The United State of America…Home of the Brave…Sometimes they’re just words. Do you ever stop and think what they mean?
For many it was and is leaving everything you know for a hope of something better. In New York City the storyteller in me became enthralled, I felt the shadow of fear, hope and determination left by millions of immigrants. I could imagine them seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time after a long grueling voyage.
Imagine, arriving in the harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first timeLady Liberty from the boat. photo taken by Jolene NavarroI think sometimes we forget New York is surrounded by water and is a port city. Old ships in the docks of New York.New York, surrounded by water. Photo by Jolene Navarro
On 9/11 the fear as they tried to flee on boats that were taking people away from the horrific destruction. The day we all turned to New York, helpless. Just like everything else on this small piece of Earth the 9/11 Memorial is overwhelming.
911 Memorial as the set sets. Photo by Jolene Navarro
I walk the streets of New York, filled with people from around the world that now make America their home – the history, spirit and feel of America was in every stone, brick, window and steel frame that makes up the city. I have to say man’s ability to create a habitat beyond our imagination is awe inspiring and maybe a bit scary.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures.
The old reflected in the new.
Taken from our hotel window, Andaz. The old and new next to each other. Photo by Jolene NavarroView from Central Park. Photo by Jolene NavarroSensory overload in New York City. Photo by Jolene NavarroCentral Park – Loved this part of New York.Approaching Central ParkNew York from Central Park. Photo by Jolene NavarroOn the edge of Time Square. Have to say my least favorite part of New York City.Hanging out in the M & M Store, waiting for the rain to slow down. Photo by Jolene NavarroTime Square New York- the rain had startedThe storm is rolling into the city.The Financial District.View from the Financial District. Photo by Jolene Navarro
Then there is the art…everywhere.
New York Art photo by Jolene Navarro
One thing that was suggested to us was to go to the website of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and map out what you want to see and go to those rooms first. This is a must or you might miss the art you really want to see – there is no way to see this museum in one day. They art they house is incredible so go with a plan and when you see the originals up close…well words can not do the emotions justice. I could do a whole blog on the art of New York.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ancient civilization among the newbies. By Jolene NavarroThe Metropolitan Museum of Art. DegasThe Metropolitan Museum of Art. Degas
To see the textures and colors up close is simply amazing. Even if you can’t make it to the museum, you should follow them on facebook. They share a piece of art each day.
This summer I get to go back to New York for the Romance Writers of America conference. I’m excited to go back to the city. Is there a place you would love to visit again? Have you been to New York? What is your MUST do when you are in the city.
With age, you see people fail more. You see yourself fail more. How do you keep that fearlessness of a kid? You keep going. Luckily, I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself. – Hugh Jackman
In the A to Z blogging challange we have arrived to the letter J….uhmm…what do you think comes to mind? I know an actor that has the last name of Jackman.
Is that Hugh Jackman on my blog again? He really needs to stop following me.
Another J that brings me joy is Jackson Pollock – “I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own.”
Jackson Pollock 1946 Eyes in the Heat
If you have never “dripped painted” before, you should try it…it really is a joyful experience.
Jackson Pollock Number 8 1949
Now that I think about it – the person that brings me the most joy is Fred, his real name is Jesus. Yes, ironic because that makes me think of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who I give joyful thanks for everything in my life. The word teaches us to live a life without fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
In the sky I see my smallness and my greatness. The knowledge that the world spins, seasons come and go and each day will have a new beginning and an end comforts me in it routine. Great things will happen and I will celebrate; bad things will happen and I will survive. The mysteries of life are in God’s hands and I’m just to do the best I can.
My father loved and savored the daily events of a sunrise and sunset. I’ve been known to make my family stop so I can take a picture and for a moment think of the permanent change that is our life. Add your favorite sky picture you have taken.
Here are a few of my pictures along with a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
THE HOUSE OF CLOUDS. 1841
I would build a cloudy house
For my thoughts to live in,
Castroville Texas, the reflection of the sunset over the football game.
When for earth too fancy-loose,
And too low for heaven.
Sunset in Texas Hill Country
I sleep, and talk my dream aloud,
I build it fair to see—
Boerne Texas Sunset – by Wade Beard
I build it on the moonlit cloud,
To which I looked with thee.
Sunset over New Orleans off the Mississippi River
Cloud-walls of the morning’s grey,
Faced with amber column,
Sunset over Texas Hill Country on the road to Leakey Texas from Bandrea Texas
Crowned with crimson cupola
From a sunset solemn—
Sunset on the road to Leakey Texas
For casements, from the valley fetch
May-mists glimmering,—
Early morning back road in Boerne Texas taken by Brandi Quinn
With a sunbeam hid in each,
And a smell of spring.
Sunset from my driveway in Texas Hill Country
Build the entrance high and proud,
Darkening and eke brightening,
Sun rise in Galveston Texas.
Of a riven thunder-cloud
Veinëd with the lightning.
Sun rise ans storms in Galveston
Use one with an iris-stain
For the door within,
Turning to a sound like rain
As we enter in.
Sunset over Hondo Texas
For the fair hall reached thereby
Walled with cloudy whiteness, Take the blue place in the sky,
Wind-worked into brightness—
Sunset Port Aransas
Whence corridores and long degrees
Of cloud-stairs wind away—
Sunset over Castroville during at a high school football game.
Till children wish upon their knees,
They walkëd where they pray.
Early evening over Boerne Texas Main Street. during Dickens On Main
Be my chamber tapestried
With the showers of summer,
From my driveway as I arrive home – Texas Hill Country
Close and silent, glorified
When the sunbeams come there—
Sudden harpers, harping on
Every drop as such,—
Early evening over Boerne Texas Main Street. during Dickens On Main
Drawing colours like a tune,
Measured to the touch.
Bring a shadow green and still
From the chesnut forest—
On the Mississippi heading into New Orleans
Bring a purple from the hill
When the heat is sorest,—
Texas Hill Country Sunset from my driveway
Spread them out from wall to wall,
Carpet-wove around; And thereupon the foot shall fall
In light instead of sound.
Sun rise, from my balcony in Galveston Texas –
Bring a grey cloud from the east
Where the lark was singing—
Clouds and storms trying to block the sun as it climbs into the sky over Galveston, Texas
Something of the song at least
Lost not in the bringing,—
Slow rise over Galveston, Texas
And that shall be a morning chair
For poet-dreams,—when with them
No verse constraint—the floating air
Their only, lovely rhythm.
Te sun rising as I leave for work – leaving the Texas Hill Country and heading to San Antonio
Bring the red cloud from the sun—
While he sinketh, catch it,—
Bring it for a couch, with one
Side-long star to watch it—
Fit for a poet’s finest thought,
At curfew time, to lean;
Peaceful morning on my balcony in Galveston Texas
When things invisible are brought
More near him than the seen. Poet’s thought, not poet’s sigh!—
Alas! they come together!
Cloudy walls divide and fly
As if in April weather.
Castroville Texas, the reflection of the sunset over the football game.
Hall, corridore, and column proud—
My chamber fair to see—
All pass—except that moonlit cloud
To which I looked with thee.
Night on the porch as the moon slips across the sky
Let them!– Wipe such visionings
From the fancy’s cartel;
Love secures some frailest things,
Dowered with his immortal.
Suns, moons may darken—heaven be bowed,—
But here unchanged shall be,
Walking into Jackson Square late at night.
Here in my soul—that moonlit cloud,
To which I looked with thee.
We live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
I’m fascinated with doors, love them. Walking the French Quarter in New Orleans, I took more pictures of doors than anything else.
Doors to Secret Places in New Orleans in the French QuarterOn the way to Pirate Ally in the French Quarter’s of New Orleans.
Doors are strong symbolism for opportunities & rejections. How do we handle an opened door? Afraid of the unknown or do you have the faith to walk through with courage?
Waiting to entry the unknown in New Orleans.
How do we react when confronted with a closed door?
A shut door can lead to a better path. Even in the French Quarter, New Orleans.
There are times we want to bang on the locked door until our fist is bloody and our throat raw, or imagine going Chuck Norris on the thing that keeps us from our perfect life. Denying us what we think we desire the most. The one thing that would make us happy. Oh, but I have learned that closed doors can be the greatest gift, forcing us to find a new path.You have to be willing to follow a new path. Let go of the Old. Stairway in New Orleans, French Quarter.
Early in our marriage, with two baby girls, we tried to buy our first house. Denied, I was devastated. I ended up moving back home for a couple of months as we made new plans. That ended up being exactly where I needed to be at that time. Without warning, I lost my father in a plane crash, but the months spent with him can’t be replaces. God had answered a prayer I didn’t even know I needed to pray. Seeing the devastation of Katrina in the 9th Ward put many thing in perspective, also the support and faith to rebuild. Empty house in the 9th Ward. Abandoned after KatrinaNew House in the 9th Ward – New Orleans, Make it Right.
Yes, faith is believing in what you can’t see, but I also think it is seeing with faith. If we take the time to look we can see God’s love in the most unlikely places.Walking into Jackson Square late at night.
Watching this video reminded me of the words my father told me my senior year when I was trying to plan my future. My father was a professional airline pilot, he flew commercial planes, he flew small planes, at one time he and his best friend Ken Taylor built their own plane. My father loved flying. He lived in a place he loved, doing what he loved. My father, Roger Von Guinther, was 49 when he died as a passenger in a small plane. If he had known, would he had changed anything? His family and planes brought him many hours of joy.
The grandkids, Katrina, Storm and Jackson hanging out in one of Poppy’s plane.
That night, twenty-eight years ago, my father sat at the foot of my bed and asked about my future plane is still clear in my mind. What my father said that night. His advice: find what you love and do it the best you can. I have to admit it took me a bit to figure it out but I’m more happy with my life right now than ever before, art and writing fill my tank. I have a sister that teaches yoga. Our baby my travels across Texas pulling a stock trailer from show to show. Daddy said many time he just wanted us to be happy…I think his wish for our lives have come true.
Life gets busy but I do believe with work, perseverance and being ready when the opportunity arrives you can live the life of your dreams. What path did you choose: safety or bliss?
Do you guide your children to a career promising security and wealth or one that fills their passion?
Jolene Navarro 