2010 Census

( The census is coming ! The census is coming! So I guess I have to work that into my blog somewhere : )


I have been noticing some interesting population shifts that the 2010 census folks might want to take into account. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of snowmen in my Queens New York area in the last few days. I do not know if these folks are here to stay or just passing through but their presence has been noticeable & one wonders what their impact will be on our area.

All of the snowmen I have personally met (most are pictured here) have been charming and delightful -reminiscent of similar folks I knew from my childhood growing up in Queens and snowy winters from long ago. I met the very last gentleman pictured with his "family" in Forest Park on Saturday. The nice young man with him told me his name was "Egbert"

(Census silliness aside I have to admit to loving these snowmen. As an artist I find them to be wonderful reminders of the universality of childhood creativity and any artist will tell you there is no better medium to make a sculpture out of than snow . I loved watching the collaboration between the generations as men got built and I couldn't help but notice the instantaneous joy I felt seeing snowmen throughout the neighborhood. They symbolize what I adore about winter & what snow meant to me as a child. To this day the news that snow is coming brings joy to my heart and I have to think this is at least in part due to the many happy experiences I had as a child . To me there has always been something magical about snowfall and snowmen are the winter equivalent of summers sandcastles-equally magical and here for but a moment in time...Thank you to all of the folks who made these guys. You made me incredibly happy! )

SNOW

I feel like the world is coming to an end-soon. Stores are filled with folks manically shopping for food-any food. The check out lines are mega long. Shelves are, in some cases , bare.

WTF...

I grew up loving snow=the more, the merrier. I did not fear it. I did not panic. I played in it until I was frozen. Now-a-days folks treat snow like it is some terrible , toxic mystery. A force that could kill you if you look it's way for too long. Not the stuff of snow cones, snow balls and snow forts.

I sound silly but doesn't everyone have food in their home? Is anyone really in danger of starving if we get a little snow? Is peril only a snow flake away?

Silly, silly, silly people.

I am going to work tomorrow . I'll be the one wearing boots and warm, comfortable clothes. I'll have a thermos of warm tea in my bag and there will be a big smile on my face.I have not written my will -just in case I perish - and I do not understand how we all became such wimps when it comes to a little bit of snow.

P.S. One other thing: there has been such an over abundance of salt spread everywhere this past week that you see it's dust in car head lights at night and can actually TASTE it's presence in the air if you are unlucky enough to open your mouth to speak. What an over reaction to some frozen water........

2010

The New Year came in somewhat quietly here on the 4th floor this year. It was cold as we waited for good old Dick Clark to ring the year in. The bottle of "Pearl Bay" still sits on the dining room table, unopened! Below us a party raged (until 3a.m.!) but otherwise the neighborhood was quiet, still, almost asleep it seemed.

The next day we celebrated with family in their "old" home for one very last occasion before they move on to another home.

Generally speaking, 2009 has been a relatively good year for all of us as a family (3 new homes, a new baby boy,a sudden job offer, relatively good health...) & we are glad to close it out and open up this next new chapter in life. 2009 had its ups and downs. Any year that has more good than bad is a good year these days.

How to give away other people's money

Following up on the post below-it was announced  yesterday that "Pets Alive" won in their regional category! 

As donating to one's causes became difficult with the economic downturn  , I became interested in the opportunities out there to give away other people's money to the causes I believe in. It seems that many of these grants are yearly and there are probably others out there (that I would love to know about and participate in so clue me in if you know of these things!) so it is worthwhile to keep things like the Animal Rescue Site on your Radar for 2010. 

If you have a Facebook account you can friend Chase and vote in their grant giveaway . I am leery of having  hassle of Facebook in my life so I set up an account for this type of use and then activate and deactivate as needed. Chase is an interesting situation as you can nominate organizations to this process if they are not already listed.

Also of note-Tom's Of Maine. Their grant voting just ended too and ,happily, one project devoted to animal welfare-"Corridor Of Cruelty" won! (I voted every day=so that made my day!) You can check out this years results and if you are a part of a non-profit organization this might be a good resource to investigate for 2010. I found out about this particular grant through The Creative Center (Formerly The Creative Center For Women With Cancer-and arts organization I work for in NYC)  one of the many organizations that were in the running this year.

I wish there was more of a way to organize support behind organizations in these situations as some of this seems popularity driven and the organizations themselves are not great at getting the word out. To that end I'll investigate what is out there and if I come across anything I'll post it. I like helping -I like that the process could not be easier and I like giving away other people's money to the causes I love. Win-win-win!

Vote for "Pets Alive"

Some of you may have read about Oreo the dog-she was recently put to sleep by the ASPCA after it was determined she could not be rehabilitated -having lived a terrible life so far. I crossed my fingers that someone special would step forward to save her. The organization called "Pets Alive" did  but for some strange reason the ASPCA ignored the offer of help. I am no animal expert but I do feel animals have a right to their lives & we should do all we can to help heal those that have been abused. 

Pets Alive is currently vying for a $20,000. grant. I think they more than deserve it. You can vote once , each day until Dec. 20th & weather you vote for Pets Alive or some other worthy animal shelter-it's all good. 

Go here to learn more about Pets Alive. Follow the link to vote on their page. 

R.I.P. Oreo

Seeds

I love each season here in N.Y. -for very different reasons. Fall can be hard as the day light dwindles . Each sunny day is precious in that sense. Fall is also a time to save seeds. I have done this for years and it can be amazingly easy (marigold flowers) or awfully hard ( the year I tried saving the seeds from my grandparents pear tree... a nightmare ). Walking around the neighborhood these last few weeks , many plants going to seed have caught my eye. At the High Line on Friday evening I had to restrain myself  from reaching out to collect some! Seeds beckon to me in some life affirming way. Pictured are 2 of my current favorites -the black and very sculptural "La Valle CorkTree" wins my VOTE*  for most exquisite & can be used as a year round decoration once it has dried.  Also shown are  my collection of saved seeds-packaged for gift giving. 

As you walk around , keep an eye out for the many types of seeds and if you feel like some free fun-pick, clean and store them in a cool , dry place. Come spring you can plant them in the ground and begin the cycle of life , plant world style. 

As an artist many of my silkscreens feature plants and leaves and some of my textile designs are inspired by seed pods and patterns... 

* (P.S. Did you VOTE today? I did! )

Happy Halloween!

Happy! Halloween!

Happy! Fall weather!

Happy! Extra hour of sleep! 

Photos taken at the quaint & delicious Eddies Sweet Shop & from an outside display at Danny Brown's. 

Saw "Amelia" last night and went to Eddies for hot chocolate & ice cream (with real whipped cream!). The T.V. had the Yankee game on and when A Rod hit his home run a soda jerk came round with a tray of egg cream shots for everyone to celebrate. Very quaint, sweet & heart warming. 

After the Yanks won again tonight comes a dilemma-would you want them to win tomorrow=away from home or would you rather they lose Monday night just so they can return to NYC and win here at home...hard choice. Since my memories are of them winning here I would have to go with that one as there is nothing like winning at home with the fans.