Photo of the Day: Prayers for Peace

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, June 2011
Sculpture Garden

Photo of the Day: Sculpting Dreams

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, June 2011
Sculpture Garden

Photo of the Day: Flag is Still There

Somewhere in Utah, Idaho, or Nevada, River Trip 2010

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key 1814

Photo of the Day: Raindrops on Irises 2

New York Botanical Garden, June 2011

Summer Fridays/Weekends 2011 - Sacred Views

I had forgotten how hard it is to shoot pictures inside a vast cathedral - not enough light in some places and a flash washes other things out.

According to the brochure: "Work was started on the Cathedral in the late 1890s, and continued until 1941. Work resumed in 1979, lasting until 1994 when a preservation and improvement initiative was started. In December 2001 a fire broke out and destroyed the North Transept and caused extensive smoke damage. In 2003 cleaning and restoration started, lasting until 2008 when it was rededicated."

We took the general Walking Tour, but honestly were more distracted by ED's antics than to pay attention to all the trivia too much. There are thematic tours, focusing on theology, symbolism, and/or architecture, and a Climbing Tour, which I hope to take later this summer. I can't imagine the views looking down into the building, and then up around the roof-line!

Look at the sculptures, the glass work, the carvings!

Firefighters memorial (above); trompe l'oeil carving in arches (below)

Notes for below: the Poets' Corner salutes America's literary greats; there are 14 themed bays in the nave, honoring different professions and human endeavors. Stained glass windows depict thematic scenes - including one on broadcasting with an inset of a 1925 prototype television; the white gold triptych created by Keith Haring in 1989 in the shape of a Russian icon, the last sculptural piece created by the artist before his death in 1990; Finally, the Cathedral is a working religious site - with the prayer candles reflecting the peacefulness of the place.

Summer Fridays/Weekends 2011 - Cathedral Daze

Since I will NOT be taking a major multi-state road trip to the MidWest this year, I decided to take advantage of my Summer Fridays to explore different things in the City and take advantage of everything that it has to offer.

One of the cultural destinations on my list was the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, on the north end of the Upper West Side. For many years, (way back, back, back in the day), I worked not far from the Cathedral, but never made it over to explore this unique venue. Known for its architecture, it's also a "civic and community institution whose events and programs, public buildings and spaces have a reach much farther than most churches or cathedrals." Some notable events at the Cathedral include, the annual blessing of the animals, a high wire walk between the naves by famed tightrope walker Phillipe Petit, acting as a gathering place after Sept. 11th, and site of memorial services for such icons as Duke Ellington and George Balanchine.

I mentioned my list of places I wanted to visit during my "staycations" to The Ironic Mother (IM) and she excitedly said she was interesting in going along and bringing the ever adorable Edgy Daughter (ED). The plan was to get up, commute in, to stop in and say hi to the folks at the library where I used to work. Then I would rendezvous with IM and ED and head up for the 11 a.m. tour, then lunch, so the ED could stay on her normal nap schedule. Unfortunately, after the business of my weekend in CT and my lingering cold, I totally overslept! Luckily, the IM found the irony in the adult oversleeping and we met up a little later.

Little Ms. ED got to ride in style as Ms. IM graciously grinned for the camera.

The Cathedral was a lovely cool place to spend a sunny, muggy afternoon. The adorable Ms. ED charmed all of the docents and her fellow explorers as she checked out her surroundings. IM was particularly delighted by how much time ED spent in the Poets' Corner.

After the tour, we took a few moments on the steps to refresh, reflect and refuel, and then Ms. ED was off and climbing up and down and up and down the stairs. What a toddler!

(WHEEE!)

After a bananas, water, and rest, it was time for the grown-ups to find the local Crepes on Columbus for some lunch and dessert.

First though, the ever present debate - Should I have a crepe for lunch or a healthy salad? Salads won the day; refreshing, and healthy, and cool -- A Caramelized Walnut Cooked Apple Salad for IM and a Prosciutto Pesto Caprese Salad for me.

Dessert though was no question! Give me a warm, gooey, oozy Nutella crepe!

Next time, I'm going to have something off the Chocolate Lovers Crepe menu - a choice of three objects with my chocolate or Nutella! Nutella and almonds? No. Nutella and marshmallow? No. Nutella and almonds? Walnuts? Coconut? Caramel? What to choose!???? Too many choices.

I'm am so glad that IM, ED and I got to spend the afternoon together. Now that IM is no longer at the Big J, and moving to Columbus, Ohio, our friendship will have to be "virtual" for a bit.

So long, my friend. I miss you. Keep posting!

Auntie Nettie's Attic - New Header

Just a quick blog shout-out to Sarah at OrdinarySarah.com for the sweet new blog header.

Thanks to the wonders of social networking, I found out about a special offer to do header design. A couple of e-mails later, a few questions, some tweaks, and a Paypal entry, and viola.

I've done some minor readjusting to side-bars and colors, but doesn't it look so much better? It only took four years and some futile hinting to the Bloggysphere.

Thanks again Sarah.