Dreams of Creativity in Brooklyn

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American Dream: Being Creative in Brooklyn

By Norma Hopcraft

Ha! You're in for a treat! More pics of the artistic rooflines in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. 

These rows of brownstones make me think of all the people who live behind the windows, the thousands of lives, people living, dreaming, striving.

Or not.

Some folks don't feel very driven. Maybe they enjoy life more.

As for me, striving to make a dream come true is more fun. I call it my American Dream. Each person's is different.

How do you feel about that? Please comment!

And please share my tweet with your followers -- but only if you love brownstones!

Pics taken in January. The cold weather then may cool you off now.

There are no repeat pics in this blog. Each street is different!

A Brownstone in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Anyone?

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American Dream: Perhaps a Brownstone in Brooklyn?

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Hi, folks! After a short break (a mere nine months) I'm back! 

I have lots to share with you from my favorite haunts in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Fire Island National Seashore, wherever the wind blows me--and soon, Providence, RI, a very cool city.

Today I hope you enjoy these pictures from Sunset Park, Brooklyn. They were taken this winter. They'll help you cool off in summer heat.

BTW, if you like these pics, would you RT the tweet that brought you here? A heart-felt thank you! And please comment below as to how I can help you.

Please enjoy the architectural details under the rooflines, and around the doors and windows.

Each street is different.

These are a cautionary tale -- brownstones that have been covered in vinyl siding. Eewww! Don't ever do this, agreed?

Something to restore your faith in brownstones.

How about you? Would you like to live in one of these classic houses? Please comment!

American Dream: A Park Near Your Home

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My American Dream: City Life -- with a Park (or Two) Nearby

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I've wanted to live in New York City since I was a kid. And now I'm doing it! It has its upsides and downsides. Crowds. Constant brand names trying to grab my attention, on buses, taxis, storefronts, signs. I feel like I'm constantly being sold to. Also, lotta concrete.

But there's upsides. Easy access to free and incredibly excellent events, like outdoor opera in Lincoln Center's plaza. The whole mystique of Manhattan, where I work, and Brooklyn where I live.

I have two parks near me. In Sunset Park, which gives its name to my neighborhood, families hang out on nice evenings and the big entertainment is watching the sun set over New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the towers of the financial district of Manhattan.

Interesting that we can see the Statue of Liberty from this park: I've sat there for two hours straight and didn't hear English spoken. I love it! We're still attracting people from all over the world. They remind us to dream big.

There's another park, Bush Terminal Park, which offers views of the same vistas but from water level, rather than from atop a big hill.

This jetty extends straight out into New York Harbor.

The towers of the financial district in the distance.

The gritty Brooklyn harbor side.

Manhattan again.

You can see Jersey City competing for tower attention to the left.

This is Bush Terminal.

Entrance to the park.

Irving Bush, who must have had a thriving business.

View at sunset of the financial district of Manhattan from the hill in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Same view, different sunset.

Different day, post-sunset, as the lights come on. How about you? Got a great park near you? Please tell us, below!!

American Dream: A Brownstone in Brooklyn

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Sunset Park, Brooklyn Is Full of Brownstones

Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

My new neighborhood of Sunset Park is chock full of brownstones. It's got so many that it's applying for National Historic District status. That's something that Park Slope and Williamsburg already have.

I find the rooflines to be fascinating. Each street has a different look. 

I love the details in the wood trim at the top. The brickwork is great, too. If you like my blog, would you sign up to follow it? Thanks!!!

Here's a close-up of another street's brownstones and the profile of the roofline against the sky.

This is a long view of the same street -- you can see the brownstones just go on and on.

Here's the roofline of another street whose brownstones sport bay windows.

This is Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park, the main commercial street. These brownstones have the elegant trim and brickwork, too.

It's just beautiful.

Here's another set of brownstones, with gently rounded bay windows and trim that echoes the curves.

How about you? Do you like historic architecture? Comment below!

Fun in Coney Island -- But it's a Little Creepy

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American Dream: Time at the Seashore

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

My trip to Coney Island was a first -- no a second. I was there with my grandfather in the early 60s, the only time I went out with him. We lived far away and were only visiting Brooklyn briefly. As I recall, it was sunny, and the boardwalk was crowded.

So I went back last May and found it deserted, and creepy.

This is just about the creepiest thing I've ever seen. Gates of hell, anyone? Looks like fun, but then it isn't...

Nothing sadder than a ride no one's using.

I've passed this for years on the Belt Parkway, on my way to see relatives on Long Island, NY.

There's a certain artistry to roller coaster design.

New construction in Coney Island. Maybe there'll be a resurgence of prosperity?

American Dream: Fun, Fun, Fun in Coney Island

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Who Doesn't Want Fun?

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I went from my apartment in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to Coney Island, a 30-minute ride south on the D train. You begin to sense that Brooklyn is huge, both landwise and population wise.

And where do New Yorkers go for seaside fun? Many choose Coney Island.

In the Coney Island train station, I saw three of New York's finest standing next to the Hulk.

The original Nathan's hotdogs, in business 100 years this year, is reason enough to go to Coney Island.

Another good reason.

The rollercoaster, with the famous parachute drop.

I went in May, still off season.

Nothing like beach football with the Atlantic Highlands of New Jersey in the distance.

All this fun-making equipment is just waiting for the summer crowds.

How about you? Have you been to Coney Island? What did you think? Comment below!

American Dream: My New Life in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

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Lifelong Dream Fulfilled: to live in New York City

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I've wanted to live in New York City ever since being a teenager in a boring, quiet suburb in New Jersey. I wanted most to live in Brooklyn. Because there, things happened.

So quite a few decades later, I'm living my dream!

By the way, there's four great coffee shops in walking distance of my new apartment. More on that later.

Say, if you like my blog, would you RT the tweet that brought you here? Thanks!

My room before I moved into it. The flowers on the windowsill were given to me by the former occupant.

The Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn has a park in it named, strangely, Sunset Park. You can see all of Upper New York Harbor: Staten Island, Jersey, Jersey City. And the towers of the Financial District, here painted rosy pink by the setting sun.

This is a shot down Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park. Smack in the middle, in the sky, you can see one upright of the Verizano Narrows Bridge.

There's lots of bakeries in my neighborhood. They make wild, creative cakes for all occasions. This one's for a baby shower. It costs about $175.

For a kid's birthday.

A wedding cake in about 10 parts, with bridges between the parts. There's little bridesmaids and groomsmen on the bridges.

A metallic sunset from the park.

There's hundreds of cool brownstones in my neighborhood. More on that later. How about you? Would you like to live in NYC? How about in Brooklyn? Comment below!