New York Summa Skye

Pam & Fran

Some of the other special people we got to visit with in New York were Pam and Fran. They live in Beacon but made the short trek to New Paltz to hang out for awhile.  

I met Pam and Fran when we were neighbors in Beacon. I liked them right away. Down to earth, loyal, solid folks who shared the same taste in music and a desire to grow and learn. Pam has a good sense of adventure. Fran, well, he is happy to stay close to home. So Pam and I would often go together to places like the County Fair, movies, the mall or any other place that struck our fancy.

I am thankful they came up and got to meet the girls.  Especially since is was so darn not that day.We had fun poking our heads in the different shops that make New Paltz unique and then we had lunch at a real, old fashioned diner. What could be better than good food, good weather, good shopping and great friends? 

Pam has a cousin in the Bay Area and will be here in a few weeks so we will get to visit with her again soon! It will be nice to see her sooner than later.

Kip's Kids

 

With Kip Cosson, author/illustrator.

About three years ago, my friend Valerie found a kids book about New York at Thrift Town. She thought that since I grew up there it would be fun to read it to my girls. That book turned out to be a huge hit. We all fell in love with Ned Visits New York, a delightful story about a penguin who becomes friends with a mouse named Meece who hails from New York.  I am not exaggerating when I say Don read that book to Amara a couple of times a week for at least a year. Then when Havana got bigger it was a repeat performance. For about another year. We don't read it as much now but it still comes off the bookshelf frequently.

When I would read Ned Visits New York, I would share childhood memories that coincided with places mentioned in book. I often thought,  'One day I will bring them to New York and they will be familiar with many of the places because of Ned and Meece.'

The girls loved this book so much that last year for their birthdays, Don ordered shirts (which are shown in the book) for them.

When it was time for us to go to New York, I emailed the author, Kip Cosson, and shared our history with his sweet story and our plans to use it as a guide book (there is a check list at the end). Kip responded to our email and suggested we visit him at one of the street fairs he sells at, if there was one that coincided with our trip. And guess what? There was!

On our last day in New York, we were up early, with the girls dressed in their Kip t-shirts and we headed into the City for our last adventure. First stop was Murray's bagels. Which I have to say a few things about; Murray's is a special place for our family; Don and I discovered it while pregnant with Amara. Then when I visit my friend Janet who was ill, I walked twenty blocks to get some bagels to bring home. And, there is mention of a Murray's Cheese Shop in Kip's book. (which had to be a play of the Murray's bagels. There are many things like that in his story.)

On our last hoorah into New York, we first met up with some good friends at Murray's and then we all headed over to W. 4th for the Street Fair, where we got to meet Kip. He was as pleasant and kind and warm as I had thought he would be. The girls were so ecstatic to meet him. He signed books (they got his two new ones; Meece is running for mayor!) and our friend Michael bought the girls news shirts.

Meeting Kip was one of the highlights of our visit. It was thrilling for the girls to put a face to a book that they read so much they knew it by heart. And that Kip was so welcoming and warm was fantastic.

Here is a link to his website for more information about his work or to vote for Meece for mayor! http://www.kipkids.com/

Kip showing the girls where he is in the book. He made himself into a character!

 

With my good friends Mark and Eric (whose wedding I went to while in NY). The three of us share the same birthday.
I love these guys! We go back about twenty years.

The three October 1st Stooges!

Eric reading to Havana. The girls had met him a couple of years ago when he came to California for a conference.

Hudson River Views

The Scenic Overlook on the Palisades Parkway has always been a favorite place to stop and take in the views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. Today I got to share these spectacular views with my girls.

(photos taken with my new tripod. oh, how i love it!)

Woodstock

Woodstock, NY, is a small, quiet town nestled in the mountains about 2 1/2 hours North of Manhattan. It is a peaceful place. The trees, mountains and fresh air are good for the soul.

I first traveled to Woodstock about twent-five years ago, when Bella (my spiritual teacherhttp://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2013/06/baba-bella.html) moved up to this rural area.

Woodstock is famous for the music festival that took place back in the 60's but the truth is the concert actually took place an hour and a half away in Delaware County (I have spent a lot of time there as well.)

The girls and I got to visit with friends, play outdoors and do some shopping in and around Woodstock, which is perhaps one of my favorite places in Upstate New York.

This view from Bella's is one of my favorite views on the planet. I don't know why but it just is.

Ms. Eagle Eyes Amara spotted this beauty almost immediately.

Groovy, Hippy Stuff is for sale throughout town.

This is my favorite shop in town. They sell all types of statues, deities,  cards, jewelry and more.
I always find something unique here. 

My old friend Julia is now living in Woodstock. What a pleasant surprise to see her.
The last we saw each other was when I took her up to Attica to do an AVP workshop.

This is the gate to the garden at the Woodstock Elementary School. We stopped
to play at the school playground after dinner and again, Ms. Eagle Eyes pointed it out.

The Chapel in the Woods, directly across the road from Bella's. 

And right next to the Chapel is a Tibetan Monastery. The mountain where Bella is holds a high vibration!

We got to hear some chanting at the monastery. Both girls asked to stay longer to listen. So I sat and meditated while they listened to the chanting.

Buddha at Bella's house.

Inside the yurt.

My Woodstock Posse after dinner! (Jared, Julia, Jeffery, Janet and Bella)