Sunday, April 30, 2017

Scare Quotes (and behind the scenes)

Catskill, New York

I don't recall encountering the term scare quotes when I was an English Major nearly fifty years ago. Quotation marks that were used not to indicate a quotation were referred to as false, or emphasis, quotes. I kind of like the scare word instead. But the internet-driven rampant overuse of false quotes for emphasis seems ill-advised. Junk mail and junk ads on otherwise-worthwhile websites are probably the worst offenders, but one expects those to be illiterate. It's also somehow weird to see this infecting off-line vernacular communication.

On the behind the scenes front, tomorrow will be three weeks out from surgery. I'm still exhausted. It seems that spending a couple hours reading a non-fiction book from the new release shelves at the library requires about an equal time back asleep. At least I was able to drive to the library and select a book a few days ago. Driving somewhere to look for some pictures is still out of the question. This may be progress, but the pace is glacial.

Seven at Seven

Saugerties, New York

Friday, April 28, 2017

Birds along the Hudson

Kingston Point, New York

There are almost always lots of seagulls at Kingston Point Park, in any sort of weather. But, this guy, in the foreground of the second picture, sure ain't no seagull...


Thursday, April 27, 2017

Here's Lookin' at You

Winsted, Connecticut

Entrance to an antique/used-stuff/junk store with, from what I've seen, highly irregular business hours.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Salon Window

Winsted, Connecticut

A spring look in a beauty salon window, late May  March.

On the behind the scenes front, perhaps it's just coincidence with hitting the two week point out from surgery, but I seemed to take a turn for the better overnight. Feeling almost human this morning, have to be careful not to do too much today.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

STOP, and behind the scenes

Naugatuck, Connecticut

Back at home now. The pathology report says that the operation was successful, the cancer was confined entirely within the prostate "capsule" and every indication is that the treatment should be curative.

Immediate post-surgery recuperation was a nightmare though. My GI tract shut down completely, initiating incredibly painful abdominal and bladder spasms and it took over 36 hours for bowl clearing routines and anti-spasm medication to take effect. Got out Friday afternoon, and for the next few days I don't plan to do anything but sleep and take the meds.

Sunday, April 09, 2017

City in the Rain, plus, Blog Notes

Norwich, Connecticut

There will be a pause in posting here. I'm going into the hospital tomorrow for surgery and expect it will be at least a few days before I'm well enough to put up posts.

FR. EDWARD P. BROGAN PARISH CENTER

Rhinebeck, New York

And a restrained tree, in the rain. (As always, you can click in the picture area to get a larger, clearer view.)

Saturday, April 08, 2017

Pizza Delivery Car

Torrington, Connecticut

Seems a bit upscale, but later a kid left the pizza place in the corner storefront with a couple insulated pizza delivery packages and drove off in this car.

Thursday, April 06, 2017

Dinosaur...er...make that...Pileated Woodpecker Attack!

Rhinebeck, New York

See all those wood chips at the base of this tree on the edge of the municipal parking lot?

Human vandals at work? Nope. A pair of pileated woodpeckers have torn hell out of the old tree. I think if they keep this up they'll actually take it down.

cropped detail


About half an hour later. The birds paid almost no attention to the cars pulling in and out of the lot, or people getting in and out of the cars. One seemed a little more skittish than the other, moving around to the back side of the tree when I approached within fifteen feet or so. This guy just kept hammering away.




Dress Shop

Naugatuck, Connecticut

Sunday, April 02, 2017

NO LOITERING

Naugatuck, Connecticut

Another very faded piece of signage. It's on a weigh station at a gravel, etc., dealer.

EXHIBITS & HIGH TECH CARGO

Naugatuck, Connecticut

As always, you can click in the picture area to get a larger, more legible view.

Saturday, April 01, 2017