I had quite an extraordinary day in NYC. I'm here for my Uncle Ringo's concert tomorrow at Radio City Music Hall. But before the family festivities begin, I took today to get lost in this magical city. I've been trying to slow down lately, focusing on a connection to nature and my place in the world. Sound cheesy? Not at all, because we all have these desires in common. I'm reading a fantastic book on the very subject, called 'Faith And Will; Weathering the Storms In Our Spiritual Lives' by Julia Cameron. I'm carrying it everywhere I go.
The first great experience of today was walking in Central Park with my father. We sometimes go through phases of estrangement, but today was a lovely connection I will remember always. We spoke about our feelings very honestly, and he shared things from his childhood that I never knew.
After I walked my dad back to his hotel, I took a cab to the FRICK MUSEUM on 70th and 5th. It is the private art collection and house of a wealthy steel tycoon. He built the house in the early 1900s with the intention of turning it into a museum upon his death. I spent several hours in the museum, walking through each amazing room. The house is so elaborate and grand, it is insane to think of a real family living their daily life there.
You probably don't know this, but the FRICKs built another mansion in Pittsburgh-I've visited that one as well. When I arrived, I KNEW the house and grounds, as if I'd been there before. I was even able to describe places in the house I had not seen yet, and the tour guide confirmed my points. My family and I were creeped out. The FRICKs lost a young daughter, and my mom is convinced I was her in a past life. That WOULD explain my feelings of belonging and knowledge of the FRICKs mansion. I always enjoy visiting their Manhattan estate, and I got my fill today.
I then walked 36 blocks home. I mentioned this to a few NYC friends, and they skoffed...BUT I'M AN LA GIRL. AND I'M PROUD OF MY MEASLY 36 BLOCKS, so there.
As I sit here typing I have eaten about a pound of 'SOUR PATCH KIDS'...a perfect end to a wonderfully emotional day.
'Faith And Will' by Julia Cameron-www.theartistsway.com
The Frick Museum-www.Frick.org
36 blocks? Thats a huge deal to LA girls! :) Sounds like a great day!
ReplyDeleteawesome i want to have a birthday party /chartirt at the frick someday, ive never evewr even been but 10012 and 10021 canb be intercahngeable, keep blogging id love perspective from you!
ReplyDeletewhen i need to just slow down and get away, i hit the texas back roads in my car with the windows rolled down while listening to good music. some people consider that boring, but i can do that for hours!
ReplyDeleteglad to hear about the connection with your father. i sure wish i could do that with mine sometimes.
and kudos on the sour patch kids...freaking scrumptious!
i really enjoy reading your blogs!