central park

Central Park Benches

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Inspired by the instagram account @centralparkbenches, I decided to take my own little tour of Central Park yesterday and look at all the fun benches and plaques. As someone who spends A LOT of time in the park — running, walking, playing, sitting, needlepointing, talking, etc…– I always have loved looking at the inscriptions. On my run, these are some of my favorite — and I want to have one of my own when I die!

 

Love this one so much.

Made me cry.

Cute and poppy.

Dark, but I love it.

This one literally made me cry — look at the final date.

So true.

Love this one, too.

Fun.

A woman enjoying the park and its benches.

 

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I loved my little scavenger hunt looking at the Central Park benches, and I cannot wait to spend more time exploring different areas of the park with these benches. HIGHLY recommend. And if you are on instagram, follow @centralparkbench

Flaco the Owl

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As many people have, I too, have become totally enthralled and obsessed with the story of Flaco the Owl. For those of you who do not know Flaco, Flaco is an owl that escaped a month ago from Central Park Zoo. After eluding many different rescue attempts, Flaco now lives in Central Park freely and most likely will continue to live a free life away from the zoo. Flaco escaped the zoo on February 2nd, once its enclosure was vandalized. Flaco has lived in captivity at the zoo since 2010, and everyone has been worried if Flaco would be able to survive alone in the wild. But sure enough, Flaco is not only surviving, but thriving in the city. There was an incredible story in the NYTimes  “Everyone Loves Flaco the Escaped Owl. But Why, Exactly?” and I highly suggest reading it — maybe you, too, will become interested in finding and spotting Flaco!

 

This past weekend, we went searching for Flaco — almost the whole day Sunday.

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Central Park Music

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One of the ways that my husband, Ken, has dealt with the restrictions of life due to COVID, has been playing music outside in Central Park. Once a month over the summer, Ken would organize to gather in Central Park with 1 or 2 musician friends (one being my best friend from childhood, David) and jam out together. He would text a couple of friends that he was going and if they wanted to swing by and bring their own wine and food, or just to drop by.  As I was out in Oregon during these “performances,” I never had the privilege of attending the concerts, but it was clear how much happiness, joy, and life it gave Ken. He lived for these evenings as it renewed a sense of hope in him — cheesy as it sounds, it gave him life. The small interactions with strangers, outside (and safe) encounters with friends, and the music itself, made a huge difference to him. So last week, he put together a last minute park gathering and I finally was able to attend.

 

Ken has “a spot.” It is where he always gathers to play music. It is near Sheep’s Meadow and The Mall. Not too far away from our home, but still a delightful walk nonetheless.

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