Toys: The Easter Edition

The biggest Catholic holiday we have also ushered in a host of good things for us as children: warmer weather, flowers, and Easter candy. Just like with Christmas, we eventually figured out that our Easter Bunny was our Mom, who, over the years, became less adept at hiding, in direct proportion to our prowess as hunters. Easter egg hunts became fierce.

I remember the day when Mom asked me for something in dad's closet, and I found the big tell-tale straw basket instead, stuffed with goodies like chocolate eggs and bunny rabbit toys. Instead of being angry, upset, or disappointed, I actually felt relieved that the bringer of happy things was my own Mom. Well, of course it was.

I found this gorgeous selection of more naturally made animal toys at my kick butt local store in the Slope, Little Things. As much as I love stylised cartoons, I couldn't help but think I would have vastly preferred a real looking rabbit like this one as a little girl, over standard drugstore fare.

Happy Easter, and shield this one from the kids ;)

Go Organic....if you can!

Everyone who reads me regularly knows that I prefer organics; in food, in clothing, in cosmetics, in life. This layering on of chemicals, ones that feed into the petrochemical system we have in place that needs to be dismantled, is an extremely toxic way of life, and totally unnecessary to our collective health and hygiene.

But you also know that I realize organics are still much more expensive than cheap, mass-produced goods. So, I do what any other person living in challenging economic times does: I buy stuff on sale.

This week, Duane Reade's are carrying the most excellent product line, Avalon Organics Vitamin C, at a high discount, at savings of 75%. If you can't find them for that steep a reduction, buy them at a reduced price, and if you can afford full retail, go for it.

Their clean citrus scent, organic packaging, and natural ingredients work just as well as those pricey snake oils available at a much higher mark up, and they come at a much better price for your health and for our society. Enjoy :)

Around the Way: The Pavillion Theater

Type inlay on hard wood floor

A recent trip to my local cinema turned up a few lovely surprise, like inlaid type on a wooden floor, and custom hand-painted tables. Little gorgeous details like that, personal artistic touches to a space, make the experience all the more memorable.

Custom painted tables

Just like the art of the book, a really good movie house will never go out of style, because it's not something you can replicate digitally. Enjoy your movie time, just like I did.

Family portrait!

Around the Way: Hand Lettering

Jazzy poster at Barbés
http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com/

Curly ‘Do

There comes a time in every curly life when the thicket must be cleared. Such a time came to me one hard-working weekend, when I noticed that the shorter ends growing out of my layered ‘do looked sufficiently better than the long piece stuck down the back of my jacket. I was at the office, it was freezing, and I peeped myself in such a state in the bathroom mirror. Lo and behold, an idea for a new hairstyle was born.

My awesome hairdresser, a former RISD attendee natch, was on board because it's right on trend for the season. He went a little shorter than we originally discussed, but it was cool. I was up for it. So here it is; an uneven blunt cut with some hip longer pieces. He wanted to stay far far away from Soccer Mom Land, and so did I. We did that. Rudy, you da man homeboy ;) Thanks for the hook up.

Springtime curly ‘do

Around the Way: Spring is Coming!

Spring is Coming!

But it didn't feel like it this morning....

Around Town: Post Office at 34th

The ceiling at the post office on 34th Street and 8th Avenue

Around the Way: Fancy Pants

I wear fancy pants....sometimes

Around the Way: Walkens are Welcome

Walkens are welcome at the Café Steinhof

We have this great Austrian restaurant in my 'hood that's been around for long time, which is the hallmark of a successful restaurant in our highly competitive town. Places that have have been around for many years with a strong neighborhood following are signs that they're really good, because just to stay in business is a “win”, what with skyrocketing leases and an ever-dwindling supply of customers.

I walked past it a couple of weeks ago after getting a freshly made chocolate croissant from a tiny French bakery called “Parco” that's across the street. To me the door alone defines the essence of our unique Brooklyn lifestyle: hip without trying too hard, a cool vibe without forcing it on you, and really, really good food. Unpretentious and awesome: that's how I feel about my hometown. 
Walkens are always welcome!

http://cafesteinhof.com/

Go Green!

The Boogie Down Bronx sports the green.

Hey New York! It's parade weekend, so if you're drinking a pint or two (and you know you will), stay safe and take mass transit. That's what's it's for, you sot ;)

For those of you visiting from out of town, take a tip from a classic Seinfeld episode about the Puerto Rican Day Parade: just stay away.

Stay safe, and have a great time. Happy St. Pat's—Marie

Reel Life: Chop Shop

Few movies capture the horror of growing up on the streets like this one: no parents, no authority figures, and no protection whatsoever. Like the Brazilian movie City of God, Chop Shop lets you see what happens when a society utterly fails its youngest, and then exploits their naivety and innocence for profit.

The biggest difference for me is that Chop Shop feels exactly like the area of Queens that circles the big baseball stadium where all those juicy cars park, begging to be ripped off. This is my home turf. In between that con is a massive array of gypsy cabs illegally combing our city streets looking for fares, then clogging the nearby garages, seeking the cheapest deal to quickly replace a broken rear-view mirror.

Our hero is a “little man” in the ghetto sense of the words: because he has to be. He finds his sister (also out of foster care and in the shelter system), then tries to fold her into his now-legit world at the garage. He both works and sleeps there, and humble as it is, it's a toe-hold into the makings of a new life, as we watch him struggle to bring her into it.

I won't give away much more, but if you're a native New Yorker, you know people who grew up like this, or maybe you did, too. I know I started working as a kid, and it's still the mainstay of many cultural labor forces. Some parts are difficult to watch (who likes seeing children hurt or violated?!), but in the end, they remain a family: a small family of two, with a boy-child who is more of a man than many will grow up to be, and his troubled teen sister, and how they manage to stay together.

That's hope.

Poetry in Motion: Grand Central

Grand Central turns 100 years old this year, and it looks better than ever. Nice job, New Yorkers!

http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/

Around the Way: Snow Kitty Day

Sendak-inspired Snow Kitty

Just remember folks, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb*. Let's say goodbye to winter with this last Nor'Easter! Goodbye, winter.

*http://bjws.blogspot.com/2011/03/origin-of-saying-march-comes-in-like.html

Around the Way: Goodbye Winter!

The Community Bookstore of Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Good morning, New Yorkers! Many of us start to feel the pall of winter-like conditions during the tempestuous month of March.
Today we had snow flurries during our morning commute, and some of us are totally over it. 

I thought this image captured the fun of a winter soon to be gone, taken of a local bookstore window in Park Slope, advertising the pleasures of reading indoors during cold days, over a bowl hot soup, with a book written and illustrated by our beloved hometown Brooklyn hero Maurice Sendak, now with a school named in his honor.   

Brighter days are ahead!

http://communitybookstore.net/

Street Art: Mama and Baby Bird

Mama Bird and Baby Bird, together on 6th Avenue

Around the Way: Back Alley Diety

The God of Garbage and Recycling has fallen a long way down!

Call the Midwife

Watch Season 2 Preview on PBS. See more from Call the Midwife.

If you've never caught this show on PBS, give it a "go". It's about young midwives working at an abbey, run by the experienced nuns who minister to a poor London parish, set against a bombed out post-WWII backdrop. The period details are incredible, and even though you know you're going to get hit with that warm, fuzzy feeling at the end, just go with it. It's satisfying in all the right ways.

March Blows In

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot 
and the wind blows cold: when it is summer 
in the light, and winter in the shade. 

—Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Good morning, dear readers! March is a very exciting time in New York. The weather turns from winter to spring and back again in the span of a day, and this town gets ready for the biggest parade of the year, the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Most importantly, I get to break out my Irish gear and post pictures of me sporting it, because as most of you readers know, I am descended from the Corbetts' of Galway through my maternal grandfather. Incidentally, he bought me the Greek fisherman's cap you see me wearing in my new authors' photo to the right because I loved his so much, bought when my grandparents travelled the globe after his retirement from ConEdison.

Those of us who are also lucky enough to be Acadian come from a beautiful island called “New Scotland”, or now commonly known as Nova Scotia. We are a wonderfully eclectic blend of the French, Native American, and Celtic, and this month's wild weather ride, with its' rough storms and pelting rains, only drives the point home further for island people of the Northern Hemisphere.

Change is coming. Are you ready? 

Sláinte

Sláinte (SLAHN-chə) is a word literally translating as "health"^[1] and is commonly used as a drinking toast in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

To Be And To Have

I watched a wonderful documentary, Être et Avoir, about a teacher in rural France assigned to an all ages, one-room schoolhouse. It captured the spirit of education, but I was disappointed to learn that the director fed the teacher lines to get the kids to talk about certain subjects (found in the DVD extras) and looking back, you can see those scenes are forced.

The best parts of the movie are the teachers' impromptu interactions with his students that are centered around small classes, focused attention, and lots of interpersonal contact. This is the model we should be striving for, with or without the bucolic French countryside as a backdrop, and there are no good reasons why we can't have it.

Teachers already sacrifice their financial security for their vocation, as do those of us who work in fields closely related to education, like publishing. We have the drive and the dedication needed to provide excellent resources for our children. What we don't have is the support and exposure for our collective causes, backed by the popular vote to provide the appropriate funding.

Make it happen. Get out there and speak to your educators, go to your schools, attend meetings, have facts, figures, and research on hand to make the changes needed, so we can all benefit from the types of schools our children deserve. BE LOUD about it, if you aren't heard the first time. Then, do it again.

Fight Night History

This past Saturday's UFC night was a historical occasion for women in MMA. It was the first time a female bout was the main card event, and the match-up was every bit as exciting as you'd expect from two very talented and hungry fighters. 

On a personal side note, the preponderance of people of Acadian descent who dominate in the sport can no longer be denied. Given the long and painful history of our people, I'm extraordinarily happy our hard-working values are finally on display for the entire world to see. I'm so proud of you all. 

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/2/24/4023134/ronda-rousey-vs-liz-carmouche-full-fight-video-highlights-ufc-157-dan-henderson-vs-lyoto-machida 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acadian 

Edward Gorey

Today's “Google Doodle” is in remembrance of Edward Gorey, one of book illustrations' greats. If you've never seen his work, please explore his world and enjoy, but I suspect many of you have seen his handiwork without realizing it. You are looking at the works of a master. Happy Friday.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Edward+Gorey&oi=ddle&ct=edward_goreys_88th_birthday-1056005

Picture Window: Goodbye!

 moving on, like clouds across the sky

  

Dear friends, fans, and readers! I'm in the process of relocating, and though moving is a tense and uncertain time, it also brings about welcome change. As much as I loved the picture window views from my old apartment, I have an entire catalog of photos from that time period: the documentation of time passing from a fixed location, as written across the skies. With new vistas comes new subject matter, and as any artist/explorer will tell you, that indeed heralds an exciting time. As my view changes, look here for changes, too. Blessings to you, and have a great week.—Marie

O For a Heart....

 

....write thy new name upon my heart,

Thy new best name of love. Amen.

—Robert Edward Smith

http://www.robertedwardsmith.com/

Poetry in Motion: Mary Ruefler

 




















Voyager

I have become an orchid

washed in on the salt white beach.

Memory,

what can I make of it now

that might please you—

this life, already wasted

and still strewn with

miracles?

http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/poetry/poetry.html?year=2013&poem=5
http://www.maryruefle.com/ 

Happy New Year!

For all you martial artists and fans out there, this action-packed adventure is a classic Samurai gore fest. There's lots of limb-hacking and bloody battles, with plenty of hand-to-hand combat. It's weirdly improbable and highly enjoyable at the same time. Have at it!

Picture Window: Snowy Morning

fire escape in snow, morning

Around Town: The Haier Building

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Savings_Bank

Self Portrait: Me at 43

it's up close but it's nothing personal, except that it's me

I've always been interested in self-portraits by women (Alice Neel*, Cindy Sherman*) because it's often seen as taboo in our society for a woman to age. Why is that? Why does a woman lose her supposed attractiveness when male leads like Sean Connery can still play the main lead love interest at 73, next to a woman half his age? Is he really better looking than say, Helen Mirren? I would say "no". I think it's really weird to see fresh young starlets next to old dudes, but that's just me. What do you think?

In the interest of romance and age, I submit to you this lovely little tale about retired Brit expats in India who find true love, as they also contemplate the end of life.   
Enjoy your Thursday, no matter your age.

* http://www.aliceneel.com/          * https://www.artsy.net/artist/alice-neel
* http://www.cindysherman.com/

Around the Way: Star Power

"Baby, I'm a star!"

Picture Window: Sunrise Progression

yellow to pink to yellow, clouds over brooklyn

Picture Window: Misty Morning

foggy morning

Keeping it Reel: "Gigante"

Any master storyteller knows bringing your audience in so close that you can almost feel them sitting on your lap is the hallmark that you've crossed the divide separating you from them. That intimacy is the biggest luxury artists and writers have, something lost in the sensory experience we have as moviegoers. It's a closeness we don't feel watching speeding images projected onto a large screen in quite the same way that we sense a closeness to characters brought to life through a book that's inches from our very face. We breathe them in, like we do the smell of ink and paper, holding a physical object in our hands, in a scale that's designed especially for our senses. The slow crafting of a story produced from the pacing of a book gives our human brains a time frame we can easily adjust to, turning pages slowly (or not), maybe going back to reread something again just to get it right in our head, or pausing to ruminate on the picture the author has just created that illuminates something in way previously unknown; it's that loving lingering that give t.v. shows and movies cause for frustration in hardcore book people like myself.

The director has already called the shots, creating their own world from words made precious in our minds through time, the way books and stories become. We get tripped up by niggling details like the anachronism of an actors' bad hairdo, let alone big story elements like time and space. That suspension of belief is the bane of many a lesser talents existence. It's what every classic, timeless, great story hangs upon; the ability for me to hold you right in the palm of my hand, where I need you to be, so you can take in the story richly from every angle, drinking it in, letting it soak into you, so that the story also becomes a part of you. Some people have it, some people spend years chasing it, some people try to learn it, and the rest become our wonderful audience who we spend our lives wooing in a necessary dance that exists between the creator and the viewer.

The freedom we give a reader to transpose what we've written or drawn into their own imaginative spaces is something that a t.v. director can't do, because they have to "draw" a character and tell a defined story in a half an hour. It's really hard. Books also have the same deadline. We must make something to print on the presses, and the edition that lives on your shelf is semi-permanent, at least until we reprint it and possibly revise it, just like a film is "cut" and released; the story stays that way until somewhat remakes it, which is way more expensive than reprinting a book. Genres are troublesome, too. I hate romances for the exact reasons I outlined above: I simply don't buy it. Love is something best left to poets, because it's like trying to explain the color purple to a blind person. What does color mean to them? I've seen a few really good adaptations of books to movies, but it's something best left to a truly gifted artist. Maurice Sendak wisely advised Spike Jonez to make his own Wild Things instead of trying to lavishly re-create his work into a movie, a world made specifically for children as a book, functioning best on the level it was designed for, and he spoke like a true master. The formats are too different to reconcile the gap that exists.

So when I see movies that have characters who feel so real, I actually know people just like them, it's a rare experience. I found this gem of a movie called Gigante that's the most flawlessly real depiction of actual human love than any other movie I've seen about it. There's just no false notes or wrong moves, because every heart-wrenching scene feels exactly like a young man crushing hard and falling deeply in love. There's no bullshit CGI effects, no bombastic declarations delivered hammily or wildly desperate acts for her attention (because our hero is very shy around his lady love), nor fake showiness of his affections. This is a real story that takes place in a real world you know exists, because it's the same thing that's happened to you. He's an average guy (but not to us), working cruddy minimum wage jobs for a buck (just like we have), falling in love with an average girl (but not to him, because she's his whole world), who gets mistreated because they don't love her like he does (or we do). It's that perfect.

Yeah, I know.

Around the Way: The Brooklyn Public Library

The Park Slope branch of the Brooklyn Public Library

At Home: Afternoon Light

bookcase still life

Picture Window: Northern Light

winter morning, january

Picture Window: Horizon

a line of light begins the new day

Around the Way: The Magic Hour

sunset on 5th avenue