Groundhog Day 2020

It's Groundhog Day and those who are not fans of winter (I don't mind it) are happy to know that neither NYC's groundhog (in Staten Island) Philadelphia's Punxatawney Phil, saw their shadow and folk lore has always seen this is a sign of an early spring.

Regarding seeing one's shadows, I wish I had not seen mine on January 18 2020 when I was taking photographs for an article I was writing about the first snowfall of the decade, because when I moved in order to not have it be in my picture, I fell and broke my greater tuberosity.

Groundhog Day 2019 Let the ceremony Begin!

It's Ground Hog Day 2019! The Staten Island Zoo at 614 Broadway in West Brighton, opened at six o'clock this morning and the Groundhog Day ceremony began at 7:00 a.m.

At 7:30 AM, NYC will find out the results of our rodent's prediction. Meanwhile, in other parts of the country folks are awaiting their spokes-groundhog to weigh in...

In honor of this pre-celebration excitement I've posted one of Patrick McDonnell's comic strips atop this entry. Stay tuned for the outcome of the groundhog's prediction.

Prominent Member of the Canadian Geese Community says "Six MORE WKS OF WINTER!" (What a SILLY GOOSE!)

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

It's a little after nine o'clock in the morning on Friday, February 2, 2018, which among other things, happens to be Ground Hog Day. This is always the case (at least in the United States) on the second day of the second month of the year.

At this hour, in my time zone (E.S.T.), two well known ground hogs (who "serve" under the names of Punxatawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck) have made their predictions regarding the onset of 2018's spring season.

In Pennsylvania, Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, while on Staten Island, the rodent did not see a shadow and predicted an early spring would be coming to the NYC area.

The predictions are in for 2018 from the creatures representing NYC and Pennsylvania, however, they are not the only groundhogs who serve as meteorologists, please refer to an article written by Jason Bittel which was published by The Washington Post (2017) to learn more.

Meanwhile, since I have published a number of blog posts on subjects related to Groundhog Day (in bygone years), I'm letting another creature weigh in on the matter re 2018's Groundhog Day.

This particular one is a prominent member of the Canadian Geese Community who spend much of their time within the lake in Central Park. I came upon this silly goose while walking in Central Park yesterday and he/she brought to my attention the fact that his/her reflection could be seen in the lake; as evidenced in the photographs atop this entry.

Moreover, the goose wondered if seeing one's reflection qualified as a prediction that there will be six more weeks of winter. I realize that seeing a reflection of one's self is different than seeing his/her shadow; but I do concede that this goose makes a good point! What say you, dear reader?

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

Pigeons, and sparrows, and, starlings! OH MY!

The other week, on Wednesday, August 16th 2017, I went to a wake which was held at the Papavero Funeral Home in Queens. The solemn event was in honor of the beloved Angela Mussa, who is the woman in the undated photograph atop this entry. I never met this lovely woman, who died at age ninety-three in her daughter's (Dr. Carla Mussa DDS) arms, however, I had met her daughter on a few occasions at parties that were held by our mutual friend, TT.

When TT told me Carla's mother had died, and that she was planning on attending the wake, I offered to accompany her to support Carla. I knew Carla was an only child, and that any extended family lived in Italy, therefore, I thought attendance might be sparse.

In any event, at the wake a slide show featuring photographs from various stages of Angela Mussa's life was playing, and the picture featured here is one of the images which was included.

Grainy as the image is, if you knew Angela Mussa was born and raised in Italy, you might be able to tell that it was taken in Italy, and that she is feeding pigeons. 

Honoring the Onset of Fleet Week (Wednesday's Wisdom)

The image atop this entry is from a tweet that I noticed in my Twitter feed. As you can see it pays homage to the fact that Fleet Week kicks off in NYC today, Wednesday May 24th, 2017.

According to a web-page (silive) "the Parade of Ships moving up the Narrows and into New York Harbor beginning at about 8:15 (in the morning.)"

A Wiki page explains that "The Narrows is the tidal strait separating the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City. It connects the Upper New York Bay and Lower New York Bay and forms the principal channel by which the Hudson River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been considered to be the maritime "gateway" to New York City and historically has been one of the most important entrances into the harbors of the Port of New York and New Jersey." 

The aforementioned Wiki page also proclaims "in 1964 the Narrows was spanned by the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, and still the longest suspension bridge in the United States (by length of the main span). "

I have been across The Verrazano–Narrows Bridge as a passenger in a car. However, in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, I crossed it as a tandem cyclist.

The occasion for all of those cycling experiences is due to my participation in an annual event known as The Five Boro Bike Tour (TFBBT). During the last year of my participating in the tour, I took the following picture of The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

You may recognize this image (which was taken on the Staten Island side of the bridge), dear reader, as I included in in a prior entry here on Blogger. I have another photo of the bridge (which was taken by an unknown cyclist at a rest-stop in 2011's TFBBT).

Cyclin' on Cinco de Mayo!

This past Cinco de Mayo (May 5th 2013), I participated in Bike New York's annual Five Boro Bike Tour where I rode as cyclist #3787; and once again I sincerely want to thank The Achilles Club in New York City (and especially Ayesha Rosena Anna McGowan) for making it possible for me to participate in The Five Boro Bike Tour. 

This was the fifth year that I've taken part in this awesome event with Achilles and the image posted with this narrative shows yours truly with my captain at the start line of the Five Boro Tour. The image was taken by Keegan Stephan of Time's Up, a cycling related organization/charity.

Happy February! Tomorrow is Imbolc Day....What will the groundhog have to say?

Tomorrow, February 2nd, is Imbolc Day, the day that marks the point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere (this day is celebrated on August 1st for those living south of the equator), and a day also known as Groundhog Day, when in New York, a rodent known as Staten Island Chuck annually makes a prediction on whether the coming days will be an early spring or prolonged winter. He does this by coming out of hibernation to see if he sees his shadow.

The deal is this: If the groundhog sees his shadow, mend your mittens, as winter will remain fast and furious; but, if he does not see his shadow, an early spring is in the wings. As an urban gardener, I am certainly eager to undo my urban garden winterizing although I hardly rely on a groundhog's predictions — even though in New York the groundhog has been right 85% of the time. A true New Yorker, this little rodent even stood up to Mayor Bloomberg (in 2010) by biting Bloomberg's finger in response for allegedly being coaxed out of his warm home and deep sleep to perform his see-or-not-see-his-shadow task.

I say allegedly because there is speculation that Staten Island Chuck was miffed at Bloomberg (for cutting the Staten Island Zoo's budget from 1.6 million dollars to 1.3 million dollars), and grabbed his chance to retaliate by biting the mayor's finger.

Now, with the mayor's recent arrogance over the response to the mishandling of the December 27, 2010 snowstorm, and his lofty manner regarding third term limits, New Yorkers are waiting in anticipation for tomorrow's event — not only to see if Staten Island Chuck sees his shadow, but to see if this little rodent will reprise his role of standing up to "his honor"— as only he seems to be capable of doing, as evidenced in the video posted below:

Diamond Notch Falls

As the winter winds down, I often think about other seasons. Looking through my prints taken in summer, spring, and fall seasons, I now realize that O'Henry's reference to a single, "last leaf" which is not the only "single leaf" that has influenced me.

Snowy days. Starry nights. "And since we've no place to go, Let it go, Let it go, Let it go..." (A Case For Not Sending 'E' Cards)

Engaging conversations. Sipping Papillon Hermitage. Snacking on Prince De Clavrolle Cheese and a baguette from Tom Cat Bakery as we make up our own words to the "Let it snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow"  song and replace them with "Let it Go, Let it Go, Let it Go." 

We are snow-bound in my studio apartment and looking out onto my terrace garden celebrating my winter note-card collection and so this is my first 'in-between-Saturdays-post.' 

We are not 'E' card people, and while we are fairly proficient in using the computer, and are very much concerned about our environment (we don't "waste" paper), we like to keep in touch in a personal way which is often by mailing a card.