Day after Christmas...

Here I sit, day after Christmas, wife's at work. Still trying to adjust to my new schedule and find time for writing, admittedly, I'm not doing so well finding the time to write yet. Surprisingly, given my position on the work totem pole, I didn't work yesterday and enjoyed a beautiful day with the wifey. We went to the movies. It has been unseasonably warm this year -- let that sink in -- and I found myself peeling off my coat as we walked through quiet neighborhoods towards the little independently-owned theatre. Once again, dispelling the idea that New York has only massive stores and shops. I was quite surprised to see the line already forming outside as we rounded the corner. Then realizing, and remembering, that we live in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, I had my duh moment of the day. Our first time to this theatre, I was instantly spiraled back in time a few decades. It was, itself, a little theatre out of a 1950s movie. We saw Into the Woods, by the way, and it was marvelous. It was a day to be cherished.

Today is another beauty of a day. The sun has filled our entire tiny place, which I guess isn't that hard to do, and I'm slowly waking up with the help of some strong, patient espresso. I'll head into the city in a bit and soak in some much needed magic--the city never fails to provide. Sunny, rainy, snowy, the city turns on its magic and I am once again captivated and inspired. I'll carry with me the first Harry Potter book for my reading time while on the sub. I decided to get an early jump on my reading list for 2015. Harry Potter series first, then Les Miserables and Don Quixote. After that...we shall see.....

Enjoy the last few days of 2014; we'll catch up in the New Year. Peace.

Brunch on Madison Avenue

Crepes at Keko's. If you are ever in our lovely little city, please do yourself a favor and have crepes at this quaint little beauty of a cafe. I was grateful to spend a wintry morning this week in the city with my wife. As we walked along Madison Avenue, the smallest dusting of snow added just a touch more magic to an already magical day. I was reminded once again that we live in New York. We live in New York.

It's been a year. Can you believe it? I can't sometimes. One year ago today, we rolled up in a full Volkswagen Golf after a night of driving, after my last final was taken at University of Louisville. In the spring of 2014, over a nice bottle of Merlot (did you really expect anything less?), we decided to pack up everything and make this move after I graduated. At times, over those next few months, I wondered are we crazy? but I knew--we knew in our gut this was the time for such a move. As pop always says, "do something, even if it's wrong." It was time to do something. Even after we made that leap, and we spent the next fifty days searching nonstop for an apartment, I'd ask myself again, are we crazy?? I also knew that others were asking themselves the same question, are they crazy? Perhaps we are a bit, but if it brings me this much joy--I'd like to sign up for more.

Today, as we sit in our cozy tiny space, I am...happy, content, peaceful. I'm also proud of us. We worked hard this last year to make this thing work--it wasn't always easy, but we faced each day with determination. After a billion resumes (it seemed that many) I even have a job I am thoroughly enjoying. It also brings me such happiness to see M- thriving in the (many) opportunities she's discovered. I am so grateful to be living this journey, this beautiful adventure, with someone who brings countless smiles to my heart.

All this to say, do what is in your heart to do; be happy. Before moving, we discussed the fact that we might actually fall flat on our face--what then? We decided we'd just have to get back up, dust ourselves off, and go for it again. This was a new journey--and the nature of such is that we could not be certain of the outcome. We committed to keep moving forward, no matter how slow our steps. So I'll say it again: do what is in you heart to do; be happy--find peace.

Twenty years from now you will be 
more disappointed by the things you didn't do 

than by the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Mark Twain~

And So The Tradition Continues...

There is always an excitement at the Wimberley abode when the signs of autumn make their hinted appearance. There's speculation of when the first frost will arrive, there's an excitement at the first sighting of autumn color, and the evenings spent around a campfire in the backyard grow in number. Another long held Wimberley tradition, is the watching of Those Calloways--one of Pop's all time favorite movies. As the temperatures cool, anyone can bet that there will be a call from Pop or myself, that states You know what it's time for! 

I am not sure when we started watching this movie, but I absolutely love it. It is such a Pop  movie too. It is about respect for nature seen through the lives of a family that lives in the woods of Vermont. Cam, the father, was raised by Indians, and holds the tribe's totem, the Canadian goose, with high regard. If you've ever been around the Wimberleys for any length of time, you've not only heard of this movie, you've also heard us quote something from this movie. Last year, Pop introduced M- to our family tradition and I have to laugh each time she throws a quote into one of our conversations. This family tradition means a great deal to me, and as we curled up in our little tiny space this year for our own viewing of Those Calloways, I couldn't help but think how grateful I am to share such traditions with my wife and soul-mate. Such happy times. I never imagined that I would have someone like her with which to share these traditions. Although distance, jobs, and other hindrances kept us from watching this movie with Pop this year, the tradition continues in a new corner of our world.