Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Unexpected Today in Brooklyn: An Oasis

A Brooklyn Writer Finds Respite in Prospect Park

by Norma Jaeger Hopcraft


I work in Manhattan and live in Brooklyn. 

That means my eyes, my soul, are hungry for trees, space, wildness. 

Well, Prospect Park is heavily trafficked. The only wildness in Brooklyn is in the people. Especially on a Saturday night. Everyone's on their way to a party, it seems.

Mother Nature is throwing a party for my eyes in Prospect Park today.



Spring green. 'Nuff said.





Sunday, April 8, 2018

A Few Trees in Brooklyn

An American Writers Dream: To Live in Brooklyn

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft


       I've always wanted to live in NYC. Especially in Brooklyn. It seemed like a place where things HAPPENED, not like my sleepy suburb in NJ.

       Now I live here.

       Brooklyn can be tough--tense and crowded, with many people needing groceries, cash from the bank, service at the post office--lines, lines, lines and soooo many people. I'm having trouble adjusting to it.

     So I escape to Prospect Park.  Here's a few scenes to bring you along with me.

A Brooklyn writer's American Dream
A friend said she was in need of Spring yesterday, so I stopped on my way to the Brooklyn Central Library and took a picture of magnolia buds waiting to bloom.

A Brooklyn writer's American Dream
In the center is the magnolia tree, covered with a thousand similar buds.

A Brooklyn writer's American Dream
Here's a cherry tree in bloom, the first courageous one to brave this cold spring.

A Brooklyn writer's American Dream
Toddlers playing soccer in the park -- that's a sign of Spring too.

A Brooklyn writer's American Dream
The doors to my destination, the mother ship of all the Brooklyn Public Library branches. I'm not crazy about this building, I don't feel great walking in its doors, the way I feel entering other buildings, especially historic ones in Paris : ) But I've found a work area on the third floor that has big windows that look out on the trees of the park. I can write there.

How about living in Brooklyn? Or do you prefer the leafy suburbs, or the country? Comment below!