Walking in Harlem

Diary Entry for Saturday, May 21, 2011

Lazy morning. Slept in late and enjoyed it. Got up and ready for the day and then took another nap! Grabbed some lunch from the cafeteria before they closed. I think the swelling has gone down in my ankles.

By 2:30 pm I got out the door – heading down to Harlem. I have been told it is safe – as long it is day time. There was an exhibition of Patchwork quilts by Africans of India at the Schomburg Center at the Harlem-NY Public Library, on 135^th and Malcom X Blvd. Another opportunity to take the buses so off I went.

I always ask those at the bus station where the buses are going. Most times I am lucky and get a friendly sort. An older African-American lady guided me through the stops. While on the bus I asked her if the red brick buildings were considered the “projects” that I had read about. She assured me that they were part of “The Projects.” With there being green grass, the buildings are looking decent – but I haven’t been inside!

So I get to my destination and enjoy the exhibition of quilts. They weren’t ones we are familiar with, as the women use old saris, and any other bits of cloth they had. A true pieced-quilt. I was taking pictures of them, and had even asked if it would be OK, but just as I rounded the corner, the guard told me I couldn’t. Darn, I have all those pictures!!! Anyway, the quilts were very rudimentary compared to the masterpieces that are created from experienced quilters. But it is their story that makes them unique. Though the tops are varied, the process is the same, geometric shapes pieced together, than using a whole piece of cloth (if available) they are stitched together using a long running stitch. There was no batting that was sandwiched between the fabrics. After thinking about this, they probably don’t need to – they live in India – it doesn’t get too cold there. They use the quilts for decoration or for bedding. They have put into practice, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

While there I met an African-American woman who was a quilter. Quilters have a language, bonding is pretty quick – but she was a little stand-offish. But that was OK. She shared with me that she uses African fabrics for quilts – which she purchases from the Netherlands!!! She said the designs are unique and beautiful, Vlisco fabrics.

I went upstairs where they had another exhibition, of photos of the “African-American Renaissance.” They were some beautiful prints from a number of African-American photographers. I thought of Kimmy, hoping some day she would be able to capture people the way these photographers had. There was energy, color, history – all telling a story. There were some older African-American people viewing the photos as well. They were not from NYC, but it was interesting to hear their comments, asking one another, “Do you remember that time?” They had smiles on their faces as they were walking through the exhibition – so did I.  I find history of people fascinating.

I was writing down my thoughts about the photos, when the quilting lady from downstairs came up to me. She had pulled out some fabrics that she was telling me about. She had forgotten that she had some pieces in her purse, and wanted to show them to me. She had warmed up by the time she made it upstairs!!! Her name was Carene. She is a retired nurse, has a mother that is 90, a daughter and a granddaughter that is 30 – four generations. She has lived in NYC all her life. She had in her hands a book entitled Crowns. It was a book she had just picked up at the library bookstore about the hats that African-American women had worn through the 20^th century. Talk about hats! These were incredible pieces of design made out of felt, feathers, fabric, flowers and bling!

Carene then told me the story of her mother – that she loves hats. In fact she has 200 of them! She told me that in NYC, when there are women’s day at the church’s or other events, the women look forward to her mother showing up, in anticipation to see what hat she will be wearing. The African-American women dress up for church in NYC. They may do it in other cities – but in NYC – it is expected! Carene told the story of her mother’s recent trip to St. Louis and the hat shop. Her mother was looking into the hat shop and the owner noticed her. He opened the door, invited her in, offered her a chair and proceeded to show her “the” hat, as well as several more. She ended up buying three hats as glorious as the others in her collection.

I asked Carene if her mother would allow someone to see her hats. It was a very quick, negative response. I would have loved to have seen her hats. What a story that would have been.

After I toured the exhibits I started walking down Malcom X Blvd. or Lenox Avenue. Let’s say I was an uncommon visitor on these streets. Got a few smiles, but mainly I was ignored.

The sidewalks are wide on this street, and close to where the Harlem LDS Church building is. Along the curb many older African-American men were lined up, sitting on folding chairs. There would be a boom box playing music, but the men just sat, watching people walk by, or visiting with one another. I wanted to take a picture of them, but when I asked, they said no, so I walked on. There were a few people that had a tent set up with things to sell, those individuals were friendly. There were just a lot of people.

I crossed over 125^th Street, and walked south because I saw some beautiful buildings and wanted to take some pictures. I have been told that there is a resurgence of rebuilding and restoring a lot of the buildings in Harlem. There are a lot of historical buildings. I took pictures of some of the buildings that are in need of repair and those in the process – but again, the camera does not do it justice. One building is St. Mark’s. The gentlemen sitting on the corner said it was a mausoleum. Haven’t been able to confirm that, but it is interesting!

 Waiting restoration.

There were lots of buildings with fire escapes. 

S

 Loved the detail on these buildings.

 Historically these were beautiful - all in a row.

 Even on a Saturday it was quite the show of African-American women in their Sunday best.

So many churches on every street.

 Again, the details and craftsmanship on these buildings, how beautiful.

One of many red-brick buildings.

A Paper Love Affair - What Does This Have to do With New York?

One of my favorite things to do is to read. As a child growing up in Yuma, AZ, playing outside in the summertime was not something you chose to do. Other than what was necessary, you stayed inside. My companions were books. I remember my mother taking me to the Yuma City Library and I would go to the Children's Department, in the basement, and check out 10-12 books per week to take home. I also loved it when we would have the book fairs. My teachers would give me an order form with colored pictures of all the books they had to offer.

I would check all the books I wanted before I got home to give to my mother. 

My mother loved me - she loved to read too and let me order every book I wanted (I think!). 

When my children entered school, and they brought home their Scholastic Book order forms, I checked all the boxes of the books I wanted my children to have. They fell in love with books too. Of course I had to read the books that we ordered - just to make sure they were appropriate. 

Because I have five daughters, we had every Babysitter Club book series, and the Goosebumps series became a favorite of my son. We had lots of paperback books at our home and never enough shelf space to hold them. 

We had hardback books too, and they were loved and well-worn as well.

So - while in NYC, five of us from our office went to attend a conference put on 

by Odyssey Networks, down in the SoHo district of NYC

(SoHo means South of Houston Street). 

The conference or "conversation" that we had there was enlightening, the luncheon was great, and the SoHo district has a long history of architecture (another love affair of mine),

great restaurants and shopping. But this post is about books.

The conference was held at the Scholastic Store - a book store! Children's books. 

The books I love and grew up with. A must see if you take children to NYC. 

For any book, the cover or illustration is what draws you into the book. 

They had the artwork from the covers of several children's books. 

One of the more recent books I have purchased is No, David! by David Shannon. 

Just looking at this illustration - can you tell what will happen?

Here are a few other framed book illustrations - do you recognize them?

Then there are displays of books and the accessories that they create for kids.
Touch it - you want to buy it! Marketing is an art form.

Leesa shows off Captain Underpants - her favorite! 

Fairs and Towers

People watching is what I like best about NYC. But sometimes it is hard to do this because everyone is moving so fast. 
One afternoon after church there was a street fair going on. I had to eat, so I decided to walk around and see what delectable foods they had to try. This was fun because people weren't in a hurry, they had slowed down to just enjoy the sights and smells of the street vendors. There still was an energy about the fair, the noise of NYC had not lessened, but people were just enjoying themselves with no hurry to be anywhere.
The vendors were many. The fair was about three blocks long, with various foods to eat, "I Love NYC" t-shirts, scarves, plants, jewelry, women's accessories, sunglasses, African art and baskets - it was all there.

And then there are the Towers. I found three. There possibly could have been more. There was one on Columbus Circle, another across from the UN and the third was on the west side, across from the Hudson River. The Heliport was near the third tower, it was pretty busy the day I walked by. They didn't seem very busy. Occasionally there were some cars parked in front where chauffeurs were opening doors as people hurried into the Towers. Maybe I should have walked in one to see if they are as grand as I had heard. Maybe the people I would have seen in the Towers would have changed my perspective of people in NYC. Possibly it could have been the best people watching episode I could ever want! But I didn't because there are just too many people in NYC that are interesting all by themselves.

A Lost Mom on Mother's Day Weekend

I know, it is a few months past being Mother's Day - but I need to share what happened the weekend of May 6 - 8.

Though I already shared about going to the MoMA, Modern Museum of Art, I wanted to share this  video when I was up on the 6th floor. Funny that my grandson, Jaren, would ask me two days later about how tall were the buildings. From this high vantage point it was quite the sight, from the MoMA's gardens to the tops of the skyscrapers. I wish there was someway to see how magnificent these buildings really are.

Pictures from the ground up and some cool looking buildings that I did not capture in my video.

Earlier that day I had spent all morning getting invitations printed for the UN Ambassadors Picnic that I was working on. I came back to the office to find a box filled with some beautiful flowers from my children. I thought how thoughtful of them to send them to the office - now I could enjoy them each day at work.

I told Von what the kids had done and he sounded a little put out and asked about the flowers he had sent, which should have been delivered on Thursday! So Saturday morning I did a little investigation and found them safe and sound in the mail room - waiting for me to pick them up!

It was wonderful to have flowers welcoming me in the morning, greeting me at work and loving me at night. I am so blessed.

However, on Saturday morning, I was looking forward to sleeping in. Not so! At 7 am, I got a call from my BYU Intern friends asking if I wanted to see Catch Me If You Can musical. They wanted me to meet them at the ticket office. Unfortunately I wasn't ready till 9 am to head on down to Times Square. They called me to say they would pick a ticket up for me. The little stinks! I lost two hours of beauty sleep - thank you! I did go that night and had a great time. I am always mesmerized by the scenery and how it all works. In my third career, I am going to be a scenery and set designer!

Sunday was church and lunch with my cousin Julia. I was so glad she invited me over that day - to be with family. She has lived in NYC since retiring from teaching college, theater literature in Nebraska. What a delightful woman she is! Though we grew up in different households and never really associated with each other - I know we are related because we have this desire and wonder about people, life and learning. It was fun to visit her in her home, to hear stories about her life and the treasures that are displayed in her home. Julia was so good to me while in NYC. Though we only got to spend a little time together - she fed me generously with food, conversation and a continued love of family. Thank you, Julia, for your kindness and hospitality and making this lost "mom" on mother's day feel loved.

Sax on the Streets

Many years ago, during high school, I fell in love with the jazz band. Especially the saxophone. I love the deep tones of this instrument. It stirs something within me. So, when I first heard someone playing the sax on the street of NYC, it stopped me in my tracks. I had to listen. It got better after that, because I heard them playing in all sorts of places in NYC. They were in Times Square, random street corners, in the trains, at the entrances to the train stations, and the best - in the train (subway) stations, underground where the acoustics were terrific. In fact, many nights you would find 2-4 piece bands playing down in the stations - just one of the many sounds of New York. 

And then you have the singers that come on the trains.

At each stop they go to the next car, with their cups or bags of gold, collecting money for the talent they are sharing.

Here is one 2-piece band playing Amazing Grace.

Thank you New York for bringing me the joy of music.

BIG, Beautiful and Bold

Outside the building in which I work, there is an African woman who sits everyday on the corner, selling newspapers. The last two weeks, she has been dressed in African dresses with some type of headdress. They are beautiful. She comes upstairs to our floor to use the restroom, and we always comment on her attire - I think she likes the attention. One day when she came up, I was very impressed with the cloth and style of her dress, I should have taken a picture of her. Sis. Lyon has made comments several times about the wife of the Ambassador of Botswana. She said she is a most gracious woman worth knowing and wears her size very well. I am disappointed that they had to cancel being at our picnic this weekend, I would have loved to have met her.  

My friend Alice, had a link to C.Jane's blog, about a woman from Ghana, and her perceptions of body images. You will have to read the post, as I agree - if we all had a tailor to make our clothing, that fit well - we might see ourselves differently.

I know what it takes to reshape things in my life, but until I do, I am OK with who I am. However, I wish I could get away with wearing Big, Beautiful and Bold prints that the African women wear. I love the fabrics - but that is a different story for another day!

New York City's Jewel

Central Park - I will just let it speak for its self!

One of the many walkways in Central Park.

Concrete character creations.

 This is the famous "Engagement Bridge" 
used in films like Enchanted.

A little glimpse of the lake. Don't ask me which one. Unfortunately, you can't see the water lilies.

Lots of statues, this one is called the Falconer. In my other life I think I would have liked to have been one!

Strawberry Hills (forever)? I don't see any strawberries!

 

When you leave the park on the west side at 72nd Street, you see this little gem of a building. This is the Dakota Building, where John Lennon lived.