New York

warm summer nights on a rooftop

Warm weather, good company, cheese, wine, and laughter. A good way to arrive in the big city and spend a night:

Tomorrow is the one day a year we truly celebrate life, blue lollipops and Strong Mojo. It is a somewhat sad, but special day every year. I’m looking forward to spending it with Coach Traci here in NYC. This will be the unofficial kick-off to the Fall Honda Blue Lollipop Road Adventure.

Here’s to living the life you want to live and cherishing the time you have with people you think are special.

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33

Today is my birthday and the beginning of 5 weeks of mega-adventure. You could say that I am feeling like a million bucks. YIPPEE!!!

I woke up from the best sleep I have had in weeks and in a most special spot after 12 hours on the road yesterday. In birthday tradition when I am here, we love finding the local diner breakfast spots, which we did this morning:

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

We had stuffed ourselves silly, but couldn’t resist an offered on the house birthday treat hot out of the oven from the super sweet staff:

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

I was so full they packed this to go for me, but the test bite I took was so good, and the staff was so nice, I had to stay for a 3rd cup of coffee and to finish off this red raspberry crumb cake deliciousness. How could I not after the owner came out to sing to me with the manager? (Thanks for everything Matt!)

We stopped at Finger Lakes Distilling on the way home:

Finger Lakes Distillery

A little tasting of Vintner’s Wild Berry Vodka:

Finger Lakes Distillery

…and some Blackcurrant/Cassis:

Finger Lakes Distillery

…was fun just because you can do that at 1pm on a Monday when it’s your birthday and not feel guilty about it.

They even had a Canine Tasting Bar- how funny!

Canine tasting bar at Finger Lakes Distilling

Off for a run and patio dinner and wine with good friends. Thank you everyone for all the Birthday messages, calls, cards, packages, wishes and love. I am one lucky woman!

Coming up this week:
*The Big Apple. (Rooftop decks, exploring, old friend reunions, celebrations of life, chocolate restaurant revisit, and more.)
*Catching up here on the BLR, as I sit on the dock. (What a great office!)
*Honda trip mania. (Voting tally, a few announcements, and some surprises.)

Year 33- here I come!

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a year ago today…

*(I’m digging this check back in photo archives and journals for a “year ago” something game I have started with myself.)

…I was sipping this Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards over Seneca Lake:

Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards

…and today I will be sipping crappy, whatever is cheapest, plastic-bottled, available beer at a Cubs game in Chicago.

Whoop whoop!

Here’s to going from A to Z- living up every letter in between, rolling pish-posh one day, base line the next, and loving being on both ends.

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a year ago today…

…I was hanging out for the first time in nearly 16 years with a woman who’s very special to me in Brooklyn- my former soccer coach, Traci:

Traci and I in Brooklyn; 7/15/11

If you’ve known me for any length of time, know the history of the blue lollipop or have been following here for a while- I have mentioned Traci before. Traci has a smile that never stops, a heart that could move mountains, unparalleled talent and an all-around magic about her that is unexplainable. She is a mentor, a friend and a hero to so many “kids” like me.

Thank you Traci for being one of those people who make us all better for knowing you. I can’t wait to see you soon!

Here’s to friendship, following every single hope and dream, and always having strong mojo around us…

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