Cielo Azul Happenings

ECUMENICAL ALERT: Today, November 17th has formerly been known as the Feast of St. Gregory, the Wonder Worker--It is now known as the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. This is of special note because it has in the past and is STILL known as the Birthday of Sisi!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Birthday Sisi!!!

THOSE LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

Because I am so backlogged in preparing my photos, these photos of mid-summer will feel like a sentimental look back to the carefree warm weather days of summer......................

We start off at the Farmer's Market where the mid-summer bounty was still in supply...........

Lots to choose from...........................

Including some beautiful dahlias...............

We stop by to visit Sisi in her garden.........................

Where she points out some of her more unique specimens to Karen..................

What a gorgeous garden!.................

Both formal and inviting................

Sunflowers, hollyhocks and gladiolas are just part of the display.................

Check out these little hollyhock ladies floating in their pool................

A gorgeous combination of color and form....................

Late afternoon finds Dwight down on the plaza..........................

As several times a week we walk down to enjoy the Plaza Nights mix of entertainment.............

This band is so good that these ladies are willing to suffer through a seating situation that appears to be designed by the Spanish Inquisition, just to hear the band's music.................

Louie has a July birthday.....................

The end of another busy summer day..............................

And we're back where we started--Ah! Rest!!!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 9
AFTERNOON AND EVENING

We're through at the museum and posing outside Radio City Music Hall................

Some musicians that trim the building..............

More musicians....................

Even more........................

The girls are waiting for us.............................

In Chinatown--a place with sights, sounds and smells like no other...........

Some things are on display that I don't even know what they are........

Or how they taste.......................

Although, some things I do recognize.................

In Chinatown, we collect the girls..................

This street has quite a few pedestrians on this Sunday afternoon................

But no one happier to be together than these three..................

My Bianca--can you say "Natalie Wood Look-Alike"?.........................

Baby Chiara who has discovered this restaurant that has a long line and an hour's wait............

Out on this street, we enjoy these darling dancers.................

This is one of the few winding streets in Manhattan.................

This is some of the great food we enjoyed at Joe's Shanghai Restaurant--but I should have taken a picture of the speciality that draws the huge crowd--the steamed crumpets...........

More of our delicious lunch..................

Outside, teenagers will be teenagers.................

We thank Kiki for recommending this little jewel of a restaurant........................

Even Dwight didn't mind waiting for such a great meal.........................

And I thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with the girls.....................

Miss Bianca Luz.............................

And Chiara Feliz...............................

Well worth waiting for............................

After lunch Binks had to hurry off to catch her plane to San Francisco. Here she pays us some money for being nice to her in New York.................

We have an evening engagement and this is a present for niece Angelica who had a birthday yesterday.........................

And she has invited us for a home cooked dinner...............................

Meanwhile we enjoy some hi jinx from Frannie...................................

Toesette has always been a super cook.............................

And Kiki and Dwight can hardly wait for dinner.............................

Can you say "electric chair"?..................................

Cousins relax....................

A huge cat who is also hugely talented......................

A delicious dinner.......................

Then up to enjoy the view on the roof........................

A hug from my baby..................................

Thanks Toesette for a lovely evening.........................

On the way home, we viewed a collapsed building a few blocks from the girl's apartment. The students from Pratt frequented the bar that was on the bottom floor.............

One final view from the roof--and Yanie was REALLY glad that she was there!

Congratulations Patricia!!--You are the winner of the final Caption Contest of 2009! Your most excellent prize will be in the mail shortly.
Scroll down to the GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER post to view her caption.

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 9
NEW YORK MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

We are visiting the famous Museum of Modern Art..................

Which houses great works by all the great masters from approx. 1900 forward........

This is one museum where the views out the window are almost as interesting as what's on the walls of the galleries..........

One of our favorite sections is furniture design.................

This is a really unusual chair.............

And some interesting chaise lounges...........

This is a cool chair that looks pretty comfortable...........

Some fence art.............

It's neat to get some views of a lovely mid-town neighborhood that you usually cannot get from street level............

A nice still life..........

Art lover............

What follows is a sampling of a lot of different art works from the 20th century........

Tiffany...........

Another view............

More art............

Deciding what to see next............

Mexican art............

New Mexican art fan............

More art..............

Looks familiar?.....................

Kandinsky..................

Gauguin.................

More art................

Another art lover.............

Pointillism.....................

Hey what's coming up here?...................

Another familiar work of art...................

More art...................

View out the gallery windows...............

"E.T. Phone home!".................

Mr. Picasso's women..............

Still life, maybe...............

Pop art..............

No modern art museum would be complete without installations that make you say "What?"...........

Neon art.................

LBJ WAS one of our tallest presidents.................

Heavy....................

A 3-dimensional installation.................

Op art.......................

Geography lesson..................

Mr. Art World.................

I enjoy this piece, but I have seen a similar artwork done by a chimp..................

Miniature of Falling Water...........................

Those lads from Liverpool...................

"What?"................................

Mini Guernica........................

Revolutionary art......................

"Mommie, look what I did at school today............."

Outside into the sculpture garden.....................

A lovely space with lots of art........................

This has always been my favorite part of the museum.......................

It's a nice mix of art, architecture and nature......................

Dwight likes the skinny broads.......................

I took a picture in this very spot with this Picasso goat at least 35 years ago..................

As we left, we enjoyed these massive marine paintings...........and a good time was had by all!!

DEADLINE EXTENSION
In response to public outcry, the deadline for entries in my Caption Contest has been extended to 12:00 midnight tonight. To enter, just scroll down to the GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER post and then scroll down to the appropriate "captionless picture" and follow the directions. Good Luck and HAPPY CAPTIONING!

THEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!!!
THE YANKEES WIIIIIIINNNNNNN!!!!

Dwight predicted that the Yankees would win the World Series when we visited the new stadium in June. CONGRATULATIONS YANKEES FROM YOUR NUMBER ONE FANS!!!!!!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 9
A QUIET SUNDAY MORNING IN NEW YORK

Up early Sunday morning for a mid-town walk to Mass...................

These lovely bronze doors are the doors of.............................

St. Patrick's Cathedral!.......................

The huge interior as Mass was being celebrated....................

The massive organ and a partial view of the famous rose window.................

One of the side altars......................

Another side altar--each one seemed to have devotees of a certain special devotion.............

A view across Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick's of Rockefeller Center on a sleepy Sunday morning.........

I spot something familiar across the street............................

Why it's Atlas holding up the whole world!!...............

Love the art deco trim of Rockefeller Center..........................

Up close.........................................

Mr. Trump's vertical forest up Fifth Avenue.............................

A normally bustling business plaza now silent for the weekend........................

Some flora.......................

Another pocket plaza.......................

Venus needs a cab......................

Dwight has joined me and we are en route to the museum.................

We're loving having this great big city all to ourselves................

Mid-Town Sunday in New York......................

AND SO STARTS NOVEMBER....................

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for November 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for November 2009.

A pinch and a punch for the start of the month from Sisi who has a birthday on November 17th! Hope you have a great month!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 8
CONEY ISLAND
THE MERMAID PARADE

We've stopped off at Madison Square en route to Coney Island, Brooklyn.......

The Flatiron Building--can you believe that it was at one time the tallest building in the world?......

The unmistakable skyline of the Madison Square district.......

This is a very refined and enjoyable park..............

We've arrived in Coney Island and are experiencing two traditions of the area--hot dogs from Nathan's and horrendous weather for the Mermaid Parade!.............

The boardwalk is quite wet and bitterly cold..........

Dwight doesn't even feel like riding The Cyclone..........

But this is our usual experience here--Once we decide to go to Coney Island, it gets miserable......

The struggling midway is primed for what should be a stellar day of sales, but the cold weather is ruining the turn-out...........

Even the carousel is silent..........

But some stoic mermaids have braved the weather...................

Some good fruit on the beach.........................

Da girls.........Binky's striped pants caused quite a stir--one of the carnies on the midway yelled to her: "Hey Fancy Pants! I'll give YOU a teddy bear for free!". Bianca was unimpressed..................

We're all set up near the judging stand and ready for the parade-----Right, Fancy Pants?........

Frannie leaves the midway very disappointed that she did not win SHOOT THE FREAK...........

Proper attire for a Coney Island Daddy--a cute stroller and an even cuter sequin dress.......

Here comes the parade.............

Some of the mermaids are very fresh and wholesome..................

Some are not.....................

Remember: "I'm O.K., You're O.K."..........................

A real siren.................

Not all the divas are female....................

This was a great entry, it was a group of about ten all fitted with Roller Coaster cars that careened down the street screaming like they were on the ride--you just had to be there...................

Medusa?..............

Despite the weather, the girls are enjoying the parade............

I'm speechless--perhaps I should have saved this photo for the caption contest. (Remember that you have until 12:00 MIDNIGHT on Friday, November 6, 2009 to enter the contest. Just scroll down to the GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER entry and follow the directions.)

A bevy of bathing beauties.............

They are gorgeous!! Why that long legged red-head could be a showgirl! Perhaps she could be one of the Floradora Sextet!.........................

Oh my goodness! It's our old friend Shiban! Great to see you!...............

This mermaid obviously did not learn the moral lesson of GOLDFINGER: Grease paint GOOD, Gold Paint BAD!.....................................................

An excellent jitterbug group...............

Had to add another picture cause there's nothing cuter than a jitterbugging sailor..........

The girls are holding up. New York parades do not last minutes or even an hour, they last for HOURS..................

The goldfish cavort!.........

Bodacious Nun Fish! Judging from the expression on the little girl's face, I think the Mermaid Parade may be a lot more suited to adult tastes and may be a little inappropriate for children..........

A purple octopus..............

Bet they'd love to post this photo in his office!.............

A bright smile from one of New York's Finest...............

Another bright smile from another of New York's finest..............

One of the stilt people....................

Moby Dick does Broadway....................

It must have taken hours to do all this body painting.....................

They're making their appeal to the judges..................

A few butt smudges--ocupational hazard I guess................

Farewell brave body art ladies......................

Lots of Cops--I wonder if they get "hazard pay"?....................

Perhaps they should.....................

The Blue Man Group..................

An excellent pirate!.............

Can you say "hippie bus"?...................

Part mermaid, part showgirl.....................

All showgirl!............................

Another questioanble Mommie moment.................

Some underwater fantasy........................

A cheerful Drum Major leads the Mummers Band from Philadelphia.......................

The rest of the very exceptional band. I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank the fine people of Philadelphia for their gracious hospitality to the visiting New York Yankees in the current World Series. Thanks for the "Home Games" guys!!!.................

There's even a Mets mermaid.................

Frannie finally has something to cheer for.....................

Bet you didn't know that Jim Dovi was in New York!.............................

This is the tentacle of a giant sea monster, I thought that the depiction of the waves beneath him was particularly effective..........................

Don't know what it is, but it took a lot of work................

This guy is a local character--Frannie has sent photos of him in similar garb for the Easter Parade down Broadway from St. Patrick's...................

Dueling divas..............................

Angelfish.....................................

A goth mermaid...................

Ariel and Prince Eric from the Broadway musical UNDER THE SEA....................

A hunka, hunka burning love.................................

Great costume--the entire booth walks down the street with him!......................

Some mermaids are just plain pretty............................

And some KNOW it!..................................

And a good time was had by all!!!.....................................

We warm up back in the girls' neighborhood with a wonderful dinner to cap a lovely day.

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for October 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for October 2009.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Heebie my jeebies! It's that little devil Winston--ready to trick or treat!

Enjoy Halloween, but be sure to be careful not to drink and drive! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

BIENVENIDOS' OCTOBER LUNCHEON

It's time for Bienvenidos October Luncheon............

First, I pick up Big Al............................

The theme this month is an autumn harvest.....................

As always, Miss Angie is radiant..........................

And here's the gang...................

Mother and daughter--taken by another club member................................

Robert Lucas with some of the artifacts from his presentation on the Wheelwright Museum...........

More of the gang...............................

And a good time was had by all!!!!......................

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER?................

We're all prepared for a very special dinner...................

The table is set on the back deck...............

The flowers are beckoning..........

This is a special dinner because Linda is in town visiting from Kansas...............

As is Terrie who is spending the night from Albuquerque..................so, we planned a special evening with all the other folks that they wanted to see .................

Most from the Class of 1967--like Randy............

And Bob............................(but NOT Josina, she's too young!)........

And Dwight G................................

And the Winsome Waymon from the Class of 1966................

And this made for a lively evening....................

Which Richie seems to be enjoying....................

Waymon is enjoying Josina's jokes.........................

But Dwight C. looks a little tired after grilling all the steaks.......................

Here it is folks!: another caption contest. I will be offering a nice prize for the author of the best caption for this photo. Just click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this entry to leave your comment--one week deadline.........................................

Entry #1 from Patricia: "I Love the Nights I can't Remember With the Friends I can't Forget."

Entry #2 from Azraela: "She smiled winsomely as her beauty burned his eyeballs."

Maybe Theresa is thinking up a great caption........................

The camaraderie was joyful...............................

And Diana was busy talking....and talking............and.................

She talked till it got dark, somehow folks don't seem so entertained now.......................

But Dwight finds her to be very, very funny......................

Theresa is totally enjoying retirement!........................

As is Mr. Bob.......................

Lifelong friends........................

Happily married for over forty years...........................

Good rules for an orderly dinner party..................

And a good time was had by all!!--even Solange!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 7
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

After a long drive from Hartford, we arrive in New Haven.......

Apparently also known as "Fransland"...................

We arrive at a Pizzeria to enjoy one of the two things New Haven is famous for........

White clam pizza!! It was DELICIOUS!!!...................

We then visited the other thing New Haven is famous for--Yale University...................

And set out to explore the campus.....................

Even the bricks seem impressed..................

As is Miss Bianca.................................

Ah, the hallowed halls.............................

Almost makes you wanna study.........................

Or pose......................................

There's lots of impressive towers on campus......................

And lots of quiet corners that invite contemplation....................

Building decor....................

Another tower..............................

Do you think they fit in?...........................

A rather obvious attempt to evoke Oxford.................

Some of the towers are quite delicate........................

And some are downright medieval............................

A walk down the main college drag.......................

Can you say "colonial"?.......................

Enjoying the ambiance.............................

A few "unmentionables" line dry out a stone window.......................

I'd hate to arrive at a setting like this after NOT doing my homework!.................

I think this is a dormitory..........................

My precious Baby Binks..................

Cyclists' parking lot..............................................

Supposin' this is a library........................

Enjoying a few interesting details.........................

Dwight's getting bored with all this high-falutin' atmosphere.................

So, it's goodbye to Yale and............................

On to see the rest of New Haven..............

Including their Little Italy................................

That's near Dwight Street........................

And we came here to get......................................

More white clam pizza!!--This one is for the Gotham Girls who have a big grudge bout here tonight.............................

The real reason for coming to Connecticut today was for tonight's bout between the All Star Gotham Girls and the former National Champion Texas Executioners......................

Some of Frannie's Brooklyn Bombshells (that's Frannie in red) are on the all-star team and she is friends with almost the entire Gotham Team!!!

The Gotham Girls are victorious!! Did I mention that they are the National Champions? What a night!--and what a great day in Connecticut!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 7
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

We're up early an in front of the hotel awaiting the Francesca Car Service to Connecticut.......

In this shot you can see the entrance to the Joe G's Restaurant in the basement of the hotel.....

Once we arrive in Hartford, Connecticut, we hike through a neighborhood........

That includes the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe.............

And another elegant Victorian now used as a non-profit headquarters..................

And this lovely estate that we plan to tour..................

The gang's all here to tour the home of..........................

Mark Twain!!! (Samuel Clemons)..................................

In the museum portion, his desk is on display--wonder if he wrote THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN on it?...................

This is the machine that did Mark Twain in! He invested so much money in this publishing machine that he had to spend many years on lucrative world-wide speaking tours to pay his bills and avoid bankruptcy.........................

This is some of the family luggage from those wandering years..............................

Can you say "leggo".................

The great man beckons us to share his environs......................

The exterior of his adorable, eccentric home......................

Frannie awaits the tour.........................

This is a long awaited destination for me I have been very interested in this home since seeing Tom Burn's moving film on the life of Mark Twain..............................

Dwight's favorite is the grand porch. The exhibits displayed many happy photos of the Twain family enjoying this very spot.......................

This shot depicts the intricate patterns of the brick and the intricate patterns of the wood railing......................

Frannie stands between the house and the carriage house........................

We await our carriage......................................

"Yoohoo! We're ready to go in..................".....................................

The very Victorian entry way and grand staircase...............(The photos of the house are scanned from postcards as no cameras are allowed inside.)

The living room. The interior was decorated by Tiffany, and was done is spurts as the family finances allowed. Al lot of what appears to be intricate wood trim and elegant wallpaper is really painted designs...................

The elegant parlor........Miss Bianca was a bit under the weather after a night out with Keeks, and it was a head's-up decision by sister Francesca that excused Binks from the tour and spared the Twain's oriental carpet from being the site of a little spit-up.......................

This is a lovely conservatory--a MUST in a Victorian house............................

The exterior of the conservatory.................Oh, and Frannie!....................

Mark Twain's bed set up just as he ordered it. He and his wife purchased the expensive bed abroad and the entire family was most attached to the carved angels on the headboard. Twain demanded that this bed be made up with the pollows at the foot of the bed because he said that he paid so much for those angels he deserved for them to be the first things he saw every morning when he woke up!...........................................

The library.....................

The exterior of the home--those are the bedrooms on the second floor.......................

This third story veranda is off of Mark Twain's favorite room................................

And this is the still pretty pastoral view out the rear................................

Of Mark Twain's Billiard Room and writing office--this is where he entertained most of his literary friends.......................................................

This is another balcony off the same room......................

Dwight reunites with Miss Binks--she still looks a bit sickish.....................

But we love her more than anything and appreciate her continuing on with our planned activities despite not feeling her best.........................

On the way out of town, we stopped to see the Connecticut State Capitol...........................

Of special interest to the Building Superintendent of the New Mexico State Capitol!

BIENVENIDOS' FIESTA LUNCHEON

It's time for the annual Bienvenidos Fiesta Luncheon........

A preview of the many Fiesta festivities to come..........

Big Al is ready.....

Amelia enlivens the meeting..............

And the gang's all here...............

Viva La Fiesta!!..........

Huh?????????????

The luncheon is over, but I'm still singing because..........................

My girls have arrived in Santa Fe for Fiesta! This is Francesca, and Chiara somehow got mixed up with the Bienvenidos gang................

After we picked them up at the airport, Giano joined us at La Choza for their first New Mexican food of their trip............................

Dwight thoroughly enjoys La Choza as well............................................

And a good time was had by all!!--and Viva La Fiesta!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 6
EVENING

Back at the DaVinci Hotel after our day in New Jersey, Bianca takes a little time to relax..........

As does Chiara.........................

Big sister helps little sister redo her look for our evening plans.....................

All the girls are refreshed for our night at a Broadway show--GUYS & DOLLS.............

Baby Binks heads down Broadway.........................

Francesca on the "Great White Way".........................

Kiki treats New Yorkers to the Santa Fe "swing" in her walking....................

The oldies in the fast-beating heart of New York!........................................

The girls call their friends to make alternate plans for the evening because when we got to our theatre, it was dark because our show had been closed earlier in the week. Since we we were traveling, I somehow missed the e-mail announcement.......................................

Smiling through the tears, Diana heads back home after our "family outing" gets cancelled......

The youngsters have already connected with friends for alternative activities.................

So we just enjoy some "soaking in the atmosphere" time in Times Square" before splitting up and heading out to the four winds..................

Bright lights, Big city!!! And we oldies are headed back to the hotel for a good nights rest after a busy day and busy plans for tomorrow....................

An enjoyable visit with friends..........

The gang's all here!--visiting from several locales for a day in Santa Fe...............(They are posing in front of the school of huge stone trout outside the new convention center.)

Our first stop was the New Mexico Art Museum to view the American Impressionists Exhibit. Since no photos are allowed, I have just a couple before becoming aware of this rule.............

Terrie with her favorite painting--since high school days...........................

Linda's nephew Thomas is amused by the R2D2 mailbox............

He's basically a shy fellow.........................

Terrie--eating in the patio of the Inn of the Governor's......................................

Mother and son--making the hard choices.............................................

Linda's daughter Kelsey has matured into such a lovely young woman...................

Kelsey's long-time friend. Someday their friendship might rival Terrie and Linda's for longevity. (Right now, over fifty years strong).....................

Judy and Linda--each one blessed with having a loving sister. And a good time was had by all!!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 6
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE PART 2

The adventure in Seward Johnson's Grounds for Sculpture continues........................

This place is a delight for photographers..................

A grand modern sculpture...................

And "mini me".......................

An eerie sight with the fog provided stategically by fog machines.................

We've happened upon another masterpiece--it appears these lovers are at odds.....

"Fancy meeting you here...."--you never know where lovers will meet...............

We'll leave them to their row boat and their discussion.................

This is another very famous Renoir depicting a boating party.................

I think I'll quietly sneak into the scene.....................

Bianca would also like to join the boating party....................

Johnson got to depict all the many interacting figures......................

And even added a few of his own............................

And some details not in the original painting that might explain some of the expressions--like this game of "footsie"..........................

I'm guessing this is Seward Johnson himself and the metal craftsman who helps him make the figures--oh, and Dwightie!.........................

Binky sweetly kisses the doggie.....................

But the girls are getting a bit rambunctious.......................

Did I say "a bit"???......................

Hell ya!............................

"Pardon me Miss, I need to get to my friend......."....................

"Yep, THAT'S the one!"....................

" I MEAN now!"..........................................

And a good time was had by all!!........................

Even the bathing beauty...................

This lovely flower garden alerts the visitors that they are approaching Ratz Restaurant.....

The rose garden in gorgeous now, we can only imagine the splendor and aroma of peak season.................

This is it--Ratz Restaurant!..............

The brochures advised getting your reservations up to a month in advance........................

The interior is like the inside of a gypsy wagon.................

And the theme is the "toad's wild ride"!........................

Those who dine al fresco are surrounded with lovely gardens and atmospheric fog...................

PART THREE

There is a misty moat around RATZ.............

And hidden in the bushes that surround the moat.................

Is a very glamorous young lady........................

Looks inviting.......

A replica of Monet's water garden and bridge in Giverney........................

Picture perfect!............

Who are these rather morose folks from some one's "blue" period?...................

The intruder takes a toke...................

"Why, this is SHOCKING................."

Even more tokers!................

A forest side huddle....................

Go Broncos? So where's Mr. Met?....................

onward through the garden..................

"What about the R.U.S.s?" (Rodents of unusual size)

"Personally, I don't think they exist!".............

Sisi balanced these........................

One thing about the rain--it does make everything GREEN.......................

Monet's "Poppy Field"........................

Has a new guest...........................

These arbors must be gorgeous in bloom......................

Depression era theme.........................

"Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime?"...........................

What awaits beyond that thicket................................

Another re-enacted masterpiece painting...........................

That's filling up................................

Quickly.......................

Giant root art....................................

An interesting artwork set before a very interesting hedge......................

Up close and personal.................................

The hedge too.......................................

The artist formerly known as Prince.......................

Reflections.....................

Giant artwork--that's Dwightie behind it!..................

A water serpent.......................

Whimsical art piece................

And whimsical trees..............................

Sometimes a wee bit too whimsical..........................

We say goodbye to the wonderful Seward Johnson Garden for Sculpture.......................

And enjoy one more surprise out near the parking lot...........................

Despite a little drizzle, this has been a magical day!!

OCTOBER DAYS

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for October 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for October 2009.

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month--and what a beautiful month October is!!!!

THE WAY THEY WERE...................
AND THE WAY THEY ARE....

This painting was done by Chiara a few years ago based on a photo taken about seventy years ago of the five Gomez sisters.......................

This photo was taken this fiesta of the daughters of the ladies in the original photo. The girls are posed where their mothers stood: From top right clockwise:Aunt Belle in the painting and her daughter Judy in the photo; Aunt Mary and her daughter Angie; Aunt Lucy and her daughter Pattie; and Alice and her two daughters, Sylvia and Diana. Diana is seated in the same position as her Aunt Josie who passed away at age nineteen and who never had children. Next time, we need to do the next generation of girls............................

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO ONE OF THE LOVELIEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR--SEPTEMBER!

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for September 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for September 2009.

IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT THE ZOO...............

Baby Daizy is now out on display at the Rio Grande Zoo under the close supervision of Mama Rozie......

Learning to use her trunk is quite challenging.................................

And all this pushing is very tiring............but it is an opportunity to be even more adorable! (Photos courtesy of Pattie and Kelly)

NEW YORK TRIP-DAY 6
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE-PART 1

After a drive from New York to New Jersey, we arrive at the vast Seward Johnson's Grounds for Sculpture........

There is a lovely interior space with wooded exhibits and a wonderful restaurant where we had a scrumptious lunch...........

A wooden aquarium?...........

We changed our plans for the day because of forecasts of heavy prolonged rain in the city and hoped to find a drier clime in New Jersey.........

And although it was drizzly, it really didn't rain outright all day. The mist is the background is produced by fog machines for certain exhibits........

There were interesting fountains for some exhibits also............

Frannie appreciates some modern sculpture...........

Some sculptures were whimsical........

The reflection of the human forms in the pool below was very interesting.........

Chess anyone?..........

The gardens are huge and wonderfully manicured. Each sculpture has been selected to blend in with the gorgeous landscapes..............

Does this look like a world famous painting brought to 3 dimensions?? This is Seward Johnson's speciality--as well as adding the striped shirted voyeur enjoying the scene...............

Who says old farts can't have fun in a sculpture garden...............

My lovely daughters...........

More fun with the fog...................

Our umbrellas were our constant companions, but it really was just drizzling....................

Crime scene..............

Very cool..............

Contemplative..............

An interesting frieze..................

Headless wonders..........

Oh, this scene looks familiar........................

While the lovely Bianca looks on, the Mets fan steals the bread...................

The parents try to make small talk and deflect the embarrassment......................

Not all the trees in the garden are leafy.................

Or even woody.................

Hmmmmmm............

A foggy day in Princeton town......................

Bathing beauty..................

An outdoor amphitheater for classes and demonstrations.............

Singing in the rain................

Frannie has encountered another famous face..............

One of Renoir's famous ladies.........................

While Mother distracts, Binky grabs some yarn--is there a theme emerging here?............

BBW............

A burst of color..............

Help with a broken umbrella spoke.................

Emerging from the stone...............

A spot for contemplation........................

Hard working man....................

Part of the garden is deep dark woods.....................

Oh my God! Its the Forest of the Subconscious!...........

Frannie is not afraid to forge into the forest of the subconscience...................

What will we find in here?....................

Yup, this is it! THIS is what you find in the heart of the forest.................

Even the twiggies get jiggy in the forest of the subconscience................

A plesant spot with a table by the lake.....................

A misty maiden...................

Amazing................

Where is Chiara standing?..................

The answer lies in this recreation of a famous painting of an artist.....................

And what can it be that he is painting?.................

And who is that woman busting into his scene?................

The painting is actually one of my favorite impressionist paintings--it was actually on the cover of my Freshmen's Literature book.......................

Here it is in 3-D..............

With all those rogue New Mexicans moving into the frame.....................

They're busy getting inappropriate in oh so many ways.........................

But its so much fun!......................

Up close and personal........................

The old lady is agast at the liberties these wild women are taking with her dignified hubby...........

Even Dwight seems a bit agast............................

Everyone's a critic!.................

Far out and groovy...........................

A little violence on the canvas...........................

But eventually, we all reconciled.....................................

Somehow very Napoleonic...............................

A quaint forest outlook..........................

Something modern......................

A "patch of sky" turns this into a $ sign.........................

An Asian bell tower.........................

Frannie forges on..................................

Dwight gets neighborly with a blondie..............................

Some HUGE lovers.............................

A very Mattise-like lilly pond..................................

Ok Sisi, try and make a flower arangement in this 20ft. vase..................................

Woodland temple..........................

What will the girls find up around that corner?.......................................

A beautiful table--beautifully set for a riparian repaste.......................

And so we take a break from touring the garden with an imaginery luncheon with imaginery food. Cool.............................

A SUMMER DAY IN THE LIFE..............

This early summer morning finds us snug in our beds..............

Mei Toy is having sweet dreams about pork chops....................

But outside, a wind storm had broken a branch from the elm tree...............

A really BIG branch!......................................

So Dwight has to break it up to get it out of the way......................

Afterwards, Winston is tired from watching and needs a nice nap.......................

Later on, Mommie and Daddy get dressed up for a dinner treat................

And await our friends Waymon and Eileen who are treating us both to celebrate our 60th birthdays at Santa Cafe. Hurry up guys..........we're HUNGRY!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 6
ROCKEFELLER IN THE RAIN

On day 6, I arose early to walk to my Weight Watcher's meeting in a building adjacent to Radio City Music Hall. These lovely murals graced the lobby....................

I believe them to be WPA era........................

After the meeting, I waited in Rockefeller Center for Dwight......................

Even in the rain, this art deco center attracts visitors...................

What matters rain to the hearty tourist..................

The fountains of Channel Garden.................

This area was dubbed "Channel Gardens" because it is situated between the British and French consulates...............

St. Patricks in the rain..............

Flora up close.....................

The view up the channel.............

The golden Prometheus........................

Even the cop on the beat is prepared for the weather...................

These plantings are changed on a seasonal basis...................

A herald riding a dolphin...................

Click on image to enlarge photo and see the splendor of Channel Garden.......................

We catch the subway to the Puck Building where Frannie will be picking us up for an auto journey to New Jersey..........

MAUREEN TURNS 60!

We're all dressed up--with somewhere to go...............

Maureen's 60th Birthday Party!!......................................

Where friends have gathered to wish her well.................

And enjoy delicious eats..................

Maureen's hubby Elliott is the perfect host...................

And Miss Rita was in attendance--pretty in pink....................

In fact, Rita's whole family was there....................

Girls just wanna have fun.......................

Best wishes from all.............................

The garden was festooned with beautiful lanterns..............

And that's Bob hiding behind that bush........................

Time to eat, drink and be merry......................

Hope your Birthday was grand and that this a very special year for you, Maureen!!

THE GLORY THAT IS YANKEE STADIUM

All changed for the game, we are ready for the trip to the Bronx to see a game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals......................

The crowd is already streaming into the new stadium...........

It's time for the great American pastime................

Although Binks is an avid San Francisco Giants fan, she and the committed Mets fan Frannie are still excited to be in the new Yankee Stadium......................

The huge scoreboard brings the game "up-close" to the fans. It is the largest in baseball, but of course, it is a pebble compared to the Cowboy's new scoreboard.....................

Click on the image to get some interesting info on one of my new favorites--Mark Teixeira..........

We're nice and cozy in the packed Yankee Stadium.................

The splendor that is "The House That Jeter Built"....................

"Damonic!!"--Johnny Damon must have just gotten a nice hit...................

Looking like an old-time baseball card...............

After the game, we have the stadium almost to ourselves.....................

For sure, this is another highlight of our trip................

Gate 4--the closest to the subway, but as we were to learn later, not the Main Gate. The Main Gate is Gate 6--that's why we don't have a picture of the giant YANKEE STADIUM letters on top..............

The Hall of Heroes illuminated at night.............

What a beauty the new stadium is!....................

Now, the crowds stream OUT......................

Looking like a ghost, "The House That Ruth Built" is seen at a distance................

This is our last sighting of the old stadium as demolition began about a week later..................

Even though we waited quite a long time before leaving, the sea of humanity is still trickling out...................

The stairs to the subway platform are still packed....................

Dwight rides the "Yankee Train"....................

It's fun to be packed in with other Yankee fans.................

We'll get off at 57th street, but the girls will continue to Brooklyn................

The city that never sleeps.....................

Our favorite Hearst Tower at night. It won conservation awards for its energy saving lighting and it gleams like a faceted jewel at night.....................

The end of a really fabulous night!! How ABOUT you?

TODAY IS KELLY'S BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Kelly!! Hope you have a spectacular day!!

NEW YORK TRIP--DAY 5
LITTLE ITALY

What in the world is going on here? Stay tuned to find out.........................

The old Police Headquarters Building on the edge of Little Italy...............

And the beaming proprietress of our destination--PAPPABUBBLE.............

And the lovely Miss Toesette--Candymaker Extraordinaire...............

Today the girls are making candy for a class of youngsters from neighboring Chinatown............

The student's field trip includes a demonstration where they see their own lollipops being made................

These are some of the many flavors available...............

Lots of adorable faces...............

Toesette distributes some of the lollipops.............

And here is OUR special treat!--Bianca has flown in from San Francisco!............

Toesette adds a lot of class to the establishment.............

We are going to have to leave, but we will return..................

Bye Lolipop Lady!................

We're going around the corner to dine al fresco on the main drag of Little Italy!.........

Francesca looking lovely..................

Chiara looking lovely.......................

The California girl looking lovely too!!.....................................................

He can speak Russian--in French.............................

When the most interesting woman in the world eats spaghetti, she eats Putanesca........

Profile in Courage...............

Chiara is quite at home here in New York!..................

But behind those shades, Binky might be "California dreaming"................

"Yup, your sunglasses are still there"...........................................................

This is my total joy and the point of this "Birthday Trip"--all the girls together!!..............

Nice smile!.....................

Francesca, as the eldest--and therefore "most influential" of the girls shares her "birght idea"..................

Chiara is a bit skeptical, but after careful consideration, decides to go along with Frannie's idea.............

The old DINE AND DASH!! (And with the Police Headquarters so near too!)

Safely back at Pappabubble, Toesette is starting a new order of candy from scratch.................

It involves lots of strong-arm pulling...................

And the addition of flavoring and coloring..............................

Wrapped in the center of this bundle will be the initials of the Bride + Groom--very tricky and fun to watch..............................

It takes the steady hands of two professionals......................

And a lot of ingenuity.......................

The giant bundle in the bride's colors--initials inside-- is finally together..........................

And all the strong-arm pulling demonstrated in the opening photo of this post, eventually gets the big bundle down to these slim ropes.....................

The lovely Fiona challenges the lovely Toesette to a contest once the ropes cool..................

A candy chipping duel to see who can make the most individual candies...............................

Toesette is up to the challenge..................................

Chip, chip, chip, chip............................................

Francesca phones in the exciting news to the awaiting media: ANGELICA CHAVEZ WINS THE CANDY CUTTERS' CHALLENGE!!..........................................

The spectators stand in mouth-watering awe....................

That's a lot of candy!--each one with the couples initials inside.....................

Hail to thee, Candymaker Supreme!...........................................

Click on image to enlarge infamous Calvin Kline billboard. This orgy scene enraged so many citizens that most of the billboards in the city were removed the very next day. But you can see it free and uncensored only here on CIELO AZUL HAPPENINGS.......................

We muscle our way down the sidewalks of lower Manhattan...............................

"Hurry up, old woman!".......................

We make it to the subway to catch a ride to our hotel.......................

But the "youngsters" are exhausted from trying to keep up with the "oldies but goodies". Get a little rest, because we have plans tonight..........................

A NEW BABY AT THE RIO GRANDE ZOO

Rosie had her Baby! This is Lyn Tupa, the Mammal Curator of the Zoo with the new baby girl born yesterday at 1:00 am........................

Baby girl was born without complications after several days of labor for her mommie, Rosie. The new baby was standing within ten minutes. Both mother and baby are doing well. WELCOME TO THE WORLD!! (Photos courtesy of Pattie & Kelly)

IT'S SEPTEMBER!!

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for September 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for September 2009.

All together now: "Que Viva La Fiesta!". A pinch and a punch for the first of the month from Zozobra who will see his demise soon to start the celebration of FIESTAS! (Photo courtesy of Danny)

Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for August 2009.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for August 2009.

NEW YORK TRIP, DAY 5
LOWER MANHATTAN

We look out the hotel window on day five and see our favorite building.........

The Hearst Tower...........

It even has its own entrance to the subway...............

But we're going to Columbus Circle for a subway ride to......

The skyscraper canyons of lower Manhattan!

A lovely old public timepiece......

And one of the original subway entrances......

Dwight and his tote explore City Hall Park.........

A very serene place to enjoy a summer morning........

I am finally resigned that this is as close as I will ever get to Nathan Hale. I wanted to photograph this statue on our first trip to New York, but City Hall was being renovated and this was a hard-hat area, then after 9/11 security has always kept us out.............

The Mayor's Office windows reflect the dome from the Municipal Building...........

A fountain in the park.............

These building tops across the street are on the block that was Newspaper Row for many years......

New Yorkers take a break in the sunshine.................

Man and tote enjoy the city.............

This is a lovely fountain............

With a tremendous sound................

Even the oldest buildings are constantly being updated...........

Inside St. Paul's Chapel............

The lovely interior as it looks now...............

And how it looked in the days after 9/11 when it was the mecca for all the rescue workers...........

One of the ancient tombstones in St. Paul's graveyard..............

Many of these are from the eighteenth century...............

Click on this photo to enlarge it so that you can read one of the interesting stories about one of the inhabitants of St. Paul's Graveyard..............

Before the World Trade Center and The World Finance Center, these stones suffered from some pretty strong sea breezes..............

Ground Zero--construction is underway............

I think it's encouraging that building has reached ground level..........

Architects vision of the Freedom Tower and 9/11 Memorial that will be on this site..............

We approach another lower Manhattan mini-park...........

And get a big red surprise!...............

Onto Wall Street............

The Stock Exchange is smokin'....................

What a beautiful frieze..............

Some modern art in an interior plaza.................

Pretty groovy................

Scale..................

Modern Art lover...............

It's hard to get a good view of 40 Wall Street, but it was briefly the tallest building in the world.............

Faunces Tavern--a smaller building that has survived from colonial days.................

And one that I always to see! This is where George Washington said goodbye to his officers after the Revolutionary War......................

And where many a modern diner says "goodbye" to his/her money!..........

The dark white portion of a building visible on the left side of this photo is the lower stories of........

The Woolworth Building--also once the tallest building in the world..............

This ferry station lets us know that we are close to the station for the Staten Island Ferry...........

Great omen! Our ship is the John F. Kennedy and we have a friendly captain...........

Goodbye Manhattan!.............

We leave the city in our wake...................

I am reminded of a poem about the Staten Island Ferry by Edna St. Vincent Millay that in part says: "We were happy, We were merry,

We spent all night going back and forth on the ferry....."

Onward to Staten Island!............

The ferry is pretty speedy, NYC is soon far away in the distance..........

We pass Ellis Island..............

And soon we see the Lady of the Lamp.............................

My friend, Martha, who has never been to New York, asked me to wave to the Statue of Liberty for her..................

All the way from New Mexico............

He IS a Yankee Doodle Dandy!........................

Once we get to Staten Island, we all get off and reboard--security reasons. Even though this means a bit of a delay, this whole trip is free, so we remain delighted!...................This is another ferry going the other direction.........

Dwight is thoroughly enjoying being "at sea"...................

Lady Liberty again!.......................

"give me your tired............."...................................

Hail to thee, Lady Liberty!..........................

Another ferry and a sail boat salute her!...........................

This is without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip!..............................

One of the busy tug boats.....................................

Here comes the skyline again.......................................

And another tug......................

Happy days are here again.....................

You can see the ferry landing from here.........................

And the Brooklyn Bridge...............................

This has been a lovely outing..............................

One that Dwight enjoyed as well..............................................

This is the Manhattan landing of the ferry.................

From here, you can see the Cabrini Shrine and another small building nestled in among the giants.................

We're about to disembark--they're fastening the giant hook--and not a minute too early because we have to hurry to meet some pretty important folks in Little Italy. See you!

FAREWELL TO THE LIBERAL LION...........

I had the privilege of hearing Ted Kennedy on the stump last year and this is one of my photos. He approached the podium with a faltering step, but once he started speaking, the energy and enthusiasm was amazing and he delivered a speech with substance, drama and humor. I am grateful to have had this opportunity and am very grateful to the man for all the good he has done for our American nation. He will be missed.