Thirteen Hundredth Post Today
This is the blog’s 1300th post today. I don’t think I mentioned when it hit number 1200 or 1100. Thanks for following and looking and writing when you can.
Maybe it was the 13 which was the lucky number for two of my kids on their baseball uniforms years ago!
I was sitting on the floor and looked at some of Matthew’s books on a shelf at his Aunt Mary’s, thinking about him. Saw the brick wall reflected in the vintage looking alarm clock.
Winter Sun on a Chain Link Fence
The neighborhood of Bloomfield. 
City Rooftop Horsey
I’m sure there’s a great story behind the placement of this molded plastic creature, dangling from a wire frame atop a building!
You might remember, depending on how long you have been following the blog, that my friend Sally said that things come in threes.
And the day before that there was the horse of a different color. The post the day before that one was The Old Gray Mare (or stallion).
There was the steed left by a cowboy in an Arlington neighborhood alley, just like the one Chicago John rode as a kid.
And here is the latest one I caught yesterday as I sat in traffic in East Liberty and happened to see it up on the roof.
“Found” rocking horses or rocking horse heads in the city are a theme without my even realizing. Maybe someone is going around the city and placing them for me to find!
Here are the aforementioned horse sightings in the city cause let’s face it- who has time to return to old blogposts?
The Stockings Are Hung
At Big Dog Coffee on Sarah Street, the South Side. Ready for the season.
When I saw these stockings hanging by the fireplace, I thought it was funny.
I posted a reflection of Big Dog Coffee last November, you may remember. A great place to meet for coffee.
South Side Storefront Sign- Get Thee to Munhall
It was the color that attracted me. Not that the colors are particularly attractive but definitely made me turn my head to get a better look and see why so purple? Complementary colors collide.
I have put Too Groovy Pop Culture Toys on my list of places to visit. I see they have a FB page.
Bleecker Street Sign
Another urban shot from last week in NYC. I was walking by this scene and had to photograph it.
It’s a cash only, no slices, no reservations, coal oven pizza place but I won’t add their name cause I am sure this is not their best look. The restaurant grading system is prominently displayed in every window in the city.
And if you liked my Positivity Helps shot from the Urban Challenge, the challenge creator, Terence S. Jones, has added it to his collection of urban images. You can go onto his blog here and click the heart button on the photo. Thanks.
Snippet of City Skyline
A rainy day. Columbus Ohio. Shot through glass, across the Scioto river from COSI (Center of Science and Industry) A tad underexposed for the trees looking at it now.
The Art Deco building on the left in LeVeque Tower, a half foot taller than Washington Monument. Detail of tower below.
A different city skyline from my usual Pittsburgh photographs.
Night Game- Pirates 5 – Mets 4 – PNC Park – Pittsburgh PA
It was a beautiful night, capturing the sunlight as the sun went down. And it ended up being an exciting game with a win by the Pirates. A few fireworks. Perfect weather. They close the Roberto Clemente Bridge for pedestrians to walk across to the Park. Reggie Howze is the saxophonist standing on the bridge.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue
One photo, spot on, would be just right. I usually have no problem choosing one image.
Until almost midnight on Monday night. Blue.
Yes, that is a leather bodice. NYC shop window. I was focusing on the shoes but the blue dress caught my eye when I was looking for a blue photo.
Google Pittsburgh
When we first lived in Pittsburgh and Matthew played baseball in Mellon Park across the street from Bakery Square we could smell the aroma of baking. Crackers, cookies, it was the NABISCO Factory built in 1918. Bakery Square has been “repurposed” as they say. And GOOGLED.
There’s a Coffee Tree that opens at 5:30 AM. for the early birds.
And a close-up crop of the Google flag.
Peda in the Indian Grocery Case
Peda, White
Took this photograph when I was in NYC on Spring Break and my sister was shopping in the Indian Grocery shop.
Here is a recipe for the sweet peda. Flavored with cardamon. It is made with khoya - ”semi-solid thickened milk” One post said it is similar to ricotta cheese texture but I haven’t made it and would like to know and the recipe says to “grate the khoya” so that doesn’t possible if it is similar to ricotta. Not enough research but hope someone will comment and fill in the gaps. I was attracted to it in the case and I shot through the glass.
Yoga Facing North
At the David Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
The Farm to Table Conference back in March-
This image has a lot of lines. You can see Allegheny General Hospital.And a bit of the Allegheny River with all the buildings on the other side of the span.
Price Bennett- Street Musician on Liberty Ave
The Film Crew Bathrooms – New York City
NYC residents look straight ahead, walk by,yawn.
Out-of-towners gawk and stop to take a photograph. Oh my.
New York Public Library Interior- Library Lions Patience and Fortitude in LEGO®
No conversation. No exchange. Just a quick shot in low light to capture the architecture, the lines and curves, the grand feel of it all.
Grainy and bit soft on the focus but all the angles and shapes and lines are subtly defined. We went through the Shelley’s Ghost Exhibition and climbed staircases, looked down from the mezzanine into the entrance way. Saw a photography exhibit and at the entrance way Patience and Fortitude the Library Lions in LEGO®. What are the rules of interior photography, what are you allowed to take? There are places where it is clear- No Photography. Tough to monitor people and their cell phone shots. I did not photograph where it said not to.
Joe’s Dairy on Sullivan Street, New York City
Shot last week -Spring Break in NYC. My sister walked us by and it was open.
They couldn’t be nicer. People behind counters are captive. I ask for permission after a bit of conversation. Sometimes you get “I’d rather not.” but here I got a “Sure!”.
Thanks, Rose.
If you want to read more about Joe’s Dairy on Sullivan Street click here. Everyone talks about their smoked mozzarella!
(And if you want to make your own cheese go here and click on the Cheesy Stuff page)
Meet Rose Pianoforte. I know, her apron says Angela.
She was really nice and helpful. And gracious to allow me to photograph her.
Those are olives stuffed with cheese on the counter.
Bleecker Street Hat Shop
My grandfather wore hats. So did my dad. My sons and son-in-law all enjoy wearing hats. My grandsons sport baseball caps. My cousin Jim loves hats and I know my friend E’s husband collects them. I have purchased hats to cheer myself in winter. To provide shade in summer.
I walked by Goorin Bros. storefront on Monday and went in, learning that their first hat was sold off a horse cart in Pittsburgh PA in 1895 (according to the story on their website). I live in Pittsburgh so this caught my attention. The woman behind the counter was coaxing a flattened straw hat back to life after a shot of steam. She showed me the old tractor seats that are now stools in the store. I was waiting for my sister to complete some work and walking around the West Village, exploring. The photo of the exterior on Monday had the cellar metal doors open so I went back Tuesday afternoon and took another. The door was open and there was a young man sporting a hat behind the counter. I asked if I could take his photo and he said okay, (as I’m sure tourists ask all the time) So this is Ryan selling some very cool hats. Jessica, I will photograph you next time!
The store interior. Check out the white tri-cornerd hat, although it seemed rounded corners so I am sure there is an official name for it.
And they have a blog
Breakfast, Snack, Dinner in NYC
Forgot to photograph lunch- apple slices, Irish cheddar, tomato soup, matzoh and LiLac dark chocolate egg
This starts with dessert and goes in reverse order, Still learning how to blog from the phone.
Someone Left a Fake Fur in the Snow
White snow on white fur. Too bright, the reflected light. But what looks like just a pile of snow is some white fake fur puddled on the sidewalk as I got out of the car to go into school Monday morning.
Close up of the white fur with snow on top.
Especially for Rufus
After school on Wednesday, I went down to Annex Cookery and the Tin Front Cafe. I was in the market for a new espresso maker. I ordered a lunch portion of their four cheese macaroni and a mixed greens salad with balsamic and asiago cheese shavings on top. And what do you know? As I sat there, I saw the infused vodka on the glass shelf and thought of Blogger Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide. (AKA Greg) and here is the wild part- his post today is about Pepper Infused VODKA!
Horseradish Vodka? (they use it for Bloody Marys) Ellie explained how they make it.
I knew he would not care for the Apple Raisin Infused Rum (he detests raisins as I’ve read his wife Katherine’s writings about that topic) but I just thought the line of glass bottles filled with colored spirits and the labels would be of special interest to him.
Anyone Want to Take a Stab at the Meaning of the Balloons?
A bird’s eye view of a downtown intersection. I think it’s a couple of ladies standing in the back of the truck.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks from fellow bloggers. You can check out how they responded to the challenge.
Flat Ruthie got in on it this week, too. Click here