tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47605745573767494142024-03-05T05:52:42.566-05:00Buzzing AroundStories, Poems, and Just Plain ol' Things about Love Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-21880108598935306592016-09-14T19:55:00.001-04:002016-09-14T20:18:02.645-04:00May You See Me<div style="color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May You See Me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the colors of a budding flower, deep shades of purple, flickers of white, peering out on the tip of a stem.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the shapes of the wispy clouds, floating by gently, whispering to you “hello”.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in a smile of a child, as laughter arises into endless bubbles of giggles.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me n the meld of your dogs eyes, reflecting back the love that you are.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the early morning sun rays, reaching through the branches, touching you with warmth.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the ripples of the water pushing up against the pebbly shore as you walk along.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in your hand, the smooth bay stone, flipping it over, scouting the canvas for its beauty.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the swirls of your coffee as you drink in the savoring flavor from each sip. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in each turn of the road, as your wheels glide along the curves, rocking you ever so tenderly.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the shapely rise of a glass, filled with soft subtle hues of pink beckoning to you. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the words on the page echoing the Elizabethan times before swiping to the next.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in your mind as the lyrics play a harmonizing melody, even if it's one of your favorite Patti Smith tunes.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in your pain of your memories softly wiping away your tears with complete understanding.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>May you see me in the creases of your hand with our fingers entwined as you hear me say “I love you”.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>by Jane Landers</i></span></div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-65857224773992101232016-07-04T12:03:00.001-04:002016-07-04T12:03:48.559-04:00Celebrating Penelope's Birthday<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bOQPvgmd-Ww" width="480"></iframe>Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-91478952331431044682016-06-05T13:42:00.001-04:002016-06-05T13:42:12.995-04:00Thank You!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/61XbaZ2qjDE" width="480"></iframe>Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-84623599764970048642016-05-08T14:53:00.002-04:002016-09-14T19:57:56.140-04:00A Sunday Hello ~ 19<div style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Only as I keep getting older do I truly understand and embrace the beauty of motherhood. Being child number 8 leaves me the beauty of being part of the second wind of motherhood or the experience of the eighth time around which comes with advantages I’m sure, no more deer in headlights or what do we do with this one or lets perfect and correct from experience, but more of a live and breathe mode as life was up and running with the previous seven. My honorable spot was being seated to your left at dinner time, perched on the couch during every riveting soap opera event, and observant of your attention to detail in every task all the way to the way you wrapped presents, nothing went done without care and a touch of love added to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">I have drifted in and out throughout all my 53 years as your baby girl, your Eliza Dolittle…Jane Elizabeth on some occasions, staying in touch, extending my love and more times than not needing yours. With my life being distant not only in what I shared, but in miles too, often left me in tears at all our goodbyes in person and on the phone. I have learned, I have felt, I have treasured the place in my heart where I can tap into quite easily, the space filled with immense love for you. It leaves me breathless at times, and made my heart swell to the brim over the last year or two with my move to New York City. Two people believed in my journey without a doubt, without hesitation, and YOU are the biggest cheerleader of the two. Yes, you mom, who has been always there, always cheering me on, always in all ways, extending your love, I just didn’t quite believe I could or should deserve it. You were there for me when I was ready to receive your love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">With my eyes wide open in utter joy, I have walked the streets of New York City with you, conversing over the phone every step of the way, sharing in the wonderment that life has come to for me. Expressing what I see and feel with you has heightened my experiences here. Oh, what joy I have when I drop my little tidbits of journal writing in the mail to you, all the way to Park Forest, home, home where I know I can always find you. The pleasure you share with me over each and every one has brought even more of an appreciation to my life, for my life. Not only do I look at New York with brand new eyes, in the array of wonderment with each step, each energetic pulse the city has to offer, but I bring you with me, in my thoughts, in those conversations in my head, which sometimes come to you with a phone call or in a letter, but more times than not in my wonders…I wonder what mom would think, I bet she would love this, I know she would love to hear about this one, to the most often felt emotion…I wish she was here with me right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">I am so thankful for you in ways I’ve come to know as a woman, as a mother, as a teacher, as a writer, as an adventurer seeking out her life's calling, a sense of you always with me, a part of me in all I do. Thank you for walking along side me. Thank you for upholding me when the weight of the world seemed to consuming. Thank you for your spirit, your soul, you and birthing me into being. Thank you mom. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day from your number eighth child of nine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">ps… I wish you were here with me right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Jane Elizabeth, Eliza Dolittle</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">May 3, 2016</span></div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-80099196943252623102016-03-06T21:43:00.001-05:002016-09-14T20:00:01.566-04:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~ 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My Sunday Hello From NYC, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Life has been moving right along here in New York City, sometimes at breakneck speed other times, the speed of a turtle BUT never at a standstill. I have been bus hopping, subway stopping, taxi hailing, to being chauffeured door to door this past week. Crazy beautiful, even glamorous is the best way to describe my life here. I am constantly in awe of my surroundings, peering at the reflection on the marbled walls, yes, that’s me, experiencing the grandeur of the city, stunned at how different life has become for me. From sitting at a teacher’s desk lesson planning to drinking in the stunning views from one of the finest entertainment venues in all of New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center-The Appel Room. Tucked into my seat at this venue, I had one of my New York moments. Sitting there, I was amazed by the dramatic 50’ft glass wall behind the stage. Through the glass view, was New York City’s greatest backdrop-Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, overlooking Columbus Circle and the traffic below. Undeniably alive, pulsating heart racing, symphonically in-tuned with the traffic below, tears stained cheeks of joy from these dream like moments, find me continually in a state of awe-my life here in New York City.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A heaviness fell on my heart this week amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, as I try to stay connected to all I know; reading FB posts hearing about the loss of loved ones, seeing pictures and feeling the physical distance from those I love, and not having the words to console, not even myself; viscerally realizing how important life is and how fragile it is all at once. I find myself reading the stories, some very personal, some humorous, glancing at the sayings that inspire others, pausing at the photos, and mostly loving the comfort this social network has given, through the changes, the sorrows, and the celebrations of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">New York Fashion week has arrived in the city, where the style and spirits of the crowds gather around the runways abound, as the temperatures plunge. My style to say the least is devastatingly, time-staking painful to watch and to do. Layers upon layers before I finally sinch up the three little buttons on my coat, as I head out the door emerging into the coldest weather yet, that I have experienced since I have moved here. Uber, subway, taxi, walk…the choice to make, is the quickest way out of the cold, that’s for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As I write, snuggled under down filled blankets, warm from the bitter arctic chill outdoors, exhaustion is setting in. With my hair astray, jammies on, eyelids drooping—Penelope and Moxie require my attention, nudging closer and closer, waiting for their chance for a treat and a potty break one last time before the lights go out. It has been a fun-filled day trying on clothes from a NYC designer at Madewell, walking into a fairy tale of couture gowns by Jacqueline de Ribes exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the pallet pleasing delights from the boulangerie, Le Pain Quotidien for lunch. Today's fun, this Valentine’s Day, has been a welcomed joy, even from the bitter cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the museum exhibit today, a quote from Jacqueline de Ribes, inspired me;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Glamorous people bring something to others. They are seductive, attractive—and it has nothing to do with frivolity. Glamour sticks to people. An object is not glamorous, but places where people go are glamorous. That's why New York is the glamour capital of the world.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My life is rather glamorous at times, mainly due to living in the metropolis we call, New York City. Glamour can exude from anywhere, from anyone at any time, I believe when you follow your heart. Within the playful innovation and unbounded freedom of following your heart in life and work, like Jacqueline, there is a celebration of all who embrace their individuality and follow their creative vision, wherever it may lead, even if it takes you to New York City!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Love, hugs and doggie kisses,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">02/14/2016</span></div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-1125060123970575622016-03-06T21:43:00.000-05:002016-03-06T21:45:13.102-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~ 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Penelope and I have been on our own little venture today. We have finally landed at our last stop, Columbus Circle Holiday Market. Yummy diet of hot chocolate and doggie treats, haircut at Lily's on UES, visiting ol' friends and boss at Pier 1(I loved it!), shoe shopping and boot shine, with a new harness in hand, a stroll through Central Park, 2 buses later and a train ride yet to go...Miss Penelope has been oogled, sweet talked, petted, butt sniffed, carried and walked, now People watching for a welcomed reprieve before we get busy holiday shopping and then home. I love my girl!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Hugs, & Doggie Kisses,</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: -3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12/05/1025</span></span></div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-22393116787123342922016-03-06T21:35:00.001-05:002016-09-14T19:59:04.989-04:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~ 15<div style="color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXPgdQYgkhSqghj5Z9soJR-ono8uydXEh3IjQu7ZWS9xuOs_LXKqlXfsB2hYAZbgYQzw4sfemMt4mgJFBXCcPl445aPuTBGjuk3nk1OC02IhN3Sx3LRhup_3kRaDyTqo5_VH8FpEofwAl/s1600/IMG_3788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXPgdQYgkhSqghj5Z9soJR-ono8uydXEh3IjQu7ZWS9xuOs_LXKqlXfsB2hYAZbgYQzw4sfemMt4mgJFBXCcPl445aPuTBGjuk3nk1OC02IhN3Sx3LRhup_3kRaDyTqo5_VH8FpEofwAl/s320/IMG_3788.jpg" width="272" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysZP1rNy19cn1tz6I9hj097nonwNHQSEntA2SbSvKT5Dbo_e2mRPsziz219AGiys2AO298YfuC-O2gPljzCuujlarR63rC7PWvusFsPrinI7Hqa-j4sKxvhBri9KNAbWXZVW_mdsGTSFz/s1600/IMG_4325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysZP1rNy19cn1tz6I9hj097nonwNHQSEntA2SbSvKT5Dbo_e2mRPsziz219AGiys2AO298YfuC-O2gPljzCuujlarR63rC7PWvusFsPrinI7Hqa-j4sKxvhBri9KNAbWXZVW_mdsGTSFz/s320/IMG_4325.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrNA03PRyMiPXGaW8yZVnQFelZd9mtzVylcm9BFQoN_i5nyPibDzzokdUbbekf8vplQirSdPGHUZF4TrtnJ4vQrS4FGQuPEY3l1zq0elKYE4jSSOy_bBgs3LJviMuBmD6LAoLTUqTEgyM/s1600/IMG_4320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrNA03PRyMiPXGaW8yZVnQFelZd9mtzVylcm9BFQoN_i5nyPibDzzokdUbbekf8vplQirSdPGHUZF4TrtnJ4vQrS4FGQuPEY3l1zq0elKYE4jSSOy_bBgs3LJviMuBmD6LAoLTUqTEgyM/s320/IMG_4320.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A quick Sunday Evening Hello from New York City...It's been 1 YEAR!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Went out and about today doing what I love to do here in New York, being amongst children’s books and those who love them too! When I read, “Little Elliot, Big City”, where the big city holds many new and challenging experiences, I felt so connected to this story and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet Mike Curato, the author at his new book launch, “Little Elliot's, Big Family”. Rays of sunshine pours out of me each and every time I step into this realm, the writing world and that of children's books, that I can barely feel my feet moving on the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It has been one whole year, YAY!!!, since I’ve moved here to Manhattan, being free to follow my inner longing, which is something I am doing just for me, a HUGE shift from where I used to be. Wow!! What a ride and some of the best moments ever…getting clarity about my career, building my new life, having fun getting to know different people, and mostly…building a community of friends. There is still so much change going on in my career and it sure does help to have some emotional support on FaceBook with all of you, and from my new friends here in the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Looking back on the year in amazement, and how all the turn of events keeps pushing me onward, is simply beautiful. From a day at Random House, Scholastic event, the Hamptons, Lindy's NYC Visit, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Meeting many children's authors, books festivals, film screenings, bee festivals, EB White Celebration, the "King and I", subways, buses, and taxi's, being on CBS Sunday Morning News at the Grolier Club, the fireworks, all of Penelope's adventures, Philharmonic in Central Park, summer movies on the pier, museums upon museums, Grand Central Station during the holidays, the Grand New York City Library, lake house in CT, and a new community of friends...BOY OH BOY!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I could never have dreamt this journey as well as it is going. Being in the city feels so natural, so easy, as if something bigger and grandeur is in play then just lil ‘ol me. I love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"What’s better than a cupcake? A friend to share it with! " ~MC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thank you all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Love, hugs and doggie kisses,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jane and Penelope</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">10/2015</span></div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-77408694883470456332016-03-06T21:28:00.001-05:002016-03-06T22:00:10.051-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~ 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUkRXfmugIgtWnQZTnJqMdyr-ZFnT9MV-sZrmqD8taW-0zWqG5bykEDBuF2bXTxlUsbwySyCqe3N9pACv6uIQLWFrCE30EBSmL6W3DfZwTHTYtE-Ol_WQpA1Bb5F34BPrPFyjpX6ib32F/s1600/IMG_4896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUkRXfmugIgtWnQZTnJqMdyr-ZFnT9MV-sZrmqD8taW-0zWqG5bykEDBuF2bXTxlUsbwySyCqe3N9pACv6uIQLWFrCE30EBSmL6W3DfZwTHTYtE-Ol_WQpA1Bb5F34BPrPFyjpX6ib32F/s320/IMG_4896.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My Sunday Hello from NYC,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So magical, dazzling, instantaneous delightful my adventures have been, especially Christmas Time in New York City!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From my very first exciting moment seeing the yellow Macy's star balloons coming towards me in the Thanksgiving Day Parade a year ago, to this very moment, laying on my bed listening to Christmas Carols with good 'ol Penelope snuggled up against me, I have been in love with this city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a parent with my own children, I would observe this exciting time of year in the technicolor screen from my home in Arizona.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back then, on Thanksgiving morning, I watched the parade eagerly waiting for Santa Claus to make his appearance, shouting across the house to the kids, "Hurry Santa is coming!" knowing that the holidays have officially began. A few days later, watching New York's most famous tree come aglow at Rockefeller Center while enjoying the wonderment of sparkles on our own tree. Oh, and many New Years' Eve's ushering in the New Year by counting down to "One!" as the colorful crystal ball dropped in Times Square. What a spectacle! Never did I imagine that one day I might be living in New York City and experience all this enchantment firsthand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a photo of me today, on my last stop before heading home to Miss Penelope, glancing out the windows 20 flights up, in an exquisite apartment amidst a lovely group of people, smiling, laughing, and celebrating the season. Touched. Touched by my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my bedroom floor, I see out of the corner of my eye, a suitcase propped open awaiting to be packed for my Christmas trip home to Arizona to see my kids, loved ones, and friends. I wonder what it will feel like to be back? I keep telling Penelope that we have a big trip coming up, barely able to contain my excitement, as her ears perk up each and every time, which is probably 1/2 dozen times a day lately! I had a slight dose of what it might feel like when I faced time with my Chicago family,(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/karenlbarnett"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Karen Saalman Barnett</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/susan.allgood.7"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Susan Allgood</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/patquilt"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Pat Saalman Schultz</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.saalman"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Laura Saalman</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/debra.saalmanbelcher"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Debra Saalman Belcher</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.l.keyes"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Leenie Saalman Keyes</span></a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scott.saalman"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(59, 89, 152); color: #3b5998;">Scott Saalman</span></a>, my brother and sisters!) during their yearly Christmas Party yesterday. Tears rolled down my face, not able to contain the love I felt upon seeing all their faces, as I walked around, showing them my apartment, and Miss Penelope, yep, in her spot on my bed. Pure bliss! I imagine, I will be a blubbering fool, with pools and pools of tears from the joy upon seeing, touching, smelling, and loving on my kids in 4 days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So Magical, dazzling….is life along with the joy and peace of the season here in the Big Apple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, hugs, and doggie kisses,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">12/20/2015</span></div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-17536648927192843742015-06-21T23:09:00.002-04:002015-06-23T19:59:53.799-04:00A Sunday Hello From NYC ~ 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQui5F-oxQoyIJ-7_ZaYvp4AbvJl73Cic2OtbHT91u8Vx7PIKk1CTLpPUqj6NL7ugUtKQRylWiA9AY74G44zRxVvrCKVxvo7CfLmH1VtqNdsXhZbTVio7q4NrY2VMS0jCGUshqfREr3c3/s1600/IMG_3533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQui5F-oxQoyIJ-7_ZaYvp4AbvJl73Cic2OtbHT91u8Vx7PIKk1CTLpPUqj6NL7ugUtKQRylWiA9AY74G44zRxVvrCKVxvo7CfLmH1VtqNdsXhZbTVio7q4NrY2VMS0jCGUshqfREr3c3/s320/IMG_3533.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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My Sunday Hello From NYC,</div>
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“Please help me find my way, where my dreams come true in ways that are unfathomable to imagine”, was my daily mantra from not so long ago, crosses my mind. There are dreams you have, wishes you would love to have fulfilled, and miracles that bring inspiration, joy and delight in life, which keep pushing you onward, time and time again. I never imagined, sitting here in this moment, that my life would be filled with dreams, wishes, and miracles that continually flow and transpire right before me since moving to NYC.</div>
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Traveling about the city, whether I’m working or on one of my fantasized excursions I’ve dreamt of, brings the world right at my feet, literally. Everything imaginable and then some exudes from the pulse of life all around NYC…infamous horse carriage rides in Central Park, strolling along 5th Avenue high-end living, sights of the iconic Empire State Building, the expansive art exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum, the lit-up marquee’s on Broadway leering to the seekers of musical entertainment, taxi’s upon taxi’s in a blur of yellow zipping along the streets, historic brownstones quaintly decorated with flowering boxes of colors along the stoops, the artistic flavor of Greenwich Village, to the electronic buzz of Time Square where millions of people flock each year, with so many tasty delights to choose from including the multitude of street vendors, but after settling in and learning my way around, I found life here is really a gift, including my visits to the Hampton’s, a nice escape from the city.</div>
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Here I sit in a rocking chair on the deck, far away from the cacophony of the city, surrounded by carefully landscaped greenery, with gardens in full bloom, a buzz of pure loveliness that beholds my eyes, always amazed in the grandiose style that life has become for me, since moving to NYC. </div>
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Here I sit gazing at the pool, reflective of sparkles on the crystalline surface, beckoning a plunge in my naked glory, with an assortment of trees; the big oaks, Cryptomeria, blue spruce, and white pines towering in a majestic line, on the outskirts of the surrounding gardens.</div>
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Here I sit, as a sweet melodic serenade of wild life floats through the air, while minuscules of insects make their way in and around the array of perennials, while breathing in the hodgepodge of fragrances, with an occasional waft of cedar reminiscence of old campfire days, is carried along in the breeze.</div>
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Here I sit, at my friend’s cottage in the Hampton’s enjoying a whole other phase of NYC living, with fresh air and sandy beaches, to exploring the specialty shops along Main Street, invitations to dances and cocktail parties on prior visits, and the delights from this beautiful yard surrounded by the gardens of flowers, trees, and statuary for Penelope and her pal, Moxie to run around in, having a ball. </div>
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This visit, my escape from the bustle of the city, was for relaxation, enjoying the arts fair and farmer’s market in beautifully picturesque Sag Harbor, bbq dinner with friends, and exploring new nature adventures with Miss Penelope in tow, maybe even going to the Montauk Point Lighthouse before we go. The Hampton’s is filled with lavishly styled living, to where everything feels like a celebrity experience, where I feel privileged to be a part of, one I never dreamt of but a wonderful miracle, that has transpired before me. Pinch me, is this real? I do feel that the world has opened up right here, where I am in life, filled with such gratitude at this very moment- a delightful gift.</div>
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Love, hugs, and doggie kisses,<br />Jane and Penelope</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-11858633415311684732015-03-23T11:13:00.002-04:002016-03-06T21:54:36.181-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~ 13<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
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My Sunday Hello From NYC With A Love Letter to My Family and More<br />
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Hearts broken…<br />
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Right now in this moment a mixture of emotions is running through me and my family as we celebrate and yet grieve all at once, a remarkable woman, who has etched her soul upon our hearts deeply, as she lays her body to rest, knowing her spirit will live on in many ways, reverberating her beautiful love like a butterfly taking flight. She has planted seeds that have sprouted and will live on in each of us, in all we do but saying goodbye is hard. Moments, minutes, to months and beyond our goodbyes will linger until we meet again. So much love to you, Luella Vanosdell.<br />
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Goodbyes are tough, excruciatingly unbearable in which you could easily lie to yourself and say, “I’ll get through this, it’ll be alright, just you see, time will heal this pain.” But the pain you must feel, there is no escaping it. Many goodbyes have torn me up over the years. I never did NOT shed a tear as the last school bus pulled away, with the end of another school year fading in the distance. Running back into the classroom, slowly releasing, grappling at my chest as I tried to catch my breath, trying not to make a sound for what would come out would echo off the walls of the barren room is a shrill that would be worse than fingernails on the chalkboard. I loved my community of little learners with every ounce of energy that I could give, and they had given back tenfold in innumerable ways. Even the goodbyes of loved ones passing, of lovers parting, of furry friends laying limp in your arms, grief is so incomparable. Leaving Arizona was one of those goodbyes.<br />
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As each day came nearer and nearer to leaving, the looming goodbyes were painfully apparent. As each visit with my family was elapsing, I couldn't take my eyes off of them, even upon departure, having the knowiness that it will be some time before I may see them again. </div>
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I remember vividly, backing out of the Arizona driveway, with my chest heaving in tears after saying goodbye to my daughter, Lindy. I felt as though I had swallowed my heart. I only drove a short distance until I stopped and put my head against my steering wheel, sobbing with a wail that echoed into the quietness of the car, with poor little Penelope pushing her nose up against my hand. I wanted to scream as I tightened my grip upon the steering wheel. I hated saying goodbye.<br />
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It was almost 30 years ago, when I backed out of a driveway, very similar in emotion as this, when I headed out West to Arizona from Chicago, alone for a teaching job taking with me then too, chunks of my heart, watching my mom and dad waving goodbye. I had a gift, a gift I have now too, and that is the gift of my families love with me, pushing me on, guiding me, empowering me to keep striving for what is calling inside of me to do. For they are a part of my creation, every joy, every earth shattering Freakazoid panic, to every enlightened discovery, is shared with them, for they are always by my side, invisibly but solidly anchored in my heart. Each step I take, they are with me; Drew, Lindy, Abe, and Mark.<br />
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Hearts filled with LOVE…<br />
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There are moments you wait for all of your life, desires, emotions, to live and experience love through. NYC has encased within it, many miracles, as I follow my own inner ramblings as the adventure keeps unfolding but you can’t do it alone. Sometimes I have lapsed, forgetting how much I want this change in my life, losing the courage, the strength, and wallowing in deep fear. I had a few who were a constant support, who in turn when I couldn't do it for myself, I did it for them, my family.<br />
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Knowing I had someone, that being Mark on the other end of the line, waiting to hear from me each night as I made my way to NYC, to sweet surrendering of unwavering faith from Abe as I laid upon the hotel bed literally not knowing what 1 + 1 was anymore, to Drew’s voice on the phone always excited to hear from me, and my Lin Lou, texting me and texting me, bleeding her emotions all over the phone, wrapping my soul in her love, knowing I was finding my way for all of them, as I was finding my way for me. Talk about a powerhouse of reciprocated love!<br />
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My family silently, has been my glue to where I can not see me without seeing them a part of me in all I do. I thank them in ways that only God can be the witness too. As much as I need to be here, as much as I need to breath, I need them as they need me…beautiful.<br />
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To this very day, Mark has been my best friend with hours and hours of phone conversations, Drew, Lindy, and Abe unbeknownst to them, my ocean of love that feeds me, seeds me, inspires me to keep discovering more of who I am, their mom, Jane. Even though we are apart in distance and in time, (yet love is timeless), our love is strong. Our worlds are simultaneously spinning. We do not know what each day will bring, or how each moment will transpire, or when we will see each other again, we know we matter, and we love, we are not separate.<br />
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A very special thank you to my sister, Leenie, who was the bookend (that very few people would want or were), the witness to the struggle, the racking your brain end, the unknown, the disappointment, the heartbreak, the uncertainty, with the devastation of one part of your life ending, her personal love and support were and still are a gift, a true gift of love.<br />
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Where has my life taken me up to this point with whom I’ve known and whom have known me? With one, a definite rip in the tapestry as time and space expands, yielding a loss, a grief, but a new found welcoming of gratitude for each thread still woven into my journey of life. Many others a new found closeness, as I awaken with each word I type here, bringing us together in moments of sharing oneself, discovering newness for life once again. I thank you all! Not only have you found me, I’ve found you! Valves that have been rusted, valves that were only seeping have now been blown open. Thank you all for what you share here on FB, your world, your thoughts, your love. You amaze me and bring touchstones to my heart.<br />
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I did not get here alone and my loved ones are with me, always with me as yours are with you.</div>
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Love, hugs, and doggy kisses,</div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-61466670258116495392015-03-09T12:34:00.001-04:002015-03-09T12:34:19.408-04:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Sunday Hello from NYC,</div>
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Now that my landing gear is fully extended, use of Google Maps almost non existent, timing of subway departures in sync, a symphony of sirens, horns, and the steel hum from the underground tunnels along with the conglomeration of street performers a beautiful melody, views of the skyline still breathtaking, I am a little restless and struck with bouts of missing my family this week. Maybe it’s just a sampling of the winter blues coming to an end? Whereas, I have to say, it has been an interesting week here in NYC. With inklings of spring and then a blast of snow and back into inklings of spring. My height of joy this week came from celebratory news from a friend, long and overdue in our worldly timing of things, although well deserving, to the lows from a change in plans(long overdue as well), to a fun-filled weekend with an afternoon in meeting and hearing talented authors and artists present their new books at my favorite bookstore, Books of Wonder! </div>
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When you feel like you’ve conquered Mt. Everest(being my move to NYC), you just want to sit at the top and enjoy it for awhile but No, not me! These breathers, the in-between times, are hard when you feel like you just made the first few laps around the race track and you are in the lead…you want to keep going, right? I guess I’m trying to be patient, because I can feel the creative energy pulsating, inner excitement rumbling in my tumblings, as I wait for more fun changes to come. It’s gradually starting. Today, I came across a couple of books to read for research so to say, for my own stories, mixed in with some of the picture books I was searching for at the library. Odd, yet I know differently. Odd things excite me and there are no accidents! Furthermore, I keep hearing my inner voice having conversations with me about my writing, thoughts about things to write, streaming in spurts like a pulsating water sprinkler. Usually when I’m NOT at home to write! It looks like my stories are going to be placed on the front burner again now that I am gliding into spring and feeling at home. Yeah!</div>
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A question asked a lot is about my job or what kind of work am I doing. I’m dying to tell a little here in a bit, however, I wanted to share one of my opportunities that got the ball rolling for New York, and it started with a call.</div>
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The call was like preparing for a final exam or better yet an entrance exam into the illustrious domain of children’s publishing (in which I created a fantasized world of working in), as I propped my laptop up upon several books, just the right height so that my aging lines on my face appeared diminished, turning on my Skype. I was so nervous preparing for the interview and had a hard time taming down my anxiety over the 24 hours prior to it, and especially that very same morning having to be at work at 6am, preparing for an ad set. I wore myself out. My computer screen lit up with an incoming call, as the president of the literary agency came into view. </div>
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We chatted more in a conversational flow with moments of intellectual adherence to the purpose of the call, ending with an exchange of a definite interest in having me on board. I was given a few writing assignments over the next couple of days that ended with a hitch, an invitation…could I come in and meet with her in person? She needed someone to start right away and I was in Phoenix. I knew then that if what opportunities that I thought I really wanted was in NYC, then I needed to be in NYC. A week later, I voiced, “I’m going to New York.” And a little over two weeks after that, I was on my way.</div>
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An agonizing two months had gone by leading up to this Skype interview. I was grasping at straws, hoping to not pick the short one, while teetering between Phoenix, Boston, Chicago, and New York, prepared to go where the opportunity would take me. That would make sense, right? Offers started coming in from Boston working for Follet (an educational product company), no more than an entry level position, in their bookstores. I really desired to have a job offer, that would be my deciding factor on where I ended up. Nonetheless, just as I am writing to you, almost in a backwards story telling fashion, my life seems to go. No! Move first, Jane. Then secure a job is how I played this one out…IKES! Maybe I did originally pick the short straw!</div>
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The groove of the magnetic pull towards NYC, clicked into place shortly after that Skype call and had me linked in at the tail end with great centrifugal force, like in that crazy game, Crack the Whip. Little did I know what I was looking for and the direction I intended to go, that the centrifugal force would veer me off into something totally different.</div>
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Yes, I have a job, one that I would not consider earning money for. I only work four days out of the week, with three day weekends, and here in NYC you get paid every week. My weekly pay is enough to where I can nearly make my month’s rent by the end of the first week. Not too shabby, plus I get to visit bookstores, go shopping, read lots of picture books, attend events at the library, made an appearance on TV, create and paint artwork, make little fun snacks, do research and work on my writing, catch a few good shows, pet chickens, learn french, mingle with teachers and administrators, sing to my hearts content, get smothered in hugs, discover what makes children's hearts sing, plan and go on trips around the city including riding the Roosevelt Island Ariel Tram and play! This job feeds nicely into my career as a writer where I am filled to the brim with love and inspiration while being captivated inside a child’s world. Yes, many wonderful perks along with paid holidays, and a monthly metro card that keeps me hopping from place to place whenever I just want to pick up and go. I do love my job and it keeps me busy for now as I kick my own butt into gear with my writing.</div>
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As for Miss Penelope, she is probably tired of hibernating or calloused from laying around or delirious from bouts of cabin fever by now, barking at the bit to go on more adventures, anything except having me read stories to her. Reading, “The Biggest Kiss” to her had me in stitches! She knows the word kiss and just when she thought I was done bothering her, I would say kiss. She eventually bailed out on me and went under the bed. She thinks I’m nuts! </div>
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We, meaning she and I, interviewed a dog walker yesterday, that came to meet Miss Peeps. It was a mutual attraction and possibly a good combination indeed why momma’s away, to keep her happily content and empty bladder free until I get home. We have this ritual of going to the local pet shop a block away every Friday, after I make it home. She nearly drags me for a whole two stores as she prances right on up and into the doorway. It’s a good thing she is on a leash or she may be sitting there a while before I can catch up to her! We mosey into the store, chatting away with our friend, and it’s not before too long, Miss Penelope has her bully stick picked out and away we go, with an extra in hand for the week. </div>
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I will never forget the days when I first arrived here, staring out the windows into the city, stunned each time, realizing I’m in New York. Who would of thunk that my Goodyear, Arizona job would of led me to their largest store in the nation, three floors to boot with a walkie talkie in hand, falling in love with the people just as much as I am with the city. </div>
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Big hugs and doggy “Kiss”es from,<br />
Jane and Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-85199135340802522672015-02-22T18:07:00.001-05:002016-03-06T21:53:16.593-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Sunday Hello from NYC...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">While walking with Penelope awhile back, I looked down at her and instantly my thoughts took me back to a teeny little car with this brave lil pup by my side, driving across the country with only a direction in mind-New York City.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">A shiver of guilt washed over me with a cringe of remorse for embarking on this journey with her in tow, one in which she had no say in. She has been my true companion and thank God for her, because she helped me stay brave. I didn’t just have me to look out for, I had her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Life before NYC left me with feelings of ambivalence towards life, towards love, to where it felt like I was all alone in my relationships and the disappointment with those whom were there, was palpable. I was eager and hungry for more after throwing all my ambition into projects that weren’t mine, ministering to a relationship with very little emotional reciprocation, no commitment to where one could relax into, and a house that was in no way going to give me what it was that I longed for. I had big plans, not ones that anyone near me could understand. Being a writer was one. Sending out my stories to literary agents for surely they would see the potential in them as I was beginning to believe I saw in me. Maybe I’d try one more agent? Never know they might be the one who </span><span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">would fall in love with m</span><span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">y stories. I think I’ve exhausted the list of agents. Then it was a job of being someones personal assistant or executive assistant, which would pay me enough to where I could create a new life here in Phoenix, and get a smaller more affordable place. Those ideas always fell short and left me feeling alone. Could I teach again? Yes, those opportunities always came back around, ones that I would never grab a hold of. Not only was I on a sinking ship prior to unveiling these feelings of not wanting to be in Phoenix anymore but my own life jacket was slipping away. Reins would come around and when I was about to grab hold of one, it went pouf. The last straw was the day of my birthday, that came and went in a very loving fashion, but one where no song was sung, and one where you realized, the value you had placed on yourself in another, never transpired. That’s when I said to myself, “Why put what I have left to give here in Phoenix, when I can and would rather do it elsewhere?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In truth, being only true as one can be with what you are honest enough to yourself about, the admitting of all things having gone astray, was rather the catharsis to admitting to my own situation and definitely a step forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those closest to me saw it, could sense my inner struggle of letting my soul guide me with my only silver linings being; at least I had a part-time job to go to, a great car to take me, I can always come back if it doesn’t work out, and knowing that I had to go. Even up to the night before I left Chicago, I booked a pet friendly hotel in NJ so that I would have a spot to go to when I got there. I didn't know the obstacles I would have to face on this journey, let alone the ones in trying to find a place to live that would allow dogs, and not knowing a single soul there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's how what happened next played out in less than a week:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Late Thursday night, I arrived at the pet friendly hotel in Wayne New Jersey.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday morning, I drove to the local mall to park and ride to take the bus into Manhattan’s Port Authority Station, near Times Square after leaving Penelope, telling her I was going to find us a home.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I walked a few blocks to an appointment to look for a place to stay, a room to rent. My gut said, “Yuck” upon entering the building and talking to the lady at the desk. I sat down not far from there out in Times Square, crying, holding my head in my hands, not knowing what to do next. This is one of those times that I threw my hands up in the air and asked “Now what am I suppose to do?!!” Instead of searching for more similar places, I headed back to Penelope to re-group. Yes, I laid myself on the bed and boo hoo’d but I felt safe there.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday night thru Sunday evening, I searched frantically online for places to stay. In the meantime, I got our hotel half off thru Hotwire, found an awesome park dog park, as several synchronicities in what I desired, actually happened(which astounded me), fell into place. The signs and answers to “Now what am I suppose to do?”, started coming. By Sunday night, I had three appointments of places to look at on Monday.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monday morning, I went back into Manhattan by bus. I hopped on a train for my first appointment. My gut said, “Yuck” before I even talked to the person, while standing outside the building. On the train ride to my second appointment, I received a text that I could come early to my last appointment, which was just a train stop away, so I skipped the one I was going to and Bingo! We connected and I knew before I even walked into the apartment that this was it. I had found Penelope and I a home.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monday night back at the hotel, with two clicks on the internet, I found a great car storage place(a short car ride to the Bronx from my new apartment for 1/3 the price of most places, with 24 hour security, and the first month free!). I was on a roll. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tuesday morning we moved in. That afternoon I put the car in storage, and by Wednesday morning I was on the subway going to my first day of work.</span></li>
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I felt the universe open up that Sunday night. Ever since, it's been a steady flowing stream of synchronistic events and the beginning of pennies appearing almost everywhere I go. How did I know to tell my work before I left Phoenix, that I could start on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and actually have everything lined up to that very day?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">NYC was more of a calling, a decision so strong that once I turned the knob to “on”, the feeling was in-escapable! I started to feel a sense of peace, a way to tend to my own garden. Everything happened pretty fast, once I spoke the words, “I’m going to NY”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I left with NO reservation, what must have felt like to others, as an unexplainable odyssey to come to NYC without a place to stay, without a job to cover ones own expenses, and not knowing a single soul. Having those odds, to finding a place to live in four days, New Yorkers say is nearly impossible, plus having a nice job now. Who would know that within two weeks of getting the idea for a new job search, that I would have a boss whose grandmother’s birthday is the exact same date and year as my mom’s, let alone an opportunity to go to France which is where I’ve always longed to go?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Looking back on how I got here and all that has transpired in the last few months in NYC, is priceless. I guess a sense of naivety and a deep faith in myself is what saw me through. The inertia of events once the decision was made was a strong force that pulled on me, guiding me all the way. The ease and flow with a feeling of “Home”, a feeling I wrote about, a feeling I’ve longed for, is within me now, here where I am in all I do. Life is moving swiftly and I don't worry about the future. It kind of is just showing up in front of me and I know that more fun changes are on the way. Sometimes I just stop and look around where ever I am at, as I take it all in with the wondering thought, “Is this where I belong?” It is my way of checking my barometer, my internal gauge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Popping into my head often has been the scene from the TV show “Mary Tyler Moore Show” where she tosses her hat up into the air with such happiness and calamity ensues when her hat goes astray. I feel a freedom, a sincere knowing that this is home for me for now to write my beautiful books. What is to come, I don’t know. What inner drive pulled me here, I don’t know. I know that when I walk down Broadway off of the 66th street Crosstown bus, I feel it all. I feel the rhythm, the beauty, nothing feels foreign to me. It is all I want to experience and more. My wee little romantic head of mine LOVES having me here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My heart belongs in NYC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, hugs, and doggy kisses,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jane & Penelope</span></div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-59332441638308647192015-02-02T22:23:00.000-05:002015-02-02T22:23:01.112-05:00TV Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TV Alert</div>
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I guess you can say that your odds of being on TV are a lot more likely if you live in New York City. Well, there is a good chance that you could catch a glimpse of me this Sunday, on the CBS News “Sunday Morning” with Charles Osgood, the segment on “One Hundred Books Famous in Children’s Literature”, at the Grolier Club here in New York City.</div>
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This exhibition was nearing its last week and there was no way I was going to miss out on getting a peek at some of the most <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">beloved children’s books printed in the last 400 years. I just so happened to pick the same day that CBS News was going to be filming. </span></div>
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The gallery room was rather quaint, but elegant with 100 children’s books, including original historic artifacts enclosed behind wall mounted glass cases. I was in pure delight, ooing and aahing as I admired some of the most widely known, children’s literary creations that have shined and will shine for generations to come, as the film crew entered the room. I hesitated for a moment, but I didn’t want to miss what I have come there to see; Peter Rabbit, Winnie-The-Pooh, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Where the Wild Things Are, Grimms' Fairy Tales, Charlottes Web, The Cat in the Hat, and Harry Potter to name a few. My heaven, being amongst great literary works and many in their original form. Here was another one of my NYC moments where you could of pinched me, for I was overcome with a few tears of joy, amazed at where I landed, looking upon a true classic, my favorite, “Peter Rabbit”. </div>
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They did manage to capture me towards the end of their filming, as I was reading to a child from one of the books that they had in the middle of the room, available for children to look at. If you see me, than I guess I have beaten the odds. I had no idea that something I wanted to experience so bad would lead to me possibly being on TV. Gosh, I was just worried about whether I should take the bus or maybe the train today to get there. I'm one lucky girl either way.<br />
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www.cbsnews.com/news/celebrating-immortal-childrens-books/</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-73598439590359283072015-02-02T22:05:00.000-05:002015-02-02T22:10:54.648-05:00Sometimes When I Write<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes When I Write</div>
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Sometime when I write, I write with you in mind,</div>
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thinking of you throughout the whole piece.</div>
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Sometimes when I write, I write for me, </div>
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to see what it is I’m feeling as the words come one-by-one.</div>
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Sometimes when I write, I write for one, </div>
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and only one, the imaginative one who lives inside of me.</div>
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Sometimes when I write, I write for whom I’ve yet to know, </div>
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and whom I've yet to meet. </div>
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But sometimes when I write, I write for her, and mostly for her, </div>
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and the words I write are, I love you.</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-43254271876580526422015-01-25T19:25:00.001-05:002015-01-25T19:25:50.915-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~10<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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<br />
January 19, 2015<br />
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Hello from NYC,</div>
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I’ve officially made it here in NYC! I will be starting a new job this week, getting a New York drivers license, and ordering some bank checks with my NYC address. My mind and body have yet to catch up to the good news. It is a whole new space for me to be in after two long and brutal years. So Whew!!! Many obstacles have been overcome, much suffering has been endured, and much has been given up to get to this point in my life where my personal calling is falling into place. A pure miracle!</div>
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What a journey! Many days have been a fight, a battle so to say, just to keep going.There have been repeated moments where I just wanted to crawl under my covers and hide from the fear after falling seven times and afraid to get up the eighth time. But I do and did from remembering and realizing all the obstacles I have overcome already, along with the miracles that have transpired. I gradually wipe my tears as I begin to open my eyes one at a time, taking a peek out from the covers at the beauty of my surroundings, constantly filling me with gratitude and all that has brought me to this place in time. </div>
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I just got off the phone with my mom, sitting on my bed feeling kind of “wow”, some may not understand why I’m here, let alone in the biggest city of all NYC. To many, it would be the most unlikeliest of places for anyone to go to, and at my age. Those I have met here in the city and have gotten to know me, are rather floored at my bravery, calling me courageous! They look and me with envy, loaded with curiosity as to why I did it. Like maybe there is a secret I have, to a deep longing they too feel inside, but don’t know quite how to reach it themselves. Even acquaintances I meet while walking Penelope or conversing with them while I work are so intrigued, as if it is unheard of or maybe better yet, insane. There is no secret. Insanity? Maybe. This drive for more has always been a part of me since I was little. It is my personal calling, part of my path, my dream, that I just have the courage to confront. </div>
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What is that calling, that path? This is something that you stake everything you have on, put your whole heart into, and yes be willing to make messy mistakes. Put on them "Big Girl" panties and have the courage to keep getting back up. When you follow your dream, the universe will conspire in your favor, this I know, for I have had many miraculous moments that have brought me to tears of “joy” like none I have ever known. Each time I get back up, throw my hands up in the air and ask “Now what am I suppose to do?” The answer comes. The euphoria and confidence within me are magnified a thousand fold from overcoming the defeats. As my dad would say, “It’ll put hair on your chest!” Well my chest is a complete fuzz ball by now except for the two droopy things that just lay dangling! </div>
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I kept telling myself that it is OK to not know all the details of my dream. I just know and recognize there is a longing, bigger than I have known, with courage I didn't know was in me, to disinter the dream by taking tiny, little, leaps, skips, steps towards everything that excites me and NYC was it, calling me. Life does fall short at times. I have fallen short. Many of my steps have scared the bejesus out of me but at the same time excited me like a little kid. The next time I write, I’ll share some of the scary parts of my adventure that Miss Penelope has been a part of too. </div>
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I have a dream that one day, I will contribute to the hearts of many, to teach about love from a grandeur perspective, and unleash the definition of love. </div>
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I have begun the journey of writing and embracing the nature of the energy, the purity, the life force that a child still has, through my stories, where I have an extremely diverse set of characters that are here to teach and hold the vision for a beautiful world where everyone takes care of each other, where there is more than enough resources for everyone.</div>
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What is your dream?</div>
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Until next time, with great big hugs and love,<br />
Jane and Penelope</div>
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Thank you, MLK!</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-61002422829521014722014-12-31T20:26:00.002-05:002014-12-31T21:48:33.070-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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December 21, 2014<br />
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Christmas Time in New York<br />
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Life over the last two months had been a whirlwind leading up to Lindy’s visit, like being inside a snow globe with little respite between giddy shakes of joy, repeatedly, giddy shakes of joy, in the adventures and overabundance of emotional uplifting this city has brought me.<br />
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There is something undeniably magical that occurs as the snow falls here in New York City, e<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">specially in the mist of snow flurries while standing on the stoop of a church, eagerly awaiting the start of a parade with childlike wonderment. No longer was it a flip of a switch on the TV, but really right before my own eyes and thousands of others who lined the sidewalks, shivering from the briskness of the cold air, stood there waiting too. Having to blink my eyes several times to clear away the tears of joy, the rows of motorcycles police began to move, sirens whirling and blaring by as the first sites of the famous yellow starred balloons came into view signaling the beginning of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade here along Central Park West. It was a dazzling parade as the magnificent balloons came into view one by one. Nodding and waving to the crowds below, they sailed past, high above the crowd, but yet so close that I could feel their enormity, as they flounced in the wind. The whole time, my mind kept saying, “I can’t believe I’m really here!” A dream came true that day for me as thoughts of wanting to be a balloon handler the next time could not be hushed.<br /><br />At Christmas time, the entire city seems to dress up in variations of glittering lights, bringing a magical luster to many of the beloved landmarks from a tiny tree in the middle of the pond in Central Park to a gargantuan tree at Rockefeller Center. Each day as I traveled to and from work, I could see the production for the upcoming holiday come to life. It wasn’t until Lindy and I etched our way down Fifth Avenue towards Rockefeller Plaza did the glow of the evening, take your breath away. Oh so beautiful! The Herald angels brightened the plaza and ice-skaters twirled and spilled on the ice as a man got down on his knee, the crowd silenced, witnessing a proposal, then a loud cheer erupted with the kiss. How romantic…Lindy and I both wistfully feeling envious of that exchange of love. While across Sixth Avenue, visitors flocked to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes, our soon to be destination of one of New York’s Christmas time traditions.<br /><br />During Lindy’s stay here, the splendor of the festivity of holiday flare was all abound. The Empire State building with it’s dazzling display of Christmas colors. Grand Central Terminal hosting a sensational laser light show that’s repeated throughout the day in it’s main concourse, and bustles with a colorful Holiday Fair in Vanderbilt Hall. Uptown has the Plaza Hotel with a beautiful Christmas tree in its entrance hall, the cities glorious holiday window displays from all the big department stores, to the twinkling star that dangles above Fifth Avenue by Tiffany’s, ahh, yes, Macy’s Santa… making it a very magical time to be in New York.<br /><br />As for Penelope, she took to her first snow here very delicately, lingering ever so long before she would pee, always needing to shake off the snowflakes every couple of minutes. With her only outing when Lindy was here, I believe she enjoyed her walk to the ferry, zig zagging around the city streets. Being the mommy that I am, she stayed safely snuggled up in her carrier around Times Square, and was lulled to sleep from the rocking of the train, on our ride home. Very special memories of our first Christmas time in New York were created with Lindy’s visit. I(we)miss her fiercely. All in all we have a nice little routine, but we will surely miss our Christmas tree guys on the corner with their friendly, “hello’s” and snippets of Douglas fur branches to take home, when the season comes to a close too.<br /><br />Love and doggy kisses,<br /><br />Jane and Penelope</span></div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-15809916570191513162014-12-31T20:19:00.001-05:002014-12-31T22:04:32.167-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">December 7, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“How many days?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have had such terrible separation anxiety over having to leave my laptop behind at the biggest, most expansive, cube building right smack dab in the middle of New York! So what, huh? Ok. Next door to FAO Swartz? Kiddie corner from Central Park? Well??? It was for a whole week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything on my laptop was coming to a slooooow, slooooow motionless pause that even the Apple support guy said, after two hours of chatting away, almost forgetting what we were doing, “Time for surgical repair ASAP.” The best news of all…it would be on Apple at NO cost. Hallelujah! So here I am writing to you from a brand new laptop, that zips about quicker than Santa on his sleigh! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To what is really in my heart at that moment was the miracle and the grandeur knowing that the steering of this ship, I call Jane in NY, is out of my hands. If I could just describe the awe inspiring, stirring within my soul, as I looked about at the expansiveness of the city, still star struck, after climbing up the spiral glass stairs of the Apple Store(with my new laptop) out onto the streets of NY, being an emotional fullness that I could hardly contain. I did as what I have been finding myself doing more and more frequently, I called my mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I was telling the tale of my latest adventure, I began to share with her my surroundings as we both walked almost hand in hand over the next hour along Central Park West, past the Plaza Hotel, to Columbus Circle and all around the Holiday Market, chatting away. We giggle and laughed at many things as I was in the best company a girl in NY could have, my mom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mom. How would you describe the feeling I feel towards her? Somewhat indescribable. I have to say I’ve fallen love with my mom all over again. I had an infinity for her as a child with the terrible separation anxiety episodes then too, with having to go to Kindergarten and the deep desires to skip class when I would come home for lunch getting all wrapped up in her soap operas, just so I could spend time with her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">She has become my biggest supporter, a voice that always expresses to me what it is I am living, without me requiring or even asking for a thing. Selfishly, I am soaking it all up and knowingly, I know that voice has been there all along, I just haven't been willing to share so much of myself with her over the years. Our mother’s opinion always matters and hits a chord welcomed or not. I am no longer afraid to share in the loving exchange one way or the other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I am so proud of you. You are finally living the life you always wanted and where you belong.” (Little does she know or maybe she does, but there is still one more place in this lifetime for me to be.) “Have you made any friends yet?” Yep, that’s my mom. “I love you, my baby girl.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I love you bunches too mama.” I can never say those six words without choking up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just having her know that I am OK is everything to her. I know from that place that calls inside of me about my own children, it is all that is needed to know. That I am OK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jane and Penelope</span></div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-74663974321620504652014-12-31T20:18:00.002-05:002014-12-31T22:00:22.458-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November 17, 2014<br />
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A Late Sunday Evening Hello…from New York City, </div>
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♫♪ Hine ma tov uma na-im Shevet achim gam yachad…</div>
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To my surprise and delight, my week started out with a ride on the crosstown bus with twins Jack and Josh, who are almost 4. The last time I saw these two was with their nanny. They were both busy eating raisins out of a box. Josh, ever so carefully one at a time, while Jack trying to fit as many fingers in his box as possible. This time, squirmy Josh kept his legs sprawled out so Jack couldn't sit on the only seat by me, causing a slight ruckus of whining from them both. The game of ducking heads in the tunnels as we went through Central Park, they call the kids jungle, changed the tune coming from our bus. Thank goodness there were four tunnels! All this time, Jack hung onto his LL Bean catalogue page, rather importantly, sharing his “L” lesson, in between singing his song, after all the tunnels disappeared from sight. These two are so adorable. Later that day, guess who was on the same bus as me? Yep, they came and sat by me on the bus ride back too. Jack couldn’t wait to sing his song to me again. ♫♪ Hine ma tov uma na-im…</div>
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I love looking up at the sky and breathing in the morning air as I walk the three blocks to work after getting off the bus. It still amazes me, the beauty of the buildings, the yellow blurs from taxis going by, and the honking of the horns playing their musical tunes of “hurry-up”. Why do I keep telling myself, I'm in New York? Feels incredible! Today the lady on the same bus ride with Jack and Josh this morning, sitting near us, mentioned it was Sesame Street’s 45th birthday! Good ‘Ol Synchronicity, knowing that occasionally, creeping into the forefront of my mind, was my interview with Sesame Workshop coming up later in the week. </div>
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It has been a rather crammed packed week with many train rides, often feeling like an ant, emerging out into the open from the tunnels below, going from the rattling and whoosh of the trains going by, to the majestic of the skyscrapers with a completely different ensemble of busyness and a welcoming melody of life. There is an endless array of aspiration that New York offers, a tremendous variety and sources of excitement to fill ones creative spirit. I have found inspiration in an abundance of supply for that which is beckoning inside—books, kids, and writing. Some of which are: </div>
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Exploring ‘The New School’ off of 14th Street, in Greenwich Village, which hosted New School students along with SCBWI members, a free agents panel. I sat in an auditorium with an entourage of writers drenched in the litany of literary discussion, in learning how agents deal with submissions. It was nice to put actual faces to agents that I’ve researched and read about. Agents from Pippin Properties, New Leaf Literary, and Trident Media Group were there, who deal mainly with children’s literature. </div>
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And yes, Sesame Street. A very basic interview, but one that I interjected “Jane” into easily. A once in a lifetime experience going through security, up the elevators, out into the world of Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Elmo…only in New York. The adrenaline crash left me sitting out in the plaza of the Lincoln Center, across the street, while I took some time until I could start to feel like myself again. This was like all of my New York City moments rolled into one huge ball of Bata Bing emotional joy. I was zonked out the rest of the day.</div>
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You may get excited waiting to see your favorite band in concert, a movie, maybe a ball game as I do in attending kid’s stuff like meeting some of my favorite authors and illustrators from my favorite children’s books at the Eight Annual Children’s Book Fair. Who would of thunk that there are over 30 published children’s authors living in Brooklyn? Ya, I know it’s New York.</div>
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Upon entering the lobby of the Brooklyn Museum this last Saturday, instantly I was surrounded by chatterings from children perched on their tiptoes, tucked under their parent’s arm, leaning over tables—tables with little stack of books, displaying fanciful illustrations beckoning to be picked up and read. Amazement spread over my face to see so many Brooklyn children’s authors all in one place. Shifting my way in and around each table, peering through every little gape of space, I began searching for my favorites. Amongst over the 30 authors, I found Melissa Guion (Baby Penguins Everywhere), Sophie Blackall (Ivy & Bean), and Abby Hanlon (Dory Fantasmagory), that I just had to talk to. Looking back over my shoulder upon leaving, I took in one last blast of sweet childhood joy from the chorus of little voices booming all around, with towers of balloons that seem to dance as they floated in the air. I could hardly wait to open each book, reaching into my bag, taking one out at a time. Peering at the autographs, I was touched by the special notes inside, feeling my heart bursting with immense satisfaction that my eyes watered up as I sat on the train ride home. </div>
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Tonight, on the train I just happen to have Brielle and Aston(two little ones with their mom) who were on their way to Symphony Space on the UWS too! They were incredibly sweet… "Oh I'm going to sit by you. Will you walk with us?”</div>
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This was the night for the Terrific Tails! A Celebration of E.B. White (aka, Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet Swan) with reading performances by Jane Curtin, David Hyde Pierce, Liev Schreiber, and Naomi Watts to name a few. BTW Jane Curtin was hysterical with her interpretational reading and character voice. To be in a theater, stage in center, balcony above, to people filing in with a murmur of anticipation all in celebration of EB White, was nice. I knew this would be a moment to surrender all thoughts, to capture the essence of an author, who made a lasting contribution towards children's literature. </div>
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I turned and there beside me, they were Brielle and Aston, the happiest as little bugs could be, beaming up at me as if I was made of magic. Chattering away more excited about riding home with me than the show. I was touched by two angels tonight! It's easy to sniffle to keep the drips at bay, but the eye tear ducts are completely different. I’m afraid my pupils sat in puddles for most of the train ride home. Thoughts kept filling them back up. Dang it! Lil voices echoing my name “Jane"!</div>
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And lastly, to my absolute BEST DAY of the week event, was this past Friday for the Open House at Random House! Out of all the places, experiences, and environments I’ve been in since arriving in NY, this one resonated with me the most. I could feel my heart beating with excitement all day long. I usually get a rush of excitement walking up the subway steps to see where I’ve been placed this time, but not this time. I was excited before I even got off the train! I walked my way down Broadway to Random House for the big event. I was greeted in the book-lined lobby, given my credentials for admission, and sent up to the 2nd floor to gather my limited edition Lands’ End tote bags full of–what else?–books! Including “Duck & Goose” by Tad Hills, “Love Lashes and Lipstick" by Mally Roncal, “There Was a Little Girl” by Brooke Shields, and “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, all who would be speaking during the panel sessions, doing books signing plus other authors and more stuff. (I’ll put a picture of my goodies below in the comments). </div>
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Besides meeting the president of Random House after leaving the 14th floor from the cocktail party, I was deeply moved by the panel session of “Unbroken”. All the executives(Random House Team) who had their hands on the production and sales of this book were on the panel. It was one of those moments when you got to experience a once in a lifetime occurrence over a pretty phenomenal book. Some of them could hardly talk without showing emotion or tears, describing their role of bringing this book to life, along with a first time preview screening of the movie, being brought to the big screen by actress and director Angelina Jolie. </div>
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I was pleasantly surprised by the whole encompassing experience, including the candid discussions of the panel members, talking with the authors, (I had a great talks with Tad Hills, Mally Roncal, and Brooke Shields at the book signings), and the stirring of my interest in all of it. I felt like a princess at a royal ball, treated to many surprises and a little of Fairy Godmothers’ magic. I could ramble on forever about all the details, but my eyes are getting pretty heavy by now as the hour slips into midnight here. </div>
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I can’t forget to talk about my Miss Penelope. She or we, took a vacation from doggie adventures this week. That's ok because when I teased her on one of our walks with the choice of the subway steps right at the park entrance, she chose the park as her direction to go. I'm sure she and her furry house guest managed to have a few adventures when left alone. There is always a rug to straighten, a curtain to close, chair pads to be picked up, blankets to be unraveled, and two innocent sleeping culprits waiting my arrival when I come home.</div>
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I'm purely touched by New York. What you give seems to come back in the most heartfelt ways. And this, I say thank you.</div>
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Hugs and doggy kisses,</div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-31311060739183912752014-12-31T20:12:00.002-05:002014-12-31T20:16:12.593-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November 9, 2014<br />
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Sunday Evening Hello…from New York City,</div>
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Life is not all La Di Da, but I have to say my life lately is the most la di da-ish it has ever been. In a good way. It is like trying on a new pair of comfy shoes for the first time, being eager to wear them out, and they end up being the pair you grab for time and time again. That is how New York is feeling to me.</div>
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I found myself grinning on the inside and telling myself, “This is the BEST day” while sitting amidst the greenery of Central Park, in the middle of Manhattan, where the sun was seeping through the brightly colored leaves in the trees. Penelope and I took one of our many rests from shuffling all our paws through the pile of leaves that lay scattered up against the edges of the paths, with one of the many statues nearby when this feeling came rushing in. </div>
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You may think I’m crazy on this one, but I found a dog themed, dog-friendly adventure tour of Central Park, called Bark Post(a Stray Boots tour). To find our way around on the tour, I had to complete challenge questions on a scavenger hunt from an app on my phone, in order to progress to the next destination. We started at the Guggenheim Museum off of 5th Ave. and made our way around, behind the Met, and through the East side of the park. Sometimes we both were easily distracted, often going in circles, but learning historical tidbits and doggy facts, while seeing Central Park in a completely different fun way. Did you know that dog walkers here can earn easily up to $4,000/month if they had up to 300 dogs to walk? That was one of our fun tidbits on the tour.</div>
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Ahh, there is something about looking through the trees and seeing the beautiful skyscrapers of Manhattan with the legendary Plaza Hotel unfolding into view as we headed around The Pond, on our way out of the Park. Let’s just say that after several miles, motorized boats, a few turtles, statues of Balto, Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Anderson, going under bridges with trumpets playing, ice skaters on the rink, that Penelope was most fascinated with the horses. She stood dead in her tracks, almost trembling with tourrets sounding barks when the horse and buggies went by. In the end, she eagerly crawled into her carrier, laid out flat like a pancake, as I zipped her up before we headed down the subway stairs.</div>
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The freedom I feel come Friday afternoons, is like the feeling of being a kid, waiting in line for the Magic Mountain ride at Disney Land. I have the whole weekend off to create with however I want! That was the thought in my head in-between the urges of sleep, fighting to keep my eyelids open, on the train ride home this past Friday. Sometimes I get mesmerized watching the motions of the train car in front of me rocking back and forth, up and down, that it begins to lull me to sleep. I was easily jolted awake this time as I zipped up, stepping out into the cold air, getting off the train, when my phone awoke with a signal and started to make it’s musical tones. In my inbox was a message from HR at Sesame Street wanting to meet with me in person ASAP next week for an interview. Getting that message is like being at the tipsy top of the roller coaster ride right before you plunge straight down, kind of feeling, to start my weekend off with. Whoo Hooo! Not soon after that, the familiar tightening of the tummy began.</div>
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I remember going to Kindergarten and dreading every step of the way except for the step towards my mom as she waited for me on the corner when the day was all over. </div>
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I was anxious about leaving what was familiar to me(home) and often made up stories on the playground of when I fell or tripped or did something utterly embarrassing, that it was somebody’s fault other than my own. My stomach hurt all the time and I had these terrible stomach tightening when ever I got called on especially for show-n-tell! I hated show-n-tell. I would often fantasize about what I could bring that would be the coolest thing in the world and make me instantly liked by everyone. I don’t remember having many friends, but I do remember sitting around that circle in a horrible angst dreading every minute as my turn crept closer. That phase didn’t last long, but even to this day the familiar stomach tightening still happens. Well let's hope I don’t get too anxious and just cruise through this interview with lots of confidence.</div>
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Right now I am listening to my iTunes song, “Star” by Break of Reality, as I write. Just last night, I was at an underground venue in the East Village, bathed in dim lights and old fashioned movie seats, was a classical-rock quartet playing(3 Cello’s, and a percussionist), called Break of Reality. I truly enjoyed the sounds as the music rose into heightened crescendo’s from a wonderful unison of musical play amongst them. I loved the joy, passion, emotion, life, playing hard, as they became one with their instruments, with such power. The acoustics reverberated all around me with moments that easily became a transcendent experience with my eyes closed.<br />
C'est vraiment superbe!</div>
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After the concert and a short train ride later, I ended up at St. Marks Place to Pomme Frites, for a taste of some Belgium fries with many different dipping sauces to choose from like roasted garlic mayo, black truffle mayo, and the mango chutney mayo. I kept a little trinket of ketchup nearby to go with my parmesan and herb sauce just in case. OH, My tummy felt so pudgy when I was done! </div>
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I guess getting ready for an interview this week after having one of the best days ever, isn’t such a bad thing? Everything is happening at once this coming week. Oi, makes me exhausted thinking about it all; agents panel, interview, Open House at Random House, Children’s Book Fair, and Symphony Space for E.B.White Celebration. Taking one wee step and one thing at a time works very well for me even though this NYC adventure has been anything but WEE.</div>
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Writing to all of you is like re-living the best parts of my week and I'm loving that! I hope you are enjoying it too.</div>
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Hugs and doggy kisses,</div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-84922824823125677462014-12-31T20:10:00.001-05:002014-12-31T21:59:57.073-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November 2, 2014<br />
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Hello...from NYC,</div>
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Are dogs allowed in your store?…Yes!</div>
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Feeling like a kid with saggy crotch fleece lined tights, adrenaline rushing through my veins, I rushed down two flights of subway stairs, through the turnstile with an 18 pound carrier in tow, out onto the platform. Grinning like a Cheshire cat in my own marathon race today, we were off to the ultimate playground for book lovers, the “Strand” bookstore. Penelope’s early afternoon potty break went from a quick sidewalk pee to an adventure. Two trains later, we were in the East village, not too far from Union Square, soon after I heard the voice on the other end of the phone say, “Yes.” </div>
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The Strand is Larger than life! It has three floors, jammed with rows of towering shelves piled high with books(and crowds of people), a fairyland… enrapturing one in an imaginational wonderland where time disappears! That’s if you are a book lover like me. Penelope just pranced about, tightly tucked by my side, with a few stolen moments of slumber as I sat parked on a bench buried in my own little pile of treasures. There are some places you walk into and it just swallows you whole, saggy crotched tights, furry friend sporting her new red winter coat, and all! </div>
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Today was the running of the New York City Marathon(worlds largest), which means lots of detours with road closures as nearly 50,000 runners in a 26.2 mile race, run throughout all the five boroughs, across five city bridges before ending amid cheering crowds in Central Park. Yesterday, after waking to the familiar pitter pattering on the little white box sticking out from my window, making it a soggy day, an indoor kind of day, a day for Hulu, Netflix, jammies, and hot tea day, left me dying to get out today. With the marathon making it quite a bit of a challenge to do much, the “Strand” seemed like the perfect getaway place.</div>
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Earlier in the week, I enjoyed having dinner at a French Bistro called, Cafe Loup in the old West Village. It was softly lit, creating a warm ambiance, with a witty, eccentric waiter, named Phillip, and a bar that is flat-out-beautiful, kind of place. Then sharing a subway ride with a friend for part of the way home, on the infamous EXPRESS train, that I covet as they go by every morning on my commute, made it a nice evening. Although I have to say, nothing is better than standing on the platform with four track in front of you, wearing a skirt, as the trains on the middle tracks(EXPRESS trains) zoom by. Their steel roaring thunderous hum rattling by, as the ground shakes, with a huge swoosh of air blowing up and around you, like the winds along Lake Shore Drive, in a picturesque moment…you feel like Marilyn Monroe, barely able to hold your skirt down! Yes, a giggle moment that I love!</div>
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And Oh, I can’t forget to mention Halloween! I saw dogs in costumes, people on train with blood dripping down onto their skin to little ones on their way to school with patches of fun sticking out thru their coats, and the staff at The Food Emporium poking fun at one another’s costumes while arranging the cupcakes loaded with spooky decor in the display case. The most bizarre feeling happened after I got off the train on my way home. I turned the corner and it hit me like a scene from the movie, Back to the Future. The streets were lined on both sides for several blocks with nothing but hoards of kids all in costumes, trick or treating in and out of all the stores. Gremlins, ghouls, witches, princesses, you name it, as I tried to weave my way home. It freaked me out in a cool kind of way. I never knew we had so many kids in the neighborhood! The day was so much livelier with laughter more prevalent all around. I definitely enjoyed the hums and sounds, larger and livelier orchestra of life. Thank you Halloween. </div>
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Nowhere else in the world can you simultaneously feel the exhilarating pulse of a vibrant city on one block, to feeling like you’ve opened up a stage door and walked into a completely different movie set on the next block, then being in New York City. With each new venture out, the city presents me with different things that perpetually make me a helpless admirer. It is like falling in love and getting lost in the heart pounding rush of excitement. “Joie de vivre.”</div>
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I'm in love with NYC<br />
I love my place<br />
I love the way I’m feeling<br />
I love the scattering of squirrels rustling about on the trails<br />
The color of red bleeding through the crisp fallen leaves<br />
The photos and words that capture all these feelings<br />
cherishing the memories they are creating.</div>
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I’m in love with NYC<br />
I love the Pennies that appear unexpectedly<br />
I love Penelope having these experiences with me<br />
I love the berries that cling to trees branches<br />
The uncanny gorgeous fall sweater wearing weather<br />
The abundance of possibilities for me here<br />
opening further the wonder in my heart.</div>
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I’m in love with NYC<br />
I love the sound of steel from trains braking<br />
I love Penelope’s bark of hello on the other side of the door<br />
I love the familiar smell of my plug ins<br />
The feeling of falling in love again with life<br />
The “Joie de vivre” that erupts into all my thoughts<br />
creating stories for me to write.</div>
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I’m in love with NYC<br />
I love the smiles from strangers passing by<br />
I love the laughter of the ticket booth lady as I forget to swipe my card<br />
I love the feeling of sophistication that arises in me<br />
The diversity of interesting people I've conversed with<br />
The languages and accents spoken<br />
mixing into an explosion of cultures from place to place.</div>
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I’m in love with NYC<br />
I love the historic brownstones along the quiet streets<br />
I love the sharing of a train ride with a new friend<br />
I love the theaters, Juilliard's School, music in subways, artistry of food vendors, and all the museums<br />
The little neighborhood groceries and deli’s on every block<br />
The casualness of furry companions walking about with their shoppers<br />
to a feeling of importance that emanates from places, people, cars, taxis that I pass by.</div>
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I love knowing that tomorrow's will have more “I loves” just waiting for me to experience them as I discover the mystery of why I am here.</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-12009618008486837612014-12-31T20:08:00.001-05:002014-12-31T21:59:46.292-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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October 26, 2014<br />
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Our Sunday Night Hello from NYC…</div>
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The winners were being announced as Penelope and I attended our first official event here in NYC, The Inwoof Halloween Contest. Cute little Daisy with the leather cap and pirate sweater didn’t win in the judges eyes, but Penelope sure caught the attention of Daisy’s. How can a dog not like any other kind of dog breed but Cavaliers? Can they really tell the difference? Daisy evidently can and if she were a judge, she would of chosen Penelope, who came as herself, for she had outgrown her bee costume from last year. Most of the dogs had shed their costumes by the time the prizes were given and soon after, we were off running out the gate, straight over to the farmer’s market. Penelope’s prize was soon found as she carried around a shrunken green something or other. Her prize might have been an apple I would guess, but there are so many strange vegetables I don’t recognize that it could of easily been anything.</div>
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The kid, Miss Penelope, is being real easy on me. She is starting to signal her need for a bathroom break in ways that I am starting to take notice. I caught her sitting by the front door all nice and dainty, doing all she could, but clear her throat, to tell me to come on mom, time to go! Like right now licking my hand as I’m trying to type and playing with her pawsies on the keyboard as I bat it away, then she immediately puts it right back thinking its a game. There comes a time in the evening when I can’t put off taking Penelope out for her “nigh, nigh pee” or I just get too grumpy and it is way too quiet on the streets. If I try to wait as long as I can at night, then her morning pee time is not so urgent to where I can do my business before she needs to go. See, it’s all about timing. It sure is different raising an apartment dog over our days of spoiling with a doggie door and a backyard.</div>
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A couple of nights ago, no sooner had we stepped out from our entryway onto the sidewalk, there they were, a silky white schnauzer and a young man hidden beneath his baseball cap. Both of us were wrapped up in our dark blue sweat jackets doing the last pit stop of the day with our kids. I soon got to know him as Marcus. We walked and talked as he shared all sorts of good advice about winter care for Penelope with the salt and snow hazards for her paws and how I should get myself a pair of Uggs. He swears by his pair. He also suggested a trail for us right past the train station that takes you alongside the East River where Bette Midler supposedly put a boat house. Is all we have to do is just keep walking two blocks past the best all around pizza place,(he has known of them and their pizza since he was 3!) and the path is right there. </div>
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I came to learn that Marcus works with private clients who have autistic teens, as a teacher, helping(change behaviors) to prep them for public schools. Two of his clients one being Robert De Niro’s son, Elliot and another who wrote a book about autism and was invited to the White House to meet President Obama. Even though he lives in a building behind us, he walked us back and no sooner did he appear, he disappeared. I turned to look back, no sign of them anywhere. I thought about all the unique people I am meeting and he definitely is one of them. By the way, we tried out the trail today. I can’t get over how I can walk a few blocks in any direction just about and land at different parks where there are plenty of woodsy type trails. A comment I made upon my last day in Arizona was that I hoped to find a place to live that is by a park. Well…who knew…4 parks!</div>
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One of Penelope’s NY essentials was put to the test. The roar of the trains, the enclosure of the black little case, and the rocking back and forth as I carried her, didn’t seem to jar Penelope as I took her on her biggest adventure yet since we’ve been to NY. It was her first subway ride. I have been biting at the bit ever since I bought that carrier to officially use it. Poor Peeps, with all I have put her through and will continually, I’m sure of. Anyway, like a proud momma, I continue to take pictures of all her firsts. </div>
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Penelope came along as I revisited the Upper West Side(UWS), strolling along 89th street to Riverside Park, down along the Hudson, conversing with the ladies who attend the community garden and others, as I gazed back in time, reminiscing from my first visit here. A different feel, not as a star struck lover, as I once was, but more as if it all is becoming a part of me now. Some of the places we passed by, being just as they were, etched in my memory, others as if looking into and through a completely different lens. My heart leaped with bounds of joy and pride of our accomplishment as I walked and carried Miss P about.</div>
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I’m still wide eyes with wonder as cute lil tykes conversations continue on the cross town bus ride. This last one was about how many times a day this little guy believes he cries. Holding up, four fingers he said, ”Maybe I cry this many times a day. I skip my cry, if I cry 1, I don't cry 2 or 3 and I cry 4.” His nanny gave him a look as if saying are you sure that’s all? I actually rode on a bus where the driver had to tell people at the stop to wait for the next bus. We were too full AND It was! I had to giggle out loud one day, when our bus became a dam in the middle of the 5th Ave. intersection, with miles of cars and taxi’s jammed up honking like mad on one side and looking over my other shoulder at the open glory of 5th Ave. These buses must have an invisible bumper guard all the way around them. The way these huge boats maneuver through tight spaces and streets is miraculous. I just sit back and enjoy the ride.</div>
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I’m finding which part of the train platform to stand on that will get me a good seat on the train, quickest direction to walk getting out of the subway, how to stand in a line during rush hour times in order to load a bus, timing the walk signal at intersections for crossing the streets, to how much to load on my Metro Card for the week, all in all as others move about robotically, I just keep my light shinning while enjoying the rhythm of the big city.</div>
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Learning how to navigate your way through and in NYC is like an obstacle course, maybe not for the faint of heart, but as with anywhere, you listen and get a feel for the language of it, marvel at its magnificence, and you will find innumerable treasures all around. Yes, I’m still finding my “Pennies from Heaven”, meeting new people and filling up my calendar with events that pop up. The following week coming up is a big week for me as more things keep popping up. Everyday presents new possibilities, new adventures…even to having cocktails and dinner with a group of women after work one night this week. The newness of NYC is wearing off, but the thunder in my being is loud and strong knowing that as this moving into the city chapter closes the next one is already beginning.</div>
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The phone calls, messages, and new connections are so appreciated, even the calls I get with tears from missing me, just know sometimes your goodbyes leave me in tears too.</div>
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Big hugs and doggy kisses from NY,</div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-65546237556483942092014-12-31T20:06:00.003-05:002014-12-31T20:15:28.065-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~3October 19, 2014<br />
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Hello from New York,</div>
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Today is the first day where the feeling of winter crept into my mind. A day where you follow the sun on whatever side of the street it is, for in the shade, it is burrrrrrr!! I sure hope that my body has been baked from all those years in the Arizona sun so that when winter hits, steam will rise! </div>
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We have a doorman, well unofficially we do. He usually skirts around us when we are going through the door as he holds it open, but yesterday Penelope decided to surprise him. As we passed by, she jumped up on him from behind to say her “Hello” and he jumped, only the other way. I think she made a friend. For the first time ever, he took us up in the elevator. I had to chuckle when Penelope started to lick the back of our doorman's leg all the way up to the 5th floor!</div>
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Just earlier in the week, on one of those mornings where Penelope was in need of her red rubber boots from an earlier rain shower, summer came once again with the remembrance and feel of Arizona. Clear skies, warm soft breeze, no need for a sweater weather, just a perfect day for a morning dog walk. Watching the leaves, like twirling stars, showering down from above, falling right in front of us…magical. With each gentle breeze, glittering in the sunlit rays, dew drops perfectly round, streaming down in strings of translucent drops breaking open upon the ground from the trees…magical. </div>
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An early evening venture out walking, found us in an entrapment of two skunks! Tottering about, doing it’s nightly scavenging, Penelope took notice and lunged forward with eager excitement to do her little dance, only to find mom, holding her back, as the bushy tail of one stood straight up. We tried to take a little detour around, only to find another! No, no sprays, at least this time. I do think they are quite acclimated to people at the park, which they call home in this GREAT big city. We stood still as they gradually wandered off. Yes, I giggled, then too. It was only the evening before when Penelope lunged forward wanting to do her greeting dance, I’m sure, but this time it was for a rat, scurrying across the sidewalk, out from the drainage of the gutter. Welcome to city life!</div>
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It amazes me how I can walk around NYC and manage to not get hit by a car, run into someone, or trip and fall. I love looking around taking it all in. There is so much to notice, like pennies! I do not know how it happens for out of the blue, my eye catches a penny, right down below in front of me. It never fails and always happens most unexpectedly when my head is far off somewhere thinking, gazing about and sure enough a penny shows up. I find myself giggling about that too. I’ve gathered a pocketful since I’ve arrived. </div>
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I was walking up 61st street on my way home, admiring the beautiful brownstones, when I found one of those pennies. A door to a brownstone, opened up for a delivery as I passed by and what I saw inside took my breath away! The most phenomenal home from my glance, so rich and picturesque. This little spot in all of NYC was worth easily, millions of $. Knowing that there are a lot more spots like those filled with millions of $, amazed me thinking about those places were all here in one city. Just like the thought I have of all these little boxes, stacked on top of one another, with people living in them. Yes, I'm in one of those boxes for now. </div>
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Can I tell you that I love the sound of the subway trains! I love the rush of the express trains going by on the middle tracks, as I wait on the platform for the 1 train, pookie 1 train. Makes your heart speed up! Not as bad as the sound of nails scrapping on a chalkboard but a pretty awesome roar of steel! I saw a great act of kindness as I was leaving the subway on my way to catch the bus, when a man helped a lady who's bag got caught in the sliding doors, push it through. Those doors have the claws of a death grip!</div>
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I still enjoy being serenaded by Barbra, needing to join in occasionally, as I dance about in my own artistry preparing myself for work. Thoughts of what to wear, bio to write for a job, finishing touches to add as my room which is slowly evolving to express the sanctuary of me, all floating in and out in between the lyrics. The lyrics still linger with me even as I write on the subway, using my Notepad App on my phone. Thoughts… transposing, emptying, expressing the inner workings of my mind, demanding to be purged out into words, in accompaniment with the Jane, that oversees the details of my life. Sometimes I am astounded by the passing of time, with wonderment, when the words cease. “Where am I?” Only to find the scenery has changed, as I reconnect to my body. </div>
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This has been a week of making a new friend(a singer, an opera singer), settling further into the rhythm of a schedule, doing my first loads of wash, being completely unpacked, submitting a Bio for a job, and running into a couple of NYC creatures that come out when the sun is fading. Oh, and adding some amazing opportunities to my calendar of events(Literary Agent Panel & Open House at Random House) plus a concert at Subculture(Break of Reality), all coming up in November, just the beginning of all the new changes arising.</div>
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Hugs, hugs, and more hugs,</div>
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Jane and Penelope</div>
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Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-14532352211057222882014-12-31T20:01:00.003-05:002014-12-31T21:59:34.953-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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October 12, 2014</div>
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Hi Family & Friends,</div>
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I feel like I am slowly gathering twigs and such, building my own little nest (niche) here, week two, in New York City. I’m often sometimes startled by my surprise reaction when I catch myself taking a look out the window…it’s like stepping into a scene in a movie, only it’s your movie and realizing where you are, that you are really here. It is so surreal at times, magical even, like waking up from a long dream and being where you belong all along. Reminds me of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, looking for home, clicking her heals, and awaking to the home that was inside her all along.</div>
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New York inspires me to write with streams of thoughts flowing through my mind all the time. I wish I had a plug into them, for a download, that would quickly dictate it all out onto a page, flowing seamlessly into a beautiful story. My first week here, the subway would be gently rocking me back and forth with my eyelids becoming very heavy, finding it hard to stay awake for the trip ride home. This week, is all I do is have amazing conversations in my head that I wish I could capture and read over later. </div>
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The subways can get pretty crammed full at times and I don’t know if its better to be sitting down or the one standing up. Front view or butt view, right there at your eye level. Oi, something I just need to get used to. I try not to let pervy thoughts creep up into my mind but they always do. I often wish that I was on the express train running on the track in the middle. It never fails to out race the train I’m on every time. Weirdest thing watching through the window at the other people right along side you all of a sudden become one big blur when your train slows down for the next station. </div>
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My travels this week from work have brought me back into a complete circle with places I’ve been longing for and haven’t thought about until I’ve arrived there. I’ve had some moments of sentimentality getting onto the platform at 86th street where I used to ride the subway everyday the last time I was in NY. I remember it like it was just the other day with the blue barriers, three turnstiles, and the bench to the right where I would often sit as I waited for the train. A very nice feeling, joyful in a sense, knowing though that, that girl then, had NO idea she would be back but on the other side of the tracks(so to speak), not for a visit but to stay, amazes me. Walking down 18th street on my way to my most FAVORITE bookstore in the whole wide world, made my eyes fill with tears that I didn’t want anyone to see. I wanted to absorb them before I stepped foot inside. I had a Cinderella moment, the first time I was in this bookstore a couple of years ago, like stepping into the ball, where everything I’ve dreamt of, all came together at once. Here I was again, feeling my heart skipping in joy knowing that I am back and can come back as often as I like. I LOVE, Books of Wonder! It reminds you of A Shop Around the Corner, from the movie, “You’ve Got Mail”. It is completely a bookshop all for kids. Old and new books line the shelves, signed by the actual authors themselves. This is a place where I can completely express myself and all that I love in one, Books and Kids! </div>
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Oh my God! The cutest little tyke was waiting at the Lincoln Center bus stop along side me, singing The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, circling his arms all in motion with his song. I could of just grabbed him and lifted him up into the air with a great big hug! Little blue jeans with pockets as big as he was, so darn cute! We rode all across Central Park, past the Central Park Zoo, up to Madison Avenue together. Priceless! I do say the kids in Midtown New York are all priceless! They are so chipper, well mannered, bright little stars that brighten my day, always. Such a different culture here and it changes dramatically from each neighborhood to the next. One thing for sure is that the people here, their faces light up with the slightest “Hello” and they ALWAYS greet you back. </div>
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Penelope is still enjoying her walks, and yes, she has had to wear her little red rubber boots, just yesterday, for her morning pee. She’s a champ and I am enjoying having her here with me very much. She’s a perfect city dog not only for her size but she’s quiet, eager to say “Hi” to all the dogs along the way, rarely lifts her head from the inundation of good smells, and has learned to ignore people in general(people here like their space from dogs), and has learned the dog courting dance with other dogs. The dance goes…I see you, I am going to head right over to you, here I come, pulling hard, but wait, pause, head down, noses sniff, then the twirl begins as each take a quick sniff of the others behind, then separate and off to other smells nearby, totally disinterested as the dog walk continues. We’ve been serenaded at the park from Tucker’s dad, who was in the Phantom of the Opera, and didn’t hesitate to give me his whole resume, without missing a beat, to another man who was in Guys and Dolls, which played in Phoenix. We’ve meet so many people, mainly dog walkers, like me, chatting away as our dogs quickly become disinterested and have ended their dance, eager to continue exploring on. I’ve been invited to join <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Finwoof.com%2F&h=bAQFxjSlz&enc=AZNERCheu1AIB1mJ0p0IjfMYwSihiAWiaNE8jo_JsR2Xmr0FJRq2677FQC_QVSIGEzdCooNf2zG2_RAAb-5N1-knOlWesDbsX80-QXN1n763CozDgcnqAG1bStcHpKLUD-o0-8DxfmEHlzegJHXTLJvuxFINiY4lgQWm4fZ1NzC-6A&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">inwoof.com</a> while out on our morning stroll today, from a very nice woman, with her dog, Toby. She said they often get together with their dogs for events and just to meet up. I do have to say, that New York is a very dog friendly city. People are either walking in a hurry, pushing baby carriages or strollers(many are nanny’s), or walking their dogs. The Upper East Side and Midtown are the places to live if you have a dog, I believe. Dogs there are welcomed in most stores. I haven’t been in a store where a dog hasn't been.</div>
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Enjoy the pictures from this weeks outings. So many changes coming up and I may even have my very first visitor! Yeah!!! Just in time for the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade! I always said I was going to that some day! Well….</div>
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Love and Miss you all!</div>
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Jane & Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-83564801983902314522014-12-31T19:57:00.000-05:002014-12-31T21:59:23.044-05:00A Sunday Evening Hello ~1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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October 5, 2014</div>
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Hello!<br />
Having my first weekend here off was so needed for a recharging even though I can’t say I took advantage of that. Saturday’s must was a visit to the Farmer’s Market in the pouring rain giving my (EB)rain trench an initiation with the New York weather. It worked famously with only my calves down a wee bit drenched. The bell peppers had an aroma like none you have ever smelled. Carrying off with my treasures after saying ado to some wonderful friendly vendors, I set foot for my first grocery shopping experience, a new library card, and some red rubber dog boots at a local Furry Friends store knowing I had a bladder filled dog at home waiting for her morning walk. </div>
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Upon arriving at home to the chipper bark on the other side of the door, I couldn’t wait to show Penelope her new boots. She took to the boots with NO care in the world! I was shocked how easy it was as we squished squeaked our way to the elevators. Now it took her a few days, with me having to drag her, with all four paws not budging, into the elevator. So these boots where a piece of cake. Penelope is such a sport adjusting to her city life. Thank goodness it was only lightly raining as we headed out for a spot for her to pee.</div>
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Can you picture me pulling a mini shopping cart(like luggage on two wheels) down the city streets, up and down stairways, through the security gates at the subway? Well, I’ve acquired one. Becoming a New Yorker slowly but surely. After looking at my loot at the check out later that day, all the way in East Harlem at the Target store, I knew I needed one to help me get back home. I enjoyed this venture even though I was a bit tuckered from my morning, at least it wasn’t raining any more. Had a nice tour on the bus of Harlem, past the Apollo theatre, cross town to the only Target in Manhattan, and yes, two trains later, all for a laundry basket and a few essentials. Then to do it all in reverse.</div>
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I’ve meet so many interesting and really helpful people…from a nice man, while waiting for a bus back, after putting my car in storage the day I moved in, gave me the run down on the Metro cards. A dog walker introducing me to the rubber boots for Penelope, on a drizzling day at the park, of where to purchase them. An owner of Pizza Hero’s who giggled at me when I wanted to pay with a debit card and they only took cash. He knew I was new to the hood and began to tell me all about it while sharing pictures with such joy, over the house he is building back at home in Greece. To a train rider who showed me how to use the security gates from that grocery cart experience. Many others, even a woman on the elevator, who is a dog walker that lives on the third floor, volunteering to walk Penelope any time. </div>
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As for today, my intention was to finishing unpacking and get more organized but I was distracted with an urge to do more exploring. We took a long stroll with Penelope at Inwood Hill Park, stopped for hot tea (Many of the stores here are so pet friendly!), another pet store visit to learn about the Halloween dog parade the neighborhood has, talking to my bff on the phone, to writing to all of you while listening to my new Barbra CD. I hope this eases your minds for some of you in your thoughts about how I am doing, adjusting, and getting along. Now that my feet are wet “so to say” at work, this coming week will be busier. I will post pictures when I can.<br />
Love to you ALL! Miss you.</div>
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Big hugs and doggy kisses,<br />
Jane & Penelope</div>
Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4760574557376749414.post-82240242175823467892014-12-31T19:06:00.000-05:002014-12-31T21:54:15.544-05:00My Dearest Love and Best Friend<div style="color: #141823; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiK0F1syjNOmgZD8YSHLiKjgzh2hhv-lrWlnRpeMeIYCNfGiHCjQ0njCvASx-0wEYQNHItJLCTlEuF1U0LVZOIBGP6YP67US2lvfIiwhX7hCl2pjRRdTa0Gxu5j5lrsc36Fz113dcJlnb/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiK0F1syjNOmgZD8YSHLiKjgzh2hhv-lrWlnRpeMeIYCNfGiHCjQ0njCvASx-0wEYQNHItJLCTlEuF1U0LVZOIBGP6YP67US2lvfIiwhX7hCl2pjRRdTa0Gxu5j5lrsc36Fz113dcJlnb/s1600/Image.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I turn away, turn me back around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I try to leave, keep me in your heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If I react and say things, know I am only speaking to myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If I push, step back so that I remember to fall into your arms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If I fight, just look into my eyes and tell me you love me anyway. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I forget who I am, and in those moments you remind me... Remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Love..it expands beyond the illusion and never dies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have never invisioned my life without you ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I couldn't fathom that thought into reality. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No riches, no material goods could ever take the place of the love I sustain for you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I knew when I first heard your voice in prayer...that's her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I fell to my knees thanking God for you with such joys. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I'm on my knees with gratitude and in the greatest despair of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe in love, love with another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Life without it just isn't gratifying or fufillling, pretty lonely and hard with no one to share in lifes vast journey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Geese fly in groups in V formation because it is easier then flying alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Love is the Power to change the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where you learn how to come together in partnership, feel cherished and supported thru commitment. Yes, that kind of love takes work, that love can make quantum leaps to fulfill each others destiny. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So if you ask if I am ok? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I never invisioned my life without you.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I could say I choose you, our egos are having a party with this heart break. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I didn't choose you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You were already chosen for me, we just had to hang on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">God wouldn't be disappointed would he? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I always thought twin flames join to become ONE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In these moments when you forget who you are, I will remind you and look into your eyes to tell you, I love you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you!</span></div>
<br />Jane Landershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653184468656787932noreply@blogger.com0