My New Hat Is Unreal

My new hat which I'll be happy to burn.

During our pandemic it took the directives of the Surgeon General of the United States, the Governor of New York and the Mayor of New York City to get me to wear a face mask. As Dr. Anthony Fauci, our leading expert of Infectious Diseases, tells us time and again, our first line of defense is to: 1) Stay home; 2) Wash our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds every time we touch anything on the other side of our front doors; and 3) Don't touch your face while out at the supermarket, or drugstore to pick up necessities. When I must go out, it's my new mantra: "Don't touch your face, don't touch your face!" 

Photo: smartair

A surgical mask or homemade cotton mask doesn't protect you 100% from the tiny coronavirus, but it does offer enough protection to warrant wearing one. The reason is this: If an infected person coughs or sneezes without knowing s/he is sick, the germs stay in his/her mask. So my mask protects you from me, and your mask protects me from you.

As long as there is a shortage, leave for hospital workers. 

The special medical N95 mask which hospital workers must wear for their protection offers protection from tiny airborne viruses. Because of a shortage of these masks and the need for hospital workers to work closely with coronavirus patients, the public is asked not to buy them. Instead, we should be practicing social distancing -- staying 6 feet apart.

How To Make A Face Mask - Some people put a small coffee filter in the folds of the cloth. Layers catch more germs. You can also tuck the 2 final outer ends (one inside the other.) The video only lays one outer end on top the other.

A few stores in my neighborhood won't let customers inside without a mask. And considering New York is the epicenter for people who have tested positive, nowadays I wear one. I also ordered a hat with a clear protective shield (see above↑) from here. I don't love the idea of wearing either, but if nothing else, they make it more difficult to touch your face.

If people are to return to work it seems 3 things must happen: 1) Universal testing for Coronavirus; 2) Universal testing for the virus' antibodies (you have the antibodies if you've had the disease. Some people don't even realize they've had the disease as serious as it is for others); and 3) Increase the production of those hard to get N95 masks. Many jobs require closer contact than standing 6 feet apart. 

The world's nightmare will truly end after a vaccine becomes available so that coronavirus becomes preventable like the flu ... perhaps 18 months to 2 years away.

Update: Governor Cuomo made wearing face coverings in New York mandatory starting Friday, April 17th when you enter places like supermarkets where social distancing is not possible. The purpose is the stop the spreading of Coronavirus. People in Asian countries have been wearing masks as necessary, and the practice works. We don't have to like it (yuck!), we just have to do it to stop the virus.


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5 Gifts For New York City Lovers

Judging by the numbers, people love New York City.🏩 It happens to be the most popular U.S. tourist destination. Chances are you know people who enjoy coming to the city. According to EscapeHere, "any season, for any reason, New York has it all!" So for those on your shopping list who are in a New York state of mind, here are 5 charming Gotham themed gift ideas:

1) The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Masterpiece Paintings - For NYC + art lovers: A lavishly illustrated book, with history and descriptions of 500 masterpieces in the Met's iconic collection. There are a slew of other art books and museum gifts on the institution's website.

2) Godinger Silver Art Empire State and Chrysler Building Bottle Stoppers - For NYC + wine lovers: Made of nickle plate.

3) Subway Map Onesie - For NYC lovers + new parents of an infant (as babies don't really want anything): Comes in 3 colors - blue, pink and black.

4) New York Library Lion Bookends - For NYC + book lovers: The famous lion statues on 5th Avenue at 42nd Street watch over Bryant Park, and they have names, Patience and Fortitude. The bookends are carved of pink Tennessee marble laying on bases of Milford granite.

5) NYC MetroCard Charm and chain - For NYC + jewelry lovers: Available in sterling silver, or 14K gold vermeil.

These New York City themed gifts are fun for natives and visitors alike! I was given the wine stoppers at the end of a gala dinner. They are cute and made to last.


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Inside A Snow Globe With Santa At Bloomingdale's

On Black Friday I walked to Bloomingdale's to see their Christmas display. There were not many decorations compared to years past, when ornaments and trees took up half the floor. But they had a giant snow globe, and a lovely young lady asked me to step inside of it to have my picture taken with Santa. Sooo I did. (#Bloomies59) The day was very cold outside, and I am bundled up in layers, plus a goose down coat. It's hood was pulled up outside that day.

Photo: Associated Press (click to enlarge)  - The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lite tonight.

During the Christmas season, I try to go to Macy's and Saks 5th Avenue also to see who is selling the most beautiful ornaments. Then there's a stroll over to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree, as well as, a stroll up and down 5th Avenue to gaze at store windows. St. Patrick's Cathedral will have a huge Nativity Scene, garland, white lights and poinsettias all over the church.

Let the holiday season begin! Have you, Dear Readers, bought any gifts yet?

Extra Tip: Don't miss the beautiful tree covered in blue lights a block away from Bloomingdale's at Bloomberg news.

The surronding trees are about 12 feet tall. The center one is several office floors tall.

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Happy Thanksgiving From The Mandarin Duck

Photo: Wallpaperbackground.com

Each of us can find something to be thankful for, often it's our good health and a comfortable home. Family, friends and the kindness of people we meet. A positive attitude is a blessing. At times life will take a bad turn, but a positive attitude can help us navigate through stresses and challenges until things get better. And ... be thankful for the small stuff!

Photo: Audubon.org

New York City's newest resident, the Mandarin Duck, with his colorful feathers and bright pink beak, is a native of China. Nobody knows how he got to the pond in Central Park. Did he escape, or did someone put him there? He gets along with the other ducks, doesn't seem to mind the cold and has made himself at home. A gift to the city, and we love him!

Photo: Richmond Mom

Like you, today I will likely stuff myself with turkey, dressing and healthy sides including: green beans, asparagus, carrots, butternut squash, cranberries and of course, pumpkin pie. I like fresh and  healthy foods, so never feel deprived or guilty when eating plenty of them.

From our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving all!🦃     


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Happy Halloween From Gotham City

In a town of dedicated doormen, two dandy gentlemen welcome you to Gotham City to experience a howling Halloween. 

 Who spread the terror ... um, terr~ible rumor that New Yorkers are an unfriendly bunch? As you can see by this colorful beaming face such hearsay is merely fiction!💀

Know that Gotham City isn't all concrete and mortar. There's plenty of green living things from where little creatures (bats!) like to hang upside down and birds (ravens and buzzards!) like to perch eagerly watching all passersby.

Did someone below faint, or fell over? Perhaps, a fat, little, tasty morsel! Shall we fly down to see?

These longtime, Upper East Side, Social X-rays will dangle around until their black feathered friends better assess the scene.

Meanwhile in the side yard, the spirited games and merriment begin with our honored guests. Come join the fun!

On Fright Night open bar: Barton, the bartender, is standing by to fill your glass. Ahhhh, he's smiling!

What's a Halloween Party without a treasure trove of festive door prizes for everyone attending. Just don't fell in!

And look: Fireball, the family pet, wants to play with you!🔥Puff, puff, little dino!

Everybody is tied up and having such a frighteningly good time ... but who is eating the appetizer here?  Want a bite???

Oh, what a tangled web of All Hallows' Eve we weave!🕷

And for the love of wickedness ... who left their bones in the flower pot?🎃

Work up your appetite, my lovely readers. After dark, Fireball🐲 starts the barbecue.🔥 Mmm, big juicy rats! 

Oh vegan, are you? No worries! We have an extra pair of hands to help toss a red and green salad.

Neighbors are practicing their ghoulish dance moves out on the stoop. Come back after dark to see their monster mash. It promises to be a scream!

Keith? Mick? Is it you?

Gotham City (including these Glimmer Twins) wish you a Happy Halloween!

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SVA's Fashion Show On Madison Avenue

Fashion created from (left) pouches and (right) Polaroids.

Students from Manhattan's School Of Visual Arts fashioned attire that is on public view on the sidewalks in front of the famous fashion houses on Madison Avenue.

Fourteen exhibits enclosed in glass run from East 61th Street through East 76th Street. The layout is called One-Of-A-Kind Luxury, and the outfits are made of unusual materials for clothing, including house keys, packing peanuts, computer keys, forks and spoons, white paint, copper pennies and orange earplugs. 

Dresses designed using: 1) silverware (the bust is created from 2 ladles, the neckless is a spoon); 2) copper pennies; 3) Monopoly themes.

A cup of tea to go with a stylin' raincoat made of teabags anyone? Take a look.

Clothing created from: 1) paint; 2) Lipton teabags; 3) left - metal keys and right - packing peanuts; 4) earplugs.

Each reveal looks posh in my humble opinion. If designed out of cloth, people would want to wear them. The students are as talented and clever as the professionals whose couture shops face their creations.

Dresses made using 1) tree bark; 2) left - darts and right - computer keys; and 3) the slinky.

The art exhibit will run through November 15, and it's free! Walk down Madison Avenue for a close-up. Enlarge the photos I snapped by clicking on each one, or simply hold down your "command" and "+" keys at the same time. Here is a Print magazine link to see the 3 exhibits I do not have photographs of using: 1) tin cans, 2) wheat stalks and pencils and 3) a computer (program part). Between my blog and Print magazine (Ahh, with a better camera), you get an excellent view of the show!

Where the School of Visual School Arts sits in Manhattan

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Pope Francis In The USA

Photo: ABC News

I have lived in Manhattan during the visits of the last two Popes: Benedict XVI and Francis I. Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time to see both ... and without waiting in 3-hour lines. They each traveled up to my Upper East Side neighborhood on their way to East Harlem, or the Bronx. Pope Benedict was on his way to say Mass at Yankee Stadium (2008), while Pope Francis visited a school in East Harlem (2015).

The streets where the Popes drove by were narrow, and I got a close look at both of them. Pope Benedict was absorbed in thought, perhaps thinking about his sermon, while the People's Pope, Francis waved at us. We were delighted!

Like many people, I am very impressed with Pope Francis. He seems to possess the right combination of intellect, compassion and humility. His order, the Jesuits, are smart and educated, requiring advanced university degrees to enter. At times in history, the papacy was at war with the Jesuits (not combat-wise, but out-of-favor-wise). Now a Jesuit is the Pope! 

Pope Francis sets an inspiring global tone and nails what is truly important: Treat all people as you want to be treated. Never forget that the poor, the migrant and all people with differences have something in common with you. They have a human face. Be true; and have tolerance and compassion for everyone, is the Pope's emphasis. (He is much more eloquent then I am. He has a bigger brain!)

Pope Francis is the first pontiff to address an American Congress. Wow, was it ever an impressive speech! The Pope is not afraid to shake things up and tackle political matters. He doesn't depict problems using philosophical rhetoric. His Holiness is a practical man, clear and precise. He gets political without overstepping and becoming political. I am linking the Pope's entire speech for everyone to hear. It is worth the time of a listen!

Pope Francis' visit to America is turning out to be like none other. He really took New York City by quiet storm! I have never seen such excitement in this town for another luminary. Personally, I think the Pope is a radical. He is not afraid of change, nor is he afraid of the status quo. Because he talks about a fair distribution of economic wealth, as well as, sustainability while acknowledging global warming, I think the Pope is progressive; but he will surprise both conservatives and liberals alike. He often goes in a direction, no one expects, like opposing the death penalty and supporting the US - Iran Nuclear Deal. His mind is big; his concerns expansive.

Lucky me ... for walking down the right avenue at the right time on Friday afternoon to get a glimpse of this historic figure, a special man, the People's Pope.

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