Puppets need a human (or two) to come to life. One to operate and even better with one to appreciate the effort of the puppeteer.
This puppet looks like a giftwrapped present. Surprise! It’s a furry puppy. Like a manual Jack-in-the-box without the organ grinder music. This particular puppet was Michael’s (12) and he’s passed it on to cousin Charlie (2 1/2).
Laura surprised Charlie.
Then Charlie gave the puppy a kiss. 
Figuring out how it works 
Do you want to Peek Inside?
The other day I took a bus downtown (Senior Citizen perk= free bus pass) and went to S.W, Randall Toys Store on Smithfield Street. I climbed to the the doll floor on three, looking for a fresh doll outfit for a 14 year old doll when I came upon a two sided display of a variety of paper dolls.
I remember cutting out paper dolls when I was young. So careful not to ruin them and cut off the little white tabs you needed to fold over to hold the clothes onto the doll. Sometimes tape was involved.
A looooong time ago. I had no idea all these different paper dolls were available in 20I asked the sales clerk if I could photograph them and she said sure but now I’m wishing I opened them up and peeked inside and photographed the dolls and clothes. Going to have to plan a return trip downtown.
I considered buying a book of them- many choices. Wondered who is playing with paperdolls nowadays.
Do kids even know about paper dolls? I talked with a friend today and she said she cut out magazine fashion and made up clothes out of the magazines. I relied on the printed and dotted lines to cut around. I can picture a little doll with a full white slip on- waiting to be dressed. Modest!
My granddaughter Anna (13) texted me this photo from Ohio, just after I returned to Pittsburgh. I’d a week’s visit with both families. It was warm enough to play at the playground today. 
I thought it a good composition
Then she sent me the second photo and I could see some warm lights through the trees.
You might remember Anna’s photo of the pick-up truck full of mannequin legs on a snowy highway. From 4 years ago Click to see Anna’s photo from 2012
Jack tried repeatedly to dislodge the nylon parachute guy from the birch tree in the backyard. Stuck! It was a stunning winter day. Gray and white clouds, blue sky and just below freezing temp. A day for the real camera and not the phone.
His dad was going to help himtry to retrieve it later after work but I wasn’t there to find out if they succeeded.
Maura, Jack and Michael in the late afternoon.
Took this the Saturday after Thanksgiving when the grandkids and I visited Aunt Mary in NYC. It was a wonderful piece of playground equipment, made in Germany.
Artist Tom Otterness created The Real World installed in 1992
(You can see more of his artwork Life Underground at the 14th Street-Eighth Avenue Subway Station)
Also known as Penny Park along the Hudson River in New York City.
Michael, Jack and Maura enjoyed exploring the bronze sculptures.
We were headed to the Staten Island Ferry- at the end of the day our walking total was just shy of nine miles.
Laura and Charlie enjoying the crunch of the leaves at the playground this morning.
I tried to be an observer, not a participant. Watched them play together. Just kept shooting, trying to be unobtrusive.
Kept my distance and sorry I didn’t have a zoom lens.
It was a happy time. A joy to watch Charlie have fun in the leaves.
The bear hat doesn’t quite fit right but old grandma will knit another one.
Big slide, the swings, finding a shadow, mommy hide behind the tree trunk, throw the leaves, kick the leaves, stomp and crunch pick up a big stick.
No shortage of games and activities.
He was trying to master the balance beam, figure it out. Too hard but the fact he was trying was something to watch.
One direct smile at old Froo Froo Ruthie.
Yes he knew I was there! Hard not to notice that sock monkey who sits on the 24-70 lens.
Back to the car. Good bye playground. See you soon.
Thanks for letting me photograph the top of your piano, Cj. It spoke to me
