So I went to Cafe deux Margot and had the nutella and strawberry crepes instead!

the upper west side, nyc

cafe deux margot, upper west side, nyc

 And then I walked for two hours…

How often does one get to hang in a very artsy and homey apartment in the upper west side and talk photography all evening long and get a personal slide show from a world renowned photographer?

Eli Reed was raised in poverty, worked as an orderly in a hospital’s cancer unit and put himself through Newark School of Fine and Industrial arts where he learned photography and the art of printing.  He then worked at a newspaper and years later became a highly respected photographer, not only at Magnum but built a reputation as one of the best photographers in the motion picture industry.  And oh, what a storyteller he is!  His amazing stories took us through a time he accepted a volunteer position to help teach photography to inmates at a prison in upstate New York, putting himself right in the middle of a prison that the Ku Klux Klan was heavily represented… to his numerous experiences everywhere from war zones to the White House.

Today he makes his home in Austin, Texas and works as a professor of photojournalism at the University of Texas.  What advice does he have for his students and other young photographers?  Stop talking theory…don’t over-think the image…trust your instincts and listen to people.   What a pleasure and an unforgettable experience…

Yippee! Today, I’m a guest over at Vision and Verb, a global gathering of women of this age!

A number of months ago, I came across Marcie Scudder’s blog and have been hooked every since.  When I take that first sip of coffee each morning, I’m greeted by her wonderful words and photography.  Marcie is the guru behind Vision and Verb.  She has gathered up a group of talented women all over the world that share their thoughts and creativity.  It was their camaraderie and supportive nature that drew me in.  Thank you Marcie for the opportunity!

Also, I just wanted to mention…this week I updated my site with photos from my India trip, added some of my special ones taken at my other home in Arizona, and tossed in a few new ones here and there in other categories.  Would love for you to take a look. This is a constant work in progress!

Review a month’s worth of photos to come up with ONE pic that gives me a strong connection to my heart and soul?  An image that when I look at it, it makes me feel something.  Wow.  Well this is Kat’s idea.  Kat, of Kat Eye Studio.  And well, it is probably a good exercise to look at the past month’s photos and pick ONE, just ONE, that really speaks to me.  So OK, I’m game.

Two hours later, I’m back.  Ok, hmm.  That was HARD.  But sooo insightful!  (thanks Kat!)

I feel this image because I love cards and letters.  Don’t get me wrong.  Emails and text messages are great.  But dontcha just love getting that card or letter in the mail?  Curling up in a big chair with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine to spend time with it, to know the person who wrote it put a bit of themselves in the envelope before they sealed it up… You can feel it, smell it, read it multiple times, keep it and pull it out years later…

I love #2 pencils too.  But that’s for another post.

Link it up and share a photo~heart connection with others…

captured in the west village, nyc

I think I’ll start my weekend with some bubbles!  How about you?

groundhog on the farm

OK, today is Groundhog day.

Now why in the world

would we celebrate such a creature

that digs holes

and eats our gardens?

captured in hell's kitchen, nyc

]]> http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/local-sights/oblivious/feed/ 4 http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/events/peace-and-love/ http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/events/peace-and-love/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:35:11 +0000 gotham girl http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/?p=13135

captured in washington square park, nyc at occupy wall street protest

gordon lightfoot

captured on mott street in chinatown, nyc

Confetti + Silly String = FUN FUN FUN in Chinatown!

captured in the west village, nyc

]]> http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/local-sights/the-shadow-of-the-secret/feed/ 5 http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/photography-2/the-willing-eyes/ http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/photography-2/the-willing-eyes/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:16:17 +0000 gotham girl http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/?p=13079

captured at the bar - joanne trattoria nyc

Often ignorance is bliss and last night was one of those times.

Having walked in the rain from the Howard Greenberg Gallery to see the Vivian Maier exhibit, a cozy bar to duck into was in order to cut the chill. Something close to 25 Central Park West as the next stop was to attend the PWP’s opening reception, 22 imaginings.  But before I continue, let me tell you a little about both of these events.  First, if you aren’t familiar with Vivian Maier’s work, her photography was recently discovered by a young man (John Maloof) in Chicago.  He came across thousands of rolls of film, prints and negatives of Vivian’s work at a local auction house.  These images were shared with virtually no one in her lifetime.  She was a master of self-portraits and concentrated mainly on children, women, the elderly and the indigent.  Her photography is just incredible.  There’s only a few days left of her exhibit here in the city, so if you’re in the area this is a must see.  Now on to the Cuba exhibit.  Exhibits at 25CPW are always enjoyable and the images captured by 22 incredible photographers’ journey to Cuba did not disappoint. A great space to showcase photography, but very intimate as well.  The talent in this group is mind blowing and I’m so happy to be a member!

OK, now its time to go to the ignorance is bliss part.  There’s a small red awning located on West 68th Street with Joanne written on it.  A glance through the window revealed a warm cozy atmosphere.  Yep, exactly what’s needed to take the chill away.  A grey goose on the rocks fit the bill, and Zack our bartender was excellent with his pour(s).  While chatting, a woman approaches and introduces herself as Cynthia and offers to give us a tour of the restaurant.  Not realizing it upon entry, the restaurant wasn’t officially open yet. Just the bar was “open” and she was so eager to showcase the adorable outside back patio, the chef’s table for private dining, as well as make introductions to the chef and others.  Local, small, warm, a good pour at the bar and a wood fired oven in the kitchen immediately told me a return visit was in order.

So imagine my surprise this morning when I checked out their website (which is still in the works) and made the connection.  This is the restaurant that is owned by Lady Gaga’s parents. Cynthia is her mother.  I am so happy for the ignorance part.  It made the introduction so much more exciting AFTER connecting the dots!  Absolutely, a return visit is in order and if last night’s experience is any indication as to their future success, I can tell you Lady Gaga herself is NOT needed here.  Her parents have it going on! So happy to have this restaurant in the hood here in the Upper West Side.  Stay tuned for a future review!

But, let me back up.  I mentioned a few posts ago that I’d started an on-line photography class, Susannah Conway’s Photo Meditations.  Besides her incredible teaching style (and UK accent!) the fabulous part about this class is sharing photos from our weekly assignments and receiving feedback from other classmates.  Every day I carve out time to view and comment on the work of others and since there are so many, one can’t take the time to study them all. So I click on a photo and only if it immediately speaks to me do I comment.  (And as mentioned before, receiving comments on your photography in your in-box throughout the day is SO uplifting!)

Well what I’ve found out about my photography is that I’m finally honing in on what I love to photograph and what I love to look at.

Wabi – Sabi.

If you’re familiar with the term then I applaud you.  I on the other hand, had never heard of it.  The term and short write-up in Catherine Anderson’s book, The Creative Photographer, caught my eye.  She explains that wabi-sabi is all about seeing beauty in the old.  As she mentions, we often pass right by old things, not noticing the beauty in the color of the patina on an old pipe or the peeling of paint on an old door.  She goes on to talk about how society emphasizes the beauty of the young, but often fails to notice the amazing beauty of an elderly person whose experiences are shown in their wrinkles and wise eyes. The page in her book stopped me dead in my tracks.  I realized for the first time, I see with wabi-sabi eyes.  The beauty in the elderly, the vintage pieces I collect, the photos I love to capture of old wood, rust patterns, and peeling paint.  So much beauty comes with age.

But I needed to learn more.  So this week time was spent on the internet to research wabi-sabi to better understand the term and to make absolutely sure it’s a word that will apply to my photography.

Now let me back up even more.  My love has always been for old stuff; vintage, worn, used, rustic, primitive, handcrafted.  I’ve collected so many items from my parents and grandparents; quilts, dinnerware, knitted sweaters, hats, and many household items too numerous to mention.  Several years ago after spending a long time visiting an elderly man, his daughter gave me his black leather chair when he passed away. Every time I look at that chair I think of my 96 year old friend sitting and reading his New York Times.  There’s no trading any of these items for the world.  The list goes on and on.

But I hadn’t connected my love of old stuff with my photography until this class.  You see wabi-sabi is the ancient Japanese art of finding beauty in things that are imperfect, old and worn.  Salvaged materials, handcrafted, vintage.  There’s a subtle spiritual side to it as well, as its roots lie in Zen Buddhism. (Can it get any more perfect?)  In Robyn Griggs Lawrence’s books (writer and speaker on topics ranging from green building to spiritual design to organic gardening) it’s all about “appreciating the simple and letting go of the superficial – the perfect antidote for a society in recovery from a decades-long consumerist binge.”

Now let me go a step further.  How nicely this fits in with my desire to help with Alzheimer’s through reminiscence photo therapy.  Ahhh…it’s all coming together!

So much to say, so much to learn, so much to do with this new found direction!  Now it’s off to spend a day at the New York City Public Library to learn all about wabi-sabi because there’s nothing better than turning the page of a real book!  Stay tuned!

captured at arcosanti in arizona

 Wabi suggests freshness and simplicity.  Sabi describes a beauty that is burnished by age…It’s a zen notion, a fleeting, imperfect accidental beauty – unpretentious, simple and intimate.  Wabi-sabi is akin to the inherent beauty within, something you can’t put your finger on…to open your senses to every detail, every glimmer, every breath of the breeze.  That is all part of wabi-sabi.  Daisuke Utagawa

captured at columbus circle, nyc

Love, sex, adolescence, Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin…need I say more?

Just finished Joyce Maynard’s novel, Labor Day.  Taking place in a small town in New Hampshire, at the beginning of Labor Day weekend, the story is told through the eyes of a young teenager.  His divorced, emotionally fragile mother is his only company and life changes drastically when a mysterious man asks for help.  Over the course of a long weekend, some of life’s most valuable lessons are learned.

How exciting to learn that her novel is currently being developed as a motion picture that Paramount Pictures will distribute, directed by Jason Reitman and starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.  Production is scheduled to begin this summer in Massachusetts.

Oh, and what do apples have to do with it?  Well you’ll just need to read the novel or wait for the movie to find out! A great read!

Mister Lincoln, Bing Crosby, Nancy Reagan, along with Double Delight, Raspberry Swirl, and Peace were just a few of their names.  There were so many others.  Every spring, new family members, always looking bare and homeless, would arrive.  But in no time, after care and support from my parents, the new additions would be as beautiful as all the others.

The rose garden produced many gifts over the years.  My dad loved giving roses to everyone; family, friends and strangers.  I was spoiled with roses while living on the farm, and after I moved to Arizona yellow roses would always be waiting for my return visits.  Yellow would aways bring to mind feelings of warmth and happiness.  Over time, without even realizing it, yellow roses became a symbol of love between my father and me. No words were ever needed.

One day I looked up the meaning of the yellow rose.  No surprise.  “One of the things that make the yellow rose so special is that it indicates a true friend and a true friend is a rare and wonderful gift.  There is perhaps no other flower that’s able to bring out a smile quite the way a yellow rose can.  Joy, gladness, friendship and ‘I care‘ are several words that routinely describe the yellow rose.”

So there’s also no surprise that the only rose in my Arizona backyard is a yellow one.  And after all these years, it continues to flourish and produce the most beautiful roses.

So turning the tables, guess what showed up on the farm along with lemons from the backyard?

No words needed.

 Coming soon….

Any idea what it’s like to have bronchitis for 31 days?

ARGH!!!

Time to head back to MY city!

]]> http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/31-3-1-and-it-isnt-an-age/feed/ 3 http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/on-the-101/ http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/on-the-101/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:33:26 +0000 gotham girl http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/?p=12892

on the 101

Ever gone from point A to point B and have no idea what happened in-between?  Yep, me too.

the cottage on the farm at south mountain

Grab a picnic basket from the Farm Kitchen, make your way through rows of pecan trees and picnic tables…pass through the gardens…walk by the chicken house full of hens and a rooster… and arrive at the Artist’s studio and Cottage on the Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona.   Make yourself at home was not only the greeting, but the feeling you get when you enter the 1940′s farm house filled with unique and creative pieces by local artisans.  Art classes, writing workshops, lectures, wine tastings, and retreats are just a few of their monthly calendar offerings…I know what I’m doing during one of my future trips back to the desert!

captured at arcosanti in arizona

I’m closing in on my time here in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and when I look back over the past seven weeks there’s been a consistent theme. Besides weeks of bronchitis…ugh…CATS.

It all started with…

a cat supervising the cookie bake with friends…
a cat greeting at Arcosanti…
a cat meandering the grounds of Cosanti…
a cat nestled high in a mesquite tree…
a bobcat sighting when driving back the next morning to check on the cat in the tree…
a cat watching traffic lying on top of a concrete barrier on the freeway leaving the Phoenix airport…

Hmm…CATS.

A good friend of mine opened my heart to the wisdom of the animal world when she gave me the book, Animal Speak by Ted Andrews.  Animal Speak provides the spiritual significance of more than 100 different animals, birds, insects and reptiles.  You see, the natural world and the animals within it…speak to us everyday by their appearances, behaviors, movements and characteristic patterns.  When we know what to look for, then we can use them as omens, not in a superstitious sense, but in a way to learn that these animals that enter and exit our lives can provide guidance and support, if we are open to it.

So…to share what the Animal Speak book has to say…in myth and lore, the cat predominates.  Such as in the Hindu tradition Shasthi, the goddess of childbirth, is depicted riding upon a cat.  A wide variety of traits have been associated with cats – often contradictory, curious, independent, clever, and unpredictable.

Bottom line?  Whether domesticated or wild, anytime a cat becomes predominant…look for magic and mystery to come alive!

Oh, and a side note on the bobcat…Whenever a bobcat is around, it will teach us that there is true power and strength through silence…hmmm….so cool!

desert agave, arizona

Constantly asking myself, will my photograph turn out as intriguing as I hope?  Will the viewers like it?  Will they feel what I’m feeling? Always questioning myself… So lately I’m feeling a touch more confident in my photography.  I started a five week on-line course (more on that later!) and each week we post images to an on-line photo sharing site (Flickr) for other classmates to view.

So every day now, I’m getting little boosts of confidence…
…wonderful shot – love everything (light, dof, composition) just great
                       …gorgeous – simply stunning
                                …beautiful capture and so soothing
                                       …the extraordinary of the ordinary: wonderful

Of course I’m thrilled and so appreciative that people take the time to express their feelings.   Isn’t it amazing what little comments can do to help build our confidence?  What a daily inspiration! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to leave comments on my blog.  It does wonders for the soul!

captured at Crescent Moon Park, Sedona, Arizona

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.
Buddha

After scrolling through pages and pages of vortex tours on google, Claudia Coronado’s site spoke to me.  A psychic and spiritual healer, she offered a river vortex tour that seemed perfect for our group.  During the tour we learned about the vortex energies and experienced it through the energy lines of mother earth. We saw the colors of the energies and learned how to tune into and meditate with a vortex.  Claudia showed us how the juniper and sycamore trees respond.  The stronger the vortex energy, the more twists in their branches. Wow! Wow! Wow! An added bonus?  A cd from Claudia, How to Meet your Guides.   Can’t wait for a little down time to listen and follow the steps in this guided meditation.

Pumped by this time of day, after touring Arcosanti and experiencing the vortexes in Sedona, what better way to continue the Sedona experience but with an evening picnic.  An adorable little European cafe, Euro Deli (thanks Claudia for this recommendation!) provided the best sandwiches as we spread our blankets on top of a mesa with spectacular Sedona red rock views.   Wrapped up in shawls to keep warm as the evening cooled, sipping chardonnay and smelling sweet burning sage, we waited for the full moon to rise.  Twilight just happened to be a very special time, especially for one of us, as she’s only able to see shapes and colors during this time.  Blind since a child, this was an opportunity for her to see Sedona.  As we experienced the pinks and blues and incredible contrails in the sky, we waited for the moon to rise.  Not just any moon, but a full moon.  So we waited and waited. But, no moon.

Perhaps some confusion as to the time the moon would rise, perhaps some added chill brought on by late evening, we decided to pack up and head back through the town of Sedona on our way to highway 17.  As we were leaving the biggest brightest full moon ever to be seen peeked out from behind a mesa.  Immediately the lyrics “bad moon rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival crept into my mind.   Ahh…the most incredible sight.  We pulled over, enjoyed the show before we headed back to Phoenix as we laughed and chatted and listened to the hauntingly beautiful and meditative cd, The Bells of Arcosanti.  Another day for the memory books!

Coming soon…Stay tuned!

Sedona, Arizona

After spending the afternoon at Consanti, Paolo Soleri’s work has a magical way of working its way into your soul.  His spectacular displays of bronze and ceramic windbells, along with his architectural imagination is a day of visual treats that just doesn’t stop.  So yearning for more, another adventure unfolded at Arcosanti.

Arcosanti located off of interstate 17 near Cordes Junction (65 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona) can be described as a concept of architecture and ecology working as one integral process to produce new urban habitats.  Soleri designed Arcosanti as a prototype and when construction is completed, it’ll house 5,000 people by combining compact urban structure with large-scale solar greenhouses on 25 acres on a 4,000 acre preserve.  Students and professionals from all over the world have come to Arcosanti to participate in seminars, conferences and workshops conducted by Soleri and his staff.  A music center offers a program of performing artists and the location hosts over 50,000 visitors annually.  Tours are conducted seven days a week between 9 and 5 on the hour except for noon time.

All of this sounds wonderful, right?  Now herein lies the problem.  I now have another item on the bucket list.  You see, there’s a five week workshop where you can study and live at Arcosanti.  Combining academic and experiential learning, one can study Soleri’s concepts and designs while contributing to the building on the site. I so want to do this!!

Full moon in the desert

Meditate.  Live purely.  Be quiet.
Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!
Shine!

(Buddha)

olive trees in queen creek, arizona

What a fabulous Sunday afternoon outing…Queen Creek Olive Mill, a family owned company that grows and presses olives to produce a hand-crafted, extra virgin olive oil.  And the balsamic vinegar?  The best I’ve had since a visit to Tuscany!

I visited Cosanti probably 20 years ago, but now with my photography passion it was such a different experience.  I could have stayed for days meandering the courtyards and paths…sitting under the olive trees…just experiencing…

Sharing a few of my favorites…and hoping you enjoy them as well!  If you’re ever in the Phoenix area of Arizona, this is a must see!

captured at Cave Creek Candles & Gifts

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

(Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism)

For some reason intentions make more sense to me than resolutions.  I intend to do this…I intend to do that…instead of that dreadful word…(ugh)…resolve.

So with that said, what do I intend to do in 2012?

Let’s start with photography.  Do I want to grow up and be a famous photographer?  No.  Do I want my photography to make an impact?  Yes.

So my intentions this year continues with my love affair…with improving, learning, experimenting, getting out of my comfort zone…having an impact with my photography.

Let’s start with improving and learning…I intend to continue shooting daily. I’ve learned this is absolutely THE best way to improve.  Adding to that is increasing my technical skills by learning lightroom which is a software that organizes photos (I have volumes!) and provides the ability to tweak for change or improvement.  After that comes photoshop elements which will assist my desire to experiment.

Experimenting and getting out of my comfort zone…I intend to be diligent in getting my photography out in the world and not just posting on my blog.  I’ve joined several groups on Flickr and look forward to feedback from other photographers.  I intend to share more of my photography thoughts, challenges, successes as well as failures…as I continue to blog about living in NYC (and the Sonoran desert and the farm!) and traveling the world.  Mixed media photography (which is where the photoshop comes in) is an area of interest and even though many people think this hampers the true sense of photography, I feel it’s simply a different way of creating a picture.  It’s art.  Artists play.  I intend to play.

Having an impact…I’m embarking on a huge project.  A project that will showcase two very important people in my life.  My parents.  More details to come, but a portion of this project has to do with Alzheimer’s.  My father has this dreadful disease and my mother is the caregiver.  Need I say more?  I want my photography to have an impact.  First, to bring awareness to the disease.  It blows my mind to read that every 69 seconds, someone in America develops this disease and by mid-century? Every 33 seconds. Somehow I want to help.   I recently came across the term “Reminiscence Therapy” and that’s a perfect description for what I want to do with my art.  By using photos from the past it gives the person with Alzheimer’s a sense of value, importance, belonging and peace.  How incredible would it be if I am able to help just one person? I intend to do just that.

As important as photography is to me, friendships are right there as well.  I intend to surround myself with friends who really care, friends who want to spend quality time with no expectations.  Friends who are incredibly passionate about what they’re doing.  And I mean passionate.  Fired up, excited, can’t wait to wake up and do it type passion.  Because when you surround yourself with people like that, you can’t help but get all fired up yourself.  Right? But friendships take work, and that’s what I intend to do.  Provide that love and attention through shared experiences and moments and common bonds.

You know they always say…write it down, tell people…and it’ll happen.  So folks, there you have it. My intentions for 2012.  Here’s to an incredible journey!

“Teach this triple truth to all:

A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”

Buddha

What else should one do on a beautiful 74 degree day?

dancing flames...

Bills Firewood & Wood Products

Ready to cozy up in an adirondack at the backyard fireplace with a glass of meritage?  We’re entering another fabulous time of year here in the Sonoran desert to enjoy a roaring fire with our 70 degree days cooling off fast in the late afternoon.  So with this in mind…it’s time to fill the trunk with firewood.

Now not just any kind of firewood, but Bill’s firewood in north Phoenix.  Many years ago, after a long discussion of all types of firewood, Bill suggested grapefruit wood with a touch of mesquite.  A nice clean burn with a touch of fragrance!  A loyal customer for years, it’s always a joy to visit his home and business and step back in time.

Bill's helper

Bills Firewood & Wood Products

I so enjoy watching and being mesmerized by the flames of a fire.  To me it rates right up there with waves crashing at the beach.  What mesmerizes you?

home of Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, AZ

Fifteen, maybe twenty years ago?  No way!  It seems just yesterday when my mom and I visited Taliesin West: winter home, studio and architectural campus of Frank Lloyd Wright.  Fifteen minutes from my home in North Scottsdale, in the Sonoran desert in the foothills of the McDowell mountains, anyone can experience the brilliance of FLW and his ability to integrate the indoor space with the outdoors.

Along with friends from Sweden, we all enjoyed the 90 minute INSIGHTS tour.  No reservations needed.  Just show up at the designated times listed on their website.  A delightful tour that provided an overview of Wright’s basic theories of design along with the history of the site.  Our guide was very knowledgeable (and personable!) allowing plenty of time for questions as we moved between buildings joined by dramatic terraces, gardens, and walkways.

A wonderful opportunity for photographers at any level even if you go smack-dab-in-the-middle of the day!  Check it out!

a beautiful evening with special friends in Arizona

]]> http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/merry-christmas/feed/ 3 http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/virginia-2/dear-santa/ http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/virginia-2/dear-santa/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:02:26 +0000 gotham girl http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/?p=12058 Thank you for the boots…and thank you so much for the flannel shirt…

And even though I’ve been a little good and a little bad…

Don’t forget to bring me some Ouidad!

PLEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZ!

Happy Holidays!

inside looking out...

]]> http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/just-another-arizona-sunset/feed/ 0 http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/the-town-dump/ http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/arizona/the-town-dump/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:50:34 +0000 gotham girl http://gothamgirlchronicles.com/?p=12433 Did you ever see the movie, Night at the Museum?  Ben Stiller plays a divorced father trying to settle down, impress his son and find his destiny.  So as a newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History he discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.  Well that movie comes to mind whenever I visit the Town Dump in Cave Creek, Arizona.

It’s really hard to describe the Town Dump, but every time I stop by I think about these characters coming to life at night time when no one is around and wreaking all kinds of havoc in this little western town!  So here’s a few of them just to give you a feel for who lives there.  Just imagine!

Silver and Tonto

a mexican kermit

fat lady sings

chef pig

three wise monkeys

sprite boy - remember him?

And by the way…if you’re in the area stop by for a burger at Big Earl’s!  There’s always a character or two hanging around there!

big earl's greasy eats in cave creek, arizona

Fifth Avenue Window Display

Set of these eyelashes!

a dead saguaro cactus arm

This is my brain after taking control of my own cosmetic changes to my blog.  So if you have seen any bizarreness…my apologies.

You see, I get bored easily and months ago I decided it was time to change my blog.  We’re starting a new year, right?  New blog!

So a little history…You see, I’m not a technical person AT ALL.  My previous web guy (yes, I had a web guy) blew me off, then I hired a couple of guys during the past two months and let’s just say…I knew as much as they did. My latest attempt? So third time is a charm, right? This gal never even responded after meeting her for a coffee and spilling my desires. And I’m a paying customer!  What’s up with you people???

So it looks like the universe is talking to me big time…….so after a few tutorials I’m taking charge.  However, please forgive me if I screw up here and there…like having all my latest posts show up in your in-box if you are a subscriber!   I’ll get better…I promise.

Where’s my sun and 70 degree days?

Sunshine in AZ

What a perfect marketing phrase for the Sanctuary, an amazing boutique resort perched on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I’d only been to the Sanctuary for a wedding once and then drinks with friends, but never for an amazing dinner by the Iron Chef America winner and Food Network star Chef Beau MacMillan.

In the first photo if you look close, you’ll see the Praying Monk in the background (the formation resembles the silhouette of a man kneeling in prayer) made of red sandstone and often used for rock climbing. So if you’re visiting, catching the light from the sunset on Camelback Mountain is exquisite and one for the memory books, just like ALL Arizona sunsets!

Ahh…nothing like the desert in the winter!

Back in the desert for the holidays! (GG5 – I took this photo just for you!)

(If you’re reading this and don’t have a clue who I’m talking about, just pick up a New York Times Sunday paper and in the Styles section – on the street – you’ll find out. Born in 1929, Bill is a fashion photographer known for his candid street photography.)

Photographer…Perfectionist…Cyclist…Loner…Maverick…Visionary…many words have described this man. But it took a walk down Fifth Avenue and an encounter with Bill to see for myself. I was literally “on the street” with Bill Cunningham and the tables had been turned!

I’d read that when most of the popular, younger street photographers of today’s generation were seeking publicity in every possible way, this veteran photojournalist preferred to be invisible. And that’s exactly the way he came across. Gracious as gracious could be as all of his fans were eager to say hello, including myself. I watched him for a while, always taking the time to shake someones hand, to say thank you, or to give a friendly nod and smile. But if you watched him closely you could tell he was appreciative, but you just got the feeling being recognized was just a little too much for him and somewhat overwhelming at times.

I followed him for a while as he made his way down a few blocks. An exciting opportunity, watching the master at work.

My first macaron experience was a number of years ago in a little shop in Paris called Laduree. Now quite honestly…it’s not really my kind of sweet. However, a friend was visiting from Sweden and she happens to be a macaron lover and adores Laduree. So to surprise her, I headed over to the Upper East Side and entered their cute little shop on Madison Avenue. What? No wait? Perhaps because I got there right at opening time, as I’d read the line forms around the block with expected wait times of 30 to 45 minutes just to enter. Very parisian, in pale green with lots of mirrors and dark wood…adorable! And yes, she was very surprised and loved them!

Check it out the next time you’re in the neighborhood!

Here’s my interpretation along Fifth Avenue!

Garish, excessive decorations?

All true, but what a Christmas tradition! My second year enjoying the explosion of lights and decorations at Rolf’s in the Gramercy area of Manhattan.

Did I mention lights? How about 80,000 of them, way more than what’s on the Rockefeller Center tree! Filled with apple-cheeked dolls and figurines nestled in the miles of garland and glittery balls…guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!

So cozy on up at the bar and share in a weihenstephaner or two or three!

Hmmm…Ok. Let’s see.

Beautiful family. Check.
Fabulous friends. Check.
Good health. Check.

What more could a girl want?!

The added bonus? A beautiful view of the Met Life Tower!

(who makes this kind of money???)

While in the neighborhood, a walk through the lobby was in order, just for old times sake. Immediately upon entering is the Park Avenue cocktail terrace with a mahogany Steinway piano on display. Not just any piano, but one that was given to the hotel as a gift from Cole Porter, a long time resident of the hotel. A beautiful piano as well with intricate hand carvings and decorative paintings.

Moving towards the main lobby the place drips with gold, beautiful dark wood, art deco chairs, and enormous chandeliers. Of course, the showpiece is the ornately carved bronze clock set on a base of mahogany and marble and topped with the Statue of Liberty.

Time stands still…the feel of pure elegance…Ahhh…the world of the privileged…

Oh my…I cringe at the thought on how much I spent on shoes during my corporate years! Now I can barely find a pair that fits due to my bunion issues (compliments of my dad) and possibly the last several years of flip flops(?) All I know is…I haven’t had a shoegasm lately. You?

Flatiron District, NYC

But I thought perhaps, just perhaps, he might not be a morning person. I’m sure I made the right decision.

Figured you wouldn’t believe me unless I took a picture of the temperature out tonight for the Twelfth Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square.

Tonight’s festival kicked off with the neighborhood tree lighting ceremony, lots of free entertainment, and food tastings from the local restaurants here in the hood of the Upper West Side! YUMMERS!

Soho window shopping

Window shopping in Soho, NYC

There’s always multiple layers of feelings when I leave Virginia. There’s layers of sadness as I hear my dad whistling during my last day which has always been an indicator to me that he’s stressing a bit…or getting that extra tight hug from my sister as I leave the house…or seeing my mom throw that last goodbye kiss as I leave the driveway…

Yet, I’m filled with gratitude that I had the opportunity for another quality week with all of them.

And on top of all of those layers of emotions, a huge layer of excitement to be back in MY city.

NYC, I’m home!

Thanks mom for making me a red velvet cake with red raspberries…it will accompany me back to NYC as it’s firmly attached to my ass. xoxo

Entering the dark media room you’re presented with a large mural projecting on the wall. Treetops of the Appalachian Trail, complete with the sounds of chirping birds.

The artist, Simone Paterson, constructed nests from Virginia creeper, grape vines and aluminum and lined them with a quilted felt. As your eyes begin to adjust, one nest contains cats, the other dogs and the largest of them all, humans. All deep in sleep with soft sounds emerging from their breathing. Every once in a while, a slight movement in the projection.

Paterson does a brilliant job of making the visitor feel a part of the scene, a sense of belonging in this environment he created. Oh, and his reason for the creation? He recently became an American citizen and says the NEST was the visualization of making Appalachia his home.

Sharing my view…

Because today… I’m heading off to the farm to visit my cotton tops! Stay tuned!

Pearl Paint, the legendary art, craft and framing store located on Canal Street is a mecca for art supplies in NYC. If you have any interest in painting, drawing, crafting, framing, decorating…you name it…this is THE place. And the icing on the cake? Friendly and extremely knowledgable staff. The best!

Oh, no photography allowed without permission?…uh-oh.

Amazing that it took me over a year to look up and discover this statue from the LDS church near Columbus Circle in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Flo has taken over 100,000 photographs and has spent over 20 years printing her own images in the darkroom. Her work has been published in Life Magazine and is in the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Museum and in the Smithsonian Museum to name a few. Now that she can no longer hold a camera, Flo directs her friends and attendants to take the images she desires.

What a pleasure it was to meet her and hear her speak at my monthly Professional Women Photographers meeting. Her wit was simply incredible and I walked away filled with inspiration!

Captured them at the Easter parade this year…and they also made an appearance at the very end of the Halloween Costume Party Skate in Central Park. Yep, couldn’t pass up the last opportunity to see my skaters! Ms. Columbia is a trip! Would love to see the closet of accessories! God I love this city!!

On the streets…of NYC…

(there’s got to be a cat involved somewhere…)

And of course…the real thing…

A few favorites during the night…

The silent movie this year – The Phantom of the Opera from 1928 – was incredible!

A must see and a night you’ll always remember!

As much as I was excited over the snow, it never occurred to me that a damp heavy snow added to leafy branches would equal major damage in the NYC parks. In Central Park alone it could mean the loss of up to 1,000 trees. The worst damage in almost 30 years…

There were so many…but I think “My Eyes Adored You…” was the best. OMG, what an outstanding broadway musical!

Some of my favorites: