‘Tis the season for coats, hats, gloves, and curiosity.
Walking through a big city, you can see, smell, touch, hear, and sometimes taste the season. Whilst in NYC for Thanksgiving, I observed street vendors selling amazingly fragrant foods, the streets crowded with people who looked happy, and I only touched Mark’s arm to hold him tight as we navigated the crowds.
Highlights of our NYC weekend: Several wonderful meals around large tables with smiling family. A lovely walk thru Greenwich Village, SOHO, NOHO, Little Italy, Chinatown, and back to the Village.
Day after the Feast, we walked through Tribeca to 7 World Trade Center. There we donned our Top Gun overalls, sat in a briefing of the experience, and began our flight in an F-35 flight simulator. My first flight I scored 350, had one crash, and flew through eight ‘gates’ of the course. Our daughter, Tara, scored 850 and flew through 17 ‘gates’ in total. After the debrief, we took to our ‘planes’ again for our second flight. We all improved our scores. My score was 875 the second time, 14 ‘gates’, and one boat ‘gate.’ I have even more respect for pilots now!!!
We walked to see the newest installment of outdoor beauty, Little Island, on the Hudson River,between Pier 51 and Pier 57. The trees are brilliant reds and yellows, and the path to the top was lined with flowers and art.
One more treat: I met up with my friend Avis, whom I met in Honolulu in 2011. We walked back through Times Square seeing marquee lights, people galore, and Black Friday shoppers. We walked 18,884 steps and ate as many calories. NOT really. The hyperbole is dedicated to Peter.
Here’s us walking thru Times Square:
Another NDB for me was eating Peking Duck. 
Spending time in a different city was refreshing and gave my imagination fresh images. I love seeing and being with family, meeting up with treasured friends, and coming home.
Now that we can check off Thanksgiving, we will celebrate all the joys, festivities, and reunions of the remainder of the year.
Cheers to you and however you curate this season.
Aloha,
Denise