PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY – CITIBIKES

Citibikes are here to stay. They are everywhere, and I am seeing more and more people on them. The bikes are a good way to stay fit, and better yet, you don’t have to store them in your tiny city apartment. For a while the city – not the bank! – even gave out free helmets. Great promotion.

My problem with these bikes is that not everyone is wearing their helmet, and not everywhere remembers how to ride a bicycle. I almost had a heart attack when a woman on a Citibike crossed into oncoming traffic because she didn’t know how to break. I cringed with her, but luckily, all three cars stopped in time. However, my biggest problem with these bikes is that they obstruct my favorite view -- the bookstore. LOL!

Happy Friday! Happy July! –mcf

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY – UNION SQUARE

I love when I discover something new about my city. I found this new art circle at Union Square, where the gigantic silver statue of Andy Warhol used to “sit.” I tried looking for a plaque or something to give this piece a name, but couldn’t find anything. Wish there was an APP that you could send a photo to and it would identify the piece of art. But no matter what its identity, the circle is vibrant and lovely, with a tower at its head. Let’s enjoy it for arts sake. Happy Friday! –mcf

 

There's a little tower at the top of the circle.

Tower of London?

Sleeping Beauty's tower?

The possibilities are endless.

Happy Friday!

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY – GRAFFITI

I love walking around New York City.  You never know what you'll discover.  Here is some great graffiti I found on Warren Street, downtown.  The faces said:  Summer.

Happy Friday.

(The rain can be beautiful too.)

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY -- AMSTER YARD

I found the most beautiful and picturesque courtyard in the city -- Amster Yard at the Instituto Cervantes, an institution that was founded by the Spanish government in 1991, to promote the Spanish language and Spanish and Hispanic-American culture.  The best place to learn Spanish in the Big Apple!

I could spend hours there ... reading, writing, dreaming.  Care to join me?

The Muse

The oasis

Comfy chairs

The view... Up!

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY - FARMER'S MARKETS

   

I♥NY.  Especially the Farmer’s Markets around the city with smiling vendors selling everything from vegetables to flowers to honey to chocolate milk (my favorite!) to goat cheese to lamb’s wool.  It’s a great place to get your greens.  In fact, plenty of the city’s chefs visit these street markets to get fresh produce for their restaurants.  I’ve even seen Rachel Ray at them.  Visit a street market near you.  You’ll never know what you could find or whom.  Happy Friday!

  

Have a good weekend!

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY - STREET ART

 

I♥NY.  I especially love the street art created in sand – yes, sand! – by this wonderful street artist on Union Square.  I have to find out his name but I never want to interrupt the creative process. Maybe next time.   Enjoy!

Look at that color! those swirls! A Star Flower!

Artist at work.

See why I don't want to interrupt him.

Happy Friday

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY - LOVE BIRD

I love wandering around New York City.

You never know what you will find.

I found this "little" Love Bird

by the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street.

Lover Birdy has a rose in his mouth

and is as tough as nails.  (Pun intended!)

The message I got was:

Our love is strong.

What do you get?

Leave a comment.

Happy Spring!

PICTURE FRIDAY: THE EYES HAVE IT!

Big Sister is watching.

Live. Love. Laugh.

PICTURE FRIDAY: LIONS OF PONCE

Some of you may remember the cows that grazed all over New York City a while ago.  Companies bought the cows and decorated them at will for charity.  There was an Elvis cow, a cow with curlers in her hair, a Statue of Liberty cow, etc, etc, etc. 

Well, it seems the same was done in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  Only instead of cows, there are lions in Ponce.  And, if you know your history, you know the lions represent the Conquistador Ponce de Leon who explored Puerto Rico -- or Borinquen as the Tainos called the island paradise -- from end to end looking for a fountain of youth.  Here in all their glory are the Leones of Ponce that I found in the main Plaza during my last visit. 

And for a look at all the best places in and around Ponce, check out this video.   --mcf

This final lion is from the permanent fountain at La Plaza.

Ponce es Ponce.  Lo demas es parking.

  

PICTURE FRIDAY: I♥NY - WINDOW DRESSING

I love taking pictures.  In fact, once I toyed with the idea of becoming a professional photographer.  I did weddings, portraits, candids, and even sold some pictures at a tradeshow.  I became a writer instead, but I still love to take pictures of ...well, everything. 

Join me every week for Picture Friday, when I'll share with you some of my favorite photos.  Today's photos are some I took in January 2013 of the NYC windows on Fifth Avenue.  Enjoy! 

Ladies in Waiting

Mr. Metrosexual

Miss Cupcake 2012

(Her dress is made from cupcake wrappers!)

Shall we dance?!

I Am Unlimited!

Feel free to use these photos on your blog, with proper credit.