Tag Archives: Edwina

Ms. Edwinda….again

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Ms. Edwina, what can I say?!

She is a force to reckon with.

I was walking in the Met when I noticed Ms. Edwina sitting on the bench in the Greek and Roman Art wing. She wasn’t doing much. Just watching people walk back and forth. It was a Friday and the place was packed with children.

I had just bumped into one of my former students, Syriana, who was roaming around with a summer camp decked out in purple tee’s.

Syriana! Is that you?

Hi Ms. Hurley!!!

I was surprised to see Syriana because I never saw someone who I knew in the Met. When I looked ahead and walked closer I couldn’t believe my eyes. Ms….Edwina?!

When I saw her, I waved excitedly. I couldn’t believe I ran into someone from my own community! Not only that, but an elder! Ms. Edwina (who I blogged about before) has the persona of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. I met her while attending Fordham University. We crossed paths so much she started to talk to me. She would compliment me on my outfits and how I carried myself – every time she saw me. Which meant a lot. She didn’t know her words meant so much. She was always cheerful. She spoke with hugs and each hug went a long way.

Once we crossed paths and she complimented me on my black and white outfit – that I felt totally good in. She got to me before my secret crush got to me, who didn’t think I looked great at all. Funny, I can still remember his words.

Really, Lilly? I can’t believe you are even wearing that.

What do you mean, Really, Lilly? What’s wrong with my outfit?!

He stopped talking to me when I demanded what was the matter. Not that what he thought mattered anyway.

I sat next to Ms. Edwina.

Omg, what are you doing here?

I come every year, Child, to check out the Met Gala.

The Met Gala?

Yeah, The Met Gala. She looked me in the eye. Surly you know what the Met Gala is?

Yeah, I do. (I wasn’t about to say no- after she said, Surely you know…)I had clips of news paper images in my head. That was what knew of the Gala.

….Well, every year after the event is over, they showcase the outfits for the public to see. Did you see the exhibition?

No, I noticed the ad in the phamphet but never thought about seeing it myself.

You should go! It is so good!!

Okay, are you going back-

Nope. I am resting these here legs chile.

I sat beside her and asked if she saw any other exhibition. I had just gotten emotional in the Afro-futuristic Period Room and wanted someone to share my sentiment with. But she hadn’t.

She continued, I walked into a wrong room by mistake!!

Oh, which room was that?

Her response was so funny, I asked her if I could record it it share with you!

Ebony G. Patterson’s art at the NYBG

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If you aren’t a plant person. If you aren’t someone who would naturally walk through a garden just to look and learn, then perhaps you may stay away from gardens.

If you are that person. I say, stay away no more. The New York Botanical Gardens is working with artist to make the grounds a bit more fun and interesting. Mixing the plants with mystical stories filled with history, fiction and fun.

Currently on view is …things come to thrive… in the shedding…in the molting… it’s a story, it’s an art, and it’s in a garden designed by Ebony G. Patterson.

Here are some ways to have fun while you are there.

First, ask a friend to tag along (or you can meet new people in the garden) and together, read the panel for understanding. If you don’t read the panel, you will start to ask questions. If you read the panel, you will start to ask questions for more understanding.

Secondly, as you walk through the grounds and inside the conservatory or library, continue to read the panels. (I am stressing reading because there were plenty of people asking questions that were answered in the panels and when I answered them, they asked me how did I know and I told them I am reading the panels. Most of them went back and started over.

Next, download the app, Bloomberg Connects.

Walk slowly though the exhibition. This is the only way you will see the hidden “secrets waiting to be unearth”. I walked through the conservatory twice and the second time I was able to “pull back the surface and reveal truths”.

My next suggestion is if you come across someone doing a tour,listen to what the person is talking about. I am not certain if there are tours often but we came across a man giving two people a tour and while we didn’t impose, because we were in the same space, he spent some time with us too.

Next, If you can, go on a Wednesday, for this is the same day as the Farmers market. If you get tired from walking from the conservatory to the library, there would be a plethora of food and drinks waiting at the end of the road. You wouldn’t have to walk back to the cafe (which is at the main entrance and may push you to leave).

At the library, right before you walk up the hill to the steps, you may also come across a table with NYBG employees. When they saw us, they beckoned us to visit their table which I am glad we did.

We participated in an art project, which gave us more information about the extinct plants. (We also learned about each vendor at the market ). In addition to the art projects that were spread out on the table, there were print outs of current job postings on the table and they employees answer questions about the job postings.

Finally, if you are a local, you may run into neighbors and friends while you are their. Ask them their thoughts and opinions about the show.

Edwina

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Edwina

 

There are a few Bronxnites who live in my neighborhood who ALWAYS dress to kill. Edwina’s one of them. I am not talking about young people, I am talking about older people whom I have noticed.

Edwina is a kind woman. When I was going to Fordham and would walk to school, I would see her walking in the opposite direction. She would always be dressed up and have a beautiful smile on her face. She would smile and say hi. Sometimes she complimented me on my outfit and other times she would encourage me to continue my education. What she doesn’t know is her compliments and words of encouragements always made my day.

Since I graduated and stopped walking that route, I haven’t seen her in a while. Last week, I went out with my sisters and bumped into Edwina. I took advantage of the opportunity to ask her her name and snapped a picture.

In this photo, she is not that dressy. I should include that it was raining. However, she still has her beautiful smile.