a bevy of beautiful days

In between two snowstorms, we had some nice sunny days of relief, everyone was definitely ready for the change in weather. Saturday included a visit to the cloth washing place and on our walk back home we strolled through a nearby park for some fun. We watched the old greek men play bocce ball, Rachel did some swingin' and I climbed on the stuff.





















Sunday brought an old friend to visit. John Caldwell arrived in New York as one leg of a multi-city trip through America. He spoke excitedly of his plans to buy a van for his move to Portland, Oregon.
While we discussed the endevor we caught the bus into the city to simply walk through Central Park. However when we mis-judged where the bus lets off we ended up with a quick adventure through Harlem. We also got to see the very rocky Marcus Garvey Park on our way down to Central Park. We talked as we walked and felt the temperature drop. Our journey was 66 blocks long (125th street down to 59th street) and we were reduced to eating a lukewarm hotdog and pretzel that even a squirrel would not eat when we offered it. But we did see a cat walking on a leash.

One evening we were treated to a delicious grilled cheese and tomato soup dinner that John made us after returning home from work. But this was no ordinary soup and sandwich but a gourmet re-working that John is currently experimenting with. John also wants to create a food stand that only sells grilled cheese and tomato soup. That's it. You want a tasty sammy and red soup, you see this man.


Here you can see Rachel and Isabelle recharging. Just plug them in.






John took this picture of me with the great "party ball" I found in a shop window. I really liked it and had already inquired about it a few weeks earlier but it cost $45. That is far too much to spend, especially when I don't throw any parties. This picture will have to do.




We hope John had fun because we enjoyed his visit. On his last night we had dessert at a nearby cafe.

a visit to my studio

I rented a small studio in November last year to work on new projects. It is located in Brooklyn and I drive myself there a few times a week. By train it would over an hour to get there so I usually drive which takes about 15 minutes. Crossing the bridge from Queens to Brooklyn affords me a beautiful panoramic view of the city. On this particular day it was overcast, note the cemetary in the lower left corner of the picture.

I usually park right in front of the building and then walk up three flights of stairs. My studio is actually a fifth of a larger studio. A person rented a large studio then divided it into smaller spaces. The whole building is artist spaces, music rehearsal and clothing sweatshops. Here are pictures of the stairway, then the floor with the studio door and then two pictures inside my studio. I will be sad when I have to give it at the end of the month, the rent will be raised.

Dog Spot

Before getting on the train Monday afternoon, I spotted this dog. It is a Boston Terrier with a white head and the Hagerty Dot. She was very affecionate and also had an interesting right eye. If you click on the picture it will enlarge. The girl does cartoonish portraits of dogs ( www.welcometothedoghouse.net ) and the dog's name is Una.

Relaxing on sunny Sunday afternoon. Chatting about nothing in particular.

Moods turn sour after some off-color remarks.

The Cheese Stands Alone!

(No animals or feelings were harmed during this wrestling match)

Recent weekend

This is what my friend Charlotte and I saw on the wall. She recently came to visit some family and was able to fit in time with Rachel and me. Charlotte's brother and his wife (nice people who let me stay at their apartment alot before I moved to NY) just had their first child.

Charlotte met me at work, then after I closed up we went to a nearby thrift store and took some pictures. I then showed her my studio, then to my apartment to see Rachel. We ate fresh, crispy pizza at one of our favorite restaurants.

The next day (Sunday) Rachel and I went to The Sculpture Center and to P.S.1 both in Long Island City, a nearby neighborhood. We had never been to the Sculpture Center before and we definitely enjoyed it. P.S.1 is a contemporary art museum that we visit frequently to see some good art shows.

Here is the entrance to Sculpture Center and a picture of Rachel sitting on a Mark di Suervo sculpture at P.S. 1

I also see interesting sculpture near my home. People wrap their bushes in very creative ways. There are four examples in these two pictures.

The main thing is to use plastic in some form, rope or twine to keep it together and then top it all off with a bucket or garbage can. Start with a small shrub first to gain a better understanding of some basic techniques. Your supplies can be found in the home or purchased at a nearby hardware store. With practice you too can create a wrapped bush sculpture.

Smiles for Tronky!

Everybody love Tronky! Everyone Smiles for Tronky! What a tasty treat!!!

Don't be a Tronky Honky!