I'm back after yet another hiatus...

Once again I have had circumstances that have taken me away from being present here on Blogger as well as from moving forward with my "Imperfect Strangers" book project.

I feel akin to Mooch, the cat featured in the Mutts comic strip atop this entry and I must confess, the longer I'm away from my book project, the more confidence I lose re any value it might have. 

But I've received an encouraging "note" (email) from an advocate for those who suffer from NF.

It stated:

"Your struggle is real, Patricia. 

Youngsters nowadays are SO lucky to find there's information (re NF), care and acceptance of their differences, at least in safe circles.

You got a very opposite message.

Remind yourself of the courage and strength of character it took to make a new home in New York.

It wasn't the end of ridicule or discrimination, but your determination to educate the uninformed has been a real inspiration.

I'll admit that it seems cosmically unfair that you've been assaulted by so many complications - both painful and cosmetically distressing - at this point in your life.

Why you should be so afflicted I cannot understand.

All I can suggest is to set small goals for yourself each day. 

Celebrate small accomplishments.

Thank each bird who graces your garden. 

You're a good person with a kind soul. 

That's huge.

RM"

I'm not so sure RM is correct in calling me a person with "a kind soul," I can get pretty short tempered, but this is not the time or place for self-deprecation, so onward I shall go with my return to this blog.

My Recent Articles

Once again I've been out of the loop re my blogging as I've been doing research and photo shoots for a few articles I was assigned to write.

Colleen Elizabeth Ormond Passed Away Ten Years Ago Today (11-11-2010)

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE ORMOND

Ten years ago, on Veterans Day, November  11, 2010, Colleen Elizabeth Ormond (pictured here with the family dog, Hero), died at the age of twenty-five. I learned of her death late that night, not even a week after publishing a blog post about November being a month of remembrance for those who have died, and for those who mourn them.

Colleen was born with with a severe form of a hydrocephalic condition which caused her to have several debilitating afflictions, including being unable to see due to resulting damage to her optic nerve. 

Yet Colleen Elizabeth Ormond gave much love from the minute she came into the world until she left it, passing peacefully in her sleep on Veterans Day, having been a warrior herself. 

Colleen had fought the good fight and has now finished the race.

At that time, the family did request that in lieu of flowers to honor Colleen, donations could be made to Katibug, a non-profit foundation helping families who are caring for medically and physically fragile children like Colleen, in their homes.

Colleen's passing (and the fact that her parents and sister cared for her in their home) has always been part of my inspiration to follow through n my book project Imperfect Strangers.

The book discusses growing up with the condition of NF (Neurofibromatosis) and I've posted a video re my endeavor which can be viewed within my Vimeo channel as well as my You Tube channel.

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

The goal of my ptroject is to not only raise awareness about NF, but to educate the general public about consequences re how remarks made to an individual with any physical (or mental) difference can have a profound, long-lasting impact that last a lifetime.

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.

#ClapBecauseWeCare Session Forty-Eight (Monday's Musings )

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Last night (Sunday, May 17th) was the forty-eighth session of #ClapBecauseWeCare and in addition to a semi-regular participant (the young girl seen in the image atop this entry), a dog checked out the situation.

#ClapBecauseWeCare Session 26 ETC

IMAGE CREDIT

For my 176th segment of Tuesday's Truths which is falling on the twenty-first of April, I'd like to begin by saying that one month ago today on March 21st, which was a Saturday, headlines were being made that NYC would be in a two week lockdown starting on Sunday night (the 22nd of March).

Session Eight

#ClapBecauseWeCare Participants

Earlier this evening the 8th session of the 7PM clapping/cheering event (that has been dubbed #ClapBecauseWeCare) took place to honor first responders and healthcare workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many people participated but I only took a few pictures as it is hard to clap and use a DSLR at the same time. The photo featured atop this entry is of a man across the courtyard who has been a regular participator.

Finding Joy During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Tuesday's Truths WK 169)

A #ClapBecauseWeCare Participant

Last night was the fifth night of the 7PM clapping/cheering nightly event (that has been dubbed #ClapBecauseWeCare) in NYC that is taking place to honor first responders and health care workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many people participated but I only took one picture (featured atop this entry) as I can't clap and take pictures at the same time.

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.

Facts About Bergamasco Sheep Dogs ETC (Tuesday's Truths WK 149)

This past Saturday was a perfect "Autumn in New York" kind of day and when I was doing my weekly early morning walk with my friend CF, we were quick to discover many forms of wild life in Central Park, including a fledgling female cardinal taking advantage of this lovely time. She can be seen in the two images atop this entry.

Two WKS Ago Today

Anyone who has worked on a waitstaff, eaten in a restaurant, owned a cat, or owned a dog will surely appreciate this strip by the talented Patrick McDonnell. It appeared in my in-box two weeks ago and I'm overdue in sharing!

Another Saturday in the Park

As I have mentioned a number of times here on Blogger (including this past Saturday's posting) any time it is a Saturday and I'm in Riverside Park or Central Park, I find myself thinking of the hit song Saturday in the Park by the band Chicago, and today was no exception.

I took an early morning walk with a friend (CF) and when we were on a grassy area which was near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, we witnessed a dramatic rescue. Part of what we saw was a mother raccoon coming to her young one's aid which is what is going on in the video atop this entry.

Someone had been walking their large dog off leash (which against the law) and the dog suddenly bolted after a very young raccoon. This little creature was so frightened that he/she raced up high  — very high  — into the tree tops and sat their trembling as he/she was unable to get back down.

His/her mother swiftly climbed up the trunk and into the tree tops to help her little one. She held him in her mouth as she ever so carefully made her way down the trunk from different angles as you can see in the mini video I created.

How special it was to have so many people gathered round to witness this rescue.

Happy New Year — Chinese New Year that is.

The figurine, who is featured in the image directly above, joins me today in wishing you, dear reader, a very  Happy New Year — Chinese New Year that is. This date of 2-16-2018 marks the beginning of the Lunar Year, which happens to be The Year of the Dog.

This occasion has nothing to do with the calendar year being named The Year of the Bird in honor of the one hundred year anniversary of  The Migratory Bird Act.

The Feast of the Epiphany 2018

Today is The Feast of the Epiphany. According to a web-page on Holiday Insights, "Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were the three kings (also known as the Three Wise Men) who saw the star over Bethlehem when Christ was born. They followed it to find the Christ child on January 6th. They brought the Christ child gold, frankincense and myrrh." —  And they did it without mobile phones, contrary to what the cartoon atop this entry suggests.

Thursday's Tale: My Wednesday in the Park (with Lola, Parker, and Elliot)

Lola, the dog featured in the images atop this entry is someone you might recognize, dear reader, if you follow one of my PY Facebook Page. I featured pictures of her in an entry which I posted this past July.

I've seen her on a number of occasions since that time, and yesterday, I was honored to  be invited to spend part of my afternoon with her, as well as her good friend, Parker.

Sunday's Sentiments for 11-12-2017

It's a few minutes after midnight Eastern Standard Time and I am just now composing my entry for Sunday, November the 12th 2017, as it is my first opportunity to write a blog post for that day.

Sunday's Sentiments for 10-29-2017

Yesterday, Saturday, October 28th, marked the one hundred and twenty-first anniversary of the dedication of The Statue of Liberty. According to a Wikipedia page, the statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. She can be standing in NYC's harbor (from the vantage point of Red Hook in Brooklyn), in the first image atop this entry. The second image features a driftwood sculpture of her.

That particular image (which was was included in an entry here on Blogger this past June), was taken by yours truly when I made a trip to Long Beach (on Long Island in NY) with my sister a number of years ago.

Thursday's Thoughts

On this last day of August for 2017, I'm finding it difficult to write about anything because it seems my content is unworthy in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which has devastated so many lives in Texas. As I compose this posting Harvey is on his way to Louisiana to wreak havoc and his demise is occurring during the anniversary week of Hurricane Katrina, which occurred during the time period of August 23, 2005 – August 31, 2005.

Jazz, the dog pictured above was rescued during Katrina, but ultimately abandoned at an animal shelter because he is blind. Someone I know (TT) here in NYC is from New Orleans and her family was there during that hurricane. The mother (Mrs. T) of TT (who lives near to me) was supposedly working at the aforementioned shelter and she adopted Jazz. 

Ultimately Mrs. T died of cancer, unrelated to Katrina, and TT bought Jazz to NYC. She was not always able to care for him and I introduced TT to someone who has been able to help her care for Jazz.

In any event, I certainly am keeping the folks impacted by these hurricanes in my mind, and I have yet to find out how Juan V's family is faring. They live in Texas, but I'm not sure what part, and, I don't usually communicate with Juan in between the days we work together in my urban garden.

The next time I see him, which will be a week from today, I will be able to ask him if his loved ones were affected by Harvey.

Pearl, a lovely American Robin

The bird in the photograph above goes by the name of Pearl. In this picture, she can be seen in her home which is on the grounds of The Raptor Trust in New Jersey. The Raptor Trust, as you may know, either from your own experience, or from my posts here on Blogger,  is a bird rehab facility in New Jersey. I learned about the organization through The Wild Bird Fund, a bird rehab facility in NYC.

Pearl belongs to the bird type known as the American Robin (AKA Turdus migratorius). I was introduced to her this past Friday when a dear gentleman, FR, drove our mutual friend, DD-S, as well as his dog, Uli, and me from NYC to Millington New Jersey; where The Raptor Trust is located. I had the distinct honor of sharing the backseat with FR's chow chow, Uli (a nickname for Ulysses).

He is a dog you may recognize as I featured him in a post here on Blogger this past August, in honor of National Dog Day. Uli was a great travel companion and didn't bark about the fact that his animal type is not allowed within the grounds of The Raptor Trust. The reasons for their rule are obvious, even Uli understands!

Tuesday's Truths WK 12: Blessings Of The Animals are always done on The Feast Day of Saint Francis

Earlier today, October the fourth, here on Blogger, I posted an entry in honor of Saint Francis, whose Feast Day is today. And now, before the day ends, I'd like to report, as part of my Tuesday's Truths series, that a number of institutions throughout the world host an event in which one of any denomination, or no denomination, can bring his/her animal to be blessed. The Church Of  The Blessed Sacrament in NYC is included in that mix, and the image above this entry features a flyer used to promote the event.