Discovering Beauty in Everyday Life

Last year Coffee, our small New York Kentucky Coffee Tree, barely survived.  Stunned by some unknown environmental factor, Coffee almost lost her life.  The Parks Department and the Carnegie Hill Neighbors Association said there was a chance of a recovery of her spirit in spring, and we showered love and blessings upon her, with a little bone meal. Well!  Look at Coffee now!  Strong, green, bursting with energy.   Big Coffee is also doing super well, heavy with green leaves and new sproutings.  Thank you all good forces in the Universe and those  beyond space and time.  We'll show you Big Coffee very soon.

 A couple of knots later and we would be Too Late.  Fountains usually stay where we expect them to be, but now and then, when the day is just the right way, and the factors are aligned just so, Geyser Fountain sets sail for an evening voyage, showering blessings on the paths it crosses, following its unknown particular star. Thank goodness we got there in time to see~!

Sparrows and people arriving for the bi-weekly Sparrow Convention, held this time in the Conservancy Garden's Secret Garden.   shhhhhh.

Well, yes, there is a vacancy Down near my heart, but so what! There’s no sign on the lawn! It’s clearly an error. Give it up, get a grip! No ‘for sale’’, no ‘for rent’,  so forget it!  Metropolitan Museum of Art, Islamic Galleries (iPhone photo)

The brass bed is there, and the haspy trunk  My doll is inside with her blue net dress, Remember her brown painted hair? I see Hamster resting in a winter bushel basket  Frozen, curled into an arc.  I try to thaw him out, but things have gone too far.   There's the ukelele on the baseboard track,  Pulsing along, measuring the sound,  Spinning up the tune, tying things together. What do I do with the old bedspread?  Fine woven sleeps,  Fresh made mornings.  I‘d give it away if I could.  

Window Blue, May 2011 > Window Blue, May 2012. Christian, Urban Tree-Bed Consultant, and Person with Hat, May 21, 2011

Two small beings lived on my path for a while today. Is there any doubt they are in love? De La Vega, May 2012: 3rd Avenue at 91st

I became uninvolved in advance today, As odd as that may seem. It seemed like the best I could do, you see To retain my self-esteem I’ve decided it wouldn’t work out, work out There is no point in checking it out, it out I shall murder those feelings I cannot endure, I’ll trample the seedlings before they mature! There are plenty of fish in the sea so they say Uninvolved, unwary, unwed and un-gay. So why do I feel such remorse and regret When nothing has happened as yet, as yet? Just Off the East Reservoir Path, Central Park

What a difference!  Where is  Old blue spruce? The tried and true Blue who made it through the winter?  It's camouflaged, lost behind the new-born  sprigs: hardy, untested, bursting with vigor, unaware. Hello tree, it's me! April 17 May 14

Approaching Manhattan's peir 11, the home of Water Taxis. Break down the barriers and escort us  home.  Fading into the  future.  Hmm.  Manhattan in April from the Eaast River Appearing Just  in Time to Provide a Port of Sanctuary (Lara Calloway, April 2011)

My spirit, tuned and waiting, recognized the ping, I had no choice you see,   The fuse lit automatically. My soul went out to play that day dizzy and dreaming, cherishing spring. Soloman's Seal:  Active Medicinal flower  

It has happened again!  I came home late tonight.  I walked up to my door and froze.  What was that in the corner of my eye?  Yes!  It's a amazing and resilient  New York City Columbine! 

Magic Tree Two is shimmering with so much May magic, we were almost unable to take a photograph! Look carefully where you step today, for now is the time to capture  a spark of magic  set free and playing in the wind Park Dwellers Unaware They are in the Presence of Magic

Suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.... African Kongo Power Figure, Metropolitan Museum of Art The various metals embedded in the figure's expansive torso attest to its central role as witness and enforcer of affairs critical to its community. They document vows sealed, treaties signed, and efforts to eradicate evil. Ultimately, this work inspired reflection on the consequences of transgressing established codes of social conduct. Power Figure:      (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka) Date:                   mid to late 19th century Geography:     Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chiloango River region Culture:     Kongo peoples; D.R.C or Republic of Congo Medium:    Wood, paint, metal, resin, ceramic Dimensions:     H. 46 7/16 in. (118 cm) Classification:    Wood-Sculpture *http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/50013887

We have great News!  Our Horticultural Consultant, Christian, pointed out that these Iris looked an awfully lot like tulips, caught in a recent monsoon.  So naturally we ran back up and took a more careful look, and -- Oh My, It is practically unbelievable! We have discovered,  and photographed , the rarest of all lavender blossoms!  Wily is an Irisulip!  How lucky can we be?  What a grand day! See the mixed up leaves?  I do love a half and half! Beautiful Rare Lavender Irisulip Found growing in the English Garden, Central Park

Meet Wily, our Wild Iris.   It is not easy, in a tended garden, to avoid those weeders, mowers, rakers, wood-chip dumpers, hoers and volunteers--all waiting to snatch up any sprig that dares to grow out in the open.   Wily has also managed to survive snow, rain, drought and careless wedding parties.  Wily has cleverly positioned itself in the shadow of a small tree clad in composite grey, the perfect coordinating color.  Wild Iris in the Conservatory Gardens of Central Park

Portraits captured of innocent bystanders at the MoMA one day recently. Indian Warrior, 1931-- Diego Rivera (1886-1957)

The warnings are appearing everywhere on the news --Warning! Warning! Killer Balloons! Killer Balloons! And on twitter --wrng, wrng, kllr bllns, kllr bllns— No, not billions u stupid person! Balloons! Attention all available hands! Search everywhere: stairwells, closets, file cabinets, offices— Wait! Is that a color showing in an office? Throw open that door! OhMyGosh! Help, Help! A Pace University Person is concentrating!   No, not just concentrating, Working! The entire office is filling up with balloons!   Oh No, they are sneaking up!   How did they get past the guards?    Call Balloon Busters, NOW! RUN!!!

Do you want to cut the cuticles?   No?  Ok, What shape do you want? ( sq uare flat oval long short frosted clear with rounded corners) What is that woman over there getting? What's so funny?