Serene

Working on the weekend is good. It makes us grateful for those weekends we don't work. Appreciative of the times that we can relax and make room for rest. A little serenity goes a long way. And that's actually what I feel when I look at this picture of the bird below.. It's so peaceful.

 Our city is so wonderful because we have access to so much, more than what we really need, but, at the same time, we can shut it all off and just be free of the things that tie us down in the day-to-day.

There is a German saying "Stadtluft macht frei" and it means "city air makes you free." I must say I agree; city air certainly makes one feel free. We are able to create and recreate ourselves as we see fit, when we see fit. This weekend let's indulge in some peace. Something that makes you feel at ease. Whatever it may be. Taking it slow, one step at a time, enjoy. Really, really enjoy. Every moment of what you do. Appreciate. Be grateful. Sometimes we need to work hard on the weekends to appreciate those weekends that we don't work. In this incredible city that offers us surprises around every corner.

So let's be free this weekend. What are you going to indulge in?

Enjoy!

Crescent Moon

I find that these images speak for themselves.. I hope to start getting more creative with composition and hopefully finding new and interesting things in the area. With experimentation one grows. And hopefully you will all witness the growth of Forever Hills photography and, through this, the growth of our community.

The moon just happened to place itself so conveniently within the globe that it felt absolutely right.

Enjoy! Happy weekend!

Simple

Sometimes the less you say the more that is understood. Above a simple shot of green grass, trees, water, and panorama..

Happy First day of school!

Enjoy!

Freedom of the Human Spirit

Marshall Fredericks created the sculpture "Freedom of the Human Spirit" for the 1964 World's Fair [wiki]

His intentions were to represent something that is free from worldly things. Independent of the Earth. What I find pretty funny is that it is placed directly in front of the World. I have a simple sense of humor.

Below are some shots I took that I truly enjoyed.

Hope you enjoy, more to come soon!

I must admit, my previous interactions with this statue would often cause confusion at exactly what type of birds those were surrounding the male and female. I always assumed they were the same geese that are constantly strolling through the park- I was so very wrong. They are actually giant swans, gracefully enough. Regardless it is a beautiful statue and the idea behind it romanticizes it further.

I particularly appreciated this angle as they are literally soaring past the World. This statue is a healthy reminder to look beyond worldly things and view life with a broader, unlimited perspective.

Anyone else come across this without knowing its story and make up your own? Share your experiences with Fredericks' masterpiece featured here at our own Flushing Meadows Park!

Happy Friday!

P.S. U.S. Open countdown! Flushing Meadows is bustling this time of year; the air is ripe with enthusiasm and excitement for the tournaments. Now if we could only score some sweet tickets to an awesome game! Somebody, get on it (I'll pay back with awesome shots! Haha)

Silent Saturday Strolls

A lazy Saturday gave way to waking up at ease and celebrating the simplicities of the weekend. Plenty was done today, errands had their way today. The original plan of action was to make way to a beach but the gloomy forecast promising clouds, showers and thunder storms unwittingly convinced us to avoid this P.O.A. - A single drop landed in my vicinity. What a joke of a forecast. Regardless once we saw the rain was a fluke, a walk in the park was deemed fit. Out of many photographs I will share in the future, I've posted some of my personal favorites.

Forest Hills is ripe with beauty, both natural and imposed. Our parks are genuine and, I feel, make the community feel like a community. Our trees and other lush greens help pepper the streets with life. It is a gigantic heart in a city with so much character. The blood that flows through Forest Hills is so culturally mixed, adding to the authenticity.

Although the colors of summer are gorgeous, I've decided (because deep down I am a hopeless romantic, and because any hopeless romantic hopelessly romanticizes black and white photography) that the following photos will be black and white.

Enjoy.

An elegant weeping willow overlooks Grand Central Parkway near the crossover to Flushing Meadow Park.

A couple of loungers having (I hope) a pleasant chat, overlooking the lake and taking in the precious view. (Beneath the chair on the right there is a small dog that caught a glance at me just as the camera clicked!)

As a hopeless romantic, I find "poetry" in many things. I found this particular photo incredibly poetic. In the simplest of ways, nothing too deep. Remember, a lazy Saturday is not for racking the brain. It was simply the kind of day to ride your bike to a grassy place, take off your shoes, and lie in the grass.

I wonder where his thoughts may have been wandering? Any ideas?