A New Season Begins Today

I'm a bit behind in my posting here on Blogger, mostly due to preparations I have to make (just like everyone else) in light of the coronavirus pandemic. I'm hunkering down as much as possible and saw a disturbing sight from the vantage point of my garden yesterday: Someone had a fire going in their outdoor space and was leaving it unattended!

Saturday Night: A Report on This Evening's (5/9/2020) #ClapBecauseWeCare

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

GIUSEPPE
(He has taken a video of a session from his window.)

The photographs atop this entry are from this evening's (5-9-2020) #ClapBecauseWeCare tribute.

Friday's Follow-Up #ClapBecauseWeCare Sessions 51+ 52

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

I'm bit behind in my coverage of the #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions that I've been participating in since March 30, 2020. These tributes are a small way to honor our first responders, health care professionals and essential workers who are keeping us safe during this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. I joined in on March 29th, two days after the onset of the event and have been posting content about each one of them.

This morning's blog entry covers sessions that took place on Wednesday May 20th, as well as  Thursday (last night) May 22nd, and the photo atop this entry is from the May 20th session.

Friday's Fact: It's May! It's May! BUT The "Merry Month of May" is less merry due to COVID-19! (Maybe my masks can help?)

THIS PHOTO IS FEATURED IN A NOVEMBER 2O19 FB POST

Today is May first causing me to think of a song from Camelot, where some of the lyrics say,:

"...Tra la, it's May, the lusty Month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra la, it's here, that shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear
It's May, It's May, that gorgeous holiday..."

But this year the onset of May does not seem so merry due to the world wide-spread  COVID-19 pandemic causing people to be required to wear face-masks to prevent its spread.

And to  think it was a little under eight months ago (on October 31 2019, which was Halloween), that I encountered a woman on the UES of NYC wearing an adorable Panda bear mask (she can be seen in the first image atop this entry).

Her face-mask certainly lifted my spirits and from what I observed, caused others to smile too.

European starlings got this: The Importance of Washing! Tuesday's Truths WK 179

EUROPEAN STARLINGS HAVE A STORY IN VOL 3 

EUROPEAN STARLINGS HAVE A STORY IN VOL 3

EUROPEAN STARLINGS HAVE A STORY IN VOL 3 

EUROPEAN STARLINGS HAVE A STORY IN VOL 3 

EUROPEAN STARLINGS HAVE A STORY IN VOL 3

Welcome to my 179th segment in my Tuesday's Truths series. This evening I was blessed to witness an avian creature adhering to the on going request/plea during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, which is to wash one's hands: A European starling visiting my garden seemingly understood the importance of washing too, as evidenced by these photo-ops (directly above) of this creature taking a bath in my garden.

Severe Weather Did Not Stop Session 19 (Tuesday's Truths WK 171)

MY ROOFTOP GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

A massive storm pounded New York City Monday (April 13 2020) morning and afternoon with heavy rain and speedy gales that caused flooding and power outages across the five boroughs.

Because my crabapple tree toppled over this past Friday and no one can come to help me tie it to the railing until our lockdown is over, I secured it by placing a couple of my garden chairs around it (as seen in the image 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.

Session 58

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Session 58 for #ClapBecauseWeCare (nightly tributes to first responders, health care professionals and essential workers who are keeping us safe during the coronavirus pandemic) took place last evening (Wednesday, May 27th). As usual many people took part in the tribute and three of them can be seen in the photos stop this entry.

Play ball or play blueberry? (Robins might make a good maccot for baseball.)

The media is reporting baseball season will soon be upon us and that with the enforcement of social distancing (a precaution still taking place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus), those who enjoy the sport will be able to attend games (you won’t see me there). 

From the looks of the picture (atop this entry), a certain American robin visiting my garden might make a good mascot as he appears to know how to  catch "fly blueberries,”  and that skill could be an inspiration to players to catch fly balls. 

In any event, American robins enjoy eating blueberries as well as indulging in other behaviors.

Saturday Night's Alright for Clapping/Cheering (A Briefing on Session 47)

As many of you may know, in compliance with our mayor and governor's wishes during this coronavirus pandemic, I have been sheltering in place (since the evening of 3/21/2020), and only leaving my apartment building on a handful occasions to do essential errands and keep medical appointments that could not be done via tele-med.

On one of those occasions, I saw a sign posted under some scaffolding in my hood and it can be seen in the photo atop this posting.

Friday's Fact: I often give into a Blue jay's wide-eyed look...

During last week's snowstorm, a young Blue jay visited the Smoke Bush which I have in  my garden. From the vantage point of that shrub's branches, this bird seemed to be giving a wide-eyed look, as seen in the images atop this entry.

This is something cats and dogs also do when they want something to eat).... 

It's a look I find hard to resist and I want to oblige so I was most thankful to still have seed (from the generous MFH and her husband RH) at my disposal.

Cinco de Mayo in Bygone Years & 5/5/2020 (Tuesday's Truths WK 178)

It's Cinco de Mayo and I'm recalling a time the holiday fell on the first Sunday in May, which coincided the Five Boro Bike Tour, an event I referenced in this past Sunday's entry here on Blogger. At that particular time, I celebrated completing another bike tour with a margarita at Santa Fe restaurant (which can be seen in the photo directly above).

This year because of the somberness due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus)  pandemic, I  don't think there was much (if anything) mentioned about the holiday which is normally a festive one in my hood as we have a number of Mexican Restraunts (which are closed due to NYC's shutdowns).

Session 16

#ClapBecauseWeCare Participants

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

The 16th 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 twenty minutes ago.

I did not expect to see or hear so many participants tonight as it is Holy Saturday and also a day in Passover, BUT, much to my pleasant surprise, MANY participated (two can be seen in the image atop this entry and others in the series directly below)...

Session 57

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

Session for #ClapBecauseWeCare  (tributes to first responders, health care professionals or essential workers who are keeping us safe during the coronavirus pandemic ended a couple) finished about two hours ago. As usual many people took part in the tribute. The woman in the image atop this entry is a regular participant.

"Words In Our Beak" Gives You A Place to Go

MUTTS's STRIPS ARE FEATURED THROUGHOUT MY BLOG

Mooch, Earl and Mason Cooley got this! Reading DOES give us a place to go when we have to stay where we are.

And while restrictions and lockdowns (that have been imposed due to the coronavirus AKA COVID-19) are being lifted, many people for the most part will have to (or maybe should have to).

"Social Distancing" MAY be the wrong phrase. (Monday's Memo)

MY GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR MY BOOK SERIES

The other day a lone Mourning dove and a young American robin came to my garden and spent time in the home of my Pyracantha coccinea (AKA Orange Charmer). She is a shrub that is featured in my garden-themed movie, The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame... almost, which can be viewed on Vimeo and/or You Tube. These birds spending time in the home of my shrub can be seen in the image atop this entry and if they look familiar to you, dear reader, it may be because I included them in yesterday's blog post.

Saturday Morning: A Report on Friday Evening's (5/8/2020) #ClapBecauseWeCare

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

The photographs (two directly above and two directly below) are from last night's (5-8-2020) #ClapBecauseWeCare tribute.

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

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

It was pouring rain so I did not see many people hanging out their window or standing on their balcony or terrace. BUT I certainly heard a lot of cheering as well as horn blowing and "pan-playing" all around me.

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."

Thursday's Testimony: A Report on Session 37 & The Importance of Face-Masks

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

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

The photos directly above as well as directly below...

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

GIUSEPPE AND TERESA
(He has taken a video of a session from his window.)

... are are just a few photo-ops last night's #ClapBecauseWeCare session.

Session 28 Took Place Last Night

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

The image that is atop this entry was taken during last night's (4-23-2020) #ClapBecauseWeCare event which honors first responders and healthcare workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

My aforementioned image features a sign that had a phone number (which I hid here for privacy purposes) that a woman posted on a poster board as she wanted me to call her and make arrangements to email copies of the photos I've taken during the sessions.