E.B., A Visitor Who Has a Bird's Eye View of my Roof Extension Garden

This past Friday E.B (seen in the photograph directly above) is a man who lives acrooss the courtyard came to visit my garden. 

I guess he was so relaxed he forgot his phone which I took over to his building and he met me in the lobby. I initially came in contact with E.B. during #clapbecausewecare sessions which were something many New Yorkers participated in during the lockdowns that took place throughout the darkest evenings of the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the last sessions took place on 6-25-2021 and E.B. can be seen participating in that particular session in the next photo.

In any case, during the time of lockdowns and clap/cheeer sessions, E.B. purchased all three volumes of my Words In Our Beak hardcover book series.

It was wonderful to hear him say whenever he has had guests visit his NYC apartment he shows them my books, and then from his window he points to my garden to let his vistors know that it is the spot where my stories take place.

On another note, we have been trying to work out a time to meet  together ever since E.B. took me to lunch (in November of 2020)....

... and at that time we promised each other he’d visit my garden.

I’m very thankful he could come by last night especially since he is leaving NYC for the summer but we hope to get together in the fall when he returns, and fyi, when I say E.B. has a bird's eye view of my garden, I mean it literally for his surname is Bird!

My Personal #ClapBecauseWeCare's Three Month Anniversary was Monday 6/29/2020. (Tuesday's Truths WK 186 )

6/29/2020 GIUSEPPE + TERESA'S LAST NIGHT AT #CLAPBECAUSEWECARE 

6/29/2020 GIUSEPPE'S LAST NIGHT AT #CLAPBECAUSEWECARE 

I'd like to begin this entry by saying that three months ago this past Saturday (June 27th 2020) marked the date #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions began (3/27/2020) in NYC. I initially learned about the tribute a few days after the fact and subsequently began participating on a nightly basis two days later on March 29th, 2020, so my three month anniversary of doing this was yesterday, June 29, 2020, which was the 91st session, for many participants and number 89 for me.

As I've been discussing the sessions within a number of posts here on Blogger, my participation and cyber "coverage" of these tributes is a small way to pay homage to first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who are keep working tirelessly (through all kinds of weather) for everyone during this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

During the course of these nightly sessions, I've become aquatinted with a few people I'd never met, such as Giuseppe and Teresa, seen in the images atop this entry, which were taken on the evening of 6-29-2020.

#ClapBecauseWeCare's 3 Month Anniversary (Saturday 6/27/2020)

GIUSEPPE AND TERESA AFTER PARTICIPATING ON 6/27/2020

I'd like to begin this entry by saying that three months ago yesterday (Saturday June 27th 2020) marked the date #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions began (3/27/2020) in NYC.

I initially learned about the tribute a few days after the fact and subsequently began participating on a nightly basis two days later on March 29th, 2020 so my three month anniversary of doing this is tomorrow. June 29, 2020.

As I've been discussing within a number of posts here on Blogger, my participation and cyber "coverage" of these tributes is a small way to pay homage to first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who are keep working tirelessly (through all kinds of weather) for everyone during this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

During the course of these nightly sessions, I've become aquatinted with a few people I'd never met, such as Giuseppe and Teresa, seen in the image atop this entry. They posed for me after the session last night which was the eighty-ninth one.

Session 86 Took Place Last Evening

BOB HUBER, A 6/24/2020 PARTICIPANT 

EB, A 6/24/2020 PARTICIPANT 

A 6/24/2020 PARTICIPANT (WHO IS A REGULAR) 

Yesterday marked day three of phase two and in one of my entries here on Blogger I stated, "As you may know, re-openings across the state have been gradual and in NYC, PHASE ONE began on June 1, 2020;  while PHASE TWO began yesterday.

These lockdowns and COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic concerns coupled with these new logistics of re-openings have had an impact on my content within this blog, as I've focused primarily on those issues.

I plan to change that and begin to return to other content..."

However, I now realize that for as long as these  #ClapBecauseWeCare tributes continue on whatever level the attendance may be, I should document them.

After all, the sessions are MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER at this time, for it is BECAUSE of our first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers that we were able to get to PHASE TWO.

The photographs atop this entry feature three different participants from the eighty-sixth session which took place last evening (June 24, 2020).

Day 2, Phase 2 (which was yesterday): Showing Appreciation + Negligence

EB, 6/23/2020 PARTICIPANT 

Yesterday marked day two of phase two and in one of my entries here on Blogger I stated, "As you may know, re-openings across the state have been gradual and in NYC, PHASE ONE began on June 1, 2020;  while PHASE TWO began yesterday.

These lockdowns and COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic concerns coupled with these new logistics of re-openings have had an impact on my content within this blog, as I've focused primarily on those issues.

I plan to change that and begin to return to other content..."

However, in this entry, I will still be providing details re #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (last night was the eighty-fifth session a participant from it can be seen in the image atop this entry).

Session 84

6/22/2020 PARTICIPANTS

PHASE TWO of NYC's re-opening occurred yesterday (Monday, June 22, 2020) and at the 84th session of #ClapBecauseWeCare, which took place that evening,  I only saw two participants (seen in the image atop this entry). Both of those men have been away ((lucky to get out of Dodge) in recent sessions so it was good to see them again.

The woman who has been recording these sessions (seen in the picture below)...

A 6/22/2020 PARTICIPANT

...speculated in her commentary on this session that people were up and about getting their hair cut or colored — something no one has done in a salon since 3/22/2020.

Session 82 and 83

THE BANNER BELONGING TO A PARTICIPANT

Last evening, Saturday, June 20th, was slated for the 82nd session of #ClapBecauseWeCare and while I could hear a lot of tributes in the distance, no one in the buildings who have been participating were present.

The trees have a lot of foliage on them right now so just because my camera did not detect anyone does not mean people were not present, for I did hear a lot of clapping and cheering; but in terms of photo-ops for that evening, all I can offer is one of a balcony, where a HOPE banner has been affixed to a man's terrace railing since the onset of the lockdown, as seen in the image atop this entry.

Winding Down: Sessions 80+81

PHOTO BY JULIE TERSIGNI

As NYC heads towards PHASE TWO of reopening, which will be this Monday, June 22nd 2020, attendance at the two-minute nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions which began in March 2020, has dropped.

However, they still continue, and the past two night's events (Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19) have been bitter sweet for me, as the couple, Giuseppe and Teresa, (G and T) who live in the building directly east of me will be moving to another part of the city at the end of this month.

They can be see the photo directly above, where I am standing in my rooftop garden.

This picture was taken in April by Julie Tersigni who lives in a building that is north and west of where I live. A few weeks after JT took this picture she got out of the city to escape the often sad craziness which was occurring during our lockdown.

Throwback Thursday: Sessions 68-79

GIUSEPPE AND TERESA PARTICIPATING ON 6/6/2020

BOB HUBER A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT ON 6-6-2020

RJ, A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT ON 6/6/2020

For this Throwback Thursday, I'm catching up on my #ClapBecauseWeCare coverage as the last one I blogged about was after session 67 (which took place on June 5th 2020), and even though I still participated in the sessions I have not included anything about them on my blog.

The photographs atop this entry are from session 68 which took place on June 6th 2020.

Session 67

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

In spite of all the emotions of sadness, anger, and frustrations, that are permeating the lives of many people during this coronavirus pandemic; and the emotions that are occurring in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, the nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions, must go on and fortunately they do continue to occur.

Tonight's tribute, which was number 67, ended nearly three hours ago. A newcomer joined the tribute sand he can be seen in the photo-ops atop this entry.

A Very Different Westside Story These Days (History in the Making)

IMAGE CREDIT

The copy of a PEANUTS comic strip atop this blog entry is from the 5/31/2020 post on the Facebook Page for the Charles M. Schultz Museum. The strip is from 1978 but was posted on the thirty-first  of May (a few days ago) to commemorate Christo, the artist Snoopy is speaking about here and included the FB entry include this explanation:

Charles M. Schulz met Christo in 1975 when the environmental artist, along with his wife Jeanne-Claude, were in Sonoma County working on the preparation for their installation art piece, “Running Fence,” a 23-mile, 18-foot high white nylon curtain that zig-zagged over the Sonoma County hills before plunging into the ocean at the Marin-Sonoma county line. Schulz attended town hall meetings to support the “Running Fence” concept during the planning stages and this began a friendship based on mutual respect and admiration that lasted a quarter of a century.
On November 20, 1978, Schulz memorialized Christo’s work in this Peanuts comic strip. Twenty-five years later, in October 2003, Christo and Jeanne-Claude gifted “Wrapped Snoopy House” [seen in the next image] to Jean Schulz, sharing that it was Christo’s conception of Snoopy’s imaginary doghouse. The work is on permanent display in the Schulz Museum.

IMAGE CREDIT

I first became acquainted with Christo's work when he and his wife put up their art installation known as "The Gates" in Central Park a number of years ago.

Photo-Ops from #ClapBecauseWeCare 65 & A Protest (Plus a return to pre-COVID topics)

PROTEST RE GEORGE FLOYD

PROTEST RE GEORGE FLOYD

PROTEST RE GEORGE FLOYD

PROTEST RE GEORGE FLOYD

As I said in this past Tuesday's blog post, I've been very distracted by the ramifications of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and now by the demonstrations/curfews taking place in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.

I also confessed it is high time (and even past high time) to think about the beauty of my garden's flora as well as in the birds who visit it. However, in spite of my intention, here I am "reporting" on last evening's (June 3rd 2020) sixty-fifth session of #ClapBecauseWeCare, as well as on an event concerning the killing of George Floyd, for just as the clapping tribute was scheduled to take place, throngs of protestors re the murder of George Floyd marched against traffic up an avenue close to where I live, and a few photo-ops can be seen atop this entry.

A Couple of Thoughts Re Session 63 & 64 (Tuesday's Truths WK 182)

MUTTS'S CHARACTERS ARE FEATURED THROUGHOUT MY  BLOG

For this 182nd segment of my Tuesday's Truths series, I confess that (in the midst of this coronavirus  pandemic) it has been hard for me to focus on my projects, which I find distressing.

In terms of this blog, I had big goals set aside for 2020, which I mentioned at the onset of the new year, but now it seems I'm having a great struggle to think about anything but the impact of COVID-19. Like Earl, the dog featured in the Mutts comic strip atop this entry, I'm questioning how to clear my mind and focus on other mattes besides the #ClapBecauseWeCare tributes that I've participated in since two days after they began this past March.

The tributes and the reasoning behind them are very important and I'm glad to pay homage to these events and to the people for whom we do them, but I recognize, I must get back to focusing on my writing projects as time is marching on with out me.

Going forward re this blog, I hope to continue to draw attention to the #ClapBecauseWeCare efforts, but also get back to what I was trying to accomplish pre-COVId-19.

Sessions 60-62 (May 29-May 31)

#CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANTS

In spite of the recent violent protests that have taken place in NYC re the senseless murder of George Floyd, a number of people are still holding together in other forms of solidarity and #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (tributes to first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who are keeping us safe during the coronavirus pandemic) continue to take place.

The photo-op directly atop this entry is from the 62nd session which occurred in my vicinity, a few hours ago his evening, Sunday, May 31st. The people seen here and have participated in the tributes on a regular basis.

Session 59

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Session 59 for #ClapBecauseWeCare (tributes to first responders, health care professionals and essential workers who are keeping us safe during the pandemic) took place a few hours ago (Thursday, May 28th 2020). As usual many people took part in the tribute, but I only took a couple of photographs. One of them can be seen atop this entry.

Session 58

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Session 58 for #ClapBecauseWeCare (nightly tributes to first responders, health care professionals and essential workers who are keeping us safe during the coronavirus pandemic) took place last evening (Wednesday, May 27th). As usual many people took part in the tribute and three of them can be seen in the photos stop this entry.

An Unpleasant (but typical) Encounter

As many people know, I have been heeding the governor's plea for people to shelter in place in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the eve of March 21st and did not go out (with the exception of walking a few blocks to the postoffice, walking a few blocks to a bank and walking a few blocks to check the status of a local laundromat, which is two blocks away).

However, I had to go out on May 11, 2020, to my orthopedist as I was past my need to follow up on the injury I sustained to my Greater tuberosity this past January and two days after seeing this doctor, I began physical therapy at a facility in my hood.

Other than the aforementioned occasions, I've not been outdoors, except to water my rooftop garden and to stand in it when participating in nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (tributes that honor first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who keep people safe during the this COVID-19 pandemic).

In any event, this past Sunday I took a very short walk carrying my DSLR, which is something I've NOT done in the few times I've ventured outside.

I was wearing a hat and my sunglasses plus a face-mask (a standard one, I don't have the ones I created yet), which meant my facial features were nearly covered, but I had opened my jacket a bit as it was getting hot and it wasn't opened very far, only my neck and the pendant I never take off (except for medical procedures) were exposed to the elements as a result.

Be that as it may, during my short journey, I passed a man (who can be seen in the image atop this entry) selling fruit on the street and was taken by the fact that he was on Instagram (which was indicated in a large print sign attached to his stand).

Session 57

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Session for #ClapBecauseWeCare  (tributes to first responders, health care professionals or essential workers who are keeping us safe during the coronavirus pandemic ended a couple) finished about two hours ago. As usual many people took part in the tribute. The woman in the image atop this entry is a regular participant.

Memorial Day Evening 2020: Session 56

On this Memorial Day Evening at the fifty-sixth session of #ClapBecauseWeCare (a nightly event to honor first responders, health care professionals or essential workers who are keeping everyone safe during the coronavirus pandemic), there were a number of participants (a few of them can be seen in the following images).

#CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

#CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANTS

#CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

#CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

I heard someone playing "TAPS" in the distance, presumably doing so honor of the Memorial Day observance coinciding with a #ClapBecauseWeCare session, helping me to feel in spite of all that is going on, I LOVE NY MORE THAN EVER!

Memorial Day Eve and Session 55

A RESIDENT HONORS MEMORIAL DAY 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day and someone who lives across the courtyard and who is a regular participant in #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (tributes to healthcare professionals, first responders and essential workers who keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic), has put up an American flag, presumably to commemorate the solemn holiday.