Lost In Central Park... What a Wonderful World

The other day I followed my puppy Gigi in Central Park and went down whatever paths she chose. It ended up being a great adventure, traveling parts of the park I had never seen before. There are some parts of Central Park where you feel like you are in a wild forest in New England. This section in particular was through the entrance on West 81st Street, take a left up the hill. You forget that there are skyscrapers outside the canopies of trees — and other than the squirrels, turtles, birds and geese around you, is a city of more than 8 million people. 


The famous architect Frederic Law Olmstead designed Central Park with Calvert Vaux, after winning a contest in 1857 to create a park in New York City that would rival those in London and Paris. There is a great website that not only gives great historical insight to Central Park, but also other attractions in New York City: http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/centralpark.htm


Olmstead envisioned a place where people could relax and find peace, amidst the chaos and fast city living of Manhattan. In these 843 acres of respite is a few hundred thousand trees, reservoir, pond, so many habitats of birds, insects, fish, geese, squirrels and so much more. Of course there are the modern additions like the Zoo, Alice In Wonderland Sculptures, tennis courts, water fountains and the children's carousel. For a good link on things to do in Central Park and sites to see visit the official website: http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/


After that day in Central Park I heard the song What A Wonderful World sung by Louis Armstrong on the radio. I know we all love that song, but I really listened to it this time, and realized it has the most beautiful lyrics making the song so uplifting and eternal. Sure the melody perfectly matches the lyrics, but when you really listen to what Louis is singing, you think, This is what life is about, the simple joys. 

These simple joys can be experienced by all people in parks, gardens, forests —NATURE. Conserve Nature and conserve our parks. Our earth is too precious to not preserve our land. Please help by holding our government accountable, and by visiting the National Parks Conservation Association to donate: https://secure.npca.org/site/Donation2f_id=1390&1390.donation=form1&s_subsrc=top_nav&JServSessionIdr004=8l4k823l4c.app331b


First read the lyrics, then play the song on the video below, and hopefully you will have a new found appreciation for the song... just like I did.

What a Wonderful World
Songwriters: George David Weiss, George Douglas and Bob Thiele

I see trees of green.... red roses too
I see em bloom.... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... What a wonderful world.


I see Skies of blue.... clouds of white
Bright blessed days... dark sacred nights
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world.


The colors of the rainbow.... so pretty... in the sky
Are also on the faces... of people.. going by
I see friends shaking hands... say'n.. how do you do
They're really say'n... I love you.


I hear babies cry.... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more... than I'll never know
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world

Triumphant Flowers of Reconciliation, Ground Zero 5/1/2011

We will not celebrate this evil man, not even in his triumphant death. Rather, we will celebrate the closure of a horrific time in our country’s history — and the peace that will hopefully now comfort the solemn hearts of our brothers and sisters’ loss.

We will continue to unite and rebuild even stronger. We will fill the gaping hole in Ground Zero with American soil and luster full of pride and optimism. We will fill the gaping hole in our hearts full of unity and love.

May peace come in the evil enemy’s face of death I do not know? Peace cometh in the unified community that spreads from shore to shore beyond the island of New York, but throughout the land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

by Joanna James

As a "New" New Yorker I wanted to share my blog today, to document what I saw at Ground Zero 10 years later, now that the mastermind murderer behind 9/11 has been found and killed.

A Nation's Strength
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
What makes a nation's pillars high And it's foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky.

Officer Matagrano stood at Ground Zero 10 years ago very differently than today. He was there battling the ruins and chaos from the worst terrorist attack to come to our shores. Matagrano solemnly remembered the planes crashing into the World Trade Center & the horror that followed. So today upon hearing the news of Osama bin Laden's demise, Officer Matagrano was not only elated, but reflective upon the peace he felt all around him. Matagrano also pointed out that another evil man of history was killed on May 1st, 66 years ago-- Adolph Hitler.

First Gardening in NYC... On the Fire Escape

Step 1: Flower Shopping in Union Square Farmer's Market!

I was like a kid in a candy shop; so much to choose from at great prices and good quality. Word of advice, DO NOT BUY annuals from big box stores like Home Depot, because they do not last and you've wasted money and precious time planting them for nothing!

Step 2: Take Inventory (for me on my studio's kitchen countertop/stove)

Before going to buy pots, dirt & anything else, list what you have to work with or you will definitely overbuy or get confused when you get there and possibly buy the wrong things you don't end up needing (stick to your mission). For me it was 2 med. size pots; 1 deep size pot; 2 window boxes; 2 bags of dirt that should have been 3 (ran out again later) & a mini shovel (never used it/prefer my hands).

When living in the city notice my transportation back with shopping goods from Home Depot. A baby stroller that works perfectly for loading up full of goods.

Step 3: Choose your Planting Spot & Get Dirty

Since I had to bring the flowers up to my apartment and then

go out again to get pots/dirt etc. I didn't want to have to bring the flowers back downstairs to go outside to do the potting, to then have to move everything back upstairs to the fire escape/veranda. So I decided to do my first gardening in the city in my little studio apartment with my Gigi, Jazz & 30s swing blasting in the background, Starbucks Iced Coffee and big plastic bags spread out on the floor.

Step 4: If Putting out on Fire Escape do it at night so you don't water anyone's head while walking by :)

****TIPS****

1) Notice the fancy leather

gardening gloves on the floor above. Those were a beautiful present from my man. Although they were greatly accepted with loads of love, they're not needed when it comes to potting. Planting is like Politics, you gotta dig in & get your hands dirty to get the job done. (not bad for a one liner :)

2) When planting an herb garden separate mint and basil. Mint will overspread and take over the rest of the herbs so pot it separately. Because Basil tends to need more water then the rest of the herbs I was planting I also separated it.

3) Keep name tags for herbs to put in the pot next to each one, as to know which is which and their proper care instructions.

4) Don't put too much dirt in the pots. My mom taught me that if you load up on the dirt to the tip top of the pot, there is no room for watering and the dirt will spill over the sides. You can always add more if needed.

5) Use COMMON SENSE when purchasing, especially in the city. One flower shop was charging a whopping $10 for one 4pack of little fillers. For what I comparatively saw in the Farmer's Markets a pack was anywhere from $2-4 depending on how many you bought.

So What did I plant?

1) Herb Garden: Italian Parsley, French Tarragon, Rosemary and Thyme. Can't you just smell

the herbs?!?! I literally can every morning with the window open. If you have a windowsill it's a great place for herbs because the breeze will bring in a burst of all those beautiful "herbalicious" scents.

2) Two Separate pots, one with Mint and one with Basil. Plant some of your family members' favorite herbs in honor of them, and you have a nice reminder of your loved ones reflective in your

garden. When I think of mint all I can think of is my grandfather always having a sprig in his shirt pocket & sniffing the heck out of it throughout the day while in his yard.

3) Sunflower with Cranberry Sunsatia crawling on the bottom. The sunflower hasn't bloomed yet but it should any day now and I'll repost a picture. They just make me smile -- I'll share its sunshine with y'all when I get a good pic.

4) My Rainbow "NON-Hanging" Basket of Petunias, Pansies, Yellow African Daisies & mini orange Azalea. I wanted a hanging box for this arrangement, but I thought it more wise not to hang the box up after all. If you are going to hang any flower boxes and you live above a busy sidewalk or street, I would hang them up on the inside of the rail just to be on the safe side. The last thing you want is for it to fall on someone walking by below!

Well, as parting words I would just like to say what a fantastic day I had yesterday shopping for the flowers with Gigi, going to get the pots, doing the potting on my living room floor with singing Ella in the background and transporting all of the finished boxes out onto the fire escape. If you love flowers than there's nothing better to do on such a gorgeous day. For me the flowers aesthetically add so much to my living space, and so much fun going through the

planting process. I love looking out and noticing any new buds or what has blossomed. Not too mention my man who loves to cook especially loves reaching out the window to use our fresh herbs! I hope this post was helpful.

Cheers from Jojo and Gigi in Abingdon Square