Search This Blog

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

at my JACK-O-LANTERN'S request . . .

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11


Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11


Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

My Jack-O-Lantern's stint in my rooftop garden ended early this season as he had to be brought inside due to my preparing my rooftop garden for a hurricane who became known as Super Storm Sandy. 

Moreover, there was no room for him at the inn (my indoor succulent garden), so he was forced into an early hiatus; but he promised to return next year, if I shared a few more photo-ops of the pleasure he derived from watching my visiting mourning doves and house finches. I told him that I was not sure who'd see this entry as I normally do not post on Wednesday, but he insisted!

Moreover, this sweet Jack-O-Lantern is aware of the sorrow brought on by the wrath of Hurricane Sandy, and he said if he had to leave early, he wanted to make sure to leave you something to make you smile! He assumes you will derive pleasure from seeing the mourning doves' and house finches' experiences with a feeder. In the finches' case (the little red guy), settled for the scraps that fell to the table whilst the mourning doves worked their beaks off! 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

"If it's Tuesday, it must be tumblr . . . " Week No. 36 (But First The Birds Survive Hurricane Sandy)


Today, October the Thirtieth, or rather the eve of today, is what is known as Corn Night or Mischief Night, and according to Holiday Insights, “Mischief Night appears to have roots in England back to the nineteenth century.” It occurs the night before Halloween and typical acts on this day include, “soaping windows, egging houses [as well as] cars, tossing a few rotten tomatoes, toilet papering house trees et ceteras, (and) knocking on doors, then running away.

I never really understood honoring mischief, but even if I did, New York City, where I live, has already endured enough “mischief” through the perils of Hurricane Sandy, which slammed us (and our surrounding areas) yesterday, which is why I did not post here on Blogger, which is normally what I do on Mondays.

Sandy wreaked havoc, which has resulted in (among other catastrophes) power outages, including damage to a back-up generator at a prestigious New York City hospital, causing them to have to relocate all their patients by ambulance to other hospitals!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Central Park, TLLG, and Her Feathered "Friends" Honor Pumpkins!

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11
Lunch Break
Yesterday, October 26th, was National Pumpkin Day, as I discussed in an entry here on TLLG's Blogger; but in terms of New York City (where I live and have my garden), today, October 27th, is the day to enjoy pumpkins. And the "powers that be" in Central Park are honoring the day with a special event, which I've tried COUNTLESS times to "announce" in an entry on tumblr as today, is Saturday, which is not part of my schedule here on Blogger! However, tumblr seems to be having technical difficulty; hence this non-scheduled post which I hope you enjoy! 

Central Park is close to where I live, and whenever there is an event taking place there, the flowers, grasses, herbs, plants, succulents, shrubs, trees and vines as well as the bees, butterflies and birds that visit us, get very excited and want to do something special here to show our appreciation for living so close to the park.

So in light of this, a few of my visiting birds (the mourning doves and finches) agreed to "pose" for photo-ops with one of  Jack-O-Lanterns who is in town for Halloween. (The other Jack-O-Lanterns which visit here can be seen in images rendered into Halloween cards.
Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11
It's MY Party and I'll LAUGH if I want to! 
Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11
Mourning Doves AGREE:
Jack-O-Lantern "COULDA" Flossed With Their Beaks!
Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11
PRIVATE JOKE 
FALL 2018 ADDENDUM: 

I no longer actively produce event program covers, invitations and the types of greeting cards described here or on my website but arrangements might be able to be made under certain circumstances. My focus is on the Words In Our Beak book series, pictured below...

WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

...whose stories are told from the point of view of Cam, a female cardinal, whose photo is on the cover of each book. Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in my rooftop garden in NYC Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The books include hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.

Please click here to go to my blog post that provides details as to where you can get these books.

Additionally, I have rendered some images from these books into other formats and they are available via Fine Art America (FAA). Some of my other photographs (Black & White CollectionKaleidoscopic Images and the famous Mandarin duck who visited NYC) can also be found on my FAA pages.

SUMMER 2020 ADDENDUM: 
                             
"Never say never," the saying goes, and I suppose that applies to saying, "I no longer....," which I did in my 2018 addendum and now I'm here to announce at the advice of Chris Deatherage, my book series formatter, who is also my web-master (for patriciayoungquist.com) I soon will have some versions of the greeting cards that are referenced in this blog post available via FAA.

Friday, October 26, 2012

In Honor of National Pumpkin Day . . .

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

In honor of National Pumpkin Day, which is today in the United States, I wanted to post some photo-ops of my visiting birds interacting with various types of pumpkins which I have in my garden.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

"If it's Tuesday, it must be tumblr . . . " Week No. 35 (But First A Follow-Up)

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

The schedule I announced this past May for my entries to be published here on Blogger continues to be disrupted! As "they" say, "if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans . . . "  


And, if you follow me on TLLG's Blogger Pages, you will notice that this past week my post was on Saturday instead of my usual days, and the week prior was the same! I apologize for any inconvenience, and I will try with this post to get back on track with my regularly scheduled programing here on Blogger; however, my schedules on TLLG's Facebook Page, Pinterest Boards, and tumblr posts, have NOT been disrupted. Yay!

Speaking of tumblr, I am aware that since today is Tuesday, it must be tumblr, but before I send you there, I'd like to follow up on a few stories I've posted here on Blogger, in the event you have been unable to visit TLLG on my aforementioned venues.


Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

First of all, the cause of Wink's eyesight problem remains a mystery, and I continue with my fervent efforts to reach organizations that are supposedly knowledgeable about the well being of our feathered friends, but so far I've gotten very little information. For a moment, I thought one of the mourning doves, who, like Wink, visits my garden to nosh, was concerned about its comrade, as you might also surmise from the image above today's entry. But perhaps I  am projecting my sensitivity towards eye related issues due to my battle with my legal blindness as well as my concern for Wink's well being, onto the mourning dove, for it seems it was merely pausing for a moment before making itself at home with Wink at the "noshing table" as seen in the image below, an image where you can notice Wink's eye injury. (Once again, dear reader, if you are familiar with anyone or any organization that might be able to provide an answer re Wink's situation, please let me know in the comments field below today's entry!)

My other "follow-up," dear reader is to tell you that the deadline for my Campaign on indiegogo has come and gone with little success, and I'm back at the drawing board working on plans B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, ANd Z! Please stay tuned.

And with these updates — before I send you to tumblr —  I am hoping you will recall that, in addition to my urban (terrace AKA roof extension garden), I grow an array of succulents in an indoor garden, and that garden is frequented by seasonal visitors, a few of whom (pictured below) have dropped by for Halloween to join in the festivities!


Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Patricia Youngquist uses words and images to tell stories about her passions. Based in New York, she currently is authoring a series of nature books on birds of the city. Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

AND NOW WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, THE LINK TO tumblr IS HERE!


ADDENDUM: 

I no longer actively produce event program covers, invitations and the types of greeting cards described on my website but arrangements might be able to be made under certain circumstances.

My focus is on the Words In Our Beak book series (pictured below)whose stories are told from the point of view of Cam, a female cardinal.  

As of May 22 2018, I have rendered some images from these books into greeting cards and they are available on Fine Art America, please click here for more info.

Re my book seriesWords In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in my rooftop urban garden in New York City. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The books include hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.

At this moment, May 2018, both volumes one and two are in hardcover format (as seen below) and are available wherever  books are sold.


*Here's the  purchase info for the Words In Our Beak book series:

Volume One: ISBN: 9780996378529:
Book Seller Info: http://bit.ly/2AFZDCz
Barnes & Noble On-Line: http://bit.ly/2AAnB26
book culture On Columbus: http://bit.ly/2FsC1Uf

Volume Two: ISBN: 9780996378536
Book Seller Info: http://bit.ly/2q75g8e
Barnes & Noble On-Line: http://bit.ly/2G65m6H


Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Meet Wink: The Tenacious Finch!



I am in a bit of a funk over something that may be occurring re the health and well being of one of the birds which visits my garden, and, therefore, in my (unsuccessful) attempts to clarify what is going on with her, I was unable to post here on blogger yesterday as is my norm on Fridays!

The bird which I am concerned about is one of my house finches, who, as you can surmise from the images posted above, seems to be having an "issue" with her right eye!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

"If it's Tuesday, it must be tumblr . . . " Week No. 34 (To Enter OR Not to Enter That IS the Question)

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11


Last Wednesday, I attended an art show of someone who had been one of my teachers when I took classes at Apple's Upper Westside Store. She suggested that I submit certain images that I've taken (re the flowers in my garden) to a photographic competition honoring Georgia O'Keeffe, the prolific painter of flowers.

Although I have many images of flowers on my Pinterest Boards, I have also featured flower photo-ops here on Blogger, as well as in my entries on TLLG's Facebook Page, and tumblr posts, my former instructor's suggestion prompted me to view the flowers that are still remaining (it's fall so the number of flowers dwindles) in my urban (NYC) garden in a different manner, as evidenced by the image posted above, which I took this past weekend. This image features the very expressive Black and Blue Salvia which is still thriving in my garden.

While I'm flattered about the recommendation of my former instructor, I am not sure if I will enter the competition, as the entry fee is out of my reach momentarily, but I will see what happens as the deadline to enter it approaches.

In the meantime, since it's Tuesday, it means it must be tumblr in "TLLG Land," so, without further ado, the link to take you there can be found by clicking here.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Discovery Day

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Today many folks in the United States are celebrating Columbus Day, which basically means that schools, post offices and banks are closed. I wish it meant that construction on Columbus Avenue, less than a block from where I live (and have my terrace — roof extension — garden), would cease, because the jack hammer is deafening! But hammer away it is, and the noise is quite distracting to yours truly, even though the sweet house finches are trying to drown it out with their songs as they go about their activities; which mostly include eating, as seen in this image posted above.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Since you asked . . .

gardener named Kevin Loud posed a question to a Linkedin Discussion Group for garden writers, and that question was this: "Now that it's October what changes are happening -- and how are you getting your gardens ready for the cooler weather?"

From what I understand, Mr. Loud lives in New York in the Long Island area, and because I live in New York City, he and I share the same growing zones, so, presumably, we would get our gardens ready for "cooler weather" at the same time. 

However, a major difference between his garden and mine is that his is in the ground on his property and mine is in containers (80+) which I have on a roof extension. Therefore, my prep for winter is very different than his, and it is something I've discussed in great detail in a variety of venues, including here on blogger, within an entry you may refer to by clicking here.

I don't begin my garden winterizing in October, in fact, in bygone years, I've done it in late November, December, and even in early January, depending on the severity of the weather. I am in no hurry to put what I grow to bed for the winter — especially since they suffered such trauma in my recent garden upheaval, which you may refer to by clicking here, as well as here, and here.

But the other question Mr. Loud posed had to do with how the gardens of his fellow members in Linkedin Discussion Group were faring, and today's post is my "answer" to him; hence the following aerial images were taken by Juan V (this past Tuesday, October the second), and marked by yours truly to point out specific events which are occurring in my garden at this time.



The image above shows a partial view of the west "wall" of my garden, and the oval shape (to the left of the image) is surrounding my Rubus calycinoides (Ornamental Raspberry), a vine that I once referred to as a "diva," because her presence is so extraordinary! At the present time, her leaves have not yet begun to change into their autumn color wardrobe, but, in years gone by, she has looked this way (see images below) in the fall.





The larger circle that I've added to Juan's image indicates how my  Continus Coggygria (Smoke Bush), looks at this time. Some of its leaves are slowly beginning to turn color, but, like yours truly, my Continus Coggygria, seems hesitant to rush the season.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

"If it's Tuesday, it must be tumblr . . . " Week No. 33 + also in Honor of Charlie Brown...

Today is Tuesday, so in TLLG's cyber venues, it must be tumblr! But it is also October the second, and, therefore, the anniversary, of the Charlie Brown comic strip, which is one of my faves (as evidenced by my previous posts here on Blogger), even though the strip debuted in 1950 — long before I was born!

Subsequently, in 1967, Woodstock was introduced by the strip's creator, Charles Schultz, a man I have admired here in cyber-space as well as "real life!"


It has been said that Charlie Brown was a character who was "possessed of endless determination and hope, but who is ultimately dominated by his insecurities . . . "

Monday, October 1, 2012

Watching Leaves Turn

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11


Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The book includes hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.  Now in Apple’s iBooks store @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/words-in-our-beak/id1010889086?mt=11

This past November, on two occasions here on Blogger, I referred to a quote by Elizabeth Lawrence. The quote is this, "Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."