A special thank you to K( (www.sparringk9.blogspot.com) who once again created Christmas CD's for her readers this year. I look forward to them each year, and this year was even more special since it was a tough season to get through. Thank you, my beloved K9, for this wonderful gift of your amazing talents. It made me smile after the tears...

Its garden, too, glowed with flowers: hollyhocks had sprung up tall as trees..." ~ Jane Eyre


Last Sunday was the most perfect of days with the Prince, thanks to his thoughtfulness and talent for making any day or night whimsical so long as we are together.

Ironically, I have been to the lovely Cloisters at Westminster Abbey in England, but never to the Cloisters of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at Fort Tryon Park here in New York. Though he and I discussed going together this summer, the original plan for last Sunday was to go to the MET itself on Fifth Avenue to see the Superhero Exhibit at the costume institute.

When he got into the car, he had a plan for the entire day of times and transportation routes: plans had changed. We were going to take the train to Penn and then take the A train to the Cloisters, take the M4 bus back to the Met on Fifth, see the Superhero exhibit, and then take the W down to East 8th street and walk to the Indian Bread Company for a dinner of "naninis."

And we did just that. If you know anything about New York City's layout, you know that we were literally all over the city that day!

The Prince's laugh is one of my favorite laughs - there is something infectious about it (I love watching comedies with him), and the train ride in was enjoyable to me because we were listening to comedic sketches on his Ipod. After the train ride into Penn Station and the A train ride up to Ft. Tryon Park, we exited and I couldn't’t believe I was still in New York City. While we waited for the bus, the Prince and I shared a Spiderman ice pop thanks to our good fortune that a Good Humor truck was right there! It had been ages since I ate any ice pop that had gumball eyes on it. Arriving at the Cloisters was exciting, for it’s located on a hill and is just stunning to view from its base.

As much as I loved the Unicorn tapestries and the indoor relics, my favorite aspects of the Cloisters were the actual gardens and courtyards. The Prince took amazing photos – he has a great eye when it comes to photography- a few of which are seen above. He got a wonderful shot of a butterfly perched on a flower. The courtyards themselves are regal, as you can see from the second photo. The third is one I took of a fountain amidst a courtyard that only contained stone columns. As bare as it was, there was a zen-like quality to the space that was peaceful and relaxing. My favorite garden was the Medieval Culinary garden outside...the Cloisters planted trees, vegetables, herbs, and roots that would have been grown in the Middle Ages. Some of the culinary trees and plants included fig trees, pear trees, cherry trees, garlic bulbs, parsley, rosemary, sage, leeks, chives, and kale.

By the time we finished and after viewing the food garden, we got back on the bus and arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art needing a snack. Nothing beats a dirty water dog and lemonade on a hot summer day. I had mine with relish and mustard, and the Prince had one with everything. We sat in the shade on a bench by the sidewalk art vendors, and all I could think about is how perfect the day is because I was with him.

Inside the MET, we viewed the Superhero exhibit, which is a must see if anyone is visiting the museum this summer. After that we sat in my favorite place for a few moments - the European Sculpture Garden - once again visiting our favorite statues of Perseus and Andromeda. We then ventured out of the museum and headed to the subway to go down to Greenwich Village for a dinner of "naninis" at the Indian Bread Company. We both ate the Saag Chicken (grilled chicken tikka cubes with spinach spread, caramelized onion and tikka masala sauce) and I had a mango lassi. By this time we were exhausted and decided to head home.

After showering and falling into bed after the day, I was not sad that the day was over. I know there are plenty more to come. Besides, there may not be gardens with flowers or tapestries or leisurely bus rides down Fifth Avenue each day when we are together, but that is no matter, because all moments I spend with him are perfectly beautiful.

Some fun websites from our fun day:
http://www.indianbreadco.com/
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/superheroes/index.asp
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Unicorn/hunt_unicorn_transcript.htm
http://citysbest.aol.com/new-york/best-dining/hot-dogs/

"With ceaseless rain sweeping away wildly..." ~ Jane Eyre

A few hours ago my nephew, who will turn three in September, was at the door when it was raining; I scooped him up and had him under my umbrella and twirled him around as I sang "Singin' in the Rain" off tune. He still laughed and smiled as I managed not to hit each note, happy to be swinging (and singing) in the rain.

Upon entering the kitchen where my two sisters were, he asked for the umbrella. I said it was wet, but his mom grabbed his plastic Elmo umbrella from the closet so he could play with one. I then started singing again, quietly, but this time catching the ears of my sisters.

The film with Gene Kelly is one that is embedded in the memories of our childhood that sing the notes of happiness we had during that time. It was a film passed on to us by our parents, and they loved it because their parents shared it with them. If we had a soundtrack of our sisterhood, there would be songs from Singing in the Rain.

Missy said that she had the DVD, and Robin said to take it out to show him the scene. It was still wrapped in plastic; she must have had it on the shelf for years without watching it. Still, my sisters and I once had that movie memorized, so there is no real time lost.

The track of the famous scene was 40. Jack stood watching seriously with his Elmo umbrella in hand. Melissa placed a hat on his head, and within a few moments of the scene starting, my nephew proceeded to imitate Gene Kelly in the scene, tapping with the umbrella, twirling it around, hoisting it on his shoulder, and jumping up and down as Kelly splashes in the puddles. He even managed to utter an "Uh Oh" when the policemen enters the end of the scene. It was one of the most adorable moments a child has ever had. Its on video...I have proof...and I will download it to share in the future.

But for now it remains a very private moment. You see, I saw the tears in the corners of my sisters' eyes, and I felt them in my own. There is so much that we want to give to the next generation that has been given to us, including song. For my nephew to share a scene and a song that linked our bond as sisters and daughters and granddaughters to our family was a special moment this evening. These are songs that represent the innocence of childhood, whether it is flying a kite, singing in the rain, or going somewhere over the rainbow. Each time he hears them for the first time, it is like we hear it again for the first time all over again, and its magic.

My brother-in-law had never seen the part of the film since he did not grow up here in America. So seeing him watch it for the first time with Jack was also special; we spent about 45 minute watching this scene and "Good Morning" as Jack danced, and believe me, it was a glorious feeling. (He saw "Make 'Em Laugh" but thought Donald O'Conner was really getting hurt, so we had to cease playing that scene)

Please enjoy a trip down memory lane...though Jack IS fierce competition for Mr. Kelly, folks, as you shall one day see. Hope you are singing if its raining...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bkEvy-9yVyQ