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.

#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 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.

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.

How My Garden Grows (Partially)

MY ROOFTOP GARDEN

As I said in yesterday'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 in my garden such as this geranium variety (seen in the photograph atop this entry) as well as details of the foliage on my Japanese Red Maple, (a tree which is featured in volume one of my book series, Words In Our Beak).

THE JAPANESE RED MAPLE IS FEATURED IN VOL ONE

THE JAPANESE RED MAPLE IS FEATURED IN VOL ONE

THE JAPANESE RED MAPLE IS FEATURED IN VOL ONE

And to reiterate what I've been saying here on Blogger, "During this time where many people are confined to their homes due to lockdown restrictions (re the coronavirus pandemic), these books (whose stories are set in my rooftop garden) are great to have around as a reminder that there is still so much beauty in our fallen world."

MY THREE VOLUME BOOK SERIES

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.