Candy counter

Today I went into a department store

And I was amazed:

THEY HAD A CANDY COUNTER!

Just like the kind they had when I was a little boy

where you could buy chocolates and snow drops and licorice bites

by the pound.

A man (a security guard?) asked me why I was taking a photo of the counter.

He said he wanted to make sure I didn't work for Macy's.

Ha!

Since when did a candy counter become TOP SECRET stuff?

Pressed Pennies

These pressed penny machines can be found throughout Disneyland as well as the hotels of Disney; I find it to be a fun and affordable souvenir especially for kids to collect. For .51 you can choose which pattern you want pressed on your penny and insert your coins and watch as the machine presses the pattern on and flattens your penny and out it drops warm and textured ready to take place in one of the vinyl collector's books you can also pick up while at Disneyland (of course).

Donkey's Pillow

Every day Donkey pulls the stuffing from his pillow. Every day it makes me smile. Every day I stuff it back in for him. And it begins again . . .

 As I was getting ready to write this post, he jumped on his pillow and started pulling out more fluff. I smiled some more.

As I finish this post, he's taking a rest. For now. I'm still smiling.

At QVC studios

The QVC logo wall at their studios

West Chester, PA

Sand Dollar

This sand dollar has been on my van dashboard for years; I can't remember why it is there or how it got there but every now and again I actually "see" it and it takes me back to a time when my son would ask to go with me at 6am to Morro Strand Beach and "hunt" for sand dollars; it was one of the few times when the two of us did something alone together and I cherished those moments. Being my son's birthday weekend and his being over seas has him on my mind and perhaps that is why the sand dollar remains on the dash board.

Beyond the Do Not Enter Sign

Venturing beyond the "Do Not Enter" sign

Terrifying

Nuclear power plant

Limerick, Pennsylvania.

My parents live between here and Three Mile Island.

Terrifying.

Extra outlet

When I travel, I'm often frustrated by the lack of electrical outlets in hotel rooms.

It's almost like the places don't understand that

we travelers need to be able to "plug in and recharge"

It's even more important to be able to do that in a hotel

than when we're at home.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this simple gesture of kindness:

an extra outlet in the base of the lamp.

Thank you, kind hotel.

You've made my stay here even more enjoyable.

Hurry Up and Bloom

I don't know what this plant is called. Sooner or later it will bloom and be really lovely. In the meantime, and for most of the year, it kind of freaks me out.

Bumper Sticker

I've never been big on bumper stickers; I don't mind bumper stickers on other people's cars, even amuse myself  in traffic reading them and learning about these driver's children's academic achievements, places traveled, political and religious views as well as their sense of humors. One day though while rounding around the back of my van, I saw that a sticker had been added to it; at first glance, I was slightly miffed since I have avoided having any stickers placed on my vehicle but then read it and realized who must have placed it there and didn't have the heart to remove it. The sticker happens to represent a true statement and so it remains and I join all the other sticker boasting commuters on the highway.

Emergency evacuation plan

Staying in a hotel tonight.

I never really read these...

but I'm glad to know they're there

(just in case)

Hats

This reminded me of the classic children's book "Caps For Sale"

A Sign of a Strong Economy

I used to find so much money on the ground - quarters, nickles, dimes, pennies - every day. When the economy tanked a few years ago, the difference I immediately noticed was that the coins on the ground had disappeared. Absolutely nothing to be found.

This past month though, I have started to notice a comeback of the lost penny. I've been finding one or two pennies on the ground each day. No quarters yet, but I'm going to say that these few pennies are a sign of a turn around in the economy. It's as least as good a predictor as anything the economists have to offer.

Graffiti Water Tower

I am always amazed at the lengths and risks some taggers go to in order to bring attention to their form of expression; I might not agree with or like their methods but it never fails to amaze me when ever I see graffiti in hard to get to places like on freeway over passes or on top of a tall water tower.

Art in the community garden

Today I found myself in a new neighborhood in NYC

nestled in/on/around a steep hill.

Beside the city steps, they had a fantastic community garden

terraced into the side of the hill.

At the top of the steps, I came across this

cool art installation.

This neighborhood is one I'll visit, again!

Muffler Men

After over 3 years of driving the same road to work, I saw these 3 amigos for the first time in front of a local muffler shop; this last month, participating in this blog, has been a lesson in observance for me. I can't believe I have been passing these fine fellows daily when they have been obviously trying to get my attention.

Out to lunch

This was the sign that greeted me at a classroom I visited today.

It seems so much friendlier than

OUT TO LUNCH

Don't you think?

No More Trash Heap

Every so often (and probably more often than I'd like) the city comes with a dump truck and hauls away my all-wise, all-knowing trash heap. 

Dancing Water

This just made me smile and that was good enough for me.

The Trash Heap Has Spoken, Nyeaah!

When my oldest son was little, his favorite show (and mine) was Fraggle Rock. Not the cartoon, but the original Jim Henson produced live puppet (oxymoron?) show on HBO. It remains the most amazing and wise show ever made. Period.

One of the characters was "The Trash Heap." She was the oracle. And she was a huge pile of trash. Her helpers were two rats (I think they were rats) with Boston (correct me if I'm wrong) accents. The fraggles would come to the trash heap and ask for her sage advice. After giving her enigmatic response, the rats would chime in with, "The Trash Heap has spoken. Nyeeah!"

This post isn't actually about Fraggle Rock. It's about my own personal trash heap, on the back of a hill in my neighborhood. I've told about  how people dump there; about how I should hate it; about how I love it instead. Here's what I recently found one afternoon, on a walk with Donkey (my golden retriever).

Two leather wallets, one Mexican sandal key chain (like I had when I was little), and a never-opened still-in-the-cellophane pop-up Pooh Bear greeting card. All things I really needed. Well, I did need a new wallet.

The Trash Heap Has Spoken. Nyeeah!

Pipes

Walking to the store this morning,

I came across this pile of PVC pipes.

I got down on the ground to snap a photo of it

And I fell in love with the simplicity of the repeated shapes

And how the light changed the color of the pipes

inside the rings.

(Would I have paid attention to this before we started the blog?)

Stormy Weather

Was glad to have a "dry" drive home and to be able to get in our warm home before the winds and rain hit us. If we didn't need rain, I'd be happy to never have any; I'm not one of those who like to "walk in the rain" can't stand wet shoes and soggy socks and the cold doesn't put me in a romantic mood, it only makes my bones ache and long for flannel.

The tree's story

A couple of trees in our park have been cut down.

I walked past the stump of this beautiful tree this afternoon.

(I loved that it was still so golden! So vibrant!)

And I loved that I was able to take a picture

and help to capture (and share) its story.

Its legacy.

Its history is in its rings.

Waiting to be Noticed

I wish I could tell you that I was so patient a photographer as to be able to catch a leaf in flight.

Here's what really happened: I stopped to look at the rain clouds piling up on the mountains to our north. I'm not much of a fan of rain. It makes me tense up. But we have a new roof and this may be the first rain in 20-some years when no water will be dripping anywhere inside our house. I wondered if I could get a blog post out of those dark clouds. But then I started to think about all the errands I need to do today, the week's lessons I need to prepare, and my own drawing homework waiting for me. I turned with a sigh to go back in the house and found this leaf, caught in one strand of spider web, waiting . . . begging for me to notice.

The man behind the glass

Thought the image as seen behind a wall of fascinating textured glass was pretty cool.

Bookseller/street vendor

One of my favorite sites while out walking in NYC:

a bookseller/street vendor.

Just think of all of the treasures waiting to be (re)discovered.

Flowering Wisteria

Wisteria is rather unremarkable most of the year. and then, suddenly, it's amazing. 

The other morning I stopped to admire this neighbor's flowering vine. He came out of the house, bleary eyed, taking out the trash. I said to him how much I enjoyed his wisteria. "Huh?" he mumbled. I pointed. He turned and gave a surprised little, "Oh!" I continued on my walk. A few houses later I looked back. He was still standing, hands on hips, gazing dreamily at the wisteria trailing across his front porch.

Stop. Notice. Share.

Shapes and Colors

I just liked the shapes, and the reds/oranges against blacks/greys.

Canine Nuptials

Witnessed the joining of Sport & Honey - long live puppy love!

Crossroads of the seasons

We are at a crossroads of the seasons here in NYC:

winter intersecting with spring

Bare trees & daffodils

(A delight to see during this morning's walk)

Runaway Peacocks

Saw these peacocks walking down the sidewalk in a nearby neighborhood; I wonder if they had a day pass from the Arboretum....

Golf Ball on the Side of the Road

I don't know why this tickled me so. It's just a golf ball in the gravel by the side of the road, 10 miles from the nearest golf course. But I'm glad I have the opportunity to walk instead of always driving, so that a golf ball on the side of the road can make happy for a moment.

Prize machines

When I was a little kid

I LOVED THESE MACHINES

and the promise that maybe I'd get lucky

and win some incredible prize.

Like kids playing the lottery.

The prize was never worth it,

but the potential was.

(by the way, these machines are now 75¢ instead of just 25¢

I guess inflation has even affected dreams...)

Cubicle Guardian

This little guy stands on a book shelf behind my desk chair; I guess you could say he's got my back. Besides serving as unofficial cubicle guardian, he also serves as a reliver of stress; my little multi-tasker.

Flares & cones in front of theaters

I went to a show tonight in midtown.

They had flares set up right beside orange safety cones.

I thought something must have happened.

But I'm told that's a "new thing"

A way to clear the area in front of the theater

And I noticed cabs utilized that space to drop off patrons

Strange

And frightening.

Things That Squeak

I can hear high pitched noises that other people can't. I don't like being in a group of people because their cell phones - in their pockets, purses, and backpacks - are screaming at me. And it's not just cell phones. At best it is annoying, at worst I become borderline psychotic. I've had security guards follow me out of buildings. I've acted irrationally to more salespeople than I'd like to admit.

I've learned to avoid and adjust.

But I also hear colors. Intense, saturated colors make a sound. They screech a horrible high-pitched squeak. Well, they do to me, anyway.

Most people would love this:

A front yard completely covered in bougainvillea

I love it too. Really, I do. I just can't look at it.

Car Wash

An insider's view of the drive-thru car wash. Weird, spooky fun.

                                                                       

A feather and its meaning

Walking to the store this evening,

I came upon this feather.

One of my friends believes a feather is an omen of "good things to come."

Another, whose mother has passed away, sees it as a sign that her mother loves her.

I like those ideas a lot more than

"This feather probably fell off of a diseased bird."

Balloon Trash

I came home very late last night, tired and more than a little frustrated from my life drawing class.  Opening the lid of the kitchen trash can, up popped this greeting.  Balloon animals. Gotta love 'em. Wherever you happen to find them.

Thirty Years Together

Looking through some old photos I started to see some similarities over the years. I guess I do lean on him more than I realized (in pictures and in real life). But . . . why do I always stand to his left?

Sweet Farewell

Cupcakes that were made for the farewell party of a co-worker. I was impressed by the details that captured her love of books (she is a librarian) and dragonflies. I was touched by the time and effort it took to make these special treats.

Tree mushrooms

Tree mushrooms remind me of giant clams.

I don't know why, but they fascinate me.

Tug of War

The mystery of the sock holes is solved......

Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

It's true! Spring is really just around the corner!

How do I know?

Just look at this store's window display!

Nothing says SPRING like headless male mannequins

with alabaster skin

dressed in tight black t-shirts

tiny black shorts

and heavy black combat boots.

Ah...

The look of spring in NYC.

On Your Way Out



"Please read every label before you leave"

The inside of our front door looks like this.

If, on any random day, you asked me what our front door looks like, I wouldn't describe anything like this. Not because I wouldn't want you to know that the inside of our door is covered, top to bottom, with misspelled nonsense. No, it would be simply because I hardly see these crazy labels anymore.

But whenever I do happen to stop and notice, they make me happy. My favorite label: i'm every thing

Appliance speak

I don't cook in our microwave but I do use it to reheat left overs and mostly to make popcorn. Last night, for the first time, I noticed that the microwave gave me a send off upon finishing the popcorn; I was so taken aback and thought I imagined it that I had to make another bag to verify I wasn't imagining it and there it was telling me to enjoy my movie night popcorn;  kinda creepy, kinda cool.

Canine Fashionista

We were out walking today and came upon this dog

A TRUE fashionista

Her sunglasses were also goggles.

I wondered if she was sporting the goggles because she needed eye protection

of if she was just wearing them to be cool.

And then it dawned on me:

WHO CARES! IT'S A DOG WEARING PINK GOGGLE SUNGLASSES!

So cool.

Dear Photograph

Dear Photograph,
You may be twice as tall, twice as old, but still you are thoughtful and sweet.

Love,
Mom