Musings

Seems to me that the functions of rest areas have shifted since the early days. Used to be that stretch-your-legs and eat-a-packed-lunch were the big activities when I was a youth. Then, sometimes, make-a-phone-call was added. Now, it’s use-the-restroom and walk-the-dog. Very few diners. Little Frisbee-throwing or baseball-tossing; I haven’t seen a game of tag in decades.

We found leaves on the trees as we drifted south, but the transition to oaks instead of maples means…more bronze and no orange-reds, and so a duller color overall. And temps in the 70s…shed a layer!

Posted at 10:22 PM | 1 Comment »

I am pleased at the orange-red reflection of the roof to the right.

Warmer night last night, and the sunshine predominated in the morning so we set off on a wee adventure. We went through Paradise (yes, it is possible), and on to the BIG Lake—fairly calm today on this shore. This is some of the support structure for the lighthouse at Whitefish Point.

We backtracked (because the other options, both long loops, didn’t appeal) and stopped at the BIG falls. The roar of the water and the feel of the mist still stop me in my tracks (best at the viewing deck to the far right). You can see that the leaves are mostly on the trees and the color is fantastic, although the overcast had set in by the time I took this photo.

Posted at 6:53 PM | Comments Off on Adventure (paved roads)

I do love fountains. And HDR means they can look stupendous in digital images. This one’s in Bryant Park.

On north, way beyond Yankee Stadium and the Harlem River…the longest subway ride I’ve ever taken (below ground, not just urban train)…to the New York Botanical Garden…some 250-ac of plants—trees, flowers, grass, even a few stray weeds on land straddling the Bronx River.

And, indoors, a Frida Kahlo exhibition (no photos allowed of her displayed works), emphasizing the natural world, especially plants, in her paintings. With examples of the plants highlighted in the conservatory.

Posted at 9:17 PM | 2 Comments »

Lobby light show: Museum of the City of New York. (Yes, a mouthful, that name.) Liked that the space was just topical exhibitions, no dutiful historical summary gallery, growing increasing stale over time.

Then, we walked south through Central Park, past hissing sprinklers, many joggers, strollers (people and contraptions), and dog-walkers.

After that, major excitement that began with a lot of waiting, standing-waiting, one foot followed by the other. Then, we got to showtime! And our seats….

Stephen, tada! With guests Gina Rodriguez (of Jane the Virgin, new season starting next week), Ben Bernanke (new book, his memoir of the recent financial crisis), and musical group Tame Impala.

Nightcap at the Algonquin, where the round table was sadly empty, and the Manhattans were stupendous.

Please note that while most of the day is afoot, we also enjoy the subway.

Posted at 10:51 PM | Comments Off on Foot-touring, continued

We took the train to the south end of Manhattan, at Battery Park. This statue honors Merchant Mariners. That’s Lady Liberty off on the left edge of the horizon.

The guys trying to save their comrade now face The Sphere, a 1971 Fritz Koenig piece that stood between the two centers of the World Trade Center, and was damaged by the debris that fell on 9/11.

Yeah, today was the day for outdoor sculptures, as we walked from the Staten Island Ferry terminal at Battery Park up all the way to Grand Central Terminal. Not directly…so many, many steps (devices differ on the count, but all indicate something like 20K).

We found crowds of Asian tourists and a few others at the Charging Bull (Arturo Di Modica, 1989). They posed next to the head, often holding a horn, and grinned for their photographer-friends. The other end of the statue they also photographed, but from a distance and without touching the bronze surface or posing next to it. Interesting.

Buildings are also sculpture, right? Daniel Burnham’s Flatiron Building was completed in 1902. I suspect the interior space is difficult to use, especially those nose-rooms. From the ground—compelling.

Posted at 10:04 PM | 2 Comments »

Don’t remember noticing this birdbath before…and I do walk by here several times a week (lately). I promise I did NOT pose the leaves. MaNachur did.

These steps were even more interesting when I was approaching and the sun was full out. Then, camera coming out of pocket, I watched it fade to this.

Thought you, Gentle Reader, might still enjoy it.

Posted at 6:10 PM | Comments Off on Architectural bits

I think this is birdhouse art, somewhat like a (Philip Johnson) Glass House, better as art than as a dwelling, at least in the city.

Okra is taxonomically* related to cotton, cacao, hollyhock, and hibiscus. The hibiscus relationship is obvious, although it looks nothing like a cacao bloom (to me, a non-botanist).

* Cladistics are…quite the brain-tease.

Posted at 8:40 PM | Comments Off on Floral profusion

Buildings hold stories.

Not sure about this one’s. The building’s been remodeled at least twice. Built in the late 1800s, the first refurbishment I know about was in the CCC days. The second was…after the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” was shot…. The bench-pews are original. The tin ceiling. The supports for the balcony. The carpeting, other woodwork, light fixtures…replaced in the last go-round.

Exterior paint is fresh, yet the ever-present arachnids are fast to recolonize.

Braile and everything on this helpful sign: “Stair” (and nothing more). Meets federal requirements.

Pike County is not the most prosperous; hence, the brick exterior and wood-not-stone details inside. The main entry door does have a covered portico with marble-square flooring; so, they did work some in, maybe in the 1930s.

Posted at 10:22 PM | Comments Off on Building fact and surmise

My best image today: a picket fence shadow. No symbolism, just the (simple) geometricality of light-dark patterns.

Meanwhile, over in KW-land, consider knuckle wrinkles….

Me, I’m in favor of them…functional, and evidence of continued functionality, as KW indicates.

I’m not sure; am I off my feed? Not based on the rice-salad-stir-fry concoction I created and we enjoyed tonight…my knuckles in action….

Posted at 8:21 PM | 1 Comment »

There’s plain concrete…with a surface treatment (swab swoop?).

Here’s a different, knobbly concrete…with a decorative nut-husk.

On the other hand, this is a mailbox with living, green neckwear.

Posted at 9:34 PM | Comments Off on Personification