The Best Accessory is a Smile!

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/garden-smile-joan-reese.html?newartwork=true

Springtime in New York

I Love New York City in The Spring!

                                   Poem by Claude McKay           Photographs by Joan Reese

My Journey to the Fountain of Youth

Saint Augustine is my favorite city in Florida, so far.  I love the Spanish architecture and steep history of our country.  It is very easy to get around.  You do not need a car. Old Town Trolley Tours is the best way to see the city, highlighting the best St. Augustine Attractions, with 23 stops and more than 100 points of interest. They have a tram that stops every 5 to 10 minutes to pick you up and take you to all the historical places in Saint Augustine.   You can also walk the town or rent a bike. They have a bus that takes you to the beach which is about 10 minutes away. There are plenty of restaurants with outdoor patios. I took a tour of Saint Augustine's distillery. They gave us all a sample of a drink called the "Florida Mule." It is made from Ginger syrup(or ginger beer) lime juice,  club soda and vodka. It is delicious!
St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's most charming.  Known as the "Ancient City," Saint Augustine is located between North East and Central East Florida and is convenient to Jacksonville, Orlando, and Daytona airports. North Florida boasts a year-round mild climate perfect for strolling Saint Augustine's delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, unique shops and bed-and-breakfast inns. 

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/blue-peacock-joan-reese.html?newartwork=true                                                       

Experience the beauty of an early morning that slowly comes alive with locals and tourists setting out on foot to explore significant landmarks including the -Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park-Castillo de San Marcos-Flagler College-The Lightner Museum-St.George Street, City Gates, Old Village, Historic District, Bayview, and many more.
http://www.oldcity.com/what-to-do.php           http://www.oldcity.com/pages/st-augustine-restaurant-listings.php      http://www.oldcity.com/pages/complete-accommodations-listings.php    http://www.oldcity.com/beaches.php   http://www.oldcity.com/history-and-culture.php  http://www.oldcity.com/calendar.php  http://www.oldcity.com/camp-grounds-fish-camps.php           http://www.oldcity.com/historic-district.php

Kiddies love Blue-Eyed-Kitty!

                         http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/blue-eyed-kitty-joan-reese.html

 

A Kitten   Poem by Eleanor Farjeon

He's nothing much but fur

And two round eyes of blue,

He has a giant purr

And a midget mew.

He darts and pats the air,

He starts and cocks his ear,

When there is nothing there

For him to see and hear.

He runs around in rings,

But why we cannot tell;

With sideways leaps he springs

At things invisible -

Then half-way through a leap

His startled eyeballs close,

And he drops off to sleep With one paw on his nose. 

Sleep Before Midnight

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/venus-illuminations-joan-reese.html

Sleep before Midnight

by Joan Reese

Hot chamomile tea, sipped from rose colored porcelain cup

Quiets my nerves, ensuring a deep sleep.

Rain drops beat windowpane like a steel drum.

Lighting cracks, slicing open my unconscious.

Departed souls wordless influence;

Their presence feels like Florida august sun.

My Egyptian cotton sheets scented with Channel No. 5

Holds a treasure trove of dreams.

Woke up and found a poem on my pillow,

The color of lake mist rising.

Wrapped the poem around me like a thick down comforter,

Strengthening me for the daily race…

When circumstances force us to change....

“When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

Alexander Graham Bell

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/an-open-gate-joan-reese.html?newartwork=true

On March 26, I have just returned from a ten-day trip. I thought I'd get a bite to eat and come home and rest. I walked down East Seventh Street in the East Village, where I live; turned the corner and started to walk up St. Mark's place.  I heard a huge blast: It sounded like two Mack trucks smashing into each other.  People started to run towards the blast, I didn't, I knew whatever it was it was bad.

 I walked back to my apartment and called a friend who told me to hurry, pack a bag and get out of there. While I was packing, the police rang my bell and told me to vacate. I looked out the window it was smokey and the smell reminded me of 9/11. We lost three buildings that day and over a hundred people lost their homes and two people lost their lives.  Many times I have complained about how small my apartment is and the fact that I have to walk up four flights to get to it.  Now, I'm thankful I have a roof over my head and I pray that the people who lost their homes will be helped to find new ones. This showed me that it doesn't matter how old you are or what your circumstances are in life you never know what tomorrow will bring.   So, I try to live my life to the fullest and not sweat the small stuff. 

Dorothy Parker you deserve more than one perfect rose!

Dorothy Parker is one of my favorite female poets. I adore her short, viciously humorous poems.

A Perfect Rose  by Dorothy Parker

A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet -

One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;

'My fragile leaves,' it said, 'his heart enclose.'

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it's always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/juicy-red-roses-joan-reese.html

Snowflakes from my window

  Snowflake

A fragile winter butterfly 

Flutters from the sky 

 So soft and yet her heart

 Is cold and made of ice 

But if I warm it 

She will melt and die 

poet - Elaine George

O The Sea, The Beautiful Sea

http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/o-the-sea-the-beautiful-sea-joan-reese.html

For whatever we lose ( like a you or a me)

It's always our self we find in the sea.

-E.E. Cummings

The best advice I ever received about love!

I Love Valentines! Remember in grade school the decorated box on the teachers desk where we put all our Valentine cards for our friends. I still have some of them:) Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Although my Uncle John is no longer with me his words of wisdom are only a thought away.  A man I had been dating was complaining to me about how far he had to drive to get to my house. Out of this situation came the best advice about love my Uncle John ever gave me. He said, "If a man does not put your comfort before his own you should have nothing to do with him."  My Aunt and Uncle were happily married for 53 years. I feel my Uncle knew what he was talking about. He told my Aunt everyday of their marriage how much he loved her.  After my Aunt was diagnosed with cancer she went out shopping every day and my Uncle never understood why; until after her death. When Uncle John went up to the attic, he found boxes and boxes of clothing that my Aunt bought for him: underwear, T-shirts, socks etc. She left a letter, in it she wrote, "I don't want you to be alone," consider marrying again and she named the woman who she thought would be a good wife for him. 
He never took her advice.  My Valentine wish for you dear reader is that you experience a love which endures the test of time.

Show your Love with a unique gift!

Valentines Day is almost here!  Remember that special lady in your life.

Nothing says "You're special" like an original hand-painted silk scarf. 

Complementary gift wrapping,

Free Shipping and a 5 x 7 greeting card from my latest collection. Order ASAP for prompt delivery.

                          https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilkScarvesJoanReese?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Cancun, Mexico: Americanized!

     A great place to relax!

 1980, was the first time that I went to Cancun. It was the beginning of the big boom of modern hotels and tourism. Wow, things have changed, I felt like I was in downtown Miami beach but Cancun's ocean is azure blue and much warmer this time of the year.

Don't expect any bargains, they know all the US prices. A good thing: they have a great public bus system, you can take the R1 or R2 in the hotel zone and get to anywhere you would like to go. There are plenty of taxis if you feel like bargaining with the drivers. The best place to buy souvenirs and sunglasses is at the downtown Walmart. Also, you will get the best money exchange rate downtown Cancun opposed to your hotel or the airport.

I took the DOA bus to Playa Del Carmen: a two hour ride. Larger than Cancun, sweet beach area filled with tourist shops.

A 30 minute boat ride takes you to the small island of Isla Mujeres.  I love the fact that people can get around the island either by motor scooter, golf cart or bicycle. A great place to go snorkeling!

I stayed at an all inclusive adult boutique resort called the Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa in the hotel zone. A great view of the ocean means a lot to me, and I had one. The service was great, the food was good and the accommodations were pleasing. If you just want to kick back and relax, drink and eat good food I would recommend staying at the Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa.

Piano Man And Pole Dancer

"Colin Huggins"is a classical pianist who performs in Washington Square Park. He recently teamed up with "Carolyn Chiu" a yoga pole dancer. What a spectacular show! For more information on Colin read my blog post: http://joanreesearts.blogspot.com/2013/12/washington-square-park-piano-man-new.html#more 

Carolyn Chiu's primary focus is to spread the art of vertical dancing as a respected, graceful performance, demonstrating health, fitness and balance.

Carolyn derives her training from a variety disciplines ranging from ballet to yoga, break dancing to cheer, lyrical to burlesque. In 2008, while studying at Parsons, she discovered the world of Pole fitness. Distilling several disciplines into one, Carolyn found the ability and freedom to express herself.

In 2009, Carolyn launched a pole photography studio in New York City, “Poleography.com”. In 2010 she joined with LI Dance Fitness, where she launched her Chinese pole program; an innovative and creative combination of the art of gymnastics and the zen of yoga. All based around the pole. In that same year, Carolyn took the title of, “Hong Kong Pole Fitness Champion.”

http://yogapolestudio.com/instructors/

Charles Bukowski " A free Spirt "

Like most young girls I kept a diary: journaling has become a part of my life. I started writing little rhyming poems as a teenager, as an adult I experimented with most of the traditional poetry forms. About ten years ago, I found my own writing voice which is conversational and colloquial in manner. When I first read Charles Bukowski I felt I found a kindred spirt.          http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/charles-bukowski

Charles Bukowski 1920 to 1994

oh yes

there are worse things than

being alone

but it often takes decades

to realize this

and most often

when you do

it's too late

and there's nothing worse

than

too late.

99 Miles to Philly

 My formative years were spent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I still miss Philly cheesesteaks. They are definitely the best along with a soft pretzel smeared with yellow mustard from a street vendor.
 A few miles outside of Philly is one of the most beautiful gardens in the United States. Once you visited Longwood Gardens you're sure to return. http://longwoodgardens.org

Today the 1,077-plus acre Longwood Gardens consists of 20 outdoor gardens and 20 indoor gardens within 4.5 acres (18,200 m²) of heated greenhouses, known as conservatories. It contains 11,000 different types of plants and trees, as well as fountains. The Gardens also has extensive educational programs including a tuition-free two-year school of professional horticulture, a graduate program, and extensive internships. It hosts 800 horticultural and performing arts events each year, from flower shows, gardening demonstrations, courses, and children's programs to concerts, organ and carillon recitals, musical theatre, fountain shows, and fireworks displays. It also hosts an extensive Christmas light display during the holiday season.

My favorite time is Christmas when everything is decorated with beautiful ornaments and Christmas lights. I have hundreds of photographs of Christmas trees and ornaments that I've taken while visiting historical homes and gardens on my many travels. I publish them on my artist website so people can use them as greeting cards.
http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/art/all/all/all/+holiday+cards

Red Lion "Dave Fields" Jamming NYC

Cool place to hear live blues rock jamming on Monday nights. Walking down Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village:  great sounds pulled me through the doors of The Red Lion.

Big Ed's Blue Jam was the house band. Throughout the night musicians signed up to take their turn on stage. Most were seasoned performers. A lot of clapping going on when Dave Fields jumped on the stage with his guitar;  now I can understand why.               http://www.redlionnyc.com

Dave Fields is a contemporary blues/rock/guitarist/singer/songwriter. His fourth album "All In" is currently #2 on the RMR  Top 50 Blues chart. My favorite song is Voodoo Eyes.
                                                            http://www.davefields.com

Newest collection of intuitive paintings by NYC artist Joan Reese

Words taken from my latest review: Joan Reese's original paintings are rhythmic, textured,bold compositions; the colors are dense fiery and vibrant, or soft, transparent and cool. They demonstrate that Reese, continues to work with astonishing talent, passion and energy.http://arttalkinthecity.com/2014/12/13/intuitive-abstract-paintings-by-joan-reese-new-york-artist/

                    http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/art/all/lyrical+abstractions+paintings/all

Who originated the belief, "What goes around comes around"

When someone wrongs me, a friend or family member would say, "Don't worry," "What goes around comes around!" And I would say the same to friends who were hurt from others insensitivities.  I thought it originated in the Bible, but this belief has been around since the 7th century BC. in Hinduism. The belief is known as Karma.  http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/3-inspirational-saying-joan-reese.html?newartwork=true

Many western cultures have notions similar to karma, as demonstrated in the phrase "What goes around comes around. "Christian expressions similar to karma include "Reap what one sows" (Galatians:6:7) and "Live by the sword, die by the sword" (Matthew 26:50). 

Wicca teaches the rule of three, which states that whatever energy a person puts out in the world, be it positive or negative,  will be returned to the person three times.

In Hinduism, God plays a role and is seen as a dispenser of its version of karma. Upanishad of Hinduism 7th century BC wrote: "And whatever deed he does, that he will reap."

Generally, western popular culture portrays karma as a more supernatural mystical force then a perspective on causality. This is more similar to Hinduism's concept of karma then Buddhism.

I want to believe, "What goes around comes around," but in this society that seems to promote narcissism and greed. I have my doubts.  I would love to hear what other people feel about this matter.

Digital Paintings Give Old Photographs New Life

One of my favorite past time is spending hours in vintage stores or thrift stores that have boxes of old photographs. One of the owners of a vintage shop told me that he buys the contents of the homes of the deceased. I remember looking through a box; it had photo's of a person's full life, from the day he was born to his last day lying in his casket. I found it fascinating and strange. I created digital paintings from the three photographs below that were from the same box.
http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/strong-arm-pulling-rope-joan-reese.html

         http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/young-man-with-straw-hat-joan-reese.html

                      http://joan-reese.artistwebsites.com/featured/deep-in-thought-joan-reese.html

AMISH COUNTRY - LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

When growing up in Philadelphia, my family liked taking road trips. One of my fondest memory was visiting the Amish in Lancaster. I remember the farm roadside stands selling seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and applebutter.  Prices were marked on a sign. When you bought something, the Amish trusted you to leave the money through a slit on top of a metal box.
I was happy to see on my recent visit that they still used the honor system. Apparently it works!
          http://www.kitchenkettle.com/index.asp                                     PaDutchCountry.com

It is fascinating that the Amish is a subculture within a culture that can still survive and maintain its integrity. To us, on the outside, they have a quiet peacefulness about them that we long to have again.
-The Amish population has doubled over the past 20 years, with families of seven to 10 children are not uncommon.
-Amish schoolchildren typically end their formal schooling at the end of eighth grade, and the majority of them attend classes
 a one- or two-room Amish schoolhouse.                          www.SlydeWeaver.com

-Amish women never cut their hair. Unmarried Amish men generally remain cleanshaven. After they are married, they grow a beard.
-The Amish eschew electricity to avoid secular influences like computers, TV and radio. Instead, they might use hydraulics, solar panels, gasoline-powered generators, 12-volt batteries, bottled and/or pressurized gas and other nonelectrical means to light their homes and run their farm equipment, tools and certain household appliances.
--Travel by horse and buggy is the primary mode of transportation. Owning a car is not permitted.

Bicycles are not allowed, either, so many Amish use non motorized scooters. 

It Is a wonderful experience to visit Amish country and there are plenty
of interesting and beautiful places to stay, even at a Amish working farm.
http://www.bird-in-hand.com/places-to-eat/bird-in-hand-family-restaurant-smorgasbord/
www.strasburgscooters.com                   http://www.goodnplenty.com

Morning stroll through a Japanese garden; Evening danced among 5000 Jack O' Lanterns

The Japanese Stroll Garden serves as a model for teaching people about the value of the environment, horticultural design and Eastern traditions through lectures, walking tours, classes and workshops.http://www.hammondmuseum.org/   North Salem, NY 

 Historic Hudson Valley   http://visitsleepyhollow.com/things-to-do/great-jack-olantern-blaze/ 
See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o' lanterns in this elaborate walkthrough experience. Meander through an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display — all made of jack o' lanterns!

The Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O'Lantern to America. But, the original Jack O'Lantern was not a pumpkin. Pumpkins did not exist in Ireland. Ancient Celtic cultures in Ireland carved turnips on All Hallow's Eve, and placed an ember in them, to ward off evil spirits.

Only a three hour drive from New York City.

High Fashion Gift Ideas: Hand-painted Silk Scarves

High Fashion Gift Ideas: Hand-painted Silk Scarves

FASHIONABLE HOUSEWIVES OF USA

Latest Fashion and Celebrity News and Gossip blog

                                                       https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilkScarvesJoanReese

Proud Lady of the Trash Cans

Do you remember as a kid taking all the empty soda bottles back to the corner store to collect the deposit refunds?  That was my candy money.
Rain or shine this Chinese lady for over 20 years has been coming to our building collecting all the bottles she could find. She inspired me to write this poem.  This woman earned my respect, she works very hard and I think we can all learn a lesson from her.

Proud Lady

 by Joan Reese

    Asian Lady of many years

    Rummages East Village

    Tenement trash for bottles and cans.

    Yellow rubber gloved,

    She wipes containers clean.

    Garbage bags she fills

    To cash her find

    For nickels and dimes.

       

    Asian Lady of many years

    Hears building super holler,

    "Move your cart."

    She slowly departs.

    Asian Lady of many years

    I offer her a silver dollar.

    Proud Lady gently fans my hand away.

Chuang Yen Monastery- Mahayana Temple Retreat

   Visited two beautiful Buddhist Monasteries in the Catskill Mountains, New York.

The trees were wearing fall colors.  Chuang Yen Monastery is in Putnam County. The exterior design of the buildings is in the architectural style of  Tang Dynasty. The Kuan-yan  Hall was designed by the world famous architect I.M. Pei.  The Kuan-Yin  statue is the world's largest fine colored porcelain statue. Other sites include the thousand Locus Memorial Terrace, Yin-Kuang Hall and more. They offer workshops in Buddhism.

Chuang Yen Monastery   Carmel, NY           http://www.baus.org/en/

     Mahayana Temple Retreat     Leeds, N.Y. 
The grounds are beautiful and have scenic places such as  the bridge of longevity, the lake of setting free, the Buddhist hall, and Guanyin Hall. 
You can stay overnight for a retreat and eat from their garden vegetarian food.
  http://en.mahayana.us/?page_id=13

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's homes in Hyde Park, New York

After watching Ken Burns documentary on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt; I had a burning desire to see their actual homes in Hyde Park, New York. They were amazing human beings and Americans.  I learned a lot by visiting the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. They had several video slideshows that showed actual footage of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt speaking. They showed photographs from the great depression.  Roosevelt was also widely beloved for his role in repealing Prohibition. The rapid expansion of government programs that occurred during Roosevelt's term redefined the role of the government in the United States, and Roosevelt's advocacy of government social programs was instrumental in redefining liberalism for coming generations.
Franklin D. Roosevelt( 1882-1945) Family Home  www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu  http://www.biography.com/people/franklin-d-roosevelt-9463381#synopsis       

 Eleanor Roosevelt's home        http://www.nps.gov/elro/index.htm                   

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt( October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962) was an American politician. She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, holding the post from March 1933 to April 1945 during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office. President Harry S. Truman later called her the "First Lady of the World" in tribute to her human rights achievements. Eleanor became one of the only voices in the Roosevelt White House insisting that benefits be equally extended to Americans of all races.

http://www.biography.com/people/eleanor-roosevelt-9463366#synopsis