Month: May 2016

It’s my birthday week and I am turning very seriously old: 60. Jesus. Definitive old lady territory. No two ways about it, old, old, old. Anyway, I’m trying to do one nice thing for myself every day. Today I’m treating myself to a haircut. Nothing drastic, but wish me luck. It will either be tears or me doing that Marlo Thomas twirl from That Girl (thank you, Karen). (But I need a parasol.) Or, I could do the Mary Tyler Moore throw your hat up in the air, “You’re going to make it after all” twirl. I have a hat.

Last night my friends Dimitra and Peter paid for my dinner because it was my birthday week. Thank you, Dimitra and Peter!

Hanksy’s mural of Donald Trump on Orchard Street. Thank you, Hanksy.

I just brushed him. Although this time was for his comfort, it’s been hot and humid, he’s a shed-monster and because of him I look like a crazy cat lady wherever I go.

Seriously, he’s a walking Twilight Zone episode. If I just think of him my clothes get covered in cat hair. No matter how much I brush him the brush comes away with great big wads of hair. His body is a never ending source. Sob.

On June 1, I’m going to talk about my book, Unbelievable: Investigations into Ghosts, Poltergeists, Telepathy, and Other Unseen Phenomena from the Duke Parapsychology Laboratory. The show starts at 10 (but I’m going on later) and you can listen here and also chat with other guests. To call in and ask questions the number is: (786) 245-8127. (The show will be archived at www.skywatchersradio.com if you miss it.)

A view of uptown from my train window.

Several weeks ago I visited the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York looking for any items related to Blackwell’s Island. I found some, and a few fascinating pieces, but I’m not sure if any relate to what I’m doing with the book. But what a beautiful place it is. I envy the people who work (and attend the Seminary) there.

A view inside an enchanting tree on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Seminary. My friend Ellen Tarlow should write a book about the world inside that tree.

Going through the gate to enter the Archives.

I was looking for pictures of the buildings on Blackwell’s Island so I could describe them better, and I came across a great series of pictures on the Museum of the City of New York’s image collection. The Museum’s enlargement feature is the best I’ve come across, and I was able to zoom in on and grab some clear pictures of faces.

This was the first I found. What a face, no? It’s heart-breaking because I know it almost 100% likely that nothing good came of this young man’s life after this.