American Dream: To Wander New York City

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American Dream: Unexpected Beauty in New York City

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Here's some unexpected baby beauty first. My grandson, at about one month old. Then we'll dive into the unexpected good stuff I found while wandering in NYC.

All kinds of peppers at the Union Square farmers market.

This dress has 400 forks, a bunch of spoons, and two labels (the bra).

This dress is made of latex paint. I love it!

A lovely autumn display.

A box of plants I stumbled upon. 

How about you? Do you like to wander? Please comment below!

Living in NYC: An American Dream

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Sunday Afternoon in Central Park: An American Dream

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

On a fall afternoon in Central Park, you'll see all kinds of beauty that refreshes the soul for the busy week ahead.

First, here's a baby fix for your eyes: my grandson, two months old. In my opinion, he's a treat to look at.

Love that football belly!

Now to Central Park. Here's a mackerel sky, portending rain.

An allee of huge old trees. 

Is this a double wedding? Or are these girls modeling wedding dresses? One had sneakers on and the other red ballet flats. I couldn't tell what they were doing. Another NYC mystery!

This woman plays beautiful classical violin.

Columbus. He doesn't play classical violin.

This little girl stopped scooting around in order to listen to the classical violin music. We all need to stop, listen, maybe put our thumbs in our mouths and rub our tummies!

Views and Thoughts on Life in Brooklyn

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American Dream: Doesn't It Get Your Creative Bug Jumping?

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Lots of great singers, artists, writers were born and raised in densely populated places like Hoboken, NJ (Frank Sinatra) and Brooklyn (there's a bunch). There's something about lots of people, living shoulder to shoulder, that gives artists energy to draw on. 

I get a jolt of creative juice when I think of how cool the spaces are inside old brownstones like this. Probably artists' studios!

These shots are all of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where I used to live. Sunset Park is applying for status as an historic district, just as Park Slope has already done.

Here's a sampling of interesting rooflines to get your creative juices flowing.

Say, would you RT the tweet that brought you here? Thank you!

I included this because I liked the color of the bricks.

Here's the view from the park in the Sunset Park neighborhood. The park is aptly named Sunset Park. 

Same shot, different day and time. Please comment below: would you like to try living here?

American Dream: A Brownstone in Park Slope

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An American Dream of Living in a Fabulous Brownstone

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

The thing about great old houses is that moving from room to room feels so human, so humane, in the proportions that that designer gave the spaces. So these places look great on the outside but they probably also feel great to live in.

This row of terrific brownstones is footsteps from the 7th Avenue subway station, which I chug through every day.

Oh man, I could write terrific stuff in the corner room!

Look at the beautiful door, and the beautiful frame around it.

Here's another one. My heart is pounding, it's so beautiful!

Here's a great door with a great bay window above it.

Fantastique!

Here's a small part of a big stone house on a corner. I love the upstairs balcony covered in plants!

Today in Brooklyn

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By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Today I was walking in Park Slope and came across Community Bookstore at 143 7th Avenue. Very charming. Please visit.

At the back of the store, doors and stained glass at the entrance to the garden.

In the corner, a water feature, an ivy feature, and a cement wall feature. But this is Brooklyn. We do our best with cement walls here.

Here's the bookstore from the garden.

Then I proceeded past other brownstones. This one is ready for Halloween.

So is this one. It's a bit more to my taste.

Here on 9th Avenue is a glorious residence overlooking Prospect Park.

It's the far left one in this row of spectacular brownstones. I definitely have brownstone envy! How about you? Comment below! 

My American Dream? To Live and Write in Paris

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American Writers Dream of Paris

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

How is it possible? Yet it's true! I lived in Paris for a year on a creative writing sabbatical. It was great! I went to the Louvre from time to time. The former palace is in itself a work of art. And then there's the priceless art on the walls. Yes, I saw the Mona Lisa. Here she is:

Possibly the most famous piece of art in the world.

I asked someone in the huge crowd waiting to see the painting to take my picture, "her and me together." Just then my eyes closed, of course. But here is one of my happiest moments.

American Dream: Haute Couture

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American Dream of Owning "the Best"

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I wandered past Bergdorf on Fifth Avenue that night and found more high-end retail shops with fabulous-looking stuff.

I enjoy great design. I'd even say the world needs great design, of clothing, everyday objects we use to cook and to keep ourselves going.

But do I, personally, need high-design clothing and accessories?

No, but it sure is fun to look at. And poke a bit of fun at too.

What space ship did you disembark from?

So when the bad guys chase me and the fringe wraps around my legs and trips me, it's all going to work out okay?

Just the sort of brooch I need. Guaranteed to make my life better.

The jewels-leather-and-fluff combo is from Miu Miu.

High-end sign design.

I like the green leather handle, with orange on the reverse, from Fendi. How about you? Which is your favorite? Comment below!