Fred (or Freddie), A Touring Pumpkin

It's been a very rainy (understatement) chilly day in NYC, but that didn't stop Freddie the pumpkin from continuing with his greenmarket tour.

He's been making the rounds (visiting various greenmarkets in NYC) since the first Sunday in October (when he debuted — wearing a face-mask — at the Greenmarket alongside The AMNH (American Museum of Natural History) on the UWS.

He wants people to guess his weight and whomever comes the closest will win a bag of local produce.

Contestants write their guess along with their name and contact info on a piece of paper and give it to the person monitoring his space.

And evidently, on this Saturday, which is the last Saturday in October, the winner will be annouced at the Greenmarket at Tucker Square and where I saw him today).

You would think with the array of pumpkins that are in my garden, which I've carried up five flights of stairs, that I might have an idea, but I don't, I just put down a wild guess, for you have to be in it to win it as the saying goes.

Goddard Riverside’s Annual Book Fair Gala Goes Virtual

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

As I mentioned in my October 16th 2020 blog entry, after taking a break from writing articles for iLovetheUpperWestside article, I pitched an idea re a piece a new place (Solid State Coffee) that openned on the UWS in NYC. 

Since that time, I published two other articles for the aforementioned publication which were also pitched by me. 

The article being refernced here was requested by the publication and was published on 10/28/2020.

Tam's Demise (Tuesday's Truths WK 198)

Two weeks ago, with help of a colleague, I rescued a pigeon (now named Tam) in my garden on the UWS of NYC and took him to The Wildbird Fund (AKA WBF), NYC's wonderful and only bird rehab center. I subsequently posted detailed info about this scenario in an entry here on Blogger at that time. 

I ultimately found out (via Twitter) that I could follow up in ten days-two weeks time to see the status of the injured creature.

Yesterday, I did that and I am offering the folowing is a "transcript" of our exchange as my content for this week's Tuesday's Truths segement (posted below in italics):

ME: I'm not having success with DM re the pigeon I brought in on 10-14-2020. Can you PM me? Yesterday, 1:55 PM

WBF: Hi. Can you send me the name on the intake form for the Oct. 14 pigeon? Yesterday, 2:55 PM

ME: Patricia Youngquist Yesterday, 4:00 PM

WBF: Thank you. I found it on Oct. 13. This is a fledgling, very emaciated, we suspect as the result of a bacterial infection. He's in our isolation room, receiving antibiotics, anti-fungal medical and supportive care. We'll have to wait and see how he does. Thank you for helping him! Yesterday, 4:05 PM

ME: Thank you for your reply and oops you are right. I did bring the pigeon in on October 13th. I hope he pulls through. When should I check in again? I really appreciate the work you do (understatement). I am quite behind in rent and am scrambling for income but when I turn things around, I hope to be able to donate $$$ to you. Yesterday, 4:14 PM

WBF: Thank you, Patricia. Don't worry about donating. We all are suffering right now! Check back in another 2 weeks. Hopefully, there will be a more substantial update. Yesterday, 4:16 PM

Me: I will check back. Thanks again for all!

WBF: <HEART>

------------------

I am so thankful that The WBF is caring for this sweet-looking creature and I hope I will hear good news on this pigeon's status. For your information both The WBF...

... and pigeons are included in my book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

Please, dear reader, hold good thoughts for this rescued pigeon's demise and stay tuned for his progress.

It's begining to look a lot like Halloween...

Today, October 26th, is National Pumpkin Day, and in spite of the fact that the morale of many people is at a low due to consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, many are making an effort to carry on and do things to lift their spirits. 

One of the ways this is evidenced is by the fact that people are painting faces on certain pumpkins (presumably in honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday) which can be seen in the photo atop this entry.

Others (at least in the area where I live) are decorating the outside of their homes.

Remembering The Krims

I don't want this day to pass without acknowledging the fact that eight years ago, October 25th 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Krim's two little children were murderd in their apartment which was located in the La Rochelle (on NYC's UWS).

They were killed by their nanny and I wrote about the incident on  this blog at that time.

I pass the building where the horrific event occured on countless occasions and I always think of Mr. and Mrs. Krim as well as their other little daugher who lost her siblings to that horrific crime.

Mr. and Mrs. Krim have had two more children since that time and are actively involved in a foundation set up as a way of honoring the memory of daughter (Lulu) and their son (Leo) who were killed in cold blood by their nanny.

I admire (understatement) how the Krim family has carried on with their lives and this posting is an offering of sorts to acknowedge that I also have never forgotten where I was and what I was doing on the day of 10/25/2012.

My Pumpkin Patch

PUMPKINS ON MY URBAN HEDGE VIEW ONE 

PUMPKINS ON MY URBAN HEDGE VIEW TWO

I now have a pumpkin patch in my rooftop garden! The photo atop this entry shows views of pumpkins atop one of my urban hedges.

Halloween Figurines Return to Reread Vol 2 from the "Words In Our Beak Series"

Halloween Visitors Re Read Volume Two

My Halloween visitors are back again and a few of them are rereading volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak  (as seen in the photo atop this entry), because it has a section  that discusses safe outdoor decor for this holiday, as certain decorations can often be detrimental to birds. 

This holiday is ten days away (counting today) and it will be celebrated quite difffently because of the coronavirus pandemic safety regulations.

One very safe way to celebrate it with the family is to read together and Words In Our Beak Voume Two is the perfect choice.

BOOK JACKET FRONT

A picture of the pages that discuss Halloween (in relation to birds) can be seen directly below.

PAGES 44 AND 45 WIOB V2

Moreover, two images from that segement of the book have been rendred on to greeting cards (a photo of each of the cards I am referring to can be seen in the next sequence of images...

JACK-O-LANTERN BIRDWATCHING

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR NOTE-CARD

..and these cards are (along with other selections) available via Fine Art America (FAA).

Additionally, one image from this section ("The Pumpkin Choir") of voume two has been rendred on to a tote bag (also by FAA) which is available in three sizes.

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR TOTE

If these items interest you, don't delay too much dear reader, nine days will pass quickly!

Manny’s Bistro Now Open!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

As I mentioned in my October 16 2020 blog entry, after taking a break from writing articles for iLovetheUpperWestside article, I wrote a piece about a new place (Solid State Coffee) that openned on the UWS in NYC. 

When I was on that assignment I noticed that a nearby restaurant was opening and  I proposed (to the editor of the aforementioned publication) my doing an article about the place. He gave me the assignment. The article was published today (10/19/2020).

Cashmere Popup Sale at Former Oxbow Tavern

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog entry, after taking a break from writing articles for iLovetheUpperWestside article, I wrote a piece about a new place (Solid State Coffee) that openned on the UWS in NYC. 

When I was on that assignment I noticed that a pop up sale was occuring in a place within close proximity to Solid State Coffee, so I proposed (to the editor of the aforementioned publication) my doing an article about the event. He gave me the assignment. The article was published today (10/17/2020).

Solid State Coffee Opens on 71st Street

READ MY ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

Aftter taking a break from writing articles for iLovetheUpperWestside article, I wrote a piece about a new place (Solid State Coffee) that openned on the UWS in NYC. 

Honoring Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was born on this day of October 16th in the year 1854.

The quote featured within the text-based image atop this entry is attributed to him and is one I've referenced in prior blog posts where I've stated that were he alive today Wilde would likely change the quote and say, "It's very sad now days that there is so much useless information."

Wednesday's Words: A Resilient Pigeon's (now named TAM) Update

THE WILD BIRD FUND

I’m offering this blog post as a follow-up re the status of an injured pigeon whom I initially discovered in my garden this past Saturday (10-10-2020) and whom I spoke about in Monday's (10-12-2020) entry here on Blogger.

The collage directly above gives a pictotial overview of the pigeon's fate, and below is a copy of what I baiscally said (italicized text) about it on Facebook:

As of this posting, my injured pigeon, now named TAM,* after the people who weighted in on what I should/could do and someone who helped me capture him (for transporting to The Wild Bird Fund (WBF).

[*TAM: “T” for Tina Pina, pigeon advocate and artisan, “A” for Amanda Remsberg, bird re-habber, and “M” for Martha, AKA MB, the woman who helped with my rescue.]  

MB can be seen in the next photograph (which was taken in 2016) where she is standing in my garden. 

We were working in my garden during a time, the now often full-time wearing of face-masks could never have been imagined. However, re-purposing plastic bags into rain gear was quite the norm. 

In any event, the weather, was very similar to the conditions taking place in March of 2016 and when an attempt was made to sweep/clean behind the container housing my Smoke Bush (which is a large dark-green box seen to MB’s right in the image, or to the lower left in photo view), a dead pigeon was discovered.

AN UNFORTUNATE PIGEON

I began to weep, and MB, unaware of my recent experiences in discovering an injured pigeon, warned me to take it easy. As the work in the garden continued, a planter that is home to my fall blooming anemones which butts up against a large planter that is now housing my Sweet Autumn Clematis and toadlilies (seen in the following image)...

TOAD LILIES WITH OTHER FLORA

... was moved and in doing so, my injured visitor’s hiding place was discovered and she was able to pick him up and set him in my bathroom..

A SAFE PLACE FOR AN INJURED PIGEON

...until we could (within an hour’s time) take him to The WBF. 

Alas, I had no brown paper grocery bags on hand as I don’t buy many groceries and when I do, in the interest of recycling take a bag from any store as I carry a cloth bag. Therefore I lined a box with one of my bedsheets, placed the pigeon in it.

Then I put his box in a Christmas gift bag — the only bag I had on hand — for transporting.

TRANSPORT FOR AN INJURED PIGEON VIEW 1

MB drove me to The WBF...

THE WILD BIRD FUND

... where the intake person mentioned how remarkable it was that this creature survived the heavy rains of the past few days.

Out of an abundance of caution, convo exchanges between rescuers and rehabbers is extremely minimal and I neglected to ask how I might follow-up on his condition (they do not take phone calls).

Moreover, I “coulda” offered to release him in my garden, but the thought did not occur to me as I was focusing on helping him get the care he needed at the time.

On another note, my first experience in rescuing a pigeon and having him transported to The WBF is included in volume one...

WORDS IN OUR BEAK VOLUME ONE

... of my three hardcover book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY THREE VOLUME SERIES

I hope Tam will recover as one of my other rescuees (named Thursday) did under the care of The WBF, and if I'm able to find out Tam's prognosis, I'll be sure to post it on Facebook and on this blog.

An Injured But Resilient Pigeon

SAINT FRANCIS IS FEATURED IN MANY OF MY BLOG POSTS

I need Saint Francis's (whose image is imprinted on a copy of a prayer card which is posted atop this entry) intercession on a situation with a pigeon who visited my garden this past weekend. He is known to be the patron saint of animals (especially birds, which is something I referenced in a recent FB post).

In any event, this past Saturday (10-10-2020) in the early evening, I noticed a pigeon in my outdoor space who did not seem to be doing very well. I had hoped to "capture" him in order to transport the creature to The Wild Bird Fund  (WBF) but since they were closed for the evening, my next best option was to "capture" him and make him comfortable for the night so I could take him to The WBF the next morning (which would be Sunday, 10-11-2020).

Years ago I learned about transporting injured or sick birds to The WBF so I knew this could be done but I was a little unsure of how I might keep this unfortunate pigeon comfortable over night so I phoned the Brooklyn based pigeon advocate (and artist extraordinaire), Tina Pina AKA Mother Pigeon (who graciously called me back with helpful tips) to seek her advice as I could not reach bird rehabber Amanda Remsberg  (AR) whom I usually contact when I have questions re birds in need.

But it turned dark outside very quickly and so it was impossible to see anything but I prepared my rescue and transport supplies to ensure I'd be ready for Sunday's mission.

I did not see my visitor in the morning but he was there in the afternoon and I was able to determine he could fly but was injured. Plus I could hear a thumping sound when he limped across my terrace.

However, in spite of my past successes with swooping up a bird in order to take him/her to The WBF, I could not grab this guy, but I could take pictures of him (seen in the next sequence of photos)...

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

... and contact AR about this for a form of "tele-med" (via Facebook Messenger). The following is a copy of our correspondence that was based on the images posted above.

ME: Here is what my limping visitor looks like. I thought from the face he/she is a youngster BUT from what you said about the feet, I may be way off. I'm not confident I'll be able to "grab" te bird in order to transport him/her /to the WBF, but I can hear "thumping" (from a limp) when the bird moves  about. Thanks again for your time.

AR: Yea, he does look young with that knobby pale beak.  Such pretty colors.  I hope he will be ok.  The placement of his feet doesn’t look like a broken leg, maybe just soft tissue damage.  Tis a hard life for a pigeon in the city. 💕

ME: He's out there right now and I guess I should just let him alone because I can't capture him and he may be safer here?

AR: Hopefully.

ME: Hopefully indeed. It's hard to her him thumping about and not be able to provide relief.

UPSHOT: It is now Monday(10-12-2020) and a cold rain is falling heavily but I am keeping my eye out for the pigeon and ready to continue to take action in order to transport him to The WBF. I truly care about this pigeon's well being. 

As some of you may know, pigeons are featured within my three volume hardcover book series, Words In Our Beak which are available wherever book are sold get your copies now and please stay tuned for updates on the pigeon featured in today's post.

MY BOOK SERIES

Remembering What Would've Been John Lennon's 80th Birthday

John Lennon's song, "Imagine," was the class song chosen for your truly's graduating class.

AND the "Imagine" circle (seen in the image directly above) honoring John Lennon is very near to where I live. Moreover, I've written about him in a number of blog posts as well as in an article for I Love The Upper West Side. BUT it slipped my mind that a couple of days ago, October 9th 2020, would've been his 80th birthday, or more correctly, it slipped my mind that a couple of days ago was October 9th!

It is SO hard to keep track of what day it is during this cornavirus pandemic but it's not to late to pay belated birthday homage to the dearly departed John Lennon.

An Inspiration from The Great Pumpkin

BOOK COVER FOR GREAT PUMPKIN CAROLS

According to a FB Pagefor the Charles M. Schultz Museum, "Following the success of the 1966 TV special 'It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!,' Hallmark published a whimsical booklet of Peanuts Pumpkin Carols." (A copy of the booklet cover is seen in the image to the left, or the first picture in time-line view).

"As declared by Linus, and according to the front cover, 'Halloween is becoming a forgotten holiday. We dedicated followers of the Great Pumpkin must do something to rekindle the Halloween spirit. Let us not rest until the universe resounds with pumpkin carols.'

⁠

"🎼 The booklet includes eight pumpkin carols, set to well-known Christmas tunes, of course. Carols include: Great Pumpkin is Coming to Town, Pumpkin Wonderland, I’m Dreaming of the Great Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bells, The Twelve Days of Halloween, I Heard the Bells on Halloween, and O Pumpkin Cards." (Image and text are taken from the aforementioned FB Page for Peanuts @).

Upon my seeing a copy of the 1966 booklet, "THE PEANUTS BOOK OF PUMPKIN CAROLS," I thought of one of my 2020 Halloween-themed products titled. "The Pumpkin Choir" (totes as well as a note-card). They can be seen in the next two images to the right (respectively).

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR TOTE

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR NOTE-CARD

For your information, my photo of pumpkins caroling or ("The Pumpkin Choir") is included in volume two of my book series...

BOOK JACKET (FRONT) WIOB V2

PAGES 44 AND 45 WIOB V2

Words In Our Beak, in a section that describes how Halloween decor impacts the lives of wild birds. Information re the entire series (jackets pictured below) can be found by clicking here.

MY BOOK SERIES

I realize Halloween is twenty-one days from now and I don't like to rush the entrance of the holiday, but due to time needed for shipping (in the event you'd like to purchase items mentioned here), I thought it best to give a heads up now.

Thursday's Testimony: There are times when care taking is for the birds.

A CARETAKER

It's no secret that there is a lot (understatement) of negative content both on Twitter as well as Facebook. 

Moreover, there is a lot of negative content about pigeons. But every now and then (if not more than now and then) a heart-warming "story" is shared. 

Here is one of them:

As you can see from the image directly above an eldery man is in a hospital laying on his side in a bed and a pigeon is sitting on his blanket. Supposedly “the nurse who took this photo said the following: ‘This elderly patient was admitted to the hospital three days ago and during those three days no family members came to visit or take care of him. The nurse who took this photo said that a pigeon came two days ago and stayed in his bed for a long time ..’. Later it was learned that he always fed the pigeon when he was sitting on the bench in the park near the hospital …”

Not sure if any of this story is true, but I do know from my experience in assiting with rescuing a pigeon in my rooftop garden, as well as with my observing other pigeons who visit my place, they are very smart. 

After all pigeons truly helped out during war time.

As readers of this blog may know, pigeons are featured in my three volume hardcover series, Words In Our Beak.

MY THREE VOLUME BOOK SERIES

Another New Yorker Wears My Face-Mask

NEW YORK STATE LOGO

I love that NYC residents (for the most part) are wearing face-masks in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus). Hence in this post, I'm including (directly above) a copy of a modified I-HEART-NY image (that I saw uncredited on the web-page for the state of NY's Twitter account). I love it even more when they are wearing face-masks which I've designed. 

Therefore, this past Monday, I was thrilled, when by chance I happened to see my friend's (RF) partner (CM), who can be seen in the next image)...

MY DRAGONFLY-THEMED FACE-MASK

... at an outdoor space on the UWS, wearing my dragon-fly themed face-mask.

I knew RF had purchased my cardinal-themed mask back in June because she emailed me a picture of her wearing it (a copy of that particular image can be seen below and is one you might recognize as I've featured it in prior entries here on Blogger).

MY CARDINAL-THEMED FACE-MASK

If you'd like to see and or learn about my collection of face-masks (which include one with my kaleidoscopic image printed on it, as well as one that has my impressionistic black and white photo printed on it and of course the ones seen here), info can be found within a page on my website, patriciayoungquist.com

Monday's Memo: 2020's Halloween Note-cards Are Now Available

JACK-O-LANTERN BIRDWATCHING

This past Saturday here on Blogger, I published an entry re my Halloween-themed totes and discussed the fact that on 9-22-2020, re the COVID-19 pandemic (cornavirus) the CDC stated "for people who were planning to go trick-or-treating on Halloween this year: don't..."   

And I pointed out the CDC urged people to "Avoid activities that are higher risk for spread," and to "Consider fun alternatives that pose lower risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19." 

Within that entry I featured images of my new line of Halloween-themed totes and concluded with a promise that I would publish post on 10-5-2020 (which is today) to offer information re my selection of my 2020 Halloween cards. After all, sending cards is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween safely.

My Halloween cards are sized 5" by 7" and produced by Finr Art America (FAA). They use digital offset printers and 100 lb paper that has a UV protectant. The image is semi-gloss and the inside of the card is matte and blank so one can write a message, but if you prefer, FAA can customize any text or message that you want to include.

The card featured in the image atop this posting is from a few years ago but by popular demand it is also available this year. The ones which are directly below all have matching canvas bags/totes/pouches (that are available in three sizes which is described in the aforementioned post).

ALL HALLOWS EVE

HALLOWEEN IN THE GARDEN

EIGHT LITTLE PUMPKINS

FOUR LITTLE PUMPKINS

JACK-O-LANTERNS SUNBATHING

JACK-O-LANTERNS LAUGHING

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR

I realize Halloween is twenty-one days from now and I don't like to rush the entrance of the holiday, but due to time needed for shipping (in the event you'd like to purchase items mentioned here), I thought it best to give a heads up now.