For the better vs the worst

What would you change about modern society?

Life without fascism, hatred, and bigotry would be a refreshing change, wouldn’t it?

I saw interviews with Americans who seemed not at all phased by losing the Constitution.

They would prefer a world with bigotry, hatred, and authoritarian rule.

Different strokes, doesn’t begin to cover it. No accounting, not even close.

I would like to keep the door open for everyone’s thinking. But I cannot. Stupid. Deplorable. Are the only adjectives that describe this MAGA bullsh*t. Shredding the Constitution, I heard the man say, was okay with him. Really.

MAGA represents only ⅓ of the American population.

⅓ of us are willing to shred the Constitution. That, I must point out, is the minority. The pivot to the right is dire but not fatal.

At the Guggenheim

For my art date to the Gugg with L-M; I mistakenly decided that Th was a pay-what-you-will so I joined up. Now I can spend my life at my least favorite architectural contraption.

Don’t get me wrong, that ramp is perfect for art gazing. Check out Rashid Johnson’s artscapes which include potted plants (note they are there because they need nurturing).

My animus towards the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright extends to this potted plant of a building but also to the man I met reading Loving Frank.

Writing blocks

There are many ways to tell a story. I knew that but hearing Ann Pachett debunk my “they write themselves” theory and talk about writing as work¹ was confirming.

Like the book Patchett is reading to me, the story I intend to tell is about “a happy marriage.” These stories are fraught; the telling is fraught.

I layout what I have to say conversationally. I am talking to myself. Will the story flow as smoothly and easily when I finally get it out on paper? [Or, more precisely, on electronic page?]

As the cliché goes, and saying that makes it no less clichéd, stay tuned. Aka, I’m working on it.

Note to self, and you, dear reader, I never tried to support myself on my writing. I am an amateur. Amateur auteur has a ring, yes?

¹This Is A Story Of A Happy Marriage, written by Ann Patchett, read by the author. HarperAudio

Elusive

Strawberry rhubarb is in season

Searching can be a pleasant way to pass your time.

Anyone with a smart phone has a feel for that experience. 

We know that all conversations can lead to you pecking into the keyboard. Oh, yes, so-and-so is….

Wish that my search had been as simple as that. I was looking for a more elusive thing.

Something that I could not just see on my screen, but needed to have on my plate. I wanted a piece of the pie.

It’s strawberry rhubarb season, well it’s always strawberry time but rhubarb, well that’s short lived.

In fact, I was going to resort to boiling up my own; couldn’t find it at any green grocery.

That didn’t bode well for my pie quest!

I remember when, because it was its season, you could walk into most local area diners to enjoy a piece of my favorite pie.

My phone search told me that I could find a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie at JG Melon. I took this as encouraging, and intended to stop by for a slice.

Thwarted, again. Lines waiting for a table were discouragement enough.

Amazingly, there was a huge pie at Citarella. So, yes, this story of a pursuit has a happy ending.

Some of the strawberry rhubarb pie is now waiting in the freezer. Some has been digested, and yes, it was good.

The season is short. Hurry.

Unsolicited

For the love of Wonder! Love the concept of ordering from a food court with a gourmet inclination, but better yet, the food. It’s great.

Individual rating of my delivery follows:

Brussel sprouts are sweet and tangy even if only warm. They should be hot but they were  delish anyway.

The lemon pepper were the best chicken wings I have gotten from Wing Trip to date.

Bankside has a very nice, low on the mayo, rendition of cole slaw.

Jota’s salmon is one of my faves, although I love all salmon. This has a bed of brocollini and a zucchini saute as a bonus.

I refer to this post as unsolicited but this is not strictly true in the sense that these were my answers to their survey.

Arts and activities

There is a hidden gem in Spanish Harlem that offers a peaceful cultural experience or rather experiences. It is rare and not as well-known as it justly deserves.

I apologize for the musical oldies  reference. PS109 ArtSpace is at the edge of El Barrio. It provides housing for artists, and studio spaces, as well as Salsa nights and art shows. It is gorgeous. It is pristine.

PS109 offers enough events to invite us, [you and me, everyone], to visit often.

Today, I made a repeat visit with my friend the artist LM, [we go to art  venues together] with a crew of another group of adventurers.

We were given a full tour of the galleries and other public spaces. Our friend F planned a return tonight with his wife to see a play in the little blackbox theater.

We went off to dine nearby on the recommendation of Rolinda Ramos, the director of PS109 ArtSpace El Barrio.

This is the 10th anniversary of PS109, located at 215 E 99th St, which gives you the excuse to drop by at least 10 times this year.

I don’t want to give away any secrets…Museum Mile edition

We pro-democracy types need to exercise our own flood the zone tactics. There’s theatre– the great arena of diversity, equity/ equality, inclusion- for starters. There’s the streets. Aka, protesting, peaceful protesting. Be careful out there. It might get dicey. There’s writing to right the wrong. This category, lord knows, includes writing your elected representatives. That […]

I don’t want to give away any secrets…

Lucky are we, here, in New York, to have so many opportunities to be quietly pro-democracy, pro-dei – quietly, although we are pretty loud in our support.

Salsa on the Avenue, Fifth Avenue!

Last night, it was a Museum Mile event. LM, EMcG, and a new pal met me in front of El Museo del Barrio to enjoy a night of distinct, divergent, all- embracing fun.

This old lady was wiped out by the walk, but blown away by the energy. BTW, check out El Barrio exhibit of Mestre Didi, an artist representing Candomblé, through his Spiritual Forms pieces. Also, there is a brilliant display of the works of Candida Alvarez. It will take your breath away; Circle, Point, Hoop spans her career to date.