If you’re looking for a special way to mark the beginning of the fall season, check out the Fall notecards in Glimsen’s Shop. Our most popular design, the Fall notecards have been been restocked for the season and for early Christmas shopping. Just sayin’…
Standing in the hotel lobby, I counted off the minutes until my daughter came. Four months had passed since we’d last been together, and that was much too long.
Soon, the automatic doors opened and in walked my sunshine, with her bright smile. We grabbed each other for a long hug or two and headed back outside to walk and talk.
Although I’ve been to visit her in Brooklyn several times, I’d never been to this particular area. She had some favorite things to show me, starting with an old apartment building on the next block that actually has her name etched in stone above the door.
No, seriously.
Years ago, her dad and I chose her name because it’s pretty and timeless, and apparently, someone else felt that way too because they gave their building the same name. Is that crazy or what?
A few steps away from her namesake, we saw Annie’s Garden, a small community garden named after Annie Thomson (b 1919) whose hard work and dedication originally brought it to life. Garden members, most of whom live close by, and Parks employees maintain both Annie’s Garden and the adjacent Garden of Union. The gate was open, so we stepped inside and walked along the brick-paved pathway to a spruce tree, a teal wooden bench, and a concrete birdbath. Hostas and flowers lined the pathway, and vegetables and herbs grew further back.
Up the street, gorgeous brownstones on either side of the road reminded me of another era. Of course I had to get some photos of their brightly-painted doors.
As we walked, my daughter filled me in on the latest details on her life—catching me up on her classes, work, and friends. Stomachs growling, we stopped for lunch at a Mexican place she loved, Miti Miti. Grabbing a table on the sidewalk, we settled in for tacos and a long talk.
Later, with full bellies, we headed a few more blocks to Prospect Park, a large, popular park that had drawn a crowd on this sunny, warm day. We crossed a large meadow, where people of all ages were picnicking, playing games, and snoozing in the sun.
Soon, we came to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Once inside, I was surprised to find so many plants blooming, given the end of summer and beginning of fall. Many of these plants had a natural feel, like wildflowers. Other areas had a more cultivated look.
We ambled along the trails, over a bridge or two, through a vegetable garden, and around the conservatories, which were closed to visitors. We stopped for photos and refreshment: a sour lemonade for me and iced latte for her.
By the time we left the garden late that afternoon, my feet begged for a lift to the hotel. We made plans to meet two of her friends for dinner at the barbecue place across the street (yum!).
It was a beautiful afternoon, in so many ways—the sunshine, the park, the plants, and the people, one person in particular. Counting the days until I see her again.
When and where have you enjoyed beauty in an urban setting? Let me know in the comments below.
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