Goodbye, New York

It's always exciting when you get a tip about a great place to visit, but even more so when you stumble on it unexpectedly. And even more exciting when it involves an unexpected cupcake. Butter Lane had a small cart on the High Line, and I couldn't resist trying "The Elvis," made of banana cake, peanut butter frosting, and a sprinkle of marshmallows. A perfect way to celebrate the end of a fabulous trip.

Last photos from New York join one last piece of wisdom from David Leffel's painting demo, "Highlights are always on corners, where planes change direction. Highlights give you corners, corners give you dimension."

I like the idea of corners giving dimension, and the idea of light before the turn. It's scary to surrender to a journey that you did not expect, when corners come and planes change direction in places and ways you didn't plan. It helps to notice how your own highlights appear, whether as bodhisattvas or shells or blue glass. And how seemingly unconnected things connect.

Goodbye New York, and thank you. Happy Holidays to all, and see you on the shore!