American Dreams of Vintage Car Ownership

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I've dreamt of tooling around in a fabulous, restored vintage car -- have you? 

Actually, that dream came true on my wedding day, 35 years ago. My father surprised me, not with a typical limo, but with a beautiful red 1932 Rolls Royce, complete with radiator mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. It had been reconditioned and reupholstered lovingly by a friend of his from church. It was a gift from my Dad to me, saying that he loved me. It was beautiful. 

The only problem was it had no air conditioning, and my wedding was on one of the hottest July days of the year. As my new husband and I rode to the Summit Arboretum for pictures, we were very, very hot. Strangely, we passed a jogger going uphill in full sun in late afternoon heat. Oh well!

These are the cars parked in the architect's office. I don't know the make of all of them, but ain't they lovely?

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What kind of toys do you like to collect?

Morristown Architect's American Dream

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An American Dream from early spring

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I parked my car in Morristown, NJ, and noticed a beautiful building across the street. It was the office of an architect who loves historic cars. His collection is parked within; he works upstairs in one of the most glamorous spaces imageinable. His American Dream has come true, I would say.

What a beautiful building! Notice the red sportscar lurking in the front window.

Here it is, close up, a Corvette.

Inside the building was a beautiful staircase and atrium.

Another shot of the ground floor and atrium above.

Peter Dorne, architect, let me take pics of his cars (see next post). This was early spring, so the trees were bare.

This is one of the entrances to his building. He's a talented architect, wouldn't you say?

An Adventure in East Millstone, NJ

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An American Dream: An Eclectic Collection

I passed interesting houses on a walk in East Millstone, NJ, where a family member lives. This was early spring--the trees were still bare. At this house, people had been collecting things for a long time: there was a lot to see.

The big view.

A close-up of the merry-go-round horse.

The gate to the side door. Note the picket fence on either side: the owner made use of it.

The fence appears to be propping up this outhouse, complete with ladybug.

Useful for displaying boots...

And birdhouses.

An inviting seating area with blue glass behind it.

Closeup of the glass display.

This is a shot of the front door.

This is another house in East Millstone, near Somerset County's Colonial Park. Note the Porsche 928, a classic, parked in the drive. I was even more stunned by the twin weeping cherry trees.  How about you: which would you prefer: an amazing car, or amazing trees in your yard?

Favorite Places in Mystic, CT

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"Mystic is mystical," I told my mother the first time I visited her there in her new home. And it's true. I want to show you some favorite places.

The brand new bridge house for the Mystic drawbridge.

The giant gear that helps to lift the entire roadbed.

The facade of a fabulous store, The Emporium. It's in an 1800s building and has the original wide-plank floors, which are worn by all the human footsteps on them. Inside is just about everything under the sun. In the basement is the children's department, including a huge display of seashells. I delighted my children's hearts with five exotic shells for five dollars, when they were little.

The Emporium's building is for sale, which worries me.

Probably my favorite all-time bookshop. You can see Mystic's historic commercial buildings in the reflection.

Inside the bookstore, a poster of the doors of Stonington. I've posted enough pictures of Stonington doors on this blog to keep you happy for a millenium.

Another favorite place, the Green Marble coffee shop. An indy bookstore and an indy coffee shop within 50 yards of each other -- sheer bliss.

A book in a bag, a newspaper, a cappuccino -- can you tell these are the things that make me intensely happy?

Look at all the varieties of coffee beans for sale. Starbucks doesn't do this any more -- your choice is dark or light. Tell me, where is your favorite indy coffee shop or bookstore?

St. Bart's--A Place to Regroup for the American Dream

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American Dreams on Park Avenue

In the course of my job search, I visit New York City every week. These shots are from St. Bartholomew Church, the church that Jackie Onassis saved. Built in the Byzantine style, the church was at risk of being torn down to make room for yet another skyscraper. Jackie stepped in and saved it from destruction. It's been providing spiritual sanctuary since 1903 -- 100 years! Congratulations, St. Bart's.  

It's on Park Avenue, between 50th and 51st, next to the Waldorf Astoria and nestled among towers housing UBS and other banks, some of them midtown offshoots from Wall Street. These are places where American Dreams are still being won and lost. People can go to St. Bart's to reflect, regroup, find resiliency.

Detail of a green marble column inside the sanctuary.

A banner just inside the sanctuary.

Stained glass window shadowed by a skyscraper.

The grill on the front door, looking out onto Park Avenue.

A detail of an exterior marble panel.

The filigree on the front doors.

The famous facade.

American Dreams of Gem Houses in Hopewell, NJ

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I have an idea -- let's get nostalgic for early spring! Why not? 

These are the last pics I have of Hopewell, NJ.  On to new things in my next post.

A beauty of a house and a garden.

Close-up of the garden.

An understated beauty, painted with mellow colors.

A close-up of the front door.

Another beautifully cared-for house and garden.

A gem, tucked away.

The Hopewell passenger and freight station, now an historic site. I saw more glorious houses across the tracks, but I think you get the idea -- Hopewell is full of historic sights.

"Hopewell" is another name for the American Dream

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"Hopewell" is what we need to do to make our dreams come true. Keep hoping, dreaming, and most of all working at it.

Hopewell, NJ was quite a photographic trip: this is the third of four in a series. There were so many great houses and great shops! I recommend a visit. Support an independently owned coffee shop and stop in at the Boro Bean (see previous post).  

An appealing porch -- I just had to get close and take a picture.

What a house! Glad I don't have to chase dust bunnies through it.

In downtown, I saw this great book store. I bought a used book, Penelope Fitzgerald's "Innocence," for $9, just because I support indy bookstores. 

The owner sat in an easy chair, reading, of course.

An unusual planter outside a tony gallery. Corrugated tin as an accent.

Another artsy planter.

A rocker and child's toys at a nearby antiques store.

Another view of the planter. You can see unusual art through the plate glass window behind it. Is it an interpretation of a giraffe? What's your guess?