First day of spring - Circling City Island

We're a week short of the liturgical first day of spring -  Fat Tuesday - but that is just convenience and convention.  The real first day is the first one on the water.  That was today - when I rowed around City Island in my 8 foot plastic Walker Bay skiff.

Duke Snider, a Prince of New York’s Golden Age of Baseball, Dies at 84 - NYTimes.com

When I was a boy New York was blessed with three great center fielders - Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider, and Willie Mays - the greatest of three greats. We lost The Duke of Flatbush yesterday. I was a Dodger fan - and so a Snider partisan. I saw him play at Ebbetts Field. I remember falling asleep at a twilight-night double-header against the St. Louis Cardinals.  I saw The Duke and the Cards' Stan Musial hit home runs that night over the towering - but near right field fence on the Bedford Avenue side of the stadium.

Duke Snider, a Prince of New York’s Golden Age of Baseball, Dies at 84 - NYTimes.com

Snowy Day - Tidemark Gallery

Sign of spring: Tidemark Gallery in Waldoboro, Maine announces it will reopen on March 2.

Dr. Ruth and Nate Berkus on Clearing Clutter - NYTimes.com

Dr. Ruth and Nate Berkus on Clearing Clutter - NYTimes.com

Tugster: Blog for 'Sixth Borough,' the Waterfront - NYTimes.com

Tugster: Blog for 'Sixth Borough,' the Waterfront - NYTimes.com

Finally - recognition for the work of Will VanDorp - Tugster - for whom every ship and every tide brings a new sense of wonder about the harbor.   And fter you check out Tugster, go to his pen and ink counterpart - Bowsprite

Friendship - President's Day 2011

slideshow HERE

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos


Below an infant elephant takes its first steps.  Astonishing, delightful video footage.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

I just want you to know that I already owned The Suburbs by Arcade Fire - the Canadian Group which won album of the year.  I'm so relieved that there is something current that I know about.   I've never seen American Idol, I didn't recognize any of the groups on the Times top 10 downloads list (except for Rihanna - who I've heard of but couldn't identify any of her songs).  So here's my favorite by Arcade Fire.

Happy V Day - Bowsprite style

Thanks to Bowsprite

W. O. DECKER (1930)
Hull Material: WOOD
Ship Builder: Russell Drydock. Rebuilt in 2005-2006, C. Deroko et al.
Length (ft.): 47.8
Hull Depth (ft.): 5.6
Gross Tonnage: 27
Net Tonnage: 18

8TH SEA (1953)
Hull Material: STEEL
Ship Builder: American Electric Welding
Length (ft.): 45
Hull Depth (ft.): 7.9
Gross Tonnage: 29
Net Tonnage: 23

See Tugster’s site for more romantic shots: http://tugster.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/noses-3/

The science of kissing : philematology. Contribute to science…kiss a tugwoman/tugman.

Happy Valentine's Day - 情人节快乐

Happy Valentine's Day! 

情人节快乐！

- George