I haven’t shared photos for a while. Some of these are from my last sad visit to New York, others are closer to home.
The first one makes me think of how hopeful I was on September 24th, when I arrived in New York and stayed with my sister’s devoted friend. I learned that my sister was doing better than the day before although she was still in the hospital. She was talking again and saying she wanted to carry on with treatment. We allowed ourselves a flutter of hope.
The bed is a Murphy Bed, made famous in old, silent movies, where someone like Charlie Chaplin might accidentally get closed up in it. This one was comfortable and not at all recalcitrant.
My hosts’ balcony had a glorious view. I sat there and had a cup of tea. I also took an early walk around their neighborhood, which features a statue of the Dutch director-general of the colony of New Netherland (now New York), “Peg Leg” Peter Stuyvesant. I couldn’t help wondering what the descendants of the Lenape natives thought of the statue.
Alas, the next day my sister took a dramatic turn for the worse and died the day after that. Miraculously, our brothers arrived in time from Wisconsin and California.
On days that followed, my sister’s husband, her friend, Suzanne, and I wandered around the city trying to enjoy nature and art and focus on good memories.
Then I took a bus back to Rhode Island, where I had left my car in a hurry. The rooster is in Rhode Island.
The concluding set of photos embraces art and nature back home in Massachusetts, where a long-life sympathy plant from my niece and nephew holds pride of place in the living room.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Oh, I didn’t know that your sister had died. Somehow, I missed that. So very, very sorry! How heartbroken you all must be.
Yes.
Again, so very sorry.
Lovely pictures! So good to see fall trees in color , love that rooster carving,and of course bears always are a winner with me,and the little critter House was charming! Sending warm hugs your way.
The little critter house is part of what has become and annual event. Art objects on some woodland theme are tucked away in the forest and stay up for about a month. … Thank you so much for the hug.
Oh, no. This is such sad news–It’s good that the family was there and that you have each other for support, and to share those precious memories. After everything you’ve dealt with you still find a way to remind us all of the beauty of this old world . . . sending much love . . .
Thank you, Kerry.