summertime

It is not yet summer, but I have been using the air conditioner quite often these days anyway.  I really can't tolerate any level of heat.  It hinders my ability to breathe well, and just puts me in a bad mood.  If I am able to swim in a pool or ocean, then I do not mind it so much, and can even enjoy laying out in the sun, if I know that kind of refreshing relief is nearby.  But, generally speaking, I hate the summertime.
The other seasons are wonderful; each in their own way.
There is that welcome relief of autumn, when the weather beckons you to put on a jacket or sweatshirt.  The air is dry and crisp, and there is that lovely display of colorful trees,  and dried leaves crunching under your footsteps.
Winter is most spectacular with its howling winds, and flurries of snow.  A fierce blizzard can keep you holed up inside, but there is nothing like the peaceful silence of an insulating snowfall.
Spring is welcoming with its newly blossomed crocus, and the sprouting of pale green buds on the trees.
I enjoy living in a place where all four seasons are available to me.  Enjoying three out of the four of them isn't too bad.
Despite my dislike of summer, I have probably had some of my best times during that season, since it is typically vacation time.
Hiking in the mountains of Cuyamaca (in San Diego), or camping out in upstate New York.  Going cross country with Tree and Melis, and enjoying oh so many beach days in my youth.
I went to Finland (Lapland) during the spring/summer, and experienced sunlight virtually all day and night during that time.  Wish I could've experienced it during the dark days of winter, though.
I was just looking at some pictures I took this past winter, after a snowfall.  Those days cannot come soon enough, if you ask me.
  I have hardly been outside at all this year, especially since April when my breathing became so bad, and body pain increased.  It's a good thing I'm such a home body type, or I'd surely be going stir crazy by now.  I would like to take a nice walk, but just going from one room to another can render me short of breath.  I have to be careful of that, lest I use up my rescue inhaler before I can get another.
When Melissa was little I would often sing the song, Summertime, to her, in a sort of operatic voice that would just crack her up.  Great song.

A Day at The Met

Today me and Evie ventured down to "museum mile" to go the The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We met up with other friends there; Frank, Mary, and Susan.  To say the museum is huge is an understatement.  There's only so much walking this body can do before getting wiped out.  We did see some Vermeer's, which Ev wanted to see, and Susan, too.  Other artists of the period, nothing that interested me in the least.  Rodin sculptures, and many other sculptures that I didn't photograph, and we didn't seem to linger too long in one spot, but kept on walking.   We did see one new exhibit in its entirety, and that was The Plains Indians: Artists of the Earth and Sky.  Beautiful bead and leather work, drums and fans, and head dresses.  Most everything was behind glass, so getting a decent shot was tricky, and the museum was quite dark.  Used a high ISO to adjust my exposure.  Sorry I don't have the exact description of each of these items, but most are self-evident.   Click on any pic to go to the page where you can see them enlarged.

For a break we all went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee, which cost $3.75.  I was somewhat appalled. The we walked through art again, and found our way outside where there were chairs to sit on, and the sun to soak up.  I bought a frank and a bottle of water from one of the vendors outside, and it cost 75 cents less than the coffee.

Soon it was time for all of us to go our separate ways.  Me and evie came back home, and had a pizza at her place.  We're worn out, but all in all, it was a good day.

real Spring weather

Today the weather is fine... it went to 75F, and those 90's are gone for now.  Lots of people out on the street.  Me and Evie walked a few blocks to the store and bought the fixings for a big salad, which we ate when we got back.
Hopefully these days will last a while and I can get out and do a lot of picture taking.  Just a few today.

vernal equinox and 700th post

Been up since before the dawn, and am just now finishing off a large container of Chock Full o' Nuts coffee.  The sky appears blue, and the weather is still a bit cold at 33F.  Today is the Vernal Equinox, so a happy Spring to all.  It's a good time for starting new things, or reviving old ones.  Time to think about getting out with the camera a bit more, and going for walks.
I don't mind that the shades of Winter linger on.  There's even a small chance of snow tomorrow. 
This is my 700th post, so it appears I've decided to keep up with this blogging life.  Assuming Blogger continues this platform, I daresay the blog will outlive me.... somewhere waaay (let's hope) down the road.  That's eerie.  People will still search for "iron workers at lunch" and come up with images from my blog.  Lots of traffic on that one post over the years.
The cat's are meowing for their morning meal.  I'm off to serve them.
I hope your Spring is filled with wonderful new beginnings !

289-293 free draws, various

Some of the worst draws yet!

dessert

the acupuncturist

spring

still life

art gallery

pictures of Spring

~click on pics for larger view~

Spring in Brooklyn

A blossoming tree, and tonight's sunset, sans clouds because it was so windy all day.

(this shot was straight out of the camera, no saturation added.)

click on photos to view decently :)

breath

While perusing some new (for me) blogs, I came across Haiku Bones, which gives a weekly prompt for a Haiku.  It also gives links to other writers of Haiku who are following the prompts.  This weeks prompt is "breath".... and so, my contribution...

deep beneath the ice
life moves imperceptibly
Spring waits to exhale

thursday afternoon

I was out early this morning when it was gray and misty. Saw that the cherry blossom tree, a block away, was beginning to bloom. And several trees, budding lightly. Crocus and daffodils are popping up in front porch gardens, and the sparrows are starting to get loud in the morning.

This afternoon the sun came out, and warmed up the day. My mom came for a visit, traveling a long bus ride on her motorized wheelchair (she has MS, and cannot walk)... she is so amazing at 81. She is safely home now.

A lovely and unexpected thursday afternoon.

[mom & me, several years ago, at Atlantic City, Trump's Taj Mahal]

snow like butterflies

Yesterday, there was a wildly wonderful snow shower in the morning. The flakes were huge, and looked like white butterflies swirling against the window. Was this winter's last hurrah, happening at the precise moment of the Vernal Equinox? It was so beautiful!

Today, the sun is out, in the low 40's. Spring is here, despite slightly below average temps.

Seems like a big spring cleaning is due at my place! I could use a few helpers!

For the equinox yesterday, me and ev decorated some Easter eggs... she painted hers, and I did 2 egg-shaped gourds covered with polymer clay. I'll post pics soon.

looking forward to spring

The day is cool, nearly balmy, and the coming Spring whispers softly through the still February air. There is that expectation of March winds... the spreading of seeds... the earth renewing herself, yet again.
Now is the time to start shedding our winter selves.

It's good to do a Spring Fast about two weeks before the Spring solstice. A cleansing and retonifying fast to wash away and renew.
For a week (though even a couple of days would benefit the body), one should eat only live green foods... most especially green grapes. Also leafy greens, though one should take care not to eat an abundance of dark leafy greens if they are on anti-hypertensive meds, since it can raise potassium levels to an unsafe degree.
Drink yellow dock tea, with a pinch on ground cayanne pepper, and a teaspoon of pure maple syrup. This will help cleanse the blood, and provide energy. Also, a tablespoon or two of Blackstrap molasses, for increased energy. Drink ample amounts of water in addition to the tea. Reintroduce regular foods in a gradual manner. When the Spring Equinox is here you will enter it with more clarity and energy.

This fasting/cleanse readies our bodies and minds for Spring, when not only the earth, but you will begin anew again.