Miss Ann Says

thoughts from everyday life
Miss Ann Says
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    • Travel Tuesdays S1E27

      Posted at 11:29 am by missannsays, on November 10, 2013

      Years ago when I was scheduled to fly home from CA on the “red eye” my dad commented “everyone should fly the red eye at least once.” “Why?” “So you know never to do it again!” Well, I have flown the red eye a few times through the years and it is “interesting experience.” Today I choose “the red eye” so I would have entire day with my daughter and her hubby. And as long as I can go home and sleep for a couple of hours, it will definitely be worth it. I have my good book, my snacks, my music and my headphones – I am good to go.

      I came across the following article on airplane etiquette. Worth reading. Hope I don’t have a shoeless, sock less, armrest hogging person next to me. πŸ™‚

      http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CAwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2013%2F11%2F03%2Ftravel%2Fwhose-feet-are-those-negotiating-air-travel-etiquette.html&ei=8-6CUtSTOOakiQLFz4DoCQ&usg=AFQjCNF9iPL8JwTEb0rKk8Bjhkky5s9jsw

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged little things, travel
    • Journey of 3,000 miles

      Posted at 8:00 am by missannsays, on November 9, 2013

      My journey of 3,000 miles begins at Newark airport with a pleasant surprise. I am TSA Prechecked! I guess flying multiple times over the last 11 months has given me the privilege of not having to remove my shoes and a shorter line. I did chuckle when the TSA agent announced “you have been randomly selected for further screening.” To which I replied, “I am always randomly selected.” Seriously every time I fly they randomly screen me. So if it is every time either my timing is impeccable or it isn’t that random.

      Usually when I am “randomly screened”, I want to make a rude comment or two about the lack of proper screening on September 11, 2001. Each time the Lord instantly checks my attitude so I haven’t.
      But today my attitude was different. I was aware that a TSA agent was killed this week and that gave me pause and made me a little more pleasant and patient. They are just doing their job, a job that on any given day probably includes verbal abuse from a lot of haggard or inpatient or confused people but they shouldn’t have to worry about being killed. Actually they shouldn’t be subject to abuse either. πŸ™‚

      “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged travel
    • Travel Tuesdays S1E26 -Travel poem by John O’Donohue

      Posted at 9:15 pm by missannsays, on November 5, 2013

      I came across this poem. Thought I would share it. The more I read it, the more I like it.

      Every time you leave home,
      Another road takes you
      Into a world you were never in.
      New strangers on other paths await.
      New places that have never seen you
      Will startle a little at your entry.
      Old places that know you well
      Will pretend nothing
      Changed since your last visit.
      When you travel, you find yourself
      Alone in a different way,
      More attentive now
      To the self you bring along,
      Your more subtle eye watching
      You abroad; and how what meets you
      Touches that part of the heart
      That lies low at home:
      How you unexpectedly attune
      To the timbre in some voice,
      Opening in conversation
      You want to take in
      To where your longing
      Has pressed hard enough
      Inward, on some unsaid dark,
      To create a crystal of insight
      You could not have known
      You needed
      To illuminate
      Your way.
      When you travel,
      A new silence
      Goes with you,
      And if you listen,
      You will hear
      What your heart would
      Love to say.
      A journey can become a sacred thing:
      Make sure, before you go,
      To take the time
      To bless your going forth,
      To free your heart of ballast
      So that the compass of your soul
      Might direct you toward
      The territories of spirit
      Where you will discover
      More of your hidden life,
      And the urgencies
      That deserve to claim you.
      May you travel in an awakened way,
      Gathered wisely into your inner ground;
      That you may not waste the invitations
      Which wait along the way to transform you.
      May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,
      And live your time away to its fullest;
      Return home more enriched, and free
      To balance the gift of days which call you.
      ~ John O’Donohue ~

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
    • Travel Tuesdays- S1E25- New York Botanical Gardens

      Posted at 11:31 am by missannsays, on October 29, 2013

      .016

      Recently I spent a delightful day with friends at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. As I was traveling over the George Washington Bridge with one of my friends she commented “Tony said he thought the botanical gardens were in Brooklyn”. I chuckled because the night before I had thought wait, are we going to the Bronx or Brooklyn? So to clarify the New York Botanical Gardens are in the Bronx and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are in Brooklyn. I haven’t visited the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens that is a trip for another day.

      According to NYBG website “In the late 19th century an eminent Columbia University botanist named Nathaniel Lord Britton and his wife, Elizabeth, also a botanist, were so inspired by their visit to England’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, that they and other members of the Torrey Botanical Club determined New York should possess a great botanical garden as well. A magnificent site was selected in the northern section of the Bronx, part of which had belonged to the vast estate of tobacco merchant Pierre Lorillard. On April 18, 1891, the land was set aside by the New York State Legislature for the creation of β€œa public botanic garden of the highest class” for the City of New York. Prominent civic leaders and financiers, including Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J. Pierpont Morgan, agreed to match the City’s commitment to finance the buildings and improvements, initiating a public-private partnership that continues today.”

      I know nothing about botany or gardening but I can tell you the gardens were magnificent. My friends and I did a guided tour of the “KIKU:The Art of Japanese Gardening” Exhibition. We also rode the trolley around the 250 acres and strolled through the Halloween Pumpkin Patch. Since a picture is worth a thousand years I have posted a couple of photos and there are a few more at http://randomsightings.wordpress.com. Enjoy, I know I did.

      026043040

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged friendship, Japan, travel
    • all done up and dvds

      Posted at 10:02 pm by missannsays, on October 26, 2013

      On Thursday evening, I attended the 28th Annual Gala for the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Fund. What an amazing event. Over the past twelve years I have been blessed to receive a yearly check from the Benefit Fund. On September 11 of this year I meet the chairman of the board of directors of the Benefit Fund when we were both invited to ring the bell at the NASDAQ. This year when invitation to attend the gala arrived I looked at it more closely and thought maybe I will go. While having lunch a few days after the invitation had arrived, two of my FDNY widow friends decided we would get “dressed up” and attend together. We figured we would have fun being together and really why would you turn down an invitation to dinner at the Waldorf! We decided we would rent a limo so we didn’t have to drive and to be honest attending a gala at the Waldorf Astoria sounded like something you should arrive in a limo for. We sounded like three teenage girls planning for the prom. πŸ™‚

      I decided my hair needed to be cut so I scheduled my appointment for the morning of the gala because my hair only looks really good right after my hairstylist has done it. I figured I probably should get my nails done as well. While I was at the salon getting my nails and hair done, my hairdresser commented “you should get your make up done, too” so I did. I was all “done up!”

      The entire evening was lovely. There was a cocktail hour, dinner,a live auction to raise money for the fund and then an after party. When we arrived we checked in and were given a Swarovski crystal bracelet and our table number. We were seated with other beneficiaries. Our table was right down front behind the head tables. Mayor Michael Bloomberg set directly behind me. Rusty Staub was at the Mayor’s table. FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano was diagonally to my right. Mark Messier was one table away. There were probably many “movers and shakers” and dignitaries there but those are not the circles I travel in so I wasn’t aware. Plus my daughters say “I never know who anyone is” which is true. Before the event I was thinking that I might feel like Cinderella but to be honest I felt nothing but gratitude. I was grateful for good friends. I was grateful for such an amazing opportunity. I was grateful for a delicious meal. I was grateful for the generosity of people. I was grateful for the kindness of strangers. As we were transitioning into the after party, I made a point of thanking Mr. Staub for the invitation to attend the event as well as thanking him for the generosity of the Benefit Fund. He gave me a big hug.

      092 During the after party, they had a raffle. My friends and I each bought $20 worth of raffle tickets and proceeded to put our tickets in the containers of the items we hoped to win. There was a “Blue Bloods” gift basket with autographed DVDs, an autographed photo of the cast, baseball hat, beach towel and t-shirt. I placed two of my raffle tickets in that container and shared with my friends a story about Blue Blood DVDs. Every year my daughters ask what I want for Christmas and my yearly response is “Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men.” Last year when they asked I said “Blue Blood DVDs”. They responded “What no peace on earth, no goodwill towards men.” I chuckled and I said “yes I want that too”. Guess what, I won the Blue Bloods gift basket. I now own two sets of Blue Blood DVDs πŸ™‚

      FYI according to their Facebook page “Since the Benefit Fund’s inception in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub, the Benefit Fund has distributed over $123 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, we now include the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. In 1987 we provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and by 2010, we made the same commitment to nearly 700 families. Our need has certainly grown, but our mission remains pure: help children and spouses who lost a loved one in the line of duty, charged with the task of keeping our families safe.”

      Thank you!!!

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged friendship, little things, randomness, September 11
    • random happenings or thoughts from this week

      Posted at 10:40 am by missannsays, on October 11, 2013

      1. In the last few days I was at the exact same location in Manhattan, Broadway between 47th & 48th Street, at two totally different times. Tuesday I was walking on that block at 2:00pm with my very good friend heading towards the TKTS booth. There were lots of people – visitors, business people, street vendors the usual hustle and bustle of the city. The billboard and marquee lights were glowing and flashing. Thursday I was walking alone on the block at 5:20am heading to volunteer at the Movement Day conference. There were very few people – the construction worker was covering up the holes in the street, a businessman or two, a young woman talking on her cellphone. The billboard and marquee lights were still glowing and flashing. They seemed brighter since it was still dark out. To be honest, I walked a little faster, was more aware of my surroundings, and held my purse tighter to my body. I was struck by how different the walk seemed and realized the difference a friend and sunlight makes. πŸ™‚

      2. The Bible Quizzing lesson this week was Noah. I decided to mark off the dimensions of the ark with my 6 students. We headed outside armed with a 30 foot tape measure and the dimensions – 75 ft wide, 45 feet tall and 450 feet long. We used feet not cubits. πŸ™‚ First we measured the width and then we measured the length which with a 30 foot tape measure becomes a game of leap-frog. Mark a start spot, someone pulls tape to 30 feet, mark the spot and do over again and again – 15 times to be exact. And then the kid QTOD “Wow, the ark was really big. That must have been the start of cruise ships.”

      3. Over the past weeks, the acorns from the white swamp oak trees at the National September 11 Memorial have been falling. Sometimes startling a visitor or myself. I have been thinking that an acorn is an amazing thing. To think a tiny acorn becomes a mighty oak tree. The difference in the trees on the Memorial in the last 2 years is a wonder to behold. It was very difficult to find a shady place to stand in the summer of 2012. I remember trying to fit 20 people in one tiny area of shade. Now it is difficult to find a place to stand to able see the surrounding buildings because the trees supply a beautiful canopy of shade. I once read or heard “which is more of a miracle if an acorn was planted and immediately an oak tree appeared? Or if an acorn is planted and after years there is a mighty oak tree?”

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
    • Travel Tuesdays S1E24 – Greenwich Village

      Posted at 8:00 am by missannsays, on October 8, 2013

      IMG_1971

      Only in Greenwich Village can you stand on the corner of Waverly Place and Waverly Place – one of the many quirky little streets that makes Greenwich Village an exciting place to explore but a little difficult to navigate. A few friends and I had a delightful time two weeks ago exploring Greenwich Village with Judith Pucci of Downtown Tours. I know Judith from the 9-11 Tribute Center where we are both docents. Judith, a longtime Greenwich Village resident, leads a wonderful, informative walking tour of her neighborhood. Judith tells the story of Greenwich Village by sharing historical facts on three events that shaped the area – the grid, yellow fever epidemic and the big cut. She has wonderful anecdotes to share. Did you know that Gay Street isn’t named for a feeling of happiness or for a sexual preference? It is named after the land owner, Mr. Gay.IMG_1984
      IMG_1980
      Also learned that NYU owns all the land around Washington Square Park but the city owns the park. It made me feel smart when Judith asked “has anyone read Washington Square by Henry James?” I was able to answer yes since the library book club read it last year. πŸ™‚

      Judith is a wealth of information, wonderful storyteller and an excellent tour guide. You won’t be disappointed if you take a tour with her. I have included a link to her website. https://sites.google.com/site/downtowntoursnyc

      Posted in books, daily life | 0 Comments | Tagged randomness, reading list, travel thoughts
    • Travel Tuesdays – S1 E23 autumn foliage

      Posted at 7:35 pm by missannsays, on September 24, 2013

      fall_peak_ne_720x486

      I love living in the northeast. The northeast enjoys four distinct seasons. Even though lately one season seems to leap-frog over another and then we go back to the “correct” season. Warm weather in April then back to rain in May and then back to whatever in June. The last few days I have been noticing that the leaves are starting to change color. When my daughters were growing up, they commuted with me to my work, their childcare then their elementary school and eventually high school. This time of year I would ask “which coloring is winning?”. Basically to keep them entertained and on occasion as a teachable moment about seasons or colors or creation. As the year’s past and my daughter’s grew too old for the color game, but every now and then one of them would randomly say “I think orange is winning”. πŸ™‚ Today as I drove that same route I smiled and thought I think green is still winning but soon it will orange or yellow or red. From the looks of the fall foliage map, you have time to plan a drive to check out “what color is winning?” Don’t forget your camera. And why not stop for some cider and donuts.

      Autumn Leaves
      The autumn leaves swirl to the ground in their millions.
      Gold, russet, ochre, burnt umber, and deep vermillion.
      Down to the ground, the dying leaves flit and flutter;
      On to the grassy bank, the pathway, and into the gutter.

      Some of the colours of the leaves are deep and so very rich.
      Whirling along the ground, some leaves tumble into the ditch.
      A thick layer of multicoloured leaves now carpets the earth,
      Leaving the trees bare, in readiness, for next spring’s rebirth.

      With changing leaf colours, many people love this time of year,
      But, that summer is well and truly over, it is now perfectly clear.
      The many colours mixed together are a magical sight to behold;
      I love the shades of yellow, crimson, sienna, and ruby red, so bold.

      Some leaves are mottled, with two glorious colours or more;
      Adding to the fabulous display, which now lies upon the floor.
      Children love nothing better, than to frolic through the fallen leaves;
      When workmen collect them up, they’re left feeling very aggrieved.

      Even though the weather is getting cold, the colours look so warm.
      Fiery reds and oranges, and golden hues, like those of ripened corn.
      Photographers find this time of year, so very evocative and inspiring;
      The spectacular displays before them, they spend much time admiring.

      As the season draws on, the once vibrant colours begin to dull and fade.
      Soon, all that is left are brown leaves, which once boasted brilliant shades.
      When leaves first change their colour, they create much admired foliage,
      But with age and weather, over the coming weeks, there is much spoilage.

      I love the dark green leaves, with their edges tinged with a brilliant red.
      But, alas, those colours will fade, now that the leaf is no longer being fed.
      The crisp, bright colours can offer cheer on even the very dullest of days,
      But in our minds, we know it won’t be long before winter comes our way.

      Angela Wybrow

      Posted in daily life, kid stuff, memories | 0 Comments | Tagged kid stuff, little things, randomness
    • Travel Tuesdays -S1E22- national preparedness month

      Posted at 11:12 pm by missannsays, on September 17, 2013

      September is National Preparedness Month. Both the Red Cross and FEMA have some great information on their websites. I thought I would share a few thoughts for emergency preparedness when traveling.

      1. Add a I.C.E. ( in case of emergency ) contact to your phone.

      2. If traveling oversees, add the American Embassy’s phone number to your phone.

      3. Pack a flashlight and extra batteries.

      4. Carry your prescriptions in your carry on. Put an extra glasses in your carry on. Hearing aid batteries in your carry on as well.

      5. Pick an emergency meeting place. This is something we usually do when we travel as a family. In case things “go bad”. Last year, my daughter and I were at a conference together in CA and the convention center had to be evacuated. We were able to reach other by phone but the first thing we said to each other was “we forgot to pick a spot.”

      6. If you are told to evacuate, evacuate!!!

      7. Let someone know your travel plans. Even if you are “running away”, let someone who will not bug you know where you are.

      8. As I say to the school groups at the Tribute Center, we don’t live “afraid”, we live “aware”. Pay attention to what is happening around you.

      9. Have a photocopy of your passport.

      10. Write the toll free number for your credit card on a piece of paper, in case your card is lost or stolen.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
    • Juxtaposition

      Posted at 6:28 pm by missannsays, on September 16, 2013

      This morning as I was standing outside of the Tribute Center waiting for the 11:00 am walking tour to begin there were many people walking down the street. Which that in itself isn’t unusually. Walking by were your basic slightly confused visitors who aren’t sure where the entrance to the National September 11 Memorial is. There were your average New Yorkers weaving in and out of the slower walking visitors and then there was a group of Naval officers in their dress whites. And mixed in with the officers were a group of kids and adults in bright blue t-shirts. At first glance we thought they were together which made no sense but who knows. This is New York. As more and more Naval Officers kept coming down the street, we realized they were from all different countries. But every now and then there was a kid, two or three in a bright blue t-shirt. Finally one of the Tribute staff asked one of the passing Naval Officers who they were? Obviously we knew where they were going but who were they? The gentleman stated “they were Naval Officers from the War College in Norfolk, VA.” My curiosity was getting the better of me so I asked one of the passing children who they were? A delightful ten-year old said “Kids for Peace” and handed me a construction paper heart with a lovely message on it about hope, love and peace being in your soul and bubbling out into the world. Then I asked one of the blue t-shirted adults “are you with the Naval officers?” She gave me a strange look. “No!” They were just walking down the street at the same time, heading to the same Memorial. And there was just something amazing about that.

      As we started our tour and came around the corner, the “Kids for Peace” were standing in front of FDNY 9/11 Memorial singing to the “War College” Naval Officers. And I thought wow!!! The word juxtaposition came to mind not sure if it is actually the right use of the word but wow!!

      Kids for peace pledge:
      I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.
      I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.
      I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.
      I pledge to respect people in each and every land.
      I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.
      I pledge to do my part to create PEACE for one and all.

      Posted in daily life, kid stuff | 0 Comments | Tagged kid stuff, respect, September 11
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