More Met and Central Park (Thursday Doors)

suddenly
visible, exposed
by fallen
leaves—branches
opening new horizons,
hidden reflections

The glass doors-and-windows at the back of the Met showed me something last week that I knew was there but did not expect to see reflected back at me. I turned around and there it was–the Obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle.

This is an actual Egyptian Obelisk from the Temple of the Sun. It was gifted to the United States by Egypt in commemoration of the opening of the Suez Canal in the late 1800s. Why and how it ended up in Central Park behind the museum requires further investigation. I also need to get closer on another visit for more detailed photos.

The fallen leaves make for beautiful patterns, both in the tree shapes and their reflections.

It was a very foggy day. In the photo below, taken on my way to the Museum, you can’t even see that there are buildings beyond the trees.

On the way back, several hours later, the fog had lifted somewhat–bottoms of buildings were now visible–but I was also surprised to see hundreds of geese spread across the empty ball fields. I saw more tufted titmice too.

I have enough photos from the Met now for quite a few more Thursday Door posts. So they will keep showing up every once in awhile. And yes, I did take a photo of the completely decorated tree.

You can always find more doors here at Thursday Doors, hosted by Dan Antion.

Wreathed (Thursday Doors)

We feel
the Yule approach–
long dark nights, short grey days–
ending

the year–
the circle turns–
we say farewell, begin
again.

Welcome!
come into warmth–
connections reaffirmed,
renewed–

a wheel
of evergreen
and light—twining seeds in
to roots.

I have not seen many holiday decorations yet in my walks. But door wreaths have started to make an appearance. Although considered a Christmas decoration now, evergreen wreaths have an ancient history with the Yule season and Solstice. The door wreath has long been a sign of welcome and friendship as well.

This church has wreaths on both the railing and the door. You can’t see them very clearly in my photo, but the front doors are all wreathed as well.

I don’t know if my building will have a wreath or a tree, but we have Hanukkah lights.

My poem is in the Aquarian form, for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday seasonal prompt, poet’s choice.

And you can see more seasonal Thursday Doors here.

Traditions

cookies
tree lights sparkling
music and kitchen cheer
exchanging gifts of Love Actu
ally

Colleen’s challenge this week was to write a cinquain reflecting our Christmas traditions. A tree with lights, music, cooking (especially those cookies!) and watching “Love Actually”–my daughters and I were lucky enough to share all these again this year.

I hope everyone separated from family and friends for this holiday season will be able to celebrate being together soon.

Gift from Nina

Nina painted me this beautiful rock as a holiday gift.

It looks great on the window sill next to my advent calendar which is filling its winter landscape in nicely.

Thanks Nina!

One Light

Must Be…

…Bob??

Who comes? Must be red.
Must be big red.  Laughs.  Must be
very soon.  Ho.  He.  Ha.

Ever since Dylan released his goofy “Must Be Santa” video, my daughters have been threatening to gift me with the album it came from, “Christmas in the Heart”. Perhaps this is the year I’ll find it under the tree…

The “Must Be Bob” haiku is a found poem, from selected words in the “Must Be Santa” song.

And Nina pointed out that I didn’t name the songwriters (Dylan did not write this):  Bill Fredericks and Hal Moore.  Mitch Miller recorded the original version of the song in 1960, and it’s evidently based on an old drinking song.

Those Christmas Sweaters…

yes, I’m the guilty designer of many.  Sharon Mann’s cute Christmas sweater card caused me to look through the archives, and here are a few I found.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Critical Response Team, MPD

Well I was sitting at my art table and I hear blaring Christmas music coming down my street. A convoy from the Montclair Police Department!

Yup, a big truck, a pickup with Santa’s chair and a couple of patrol cars. Gotta love my town.  

   
They stopped off across the street where a little party is happening. They told me they have a hundred stops today alone! Got to love that spirit.

The whole entourage was there. Here was the Grinch and Gingerbread Man who kindly posed for me.  

 
Although it is 65 degrees and the dogs seem baffled it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

First batch

Here is the completed card. 

Here is the first batch ready to be mounted on the card. They have to be glued and put under a brick to dry. I am happy I accomplished this yesterday. As I said it has been a few years since I did cards. See what blogging and the encouragement of blog friends can do? Thanks!