National House Plant Appreciation Day (Tuesday's Truths WK 161)

The official observance for  National Houseplant Appreciation Day has come and gone, but in my mind, house plants and indoor succulents can be celebrated at any time!

A reason the official holiday which is my (Tuesday's Truth for today) is celebrated annually on January tenth (according to National Today) is this:

"By mid-January, most of our various holiday decorations and Christmas trees have made their way out of our homes. National Houseplant Appreciation Day is on January 10 every year, and it reminds us that we don’t have to lose the freshness and vibrancy that plants bring to our homes just because the holidays have drawn to a close. If you have the post-holiday blues, this is the perfect chance for you to brighten up your house with a lovely plant that you can enjoy all year long."

My indoor garden is comprised of plants are a collection of succulents which thrive under grow lights but I have to take them outside or place them in a basin on a regular basis in order to give them water.

Monday's Memo: 1/27/2020 is B.W.A.D.!

In 2012, on January 30th, everyone who was anyone was talking about Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, (or BWAD) and everyone is STILL talking about how they celebrated it! This year, 2020, BWAD is being celebrated today, January 27th, as it is the last Monday of the month.

In any event, no one appreciates bubble wrap more than the things that grow in my rooftop garden in New York City maintained by yours truly, with the help of my gardening comrade, JV.

Spouses Day 2020

Cardinal Love 2

Spouse's Day is celebrated on January 26, 2020 (today). It is a day to enjoy and appreciate your better half.

Northern cardinals (known as Mac and Cam) seem to show how much they care for their spouse by feeding each other. This can as seen in the image directly above which has been rendered on to a greeting card and is available via my shop that's located on Fine Art America's site.

2020's Korean New Year Begins Today!

The photographs atop this entry feature a White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio) who I saw when I visited the zoo in Central Park on November 30, 2019.

Beloved Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn (AKA G'pa to me) Died on 1-24 in the 1970's

My maternal grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn, died on this day of January 24th  in the mid to late 1970's. He was sixty-nine years old. He can be seen in the photo directly above with my grandmother, Clara May Fitchie Melahn where they are standing in front of one of their favorite restraunts that was located in Crystal Lake Illinois.

This photograph was one of my dearly departed grandmother's favorites, perhaps because of the memories she had of enjoying meals with him at one of their favorite places. For years after his death she laid the framed photo facedown on an end-table. Evidently looking at the image made her miss him even more. I am their first grandchild and the loss to me was great as well which is probably how most people feel when their grandfather dies.

Maya Schaper — A Familar UWS Face

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

In a recent entry here on Blogger, I announced that I had fallen in Central Park while in the process of attempting to get a better shot of a snow laden drinking fountain, I didn't see a curb and took quite a fall.

I've been in dire pain ever since and fear I might have injured my Rotator Cuff but I will find out when I see a doctor tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I've been working on an article about Maya Schaper, sole proprietor of Maya Schaper Cheese and Antiques. It is now live, you may also click here to read it.

Listen Up! (Wednesday's Wisdom)

Cardinal Love 1

With the Valentine's Day holiday approaching in twenty-three days, it's the perfect opportunity to begin (if you don't already) to keep in mind, "Understanding your partner requires the capacity to listen. Really listen. Couples are advised to hear each other’s complaints without feeling attacked, and as great as this sounds, it’s often unrealistic."

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day 2020 (Tuesday's Truths WK 160)

A little birdie, specifically a house sparrow is tweeting about the fact that today, January 21st is Squirrel Appreciation Day! Although I've written about this holiday in bygone years, had I not heard his tweet, I would've forgotten and missed a chance to give out a shout to the Black Squirrel who spends a lot of time (during all kinds of weather ) on the grounds alongside the Delacorte Theatre.

The First 2020 Snowfall in NYC

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

Late yesterday afternoon what started out as light snow, turned heavy and at times like this, Central Park is more magical than ever; so I was happy when Mike Mishkin contacted me to see if could do a last minute quick article (for iLovetheUpperWestside) because it motivated me to take photographs before all evidence of snow would be disappearing due to pouring rain.

Unfortunately in the process of attempting to get a better shot of a snow laden drinking fountain, I didn't see a curb and took quite a fall.

I've been in dire pain ever since and fear I may have broken my upper arm or shoulder. I can move it but not without extreme pain or helping the injured arm by the use of my "good" arm.

I'll be seeing a pharmacist today for a recommendation as to what to do.

Meanwhile my article re NYC 's first first snow fall of the year (and of the decade) is live, you may also click here to read it.

"Dinner for Two": Mating House Finches's Image is a Perfect Valentine's Day Greeting (Saturday's Suggestion)

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

The colors of  the female house finch are muted giving them a protective camouflage.

Deep red coloring in the males of this bird type indicates they are healthy and might make good partners and fathers to their children.

Perhaps this is what is on the mind of the female house finch featured in my image (Dinner for Two) during her dinner date.

Friday's Fact: East Will Meet West...

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

My latest iLovetheUpperWestside article, East Will Meet West … Because of the Long’s! (published by Mike Miskin), went live yesterday. You may also click here to read it.

Pics of Mourning Doves Make Great Valentine's Day Greetings (Thursday's Testimony)

The other day I noticed a Mourning Dove in my rooftop garden who was holding up his wing (as seen in the photograph atop this post) in such a manner that I suspect might've been as an act to attract a mate.

WW* Pics of Jays Make Great Valentine's Day Greetings (*Wednesday's Wisdom)

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

According to a number of sources, including one related to the symbolism and meaning of certain birds, "Jays mate for life, giving them the symbolism and meaning of faithfulness and accord."

Because of this undisputed fact of their faithfulness, images of Blue Jays rendered on to cards make a perfect Valentine's Day card for the one near and dear to you.

Soon it will Be Saint Valentine's Day! (Tuesday's Truths WK 159)

Probably the only aspects that I don't like about being a book author and photo-artist is having to promote my work that is available for purchase; but I have come to realize even the well known and widely established folks who create "products" have to constantly spread their word.

WW* Celebrate National Take the Stairs Day! (*Wednesday's Wisdom)

It has come to my attention (from Holiday Insights AKA HI) as well as from a good number of organizations that relate to keeping healthy (including The American Lung Association) the Second Wednesday of January (which is today) is National Take The Stairs Day.

Blue 'N Yellow Macaw Central Park's Zoo (Tuesday's Truths WK 158)

The photograph atop this entry, as well as the ones directly below, feature a Blue 'n Yellow Macaw spending time in his home.

National Bird Day 2020

Cardinal Feeds Fledgling (Info in my "Words In Our Beak" Book Series)

Today, January 5th, is a holiday known as National Bird Day, which is an occasion I've written about in bygone years;  and will continue to do going forward, as this holiday has great personal importance.

NYC Locations Inspire the 2019-2020 NYBG Train Show and my Three Volume Book Series* (*Words In Our Beak)

New York Botanical Gardens's ((NYGB) annual train show opened on November 23rd 2019 and it will be closing before the end of the month on January 26th 2020, which is four weeks from tomorrow.

NYGB's video of the event (posted above) is good but it does not — in my humble opinion — give justice to just how phenomenal their 2019-2020 show truly is.

Just in: My Sales Announcement from FAA (Fine Art America)

THE "WORDS IN OUR BEAK " TOTE

I just received an announcement from FAA (Fine Art America) that someone from Connecticut purchased one of my "pouches" (book bags, totes weekenders with an image of my book series Words In Our Beak) printed on them). It can be seen in the image directly above.

In Honor of Therese de Lisieux's Birthday

On this day of January 2nd in 1873, St. Thérèse de Lisieux, was born and in honor of this fact, I've posted the video atop today's entry.

I confess that I've just now remembered this fact as I've always associated the date of October 1st with her, because that is the Feast Day of St. Thérèse de Lisieux.

I moved to my apartment on her Feast Day in 1992 and have a picture of her above my desk and my keychain is a medal upon which her image is imprinted.

New Year's Day 2020

It's the first Wednesday in 2020 as well as my first blog post of the new year. My scantily dressed figurine and I are starting the day off by wishing you and yours all the best.