The World Examining Works

Henry

 

 

 

 

 

Bliss

 

 

Yesterday at the dog park (where I'm known for watering the concrete) I was given a late Christmas present. I hadn't seen anything like it since 1956.

So I rushed home where where my family were forced to take a break in watching the Twilight Zone marathon and coopted into setting it up. Very exciting indeed.

Well......

It looked like some sort of surreal crown. A miniature paper world of mountain, trees and garden.

By this morning a new world was born.....

 

Happy New Year

 

 

Season's Greetings

 

 

Wishing everyone a most peaceful and lovely Christmas.

 

 

 

 

A Party

 

 

What fun to have a birthday just before Christmas

with presents to unwrap

and cousins to help you unwrap them.

 

 

Seasonal: AKA Too Much

 

 

A treat, I think, to be alone for an instant and without any colors this in-your-face season.

However, this neo-hippie Cinnamonsnail cookie truck was just round the corner

as was this vehicle (what on earth do you call it?)

Santa's helper was putting up cool items like 'Marzipan Star' outside Donut Planet. I do not know if this is a donut or a drink.

So we decided to give a party and got out the old angels and the  petit chameau.

I discovered a Lenten Rose at Trader Joe's.

After the party there were many bottles waiting to be recycled

and birds to be observed.

Yesterday I ventured out of my neighborhood and went to the East 60's where women wear lots of makeup and there are glittering shops

a formidable lion

tourists transfixed by Bloomingdale's windows

and very cool decorations for an elf to observe.

 

Heavenly

 

 

 

An excerpt from A Christmas Carol 1843

"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.  Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

"And the Union workhouses?"  demanded Scrooge.  "Are they still in operation?"

"They are.  Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."

"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?"  said Scrooge.

"Both very busy, sir."

"Oh!  I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge.  "I'm very glad to hear it."

"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.  We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.  What shall I put you down for?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous?"

"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge.  "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer.  I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry.  I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."  

Now I know who Newt Ginrich's idol is! 

 

So

the sky above Macy's

and the little garden next to our building.

Lenten rose at Union Square green market.

My friend Susanna Gordon, the brilliant photographer and all around nice person, has a much kinder take on the season HERE

A must see post!

 

 

 

Fuel: or how not to get anything done.....

 

 

In order to do anything

one must get fueled up for it.

Eat. Sharpen the pencils.

Ponder tidying things up.

Observe the accidental by products of creativity.

Look at other people's work.

Give up and take the dog for a walk.

Ponder the Christmas tree's last evening.

Look at ghost trees.

Think it's about time to get down to work.

Maybe.

 

 

A Party

 

 

First there were cousins.....

...to help open the presents...

...and sample the cake

Then there was the king himself...

who lost interest in his crown

 

the better to get down to eating....

 

 

 

Penn Station on Saturday Afternoon

 

What a curious collection of people are out and about today.

First an elf.....

then a reindeer...

a Santa sans hair.

 Santa's helpers have cell phones...

...  dress with verve and charm...

...and feel the need for beer.

 

 

An Elf Stole My Camera

 

Breakfast was egg and cheese.

After that there was not too much to do.

 

 

 

Jane in Winter story here