Friday's Follow Up to my 7-24-2020's Post

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR MY BOOK SERIES

Last Friday, I published a post here on Blogger which discussed Henry David Thoreau's well known quote, "The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest." 

In this follow-up post, I'd like to share with you what Thoreau had to say about this animal type in his essay, Walden 175.

I am prompted to do this upon seeing the squirrel (who has been visiting my rooftop garden since early July) enjoying peanuts from one of my bird feeders. He/she can be seen munching away while atop my ring-style feeder.

The reason I thought of Thoreau upon seeing this is I recently learned he was evidently known for leaving out ears of unripened sweet corn for these creatures during the winter.

I've never left out unripened corn in the winter (or any time for that matter) but during winter months, I have made sure my feeders (including my ring-style peanut feeder) are replenished during that season in order to provide my visiting birds with physical nourishment.

Helping Squirrels & Birds Helps Me (Wednesday's Wisdom)

A SQUIIRREL ENJOYS A SNACK AT MY PLAVE
(MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR WIOB)

It's been a rather difficult day for me on so many levels (health wise as well as daily living wise) and I've also received distressing news re those near and dear to me.

THEREFORE, I am MOST GRATEFUL to have been able to provide nourishment for "my" visiting squirrel (who seems to be a regular guest since I first saw him/her on 7-8-2020).

AND while I provided nourishment for this creature, he/she gave me SO MUCH MORE AND on an array of levels, as you might surmise from the image atop this entry.

Tuesday's Truths WK 190: Hot Temperatures May Not Be For the Birds (certain birds)

MY ROOFTOP GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR WIOB

Welcome to my one hundred and ninety-ninth segment of Tuesday's Truths series; which I am offering on another day of a second July 2020 heat wave taking place in NYC.

Even in the the southwest corner of my garden where temperatures are at their most coolest it was stiflingly hot, the temps were nearly one hundred degrees, as evidenced in the photo posted directly above which features a thermometer that hangs in that area.

Monday's Memo: Birds (including cardinals) can molt their whole head off!

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIRANDA

So honored that James Miranda (from Illinois) reached out to me (via email) with a copy of the photo (that is atop this entry asking for ID help. On first glance I thought it was a male Northern cardinal in extreme molt mode but not being one to answer a teenager (or anyone for that matter) without being sure, I reached out to bird rehabber extraordinaire Amanda Remsberg​ via Facebook Messenger:

ME: Amanda, I received this email saying, "Hi Aunt Patricia! I saw this bird in our backyard and I am wondering if you can tell me what type it is? It is a red bird but it has a black head."   Do you have any ideas, Amanda? Could it be a cardinal molting?

AMANDA: Yep!  Some cardinals and blue jays do this in late summer, they molt their whole heads off.  It’s postulated that it could happen because of feather mites.

ME: Thank you for clarifying? How are you doing re COVID  [coronavirus] + the hurricane?

Amanda: We are fine!  It passed a couple hundred miles south of us, unfortunately in southern Texas they are suffering worse with Covid because of less resources.  They are rushing Red Cross, etc down there to help.  It’s a mess. But we are fine.

ME: I heard about the devastation in southern Texas. SO THANKFUL to hear you are fine.

And there you have it dear reader my quest to answer James’s question and the confirmation I was correct in determining the creature to be a male Northern cardinal, a bird type featured in all three volumes of my book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

Time to cool off with Walt and Jack....

Time to cool off with Walt and Jack....



...as we (those of us living in NYC as well as other parts of the country) enter a heat wave upon a hear wave...

"The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest." (Friday's Fact — Actually Everyday's Fact)

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR BOOK SERIES

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR BOOK SERIES

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR BOOK SERIES

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR BOOK SERIES

Nearly a couple of weeks ago on the day of July 12th 2020, it slipped my mind to write a post in honor of Henry David Thoreau who as born on that day in 1817.

As followers of this blog undoubtedly know, I have written about him a number of times here on Blogger, and if you'd like to refer to those posts, please click here.

In the past (on a number of occasions including on an anniversary of his birthday that took place in 2017), I have confessed that "I think of the wisdom shown in Thoreau's writings on many times, but even more so when I encounter a house sparrow, which happens on countless occasions, given the number of this bird type that are living in NYC."

However, for the past few weeks, it is the presence of a squirrel in my rooftop garden which is the setting for my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

In any event, this squirrel (who is not included in my books as he/she came here long after their publication) has been causing me to ponder the writings of Thoreau; and from the pensive look on the face of the creature seen in the photos atop this entry, it seems I'm not the only one pondering.

Remembering Clara May Fitchie Melahn

CLARA MAY FITCHIE WITH SIBLINGS

My maternal grandmother, Clara May Fitchie Melahn, was born on this day of July 23rd in the 1900. She always hated the fact that she was born within that year because her age could be calculated so easily. In any event, she can be seen (standing at the right) in the back row with her siblings in the photo atop this entry (which has been featured in a number of entries here on Blogger).

Squirrels got this! "When this old world starts getting you down....." GO UP ON THE ROOF (Wednesday's Wisdom)

THIS SHRUB IS FEATURED IN VOL 1

I noticed that my visiting squirrel (whose antics have been covered here on my blog) has a "boo-boo" on his/her forehead (as seen in the picture atop this entry, where he/she is enjoying being in the home of my shrub known as a Pyracantha coccinea AKA Orange Charmer).

My Jumping Squirrel (Tuesday's Truths WK 189)

THIS SHRUB IS FEATURED IN VOL 1

In recent blog posts (including one published on 7-8-2020) and one published on 7-19-2020), I've been discussing my observations of a lone squirrel who has been spending a lot of his/her time in my rooftop garden.

One thing I've noticed is his/her's incredible ability to jump. She/he often enters my place by jumping from the trees in an adjacent courtyard on to one of the pole that supports my string lights and from there she jumps on to a stake in the container of my Japanese Larch (Larix Kaempferi) as seen in the photo atop this entry.

"Social Distancing" MAY be the wrong phrase. (Monday's Memo)

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR MY BOOK SERIES

The other day a lone Mourning dove and a young American robin came to my garden and spent time in the home of my Pyracantha coccinea (AKA Orange Charmer). She is a shrub that is featured in my garden-themed movie, The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame... almost, which can be viewed on Vimeo and/or You Tube. These birds spending time in the home of my shrub can be seen in the image atop this entry and if they look familiar to you, dear reader, it may be because I included them in yesterday's blog post.

Sunday's Sequel (Re my 7-8-2020 Blog Post)

Squirrel Visiting My Rooftop Garden
(which is the setting for my book series)

Squirrel Visiting My Rooftop Garden
(which is the setting for my book series)

As I mentioned in a recent entry, A Day in the Life of my Pyracantha coccinea (7-8-2020), here on blogger, I've had a new visitor to my rooftop garden and he/she can be seen in the images atop this entry.

During all the many years that I've had my garden, I've never seen a squirrel here, nor have I seen one in the trees within my courtyard. Upon my seeing this quirky character, I did some research to see what poets as well as scholars have said about squirrels, and I was thrilled to come upon the following words of Saint Francis of Assisi:

Put a mask on it! (Wednesday's Wisdom)

IMAGE CREDIT

I saw this cartoon on a FB page and I appreciated the sentiment which is unfortunately prevailing in many parts of the world. However, the fact remains that one needs to put a mask on their face to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus).

They're Back..... (Tuesday's Truths WK 188)

"Chives"
(a greeting card that goes beyond communication) 

"Never say never," the saying goes, and I suppose that applies to saying, "I no longer....," which I did in my 2018 addendum to a number of my posts here on Blogger, where I proclaimed, "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."

WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

For today, in my 188th segment of Tuesday's Truths, I'm here to announce that at the advice and action  of Chris Deatherage (CD), my book series (Words In Our Beak) formatter, who is also my web-master (for patriciayoungquist.com; I now have some versions of the all occasion greeting cards that are referenced in many blog posts where I initially put my 2018 addendum available via Fine Art America (FAA), because CD has uploaded them to that location.

A picture of one of the aforementioned cards (known as "Chives") can be seen atop this entry, and it is also an item I've discussed in a few prior posts here on Blogger.

The times, they AREN'T a changing... (Monday's Memo to Bob Dylan)

Technological Progress, the essay (posted atop this entry), by E.B.White, was published on this day of July 13th in 1935. I've read it and reread it countless times and it always leaves me wanting to once again (especially with what has happened in 2020 on so many levels when it comes to how people treat each other) to say to Bob Dylan, the times's they AREN'T a changing...

Saturday's Sequel to my 7-3-2020 Post (re International Plastic Bag Free Day)

Eight days ago (on July 3rd 2020), I published an entry here on Blogger in honor of that day being earmarked (on an annual basis), International Plastic Bag Free Day.

July 3rd 2020, also happened to be three days before the onset of PHASE THREE (which was set for July 6th 2020) of the re-opening of NYC which was shutdown in March (2020) to prevent the spread of  COVID-19 (coronavirus). One of the things that was to be included in PHASE THREE was the allowing indoor dining (with a number of limitations) in restraunts and bars. Now, due to new scientific data about the spread of the virus, that option will not be available for PHASE THREE, and that option will remain unavailable until other safety measures (to be announced as more is learned about necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19).

Meanwhile, outdoor dining, which began to be permitted during PHASE ONE of our city's reopening has taken off and will be expanded. My main problem with this option is the amount of plastic being used to accommodate outdoor dining. Cocktails are being served in heavy plastic containers (the type that prepared foods from delis and supermarkets come in, and in addition to the cocktails being served in these containers, they also come with plastic straws; as evidenced in the photo-ops atop this entry (where I've indicated some of the plastic containers as well as straws by affixing arrows to my images).

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.

Reacquainting with Jewel, the Muscovy duck

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK IS FEATURE IN V 3

Anyone who follows my cyber-venues (including Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter as well as my FB Pages (personal and business), in addition to here on Blogger) is likely to recognize Jewel, the Muscovy duck seen in the first picture, where she is standing on some mossy rocks that are in the Hudson River.

This photo was taken a couple of years ago during one of my first encounters with her when I was walking along the river. She is a year round "resident" in this area and I subsequently included her in volume three of my book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

In any event, I have not been to "her area" of the river since late 2019 because of my accident and then the shutdowns imposed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in NYC.

I've been so curious about her well being, so finally after all these months, I took a walk (after my physical therapy session) in hopes of seeing that Jewel was still with us; and I'm thrilled to report that she was hanging out with other avian creatures including a Mallard duck....

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK (LEFT) IS FEATURE IN V 3

.... and pigeons.

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK (LEFT) IS FEATURE IN V 3

JEWEL, THE MUSCOVY DUCK (LEFT) IS FEATURE IN V 3

As you can see these avian creatures were adhering to signs on the pier re "social distancing," which have become household words ever since the relentless spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Maybe these birds can teach people a thing or two about social distancing.

A Day in the Life of my Pyracantha coccinea

A squirrel was digging up the soil in the container (in my rooftop garden) that houses my shrub known as a Pyracantha coccinea (also called Orange Charmer). I’ve never seen a squirrel in my place but that doesn’t mean one hasn’t been here. As soon as I realized the creature was there, she/he jumped into a tree within my courtyard and then to another tree (an image of this creature can be seen in the picture atop this entry.

'Twas a most bittersweet Fourth of July... (Tuesday's Truths WK 187)

It was a bittersweet Fourth of July what with the coronavirus pandemic still in place, keeping everyone on their guard, but also it was a strained time because of the political unrest in the United States over how issues related to race were handled (or not handled) in bygone years.

Therefore, I was grateful to see that a neighbor who lives in the building across my courtyard (and who has participated in many #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions), did not allow any disparaging feelings about our history stand in her way of expressing appreciation, which she did by hanging up her American flag (as seen in the image atop this entry).

Monday's Musings: Continuing to find JOY and PEACE when Visited by a Mourning Dove

MOURNING DOVES HAVE A BACKSTORY IN VOLUME ONE

A few days ago (July 3rd 2020), a lone young Mourning dove stopped by my place and stared into my window before taking in a view of my garden from the vantage point of the string lights that I have hanging over it (evidenced in the photograph atop this entry).

69th and Columbus, Southwest corner

Plywood boards that were put up on many places on the UWS as well as in places throughout NYC (which I discussed in my blog post published one month ago today on June 5 2020) as a result of the vandalism and looting that occurred during the recent protests and demonstrations (over the murder of George Floyd) became a canvas for artists mostly in Soho.

However, quite recently the boards "covering" the store known as L'Occitane en Provence (on Columbus Avenue at 69th Street on the UWS) became a canvas too; as evidenced in the picture (posted atop this entry) which I took yesterday.

A Three Dog Night Moment Re-Visited

Last year I spent part of my Fourth of July with the three lovely girls seen in the image atop this entry and in a blog post (published on 7-6-2019) I mentioned that I had a "Three Dog Night" moment (as some of you know Three Dog Night is the name of a pop music group) in Central Park and that I thought of their 1972 song (Black & White) when I saw these three young children playing.

Today is International Plastic Bag Free Day (Friday's Fact)

AVAILABLE VIA FAA

After my having been sheltering in place since the evening of March 21st 2020 through the morning of May 11, 2020 (at the urging of our governor and mayor as a means to remain safe during the coronavirus pandemic and also to help prevent its spread), returning to my activities before the onset of the pandemic has been a bit precarious.

However, I'm getting there; in fact, a business meeting that I had yesterday served as a reminder to point me back to where I left off re one of my projects; for it was at yesterday's appointment that the person (who is an essential worker and did not shelter in place) I was meeting with, told me she had been enjoying using a tote/pouch (seen in the picture atop this entry) that she got from my collection on Fine Art America (FAA).

Upon my seeing it, I was instantly reminded this past March pre-lockdown (which was the last time I saw my colleague), I busied myself with many endeavors, including spreading the word about the totes/pouches (one can be seen in the image atop this entry) which I designed as an alternative to single-use plastic bags that were in the process of being eliminated in many places, including NYC. 

Thursday's Testimony: Clouds and Jays Inspire Mary Oliver (AND Yours Truly)

Upon my seeing clouds (reflected in the windows of a building across the courtyard as seen in the image atop this entry); coupled with my seeing a Blue jay enjoying nourishment (from a feeder that's in my garden)...

BLUE JAYS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

BLUE JAYS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

BLUE JAYS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

BLUE JAYS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

... I thought of a meditation which references a poem by Mary Oliver. 

This meditation "establishes an atmosphere of loving kindness with the “smile”; relaxes and awakens through the body; and guides us into a spacious presence. We then rest in that presence, letting go of any controlling, and simply allow life to be as it is. It’s in “letting be” that we come home to the luminosity and tenderness of natural awareness......We close with a verse from Mary Oliver…"

I lounge on the grass, that’s all. So

simple. Then I lie back until I am

inside the cloud that is just above me

but very high, and shaped like a fish.

Or, perhaps not. Then I enter the place

of not-thinking, not-remembering, not-

wanting. When the blue jay cries out his

riddle, in his carping voice, I return.

But I go back, the threshold is always

near. Over and back, over and back. Then

I rise. Maybe I rub my face as though I

have been asleep. But I have not been

asleep. I have been, as I say, inside

the cloud, or, perhaps, the lily floating

on the water. Then I go back to town

to my own house, my own life, which has

now become brighter and simpler, some-where I have never been before….

On another note, Blue jays are referenced in my book series, Words In Our Beak...

MY BOOK SERIES

...which are a great read anytime, but especially during the lazy, crazy days of summer.

July 1, 2020

DR. SEUSS'S QUOTES ARE FEATURED IN MANY BLOG POSTS

Here we are, the midpoint of the year 2020, and given all the sadness as well as the anxiety brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, I wouldn't say the time has "flewn," for anyone located anywhere...

... but we are here...

...  and that is one thing to be thankful for, given the options; and that, dear reader is this week's Wednesday's Wisdom.