Garden Blooms

First signs of spring; oh, how happy these make me.

3 very different men standing on a corner in NYC's Greenwich Village

Seriously.

This is a REAL photo taken this afternoon of

3 very different men

(although maybe they're actually quite similar)

standing on street corner in NYC's Greenwich Village.

It's like

the Village People for the new millennium.

The Jolly Jug

I love old signs.

But this one makes me a little crazy. Besides being weather-beaten, broken and faded, nothing in it matches. Nothing makes sense.

Who is that goofy guy in the green bow tie with yellow polka dots. Is he Jolly Jug? And why is he wearing a crown? Because of the "honored sandwiches?" But a crown makes him majestic, not honored. Maybe he should have a gavel, like a judge (Your Honor Jolly Jug, sir).  My son says I over-think these things. Hmmm . . . perhaps he is right this time. But for sure, no over-thinking about it, this sign does not make me yearn for sandwiches from the Jolly Jug. Ugh.

But on the other hand, just imagine how fabulous this sign could be if someone restored it. Suddenly, all the inconsistencies would just make it that much more charming.

A Perfect Place

I had grand plans to go to the museum today. But instead these cool-looking cement blocks called out to me. So I spent the day in the yard with grand plans of trying to find the perfect place them. Never did find the perfect spot, but I did pull a million weeds, plant some sunflowers, rake up some leaves, trim some chili pepper plants, and generally enjoy a sunny day.

Emergency Precautions

Comforting to know that it's here at work just in case...

Superette in Washington Heights

Freeway clown

The end of the 710 freeway brings all sorts of "solicitors"; Orange vendors, peanut peddlers, flower sellers, homeless vets, real estate agents (yes, I've been handed a business card from a real estate agent) but today was my first freeway clown; did a little juggle for me; asked how his photo came out and was happy for my monetary thank you. Who knew the freeway could be so entertaining.

Just A Goofy Lemon

Just a goofy-looking lemon

Flavor of the month

I visited a coffee shop in Queens today.

The flavor of the month is Raspberry Mocha.

I prefer plain, unflavored coffee.

Straight up--no sugar, no milk.

Strong enough to rip the enamel off of my teeth.

True story.

Self expression

As I was coming home from my Tuesday evening pool night, around 8pm, I noticed this hand made sign posted expressing one neighbors frustration; that's one way to make your point.

What To Do With a Blue Rocking Horse?

I wish I could figure out a good enough excuse to drag this home from the trash heap!

Cubicle Guardian 2

A while back I posted  a photo of my cubicle guardian and all of a sudden he has a little companion; a trainee perhaps; where he came from, I have no idea; maybe my guardian is cloning himself.

The Trash Heap Returns

The trash heap makes its slow return.

I think if I recreated this in a gallery I could call it art.

Face in the stone

Today I walking thru

Manhattanʻs Upper West Side

And I was delighted to see all of the cool

architectural details

that adorn the buildings and staircases.

American gothic, for sure!

Dancing water

Part of the World of Color show at Disney's California Adventure; the colored water fascinates me.

Andy Warhol monument

Today we had such a great sky here in NYC

and I passed the newly-famous

Andy Warhol monument in Union Square.

The sky, the buildings, the monument

I had to snap a quick photo to share.

A Missed Post

I missed my daily post yesterday. I came home tired from teaching all day. And the cold rainy day just begged me to hibernate. I fell asleep early. Woke up before midnight. "You could still get that post in," I told myself then fell right back to sleep. This morning I woke up with a big smile on my face, even before I looked out and saw this beautiful day.

Later, I'm hoping to see the ocean out there. In the early afternoon the sun hits the water just right and if I'm lucky I can see a thin strip of gold on the horizon.

Open Up!

We hardly ever have days this gorgeous in L.A.  This house with big wide windows and wonderful views - Hey! Open up your curtains! Open up your shades! It's beautiful out here!

Abandoned lot

An abandoned lot

not too far from my apartment

Across the Harlem River--

where the boundary between Manhattan and the Bronx

becomes blurry.

Vet sculpture

As many times as I drive past this emergency pet center, I just noticed this beautiful wood sculpture; I thought it must be new but was told it wasn't, just new to me.