Friday Follow-up to Yesterday's Blog Post

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURE IN V 3

I'm following up on yesterday's blog post, where I discussed my reacquainting with Jewel, the Muscovy duck featured in volume three of my book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

Upon seeing the content of my Muscovy duck entry (which was posted on Facebook on 7-8-2020), bird rehabber, Amanda Remsberg, commented saying, "That’s amazing. Her kind originate from Central America, I’m not sure how she has adapted to the winters there. I’m glad she is thriving!"

As some of you might recall, I wrote about how "supposedly one of the workers at this [Boat Bain] office puts out a bowl of fresh water for Jewel on a regular basis" (in a 2017 entry here on Blogger) after I first encountered Jewel.

I'm not sure if the man seen in the picture atop this person is the one who does this (puts out fresh water) and I suspect others (including residents of the houseboats) do as it well, for Jewel was flapping her wing (while on a pier near to several house boats) as if she were trying to get someone's attention...

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURE IN V 3

... when I saw her the other day.

1st Sunday in May in Bygone Years & Now

Under "normal" circumstances, The TD Five Boro Bike Tour would be occurring today, as it always takes place on the first Sunday in May.

I participated in it as a stoker on a tandem bike for a number of years, including 2011, when Max was my captain. In the photo directly above, we are on the 59th Street ("Feelin' Groovy") Bridge and as you can see, there would be little social distancing at such an event.

This past March, Bike New York stated, "we regretfully announced that the TD Five Boro Bike Tour would not be held as originally planned on May, 3, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While New York City officials marshal every available resource to slow the spread of the virus and save lives, we continue to discuss alternative dates for later in the year. We’ll keep you apprised as these discussions progress.

Be assured, the health and well-being of everyone participating in and supporting the 43rd Annual Tour is our top priority. And we’re grateful for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented global health crisis. We’ll communicate promptly once more information is available and conversations with our partners in City government have concluded.

Until then, please take care of yourselves, stay healthy, and be safe. We’re in this together."

I am grateful to have been able to participate in it for a number of years and I'm sorry for those who had probably looked forward to being a part of it this year (it was not in my plan) but there will be other opportunities if everyone does the right thing now; so please keep safe and remain hopeful for better times.

On another note, The 59th Street Bridge, is also known as The Queensboro Bridge and The Ed Koch Bridge. It became known as The Feelin' Groovy Bridge due to a song of the same name by Simon and Garfunkel.

Events like the Five Boro Bike Tour and outdoor concerts in Central Park are all on hold for now as NYC looks at how to reopen after the pandemic.

Thursday's Tandem Tales For 2018: Ride Two

This past Tuesday in honor of the beginning of the month of May for 2018, I posted an entry here on Blogger, reminding readers that this month is Gifts from the Garden Month. 

However the month of May is associated with many holidays and observations, not just gardening, and one of the things recognized in May is that it is National Bike Month. 

On evening of the first of May, but not necessarily in honor of this fact, my bike captain and I took our second tandem ride for 2018. The temperatures were much warmer than when we took our first ride for the year of 2018 (which I wrote about in a prior entry here on Blogger).

In any event, this past Tuesday, we did one of our "standard" rides which is cycling up the westside greenway (it  runs parallel to the Hudson River) to the lighthouse AKA The Little Red Lighthouse).

A partial view of it (with a partial view of The George Washington Bridge) can be seen in the photo atop this entry. I have published many entries here on Blogger that feature a more complete view of these structures and if you'd like to see these particular posts, please click here as well as here.

Usually when we cycle to The Little Red Lighthouse, we have a picnic on the grounds and enjoy the sunset. However, it was rather crowded with boisterous people and there wasn't an available picnic table.

Aside from the loud conditions that were occurring at our usual picnic spot, ZW (my captain) made the smart executive decision to have our picnic in an area known as Hudson River Park.

Thursday's Tandem Tales For 2018: Ride 1

Fake news (IT'S SPRING!) seems to be posted on a chalkboard outside a bike shop near the West Village, for we are not having spring-like conditions here in NYC!

As I write this post it's thirty-six degrees and windy with a rainfall on the way!

I've often said, "April Showers take AWAY May flowers," and I am now wary of the fate of my tulips, which I wrote about in this past Tuesday's blog post.

In any event, I came across this chalkboard message when I stopped by a bike shop to pick up a replacement CamelBak that was given to me. I have to use a CamelBak to keep me hydrated when I cycle, and last night was the first time that my captain and I have cycled since September 20th, 2017!

Our ride was very chilly and I had not checked the status of my camera so I didn't realize the battery was too low for picture taking.

Therefore, I couldn't document it pictorially, but baby, it was COLD outside (and I'm saying this after having done rides in January and December, but I was dressed for those, I certainly got it wrong in dressing for last night's ride)!

Sunday's Sentiments for 11-12-2017

It's a few minutes after midnight Eastern Standard Time and I am just now composing my entry for Sunday, November the 12th 2017, as it is my first opportunity to write a blog post for that day.

Throwback Thursday: 9-20-2017's Tandem Tale (The Seventh Ride of the 2017 Season)

The three photographs which are atop this entry feature various views (from my vantage point of being in the backseat of an automobile that was heading north up the FDR) of what was once known as The Queensboro Bridge. This bridge connects the neighborhood of Long Island City in the borough of Queens with Manhattan. Sometimes it is called The 59th Street Bridge because its Manhattan end is located between 59th and 60th Streets.

September evening still can make me feel this way! (Sixth Cycling Trip for 2017)

It is very rare that I let anyone take my picture, let alone pose for one. But this past Thursday, when I was at my foot doctor's (Dr Q) office, I asked his admin person to take a photo (which can be seen atop this entry) of me wearing my boot cast, as it's my fifth week of having to do this. 

This Particular Friday's "FANTASTICK" Fact: "Deep in December it's nice to remember The fire of September that made you mellow."

Before the official onset of summer 2017, which was Wednesday, June 21, 2017, I told myself that I would make sure that I went to the beach once a week. There are many beaches near Manhattan and all of them are normally accessible by public transportation.

However, this summer getting to any beach via public transportation was impossible due to major construction on all railroad and subway stations. I wrote about the scenario in a previous post here on Blogger which you may refer to by clicking here.

I had also hoped to work around that transportation problem by tandem cycling to The Rockaways (a beach off the Atlantic Ocean) in the borough of Queens, but our plans were cancelled due to heavy rain.

And now September is here and I have not been to the beach. This fact brings the Dr. Seuss quote seen in the image atop this entry to my mind.

I do realize that one can still go to the beach in the fall. In fact, in bygone years, I cycled with my captain to the beach at Coney Island (in Brooklyn) during the month of October.

Wednesday's Wisdom: Bring the Beach Home!

The bathing beauties pictured atop this entry posed for a photo shoot by sitting atop a bird bath in my urban garden.

All of them came to me through the generosity of my dearly departed friend, Donna De Solis, who loved spending time sitting outside at my place. Therefore, in her honor, we did our photo shoot outdoors.

Normally these bathing beauties stay inside my apartment and spend their time within the confines of my indoor succulent garden (two of them can be seen doing this during bygone years in the next set of images).

These bathing beauties are working on their tan before the arrival of a feisty group of beach loving visitors who are coming to NYC from Skippack (Pennsylvania).

Their trip has been made possible by Art and his wife Jane (who took the following picture of our anticipated guests).

These "cast of characters" look like a delightful, fun loving, bunch of "beach bums" and will be most welcomed by me for I am truly missing the beach!

Honoring National Lighthouse Day 2017

Today, August the seventh, is the first Monday in 2017's month of August, and it happens to coincide with National Lighthouse Day. Therefore, in honor this unique holiday, I'm offering some thoughts.

According to Wiki, "on this day in 1789, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation allowing the federal government control over the creation and maintenance of lighthouses.  This special holiday evolved out of this event, and in recent years, through efforts to preserve lighthouses as a important historical symbol in America."

Wiki goes on to proclaim that "National Lighthouse Day honors and commemorates a beacon of light that symbolizes safety and security for boats at sea."

And they explain that "throughout maritime history, Lighthouses have shined their powerful, sweeping lights through the fog and storms, allowing ships of all kinds to find their way back to port during inclement weather. With the advent of radar and GPS technology, lighthouses have taken a back seat in guiding ships to port. However, they remain the universal symbol of safe harbor to ships and communities that rely upon the sea for their livelihood."

In bygone years on Blogger, I've written about this holiday, and I've also discussed a few of the lighthouses which I've been able to visit; including The Little Red Lighthouse seen in the image atop this entry. This lighthouse is located on the Hudson River in NYC. I've been to it on many occasions when I've participated in tandem cycling. And the last time that I cycled to it (which was this past July for my fifth ride of the season), I noticed that the light was on, which is something that I don't recall ever seeing at this particular lighthouse.

My only memory of seeing a beacon of light coming from a lighthouse is the one I've seen coming from The Fire Island Lighthouse in the town of Kismet on Fire Island. The following pictures show this particular lighthouse (with its light on) from two vantage points.

These images might look familiar to you, dear reader, as I've included them in my cyber venues when discussing The Fire Island Lighthouse.

But today, what I'm being reminded of (in relation to both The Little Red Lighthouse and The Fire Island Lighthouse having their beacons shine), are Motel Six commercials with Tom Bodett promising that. "We'll leave the light on for you."

Another thing I'm thinking of re lighthouses and their shining beacons is an Anne Lamont quotation: “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”

There you have it dear reader, some info and asides on lighthouses, should you find yourself in a situation where National Lighthouse Day is being discussed.

Thursday's Tandem-Cycling Tale: A NYC Sunset (Ride 4 for 2017)

The last time I tandem cycled with my captain, ZW, was this past Thursday evening, June 8th. We rode up the greenway from an entrance in the West Village area, to The Little Red Lighthouse and surrounding picnic area. We usually do longer rides, but the air quality was very poor that evening, so we kept it short.

In any event, one of he sightings from our picnic spot was a lone kayaker, making her way south down the Hudson River. She is featured in the images atop this entry.

Because the distance to and from The Little Red Lighthouse, when starting out from the West Village, is a rather short ride for us (see map by clicking here), we finished early enough to park the tandem,

and watch the sunset from the vantage point near to where we began that evening's ride. The following is a set of images of what we saw while the sunset on June 8th, 2017.

Looking southwest (a view that includes The Freedom Tower):

Looking southeast (a view that includes a lone boat on the river and some Jersey buildings):

Looking north (a view that includes a docked-until-an-alarn-rings  FDNY "boat-style fire engine):

Looking west: (a view that included a helicopter making numerous circles and loops around a specific area in New Jersey):

Another view looking west (The Erie Lackawanna Terminal Clock Tower in New Jersey):

And yet another westward view:

And, just incase you in doubt that we were looking westward, a prominent glaring W, acts as a compass:

That's it, dear reader, re my coverage of tandem tales for ride four. Stay tuned.

Thursday's Tandem-Cycling Tale: Inwood Park

The photograph atop this entry features Trudy Hutter, an avid (understatement) cyclist, who is also a coordinator for The Weekday Cyclists in NYC. They meet on Tuesdays to ride in Central Park and on Thursdays, they ride to different locations in NYC and its surrounding areas.

I am not a member of this group, because, due to my visual challenges I am not able to ride a bicycle; unless it is as a stoker on a tandem. Therefore, I'm grateful to say that I have been able to participate in tandem cycling, ever since the opportunity was presented (2009) to persons with vision loss. At that time ZW was assigned to be my captain, and we've been cycling ever since.

It is through ZW that I met Trudy, and she she has joined us on her single bike on occasion, including when we've ridden to Piermont, a popular cycling destination for New Yorkers. The town is north of the hamlet of Palisades, east of Sparkill, and south of Grand View-on-Hudson, on the west bank of the Hudson River.

Honoring the Onset of Fleet Week (Wednesday's Wisdom)

The image atop this entry is from a tweet that I noticed in my Twitter feed. As you can see it pays homage to the fact that Fleet Week kicks off in NYC today, Wednesday May 24th, 2017.

According to a web-page (silive) "the Parade of Ships moving up the Narrows and into New York Harbor beginning at about 8:15 (in the morning.)"

A Wiki page explains that "The Narrows is the tidal strait separating the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City. It connects the Upper New York Bay and Lower New York Bay and forms the principal channel by which the Hudson River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been considered to be the maritime "gateway" to New York City and historically has been one of the most important entrances into the harbors of the Port of New York and New Jersey." 

The aforementioned Wiki page also proclaims "in 1964 the Narrows was spanned by the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, and still the longest suspension bridge in the United States (by length of the main span). "

I have been across The Verrazano–Narrows Bridge as a passenger in a car. However, in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, I crossed it as a tandem cyclist.

The occasion for all of those cycling experiences is due to my participation in an annual event known as The Five Boro Bike Tour (TFBBT). During the last year of my participating in the tour, I took the following picture of The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

You may recognize this image (which was taken on the Staten Island side of the bridge), dear reader, as I included in in a prior entry here on Blogger. I have another photo of the bridge (which was taken by an unknown cyclist at a rest-stop in 2011's TFBBT).

Thursday's Testimony: Ghost Bikes are a part of National Bike month.

The month of May is full of a number of observations, including raising awareness regarding the medical condition known as Neurofibromatosis (NF) which I discussed in yesterday's blog post, as the day of May 17th is World NF Awareness Day.

May is also known as National Bike Month, which I mentioned in an entry that I published in the beginning of the month, prior to my first opportunity to tandem cycle since my accident (not related to cycling) in 2016. And according to The League Of American Cyclists, the third week of May, which we are currently in, is designated as bike to work week. Biking to work is not an option for me because I don't have a bicycle and I work from home. Moreover, I only have vision in one eye, hence my cycling is limited to being a stoker on a tandem bike. I'm thrilled that I get to do this and grateful to have a competent captain (ZW). ZW is the one who pointed out the bike featured in the image atop this entry. She noticed it as we were cycling north on the portion of the greenway which runs along the Hudson River.

Finding a Place for WIOB-Volume One

As I mentioned earlier this morning, here on Blogger, today would be my dad's 82nd birthday, (had he not died at age 69 in 1995). He is very much on my mind on this rainy Saturday. The picture atop this entry is one O have featured in other posts on this blog. It is an image of a birthday card my father sent me after I had moved into the apartment (1992) where I am currently living. Finding a place to live in NYC had been a real struggle for me, and the drawing on the card of finding a space is  quite meaningful. The card has been put into a picture frame and hangs in a prominent spot in my home.

And now, I'm in need of another type of space; a place that will agree to sell, Words In Our Beak Volume One, (WIOBV-1) the book I wrote with Cam.

This past Thursday, in a post here on Blogger, I discussed the fact that by chance, while I was tandem cycling in Brooklyn, I came upon Unameable Books.

I now have the guidelines as to how to query them re their being willing to place (WIOBV-1) in their store.

Moreover, as of last evening, I found another book store on The Upper Eastside of NYC, who may consider placing my book in their shop. The place is called The Corner Bookstore.

Thursday's Testimony: Completed Ride Two (Since Being Back in the Saddle)

As I mentioned last week in an entry here on Blogger, the month of May, is National Bike Month. I also discussed the fact that on Tuesday, May 2nd, I went tandem cycling with my captain, ZW, for the first time since I had an accident (not related to bike riding) in May of 2016. And I spoke about the aforementioned bike ride, recalling that ZW and I cycled up the portion of the greenway which runs parallel to the Hudson River and made our way to The Little Red Lighthouse. 

Last evening and into the night, I returned to the saddle for the second time since my accident; and instead of heading north on the greenway, which had become our routine, we cycled through the West Village heading towards the East Village; and then cycled through Soho; as well as the Lower Eastside, before cycling up the ramp of The Manhattan Bridge; in order to head to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. 

It is a route we've done on a number of occasions, including times when we met up with a group of cyclists to cycle through The Lights (Christmas) in the Heights during the cold winter months. We have also taken this route to witness a ceremony of Mayor Bloomberg lighting the menorah; and we've done the course with reasons in mind that were the same as our motivation for last night: to enjoy cycling a loop in Prospect Park, while being serenaded by an array of birds.

After we completed our Tour de Prospect Park last night, ZW parked her tandem, against a lamp post (as seen in the photo atop this entry); and we enjoyed a picnic of May Day Pesto atop a baguette, while a statue stood behind us who seemed to be interested in the tangerines we were having with our meal. 

The statue I am referring to is statue erected in the likeness of James S. T. Stranahan, and it can be seen in the following picture.

FLASH BACK FRIDAY Cinco de Mayo in 2013

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Re this holiday, USA Today states "For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a day for enjoying Mexican food, culture — and maybe some margaritas. Its historical origin is quite different: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's independence day, which is Sept. 16."

In 2013, the holiday coincided with The Five Boro Bike Tour (TFBBT), which I participated in for the fourth time! The image atop this entry features me with my bike captain, ZW, and another cyclist as we posed at the start-line before the event took place. As you can see, scores (thousands) of cyclists are behind us, many of them wore sombreros over their helmet in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

And, a number of participants, including yours truly, wore a "solidarity" badge, as a way of paying homage to those who were severely injured and/or lost their lives during the bombing at The Boston Marathon,

This tragic event had occurred a few weeks prior to the time of the 2013 of the TFBBT. Therefore, security was especially tight! But all that were involved, made an effort to enjoy the opportunity to participate in this awesome event; topping it off a margarita to toast Cinco de Mayo!

This coming Sunday, another TFBBT, will take place but I won't participate this year. However I will always be grateful for all the times I was able to do so! AND, meanwhile, Happy Cinco de Mayo to you and yours, dear reader!

Wednesday's Wisdom: Back in the Saddle (After all, May is National Bike Month)

Last evening I went tandem cycling with my captain, ZW, for the first time since I had an accident (not related to bike riding) in May of 2016. (Incidentally, the photograph atop this entry is of an unknown cyclist who rode in front of me as I was trying to take a picture of last night's sunset!)

In any event, prior to the last time that ZW and I cycled (4-14-2016), she and I had been cycling on a frequent basis since 2009! Much of this has been chronicled in posts on my social media venues. ZW and I have participated in large cycling events that covered between fifty and seventy-five miles; including The Five Boro Bike Tour (five times), The Tour de Bronx (twice), and Twin Lights Ride (once).

Additionally we have participated in smaller group rides in the winter time, including one which took us to The Lights in the Heights (twice). Moreover, we have had persons join us when we cycled to Piermont as well as to the State Park off River Road. And, on our own we have cycled many miles around and outside the city, including a trip to the beach at Coney Island. However, our usual route is to cycle up the greenway (along the Hudson River)

to The Little Red Lighthouse which is in close proximity to The GW (George Washington Bridge).

And our usual route was what we did last evening. I am very grateful that I was able to endure the ride (with energy to spare) after not having cycled for over one year; and near to the time of the anniversary of my accident. What a great way to ring in the month of May, which happens to be National Cycling Month!

Tuesday's Truths WK 39: RETURNING TO TANDEM-CYCLING

Welcome to week forty-second of my Tuesday's Truths series with a post dedicated to my anticipated return to tandem cycling. One of these types of bikes can be seen in the image atop this blog entry.

This photograph was taken (in bygone years) by yours truly, just before I was about to have an evening picnic, very near The Little Red Lighthouse, which I had cycled to with my bike captain, ZW, owner of the tandem, which she stores on her ceiling!

In any event, ZW and I had ridden to The Little Red Lighthouse via the portion of the greenway which runs parallel to the Hudson River in NYC. And, now, I am dedicating a post to cycling because the month of May is National Bike Month. Moreover, weather permitting, I plan to be doing my first tandem cycling since my accident in May of 2016!

Even though the accident I had was nearly one year ago, and was not cycling related, a result of my injuries (and the time needed to recuperate from them), means that I have not cycled since that event occurred.

Therefore, I am more than a little apprehensive to cycle, for my accident has made me aware of my vulnerability. However, because the last time I cycled was April 14, 2016, it's high time I return to my routine of tandem cycling on a frequent basis. I'll leave it here for now, dear reader, and I hope to report good experiences in upcoming posts.

Tuesday's Truths WK 28: GOOSEBUMPS (What's a goose got to do with 'em?)

I've seen members of the Canadian Geese (such as the guy/gal picture top this entry) family, when tandem cycling on the portion of the green way that runs parallel to The Hudson River in NYC.

And I've also seen them in Riverside Park as well as Central Park, which is where the image posted above, as well as those posted below were taken.

The last time I saw a goose hanging out in NYC, I let my mind wander and found myself wondering how the term goosebumps came into being.

According to Wiki, "the phrase 'goose bump,' derives from the phenomenon's association with goose skin. Goose feathers grow from stores in the epidermis which resemble human hair follicles. When a goose's feathers are plucked, its skin has protrusions where the feathers were, and these bumps are what the human phenomenon resembles."

And now, I know, and so do you, dear reader, just how this bird type became associated with the term, goose bumps. If you would know more, I recommend that you check out the aforementioned Wiki link.