patios – Whaddya Mean Rosebuds?

Where Are the Rocking Chairs of Yesterday?

Posted on September 24, 2014 by sshafarzek

The easy answer, of course, is at the antique store, at the second-hand shop, maybe, in your attic. Not in mine, I’m sorry to say. I have a rocking chair, but it dates to 1989 and you can tell.

It isn’t very comfortable either — at least for me. At one time in my life (somewhere in the 90’s) I had a group that met regularly at my apartment. One tall young man always took this chair. Then I realized why it wasn’t comfortable for (short) me. Rocking chairs have a symbolic quality, not just because they’re what we’re supposed to be sitting in, whiling away old age. At least I choose to think that. I think they might stand for ease in company — for anybody.

Eating Well is the Best Something

Posted on August 11, 2014 by sshafarzek

This is the time of year when everyone, especially anyone selling Fall merchandise, begins to warn that summer is almost over. Not that Fall is a deterence to people who like to grill outdoors. Many a day, even in early winter, I walk out to the smell of ribs or whatever wafting through the neighborhood. Meanwhile, here are the instruments that make it all happen.

I like this one because it looks so serious and high tech.

And this one because it looks like it’s been around for a while.

Here’s one lurking.

And here’s one really lurking.

And here’s one (from last winter) patiently waiting.

Patio Figures

Posted on July 29, 2014 by sshafarzek

In the apartment complex where I live, the patios are at the front, like little front porches, which makes them a not very satisfactory place for practicing one’s tai-chi (unless one were very good, I suppose), but they do provide lots to look at.

And the beauty of it is, people are always moving in and out, so the subjects are often changing.

The artificial geese below, for example, have departed.As have these angels.

But this icon, also departed, has long been a favorite. I don’t know what it means, or means to depicct. I imagine it to have religious significance.

or I hope so. Here’s one of mine, though he doesn’t live outdoors (he’s made of papier mache). It’s Hanuman, a god with a lovely reputation, which is more than you can say about most gods. I would put him on the patio if he could take the weather.