28 April 2010

Can you spot them?

Currently in Madison Square Park you can spot many naked men. Not real men, but statues. They are Antony Gormley’s Event Horizon. Apparently there are 31 statues, but we only saw about 18. It's pretty cool looking around and finding them a top all the buildings. Can you find them in the pictures below?



Urban Gardening

Last Sunday in Union Square there were plants and vegetables, but it wasn't the normal farmer's market, it was an urban gardening festival of sorts. I picked up several free "good for the earth" samples. One of the more interesting items there were the Woollypockets. They are pockets made out of recycled plastic that can be hung on the wall, inside and out, and used as planters.

woollypocket display

04 April 2010

You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade

In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it, you'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade. I'll be all in clover and when they look you over I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade.

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us and you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet and of the girl I'm taking to the Easter parade.

This song as been a part of my family's easter celebration as long as I can remember, but I never knew how accurately it depicted what occurs on 5th avenue on Easter day.

After a few conversations I decided to head over and check it out. I looked online to find that it wasn't your typical parade, but that the streets were turned pedestrian between 49th and 57th.

Once I arrived I instantly felt like an impostor without a hat on. There was a festive mood and people were just "parading" around and admiring everyone's hats.

An old time band set up on the street
They may of been dancing the Charleston, but I'm not sure.
Some of the hats were more like costumes.
Lots included stuffed bunnies, eggs, and easter grass.
A few were just attractive Sunday hats.

Sometimes it was hard to find the person.
This lady had a birds nest and birdies.

Rock center had these pretty topiaries and flowers
See the bunnies?


Prospect Park

This weekend's weather has been absolutely lovely. (I use words like lovely in the springtime) I decided to take a walk in Prospect Park. To get there I take the G train. The G train does not go into Manhattan, which creates a little bit different experience.

I got off at 15th street/Prospect park and walked up the West side of the park. It was a lovely walk except for an inordinate amount of people riding their bikes on the sidewalk (which is illegal in the city).

My destination on this fair day was the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. However when I arrived there was a line down the block... Therefore I looked at the pretty nature in the park that was free instead.

Pretty and free for me
The back of the line
Grand Army Plaza
Litchfield Villa in the park- was built in 1857, Litchfield was forced to sell his home and property to the parks commission in 1868 as the area was included in Olmsted and Vaux's plans for the park.