The radio is blasting 90’s hip hop and oldies disco on my apple play list! Picture it the windows are down and the sunroof is open.
I do not have a care in the world! I am sitting at a red light dancing along to music. The horn behind me beeps. For a few minutes I forgot we are still in the midst of a pandemic, I’m an adult; I got bills to pay and people I am responsible for! Back to reality!
Summer 2021 is in the air with the promise to be better than last year.
I thought I’d share some of the fun we have planned for our summer. We have tried each these new spots out and wanted to share our adventure.
Unfortunately, our concert (Motley Crue, Poison, and Joan Jett) got moved to 2022 but, at least we have something to look forward to for next year.
I love to explore and the five boroughs lends itself to so much diversity and fun. A place to eat, a place to read and a place for dessert.
A trendy, comfortable spot has opened in Brooklyn. It is called Aunt Et Uncle. It is a small store serving up Caribbean food with a twist; it’s all vegan, plant-based food. It is a café that has some of the owner’s clothing line available, along with other trinkets for purchase. The food has such things as “patties” made with vegan ingredients vs. the traditional. Nothing is lost! The flavor will be bursting in your mouth. Supporting small businesses throughout Flatbush, Brooklyn has kept the community afloat during this pandemic. They are located at:
1407 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
1-347-295-0001
A shout out to small business that opened in the Bronx to fulfill a need and a dream. It’s called the L. I. T. Bookstore. A small owned female business by a Bronx native. It is a bookstore/wine bar. They opened in 2019. During the pandemic it was a struggle for them due to the big online stores selling books. I wanted to feature them because small businesses like these are what makes our communities thrive. If you are in the market for a book and an adventure head on over to L.I.T. to explore. It is more than a bookstore but an experience.
It is located at:
131 Alexander Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10454
1-347-955-3610.
If you get hungry after soaking up all that knowledge; hit The Hudson Smoke House in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. It is located at 37 Bruckner Blvd… 1-718-872-7742.
They have great BBQ offerings and a slew of desserts such as fried Twinkies and fried PBJ sandwiches. Luckily there is a lot of Open Street to walk off the good eats.
You can print out this summer bucket list or make your own. Challenge yourself to complete as many as you can on the list! Enjoy your summer! I feel like if this past year has taught me anything; it is to not put things off for the future! Enjoy it all now!
Deborah Levine-Powell is a psychotherapist in New York, where she works with teenage girls who are victims of abuse and trafficking. She is a wife and a mom to a tween and teenager. When she is not working, you can find her engaged in PTA activities, a leader at Girl Scouts, having fun with her friends and family, while serving up hot soulful dishes in the kitchen.