Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

PHOTO DIARY: SEPTEMBER 2017 | BRIDGES


Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

As I looked back over my photos from September,
it hit me that many of my activities this past month 
took place close to the banks of the Hudson River. 

It was a month of bridge crossings in the literal sense, 
and one metaphorical traverse that I wasn't expecting. 
It was a month of highs.......and the lowest of lows.


 September began with an early birthday celebration.
A friend treated me to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants,   
Pier 701, in Piermont, NY, 
where spectacular views of the Hudson River 
and a killer lobster and mango salad were on the menu.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


A few days later, on the other side of the Hudson, I trekked down 42nd Street.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


strolled through Bryant Park.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


and admired the Chrysler Building.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Back home in New Jersey, a waxing gibbus moon begged to be photographed.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Manhattan glistened under the light of the silvery moon  
as we sauntered down the promenade at dusk the next evening.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The George Washington Bridge glowed to the north.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


and midtown sparkled to the south.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Further up the river in northern New Jersey, someone tolerated bath time.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


and was relieved when it was time to dry off.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


 Tickets to a Broadway show, The Terms Of My Surrender,
took us back into New York City.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


After the matinee, we had any early dinner with friends 
at one of my faves, Osteria al Doge.
We toasted friendship........

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


and the gang sang Happy Birthday to me!

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The soon-to-be demolished old Tappan Zee Bridge, 
brought us across the river to Westchester, 
when Mr. Goo Shoes took me out to celebrate on my actual birthday.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We had dinner and drinks at another restaurant I love -
Half Moon, in Dobbs Ferry, NY. 
Its setting on the banks of the river can't be beat,
especially at sunset, with a side of beer sangria!

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The ride home took us over new Tappan Zee Bridge for the first time,
which had just opened to westbound traffic. 
Such magnificent truss work! 
(that's an inside joke between us, Junior Goo Shoes, 
and his Physics and Technology teacher from a couple of years back đŸ˜‰).

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We were in Manhattan again a few days later for an appointment on the Upper West side. 
We dreamed of moving back into the city.
Oh, to live in this building and have one of those ornate terraces.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Or this one, with its gorgeous window boxes.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Back in New Jersey later that afternoon,
things took a turn for the worse.
 An elderly woman ran a red blinking stop light
as I drove through an intersection.
I saw her coming, and accelerated to try to avoid a collision,
but, I couldn't get out of her way fast enough.
BAM! 
She hit the rear right passenger side, with enough impact 
to deploy my airbags and send my car into a spin.
It doesn't look like much in this picture, 
but there was $15,000 worth of damage to my car.
The door, the wheel, and the rear axle was damaged.
Thank God, no one was hurt.
By the way, she admitted to the police officers that it was her fault.


Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



 A couple of days later, through the Lincoln Tunnel this time, 
 Aunt Goo Shoes and I went to see Hello, Dolly with Bette Midler.
Two Broadway shows in one month was a new personal best for me.
Hello, Dolly is the very essence of Broadway.......so lavish, so spectacular!
After the show, we got to meet the director, Jerry Zaks, 
and the Divine Miss M, herself (unfortunately, no pictures allowed)!
More about that in another post.

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We decided to head back to Jersey for dinner.
A slice of the Big Apple was visible in between a couple of riverfront condos.......

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We had a terrific dinner at South East Thai Kitchen in Edgewater, NJ.
The pho with grilled chicken was delish.......  


Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



but the scenery stole the show!
Sitting on the restaurant's outdoor patio 
was like having orchestra seats to the island of Manhattan. 

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


And finally, I crossed a bridge that no child wants to, 
but knows they will have to some day.

Sadly, my dad passed away on September 19 at the age of 91.
He had a host of medical issues over the years,
but we are grateful that with the exception of his last two weeks,
he was well-cared for, fairly independent, mobile, and feeling good. 
A military Honor Guard presented us with this flag
in recognition of my dad's service in World War II. 

Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I wasn't sure about posting this, 
as I have always kept my blog focused on the lighter side of life, 
and I don't share intensely personal information.
But it didn't seem right to present a photo diary 
that would depict a fun and carefree month,
when the truth is, it was anything but.


Until next time,  

14 comments:

  1. I am so very sorry for your loss Amy. Many thanks to your dad for his brave service to this country. Judy M.

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  2. I love your photo journey when you post. Yes, life is not all fun and exciting. But your father was brave and had a pretty long life. You showed us that he raised a daughter with dignity and grace and you wanted the world to know what a wonderful father he was. Bless you.
    Keep blogging,
    Joyously,
    Betty

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  3. Oh I am so sorry for your loss and that your otherwise fun month included losing your father. At 91 he lived a long life and got to know you into adulthood. It is wonderful to mention him here because it honors him for serving our country, and it shows the reality in life that sadness goes alongside the happy times.

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  4. I love your pictures. I love your city. Sorry about that accident...heavens it is scary on the roads..on any of the roads. People need to wake up. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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  5. I always love your photo posts Amy, but I have to admit my heart sank when I read about your dad. He was born two years after both my parents who are both gone now, and like your dad mine served in WWII. They were truly the greatest generation I think. My deepest condolences.

    On a lighter note, your photos are so wonderful and in a way bittersweet for me. I think you know once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker, and so much of what you show is so very familiar to me. I drove on the Tap a few weeks ago more than once on the way down to NC and was in awe of the new design. It looks that much bigger next to the old one I think.

    I remember going to Half Moon about a week after 9/11 and there was still smoke visible from there. It's one of the best spots in Westchester.

    I am glad you told us about your month. All of it. Because life isn't always everything we want it to be, and it helps to share both the good and the not so good.

    xxx

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  6. I always love your photo diaries even if I don't always get to comment. I completely choked up on the last part - so sorry to read this, Amy. Not looking forward to that time in my life. Your words and photos are beautiful. I am thankful you had so many years with your Dad and grateful to his service to our country as well.
    xoxo

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  7. Meant to also add - I am so glad you are ok after the car accident too!!!

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  8. I always absolutely LOVE your photo posts, well ... except for the photo of your car accident, you have such a great eye for your shots. And I so enjoy seeing pics of places I will likely never visit.

    Condolences on the loss of your dad. How special to have a flag to commemorate his service to our country.

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  9. Hi Amy,

    So very sorry to hear about your dear dad's passing. He was blessed to have lived a long life; may he rest in peace

    Wishing you a belated birthday and a year of good health and prosperity.

    xx
    Poppy

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  10. Amy, September was indeed a strange month for you. You've been on a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, haven't you? And these bridges you have crossed are so symbolic of this time, eloquently told through your photos. And now you'll be having days ahead of adjusting to missing your father and that lasts for a long time, my friend. I know because my sisters and I am, even though we lost ours 16 years ago. And with our mother now a year older than your father was, we're steeling ourselves for that day as well.

    I guess one thing that keeps our father so alive to us is all that he taught us. So many things remind us of him but especially how much he enjoyed each day, even the 16 years he lived post throat cancer that compromised his ability to talk and have others understand him. Even then he would end the blessing at supper with, "Father, give us a good day tomorrow." Those are the kind of memories that bless our heart and will yours, Amy.

    Love to you,
    Dewena

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  11. I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. It's never easy for any of us. My mother was presented with a flag for my father when he was interned at Arlington, and I now have that flag in our house. Always enjoy your photos!

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  12. oh Amy, I really loved reading your post and looking at all of the photos of the fun things you did. Sorry to hear about your car accident and then the loss of your dad.
    Take care of yourself.
    Julie

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  13. I am sorry for your loss Amy. My dad is 93 and every moment I spend with him is precious.

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