An Abundant Life - Holiday Walk

For many years now I've heard about the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It always sounded like it would be fun to see, but with the cold weather and needing to travel there, somehow I never found the time or made the time to go there to see it.  Someone I knew used to tell me that it was a favorite thing to do every year as a family tradition, and I'd always see it and think if it was something people did every year I'd like to see what it was all about for myself.

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to the Bronx Greenup awards celebration, and part of the evening included a special private visit to the Holiday Train Show. I've belonged to Bronx Greenup for almost twenty years and have attended other wonderful events, seed swaps and plant sharing, tours and educational programs and other wonderful times sharing information and recipes and visiting and volunteering in local gardens, but this was the first time I'd attended something that included a visit to the Holiday Train Show.

The awards ceremony was really a beautiful time from beginning to end, with local gardeners and community volunteers and the staff who teach and share knowledge with everyone gathering together to celebrate the graduation of program and class participants. There was wonderful hot chocolate and fruit, cheese and sweeter treats before, and the celebration and giving of graduation gifts was joyous. At the end they announced that we could go over to the Train Show for our private viewing, and I went with the first group that walked over.

The day had been a beautiful one, warmer than it had been and very mild for the season. As we arrived closer to our destination, we could see the twinkling lights decorating the area outside of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the tiny trains on tracks making their winding way around and through the outdoor designs and sculpted plantings. That sweet scene would have been a beautiful one on its own, but it was leading us to the entrance where we walked into the Conservatory where the Holiday Train Show had transformed different areas into a wonderland of sparkling Christmas Trees, woodland animals and creatures, and room after room of train tracks that wound their way around small but very lifelike replicas of historic and well beloved homes and buildings and bridges in Manhattan and the other New York City boroughs as well as other New York and Upstate areas. Within and around these beautiful and creatively rendered buildings were plantings that were festive and native, and the buildings and bridges themselves were made thoughtfully of plants and vines. Each one was lit up from within our without, and had information about their history that shared the story about New York and the beginnings of its transportation and buildings to this day.

As I watched the wonderful trains make their way through this holiday landscape of the history of these areas where I and my own family's history have deeply been a part of, I began to think about roots and life and how we know certain things as part of our very being. Names I'd heard often and others of places where I've lived and been and traveled and marveled at connected together throughout this Conservatory garden by trains traveling along the tracks and circling around to return again.

As I walked back out into the lovely night to get my own train back to New York's Grand Central Station, I remembered a time when I was nine years old and my Mother had asked me what I wanted to do on a school vacation. I said that I wanted to climb the Statue of Liberty, go to Wall Street, and take a train from Grand Central, and so we did all three. On this wonderful and special holiday walk through the New York Botanical Garden and the Holiday Train Show, I saw all of those things in miniature and remembered my own past and present as I took my own train journey home.

At the New York Botanical Garden

For A Very Special Private Viewing

Of The Holiday Train Show

With So Much Gratitude

To The Staff And Volunteers

And Everyone Involved With Bronx Greenup And NYBG

For Making This Evening So Beautiful And So Special!

https://www.nybg.org

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Measuring Time

In 2005 on December 12, I had an encounter with God that changed my life. I've written about this time before and about the different things that have happened over the years since then, and about the many ways that God has restored and renewed and walked with me through so many things, bringing me to new places and ways of living that I had never imagined would be possible.

For the past few years there have been so many things that have been happening, and I would say that it's more than usual, but when I really think back to 2005 and the years since then, I know that it's been a nearly constant experience that, though there are times of rest, the ongoing pattern has been one of continual surprises and activity and seeming changes of course in what I used to refer to as Adventures With Jesus.

As celebrate my twentieth year birthday and enter into my twenty first year, it occurs to me that what has seemed to be changes of course were actually sometimes rerouting or recalibrating, the way that when people drive these days with GPS, the system will send them in one way, and if they make an error or miss a turn or just decide that they're going to go another way, the system will get them back on the track that the system wants them to be on.

I remember the old days of driving, when we would look at a map or ask directions, taking the turns and roads and sections of highway on or off that we wanted to or thought were right. In a strange way, though that time had its own kind of freedom, having GPS gently or not so gently nudging us back to the chosen GPS route gives us a better kind of freedom. We can turn it off, or we can know that if we make a mistake, or someone else does, or something happens to get us off track, we'll still find our way where we were supposed to be all along.

There are times on this road that it seems very confusing, times when I think I'm lost or haven't understood the directions clearly, and times when I'm not sure where I'm going to end up. I was sharing with someone on the evening of the 12th, at a celebration for my born again birthday and their actual birthday how at times I've started out thinking I wanted some things while God kept gently nudging me toward something else, and when I realized where I was being nudged to, that was what I had really wanted all along. He had said to me that he was trying to come to a place of asking himself what it was that he really wanted, and I shared that there are times I'm realizing that question needs to be asked in the quietness of our own moments of communion and conversation and reflection in the presence of God.

So often what we really want goes unsaid or put aside because we have decided that we can't have it, it's impractical, someone else deserves it more, we aren't worthy, or we want to please someone else by letting them have it. As I walk into my twenties, this new decade of my walk of faith, I feel that God is calling me to a place of being comfortable with identifying what it is that I truly want, and to know that if it's within God's will for me to have it, it will happen, and in any case, it's all right to identify it and not put it aside for some reason that I think I should. In an interesting way, this feels akin to letting our light shine, and to being who we are truly meant to be, and when we do that we open a space for others to be able to be their own beautiful selves in all the beauty of life that is meant for them too.

Taking A Moment Of Reflection

Walking Into A New Time

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Thanksgiving

A childhood friend invited me to visit with her to share Thanksgiving dinner with her and her family in Massachusetts. Some of them I know and have known my whole life, others I have met recently, and others I was only meeting that day for the first time. It was such a beautiful invitation, and one that touched me deeply, because I know from experience that invitations to Thanksgiving dinner with families who are closely knit are invitations to be in the most intimate of times and to be trusted to belong in that place and with those people during one of the sweetest and most dearly beloved get togethers we know.

Seeing this friend and her family, and being reconnected with those who I had not seen in years has had such a beautiful and profound impact on me during a time in my life when I am reaching back to my own roots and reexamining my own history and my own experiences of family and friends over the years. I have had some beautiful holidays with beautiful people in my life, but somehow this time shared with a friend I've known all my life in a home I have grown so fond of and with people who are dear to me, and some who I've known as long as I can remember, was a time of peace and joy and well being deep in my soul that seemed in a way to renew and refresh and give me a clear and new foundation for the future life ahead of me.

Because we were at her home, I didn't take any photographs of the wonderful meal and beautiful people, and in its own way that was extraordinary too because I so often am documenting and photographing the things I do, the people I know, and the places where I go. Having this private time away from sharing with the world and sharing instead being completely present every moment so closely with us all together was precious. It reminded me of long ago times when it was just people being together, sharing, laughing, talking, caring, and enjoying beautiful moments without feeling the need to photograph it or create a video, when the phone was just a thing to call people on to wish them well and say I love you.

I'll leave you here with this photograph of another beautiful place where I visited with that beautiful friend a month or so ago. It too gave us time and space to be together, sharing about our lives and growing closer in peace and love and joy and caring. Thanksgiving can be a time when we focus on what we are grateful for, and I am grateful for the abundance of beauty that beautiful friends like this have shared with me.

Thanksgiving Gratitude

On A Walk With A Beautiful Friend

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Learning Anew

Last week I was planning to go to the Antiques and Jewelry show in Manhattan, but my schedule was very busy and when I finally was able to take some time to get there, when I arrived on Sunday afternoon just a little before 4pm, the Security Guard at the door told me, "I'm sorry but it's closed," when I said what I was there for. I had thought it was going on until 6pm and I said that, but he again said sorry. It seemed so strange to me because I could still see people inside, and I really had thought it was until 6pm, but when I looked more closely at my ticket, I saw the 4pm end time was true.

I had gone into the City specifically for that event, and so then I had to take a moment to think about what if anything I could do before heading home again. It seemed as if there must be something that I could do, or something that would be fun to do, and so I headed a block over to one of my favorite thrift stores, Housing Works, and after browsing and shopping there I crossed the street to Pippin Vintage Jewelry.

When I first found Pippin Vintage there were two shops, one with jewelry in the front and one with other vintage items in the back named Pippin Vintage Home. I loved them both, but usually went to the back one first and more often, and when I didn't have much time I'd only go to Pippin Vintage Home. I was feeling as if I shouldn't stop in that day because I knew my budget wouldn't afford any of the beautiful pieces there right now, but something drew me in and there I was walking in the door.

After looking around at all of the gorgeous things there, I stopped by one of the glass countertop cases to look at some of the higher end rings and jewelry. Many years ago I discovered a key to not feeling so sad when my budget wouldn't allow me to get everything I wanted, and that key is to try things on and look at them with the eye of let's see if I really love this on me as much as I do in the case or on the hanger. It's also lots of fun too, to play dress up and try on beautiful things, so I decided to ask about a few.

It was nearing the end of the day but it was still very busy, but for some wonderful reason one of the owners of the store, Stephen Cooper, who was working there that day decided to not only help me and indulge my wishes to try things on, but he also told me the stories behind the pieces and added all kinds of wonderful information about not only their history but about the stones and designs themselves.

At one point while we were talking and admiring the antique and vintage and newer works of art, he asked me if I'd ever used a jewelers loop. I hadn't and I told him that, and he started to show and teach me how to look through it at a multi stone diamond ring from the late 1800's. It took me some time to figure out how to do what he was trying to show me, but finally, after several attempts I was able to see what he described I would be able to see. It was so much fun to have this experience, and to learn so much about these stones and designs and their history. With so much gratitude to Stephen Cooper, this wonderful owner, for sharing his expertise and experience with me!

Pippin Vintage Jewelry

104 West 17th Street

New York City

https://pippinvintage.com

Photograph From My Blog Post

January 3, 2016

"Delicious And Delightful"

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Creating Art Space

Almost twenty years ago I had the opportunity to meet the Artist Duda Penteado who was introduced to me through someone I knew. We had a number of conversations and meetings and adventures together, discussing our various visions and projects and talking about possible ways we could collaborate, and then as time went on we both continued on our own paths that were very busy and filled with things that kept our paths from crossing. On occasion we'd see each other, and we always stayed in touch through emails and newsletters and invitations, but at one point he moved to Florida and began spending most of his time there and traveling to other places, so it had been quite a while since I had seen him.

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to a celebration for the opening of a new art space all the way over on the other side of Jersey City in a neighborhood I love to visit but that is so far away to walk to that I don't often go. I had a very early morning the next day, and at first I thought that maybe I wouldn't go after all because I wouldn't be able to stay for very long, but I had a deep feeling that it was important for me to make the journey over, even if it was just for a very short time to say hello.

I hadn't expected to see Duda there although the invitation came through one of his emails to me, because now that he lives in Florida it seemed that the travel to this location wouldn't be something that he would be able to take the time to do. But sure enough, when I arrived there he was, and it was wonderful to reconnect in this celebration of time and space.

The building where the celebration was being held was where 902 Brewing is, a place where I've long wanted to go and been invited to several times for other art events, but because of where it is and the lateness of the hours of some of the invitation, it had never been something I'd been able to do. This event started a bit earlier than some, and even though I knew it would go on longer into the evening, because of my own early next morning I needed to leave when it was still light out which made it very easy for me to plan and feel like I had some flexibility.

It was a wonderful time, and I saw so many other people who I knew there. The space is one I want to revisit again, and the rooftop that was open has a view that is really beautiful. I'm so blessed to know Artists like Duda who are involved with such special projects that bring me to such beautiful and inspiring spaces. Thank you to him and to you all for creating such beautiful art and places to enjoy it and for the invitation to join you there!

On The Rooftop

At 902 Brewing

For The Opening Celebration

Of Liberty Arts District

https://libertyartsdistrict.com

https://www.902brewing.com

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Scents And Time

A little over two weeks ago I was walking down Park Avenue after I'd been at a meeting for Pastors and Ministry Leaders much further uptown. It was such a beautiful day that I'd decided to walk a bit, and the meeting had been such an enjoyable one that I was just enjoying taking in the sights and sounds all around me and reflecting on my own time in New York City, and how over the years and through so many experiences, even when I didn't know where the path was leading me, God had been guiding my steps all along.

I had seen someone at the meeting who I've known almost since my earliest days in Ministry, and who I had begun to work with on some of the greatest projects that have continued to inform and inspire my work up to today, because of a conversation we had early on about my heart felt desire to bring the art and Artists I loved and knew to the youth on the lower east side of Manhattan. I will write more on that in another post, but I share that so you understand, dear reader, just how happy I was to be walking downtown and thinking about the past that had led me up to this present moment.

As I reached the corner of Park Avenue where the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is, I smelled the perfume Shalimar that is and has been one of my favorites for almost as long as I can remember. I don't know when I first experienced the scent, but it became such a personally well loved one that there was a time when I had it in lotions and powder puffs and a daily splash. In those days many of the finer perfumes would be found without sprays in all forms, and even with the eau de toilette I could just dab a little on and feel like a princess. I still have that old well loved bottle and also have a new bottle of it with a spray now, a gift from a Christmas a few years ago when they brought back the original bottle withe the blue stopper.

When I smelled Shalimar on Park Avenue, at first I couldn't understand where it could be coming from. It was strong but not overwhelming, just absolutely lovely. As I looked around I saw that there were large decorative bottles of it in the corner windows of the Waldorf, and that the name was all around in that area. I opened the doors and was greeted by the most charming and welcoming, kind people who explained that it was the 100th Anniversary and that Guerlain was celebrating by having a special experience for people who made an appointment. The schedule was completely booked and they were just finishing up for the day, but they told me that if I was able to come by on a week day they would be able to find a time to fit me in.

Last week was a busy one, and at times unexpectedly so, and though I had wanted to go on Tuesday, I had some very important things with time constraints that came up that I needed to do. Thursday was the next day that was possible, and even that day was very full, but I found some time to be able to go. It was later in the day and I didn't know if they would be able to accommodate me, but I decided to try and hope it was possible.

I arrived around 3:20pm, and they told me they could fit me in at 4:00pm with the next group, so I took a little walk and came back at around 3:45pm as they had asked, just in time to be registered. As I checked in, someone came in the door who I thought I recognized, but he was working there and seemed very busy so I didn't want to bother him. I mentioned it to one of the lovely women who was helping me and she said he was very nice and wouldn't mind if I spoke to him, so I walked over and he recognized me too! I hadn't seen him in several years, but he had been the Manager of one of the places where I always had such a beautiful experience, and it was delightful to see him again. He told me that after the experience I could come up with the group who would be visiting the Guerlain Wellness Spa upstairs for a tour.

The Guerlain Shalimar Experience was so beautiful and inspiring, and I learned so much about the history of Guerlain and this wonderful scent that I love that made me enjoy it even more. Seeing this wonderful person and being invited up to the spa afterward was a double blessing. I'll be writing more about the spa in a future post, but for now I'll just say once again how wonderful it is to have my every step planned to bring me to places and to meet people who make life so beautiful. Finding myself on a path in such a sweet place with such beautiful people and things all around me brought such a sense of calm and love and joy. The name of the Shalimar Experience is 100 Years Of Love, and I think there will be even more years ahead that will be filled with its joy.

At The Guerlain Shalimar Experience

At The Waldorf Astoria Hotel

New York City

https://www.guerlain.com/waldorf-astoria-shalimar-exhibit.html

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Experiments Of Sound And Music

A little over a week ago I went to see an Artist friend's opening show at a gallery, and while I was there I saw another Artist, Eric, who I had reconnected with a few weeks before that at another Art event in another area of the City. We had been talking at the other event only briefly, and when we saw each other again the conversation continued for much longer. He was with a Writer, Emily, and at one point they mentioned that they needed to find a friend of theirs who was available for some event they were going to the next night because they had an extra ticket, and when I asked what event it was they said it was for John Cale at Lincoln Center.

Lincoln Center is one of those places I love to go to for just about anything, and when I heard it was John Cale I said something along the lines of, "Wow, if you can't find anyone I'll go!" I absolutely love John Cale, and I didn't know he was still performing. If nothing else it would be an adventure and a historical event to experience, and I knew it would be much more than that because John Cale is one of those Artists who is always awesome.

Interestingly he had been on my mind because I had just posted a photograph a few weeks before that on Instagram, and when I was looking for a song to add to it, the song "The Dream" from the album "Songs For Drella" he created with Lou Reed had appeared, and I had used a clip from it for the post. Thinking about seeing him live at this point in time seemed like something that I wouldn't want to miss, but I also knew that although I had met Eric a while ago and have known him for a few years, there might be other friends they had already asked who would want to say yes.

Somehow or other, after reaching out to some of their friends and sending some messages, Eric came back  and asked if I wanted to go. I said of course and absolutely! But also said that if they still wanted to take some time to ask someone else I'd understand. But somehow the ticket ended up being mine, and on Sunday evening I met them at Lincoln Center for what turned out to be one of the highlights of my concert and performance going experiences.

The performance, titled John Cale's Steam on Glass, was in the Wu Tsai Theater in David Geffen Hall, and was part of the Krakow based Unsound Festival. The evening opened with Heinali and vocalist Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko, whose 2025 album Гільдеґарда (Hildergard) was described on the Lincoln Center website as "a striking decontextualization of the music of the pioneering 12th century composer Hildegard von Bingen." It was one of the most lovely and deeply meaningful sound and music experiences I've heard, and their presence and performance was breathtaking and mesmerizing. I performed in a play in college about the life and music of Hildegard von Bingen, and hearing their performance of her music also had that added echo from my own past.

The Lincoln Center website went on to say that "Unsound is co-organized and co-presented by Fundacja Tone – Muzyka i Nowe Formy Sztuki and the Polish Cultural Institute New York. This project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Culture Promotion Fund in partnership with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The main partner of Unsound Web KRK – NYC is the Polish National Foundation."

When John Cale came out on stage I already was so filled with the wonder of the evening from the opening experience. Though I knew that I'd enjoy whatever he decided to do that night, I was not prepared for just how incredible the experience was from the first chords that rang out on his guitar and the wall of sound from his band. He had projections of films and art visions throughout, gorgeous, fun, joyful and so full of his creative energy that every moment was full of something to look at, hear, and take in, and smile, laugh, cheer, dance along to and celebrate. Everything was so memorable that I am still seeing the projections and the experiences of that evening in sound and vision.

Afterward, Eric and Emily and I were able to share some time together in the after hours of the hall at the reception. When we headed home it was very late, or rather very early in the morning, but I didn't even notice the time or question it until I arrived home and saw my clocks. Even then, I was so elated that though I couldn't believe the time, I didn't mind it, and I woke up the next morning feeling so jubilant and happy and full of a wonderful peace and joy.

With so much gratitude Eric and Emily for inviting me, to John Cale for all the years of amazingness, his band and other performers with him, to the opening performers, and to everyone who contributed their beautiful and inspiring gifts to make this evening of experimental sound and music such as wonderful experience!

At Lincoln Center

For John Cale's Steam On Glass

Wu Tsai Theater, Davd Geffen Hall

New York City

https://www.lincolncenter.org/john-calesteam-on-glass

Blessings,

Jannie Susan