birds, cats and scones

 

morgan and harley were up in the lake district on vacation with harley's mum, brother, sister-in-law and adorable nephew, dougie. they sent this photo of a pretty european robin who let morgan get so close. 

they were at a very pretty cafe that had a lot of sweet birds flitting around (looking for scone crumbs probably!)

the delicious blackcurrant scone!

these photos are actually from wednesday, august 25, when i was traveling to connecticut. this past weekend we spent a quiet time (far from the crowds, as it was the memorial day weekend) at home and on wednesday my italian class began again! it was exciting to be back with everyone and i've made a better effort to remember everyone's name, as they were all knowledgeable in that regard.

here's a photo i took today of zuzu acting like the queen of sheba which i sent to my sister . . 

she sent this of toby who likes to go in and out of their window (her favorite pastime is sleeping in the windowbox) . .

till tomorrow . . 

a smokey day

the smoke grew worse as evening came on. korrina took this photo and the video below while on her way home from work. 

i ran a bunch of errands again and also went to the dentist, and then we all spent the evening packing after having dinner.

zuzu . .

and wash . . 

time for some sleep . . 

running errands - again; on a hot summer day - again

the myka yogurt place has not had a line these past two mornings when i pass by . . so i've stopped in for a small yogurt with two toppings each day. yesterday i had chocolate chips and walnuts. today i had olive oil and ground pistachios . . so delicious! this photo is a true new york social media moment: i was talking to my cousin while eating the yogurt and taking a picture! i was going to post it on my ig . . well, maybe i'll do so later. (i was on my way to print out the letter to our cat sitter and was finally successful!) i also stopped at the sustainable shop for a refill of dish detergent.

i've probably passed this dog sculpture more than a dozen times, but today was the first day i noticed it (on 9th or 10th street).

zuzu likes to join me when i sit at the table to write out cards or a letter. thankfully, she let me write this afternoon, and didn't try to head butt me or knock the pen from my hand . . or sit on the card itself. twice last week i stopped working on this task because of her. yes, i'd much rather procrastinate further with my correspondence than put her away in the bedroom. 

we had a nice dinner tonight of left over tuna (for greg) and chicken thighs for chanda and i. chanda did a work shift today and brought home beautiful looking cauliflower and patty pan squash, so we had fresh vegetables too. (it's quite hot today - 93 degrees - but we all must be used to it finally as no one has suggested putting the air conditioner on. of course, 93 is not as bad as 100! we do have the fans going, and there was a nice breeze . . which has sadly disappeared.)

it's almost 11 pm . . i still need to do duolingo and babbel . . language learning has been neglected these past two weeks as i've concentrated on packing and getting the cats and apartment ready for being away for a little bit. 

greg has already fallen asleep.

and here is korrina's beautiful photo from her evening beach visit.

sunday - poem, palms, a parade and coffee (and zuzu)

 

a light exists in spring

a light exists in spring

not present on the year

at any other period --

when march is scarcely here

a color stands abroad

on solitary fields

that science cannot overtake

but human nature feels.

it waits upon the lawn,

it shows the furthest tree

upon the furthest slope you know

it almost speaks to you.

then as horizons step

or noons report away

without the formula of sound

it passes and we stay --

a quality of loss

affecting our content

as trade had suddenly encroached

upon a sacrament.

by emily dickinson (1830-1886)

----

my palm from church this morning (st. luke in the fields)

breakfast with chanda and greg

pluto and his puzzle (treats go into the green cups and he tips them out - cricket and zuzu were in the bedroom with their puzzle - it keeps them busy and keeps cricket from trying to participate in our meal).

meanwhile, the eastern crew were marching in a st. patrick's day parade with pastor bill . . 

we all love the bagpipes . . 

(photos from korrina and my sister)

at the house . . 

oysters!

though i missed the fun of being at the beach and a parade, i did get to visit with lizette who had written me saturday afternoon wondering if we could meet on sunday (she was going to be in chelsea).

it was really nice to sit and talk together over some very good coffee.

----

chanda did send me these photos and a video of crazy zuzu trying to get my palm that i had placed behind a ceramic cross that was a gift from warren's norwegian family:

chanda put the palm away in a drawer, but she went looking for it again . . 

birds in vermont and a performance

 

zuzu doing yoga with me this morning . . 

marisa sent a video of the birds chattering about her place . . if you watch to the end you'll be able to see a hairy woodpecker at her feeder. 

this evening greg and i had a free performance to attend at st. luke in the fields. it was a "work out" from new york theatre workshop, created by kristina wong (actor, comedian and performance artist). 

she took us through all the emergency food distribution programs, when they were created and why they were created and how to be eligible (why are there so many hungry americans?). having experienced food insecurity and also having worked in the system, she had many interesting things to say about it in a fun and dynamic way. the audience learned the history of food distribution in the states thoughtfully and humorously (there was audience participation via karaoke!) and she had so much energy that she held our attention unwaveringly. it was a fun and thought provoking night. we all gave her a standing ovation at the end while also singing along.

it was the last performance and the canned and packaged food that made up the set was distributed to the audience.

above is a cartoon that i read this morning that felt apropos.

officially spring and zuzu is free

 

the doctor at the animal medical center wrote that zuzu's incision looked well healed, so we were able to take the onesie off.

she's been happily grooming herself again . . reaching places she couldn't reach with the onesie on.

happy girl!

happy spring! 

the sun's rays shone down on the equator around 10:46 am today lengthening the daylight hours to be equal with the night. they will keep moving north to the tropic of cancer until the summer solstice. i love waking up with the early morning light and feeling the days grow longer and warmer.

in celebration, greg and i took a walk to st. luke's garden when he finished work this evening . . i was hoping to see a purple crocus, but nothing has popped open yet. i should check back each day to see how the flowers progress!

beautiful dried hydrangeas still clinging to their stalks . . 

greg was quietly observing a robin . . 

another little sparrow friend like the fellows i saw last friday . . 

it began to rain as we walked home after visiting the health food store and brooklyn fare for olive oil, oranges and other items. we had the leftover tortellini and broccoli for dinner.

st. patrick's day

 
snowdrops in st. luke's garden . . 

greg worked from home today and kept zuzu company . . (chanda worked a buy out event at king cafe and also found out that the cafe will reopen easter weekend . . which is soon!)

i walked to raffetto's for tortellini pasta and pesto sauce, stopping at the market for broccoli and julietta's for pistacchio ice cream. (it was cold out again; i even needed to wear my hat.)

we ended the evening with a game of bananagrams.