner/DJs, Jimmy Fink, and scored a t-shirt! If we ever get our photo with the boys, I'll scan and post. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Williamsburg in Brooklyn

Two weekends ago, when our kids were home on spring break, we went on another NYC neighborhood adventure walk. This time we chose to check out Williamsburg because Bryan had read it was an affordable neighborhood to live in. ("Affordable" ... relative to NYC rents.)

Quick drive in, parked in the Lower East Side, and walked to the foot of the Williamsburg bridge. The bridge has an easily accessible, painted in pink, pedestrian walkway over the cars and subway track - far enough from the edge that acrophobia types comme moi could relax and enjoy the view.

En route to Williamsburg over the East R.

Halfway across - looking south to the Manhattan & Brooklyn bridges

The final descent into Williamsburg - notice the colorful graffiti and pink railings!

Home to the "hipsters," Williamsburg was very eclectic with its young families, single twenty-somethings, and occasional corner drug dealer. Great access into NYC via subway or on foot. We found a trendy, dark restaurant for pints and lunch, then walked back across to our car in Manhattan.

2 Hours in NYC

Don and I try to pick a different neighborhood every time we plan a walking day in NYC. Last Saturday it was the Lower East Side. After 2-1/2 hours of driving in, inching along Canal Street, and looking for parking, we finally found 2-hour street parking.

The first thing we did, of course, was eat. Was found a great little corner restaurant called Sauce. It was a delicious lunch - salad and lasagna for me.

After, we hit the streets! One of reasons for choosing the Lower East Side was that I had heard the Tenement Museum was worth visiting. Of course, we didn't plan ahead and all the tours were booked. There is one tour of the actual tenement that houses the museum, and a walking tour of the neighborhood,which was home to almost every immigrant group that entered NYC during the hey day of immigration. We were able to sit in on a 20-minute video presentation that was really well done, giving us a good introduction to the neighborhood, an appreciation for the hardships of arriving in NYC then, and an appreciation for the community and its contributions to NYC life.

With about 30 minutes left on our parking ticket, we then walked east to Clinton St, then up to Houston where we turned west and found Katz Deli, which had a line up out the door and down the street about a half block! Across from the deli was a gelato store ... impossible to pass up. So we spent our last 10 minutes savoring gelato before we dashed back to our car just in time: 2 hours on the dot.

Tenement Museum - Orchard St.

Dark cherry & chocolate combo

We decided to drive by the World Trade Center to see what we could see. Not surprisingly, you can't get very close by car. They are making progress on the Freedom Tower, which we first saw taking shape from our cruise ship in August as we sailed down the Hudson R. Another time, again we will plan ahead, we will sign up for tickets to see the 9-11 Memorial.

The Freedom Tower through our windshield

After winding our way through lower Manhattan, and catching a glimpse of the WTC area, we headed home via the Lincoln Tunnel. We got home about 1-1/2 after leaving our parking spot. With 3-1/2 hours of driving for 2 hours of neighborhood touring, it was still a worthwhile adventure.

Sofa buddies

Don & Toby