A blog about New York City, my books, and my cats. Mostly.
I was thinking I’d need clothes for my new job at the ASPCA’s Kitten Nursery. After working from home for years, all I’ve got is jeans and tshirts for the most part. But then I remembered watching a video of the Kitten Lady visiting the Nursery. Everyone wears gowns and caps all the time. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing!
While researching lunatic asylums for my book about Blackwell’s Island, I came across a brief reference to what I thought was a very bizarre case. “A little girl, three years and four months old, evincing unequivocal symptoms of mental disorder, was admitted in the early part of the year. The mental disorder was recent. This case, so interesting on account of the age and mental peculiarities, still continues under treatment.” That’s all it says. There are no details or descriptions of the disorder. But it comes from the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital in 1853, from the notes of Dr. John Curwen, Superintendent.
At first I got all judge-y about about diagnosing a toddler, and of course it was a little girl vs a boy. But apparently toddlers aren’t diagnosed enough, under the mistaken belief that children don’t develop disorders that early. According to the article in that link, they can.
Just kidding. I thought someone famous was doing some shopping inside (like Ivanka shops at Old Navy) and I even took a look. But no. So I asked them. They told me they roam the City and are assigned all over the place, mostly as a show of force, and to be ready just in case anyone (terrorist) tries something.
Anyone who knows me knows I love snow, so blizzards make me ecstatic. I plan to be outside and playing, and taking pictures. Please impress me, storm!
Creepy plushie costume. The cross adds a whole level of creepiness, I think. PS: I love everything about the outfit, accessories, and hairstyle of the girl to its right.
I went to a performance by Choral Chameleon on Friday. It was such an exciting, inventive program. The music was beautiful, and I saw and heard things I’d never heard before. I wish it wasn’t too late for you all to go, but the concerts were on Friday and Saturday. Their next concerts are on June 9 and 11, however. Although it’s a different program I’m sure it will be just as breathtaking.
From their website about the music they’ll be performing in June: A concert that plays with beginnings and endings – exploring aleatory, electroacoustic music, loop pedals and minimalism.
The singers exiting the stage.
