Archive for December, 2024

It’s a Wrap! 

December 31, 2024

It’s Sunday, December 29. I am in my cozy, flannel PJs, sitting in my favorite chair drinking a double espresso as I begin to write my last post of the year, looking back on 2024. Music is playing, as it often is in our home. 

Palaces of Montezuma – Nick Cave 

January 2024 was a busy month. I was finishing up packing and preparing to leave my NYC apartment. I was sick for much of the month but still working hard.  Lover and I were also nearing a two year anniversary and heading up to the Urban Cowboy lodge in the Catskills to celebrate at the end of the month. Through it all I played “Palaces of Montezuma” by Nick Cave a ridiculous number of times on Spotify. I had fallen in love with the song.

American Pie – Don McLean 

February makes me shiver…. 

When Lover and I first became an “item” we would sing along to this classic. Occasionally, we still do. How can you not?

The Ballad of Billy the Kid – Billy Joel 

“From a town know as Oyster Bay Long Island”  

What was going on in March?

Well, I was getting used to being a commuter and living in a new space. I was now officially a Long Island gal. And it makes me very happy to say that I live in the same town as the King of Long Island – Billy Joel

The Whole of the Moon – The Waterboys 

“I pictured a rainbow, you held it in your hands….”

In April we were out in Greenport, NY celebrating Lover’s birthday, eating oysters at the Little Creek Oyster Farm and enjoying an overnight in an intimate farmhouse room at the beautiful Rose Hill Winery. That month it seemed we were listening a lot of the Waterboys.   

Now and Then There’s a Fool Such as I –  Hank Snow 

May was a month filled with sadness.

Richard Anson Brower Sr.

April 30, 1933 to May 23, 2024

Summertime – Eilen Jewell 

June: The start of the summer season in Sea Cliff. The beach is open, the shaved ice place is happening, and Memorial Park is the place to be for the nightly sunset.  According to Spotify, Eileen Jewell was in my top 5 artists for 2024, so this song seems particularly appropriate.

When the Levee Breaks – Robert Plant and Allison Krause 

July is always a fun time – beach, lobster rolls, and concerts.  We were lucky to see Robert Plant with Allison Kraus and Bob Dylan at Jones Beach.  Sadly we missed Willie Nelson since he was ill, but got to see his son, who sounds just like him. 

I had never heard this version of an old blues song song prior to the concert, but it really touched me.  Life sure is precious.  

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver 

“To the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama.”

Near the end of August we had another road trip to West Virginia. It has been great to reconnect with my country roots.  

Wild God – Nick Cave 

We kicked things off in September with a birthday weekend on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. The word “Chincoteague” is said to be an Indian name meaning beautiful land across the water.  It is a very special place. 

One of my gifts was Nick Cave’s new album called “Wild God.” We have seen Nick twice and will see him again in April of 2025.  If you aren’t familiar with Nick Cave, I highly recommend giving a listen and subscribe to his Red Hand Files. 

No, he isn’t paying me, I love to share things that move me and he is one of those people.   

When I Paint My Masterpiece – Bob Dylan

And then there was October. For half of the month we were in Italy, living La Dolce Vita. We brought a little Bob Dylan along.  While enjoying Negronis and walking those ancient streets, it seemed everywhere we looked we there was another masterpiece. 

Shenandoah – Jo Stafford 

November is always time to give thanks and express gratitude and appreciation for our family and friends.  Love and gratitude to you all.  I would like to give a special shout out to Aimee at Dreams West. She and I met on August 8 (a significant day for meditation and manifestation) and weeks later I was getting ready to showcase my photography at Dreams West and I was on the books to host my first Vision Board workshop.  I am grateful for these new opportunities.  Let’s all always remember to Dream Big.  

This month’s song has no particular reason to be here except that I think it is quite beautiful. 

Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit – Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks 

I kid you not. Lover has about 3 days worth of Christmas music – songs from the ridiculous to the sublime – stored on his iPhone. And so, as of December 1st, the songs start playing in the house and in the car and keep playing until the end of the year.  

To add to this year’s holiday merriment, my good friends Michelle and Marybeth joined me mid-month to experience Sea Cliff’s 3rd Annual Wassail Day.  

We got a fine tree and decorated it with joy, of course while listening to endless Christmas tunes.  

Diamonds are Forever – Shirley Bassey

And then something magical happened on Christmas Eve: A toy helicopter landed in our apartment and it led me to a box with a beautiful diamond ring. 

We look forward to quietly celebrating the New Year with a nice family dinner and our annual NYE tradition to ring 2025 with Sport Murphy’s musical podcast. 

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year.  May the new year be filled with much love, light, and laughter all year long. 

For those of you who have been reading my posts since January 2024 – thank you for following along.  I truly appreciate the encouragement and support.  More to come in 2025.  Stay tuned.  Xo, T

PS – Follow the link below to listen to a Spotify playlist of all the songs of 2024:

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Matches and Memories 

December 28, 2024

A few weeks ago, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across a post from my friend Chris who shared a story that included matches from the famous Coffee Shop that once took over the corner of 16th Street and Union Square West. 

As soon as I saw those blue and yellow matches it struck a chord and I quickly went to get my container filled with matchbooks I’ve collected. Sure enough, I still had them.  Even though I met Chris years after he worked at the Coffee Shop, we both had that same little piece of NYC memorabilia. 

Most of the places that fueled my NYC energy are – sadly – no longer in existence.  In the early 90s I worked downtown. The city was very different back then – there wasn’t a Walgreens or Chase bank on every corner – instead there were more brick and mortar stores and old mom and pop places. 

As I rummaged through my blue glass container with that overwhelming smell of sulphur in the air, each match book I touched sparked a memory.  

There were the many magical moments at the Greatest Bar on Earth and maybe too many Friday night margaritas at El Teddy’s in Tribeca. I could almost taste the yummy  pancakes and hear the click of flutes filled with mimosas as we toasted another Sunday jazzy brunch at The Cupping Room. 

For a moment I felt that I could hear my feet walking on the crunchy floor filled with peanut shells at the Louisiana  Community Bar & Grill on Broadway and Houston.  I remember ordering my first flight of wine at The Soho Kitchen and Bar and I thought that was the coolest thing.  And oh, those nights dancing on the chairs after dinner at Boom on Spring Street followed by late night singing and dancing to 1970s hits at PollyEsther’s in the East Village. I can still feel the beat from the tambourine. We were having the time of our lives. 

The one book of matches that wasn’t in the pile was my all-time favorite, Lucky Strike in Soho.  I think I took all my friends and even my Mom to Lucky Strike.  That’s what I loved about Lucky Strike; you could spend hours sipping cappuccinos, a leisurely lunch or just a glass of wine, but what I especially loved was a steak frites dinner with a bottle of wine or two, simply talking about the meaning of life. 

I was introduced to Lucky Strike in the 90s when there was a line to get in – it was worth the wait – there was sense of excitement as we walked through the doorway and that velvet curtain parted and we entered an intimate bar filled with people drinking, eating, and laughing. But the real fun started around the midnight hour. We always ended up dancing the late night hours away as the DJ, tucked in a corner, was happily spinning records. For me, this place encapsulated my New York City. 

Every matchbook has a story and I cherish all the memories. Now, when I see the blue Chase sign instead of the vibrant bright red “Coffee Shop Bar” sign that once lit up Union Square West, I smile and pause for a moment – I am glad there are places I’ll remember even though most have gone. At least I have these matchbooks to spark my memories. 

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La Dolce Vita 

December 12, 2024

It was my sixth visit to the magical land of Italy.  I was super excited to share my love of Italy with lover.  And now it is official: He is in love as well. 

For me La Dolce Vita – the sweet life – is about savoring the beauty and joys of life.  Good food, laughs, and the simple things. 

Twenty years ago, traveling in Italy with my good friend Dina, sipping champagne on the Amalfi coast, a stranger at a nearby table said “Prada bags come and go but the memories you will create here will last a lifetime.” Perfect.

At the end of the day, what really matters most are the experiences we create.  Sometimes they are extraordinary, but most times they are those ordinary moments that touch your soul. 

As lover and I wandered around Venice, getting lost in its maze, we stumbled upon the Grand Canal in all its glory and we watched – each with a gelato in hand – the gondolas making art as they glided by. 

Ah, Venice. 

Certain places arouse that feeling that everything is okay in the world and with Venice you begin to feel as if you are in a dream. With another twist and turn, we opened the door to the legendary Harry’s Bar and – luckily for us – there were two open seats. Our bartender, dressed in a white jacket and tie, was furiously busy making a plethora of their famous Bellinis, and so we ordered two.  As we raised our glasses, we thought for a second that we may have seen James Bond.  

I love to find places that are off the beaten path. Chioggia is a hidden gem about an hour or so from Venice proper. As the local fishermen disembarked from their early morning rounds they quickly filled up all the canal-side establishments, enjoying their morning beer. We tagged along, opting instead for espresso.  It was hard to hear each other over all the Italian chatter, but we didn’t mind at all being the only tourists around. 

After an amazing lunch featuring local seafood, we spent the day roaming around and found the perfect place to enjoy a Negroni.  With each sip, we listened to the puttering sounds of the Vespas and bicycles driving by, surprised – at first – to see cigarettes dangling from the lips of many of the riders.

Italy is a place where all your senses come alive!  Strolling along the streets of the coastal town of Bari, with the aroma of garlic permeating the air, kids singing and playing, and the many nonnas outside their homes kneading away making their famous Orecchiette pasta, was just the beginning.  

One of my favorite scenes was at the top of the hilltop village of Santa Severina. As the sun peeked through the fairy-tale castle, we spotted two olive-toned men enjoying a glass of wine with their little bowl labeled “Snack Time.” There was something so sweet about that little bowl. 

Oh, and all the amazing paintings and ancient history. 

As we searched for the oldest pizzeria in Naples, our senses were in overdrive while trying to follow the GPS. We didn’t know where to look, the streets were filled with all sorts of characters, and with each new turn there was graffiti, churches, hanging laundry, and – between the mix of vespas driving by and italian words being spoken – it made for a musical entertainment. 

We arrived at our destination and our taste buds were in delight with each bite of the thin soft crusted Neapolitan pizza and that mozzarella that just melted in your mouth.  Yum! 

Next stop, Roma. Something profound happens when your feet hit the cobblestone streets of Rome, the same streets where the great names of the Roman Empire also once walked. From the Tiber River to the Spanish Steps, from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, everywhere surrounded by the many fountains in all the beautiful Piazzas – it is simply a spectacular place.

One morning we were out and about before dawn and were lucky to get an almost private viewing at the Spanish Steps. With the sun rising, we enjoyed a cappuccino and had our little moment on the stairs before crowds started to fill the streets. 

Roma is flavorful, sexy, and self-assured in an unassuming way. Kind of like the Negroni! 

Cheers to the sweet life! 

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