New London and Fading American Dreams

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American Dreams Don't Come True Easily in New London, CT Anymore

I went to New London, Connecticut to see what I could see. It's a former whaling town, and it was a bustling port in the 19th century. Today, just from the atmosphere in town, I would guess that it's struggling.

But it has a public library, with interesting architecture.

The library also has a new wing, and this sculpture is just outside its door, commemorating the city's whaling history.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea church.

The picturesque doorway to a house built in 1842. More on New London in the next post.

Little Italy and the American Dream

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What American Dreams Have Been Dreamt in Little Italy?

For me, the name "Little Italy" in New York City evokes the image of mobsters sitting in the back rooms of restaurants plotting each other's murders. But I'm sure more wholesome American Dreams have been dreamt there, worked toward, and some realized.

Even the fire hydrants in Little Italy boast of the Italian heritage.

My son's girlfriend stands on the steps of a church in Little Italy.

Little Italy was lit up for the holidays. Restaurants bedecked themselves in tiny white lights.

An apartment building sported a three-story Christmas tree of lights.

The food inside just had to be good, don't you think?

An angel ready to keep outdoor diners company. 

What do you think of when you think of Little Italy?

NYC: Downtown & Chinatown

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American Dreams in Chinatown

I explored downtown NYC with my son's friends from Costa Rica, trying to see the city through their new eyes. We wanted to visit the World Trade Center memorial, but the line was so long. People stood in the cold, waiting for hours.  I settled for a moment's meditation in Trinity Church and a shot of the Freedom Tower, arising on the trade center site. Our day in New York concluded in Chinatown and Little Italy (which will appear in the next blog).

One World Trade Center as of one week ago.

A government building and curious sculpture downtown, near City Hall.

New York County Supreme Court building at 60 Centre Street, another imposing government building.

A trip to Chinatown isn't complete without seeing the ducks and chickens hanging in restaurant windows.

A souvenir store that captures the essence of the East in the West.

A vendor sold origami mobiles on the dark, cold street.

A customer points to what she wants at the Taipan Bakery on Canal Street. The bakery specializes in Western classics with a Chinese twist. The bakery was packed; it's a very successful business making somebody's American Dream come true.

NYC Dreams and Lights

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Lights that Evoke the American Dream

Rockefeller Center in New York City celebrates the dreams and lights of Christmas in over-the-top fashion, which is perfectly normal in New York, where people dream big.

The angels with their trumpets line the plaza to the tree.

The tree in bedazzling splendor.

The skaters, and the golden angel fountain.

White LED lights and gold flags.

My son's girlfriend outside a hotel near Rockefeller Center.

All signs of Christmas were already removed from Saks Fifth Avenue's windows.

But the entire facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue has been turned into a giant animated Christmas display.

In the windows of Saks, fabulous shoes.

I think I'll just slip into something uncomfortable.  But fabulous.

Near Rockefeller Center, an art gallery featuring a glass sculpture of tango dancers.

A smaller tango sculpture.

Christmas Dreams from Stonington, Connecticut

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I thought it was time for me to be seasonally appropriate at last. In early December I gave you pics of a September week spent on Fire Island. I also gave you photos of Washington Square Park with leaves still on the trees.

It's time to move into winter, at least temporarily. These photos were taken on a Christmas Day walk with my family in Stonington, a town with a strong seafaring tradition and beautiful historic buildings.

At the point of land where the British disembarked from ships in 1814 and tried to subjugate the town, there is a small park commemorating the brave men of Stonington who fought back. This is the view from that point to the west, over Fisher's Island Sound and the Long Island Sound.

An historic bank on the Stonington peninsula decked out for Christmas.

The Inn at Stonington trimmed for Christmas.

A close-up of the Inn's door.

A small jeweler's shop gussied up for Christmas.

A wreath on the doorway to an historic house in Stonington.

Another home, another wreath.

An historic home's door in non-traditional colors. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

American Dreams, or Just Dreaming?

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American Dreams, or Just Dreaming?

I know I said something about moving forward to December pictures in the last post, but then I found these of Washington Square Park in September. I just had to show you some of the great things humans are doing in New York City. Some are working to make their dreams come true, some are just dreaming.

A ventriloquist sets up for a show. Next:  His own show at Comedy Central?

A jazz band performing, hoping to make it big.

The arch, and people relaxing, dreaming.

The fountain. Notice "The Thinker," with chin on fist, in left center.

Kids just out of school attracted to the water like ducklings.

Last Pics from Fire Island, NY

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An American Dream on Fire Island, NY

Our dream week as a family on Fire Island gave us so much pleasure. We enjoyed each other's company and the beauty of sea and sky. My brother Chuck took the following pictures. He said our week together was "a sweet time." Our happiness was enhanced by the beautiful setting. It was an American Dream come true, and a tremendous blessing, to be together in such a lovely place.

My sister and I lamenting that the surf was too powerful to swim in that day.

A view toward the west.

Chuck photographed our friend, Susan, photographing Chris photographing the sunset.

A fawn between our deck and our neighbor's.

The four Jaeger siblings in the Sunken Forest at Sailor's Haven, Fire Island.