Author: Stacy Horn

I went to see the newly renovated Gems and Minerals exhibit, and to go to a planetarium show. My god but planetarium shows are transporting. I would actually pay double to just sit there and have them move through the stars, with only a little commentary about what I’m seeing. Being able to see stars and the Milky Way would actually be the one thing that might get me to ever leave New York City.

I loved the new Gems and Minerals exhibit, but I discovered that I’m not as curious about how they are formed as I thought I would be. Or maybe I’d rather read a book about it, or see a movie. That said, I loved looking at all the objects and learning a little about them. Such natural beauty. It’s insane.

This just made me think of a fun project! A cabinet of curiosities! I should start one. I have a cabinet. I don’t love it, but I could start with that.

None of my pictures captured the beauty of the gems and minerals, so I’m posting a picture of what was once my favorite thing about the museum.

This ironwork was for a building that was once a bank. Why doesn’t anyone make this kind of effort to ornament buildings anymore? This first shot is so you can see it all in context (ignore the scaffolding in front).

I have almost no pictures of myself growing up. Most were lost in a basement flood. My cousin Debbie so kindly sent me some pictures she had of me. I’ve never seen these before.

This is my favorite, because it feels so back in time. I’m five years old in this shot, and I believe it was taken at my grandparents home in Jamaica Estates, Queens, New York. Doesn’t it look like a picture out of a storybook? What a privileged upbringing I had.

My first communion! I loved my outfit so much.

I’m thrilled to have this one. Me as a tween! An awkward looking tween, which I guess is normal for the age. This one is special because I’m at a pool. For those who don’t know, I’m very into swimming. Talk about a privileged upbringing. This must have been taken at the Huntington Crescent Club, a country club my family belonged to. My mother later told me that we were struggling financially and my father refused to give up the membership and various bills couldn’t be paid as a result. My father started his own business, which worked out well eventually.

As I have bragged many times, my cousin William Kaelin won “the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with two other physician-scientists for unraveling a molecular mechanism that not only is crucial to survival, but is entwined with cancer and other diseases.” Because of Covid we weren’t able to celebrate until last October. Here are a few more pictures.

This is the picture I desperately tried to get myself but mine did not come out well. This is the Nobel Prize winner jumping for joy at the end of the evening. It was one of the sweetest, happiest things I’ve ever seen. That is my brother Douglas to his right.

The Nobel Prize winner … dancing I think. I just like seeing pictures of him looking so happy.

My brother Douglas, me (looking odd but it’s one of only three pictures I have of myself there!) and Bill’s date (I can’t remember her name, lovely person, so sorry).

Douglas again (what can I say, he makes a good picture) dancing with one of our nieces, Lauren.

Me with Bill. I wish I had made an effort with my hair and makeup! But oh well. I’ll do better the next time someone I know wins a Nobel Prize.

Walking to work through snow heaven. My friends hate when I talk like this but I wish it would snow MORE. I want more blizzards. I took this on the way to work after last week’s snow fall. Here is the perfect soundtrack for this post.