year of the Rat

This is the year of the Rat. I'm wondering if the rats in New York City are going to bring us luck or if it will be a good year for rat breeding. After I read my Chinese horoscope I learned that it will be an awful year for those of us born in the year of the horse - in every aspect.

And what a way to start the new year being reminded of that. You see these inflatable rats around the city the union workers display outside construction projects to protest non-union contracts. This one is near Union Square. I've seen them in two sizes, this is the smaller one.

almost springtime in New York City

It's almost springtime in New York City. ..

Today there was an awful lot of bird chirping on the streets and pigeon poop on my terrace. This photo was taken in Central Park, it's the first robin I've seen this year.