The Mermaid Parade

 

Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade is a classic New York City event. 

41 years old, it is full of weirdness, inclusivity and joy. 

And this year I finally got to attend! 

 

Since the Q, our local subway line on the UES ends on Stillwell Avenue (and has a great view of Luna Park) the trip couldn’t have been easier. 

Costume creativity was everywhere.

Inspiration?

People did not limit themselves to mermaids although a sea theme was mostly maintained.

These crabs put on quite a show.

The spectators got in on the action of course.

When I posted this pic on Instagram @mermaidpearliemae commented “That’s me!”  

I love NYC. 😉

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2023 PJ Lehrer

Cordoba, Spain: 1993

 

I ran into a friend who recently returned from vacation walking with a cane after having hurt herself.  I flashed back to our trip to Spain in 1993. 

Somewhere along the way I pulled a muscle in the top of my thigh.  

Given that my idea of a good vacation is walking around taking photos for hours on end, being unable to walk without feeling great pain was quite memorable. 

Still, I was young and determined so I didn’t let it stop me from trotting off to Cordoba at some point. 

Cordoba is famous for the Mezquita, aka the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. 

The Muslims started it off building a stunning mosque in 785. 

It is an endless sea of striped arches.

 

With highlights such as the intricate “Door of the Deans” built in the Visigoth architectural style.   

Although it was converted to a cathedral in 1236, they didn’t mess with the architecture until the 16^th century when they plunked a nave and transcript in the center of the building.  It is so unexpected and bizarre. 

Another thing of note about Cordoba is that the Jewish scholar Maimonides was born there in 1138 (or 1135.) 

 

Here are the previous blogs from Spain…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2016/05/seville-spain.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/07/seville-spain-2.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2023 PJ Lehrer

Lilacs 2

 

When I visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this spring the lilacs were in bloom and it smelled magnificent! 

So of course, I lingered and took the opportunity to photograph the many different types that are in residence there. 

Apparently, there are over 100 unique plants. 

 

Hmm. 

I doubt I photographed them all. 

According to their website, all of the varieties were derived from their original collection begun in 1914.   

They were relocated to a new area of the garden in 2020 overlooking the cherry trees. 

A path was added for easier access and plants were arranged by era. 

 

I hadn’t noticed that.  I was too busy checking out some of the more exotic varieties. 

Here’s an article from the website for more info…

https://www.bbg.org/article/lilacs_in_bloom_in_their_new_home#:~:text=The%20Lilac%20Collection%20is%20in,which%20was%20established%20in%201914

And, here's a previous lilac blog…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2015/01/lilacs.html

Enjoy!

PJ

 

© 2023 PJ Lehrer

Oculus 2

I was looking in my archives for a photo of the Oculus at Ground Zero for an embroidery piece I am about to start,

when I realized that I didn’t have many pics to choose from. 

 

So I decided to remedy that. 

It didn’t hurt that Century 21 – conveniently located across the street - had reopened several days before. 

It had become my go to place for shopping prior to the pandemic and I was very disappointed to see it close. 

The new store – in the same location as the original – has only three floors instead of the prior seven so the selection isn’t as good. 

And I did not find the jacket that I was looking for. 

But their inventory changes daily so I will check back again in a few weeks.

 

Meanwhile the sky was bright blue and the photos of Oculus and the Freedom Tower were superb. 

Now I’ll have plenty to choose from for future artwork. 😉

Here's the previous blog of Oculus pics – from a cloudy day…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/01/oculus.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2023 PJ Lehrer