Oleb Rejects "Imperfect Strangers"

Today I received some disappointing news re my book,  Imperfect Strangers.

I am extremely disheartened in their news and also in the way Oleb (the publisher) let me know of their decision.

Identifying with Pigeons who are Marginalized

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

Thanks to the long lens of my DSLR, I was able to observe the eyelids of a pigeon who stopped by my rooftop garden and sat on a pole which supports my string lights. Yes, I said that this bird sat on a pole supporting my string lights.

Stanley Tate (in a column) proclaims,"Pigeons sit on top of something rather than grip a perch. Their feet are fatter and shorter and their toenails are less curved."

This seems to be the case with the pigeon who visited my place the other day as evidenced in the photograph directly above as well as in the one directly below.

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

However, I wouldn't say that my visitor didn't "grip," for he/she seemed to do some gripping as evidenced in the next series of photographs.

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

The way in which this pigeon alighted on my pole was not the only action that caused me to be curious re his/her behavior, as states in my introduction, I initially noticed his/her lids were nearly closed; as seen in the first picture included within this entry, and the one directly below, my first thought was that he/she was about to take a nap.

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

However, since I couldn't be certain this pigeon's eyelids indicated he/she was about to snooze, I did some research re the eyelids of pigeons and discovered some interesting facts. According to an unnamed general web-page in my Google search, "Pigeons, like humans, can see in colour, but unlike humans they can also see ultraviolet light, a part of the spectrum that humans cannot see. As a result, pigeons are often used in search and rescue missions at sea because of this unique sense combined with excellent all-round vision." 

It's hard for me (and it seems Stanley Tate feels the same way) to comprehend why pigeons are so marginalized. Tate proclaims, "Although there is no objective dividing line between the two, people tend to separate them in their thoughts and attitudes. Doves are seen as clean in feather and in heart, gentle, peaceful, calming; and they have pretty blue eyelids. Pigeons are viewed as grimy, poopy, pestilential, and they are utterly common. But the birds we call doves are no cleaner than the ones we call pigeons — even the most urban pigeon is scrupulously well groomed, iridescent, and tidy. Tar on its coralred feet, perhaps, but no dirtier than a country mourning dove."

Perhaps I identify with pigeons being marginalized because of the way I've been sidelined as a result of my physical appearance as a result of having been born with Neurofibromatosis as well as four eye ailments (Keratoconus, Monocular vision, Optic atrophy and Staphyloma).

The Latest Status re "Imperfect Strangers" (Friday Follow-Up)

TEXT BASED IMAGE CREDIT

As many of you know during the years 2017 and 2018, I published a three volume book series, Words In Our Beak, where the stories are set in my rooftop garden and told from the perspective of a female cardinal.

THE WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

And you may also know, from my video on You Tube and/or Vimeo that I introduced my book project, Imperfect Strangers.

"IMPERFECT STRANGERS" VIDEO-1 ON YOU TUBE
"IMPERFECT STRANGERS" VIDEO-2 ON VIMEO

Yesterday on Facebook, I announced that the book is completed and has been submitted!

Sunday's Sequel to Friday's Follow-up

In my last entry here on Blogger, I discussed the fact that I had submitted a synopsis for my book project, Imperfect Strangers. Later that same day my aforementioned post was published, I received a response (email) from a person who works for the place I had submitted my book. Her words are featured in the "talk bubble" atop this blog entry.

I am beyond thrilled to have received this news and they came on the eve of my birthday, which was yesterday.

Sunday in the Park with Cardinals

IMAGE CREDIT

In my early morning blog post for today, I featured Marquis quote, "Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."

That quotation seems to be the story of my life these past couple of months because I have been unable to finish my proposal for a photo book project I am hoping to do with Steidl.

I had intended to submit my work to him this past April or May at the latest. However, this past May I took a U turn from the work I had been doing on the proposal and focused on my other book and or movie project, Imperfect Strangers.

Throwback Thursday: "LIFE CAN'T WAIT" (Today's my video's one year anniversary.)

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

As of this blog entry, we only have ten more days left in the month of May, which happens to be known as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month. I was born with this horrific condition and have attempted to raise awareness about it through postings here on Blogger as well as in my presentations (speaking engagements) including one I gave in December of 2018 at NYSEC (The New York Society for Ethical Culture).

Moreover, I've written a book, Imperfect Strangers, about living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) and today marks my one year anniversary of posting my video (the cover for it is posted atop this entry) about the book.

National Nurses Day 2021

On this day in 1974, "New Mexico nurses initiated a resolution in 1981 to have May 6th declared National Recognition Day for Nurses. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors took up the banner and promoted the proposal. In 1982, the United States Congress designated May 6th to be National Recognition Day for Nurses and President Ronald Reagan signed the proposal."

My maternal grandmother, Clara Fitchie Melahn, seen in the photo (atop this entry) taken when she was a young woman, was 74 years of age at the time Regan signed the proposal. She had been long retired from nursing as she had left her career when she had children.

My grandmother had quite an influence on me, but the only experience I had being a nurse is when I played one (in the 1980's) on a soap opera, "One Life to Live. 

Thursday's Testimony

IMAGE CREDIT

I begin today's blog entry with a recap: In Monday's post here on Blogger, I discussed a problem (related to writer's block) I'm having getting back on track with my proposal for Steidl (a publisher of photography books) as well as with tweaking my follow up video for Imperfect Strangers. 

And in Tuesday's entry I announced that "my work was truly disrupted by an unexpected major upheaval in my rooftop garden and at this time, I cannot even write about it, but I will do so in a few days, dear reader, after I've had time to deal with today's unfortunate situation."

Within Wednesday's entry I confessed "Consequences as a result of the disruption in my rooftop garden and the work space in my home that I mentioned in yesterday's post are something I will be contending with today."

The past few days disruption to my home and rooftop garden that came on the heels of recovering from a bad cold, undergoing dental procedures and losing my Internet as well as my phone services (which I've mentioned in a few blog entries) have impeded my ability to complete my Imperfect Strangers manuscript that is currently 32,680 words.

I've also admitted that  my recent series of disruptions have interfered with my ability to re-record my follow-up video to add to my You Tube and Vimeo channels.

Additionally (as I've been saying) I've allowed these circumstances to hinder my ability to tighten up my proposal for Steidl — even though the photographs I intend to include with my submission are in PDF format.

Time continues to march ahead rather I do or not! I had planed to have submissions out as well as have videos posted by June 21! Now, today, is August 1st and neither are ready, although they are both mighty close.

Therefore before any more time passes or I enter the state of denial (as the passengers in the cartoon atop this entry are about to do) that I can do everything, I need to accept that I can only do so much in a day, especially if I want to do it well. In accepting this fact, I realize I need to free up some time. The only way I see to that at this juncture is to adjust my blogging schedule.

As you may have noticed dear reader, for the past several months, I've published posts on a daily basis. However, during this time of my now being fully committed to the process of completing Imperfect Strangers as well as Steidl's proposal, I have decided to post every other day, except for Tuesdays (on that day I'll always post to keep up the momentum of my Tuesday's Truths series).

I will stick to this schedule (with the exception of an occasional extra posting on a non-scheduled day) until the end of the month of September (2019).

Thank you for understanding and I'll see you here on Blogger either this coming Saturday!

Remembering Clara May Fitchie Melahn

CLARA MAY FITCHIE WITH SIBLINGS

My maternal grandmother, Clara May Fitchie Melahn, was born on this day of July 23rd in the 1900. She always hated the fact that she was born within that year because her age could be calculated so easily. In any event, she can be seen (standing at the right) in the back row with her siblings in the photo atop this entry (which has been featured in a number of entries here on Blogger).

The 4th Anniversary of Harper Lee's Passing (And Her Influence On Me)

IMAGE CREDIT

Today is the fourth anniversary of Harper Lee's death. I've paid homage to Ms. Lee's passing since the day it occurred (2-19-2016). This morning while doing some research I came across an interesting New York Post article (by Melkorka Licea, Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein) re an apartment that she maintained in NYC. The photo atop my entry is from their piece.

As I've mentioned in my blog entries re Harper Lee, rarely is the time I encounter certain birds such as blue jays or mockingbirds and not think of her novel, To Kill A Mockingbird.

In Honor of Ellen McConnell Blakemann

As I mentioned in a post I published one year ago today, "Normally on this day of August 3rd, I would be calling Ellen Rachel McConnell Blakeman to wish her a happy birthday. However, she died earlier this year and is missed very much by Cam and yours truly.

As some of you may know, volume two of the Words In Our Beak book series is dedicated to her.

I think of Ellen [who can be seen in the photograph atop this entry] often, but especially today and my thoughts are also with her family (including her mother, her sister Martha, Douglas McConnell, Susan McConnell and Bennett Paul) as well as her friends, especially Loris Damerow, whom Ellen often spoke about whenever we discussed various topics."

The last time she and I spoke by phone was late January or maybe early February 2018.

JULY 30th: That was the day that was! Tuesday's Truths WK 138

IMAGE CREDIT

Two weeks ago (July 30) in my 136th segment for my Tuesday's Truths series, I stated, "....As for my completing my projects, my work was truly disrupted by an unexpected major upheaval in my rooftop garden and at this time, I cannot even write about it, but I will do so in a few days, dear reader, after I've had time to deal with today's unfortunate situation..."

Now, before too much time passes, I'm using this week's Tuesday's Truths "episode" to catch up where I left off in that posting and tell you a little bit more about that unfortunate situation, which for now (and hopefully for the long term been resolved).

The situation I referred to in my July 30th entry is the fact workmen showed up on that day to replace the building's gutters (a repair that had been long overdue) under my rooftop garden (which is atop a roof extension). Their plan had been to attach a ladder to the railing around my garden, remove the old gutter and replace it.

World Radio Day 2020

Today is World Radio Day, certainly worthy of the nod, at least for yours truly, for I am an avid radio listener; and I've also been a guest on two radio programs that are based in NYC.

My first time being interviewed on the radio took place at the studios for 1010 WINS, where I was interviewed by John Montone about how conditions with my eyesight influenced my kaleidoscopic art work (that can now be purchased through Fine Art America).

I wrote about my experience with John Monotone in one my first entries on my blog.

It's May 17th! (World Awareness Day for Neurofibromatosis)

Today, May 17th, is the day designated for promoting WORLD WIDE awareness re Neurofibromatosis (NF), a medical condition that has affected yours truly since birth, please note the verbiage (referenced within the square) in the text-based image atop this posting.

Organizations seeking to promote awareness about this affliction are asking folks to wear blue and green as a sign of their being in solidarity with the plight of one's who have NF.

Additionally, buildings across the globe are turning on blue and green lights to to show their support; as evidenced in a posting by the Children's Tumor Foundation @ https://www.ctf.org/shine-a-light-on-nf/

Unfortunately, even though I have been traumatized by many consequences related to my having NF, I don't own blue and green clothing, so I cannot help in this manner, but what I am doing to raise awareness is working on a book which is tentatively titled, Imperfect Strangers, and its content describes some of the consequences of living with NF.

A video about "Imperfect Strangers" can be found within my Vimeo and You Tube channels. Here are the links:

https://vimeo.com/338407819

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt4SvgkRXuc&t=6s

And while I may not be wearing blue and green clothing, the European starlings who visit my garden, have blue and green features, as evidenced by the photos I'm including here in the images below:

This bird type is featured (along with many other bird varieties) in my books. You can find info re this matter within a post on my blog via this link:

https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series 

Tuesday Truths WK 141: Labored on Labor Day

IMAGE CREDIT

I hope those that live in parts of the world where Labor Day is celebrated had a restful and rejuvenating holiday. As for me I labored! Most of my Labor Day Weekend — with the exceptions of taking walks in Central Park — was spent working on my video update for Imperfect Strangers.

I'm so happy to say I accomplished my task. Soon after doing so, I saw a post-it image (pictured above) in my newsfeed, the author of it is right — Who knew?

This news makes it a great time to reach out to you dear reader and ask you to please view my update for Imperfect Strangers.

I uploaded it to You Tube this afternoon and also to Vimeo. The duration is two minutes and thirty three seconds. I hope you will take the time to view it and leave a comment on my channel.

Meanwhile, as we are in the month of September, a month evidently set aside to be kind to writers and editors, I would like to remind you of my schedule for publishing blog posts which I announced on August 1 2019: Each Tuesday I will continue with my Tuesday's Truths series and in addition to that, I will be publishing an entry every other day.

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.

In addition to a theatrical play, LBJ is featured in "Imperfect Strangers..."

IMAGE CREDIT

Last night a friend took me to see The Great Society, the Broadway play now being featured at The Vivian Beaumont Theatre in NYC. Playbill describes it  as a production "Capturing Johnson’s passionate and aggressive attempts to build a great society for all, The Great Society follows his epic triumph in a landslide election to the agonizing decision not to run for re-election just three years later. It was an era that would define history forever: the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the destruction of Vietnam, and the creation of some of the greatest social programs America has ever known—and one man was at the center of it all: LBJ."

I also reference President Lyndon B. Johnson in my book, Imperfect Strangers, a story which begins from a child's perspective.

My Blogging Schedule Update

Image Credit

It's the last day of September for this year of 2019 and I'd like to take this opportunity to announce a change in when I will be publishing entries here on Blogger from October 1, 2019 through the end of the year, December 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019 will mark my ten year anniversary of publishing this blog. I published my first entry on December 31, 2009.

My blog has gone in different directions since that time and on August 1, 2019, I announced in my blog entry the following: "Time continues to march ahead rather I do or not! I had planed to have submissions out as well as have videos posted by June 21! Now, today, is August 1st and neither are ready, although they are both mighty close.

Therefore before any more time passes or I enter the state of denial... that I can do everything, I need to accept that I can only do so much in a day, especially if I want to do it well. In accepting this fact, I realize I need to free up some time. The only way I see to that at this juncture is to adjust my blogging schedule.

As you may have noticed dear reader, for the past several months, I've published posts on a daily basis. However, during this time of my now being fully committed to the process of completing Imperfect Strangers as well as Steidl's proposal, I have decided to post every other day, except for Tuesdays (on that day I'll always post to keep up the momentum of my Tuesday's Truths series).

I will stick to this schedule (with the exception of an occasional extra posting on a non-scheduled day)  until the end of the month of September (2019)."

Now, on this last day of the month of September in the year 2019, I am thankful to report my pulling back on my posting allowed me to accomplish my goal of finishing my book, Imperfect Strangers (and sending it to a publisher who requested it) as well as posting a video update about the book which can be viewed within my Vimeo and/or You Tube Channels.

That schedule adjustment also permitted me to finish a book of my photography (working title It's The Little Things) and submit it to a publisher.

Beginning tomorrow, and until at least until the end of the year December 31, 2019 (at which time I will reevaluate my blogging schedule), I plan to return to the schedule I've been using in order to meet the deadlines of projects related to my books.

However, because the time period of October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, coincides with many occasions and events that I've written about in bygone years, I may publish posts on non-scheduled  days. At minimum, I will meet my commitment to the schedule of postings I laid out in August 2019: Every other day, except for Tuesdays (on that day I'll always post to keep up the momentum of my Tuesday's Truths series).

Thanks again for reading and please tuned!

Memorial Day 2020

A BRAMHALL CARTOON

As many know, Memorial Day (which is being celebrated today), was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.

But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971.

According to Wikipedia, "The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress' change of date within a few years.

"Memorial Day endures as a holiday which most businesses observe because it marks the unofficial beginning of summer. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) advocate returning to the original date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address:

"Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.

"Starting in 1987 Hawaii's Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, introduced a measure to return Memorial Day to its traditional date. Inouye continued introducing the resolution until his death in 2012."

This fact re switching the date of the holiday may be the reason that a number of Americans seem to have forgotten the true meaning of this solemn day; as poignantly illustrated in the cartoon by Bramhall, seen in the image atop this entry.

Post Office Encounters Then & Now (Wednesday's Wisdom)

Every once in a while New Yorkers do hold together as evidenced in this essay by E.B. White (posted atop this entry) which was published just a little over 66 years ago on 3/6/1954.

I've read this piece over and over again and it came to my mind yesterday when I was at the post office where I'd gone to mail my submission of Imperfect Strangers,* which is something I mentioned in yesterday's Facebook entry.

My clerk, Connie, could not have been nicer or more accommodating and the same seemed true about her clerk-colleague who was sitting next to her.

Nonetheless, a woman on line began yelling at them, complaining she was in a hurry. No one verbally jumped to the defense of the postal clerks as is the case in White's essay, however, their silence seemed not to be due to a lack of empathy for the verbally attacked clerks, rather; it seemed to because of other things that are on people's minds these days; mainly the coronavirus.