It's hard getting out of the house sometimes. I'm not one who does well with being indoors all of the time, no matter the weather. Rain or shine, I crave the freedom that comes with a little fresh air and a brisk walk, even if it is a walk to nowhere. Before the kids I would grab my camera and iPod and walk around, taking pictures of the city. Nowadays I have to leave the iPod at home, but I have started taking the camera out with me again, slipping it in with Aurora, under her blanket. I miss taking photos. However, it's not as easy as jumping in the shower, chucking on some clothes and grabbing a cereal bar now. It's also not as easy as throwing Luna in the Ergo and surrounding her with a blanket. Nowadays it takes a lot more coordination, a little planning and a little luck. Last Friday was one of those days when the sun was shining brightly and the temperature was above 50 but every time I tried to make it out the baby had a blow-out, or the toddler had a meltdown. I had planned on walking over to Bowne Park, about 20 minutes away, also known as the "tortuga park" in our household, due to the existence of turtles in the pond/lake, and I really wanted to make it there while there were still leaves on the trees. Once outside I realised that the wind was pretty cold and since we haven't bought the stroller winter covers yet I was worried about a meltdown... 5 minutes at a time. That's what I told myself. 5 minutes at a time. If we make it through 5 minutes we would be good.
We made it and it was so very much worth it. The colours were magnificent, the brisk walk was refreshing and Luna thoroughly enjoyed the ducks and Canadian geese. We may not be here next year so I'm glad we made it before the snow and ice wind sets in and I'm stuck in the apartment, waiting for spring to arrive. While we came home to the beginnings of horrible news from the country I grew up and spent a large part of my life in, most of the day was a success of colours, calm and happiness. (I'm not too keen to talk about what happened in France on Friday just yet because I'm still trying to come to terms with it and all of the implications that come with it. It am deeply affected, as I am always by any such act of violence and hatred, but this isn't about me or my feelings right now. I may or may not speak at more length another day.).
If we move away from here, I will miss this neighbourhood. Flushing has really grown on me over the past two years and this is both of the girls' first home. I love their pediatrician, I love Luna's cardiologist and I love my doctor. I doubt that we will change them even if we move further away, but I will miss the ease of walking down the street to an appointment. I will miss the friends we have made here and the little routines that we have created. We are currently looking at The Bronx, but time will tell where we actually end up! In any case, enjoy the autumn colours captured by my camera below... The unseasonable warm weather seems to be holding out so there may be a few more autumn walks before the year is out!
