Discovering Beauty in Everyday Life

This well-known scientist is gathering information and data for her upcoming study of spontaneous generation of Tulipa . The tulip is a perennial , bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa , which comprises 109 species [1] and belongs to the family Liliaceae . [2] . More will be revealed. Amazing re-appearance of Yellow Tulipa for the sixth consecutive year

 As you may remember, our Anthropological-Photographer has been studying the courtship and mating behaviors of the local jogging populations for over a year, supported by a grant from an undisclosed foundation. At Last!  Our travelling Anthro-photographer has witnessed, documented and photographed two local joggers in the very early stages of the Jogger Courtship Ritual Dance. Note the intense concentration and the complete lack of awareness of the fifth foot.  

A careful grant-supported study of local joggers by a well respected New York Anthro-photographer has at last  documented the ritual courtship and mating dance of the New York jogger.  Astonishingly, the investigator has captured and photographed the early  phases of this ritual. Ritual Phase I   Ritual Phase II

My favorite trees growing up were the 2 adjacent catalpas as we walked to school. We so often pulled off a seed pod for swords or staffs or wands or other rods our imaginations were requiring. Do you remember them? Now I have a huge catalpa tree in my front yard. Daddy and I planted it together when it was a spindly 7' tall and about 3" in diameter. I think of him every time I see my beloved tree. But mine is a female Western Catalpa, so it blooms a magnificent clump of delightfully sweet-smelling, pale orchid-like blossoms that shroud the tree for about 10 days. It is magnificent. Cut the blossoms and bring them inside and they barely last at all; they are meant to adorn the tree for the few short days in summer. About two summers ago there were 3 unknown children in my yard harvesting swords. They seemed a bit skittish. In memory (and defiance) of our childhood churlish neighborhood adult, I went outside and told them they were welcome to have as many as they liked, an...

What I love about trees is that we all have one or two particular ones that belong to us. Yet this information often lies hidden near the soul. Our mission today is to find the nearest Likely Human Candidate.  Approach your Candidate with a pencil and a clipboard, although a notebook will do.  Holding the pencil at the ready, inquire: "Excuse me, I was wondering.  What was your favorite tree growing up?" (Now we need to wait for an answer.  This is the hard part, but do not skimp.) . One- one thousand, Two- one thousand  Carefully scribble down the answer, and thank your Likely Candidate.   You might need to offer a word of encouragement. Be prepared to improvise, since your Candidate may wish to carry on. Congratulations ,    we have just shared a precious splash of childhood.

Here are three photos of my feather on three spots of pavement within a yard of one another. How lucky to find such a feather amid the cemented urban cacophony.

It's time for our next Human Race Experiment. Although Originally designed for extra-terrestrial encounters, it has also worked here. First, find something you like from the natural world: A Leaf, a Twig, A spice, a sprig, a feather or a flower, for example. 1. Find a person you encounter in your daily life. 2. Smile, and say “Look at this _________ I found. Isn’t it interesting? 3. Wait patiently for two seconds. I know, but try it.          (ONE one thousand, TWO one thousand) 4. Observe the results with care. You may take a note if you wish. Contratulations! A contact has been safely made with a nearby human!

Darn!   I left my feather at work.  I want to take it's picture. I found it on the sidewalk.  It is dark grey, about 4 1/2  inches long.  It has polka dot rows on either side.  You'll love it, and here's what happened to me at the deli I always go to. I went there for coffee, and I said, "Look at this feather.  Isn't it pretty?  Do you know if it's a pigeon feather?"    S he said unh unh, however  it's spelled.  She agreed it was polka dotted.  I forgot about this coversation, and I went back in the afternoon. "How's your feather?" she asked me,   "Oh, it's ok, it's in my office." She was happy, and  I think that's amazing! 

This week is EXPERIMENT week! It’s always nice to try something very different from the usual something, and my usual somethings omit Basement Clubs Painted Black Staying Up Late Getting Stamps on the Back of My Hand Having Fun After Midnight! So Let’s have a cheer for the Our Vision band at the downstairs Ace of Clubs!

It’s time for an experiment. You have probably done it a million times by accident. 1. Find a person. The next available person will do. 2. Pause and Look them in the eyes. 3. Smile, and say “Isn’t it a beautiful day?” 4. Wait 3 Complete seconds. I know. it’s a long time. (One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand.) Observe the results carefully, keeping track. Congratulations! The Human Race has acquired a new member, and we have a new data point!