Monday's Musings re "on the fence"

IMAGE CREDIT

This past Thursday, September 5th,  in NYC, public schools reopenned. I'm certainly glad those years are over for me as a student but I do hope to pick up presentation gigs at area schools. I'm certainly not on the fence about doing that!

Speaking of being on the fence, it seems the male cardinal in this series of pictures (below) while being on the fence physically was not on the fence about his disdain of having his picture taken.

I'm not on the fence about that either, I loathe being photographed.

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

As you most likely know, dear reader, cardinals are featured in my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.

Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month

May is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month and before it ends I'm following up with people that I have queried re having me on their radio or television program.

My brainstorming re a pitch is still in progress; but since we are already near the halfway mark for this month, I better just send them out. The follow-up which I’m still working on will include this:

NF is an abbreviation for no fun and it also stands for the genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis (a disorder that I have had no birth) which is certainly no fun. I have published a number of entries on my blog re my experiences of having NF.

I’ve also discussed my experiences of being bullied because of it during my presentations on birds where my focus is the implications for understanding the similarities of human behavior and the behaviors of members within the avian community. The topics I have covered in my presentation include how birds teach us about the human race in such matters (to name a few) as finding our voice, ways in which we compensate our behaviors to meet our needs, accepting our physical appearances, and how bullying impacts our lives.

Today is NTD (National Teacher's Day) Tuesday's Truths WK 125

Welcome to my one hundred and twenty-fifth segment of Tuesday's Truths which is coinciding with National Teacher's Day (NTD). This unofficial holiday always occurs on a Tuesday during Teacher Appreciation Week, which takes place in the first full week of May.

On this day, I'd like to thank the those who have given me the opportunity to give my presentation (that is based on birds included in my book series, Words In Our Beak) to their students.

THE WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

I spoke at about the topic of wild birds and bullying in our own lives and culture.

Studying the wild birds in NYC and surrounding areas has important implications for understanding the similarities of human behavior and the behaviors of members within the avian community. The topics I covered in my presentation included how birds teach us about the human race in such matters (to name a few) as finding our voice, ways in which we compensate our behaviors to meet our needs, accepting our physical appearances, and how bullying impacts our lives.

For Thursday in the 2019 Octave of Easter: "Fly Away" (An Inspiring Poem)

I went up to The Wild Bird Fund this afternoon and saw a poem about pigeons taped to a partition. It can be seen in the picture atop this entry. Supposedly the poet wrote it when she was only eight years old. Would love to meet her...

Mallards Doing the Otis Redding Thing (Tuesday's Truths WK 116)

In yesterday's post here on Blogger, all but one of the bird types included were ones I'd seen when in Central Park this past Sunday.

The birds in the photograph atop this posting (mostly Mallards) are ones I saw the Saturday prior to that when I was walking along the portion of The Greenway (on the UWS) which is parallel to the Hudson River.

Rare Disease Awareness Day 2019

It was brought to my attention (through a Facebook posting) yesterday by my acquaintance (Catherine C) that Rare Disease Day is being observed on February 28th this year.

According to a number of sources, including NORD (The National Association for Rare Disorders), "In the U.S., any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people is considered rare. This definition comes from the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 and is slightly different from the definition used in Europe. There are more than 7,000 rare diseases affecting 25-30 million Americans. In other words, one in ten Americans are suffering from rare diseases and more than half of them are children."

She advocates for this cause due to the fact daughter has a rare disease (Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome AKA Fibro-Adipose Vascular Anomaly OR Kawasaki Disease). As it happens, before I saw Catherine's posting, I had a very unpleasant experience re my rare disease (Neurofibromatosis).

Mandarin Mania Continues (Saturday's Sequel)

MY PHOTOS OF THE MANDARIN ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE VIA FAA

MY PHOTOS OF THE MANDARIN ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE VIA FAA

MY PHOTOS OF THE MANDARIN ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE VIA FAA

In one of yesterday's entries here on Blogger, I featured a few of my photographs of the "famous" Mandarin duck who has been spending a lot of time by himself in Central Park (CP) since October of 2018. Because it was Single Awareness Day, I spoke about this duck's "willingness" to not have a mate/partner/significant other. After publishing that post, I was able to take a walk in CP.

Much to my joy, I came upon the Mandarin again (he was in The Pond near 59th/60th) and I was able to take more photos of him that highlight his other physical attributes. A few of my images are featured atop this entry.

Saturday's Sentiment Birds Watching

As you can see, The Mutts comic strip seen directly above, is created by Patrick McDonnell, whose strips have been discussed in many of my blog posts.

In fact, I've referenced this particular one in prior entries and it came to my mind again today as I was culling  photos that I've taken in bygone years in order to prepare for a new opportunity.

The End of the First Week in 2019

Since this evening marks the end of the first week in this new year of 2019, I'd like to tell you that someone from the FB Chat Team re fundraising has made me aware (this afternoon) of how I could post an update to my personal fundraiser.

Monday's Musings: Remembering 2018

IMAGE CREDIT

Earlier today I published an entry here on Blogger which discusses that it now The Seventh day of Christmas.

Since it is also the last day of 2018, here's an entry looking back over the year that is ending and looking forward to a new one beginning. As you can see from the cartoon (by Charles Schultz), atop this entry, Linus is doing the same thing.

Soon (and very soon) it will be Christmas Day! Tuesday's Truths WK 106

The truth for this Tuesday is that in one week's time, it will be Christmas; and as I look at the photo atop this entry of me from many bygone years, I wonder, what did I ask Santa for?

This year has been a rough one health-wise and I am in deep trouble but am trying to remain positive, and I probably should ask Santa for some help.

Mark your calendars for the Monday after Thanksgiving; It's one week from Today!

An event that I've been writing about here on Blogger and in other cyber venues is one week from today, which is the Monday after Thanksgiving. This is just a reminder during this time of hustle and bustle, to please mark your calendars and share the info with those near and dear to you: 

I will be the guest speaker at NYSEC's (New York's Society for Ethical Culture) Speaking of Science series on Monday, 11-26-2018. The details on the "photocopy" of the flyer posted directly above may be a bit hard to read, so I'm taking the liberty of copying and pasting the content below:

Studying the wild birds in NYC and surrounding areas has important implications for understanding the similarities of human behavior and the behaviors of members within the avian community. The topics I will cover in my presentation include how birds teach us about the human race in such matters (to name a few) as finding our voice, ways in which we compensate our behaviors to meet our needs, accepting our physical appearances, and how bullying impacts our lives.

Patricia Youngquist is the author of the three volume “Words In Our Beak” book series, published by Ingram Spark, in which stories are told from the bird’s-eye perspective of Cam, a female cardinal that regularly visited her rooftop garden located near NYSEC and is illustrated with her own photographs. Prior to publishing this series, Youngquist published an article on Google Mapping for Contribute Magazine as well as over a thousand posts on her blog (thelastleafgardener.com). It has been listed (by feed_spot) in the top one hundred urban blogs. Her earlier impressionist and kaleidoscopic photography has been exhibited in NYC which led to radio interviews with John Montone’s New York for 1010 WINS and The AL Lewis Show with Karen Lewis for WBAI. All of her work, including these radio interviews, can be found on her website, patriciayoungquist.com

Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Location: Adler Study, Room 514

Admission: Members $5, Guests $10

Also please note, copies of all the books in my Words In Our Beak series will be available for purchase after the event ...

THE WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

... and if you'd like I can autograph any copy.

My talk/presentation at NYSEC is in 2 WKs! Theo plans to attend!

Yesterday I was invited to attend an informal event for a man named Theo who lives in my hood, he can be seen in the image atop this entry where he is being interviewed for a documentary film being made about him.

Ducks in a row and not in a row...

The "Ducks in a row..." seen in the picture atop this entry, where they are swimming in the pond  in Central Park, include a Wood duck, a Mandarin duck, and a Mallard duck (respectively).

And the set of images directly below feature other duck types, a Khaki Campbell (swimming in the Hudson River), a Bufflehead, (swimming in the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir), and a Muscovy, who is also swimming in the Hudson (respectively).

THIS MUSVOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

The latter of these, a Muscovy, is featured in volume three of my Words In Our Beak book series...

Has the Mandarin has gotten out of Dodge?

I saw this You Tube video in my newsfeed and wanted to share it with you, dear reader, especially since I've blogged about the unusual avian visitor featured in this clip.

I'm very thankful that I got to see the now famous Mandarin duck while he was visiting Central Park, especially since it appears he is gone. If you'd like to read about my experiences seeing this duck pls chk out my blog posts where you will also find a number of photographs of this amazing bird.

Now in his likely permanent absence, I'm trying to heed the wisdom in a quote of Dr. Seuss, “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

ADDENDUM: Nearly a little over eight hours after publishing this entry, I'm happy to report that the video included here may have been unintentionally broadcasting fake news — or premature news — for I received a notification that the Mandarin duck has once again been seen spending time in Central Park!

"We are all just passin' through..." (Wednesday's Wisdom)

The image atop this entry is a screenshot of a tweet from Manhattan Bird Alert. Accompanying the image of this Mandarin duck, (who has been making headlines as I've discussed here on Blogger) their text states: Where is our MANDARIN DUCK? He was not reported yesterday, and we checked the likely spots late day. If you see him, let us know! He likely still is in Central Park, but he has been known to fly to the Hudson River 79th-Street Boat Basin.

Hope that Manhattan Bird Alert is correct! I not only hope the creature is doing well; I would more than welcome a chance to see this beauty again either in Central Park or at the 79th-Street Boat Basin on the Hudson River.

Like the author of the tweet, I've also heard (through very reliable sources who do not report fake news) that this Mandarin did spent time near the Boat Basin and I was also told he got along very well with Jewel, the Muscovy duck (seen in the picture below) who lives there year round.

THIS MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

Jewel, as some of you may know, is featured in volume three of my book series, Words In Our Beak, and that I have announced that I will be discussing her impact on my life when I give my talk at NYSEC (New York Society for Ethical Culture) on November 26, 2018.

My event at NYSEC is 3 Wks from today! (Monday's Memo)

THIS MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

You've surely heard of humans "swimming with dolphins...," dear reader! But I'm wondering if have you heard that there is a Muscovy duck who swims with Khaki Campbells?

This is evidenced by the pictures within this blog post featuring Jewel, a Muscovy who is spending her time swimming with the Campbells in the NYC's Hudson River, which she has been doing for many years!

THIS MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

THIS MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

THIS MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURED IN VOL 3

This Muscovy has taught me a thing or two about myself which is part of what I will be discussing at my lecture for November 2018's Speaking of Science series at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) that is scheduled for three weeks from today (11-26-2018).

Friday Follow-Up (to last week's post)

Last Friday, here on Blogger, I announced that I would be making a presentation re birds in NYC at The International Academy of New York on this day. And now I've done it!

News Re: International Academy of NY

I don't want this Friday to pass without announcing that NEXT Friday, October 26, 2018, I will be making a presentation (re some birds who spend time in NYC and what we can learn from their behavior) to some students who attend The International Academy of New York (the school featured in the video atop this entry).

I'm most grateful for this assignment and hope it is as successful as my presentation was at Iona Prepatory School (which I made this past June).

The Official NYSEC's Event Announcement! (Throwback Thursday)

One month ago (September 18 2018) I announced here on Blogger that I would be making a presentation at The New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) re certain birds who spend time in NYC and I just realized (this morning) that my event is posted on their web-site!

A copy of their site's announcement can be seen below:

Speaking of Science - Patricia Youngquist: Words in Our Beak

Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 -
6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Adler Study, Room 514
Admission: Members $5, Guests $10
Studying the wild birds in NYC and surrounding areas has important implications for understanding the similarities of human behavior and the behaviors of members within the avian community. The topics I will cover in my presentation include how birds teach us about the human race in such matters (to name a few) as finding our voice, ways in which we compensate our behaviors to meet our needs, accepting our physical appearances, and how bullying impacts our lives.

Patricia Youngquist is the author of the three volume “Words In Our Beak” book series, published by Ingram Spark, in which stories are told from the bird’s-eye perspective of Cam, a female cardinal that regularly visited her rooftop garden located near NYSEC and is illustrated with her own photographs. Prior to publishing this series, Youngquist published an article on Google Mapping for Contribute Magazine as well as over a thousand posts on her blog (thelastleafgardener.com). It has been listed (by feed_spot) in the top one hundred urban blogs. Her earlier impressionist and kaleidoscopic photography has been exhibited in NYC which led to radio interviews with John Montone’s New York for 1010 WINS and The AL Lewis Show with Karen Lewis for WBAI. All of her work, including these radio interviews, can be found on her website, patriciayoungquist.com

I am truly honored to have this opportunity and I thank Maggie Determann (Membership Coordinator) and Jesús Torres Vazquez for their efforts in making it happen.

Also many thanks also to John Gasdaska for rehearsing my presentation with me over the past several weeks! Now, I'm hoping it is a success!