Braving the Cold...

So, low and behold, I had to make another trip to the post office.  Luckily I had one of Beki's scarves to keep me warm.  If I can help it, I choose not to leave the house when it's cold outside.  It's such a process to get ready, layering upon layers to try and stay as warm as possible.  Not to mention my bones start to ache in the cold and damp.

I found out something funny while I was at the post office, (which was blissfully empty due to the inclement weather) – they don't know my name.  It's strange to know someone's name and see them on a daily basis and have them not know your's.  But what was really hilarious is what they call me.  Apparently they refer to me as the "Prada Model."  When I heard this, I bust out laughing until my guts hurt.  I don't have the foggiest notion how they'd come up with that.  I for sure don't roll up in the post office sporting designer duds.  Maybe they really like my new scarves.

As I was walking home, another funny thing happened.  A group of four or five Asian girls was walking ahead of me.  They were playing with the snow and throwing snowballs at each other.  That's when one of them spun around and over-shot her target, hitting me squarely in the chest.  All of them stopped dead in their tracks.  Their eyes widened to the size of small saucers.  That is, until, I stooped down, grabbed a handful of snow and threw it back at the girl.  I laughed the deep belly laugh, the loud one that sounds slightly sinister and usually causes people to turn and look.  All of the girls started to giggle and for a few moments we all threw snowballs at each other until we were winded.  We parted at the end of the block.  Snow clung to the hood and sleeves of my jacket.

I didn't go straight home though.  I thought, "Well, I'm already dressed up and I've got my camera in my pocket.  I might as well take a look around and snap a couple of pictures."  Above is a picture of the branches of the sugar gum tree in Sunset Park.

By the time I got to the park, most of the snow had already melted.  Only a very little bit was left.  The park was so quiet.  Hardly anyone was there at all.  Above is a picture of the entrance and central arcade.

I don't think I've ever seen the park as empty as it was.  It was strange to walk in the park, a place normally buzzing with activity, and hearing the crunch of each footfall and my own breath.  

Sunset Park is one of the highest points in Brooklyn.  From it, you can look out and see Manhattan and parts of New Jersey (from across the rivers).  This is the view of the Manhattan skyline, cloaked in mist and shadows.  It's strange to look out on the view.  I keep thinking of how similar and how very different it is to the scene that Nina Bagley took of the surrounding mountains.

 

Above and to the left is a shot of the lamp-post and how at not even 5 PM and they've already turned them on.  The winter sky is dark and overcast and promises little more than freezing rain and possibly more snow.  Above and to the right is an image of one of the spiny little seed pods from the sweet gum tree with snow still bravely clinging to it.