A most magical thing...

Scenes from the park on a Tuesday night...

Over the past week, I've felt a wave of end-of-summer melancholy begin to wash over me. The weather has been beautiful, but more "perfect September" than the scorching summer sun that I love. I've also noticed that sunset comes a few minutes earlier than I'm expecting each day and that all my upcoming weekend plans take me solidly into fall. Summer, it would seem, is winding itself down...

But last week, the most magical thing happened. As I was walking home, beautiful, actually... enchanting, guitar music found my ears. Living across the street from Washington Square Park, I'm fortunate to frequently encounter talented musicians of all types (the guy who wheels in his baby grand piano, the female singer under the arch, the drum circle in the southeast corner...) but this was something else. Sitting right at the corner entrance to the park was a younger gentleman playing frenzied, melodic, amazing guitar music. I stood and listened (along with several other passersby) before heading home. And here's the best part - after stepping into my apartment, I realized I could still hear the music loud and clear through the open windows of my apartment!!! It was like having a private concert outside my window.

Two days later, Dr. H and I were walking home from dinner and the guitarist was back. This time inside the park, an intimate crowd of listeners had gathered on the benches surrounding him. I told Dr. H, "this guy is incredible, we MUST stop" and so we did. On a cool summer's evening, we sat together on a bench in the park and just listened to beautiful music. We did it again on Friday with our niece and nephew who were equally enchanted (and eager to help with the dropping of a dollar into his guitar case!) And then there was last night, when Dr. H and I stood on the terrace together, just inhaling the sunset and listening to "our guitar guy". It almost feels like "guitar guy" came to the park to serenade the end of our summer personally, to make everything feel beautiful and magical and just right. I'm actually dreading the possibility that any day now he may move on to a new neighborhood and be gone forever. 

Until that day however, I'm just trying to soak up his magic. I'm trying to remember that every year the beauty, pace and happiness of summer come and go, so I need to embrace every ounce of it while it's here. The fresh air, the smell after it rains, the sticky way the season attaches itself to your skin... as another summer begins to end, I'm going to remember to stop and smell the roses, or listen to the music, as the case may be:)

(Update: He has a Facebook page!! Meet "guitar guy"!! It's stuff like THIS track that makes my heart sing!)

Take me out to the ballgame (& other awesome summer activities)

Hello Summer!

Perfectly timed to the arrival of today's genuinely summery weather (hello 90 degrees in midtown Manhattan!) Dr. H has surprised me with two tickets to tonight's Mets v. Yankees game (what a guy:) I can't think of a better way to welcome my most favorite season than by watching David Wright's booty hover over third base with a hot dog and cold beer in my hands! Though many look to escape NYC during the dog days of summer, I absolutely LOVE it here (except for the sauna that is the subway, nobody can love that sweat box). Here to help you join me in NYC summer lovin are a few of my most favorite activities for soaking up sun in the city (and click HERE for some suggestions from the pros over at NY Magazine!)

* Check out a baseball game. NYC has 4 great teams to entertain you, the Mets, Yankees, Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees. While the majors are always exciting, a trip across the river on the (FREE!) Staten Island Ferry means an awesomely intimate and affordable ball game (check out THIS all-you-can eat deal for just $22) or maybe a date night of Brooklyn baseball and a ride on the Wonder Wheel is more your style? (Don't forget about Nathan's!)

* Dip your toes (or your entire body) in the Washington Square Park fountain. The water is filtered and treated so it's clean and ready for splashing!

* Drink al fresco. Click HERE for some oldies but goodies... Or use THIS guide and head up to the roof!

* Eat some Mr. Softee. The trucks are on every freakin corner... good luck resisting temptation!

* Visit the Central Park Zoo! With a small footprint inside Central Park, the zoo is extremely manageable for people with little kids (plus there's a great petting zoo) and you'll feel miles away from the city as you watch the sea lions, snow leopards and penguins do their thing (Note: Gus the Polar Bear hangs out in his air conditioning when it gets too hot!) 

* Walk along Hudson River Park. This park, spanning from Battery Park City to the George Washington Bridge is such a treat. There's lots of green space for lounging, a bike and running path, piers with playgrounds and water toys, free kayaking, mini golf, bike rentals and more! The park also hosts tons of events throughout the summer including free concerts, movies and fitness classes!

* Visit the Cloisters. This one is on my to do list, as I've never been to the Met's outpost near the northern tip of Manhattan island (on a hill overlooking the Hudson River!) Created through a Rockefellar grant, the art collection is housed in five French cloistered abbeys and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.