• Optimism is a muscle. Exercise it.

    Hi. My name is Mo. I believe in the power of positive energy and intuition. I believe when you tune into energy it leads you to the answers you are seeking and ultimately, the life you want to create. I'm a no nonsense, practical, grounded soul and if you want to cultivate greater awareness of energy, then start reading.





     





1920’s vintage subway car running in NYC

My friend posted the link below on Facebook and I thought it was the coolest thing.
I have 6 nephews all of whom are obsessed with trains.
They would love to ride in a vintage subway car running in the city starting Sept.  Well, why don’t I stop saying my nephews would love to do it because I will have to check it out myself and will probably enjoy it just as much.
Here are more specifics that I found online via the gothamist:

“Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.

This will be around for four weekends, running through the 25th of September, and will be making stops at 96th, 72nd, and Times Square-42nd street stations only. Bonus: the final weekend some HBO folks will be on the streets to distribute complimentary MetroCards in the vicinity of the Times Square-42nd and 72nd street stations. No word on if there will be air conditioning on the trains, so you might want to leave your wool Oxford Bags at home.”

Check out the link to the article below for even more info.:

Retro Subway Car

Angels and back to the usual in NYC….

Like many people, I didn’t sleep much Saturday night because I was checking in with family members on how the storm was going in the various locations they live on the East Coast.  The reality of having 9 siblings is when things like this happen there are a lot of people to worry about and therefore, keep you up at night.  It helped that 5 of my 9 siblings ended up at my Parents home in Morris Plains, NJ.
The four that headed to our parents from the following different areas: Hoboken, Jersey City, Asbury Park, Upper East Side of Manhattan.  The 5th is in College so he still lives there when not at school.
I’m a spiritual person.  Not religious, but spiritual.   So, because of my spiritual ways, on a regular basis I ask for help from angels (to protect), guides (to watch over) and runners (to run ahead and make things happen).  Since we needed protecting from the storm, I called the angels this time.  So, I visualized angels at every corner protecting my parents’s home, my apt, my brothers home in DC, his beach house etc. and I asked another favor of the angels to keep my parents electricity on because they have sump pumps and without the electricity that would pose a problem with the pumps.   I have to say, the angels did not let me down.
My parents home kept their electricity and no water got into anything, my brothers home in DC was fine, his beach house fine, my apt. was completely fine (and never lost power).  Now, I forgot to ask the angels to protect the apt. for my sister on the UES and my brother in Asbury Park simply because they physically were somewhere else.  Well, my brother’s place in Asbury Park still doesn’t have power and my sisters roof leaked into her bedroom.  I thanked the angels profusely, but next time I have to do a more thorough job about what I ask for. 
Production crew at work this am.

In the meantime, I got up this morning to the usual in NYC and as soon as I walked out my door I could feel the good energy in the city.  I happily found my street was filled with the all so common production crews shooting a scene for a movie.  I walked my little pup without a needed rain parka and instead in one of his cute polos.  I then headed to my favorite tea place (Argo) in the flatiron building which was no longer boarded up and happily sat down to my computer with my latte and fresh croissant.  All good vibes.

Argo Tea no longer boarded up.

I’m now speaking to my runners and asking them to get my brothers power issue in Asbury Park taken care of as quickly as possible and to my sister’s to help her remedy the situation she is dealing with as easily as possible.  I do recommend trying the angels, guides or runners out for whatever your situation requires and see how it fares for you.

My usual latte and croissant as I work.

2 quotes I came across and love.

            “One who is in alignment with who they are is more powerful than millions who are not.”
                                                                                                                              

 
“Alignment brings a return that is astronomical.”
                                                                                                          Esther Hicks
                                                                                                  

NYC in preparation for Irene

Everything is pretty shut down in the city which doesn’t even happen on Christmas Day.
For instance, I couldn’t get my usual latte and croissant this morning because everything is closed.
Oh the travesty, I know.

My little pup outfitted in his rain parka. 

As for preparation, I have never been this stocked up for any storm.  Meaning, when we are told we are getting three feet of snow, I don’t really do much.  Everything seems to some how open up and function.  As expected, Whole Foods in Union Square yesterday afternoon was jammed. There was no noise or chatter, just bustling New Yorkers who were very focused on getting what they needed and on line for 30-40 minute wait to pay.  There were a few people who were all flustered and not polite, but you will always have a handful who aren’t your typical New Yorker and can’t handle the pressure.  Essentially, it was organized chaos.  In any event, this Irene character is a different breed than any 2 foot snowstorm.  Flooding is what we are all worried about.  Let’s hope she heads out to sea and misses all of us.  I took a few shots walking around today and here they are:

West Village: Greenwich Ave. – Jonathan Adler

This is why I love New Yorkers – the sarcasm with a tinge of drama.  Makes me laugh every time.
If you can’t read it, it says, “Due to the wrath of Irene, we’ll be at home Saturday and Sunday.  Be Safe.”

About 3pm in the afternoon today this is what approaching Union Square looked like. On Saturday it is usually filled with booths for the farmers market.  There were some booths open this morning around 10am, but they obviously cleared out.  
Con Ed: Taking the place of the Farmer’s Market on Union Square in what looks like a brigade of Con Ed trucks.  

Subway in Union Square closed.  What?  Never say never.

San Gimignano, Italy

San Gimignano is a great little town to visit.  It’s very quaint.  We drove in, but you can take a bus there too (25 min. from Florence).  There are wonderful little shops that line the streets/walkways and as you look to the horizon you will see the remaining 14 medieval towers that it is known for (there were 72 towers at one point).  Apparently, back then everyone wanted to beat the Jones’ so they were always trying to build a bigger, better tower as a sign of their wealth, superiority, etc.  The competitive little town eventually got hit by a major plague and after that Florence took control of it.  We sat and had coffee when we arrived.  Later in the afternoon we had a really nice lunch and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

You can see the archways to all the little shops and if you look straight back, those are some of the towers.

I ate pizza as much as possible on this trip. So light and satisfying.  And of course, some Rose’ for lunch:)

There was a viewing tower so we climbed up.  I am not one for heights, but I survived.  I have to look straight ahead whenever on a ski lift.  Check out the view behind me.

Another fabulous view from the viewing tower.

Florence: the view and chocolate croissants

We spent one full day walking around Florence.
Just an FYI:  I’m sure those who have been there are aware, you can’t drive into Florence.   Everything is blocked off to any traffic so you can train it in, bus it in or the best bet is to have someone drop you.  We were lucky enough to have a driver drop us off and it was about a 10 minute walk into the center of Florence from where we were dropped.  En route there our driver took us to a well known viewing stop of Florence.  Check it out.  Talk about gorg.

View of Florence.  NICE.

I’m addicted to chocolate croissants.  So, I had to get one when we stopped for a coffee/tea break in Florence.  Their chocolate croissants are filled with chocolate pudding.  It was fine, but I prefer my American style chocolate croissant with real dark chocolate in the middle.  Now I know.