The Cigar Maker
We went to dinner at Havana Alma de Cuba on Christopher Street in the West Village. Mary ordered the Hemingway- mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops in a green sauce. I had the green plantain crusted red snapper, avocado and sofrito sauce with black beans and yellow rice. Flan for dessert.
Right next to our table in the front of the restaurant, a man came with a wooden box, a press, some tools. Tools for cigar making.
He unfurled large leaves of tobacco and began to roll cigars and cut them. The insides were in the wooden molds.
His hands were a blur. I asked if I might photograph him and he agreed. He told us the leaves were from the Dominican Republic. The cigar pile grew. As we prepared to leave he gave us a few cigars and matches in a bag which I gave to my son for some celebration or occasion. Our grandfather smoked cigars on the front porch when I was a kid. The smell of cigar smoke is strong but nostalgic. One whiff and I can be in that memory. See him in a straw hat. No one was smoking cigars on Tuesday night but it was fascinating to watch the hands of a master roll and cut them.
The Family Jewels in NYC
New York City- Tuesday August 21st. School starts for me in Pittsburgh on Friday so this is the LAST of the summer vacation.
My sister and I were shopping for a corded landline. Good luck with that! You think you have something in mind but your choices are dictated by what is produced AND what is in stock. But that ‘s another whole story.
As we walked by this Vintage Clothing and Accessories store on West 23rd Street, The Family Jewels, we saw a young woman working on getting the padlock out of the security gate. We chatted for a minute and said we’d be back. The vintage tablecloths caught our eye.
Meet Liz. She graciously consented to be photographed. She patiently explained the different ways they procure the vintage items. And you know how I like to ask people how they get started with their collections. She has a collection of poodle items that were gifts from friends who know she likes poodles. She had a poodle and that’s how it all started. See her tattoo and necklace! She had the most beautiful green eyes, too. Thanks, Liz!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Wrong
A flag in tatters. Montclair, New Jersey. Corner of Claremont and Valley Road. A revolutionary marker at the site commemorating George Washington’s Temporary Headquarters.
Parking on the wrong side of the street, going the opposite direction of traffic. Some neighborhoods ticket for this offense.
No Cardboard (you may have seen this one before)
No Parking in New York City. Just over the line.
Looks like the light is red but perhaps it was flashing
Green Eggs. And other interpretations for this week’s photo challenge may be seen here
Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
Inside seems simple enough. Until you start to read all the definitions and think about the multi-meanings
Cut and pasted from Your Dictionary - the dictionary you can understand
noun
- the part lying within; inner side, surface, or part; interior
- the part closest to something specified or implied, as the part of a sidewalk closest to the buildings
- INFORMAL the internal organs of the body, as the stomach and intestines
adjective
- on or in the inside; internal
- of or suited for the inside
- working or used indoors; indoor
- ☆ known only to insiders; secret or private: the inside story
- BASEBALL passing between home plate and the batter
adverb
- on or to the inside; within
- indoors
in or to the inside or inner part of
within the limits of: inside an hour
Murphy inside the van looking outside.
Cool enough on Friday to take Murphy to the Post Office so I could mail something. He WAS in the back seat. Moved himself up to the passenger seat while Maura and I were inside and wouldn’t budge for the short trip home. Yes, I worried about air bag deployment and the seat belt dinging alarm sound the whole way. We made it. He does have a harness that attaches to a seat belt for car trips.
We were safe inside the house as Mark held the iPad showing the violent storm while I shot the rain and blowing trees outside. This is the storm where Laura and James lost power for 5 days and Marlene and Donald( Roanoke VA) lost it for 8.
Maura waits inside looking outside for the guests.
Here is the inside of the ceramic fruit bowl Mary gave me when I visited her at Easter time.
The Jesus statue contained inside the clear box was photographed on this trip.
Old fashioned hats in Bedford Springs Resort display with the stairway banisters reflected
Challenge- How to show what one is feeling inside?
Check out fellow bloggers posts. Get the inside scoop.
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.
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
- Remember, remember between a fog | La Mandraka
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Blue « My 2012 Photo Challenge
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « My Sardinian Life | La Mia Vita Sarda
- Feeling Blue « Spirit Lights The Way
- Photo Challenge: What is Blue? « Transplantednorth’s Blog
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Fenland Photos
- Another photo challenge for the week: Blue « « The Great Escape » Life from behind a lens
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue – Turkey « Wanderlustress
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « e-Shibin
- WordPress Photo Challenge: Blue « right in front of me
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue (2) « e-Shibin
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « mtlawleyshire
- WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « A year in the Life
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Wind Against Current
- Blue « Teepe’s weblog
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « The Urge To Wander
- Surfer in training | Lola Jane’s World
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | { a Memory Bliss }
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Mike Hardisty Photography
- Shades of Blue « Hurtled to 60 and Now Beyond…
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Lucid Gypsy
- Weekly Photo Challenge : Blue « Mystiic
- “Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue” « Sahbinah Violet Flynn
- Weekly photo challenge – Blue | A Number of Things
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « acieartikulasi
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Pathfinder: MotherWifeStudentWorker
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue Sundial « Janet’s Craft
- Sunday | Pseu’s Blog
- Dreamy Blue: Weekly Photo Challenge (Blue) « aNTibaKTeRiYeL
- If only I could inherit my mother’s blue eyes « iPhotoloGy
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue – waldina
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Monochrome
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Rois
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | colderweather
- weekly photo challenge: blue « The potato blog
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | heartfelt images
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « a hectic life
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « « Wilderness Escapades Wilderness Escapades
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Autumn in Bruges
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Light Reading
- WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: BLUE « Francine In Retirement
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Beijing City Photo 2
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Ruined for Life: Phoenix Edition
- Weekly Photo Challenge: BLUE « Ink.
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Blog Kemaren Siang
- Weekly Photo Challenge : Blue ~ Compilation | Blog Kemaren Siang
- Blue | Where’s my backpack?
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Jinan Daily Photo
- spikes on street lamp « primo piano
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « Healthcare Updates
- BLUE, JUST BLUE – Weekly Photo Challenge « mywordwall
- Weekly Photo Challenge: BLUE « scrapydo
- Photo Challenge : Reflection | Blog Kemaren Siang
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | The Retiring Sort
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Inspired Vision
- Photo Journal/ Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue «
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « 夏の夢
- Naught But A Clear Blue Sky…and A Plane « Nyck’s Notions
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Ingset’s Blog
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Four Deer Oak
- Blue | Somewhere Reminiscent
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | small house/BIG GARDEN
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- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Children’s Books & More
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « artistisk
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue | Jumbled Contents Of My Head
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue… | Mirth and Motivation
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Blue « Tacts Blog
- Photo Essay: Guimaras, Philippines | Backpacking with a Book
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue « My Blog
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.
We’re Talking Trash Now
Shot while walking down Fifth Avenue in NYC with my sister when I was on Spring Break. Waiting for pick-up.
I didn’t count them but it was definitely eye catching. 
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.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey
Crosswalk on Bleecker Street at Carmine Street
- Photo Challenge: the Journey has been started | La mandrola de la Mandraka
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « e-Me
- Weekly Photo challenge: Journey (2) « e-Me
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Journey | Just Snaps
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Journey | Chittle Chattle
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | playground
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Journey « My 2012 Photo Challenge
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Wind Against Current
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « eudaimonia
- Weekly Photo Challenge: JOURNEY « Ink.
- Final Descent « Broken Light: A Photography Collective
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Changeversations
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « My Sardinian Life | La Mia Vita Sarda
- Finding Joy in the Journey « Spirit Lights The Way
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Mike Hardisty Photography
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Rois
- WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: Journey – woven decor
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey – Mostly inspirational chit-chat
- Weekly photo challenge: Journey | Joakim Knudsen
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Perpetual Learner
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Cee’s Life Photography Blog
- Weekly Photo Challenge « The Urge To Wander
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Sonel’s Photographic Corner
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | fluffy flurries
- EASTER SATURDAY : LAST ENTRY TABLE ARRANGEMENT « 2012 – ON THE BENCH
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Children’s Books & More
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Wanderings of an Elusive Mind
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | mothergrogan
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey – Namibia « Wanderlustress
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « The World According to Me…
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « The Incredible Lightness of Seeing
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « 3rdculturechildren
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « Even A Girl Like Me
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey « John Mullinax’s Blog
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey | Heart Renovation
Vincenzo Displays Easter Breads in Preparation for Sunday
Pasticceria Rocco. 243 Bleecker Street. When Mary and I had our hot cross buns and cappuccino, this nice young man gave me a detailed tour of the pastries in all the glass cases. He knew I was from out of town. When we returned the next evening he was there and I asked if I might take his photo. He reached for the loaves (Egg Bread and Panettone) and was an enthusiastic subject. Friday, the devout are fasting and not considering eating the delicious breads until Sunday but you should have seen the Egg Cookies being wrapped up in white boxes and tied with string, flying out of the place! The Struffoli looked enticing, too.
Easter Egg Cookies, not the Egg Bread.
Joyce Captures A Construction Worker’s Image in NYC
My college friend took the train into Grand Central and met my sister and me in Bryant Park today. We walked to the Museum of Modern Art, saw the Cindy Sherman Show and Eugene Atget Show.
Joyce is an adventuresome street photographer, capturing all sorts of people in the city. This worker was happy to oblige. I photographed her photographing him. We had a fun time at the MOMA Sculpture Garden, dueling photographers.
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
NYC Signage Captured by my Sister
One of my favorite things is to receive a photo from someone. They saw it and thought of me and the blog or just saw it and thought it was something I would like to see too. Mary sent me this one and when I asked she said I could use it she said okay.
Just yesterday Rufus was writing about the last of the neighbor’s fresh tomatoes. He was concocting the great looking shrimp tacos. He mentioned being told about a mystery ingredient for their growing so well and his neighbor has horses. Hmmmmm. My sister sent this sign two days before. Seemed like a good link to a similar topic. Horse #@%*! In Pittsburgh there are signs about dog owners being responsible for picking up after their dogs and if not a $300 fine will be charged. I have never seen a ticket issued and I live across the street from the park.
But this is not about dogs and their irresponsible after they do their business. This is about the sign my sister found in New York City and photographed and sent to me. It is about wondering the size of bag/container one would need to do such a task. And wondering where they put the matter once it is cleaned up. And what the price of a fine might be in New York City if someone did not comply.
700th Post
Spring 2008 this photograph VILLAGE CIGARS, sold at the PERSAD Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art auction held at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The first to be auctioned, the bid was fairly low but it still felt good to donate it and the winner was really pleased to get it. It felt exciting to be recognized as Best New Artist that year. You might have seen this image on my website. It marks the spot where we turn right to get to my sister’s place down the block. It’s been there forever. Held together with some duct tape, a little worse for wear,it looks even more ragged these days but my sister helped me get a good angle for this shot suggesting I go across Seventh Avenue. Shot with a Canon 20D, before I upgraded! This is not the original file but a pdf, hence the words at the bottom and the gray frame. Pulling from the archives but not the external hard drives tonight. Friday completes the first full week with students.
Greenwich Village Landmark
Greenwich Village- 3 Images- L Side-R Side- Different Use of the Same Space
from the archives- My sister pointed this out to me as we walked by. Check out how different tenants use the same space on either side of the building. Three photos.
Here is the building
Poets House New York City & Remembering a Friend
from the archives- Found a special poetry book on the shelf in Poets House in New York City- Dorothy Holley’s Dream Quartet. Dorothy Holley was born 88 years ago today- May 15th. The poetry community of Pittsburgh misses her greatly.
I filmed a video of Dorothy reading her poetry in 2005, Quart Jar Poet. She was an inspiration, publishing her first book at age 82 and then three more books to follow. Here are a couple photos from Poets House. From the inside you look out onto the Hudson River. You can listen to Dorothy reading some of her poetry on YouTube, filmed by Barb Alsko, if you put in her name in the search. She was a good friend to me. I miss having tea with her. She kept a beautiful garden. Her iris are growing and blooming at Liane’s these days. Click here for last year’s postto remember Dorothy.
Across the Street from Ground Zero
From the archives.The weather in New York City was beautiful on Thursday, my sister said. You probably saw it on the news. But here are three people watching construction of the new tower during a rainstorm. The last photo a panorama taken with an iPhone.
NYC Sidewalk Scene: a Writing Prompt?
- Garbage that didn’t make it into the truck on pickup day? I have photographed other shoes and flip flops found on the street. Makes me wonder who was walking around in them before they were abandoned.
My Sister’s NYC Kitchen- 20 for Dinner? No problem!
Think boat or galley! She lights the stove, strikes a wooden match.A writing book exercise-describe your first kitchen.Eat-in kitchen, heart of the home.People used to decorate with a theme.Trivets, salt & peppers to match,tea towels and canisters. A pantry.Formica counters, linoleum floors, upgradewith a roll of no-wax Congoleum.Ceramic tile squares. A single or a double sink.Now it's granite and stainlessa glass doored fridge. Fancy lightsspotlight what's cooking.Some people order take-out. Grab a bite, on the fly.
Mother Mary- Springtime NYC
Someone placed a bouquet in the crook of her arm. Today’s post remembers friend and poet Christina Murdock who passed one year ago today, a week short of her thirtieth birthday.
from Let it Be by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
FDNY- Ten House Across the Street from World Trade Center
There's a plaque on the face of the engine house with the 9/11 fallen heroes faces and names in bronze.
“Still Standing”. The Seagrave Truck made in Clintonville, Wisconsin has an amazing story on the Ten House website. On the side of the building is the Bronze 9/11 Memorial Wall. The garage door was open part way.
Steam Cleaning 100 Years of Soot and Grime
I drive by this structure most days, the corner of Stanton and Negley. It was in bad repair for a long time. Then it started to be cared for and fixed up. Attended some poetry readings here a couple of years ago. The accumulation of soot speaks of another time in Pittsburgh’s history, when the mills ran around the clock,spewing “carbon, sulfur dioxides and gypsum” (residue listed when they cleaned the Cathedral of Learning) . The buildings with the evidence of another time are dwindling. Tomorrow I will get the name of the company who is doing the cleaning and add it to this post.
The Union Project homepage states “Union Project’s purpose is to create connections and opportunities for learning through the arts and through community-based programming intended to serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods.” (click here for entire mission statement and more info on space rental and programs, stained glass classes and ceramics)
The right side is already cleaned, and the tower is being worked on now. I was at a red light and got the one man cleaning the tower but turned the corner and pulled over and rolled down the window to catch the other two workers and the contrast of the clean and the remaining visibile sign of the mills.
Beautifying and serving the community.
Diana Nelson Jones wrote an article 12/11/10 in the Post-Gazette about the restoration of all the stained glass windows.
This cannot be easy work!
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