Not Snow Nice

As blizzards go, the first (hopefully the last) of 2010 in New York City is nasty. The snow is heavy and wet and grey almost the moment it lands. I got a couple of nice moments this afternoon but they are the exception. Almost as distressing as the snow was the news coverage but I am not going to get into a rant against it, we have had enough opinions!

My Latest

I have never liked following recipes or patterns, paints are messy and my apartment is too small for a potter's wheel, so freehand needlepoint is how I satisfy my passion for creating and color. I start with a blank canvas and a box of thread, working as pleases me. It still has to be stretched and framed but here is the latest work, finished last evening, and a detail.

Life as mine

This quiet time in the seasonal work is the first time in my life that I have time off without counting when I have to go back to the office. So I have been doing life, just life, housekeeping, bookkeeping, socializing, watching movies and doing my needlepoint. Actually it sometimes feels like I am doing all the others so I can get to the needlepoint. I work without a pattern so it is me at any given moment, the colors and shapes I am in the mood for, I love it!
As a journalist, trained in the objective style, I kept my opinions to myself but now I can express some and attend events or rallies that I wish to support. My first foray was a rally in support of my community, Stuyvesant Town, which a couple years ago was sold to a greedy real estate firm who has now run off broke, after doing significant damage. We, the tenants, are working to see that the next owners, if it can't be us, be at least someone who understands that the real value of the place is it's middle-class-ness. We all hope that Sen. Chuck Schumer attended because he really will be backing us, not just for the news coverage. I enjoyed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, left, interact with the people because she makes eye contact and is still genuine (I hope).