New York - Parks, Castles, Family, Friends, and Departures

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I don't think that words are actually necessary...

I miss New York.

New York 11-2011 - Family

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I apologize for not posting images of my last trip to New York, and to make it a bit more convenient, I've broken the images into two posts. This first post is images of my brother, sister-in-law, and my nephew as we simply enjoyed each others' company. The other post will be more of the places we went whilst in the Big Apple.

Flashback - Fleetwood Mac

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Have you ever listened to Fleetwood Mac?

I have.

I thought about my mom and dad tonight, mostly because of the memories this band evokes every time I listen to them. I remember those long trips to visit my grandmother's house, or the trips out to Cloverleaf Beach on the Columbia River, during those sweltering days of summer amongst the pine-ridden mountains of Washington State.

The family would be piled in the car and dad would slip the cassette into the car stereo; we'd then drive the miles to either one destination or the other - the windows would be down as summer blew all around the vehicle, music spilling out into the world around us and left behind in our wake.

It was because of this that Fleetwood Mac, and more especially their album, Rumors, came to be somewhat a tether to my childhood and memories of the past.

Tonight I sat at laptop and fired up iTunes as I worked on various and sundry items. As I looked at the computer screen before me, I saw - staring back at me from the veritable smorgasbord of music - a Fleetwood Mac tune or two nestled in amongst all of the others. I clicked on one, and it wasn’t long before I was reminiscing back on those times – the simpler moments of life when it was others that made life’s major decisions for me - back in a day when I was dependent upon my parents - lodged back in a time when the greatest worries I had in life was whether or not Maye Clamm really liked me or not, and wonderings of if my goldfish was going to still be alive when I got home from school that day.

I also thought about my grandma....

I thought of her little house and the flowers she grew around it. I remembered the distinct smell of canned cat food and the red kitchen counters. I thought of her affinity for The Pink Panther, and the secret second drawer down in the kitchen that was always filled with candy – it was like a treasure chest of sugary goodness.

It’s funny that in the ensuring years from those moments the songs did not change. Oh, the medium changed – the mode of delivery – but not the songs themselves. Instead of cassettes or records we changed to CDs and mp3s; however, it is the music which has remained a constant throughout time.

The music is still the portal; it is the conduit into yesteryear; a lighthouse standing solidly as it shines its light into a troubled sea.

For quite some time I listened to my favorites from the album – some more than others – and thought of the times in my distant past.

Today, I am grateful for music; I am grateful for the journeys it can take us on; for the moments that it allows us to relive - if even just for a few few brief seconds...

This is a playlist of all the songs I could find online from the Rumors album, and I also added a few other Fleetwood Mac classics that I just couldn't seem to get enough of...I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as I do.

Goodnight my friends...

 

On a final note...while I’m not necessarily a huge fan of cover songs, I would have to say that this cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Loving Fun” by Dustin Christensen is one of those songs that simply defies the odds.

I hope you can make it a part of your memories…and better yet, it’s free...you can even download it directly from the link below.

You Make Loving Fun by DustinChristensen

If you wanted, you could like Dustin here.

Media of the Week - He's My Brutha

Pin It I was thinking of my family yesterday.

I really found myself missing them, too.

It’s funny because I can’t even remember the time that I saw my sister, Miya. All I know is that it was a long time ago.

Time goes steadily onward and days become weeks. Weeks become months. Months—if we’re not careful—can become years.

I called my brother and sister-in-law last night. It was great to hear their voices again. Granted, I just saw them this past Thanksgiving, but it was great to talk to them about what was going on in their lives and the most current events.

As I drove the byways and streets to arrive at my final destination last night—a rendezvous with a few friends—we filled each other in on the various happenings and happenstances of our lives.

Some minutes later when I finally hung up the phone, I can’t tell you how much I wanted to hop a plane and fly to New York.

I love my family so much, and my brother is simply awesome; here is just one of the reasons…



By the way, Yancy is the one singing. I thought I’d mention that just in case you didn’t know.

New York - Day 4

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New York - Day 3.5

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It’s been raining—and cloudy—quite a bit.

Not conducive to photo opportunities when one doesn’t want to get their equipment wet.

I’ve been keeping to Queens mostly, haven’t ventured into the city or subways as of yet.

Been visiting with my sister-in-law, working on projects, and making time for this:

My favorite moment of New York thus far…

Thanks for snagging my camera, Leah.

Photoshoot - My Brutha

Pin It There is something special about my brother. It’s something I cannot explain properly with words.

Maybe it came from being forced to share a room with him all those years ago.

But whatever the reason, it’s a connection that I cannot describe. I can only say that I love him, more than words can say. He’s my confidant. My friend. He’s my brutha.

This connection seems to be transferring to my sister-in-law…and to my nephew, too.