A LUCKY DAY FOR THE UNIVERSE...11/11/11!

It's a day to buy a lottery ticket, put on a pair of gloves against a fierce fall wind, and find a way to reframe the experience that is shaping your current existence. I've been struggling emotionally with the experience of being between jobs, out of work, unemployed--call it what you like. Today, I put a new name on it: my SABBATICAL, after ten years of working really hard for really long hours.

I feel better already.

I'm taking this unexpected time to get my apartment plastered and painted (after putting it off for more than a decade). I'm making necessary doctor's appointments after letting some of them go for two years or more. I'm reading a lot for personal pleasure. I'm finding time to help friends out.

What I haven't yet been doing with this precious time is getting in better shape and working at my writing. So that's next. While I continue to try and figure out how to find my next job, I can be doing a lot more to fulfill my needs beyond work.

My thanks to the universe for sending me a message I was finally ready to hear.

Now--back to recent events. I had a fantastic time at the 2011 NYC Marathon--leading volunteer orientation for registration, ID check, goody bags, and expo marshals; working in the finish line with the 46,000 plus runners; and reconnecting with friends who've been there with me for so many years. The volunteer party Monday night reminded me how many good friends I've had through Road Runners and how special our time together is.

I now have to work on seeing the struggle to find a new position as what it is in many ways: an opportunity to make connections, stretch myself, and enjoy a fresh start!

HARDER TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE WHEN YOU'RE BETWEEN JOBS...

I have been especially remiss during October and have not been blogging--mostly because I've now been looking for a new full-time job for six months... I can't believe it's been that long!!! I am determined to solve this particular puzzle, and I'm hoping that one of the people who knows how hard I work and what I have to offer will help me make a winning connection.

In the meantime--I'm keeping very busy. Yesterday I volunteered at the Audubon Fall Roost benefit, primarily helping with the silent auction. Tonight, I filled in for someone who couldn't volunteer at her CSA--the community group that buys a farm's output and then distributes it each week. It was a wet one but lots of nice people--though I was a little disappointed in what was on offer this evening. I had hoped for squash, parsnips, turnips, something chunky--but it's been a rough year for the farmers. Tonight I got more greens than I have seen or cooked--mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, and some other mysterious stuff, plus dill, and parsley, and radishes or beets, I forget.

To be honest, I don't know if I'm going to be able to eat them or cook them, but I want to try and do something with them.

My best treat from getting soaked tonight was 2 bags (about 30!) Macoun apples...super fresh and tasty.

Other exciting news--my book postcards arrived from Vistaprint, as did my new business cards.
I'll post photos soon.

Hang in there, BA...

Committing to the Blog--and to My Writing Work

I named this blog LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND FEEL THAT IT MATTERS, referring to my work as a teacher and tutor trainer at East Harlem Tutorial Program as well as my creative work as a writer of children's books for Capstone and other publications as well.

But now that I have been, as we used to say in the theatre, "between engagements" for five months, I have been thinking about what those words really mean to me. I believe that I bring passion into whatever I choose to do, whether it's giving information to patrons at New York City Ballet, helping with a mailing at the NYC Audubon Society, assisting walk-up kayakers in Astoria, donating platelets for the New York Blood Center, or crafting questions and answers to help students prepare for high-stakes tests.

If it's worth my time, it's meaningful to me.

But as someone who has been work-centered much of her life, these months have been challenging for me. I research job opportunities, write the best cover letters I can, and send my applications off in hopes of finding a new mission, somewhere to bring my enthusiasm, energy, and commitment (as well as earn the cash to pay my bills!). I believe the right opportunity is out there, and that my continued efforts to connect with it will succeed.

In the meantime--I'm going to keep DOING WHAT I LOVE...in every way I can. I'll post here what I do and what I learn from it.

I just read about a wonderful children's picture book that I wish I'd written--

My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden's Childhood Journey by Jeanne Walker Harvey and Elizabeth Zunon (Sep 2011)

and it ignited a desire in me to get back to the work of a writer: creating from the heart.

STAY TUNED!

SEEING ROOSEVELT ISLAND UP CLOSE...AND AMAZING!

Sunday kayaking was great, but Monday's trip from Long Island City to Hallets Cove was spectacular--a bit unnerving at time, but also very exciting! We set off and crossed the East Channel of the East River to Roosevelt Island and then paddled HARD against the current along the rocky shore (!) and around the tip to the western side. I was very nervous but also excited that I was doing it!

My partner in the kayak was Joyce, who lives on Roosevelt Island, and who brought Argos, her little dog, who travels with his own Personal Flotation Device!

I knew I was in good hands--she's very experienced--and so I stayed pretty calm. I loved seeing the old smallpox hospital up so close,

but I agree with Joyce that the building going up for the FDR Four Freedoms Park is UGLY and block-ish. Too bad...

The current was with us on the way up, and we paddled enjoyably up to the Lighthouse, where we met a friend of Joyce's and had our photos taken. (I wish I looked as fit as I felt, darn it...those life jackets are not flattering!) But I felt so happy...and enjoyed the paddle to the cove.

Later, I got to take out one of the single kayaks (thank you, Bob!) and paddled around for about 20 minutes. I did like the feeling of controlling the direction and speed of the kayak. In a two-seater, you have to depend on the person behind you to direct the boat, while you simply paddle your heart out. That's hard for me sometimes!

Later, we paddled downriver in the East Channel, first along the island side, and then crossed over as a group. The sun had come out late in the date, and the sky was beautiful.

We worked hard to get the kayaks back to the boathouse, help hose them off and carry them inside. Some celebratory watermelon topped off the day.

Thanks to Steve and Ted and Katie and Joyce and Argos and Voula and Deborah and the other Katie who is president of Green Shores.

REVELING IN NEW YORK CITY AT WATER LEVEL!

Today, I had the amazing opportunity to see my favorite place in the world from a different point of view--and I loved it! I joined up with the Long Island City Community Boathouse to paddle a kayak from the famous Pepsi sign

across the east side of the East River, and all along Roosevelt Island, past the ruins of the old smallpox hospital

underneath the 59th Street bridge

all the way to the top end of Roosevelt Island near the beautiful lighthouse...

and finally over to Hallets Cove for a day of helping with walk-up kayaking.

When it was over, we paddled back, with the current, and all the kayaks "rafted" by holding on to each other's boats as the current carried us under the 59th Street bridge on the way back to the boathouse for a cookout.

What an amazing and glorious day! 

Thank you, Steve and Ted and Bob and Detrick and Katie and Dave and all the other volunteers for a day I'll remember forever.

THE HOUSE OF SPOOF--An Artists' Collective in the Bronx

It's almost two years since Glenn Wright lost his life in a case of mistaken identity, and in his memory his closest friends have created an art gallery and collective in Hunts Point. It's a place for young artists to show their work and share their artistry with each other and the public. The wall above displays a terrific piece of Wheat Pasting, a technique in which a large photographic print is applied to a textured surface and glued in place. It's then covered with a clear-drying paste that seals it for a time. Alas, the rain we've had lately has faded much of this picture of Glenn, but the memory endures.

Congratulations to Alberto, Carlos, Ryan, Brian, Misra, Alejandra, Danielle, Richard, and many other friends and supporters!

Here, a visiting artist adds to the wall art and graffiti at the House of Spoof!

GIVE BLOOD...IT WAS MEANT TO CIRCULATE!

I have a thing about donating blood...it makes me feel very powerful, like a secret Superman who works anonymously to save the lives of strangers! I've been donating blood since I turned 18, and since 1980 in addition to donating whole blood, I've been giving platelets--tiny disc-shaped bits in the blood that are necessary for clotting.

Who needs platelets? Mostly, it's cancer patients whose disease or medication has lowered their own production of platelets.

What happens if you don't have enough? You start bleeding easily--from the nose, from your mouth, even internally. But platelets are team players--and they work together to stop the bleeding whenever it starts.

You can only give whole blood once every two months, because that's how long it takes for the red cells in your blood to regenerate to full power. But platelets are constantly replacing themselves, and in the past I've given as often as twice in a week.

I'm mentioning this because yesterday I gave platelets at the New York Blood Center on East 67th St. It took about 2 hours because the Center only sticks you in one arm. (At Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, they use both arms and it takes about 1 1/4 hours. This was easier because you can change the TV channel or scratch your nose if you need to.

If you're in good health and you're over 17, please consider giving blood ASAP. There are patients who can't wait--people who need your blood to live another day. Be your own Superhero!

Writing Military-Themed Books for Children...How Did THAT Happen?

Last night, I submitted the draft manuscript of my children's book on MILITARY SUBMARINES to my editor at Capstone, along with a proposed outline for my book on MILITARY FIGHTER PLANES. These will be my 8th and 9th books for young people, and my 6th and 7th books on military vehicles. How did that happen, considering I have never served in the military and have no particular expertise in this area?

The answer is, research, and writing what you want to know, not just what you know. I know a lot, but there is so much I don't know. So when my editor came to me after I'd finished my first books, on Magnets and Electricity, and asked me to write for her series on Military Vehicles for K-1 age kids, I said, "Sure!" I got to choose among the first six subjects, and I picked Military Robots, Military Ships, and Military Amphibious Vehicles.

I already had a strong interest in robots, after working with the East Harlem Tutorial Program's robotics team for the past 5 years. I started out interested mostly in the technology but quickly discovered how great it is for soldiers to use robots for dangerous jobs. Since I want every soldier and sailor, every Marine and pilot, to come home safely, I liked the idea of developing unmanned vehicles from tanks to planes to help the armed forces protect this country.

I picked ships because I love the water, and I am lucky enough to live in New York City, where the Navy and Marines celebrate Fleet Week every year. So I thought, I would enjoy learning and writing about all the different Navy ships.

Finally, I picked Amphibious Vehicles because I liked the idea of ships and boats that could also operate on land. I discovered that they are even cooler than I originally thought they might be. This is primarily because of the Amphibious Transport Dock. I had the pleasure of spending most of a day this spring with the crew of the USS New York, a ship close to the hearts of all New Yorkers because its hull contains more than seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center. Aboard the New York, I was able to see first hand how the Docking Well inside the ship held smaller boats that could take Marines and sailors ashore, from the ocean to the beach. I especially liked the LCAC--Landing Craft Air cushioned--a hovercraft that carried equipment and crew ashore.

This summer, I'm working on books for older kids about Military Vehicles--the Blazers program, which appeals to 3rd through 9th graders who are reading below grade level but still like exciting books. I tackled Military Robots again, and also covered Military Warships before working on Subs and Fighter Planes.

Writing the submarine book made me really want to go up to New London, Connecticut to the Nautilus Museum. When I was a teen, I read a thrilling book called WE WERE THERE ON THE NAUTILUS. It was about two young Navy men who were lucky enough to go on the North Pole mission of the Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine. Ever since then, I've been fascinated by submarines and wondered what it would be like to live on one for weeks at a time.

Stay tuned for more updates about these books and more!

Celebrating the City on a 4-Borough Day!!!

I'm a big fan of the Unlimited Metrocard, especially on days like this past Sunday (I'm playing catch up tonight, posting the last few days...)

My friend Vernon and I decided to visit some new neighborhoods for us, and so we set off...taking the 6 train up to Parkchester, with our goal Whitestone, Queens. (It's supposedly the best way to get there...so Manhattan to the Bronx...first leg of our day!

Then we hopped on the Q 44 LTD, which took us over the Whitestone Bridge and into the town itself. We walked around the area, which appears to be home to a large Greek population--we saw a beautiful Green Orthodox Church, a Russian Orthodox church with the onion tops, and lots of Greek restaurants and stores. (We found ourselves quoting from My Big Fat Greek Wedding...).

We thought about lunch, and we decided to head for Flushing's Chinatown--but how could we get there? Vernon remembered reading something about a bus, and he was right. (Thank you, MTA Trip Planner and my trusty iPhone!) We took the Q15 right to Main Street Flushing, and after a quick and slightly disappointing stop at the New World Mall for chicken wings, we dined at Spicy and Tasty on a side street. The restaurant is highly recommended, but we felt it had been oversold. The dan-dan noodles were just okay, the Double Sauteed Pork was a bit fatty (although the sauteed scallions were scrumptious), the dumplings were ordinary, and the broccoli with spicy chili peppers was not very spicy and a little too al dente. No matter...we had dessert to look forward to...and a trip to another borough!

We took the 7 and connected with the G, which took us near enough to Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, to get ice cream at Blue Marble. Yum!

Then, home to Manhattan...alas, no time to hit Staten Island and make it a 5-borough adventure...I was volunteering that night on the Audubon eco-cruise...Maybe next time!

CITY OF WATER DAY 2011...a Celebration of New York Harbor!

This year's event began with a crowd of water lovers boarding the Circle Line boat Brooklyn at Pier 83, with Don Riepe of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and American Littoral Society providing commentary.

 We motored down the West Side, enjoying great views of Ellis Island, the piers of the West Side of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty (of course!), and finally under the Verrazano Bridge. 

We didn't have much time to visit Swinburne Island but we got some good looks at Hoffman Island, which appeared to have dozens of great egrets perched in the island's trees!

We sailed back to Governor's Island and docked at Yankee Pier...

Lots of interesting groups at tables...my favorite was the National Lighthouse Museum, which is hoping to open in 2012 in Staten Island.

Best part of the day for me: I won a sailing trip with the Offshore Sailing Club in a 26 foot sailboat...and actually steered the boat in the middle of the harbor between the island and the Maritime Terminal...completely exciting and really beautiful! This is over by the Verrazano--I wasn't...but I was too excited to take a photo!

A fantastic celebration of the City of Water...can't wait til next year!

UPDATE: IT WAS A BRANT, NOT A GREBE...the tiny cranium and backbone

Thanks to Paul Sweet, Collection Manager of the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History...this is not a grebe, his first guess, but a BRANT:

EAST RIVER FERRY--A FANTASTIC WAY TO SEE NEW YORK!

It's free for the first 2 weeks, until June 24, and it runs from 34th Street on the East River to Hunters Point/Long Island City, Greenpoint, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO, and Pier 11/Wall Street. I rode two full loops today under threatening skies but it only rained a bit toward the very end of the 2nd trip.

These are color photos, which is really interesting...

Time Flies--and Sometimes Without Our Noticing It!

Where have I been since May 20? It's almost a month since I last posted on this blog, and I'm not even sure why. But I decided to spend a few minutes today on a subject dear to my heart: my upcoming children's books!

My first two books are coming this fall from Capstone Pebble Plus. These photos were taken from the catalogue, since I never got any cover proofs, but you can still get an idea of how they will look. These books are for K-1 readers with lots of photos to get the facts across.

I finally got to go to ID day at the American Museum of Natural History and learned a few new things about my specimens:

The jaw with one tooth that I found on the shores of Bermuda turns out to be a GROUPER fish. Thank you to all who tried to help identify it. This photo is from an online source and the top image exactly matches my specimen!

I'm still waiting to hear from scientist Paul Sweet, in Ornithology, about my cranium (not skull) and backbone. His best guess from initial glance was that it could be a GREBE...or a duck.

So what's a GREBE? Here's a picture of one.

Hope to hear from him soon with a confirmation!

I'm off to check out the new East River Ferry! Will report back.

Good Weather for Frogs!

It feels as if it's been raining for a week or maybe forever.

The increased humidity is probably good for the frogs. I decided to try again tonight and photograph them. They seemed less shy than earlier in the week.

I spent part of yesterday and today volunteering at a Scholastic Book Fair at the Brooklyn Historical Society--lots of fun people contact and a chance to talk about books and kids. The bonus--$10 credit to spend for every hour I put in! I got some great books (just what I need the week before BEA, but...) I'm excited about reading Tracy Chevalier's book about Mary Anning.

I also went to a fantastic concert last night at the Hispanic Society of America at 155th and Broadway. The Sylvan Wind Quintet, led by Svetlana Kabalin, played a program of wonderful Spanish music for an audience that included the Spanish Ambassador. I helped give out programs and collected email names for their mailing list. The room was spectacular--surrounding us with vivid murals of Spanish scenes by Joaquin Sorolla:

It felt as if we were in the painting while listening to the music --amazing!

I was completely awed by the light in so many of the paintings, especially one I can't find an image of...adobe homes on a high hill lit by the setting or rising sun. Beautiful!

It's Hard to Photograph Frogs!

WHAT IS IT? A JAW I FOUND IN BERMUDA NEEDS IDENTIFICATION...

I found some very interesting specimens in Bermuda two summers ago, and I'm hoping for help in identifying the jaw in these photos: