Gongoozling
I was sitting here in my home gongoozling the other day (to gongoozle is to leisurely watch the passing of boats or ships from the shore). It is actually one of my favorite activities these days, watching all of the activity on the Hudson River outside my window. There is a huge variety of things happening there all the time - from behemoth cruise ships that slowly lumber toward the ocean, to yachts, ferries, sailboats, jet skis, private boats, fishing boats - they’re all out there. Sometimes even police boats! I also enjoy watching the stream of helicopters that go by - sometimes as many as 50 in an hour. Their landing pad is in NYC, right by the Vessel, right across the river from me.
I also get to gaze at the sky - beautiful clouds or beautiful blue skies. Sometimes it is clear, sometimes foggy - such a diversity of weather. There are lots of sea birds right outside my window too - seagulls and terns, geese and ducks. Some other birds too, but I don’t know what they are yet. I even got to witness the babies this year as little lines of goslings and duckies followed their parents around my little inlet here.
When I first moved here, I really knew absolutely nothing about New Jersey - except it wasn’t a place I wanted to be. How wrong I was! I didn’t know anything about anything Jersey, it turns out. I’m astonished daily at the flora and fauna all around me. I’m entranced by the wave patterns in the Hudson. I’m in awe of the NYC skyline from my very own roof.
I watch the enormous tug boats as they busily don’t tug things down the river, but instead push them on from behind. They should be called push boats! Or nudge boats. What about the kayakers?? Now, I’m not a water expert, by any stretch, but I’m not of the impression that the Hudson River is drinkably clean. I guess I’ve never been kayaking, but I have to believe that if I’m in a kayak and it goes flipping over and I’m hanging upside down in the water, I’m going to get some water in my mouth and nose. I hope I wouldn’t turn green and grow a second head, but you never know! I’m not anticipating kayaking. But crew? I’ve always wanted to do that. Senior crew? I probably should start in the gym and strengthen that way first. I’d hate to be thrown overboard into the Hudson.
I’m gongoozling right now as I’m finishing up my day’s work. It is cloudy and rain is pelting down. I love gray days here, they are soft and quiet. And still I see the sail boats sailing along, oblivious to the weather. There are two yachts in my line of vision, and here comes a water patrol boat zipping by.
My apartment is right on the water of the Hudson, and I look down right into a little bay which used to be a pier before some hurricane pried it up many years ago. We don’t get recreational boaters in here very often, as it is an obstacle course of old wooden pylons that were set to hold up the pier. But they make great landing places for the birds in the area, and sometimes each of the 40 or so pylons will have a seagull perched on it, as if by committee decision.
The clouds are scudding over the top of Manhattan, covering the sky scrapers with white gauze. Such a lovely place. I’m excited for the changing of the seasons, especially as I can sit right here in my comfy chair and watch all the activity right outside my window.
Speaking of activity - about a month ago, I noticed a bunch of young people in very fancy clothes walking down the sidewalk in front of my apartment. When I inquired at the front desk, I was told that they were going to have their prom on a City Cruise boat that left right at the end of my place! So I went up to the roof to get a birds’ eye view of them, and sure as heck - dozens and dozens of teens in their very fancy best were waiting to board the boat!
My prom, in the mid-80’s, was not NEARLY as luxurious. I think it was in the gym of my high school - maybe someone put up a mirrored ball in the middle. And maybe some streamers and cardboard stars coated in glitter. The theme was Stairway to Heaven. Everyone’s theme that year was Stairway to Heaven. That is a very, very difficult song to dance to. There was also Rock Lobster (Rocky Horror Picture Show), True Colors by Cindi Lauper and 99 LuftBallons. None of those is particularly danceable. Sigh. The odd passages of youth that we pass through. I would have preferred the boat!
Time to get back to gongoozling now. The picture with this story is one I took from my roof top the other night. Hard to imagine living in this most stunning location. Can’t wait to have my little buddy come hang out with me here! We will be Arthur and Grand Gongoozlers. Maybe we even need matching t-shirts!
