Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Nick & Nora and Flora & Fauna, Only in New York on May 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
If you or your son/daughter/husband waited until the last minute to make a brunch or dinner reservation for today – don’t fret there’s always a way in!!
Take it from a wise old owl!
"Do You Have A Reservation?"
"Well, Do YOU??
"Sorry. Oh, why thank you. Let me check again"
"Table for Two, right this way"
All photos courtesy of Murray Head.
Posted in BY THE WAY, tagged Churchill Downs, Hats, Horse racing, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, KentuckyOaks, Mint Julep, Sports on May 7, 2011| 6 Comments »
Blue grass, bourbon and branch water, Mint Juleps, silks, jockeys, thoroughbreds, on the rail, wreath of roses and the Winner’s Circle – This is the stuff of The Kentucky Derby!! NOT QUITE!
True, watching the pounding hooves, sleek spectacular horseflesh, hearts pumping, binoculars moving in unison following the race is fun BUT really, it’s all about the HATS! Take a look at some of the best of the best Kentucky Derby Day creations.
Pink Hat with Huge Gray Flower
Yellow Hat with Red-Orange Flowers
Peacock Feathers
White Broad Brim with Lime Green Bow
Pink Broad Brim with Polka Dot Bow
Black Hat with Yellow Flower
Pale Blue with White Cabbage Rose
All these beautiful hats were created by Dee’s Crafts except for one and I bet you can guess which one.
I Love My Hat!
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Battle of Puebla, cincodemayo, Grito de Dolores, Mexican Army, Mexican cuisine, New York City, Olvera Street on May 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Last year I posted a blog about how Cinco De Mayo was celebrated, its origin and how we have adopted and adapted this holiday today. I thought re-posting it would be a good idea and informative to my newly-acquired readers!
This is Why We Celebrate Victory
If you’ve noticed a sudden dearth of avocados, limes, Corona Extras and Jose Cuervo at your local grocery store over the past couple of days, don’t panic — no one is conspiring against you. Instead, your neighbors are simply stocking up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and all over the United States with delicious Mexican cuisine, far too much alcohol and plenty of fanfare.
But Cinco de Mayo (“the fifth of May”) is much more than an entertaining way to forget an entire day’s worth of events. The holiday owes its origins to the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat invading French forces from conquering the state of Puebla. The victory remains a cause for commemoration nearly 150 years later.
Interestingly enough, Cinco de Mayo isn’t celebrated in Mexico nearly as much as it is in the United States, as the country’s most widely recognized national patriotic holiday is actually the Mexican Independence Day on September 16. But Cinco de Mayo gets plenty of attention in the U.S. not just from Mexican-Americans, but also from anybody interested in seeking out new forms of cultural exposure — largely due to the efforts of liquor companies and Mexican restaurants.
Last year, MTV Tr3s sent comedian Cristela Alonzo to Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street to report on the community’s deep understanding of Cinco del Mayo. While the holiday has historic roots, Alonzo acknowledged that many participants view Cinco de Mayo as “an excuse to get drunk and party.” But as Alonzo learned, enjoying the rowdier aspects of Cinco de Mayo doesn’t have to come at the expense of forgetting the holiday’s cultural significance.
“What’s important is to remember the meaning behind the holiday,” she reported of her findings. “It’s about freedom and to celebrate those who had the courage to defend it.”
So as you immerse yourself in today’s festivities, make sure to put your ice cold cerveza down for long enough to acknowledge the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo, a holiday built on the foundation of freedom. ** This article is from the MTV website
And today!
Cha Cha Cha It’s Fiesta Time
You know what they say: Drink responsibly, Drive safely – OH WAIT, we live in New York City, we can be totally irresponsible – BUT then again here is May 6th to think about!
Posted in Six Word Memoirs, tagged Academy Award, California, Home, Jersey, John Heard, Six-Word memoir, Smith Magazine, What I Was on May 4, 2011| 3 Comments »
"The Book"
One Life, Six Words, What’s Yours? The quest continues and the challenge remains – can you? Will you? – try to put your life into just six words, no more, no less! Well my life, you say, is way too big and complex to distill into six words! Maybe, maybe not. Some GREAT writers have done and each week I post about 5 Six Word Memoirs from the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning.
Some weeks we focus on a theme and this week’s was supposed to be about FOOD, our love of, our abstinence from, from taste sensations to tasty tidbits and tasty recipes and of course the throes of dieting. WHATEVER you are thinking or feeling about food is your source of a Six Word Memoir.
This is what I received last week:
A pinch of this and that – Heather
Packing my bags. The adventure continues – Weez
Far away California, grandkids, Jersey coast – Heide
Diet ice cream flavor? Green Tea! – Me
And from the above-referenced book…
I hope to outlive my regrets. – Bob Logan
All night phone calls complete me – Harry Manning
Texas childhood can lead to wisdom – Kristen Ahlemeier-Olfe
Sweet life, good sons – I’m rich – Roger Waggener
Barrister, barista, what’s the diff, Mom? –Abigail Moorhouse
Ok readers, I’m going to try again and this one is for EVERYONE! Mother’s Day is around the corner, let’s sum up Mom in SIX WORDS!
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Government, Installation art, May Day, Multilateral, Murray Head, New York City, Photograph, United Nations on May 2, 2011| 2 Comments »
If you have been following the blog or FAB FOTO FRIDAYS you know that a while ago I featured an art installation on Dag Hammerskjold Plaza near the United Nations. It is called Borders with human-like sculptures posed standing and sitting in the park. Today is MAY DAY! In additions to the Borders “people”, Dag Hammerskjold Plaza was home to a true May Day celebration.
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
Dancing Around the Maypole
Photos by Murray Head
May Day Maypole Ribbons
Photo by Murray Head
May Day knows no Borders!
photo by Murray Head
Posted in BY THE WAY, Friends, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Easter Parade 2011, Fifth Avenue, Finley Ray, Helen Uffner, Lori, Peter on April 26, 2011| 2 Comments »
Helen and Lori
Here we are post-Parade and post-cocktails too!
Helen and her sunglasses!!!
Check out Helen’s saucy vintage hat!
Finley and Gigi on the Avenue
Dapper Peter and Dazzling Jessica
"Sorry about the hat" - The real Helen
I hope to have more photos soon!
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Easter, Easter bonnet, Easter Parade, Fifth Avenue, Helen, holiday, New York, New York City, Times on April 26, 2011| 8 Comments »
Yesterday in spite of dire predictions of showers, Fifth Avenue was crowded with New Yorkers and tourists. The annual Easter Parade has been a New York tradition since the 1870’s. Over the years, it has attracted the colorful, the crazy, the fashionable and the NOT so fashion-minded.
Peter and I and our friends, Helen and Catherine joined us in strolling down the Avenue. Helen was wearing a very saucy hat from the 1940’s or 30’s (I should have asked her for clarification). Anyway, she looked lovely and maybe she’ll be in the Times next week. She had one of her employees join her who was decked out in an unbelievable knock your socks off vintage outfit. Jessica was a vision of the past in a deep wine red dress, sable fur draped over her arm, wearing net gloves and classic heels from that era. Topped off with a perky fur hat tilted to the side , she turned everyone’s head – check out the Times, I bet she’s there.
I’ve never gone for the vintage look when it comes to the Parade but that’s mainly because I maintain I can’t find vintage clothing in my size. Well even so, I like to wear wide brimmed hats and I like to decorate them with lots of flowers and ribbons. I have made a few and recycled them and sometimes reconstructed them so when Catherine decided to join us, I offered her a hat. She picked a favorite of mine, pink with a very wide brim. She wore a beautiful sun dress and the hat complemented it perfectly. Peter was dapper as usual in a soft gray double-breasted suit, vintage tie and a straw “boater”.
We had a great time, strolling along the Avenue and having our photo taken many times. And as the day wound down, we decided to top off the afternoon enjoying a cocktail. Now where to go? Elegant was the byword of the day so we headed to the King Cole bar in the St. Regis Hotel. It was definitely the right choice. Turns out many of the people whose outfits we admired apparently had the same idea. The King Cole bar was only the more elegant with everyone’s Easter finery.
I managed to forget my camera at home (that was a first). So I’m dependent on others to send me photos from the Parade. So far I only got one I can use but am hoping for more. I’d like to show Finley Ray in her bright orange and hot pink sun dress and wearing the wreath of flowers Gigi made for her.
Lori, Peter and Catherine
Posted in Six Word Memoirs, tagged dyed eggs, Easter, Easter Parade, Heide, Holidays, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus, Ornette Coleman, Peeps, Will Blythe on April 25, 2011| 1 Comment »
Colum McCann
It’s Monday and therefore we have to really THINK about expressing ourselves, our lives, and whatever else in the way of theme I throw at you! Last week I suggested that we use the holidays that were upon us as possible inspiration to summing up life in six words, no more, no less and this is what we’ve come up with:
Contemplating where we go from here – Susan Celtic Lady
Friends, fabulous Seder dinner, free haircut – Heide
Yellow peeps, purple chickens don’t exist – Spinny Liberal
Let’s be happy while we’re here. – Heather
Easter: Jesus and Peeps-Resurrect fertility – Spinny Liberal
Easter Parade: A mile of smiles – Me
Easter Sunday-Eggsactly what I expected! – Me
Well that was fun! And while I’m thinking of a theme for next week, I want to share with you some more of the wonderful Six Word Memoirs from the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning-Six Word Memoirs by writers Famous & Obscure.
Study mathematics. Marry slut. Sum bad. – Don Robinson
Took scenic route, got in late – Will Blythe
Raised Jehovah’s Witness. Excommunicated at 22 – Kyria Abrahams
I like big butts, can’t lie – Dave Buss
I’m enjoying even this downward dance – Colum McCann
Without ideas, intelligence could not exist – Ornette Coleman
How about after we have all gorged on matzoh brie, brisket, ham, hot cross buns, and chocolate bunnies and surely DIET is a word being bandied about in many a household – that we make next week’s theme about food or denial thereof. If you’re blessed with a great metabolism and the personal conviction to work out to stay in shape or you love food, love to cook, love to eat or kvell when dieting- give it to us in SIX WORDS! Maybe it’s a taste from your childhood, maybe it’s a gourmet meal in a top chef’s restaurant, maybe it’s just the smell of bread or cookies baking. Whatever it is, please send it in Six Words, No More, No Less.
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Drag Queen, Dress, Easter, Easter bunny, Easter egg, Easter hat, Easter Parade, Fifth Avenue, holiday, New York City, Rabbit, Religion and Spirituality, Traditions on April 24, 2011| 4 Comments »
Since I know you don’t all live in New York City, I thought you might enjoy some FAB FOTOS of Easter Hats from the famous Fifth Avenue Easter Parade. These are some of the prettiest, wildest, biggest, smallest, and creative from Parades past. If the weather holds (and it’s not promising), I hope to take photographs of this year’s offerings.
The Big Apple
Big Hat-Little Kid
Two Flower Girls
Our Friend, the Dapper Dude Greg!
Photo by Dubois
Peeps!
Drag Queen in the Pink
Teeny Tiny Topper
On the Rotogravure
Going Green for Easter
Posted in BY THE WAY, Friends, tagged Complications, Conditions and Diseases, Endocrine Disorders, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Health, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid, Thyroid hormone on April 20, 2011| 3 Comments »
T3 and T4
Not the usual Tasty Tidbits Tuesday or the Conspiracy Theory Wednesday, however I decided (well I was strongly persuaded) that the blog would be a good venue to disseminate important information.
It all started one night a year ago when during the evening’s conversation six degrees of separation surfaced and blossomed into about three! Intriguing right? But that’s another blog for another day! So segue to the information exchanged between two of the degrees!
Quite a few people I know take Thyroid medication like Synthroid or another thyroid hormone. If you are one of those people then read on because what follows is extremely pertinent to the effectiveness of the medication.
We can all thank Sarajane who told this to Susan who pleaded/insisted that I post this! 🙂
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