Easter Monday Musings

Today is Easter Monday (for the image credit re the picture above, click here). And according to Wiki, "Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is a holiday in some countries. Easter Monday in the Western Christian liturgical calendar is the second day of Eastertide and analogously in the Byzantine Rite is the second day of Bright Week."

In any event, this year's Easter season did not find me participating in organized religious services (other than Ash Wednesday), as I have felt alienated from my parish, and my attempts to worship elsewhere have been futile. Moreover, for the most part, church going folks have been the ones to let me down while those who don't attend services have been supportive of me.

However, this past Friday, which was Good Friday, I had planned to attend a service at a church other than my own. This was because someone who lives out of state had contacted me in early March to let me know that she would be in NYC, and wanted me to go to church with her on that date.

She also mentioned that she intended to introduce me to someone influential who might be helpful to me in advancing my endeavor with my collection of fauna-flora-insect-themed postcards and or my book, Words In Our Beak Volume One. 

In our last conversation, we agreed that she'd phone me on the Wednesday prior to Good Friday, and when she did not do so, I messaged her (via FB) the following day (Holy Thursday) to which she replied saying that she'd phone me later that day.

Thursday went without me hearing from her. And Good Friday went without me hearing from her, which was disappointing. However, on that day, I was truly blessed by an occurrence, which may not have been the case had I not been home!

GOOD FRIDAY 152 YRS Later

The picture atop this posting is one you might recognize from one of my prior entries here on Blogger, where I discussed Emancipation Day. And as you can see, this image includes the date of this horrific event, which occurred on April 14th 1865.

In 1865, the date for Good Friday was April 14th, as it is today. And I confess that, even though I'm from "The Land of Lincoln (Illinois)," AND attended an elementary school field trip where I visited his home in Springfield Illinois, I had forgotten that in the year of 1865, April 14th was also Good Friday; as is the case today.

Good Friday 2020

Today, Friday, April 11th, 2020, is Good Friday. It it is also the second day of Passover for this year. As I said in yesterday's entry, here on Blogger, "I always find it difficult to create and publish content during these observances as I don't want to appear disrespectful.

Therefore, the only posting I plan to publish here on Blogger for today (4/10/2020) will be this notification and this evening, I will publish a post re the fourteenth session of the nightly clapping/cheering event (that has been dubbed #ClapBecauseWeCare) which is taking place to honor first responders and healthcare workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

After all, rather religious observances are occurring or not, those dedicated to keeping us New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic don't stop what they are doing to participate in their given religion's observance, even though it may be an important part of their lives."

Friggatrtishtkaiedekaphobia: One of my Larix Kaempferi's Demons!

Today is the first Friday of 2012 in Ordinary Time, as well as the second Friday of the new year, and it happens to be Friday the Thirteenth, a day when some folks suffer from Friggatrtishtkaiedekaphobia.

Friday Follow Up: BLUE Friday?

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, is referred to as "Black Friday", as most of you undoubtedly know. I find the whole concept to be rather disheartening, I am even toying with calling it Blue Friday, as I do find it somewhat sad — particularly this year — because stores from coast to coast, across the entire United States, opened at 9:00 PM on Thanksgiving night, to get a jump on Black Friday, when stores usually open at 4:00 AM or thereabouts.

It's the First Friday of 2017's Lenten Season

Today marks the First Friday in 2017's month of March. It's also the First Friday in the 2017 's Season of Lent. On Fridays during the Lenten Season, certain houses of worship offer services or masses where folks can participate in The Stations of The Cross.

The picture posted above was taken at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, located in NYC. This image shows that particular house of worship's Sixth Station of the Cross, a station which seeks to remind us that Saint Veronica wiped the face of Jesus; and the implications of the necessity in helping others, no matter how large or small that gesture might be.

And (as I've mentioned in a prior post here on Blogger) the meditation (associated) re Saint Veronica at the Sixth Station of the Cross, goes something like this, 'a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one, finds a treasure; a faithful friend is a life saving remedy...no sum can balance his worth...'"

The aforementioned contemplation that corresponds with the Sixth Station (where one always sees an image of Saint Veronica) is a good thing be reminded of, not only on this Friday of the Lenten Season, but always! For, indeed, faithful friends are beyond price.

Easter Sunday 2020

In a recent post on my personal Facebook Page, I made a commitment to share a poem a day during the month of April in honor of this being National Poetry Month.

In the event the text of this poem too small or too pixelated within the golden backdrop that I created as an image, here's a copy of Oliver's poem:

Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone–
and how it glides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance–
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love–
do you think there is anywhere, in any language
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure
that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you
as you stand there
empty-handed–
or have you too
turned from this world–
or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

Because it is now Easter morning, I chose The Sun, by Mary Oliver, for today's selection to post there but wanted to share it here too. Re this poem, Robin Bates writes, "I have periodically turned to Mary Oliver to provide Easter poems, even though she seldom speaks overtly about religion. A number of her lyrics reenact the progress of Easter week, from dark suffering to miraculous release and ecstatic union with the divine. In 'The Sun,' Oliver’s main focus is on the moment of transcendence."

Friday Follow Up

As those of you who follow my blog know, ever since October 21, 2011, I have designated Friday as a day to follow-up on topics which have been mentioned here on TLLG.

Reflections on "MYSTERIES OF LIFE"

One of my favorite mini essays by E.B. White is, "Mysteries of Life." Recently I referred to it when commenting on an entry on The Writer's Almanac's Facebook Page. And I thought of White's "mysteries" essay again the other morning, prompting me to share it here:

MYSTERIES OF LIFE (9-22-28 E.B. White):

"About once a year the human soul gets into the papers, when British scientist convene. Once a year the mystery of life, the riddle of death, are either cleared up or left hanging. The reports of the learned man enthrall us, and there have been moments when we felt that we were really approaching an understanding of life’s secret. We experienced one of those moments the other morning, reading a long article on the chemistry of the cell. Unfortunately, when we finished we happened to glance into our goldfish tank and saw there was a new inhabitant. Frisky, our pet snail, had given birth to a tiny son while our back was turned. The baby mollusk was even then hunching along the glassy depths, wiggling his feelers, shaking his whelky head. Nothing about Frisky’s appearance or conduct had given us the slightest intimation of the blessed event; and gazing at the little newcomer, we grew very humble, and threw the morning paper away. Life was as mysterious as ever."

The essay came to my mind, not because I was reading through the newspaper to check on the reports of "the learned man," and missed the birth of a creature in the process; rather, I thought of the essay when I woke up this morning after a difficult night caused by my having spent too much time going over and over things I had or hadn't done that made me disappointed in myself.

My Tales of Hoffman

According to a number of tweets (where I saw the image atop this entry), The Graduate, premiered fifty years ago today on December 22, 1967, which happened to be a Friday, as it is now.

The 15th Session

JULIE, THE WOMAN WHO TOOK PHOTO-OP S OF MY GARDEN
SEE THEM BY CLICKING HERE AND HERE 

The 15th night of clapping and cheering (that has been dubbed #ClapBecauseWeCare) to honor first responders and healthcare workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic took place a little over an hour ago.

Many people participated but I only took a few pictures (one of which can be seen in the photo atop this entry).

Friday in the Octave of Easter & Arbor Day

Today is Friday in The Octave of Easter; and because it is the last Friday in April, it is also Arbor Day. I've always appreciated Patrick McDonnell's (creator of the Mutts comic strip) "take" re this event and have posted a copy of it atop this entry. As you can see, McDonnell's characters Earl and Mooch seem to know how much birds appreciate trees as evidenced in their planting one, which is appreciated by an avian creature.

I have also planted trees in containers that are in my rooftop garden and have not only been blessed by the beauty they bring to my place; as well as by their often unspoken help to our environment; many birds have come to visit because of them...

Friday Follow-Up: bees in bonnets can be good (Follow ups on bees and SAINTS)

According to one source, when one has "a bee in their bonnet," it means that they are "being preoccupied or obsessed with an idea."

And when it comes to the "visiting bees" in my rooftop garden, I have been preoccupied, actually mesmerized, by the bees which have been feasting on my Hyssop plants. This is evident in the array of blog entries I have made on this blog regarding them, including ones that you may refer to by clicking here as well as here and here. 

Additionally I authored a post related to my "visiting bees" for nybg's (New 
York Botanical Gardens) tumblr that you may refer to by clicking here and then scrolling. 

Even though there are two "visiting" bees that are "captured" in the photograph directly above, the bees which have been coming to my terrace garden are now fewer in number and they appear to be much smaller.

Follow-Up Friday: Christmas Card Day

Due to a number of circumstances, the last time that I was able to post an entry here on Blogger was December 8th 2016 and I'm glad to be back! In any event, last Friday, December the 9th, was a holiday known as Christmas Card Day and I'm sorry to be telling you about it one week after the occurrence! But since Christmas is ten days from now, it is certainly not too late to do something about Christmas cards!

Friday Feeling: I've been thankful for a NEW association re cardinals.

Here's a female cardinal about to indulge in one of many grapes which I've placed on a saucer in my rooftop garden for the dining pleasure of the birds who visit me.

She may be related to Cam, the female cardinal who authored the book, Words In Our Beak.

As many who follow my cyber-venues, Cam is very near and dear to my heart.

Moreover, she has taught me a number of things re the many members of the avian community, especially her bird type. Prior to my meeting Cam, I was not too familiar with female cardinals.

I knew about the male cardinal as he is the state bird of Illinois where I spent my childhood through early adulthood years.

Ta da! I've put a SQUARE PEG in a ROUND HOLE!

September 22, 2012

September 25, 2012

Once again, due to the upheaval in my urban (NYC) terrace garden,  I'm posting on a non-scheduled day, but I want to play catch-up so I can return to my "regularly scheduled program" on Friday, September 28th 2012.

Take Advantage of Black Friday Savings (Without Going to a Mall)

It's Black Friday, a day known for specials and savings in the shopping malls, a place that Snoopy seems to think is pretty good, as evidenced in the PEANUTS Comic Strip atop this entry. BUT, here's a savings you can take take advantage without leaving your home, all you need is access to the Internet!

Friday Follow Up: Miracle on the Hudson

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN WIOB

The photo atop this entry features a pair of Canadian geese walking on a sheet of ice that is covering a lake in Central Park. I was surprised to see this happening as this bird type can often be seen trying to keep their feet warm. A way that they do this is to stand on one foot and tuck the other one under their breast, as evidenced in the following pictures.

Doing this action to keep warm was impossible for Kaitlin, a goose who lost most of her right leg to fishing line while swimming in Central Park's Boat Lake. Apparently this accident occurred a years ago and her mate, a faithful gander, remains at her side as he attempts to protecting her from harm, as seen in the next photograph.

If you'd like to learn more about this avian couple's compelling story, it can be found in my article, The One Legged Goose and Her Faithful Partner, which was published by ilovetheupperwestide.com

Not only are Canadian geese loyal partners, they both take part in the parenting of their goslings as you migh surmise upon seeing the following image.

This image along with others of a Canadian geese family is featured in volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak (AKA WIOB).

MY BOOK SERIES

In any event, this bird type is on my mind today because this last Friday, January 15th,  (which also happpened to be Martin Luther King's birthday), marked the eleventh anniversary of The Miracle on the Hudson, when Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III had to make the difficult decision to land US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan after both engines were disabled by a bird strike by Canadian geese. All 155 people aboard survived. 

As stated in many articles about the event, including one published in The Guardian, the outcome wasn't so good for the geese.

Faithful friends ARE sturdy shelters.

The photograph atop this entry features a Northern mockingbird alighting on the branches of a shrub known as a Continus Coggygria (Smoke Bush) which has been growing in my garden for a number of years. I took the image when the lovely creature stopped by to spend a good deal of time with me this past Friday evening.

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.