Tuesday, October 21, 2008

My Mornings

This is where you'll find me almost every morning. I walk with some friends along this one mile circular path in a local park, usually going three times around in total.

We chat, we laugh, and lately we've been having friendly arguments about politics. We talk about our families and our pets, and our ups and our downs. Sometimes we bring samples of something we've cooked for everyone to bring home, and we exchange recipes, books, coupons, surprise gifts.

It's a wonderful way to start the day, and we leave the park feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Across the street from this park is one of Brooklyn's largest parks, with a total of 530 acres of grassland and salt marsh!

I was amused by how each wooden piling in the creek had a seagull resting on top!

These pilings are what remains of an old mill that once was located here in Gerritson Creek that dated back to the early 1700's when the tides coming in and out would turn the millstone. Unfortunately the mill was lost in a fire in the 1930's.

This salt marsh is a birdwatchers paradise. Ducks, geese, cormorants, sandpipers, herons, egrets, red-winged blackbirds, and marsh hawks are just a few of the birds that can be seen here. I saw a heron this morning on the shore, amongst the ducks and seagulls, looking for his breakfast!

This bridge crosses an area where the tides flow into the marsh grass......


.............. and leads to this mile long path cut through the grasses and reeds. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful place....another beautiful place to walk on a beautiful morning.

Although peek fall color has not arrived in New York City as yet, I found one tree in the marsh that had some autumnal gold splashed amongst its leaves......

...and this scarlet red vine that seemed to be as invasive as ivy, creeping and climbing up many of the shrubs and trees. Does anyone have any idea what it is? (click on photo to enlarge)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow morning I will be flying here:


Do you recognize this airport?


It is Denver International Airport. The roof line of the main terminal is supposed to mimic the nearby Rocky Mountains.

I'm flying with a whole suitcase filled with things like these:




Yes, you guessed it!
There is a baby shower being held this weekend for my daughter-in-law, hosted by her Mom and sister!

My husband and I already sent our gift ahead, but I couldn't resist shopping for some outfits for our little grandson to be.


And I have a couple of fun things, too, to reflect upon some of his Daddy's heritage:

I'm so excited to see my son and daughter-in-law!

I'll be back Monday -- see you then!

44 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful place to walk. And I love that you meet friends there.

Have a fun time in Denver!

Vee said...

Feed Me I'm Italian...too cute!

What lovely walking paths you trod. Would you believe that I took a photo of a heron today, too? I didn't see all the other birdlife, though.

Have a wonderful flight and a marvelous time with the kids. They're going to love seeing you coming! This will be one well dressed baby!

steviewren said...

Pat, it looks like you are taking the whole baby shower to Denver with you! I love the matching sleepers, bibs and booties.

It is so nice that you have such a pretty place to walk. Having 2 other people depending on you to meet them there must be a good incentive to get up and get out each day.

See you when you get back. Have fun!s

Strider said...

Lovely place you get to walk in every morning. Thanks for sharing the pictures and a little history on the area...you are always so good at that. heading to Denver huh? I fly into that airport 5 or 6 times a year. Have a great time at the shower. My wife is at our son's place waiting for the birth of our second grandson. Should be anytime now. Strider

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

What a wonderful place to walk in the mornings! I had no idea Brooklyn had all that countryland. Goofy me thought it was all pretty much urban. You can tell I've never been there. Have a great time and I know you are excited about the baby. Take pictures at the shower. It won't be long now.

Picket said...

That is a gorgeous place to walk girl and that is just the neatest yhing that you & your friends talk and share things like that....loved those pics of the fall colors and those baby clothes were adorable....take care and have a great time at the shower!

Susie Q said...

Such a beautiful place to walk and think and talk.

A baby shower! How exciting! i love all thos eprecious things...but that Feed Me bib and the Irish future Rugby star are so adorable! Oh what a lucky baby!

Have a great time!!

Love,
Sue

Judy said...

What a beautiful place to walk...and how fun to have walking partners. That would keep you accountable! Which reminds me...my walk never happened today.

I see you have had great fun shopping...and found the cutest outfits. That's going to be one well-dressed little grandson. Have a fun weekend!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful area you walk in. It looks so lovely with the water and gulls and the trees...a place to sit. so nice.

I hope you had a wonderful time at the baby shower..a new grandson. How exciting!! You brought him so many wonderful presents.

Can't wait to hear more about it.
Judi

Unknown said...

Dearest Pat, You start your mornings wonderfully, wished I could join you too. Love those baby suits and have a great weekend at the baby shower. Big hugs :D

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What a perfect way to start the morning! A most restorative place to walk.

Have a wonderful trip to that baby shower!

Tracy said...

What a beautiful park, Pat...loveliest place to walk, think, dream....Have a very safe and happy trip...those treats for your grandson are adorable! Can't wait for news when you get back! Happy Days and ((BIG HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,
love to come along for a walk.
I walk every morning through our parks and along the lake.
Your question about the climbing plant with the red coloured leaves.
It is a form of wild wine plant called Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris.
Have a wonderful trip and I am sure all your presents are welcome.
You know about SKYPE??
Video conferencing via the internet? I have grandchildren in Sweden and with Skype I can see them every week.
Cheers Gisela.

Darla said...

I need to do more walking, finding friends to go with and a good spot like you have would certainly encourage me.

Isn't it fun to be expecting (a grandchild)? Nothing quite as exciting and filled with joy.

Enjoy your trip.

Darla

Darius T. Williams said...

Looks like a great place to take a walk! I see why you like it.

Enjoy Denver and have a great weekend!

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

Donna said...

What a beautiful place for walking and to start your day!

Have a wonderful time visiting your son and family! Love those cute little outfits!

Hugs,
Donna

Naz said...

The outfits for your grandson are adorable. Have a safe trip and enjoy yourself while there.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are having a wonderful time Pat. What lovely outfit sets! I'm sure your son and daughter in law will love them.

The park near you is very beautiful. We don't get red winged black birds here but we get the rest. We have a mere area to the north, so a lot of wading birds gather there. I'm slightly demented at the moment trying to get hubby to take a shot with his zoom of the horizon filled with V shaped squadrons of pink footed geese.

Yes you have a wonderful way of starting your day.

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

What a wonderful way to start the day, sharing morning exercise with good friends! I had no idea that Brooklyn had such a lovely place. I love to bird watch but the only body of water around us is the pond behind our house. I know you're excited about your trip to Denver!
Rhonda

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

I'm so excited for you!! Have a wonderful time...I know you will. I could have identified the airport for you...but not the vine;)
I love your park photos...so lovely...I don't know why that is not what I expect to see in pictures of Brooklyn. I'm glad your correcting that misconception!

Fifi Flowers said...

Lovely walk! Hope you enjoy your trip to Denver!

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hi Pat...wowzers! Your photos are great...they made me really long to be there by the water with the birds....ohhhhh! :) Hope you have a good trip.

Camille said...

Safe travels! I'm sure you must be so very excited. I love Enya..wondeful song to go along with the "walk in the park".

kari and kijsa said...

What a beautiful path!! And so fun...a baby shower! Have a safe trip!!

have a blessed evening,
kari & kijsa

Kathy said...

What a wonderful way to start each day Pat and have a lovely time with your son and DIL, I love the little irish shirt and bibs, what a lucky little boy he is, big hugs, safe travels, Kathy.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

What a beautiful park and wonderful walking area! I really enjoyed your pics....Have a wonderful trip to CO.

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh a baby shower! How fun! I can't wait to see what all you did there. I know it will be great.

I love baby things.

Your walking place is lovely. Sure wish I had a place like that to walk. Maybe it would get me to go more often. No, I doubt it. LOL

Have a safe and wonderful trip.

Hugs,
Joanne

Proud Italian Cook said...

Oh my goodness!!! That is one, loved, and spoiled baby already!!
You have truely joined the ranks of a Grandma!
Hugs,and have a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to start the morning! Love the photos of the saltmarsh.

Have a wonderful time in Denver. What wonderful gifts you're taking with you.

Paz

Marg said...

How exciting. It's always fun to know what bloggers do outside of blogging and showing us the best of themselves. Thanks for sharing. I love your walking path.
How exciting to go to Denver for the new born.....

Gina said...

That's a lovely way to start the day off and you must feel so go afterwards..I must get back into my daily walks too! Great to see some Autumn colour peeping through too!
Hope you have a wonderful time with your son and DIL..the last time visiting just the two of them?? He will certainly be a well dressed little man!..I have a little somethings at my blog when you return! Gx

Anonymous said...

I love your post today. Your walk is awesome. I would be there everyday if I could. We have a special walking place too. It is a state park one mile from here. Alas, I haven't walked since I had my knee replacement. Soon again I hope.

Your trip to Denver is a special mission for sure. Lucky you to bring those adorable baby clothes to a grandbaby. Have a wonderful time.

Hugs...Jeanne

GMG said...

Hi Pat! I'm sure it is a great place to start the day. My only surprise was on the arguments on politics; who is there to argue on the other side? ;)) Have a nice trip!
Look forward to read you at Blogtrotter, which just said goodbye to Mykonos 2007!! It shows the famous sunset scene at Little Venice, and the Pelican mascot of the island… ;)
Hope you enjoy, comment and have a great week!

Rue said...

Hi Pat :)

What a beautiful place to walk! I'd be invigorated too. The seagulls made me smile as well :)

So many cute baby things! Your daughter-in-law will love them. Have a great time and a safe trip my sweet friend!!

hugs,
rue

Barb said...

Hi Pat,

What a lovely place to walk. Your pictures are stunning.

I can't wait to hear about the shower. The little one is going to be very well dressed. Beautiful outfits.

Hugs,
Barb

Mrs. B said...

Hi Pat! What a beautiful park! How nice to be able to walk there everyday!

I hope you're having a great time seeing your son and daughter in law and that the shower is lots of fun. Those little baby clothes are so cute!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!
Oh I know you are in your glory this weekend! We're talkin' Grandma Heaven!! Have a wonderful delightful time!!
Hugs, sherry
The outfits are soooo adorable!

sonia a. mascaro said...

What a gorgeous place to wal all morning! Love all photos!

Love also the baby's clothes!
Have a lovely time in Denver!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,

Just wanted to express you my thanks from the heart because I received your postcard TODAY:)
YES I really enjoyed having a bit of NY at my home even though lots of negative news around us now-a-days you know.
May be you know or not, but blogging is banned in Turkey recently. So I'm far away from favorite stuff journalling. I hope this frustrating problem will be solved soon and.. I can't wait to make an exhibition on my page. 5/11 received by today.

Hope you had a great time in Denver & Have a Happy Monday!

Hugs from
Nihal at Stormy CrossRoads

http://nihalcrossroads.blogspot.com

by Danie said...

I would love to walk every morning in such beautiful surroundings with my friends, that's great.
And AAAh OOOH, so cute little baby clothes, I call them "grenouillère", which could be translated by frog pajamas, I am very happy for you, you're going to see son and future mama, she must be pretty big by now, hahaha, my daughter is complaining she puts so much weight on. I almost cried when I saw what is in your suitcase.

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
Hope your daughter in law had a wonderful shower! Those are some adorable outfits that you bought for the baby! I look forward to hearing about your trip!

Great walking trail too!
diane

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hi Pat...thinking of you! :)

Tara said...

Hi Pat

Hope the shower is great!

Loved catching up on your posts here! I am back to posting and in healing mode. Can't tell you how much your care and concern meant-- you're so special!

Tara

Louise said...

How I would love to spend my mornings here Pat. It must really make your day to meet up with friends, to share your pastimes together. You must have had so much fun choosing all those baby outfits, all of which I must add are very cute. Your little grandson is going to look so sweet in them. x