Manic Monday: On the road again

July 28, 2014 | Uncategorized

As Olivia pointed out on the long drive home from a weekend with cousins at the Jersey Shore, we’ve had three mini-vacations this summer, with the big one yet to come. A weekend trip to the Bronx Zoo two weeks ago, a weekend with Cousins in NYC last weekend, and a weekend at Grandpa and Grandma’s near Long Beach Island, N.J. The minivan is getting a workout. This week we’re hanging out at home for a change, but that doesn’t mean dull and boring. Unfortunately. Between work and Chiara’s Bible camp and her just-over horseback riding birthday party, I’m kind of longing for one day to just sit still and do nothing. Here’s how Manic Monday looks this week: 

Bookshelf: Still reading Thich Nhat Hanh’s You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment, and still trying to discover the magic. I’m not so good at the present moment. I’m incredibly good at the next moment and totally entrenched in the last moment but not so adept at the now moment. I’m working on it.

GPS: Well, as I’ve already mentioned Kayak Dennisabove, we’ve been spending a lot of time on the road, this last time without our trusty GPS known as Katniss. No far-from-home plans on tap until we head back to the Jersey Shore — North Wildwood next time — in August. My happy place. Okay, any time I’m at the ocean (or by a lake) it’s my happy place.

Dennis, on the other hand, plugged in the GPS and had his own adventure this weekend, when he headed to St. Mary’s on the Lake (George) for a retreat. I have to share the awesome shot he took from his kayak, over there on the right. Doesn’t that just make you breathe deep and relax your shoulder muscles, or is that just me?

Menu: Lots of great eating this past week — from the delicious NYC bagel at Zucker’s, to the homemade fettucini at Monte’s in the Village, to the delicious tofu dish and miso soup at Pan Asia in Forked River, NJ, to the homemade (by me) birthday dinner of seafood scampi for Chiara (her pick).  Maybe I should stick with yogurt and salad for a few days…Nah.

Viewfinder: We have had too many great views to share them all here. NYC alone provided so many wonderful shots, and not just of the obvious stuff, although I have to admit that getting close to the Statue of Liberty was a highlight. Haven’t been there since my fifth-grade field trip. This time we just went with a water view — Staten Island Ferry. How is that still free? A couple of shots from our week…

 

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

 

Chrysler Building

Chrysler Building – my favorite

 

Dennis and Mary Central Park

In Central Park

Soundtrack: Lots of great music was played during those many hours of driving, so it’s hard to choose one song. Here’s an old one that’s back at the top of my playlist thanks to Dennis: Collide by Howie Day.

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