Photo Hunt—"fresh"

Unless you go out and catch it yourself,
you won't find fish much fresher than
here at Venice's Rialto market—and they
take the trouble to arrange it nicely too!


[To see more that's fresh, visit Sandi's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

We're about halfway through a $508 million renovation
of the Brooklyn Bridge.  ($30 million of that is part of our
share of the government's $787 billion stimulus package.)
One of the people who's been put to work with that
money is this "well-balanced" fellow who was nice
enough to pose for me one morning.  Don't know what
they're paying him to climb up and teeter on the very outer beam
of the bridge like this—how much would they have to pay you?


[To see more Skywatch, go here.]

Thursday Challenge — "three"

I don't have anything against seagulls per se—
but when you're trying to enjoy a meal
al fresco, even one this close is too many!


[To see more things in threes, go here.]

abc wednesday —K is for "knights"

These brave knights seem to have taken a bit
of a detour on their way to battle—straight
through the Metropolitan Museum and many
centuries out of context. I can't imagine how
they mounted their horses in all that armor.


[To see more ABC Wednesday, go here.]

Traveling Tuesdays

Last Tuesday I mentioned the good-looking men of Padua, and 
some of my blog pals said "What—no photo of them?" In fact, no.
But here's a nice assortment of bei'uomini italiani from Rome, Venice, 
Florence, and the cliffside village of Corniglia, in the Cinque Terre.


[To see more Tuesday travels, visit Sandi's meme.]

Mellow Yellow Macro

This tree looked so cheerful covered in
these bright yellow blooms.  I'd love to tell 
you what it's called, but I don't know—
hoping someone can tell me.


[To see more Mellow Yellow, go here;
to see more macros, visit Lisa's Chaos.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

I picked this closeup of the campanile in
Piazza San Marco because I always
celebrate Venice's birthday—and today
la Serenissima is 1, 591 years old! 


[To see more Sunday shadows, go here.]

Photo Hunt—"spicy"

When I think 'spicy,' I think of Indian food.
And when I think 'Indian food,' I think of
Jackson Heights, in Queens.  When I was little
we lived there, but back then it was about as far from
eclectic as you could possibly get.  Sixty years later, it's
a vibrant ethnic neighborhood with the best
Indian food (imho) in the five boroughs.


[To see more things that are spicy, visit Sandi's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

Spring has sprung some more!  The magnolias are in bloom,
and I could look at them all day—especially on a day like this.


[To see more Skywatch, go here.]

Thursday Challenge — "green"

I was thinking about "green" as a photo challenge,
and wondering if I should head over to the park for
inspiration.  Then I passed by this window—and voilà. 


[To see more green things, go here.]

abc wednesday —J is for "jellyfish"

Strange, but this makes me look forward to going to the beach—
strange because this is pretty much the last thing I want to find there.


[To see more ABC Wednesday, go here.]

Traveling Tuesdays

Welcome to Padua, where you can find beautiful
architecture (see?) and also beautiful men (I'm just sayin').
Took a day trip here from Venice to visit the restored Giotto
frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.  You are absolutely not
allowed to take photos in there (in fact, you're barely
allowed to breathe; we had to wait in an airlocked
antechamber for 15 minutes before entering the chapel itself).
Anyway, no Giottos and no men, but this is pretty, isn't it?


[To see more Tuesday travels, visit Sandi's meme.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

I took this picture this past weekend, and a quick
look at my photo archives tells me that a year
ago I was snapping shots of the newly blooming
daffodils in mid-April.  Do you suppose
 they'll be popping up in February next year?


[To see more Mellow Yellow, go here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

Passed by this restaurant on the way to see the
home of St. Catherine in Siena (through the
gateway just beyond). Loved the clever way the
tables were built to accommodate the sloping street
(and 20 minutes later there wasn't a seat to be had).


[To see more Sunday shadows, go here.]

Photo Hunt—"play"

6

They may be "playing" chess, but—
trust me—these men take it
very, very seriously. Actually, the
guy in the background in the middle?
I just realized that I've featured him before.


[To see more "playful" posts, visit Sandi's meme.] 

Make a Wish

There's a pool at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
(that's it below too, fronting the temple of Dendur,
which has been around in one place or another
since 15 B.C—more about that another day).
So why do people feel compelled to toss coins
into every container of water they come across?
This is not the Trevi Fountain, folks (though I
sincerely hope you got your wish if you made one).

To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.]

Thursday Challenge — "food"

For this one, I was going to show a shot of the
cicchetti at my favorite wine bar in Venice—but
then I thought why not go where they go to get the
ingredients for their inventive snacks: the fabulous
Rialto Market. When you shop here the vendor picks your
produce for you, but not to worry—every piece of fruit,
fennel bulb, bean, tomato, and zucchini is pure perfection.


[To see more "food," visit the Thursday Challenge meme.]

abc wednesday —I is for "Intrepid"

This 69-year-old aircraft carrier had a distinguished 39-year
career before it became the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum.
The ship underwent a 2-year, $120 million renovation
in 2006–8 (but not before the Navy had to spend an additional,
unexpected $3 million to dredge 39,000 cubic yards
of muck so the ship could be moved—oops).
She's looking good now, and next month will become
the new home of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.


[To see more abc Wednesday, go here.]

Traveling Tuesdays

Maybe I shouldn't admit it, but I will:
This picture (remember Kodachrome?) was taken 
the first time I went to Rome—35 years ago (!).  
Back then, I barely felt the 320 steps to the top 
of St. Peter's dome. (But I still wouldn't hesitate 
to make the climb for such a spectacular view).


[To see more Tuesday travels, visit Sandi's meme.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

Yesterday we were at the Met; today it's MoMA.
This relatively new (since last May) sculpture
in the garden is by German artist Katharina Fritsch.
I don't even pretend to understand modern art
(and apparently the folks at MoMA can't really
explain this one either).  What do you think?

[To see more Mellow Yellow, go here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

They have some world-class shadows here in
the courtyard of the American Wing at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This one is
Augustus Saint-Gaudens' gilded bronze "Diana."

Here's what it looks
like in the "flesh."

[To see more shadow shots, go here.]

Photo Hunt—"symbolic"

The most famous symbol of Venice is, of
course, the winged lion that represents St. Mark.
But unfortunately there's another one visible in 
this shot taken from the campanile—pigeon poop!


[To see more symbols, visit Sandi's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

This is some really pricey shabby chic
furniture, for sale at my fave store.
But they have blinged it up a bit
with a nice, sparkly chandelier.



[To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's' meme.]

Thursday Challenge — "pink"

It won't be long now!  In fact, we'll probably get to 
enjoy these beautiful blooms sooner than we usually 
do—unless the weather changes drastically. It's barely 
March, but the spring bulbs are already popping up and the 
trees are in bud.  And it's supposed to go as high as 70°F today!


[To see more "pink," go here.]

abc wednesday —H is for "helpful"

This is Stubby, who is always willing to assist me
when I'm at the computer. He keeps my place
in the notebook and whenever I need to turn on caps lock 
(and even if I don't), he's right there with a helping paw.
It's all good—but I could do without the attitude.


[To see more abc Wednesday, go here.]

Traveling Tuesdays

See the Eiffel Tower way back there? This creature
had already been staring out over the rooftops
of Paris from Notre Dame's south tower for more 
than six centuries before it was ever built—and 
he's been there for more than another century since!



[To see more Tuesday travels, visit Sandi's meme.]

Hands Off!

Stopped in at Fishs Eddy this weekend, where
they sell some really cool dishware and random
related items—and also these old forms (including one 
bright yellow one) used for making kitchen gloves .

[To see more Mellow Yellow this Monday, go here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

The forecast for yesterday was for thunderstorms
all day—but instead we got this: 60°F and sunny.
The good folks of Park Slope, Brooklyn (and I)
were out in Prospect Park enjoying the good
weather until the shadows grew looong.


[To see more Sunday shadows, go here.]

Photo Hunt—"drop"

I was taking my usual early-morning
walk across the Brooklyn Bridge,
and this guy just happened to drop in.
Not sure what his job is exactly,
but it's not one for the faint of heart!


[To see more of the Saturday PhotoHunt, visit Sandi's meme.]

Skywatch Friday/Weekend Reflections

Have to borrow one more from my daughter
Kate's visit last December to Vietnam
(This setting sun is reflected in the Saigon River).


[To see more Skywatch, go here.
To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.]

Photo Hunt—"exercise"

Can't get to the gym because you're too busy taking
care of the baby?  These Brooklyn moms have that one
worked out (so to speak).  They just take the kids
and wheel them around Prospect Park at a quick
 clip, then jump around on the benches.
See, who needs a gym?


[To see more "exercise," go here.]