Fountain Pen Converters

I am cleaning fountain pens, rating them and getting ready to offer several for sale after my upcoming surgery. I discovered I have some odd ball converters that needed an identification and remembered the subject was covered at FPN by Wim.

From left to right (all are piston converters unless indicated otherwise): Lamy Z24 (Safari etc.), Lamy Z26 (Linea etc.), Stipula international size, Pelikan, Parker, Parker slide converter, Waterman old style, Waterman newest style, Waterman CF converter, Namiki/Pilot squeeze converter, Namiki Pilot (courtesy Wim, Fountain Pen Network)

Inoxcrom Converter

The Inoxcrom, like several others, is considered "an international converter" and fits into my Rotring 600N.

Let's all "Doodle"

What a refreshing take on doodling, something I support and do nearly every day, in one way or another.

The Jews of New York, PBS

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), PBS, Channel 19 here, presented, "Jews of New York," an hour long look at Jewish culture and an emphasis on its contribution to New York life.

History is always fascinating, and this history is no exception.  Learning about the origin of Mt. Sinai Hospital, listening to the team that produced, directed and wrote "Fiddler on the Roof," hearing the 70s New York City Mayor talk about his life, were just some of the subjects covered.

Hasidic Rabbi ©

If I have any issue with this presentation, it is that it was too short.

It got me so homesick and so hungry.

The last segment was about Russ & Daughters, a landmark on Houston Street where smoked fish is not a delicacy but a life saving remedy for any weekend blues.  Their new bagel special that includes wasabi sure sounds like something to try on a Saturday morning.


To all who observe, or celebrate this holiday, Happy New Year!

Strange Fruit, Billie Holiday

Lyrics | Billie Holiday lyrics - Strange Fruit lyrics

Democracy Now were on live feed until nearly midnight from Georgia, ending with this song, and only after the officials insisted they leave. 


Rest in Peace, Troy Davis.

Let me introduce you to my...neighbours!

When Wanderers Cease to Roam

With many thanks to Cathy (Kate) Johnson and her Artists Journals Workshop blog and book, I discovered Vivian Swift's amazing memoir, "When Wanderers Cease to Roam, A Traveler's Journal on Staying Put."  It was the single book in the Artists Journal Workshop bibliography that I had never heard of before.   I know that other books Cathy Johnson recommends have most often hit the spot for me so with a captivating title, I hit buy.

Bloemgracht, Amsterdam ©

The title resonated strongly for me as a former wanderer myself, although now nearly settling for a sedentary life, almost, but not quite and hopefully not always and forever.

Swift's memoir, hand written in beautiful lettering and drawn with ink and watercolour is delightful, engaging, sparkles with wit and exhibits incredible observatory skill.  Observation is often the key to good writing and good drawing and Ms. Swift seems to have mastered them both.   The little town in which she settled takes on major proportion as she explores each day, each week, each month, imparting the small, the mundane, the simple, the philosophical.

Each month is a chapter and each evening I read and admire her ability to convey what makes a day for one person, and often is what could be my day.

It appears Vivian Swift has a blog and is working on another book, but this time she travels much farther than Main Street.

Green Pond, Sherman, CT ©

As I sit at my large antique desk with a lap top, and view the world outside, I too remember the days, nights, the light outside, the glow inside, the people, the adventures, and the variation of time and place.

Pity I didn't write more of it down.

Danny Does Tommy

Danny Gregory take 5 with Tommy Kane and cinematographer Jack Gregory. 

What a blast!  

A walking distant neighbourhood from my old haunts in New York looking mighty arty and even spiffy through this lens.


Red Hook - a film about Tommy Kane from DannyGregory on Vimeo.

Remember 9-11-2001

9-11-2002, Envelope Art ©

Remember September Mailart 2002-2009

A Most Remarkable Exhibit: Shay's Door

If you are a New Yorker, former or present, or in love with the Apple and its exuberant history, you very well may enjoy this new exhibit of Shay's Door.  Shay's Door is the very door, signed by more than 200 Greenwich Village luminaries, that once in 1920-25, sat near to a corner on Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village Bookstore.

For me, a person who lived and loved all things Village, the discovery of the door, hidden away for years in Texas (yes, Texas) and now revealed with most of the signatures and their personage uncovered, is like finding a hundred dollar bill or several on the corner of Carmine and Bleecker Streets--enough to buy pounds of Pete's Blend coffee at Portorico or an espresso and pastry at any one of the by-gone days cafes--most notably for me at the corner of MacDougal and Bleecker Street,  Figaro.

Sicilian Door, 2005  ©

Doors, of all kinds, shapes, sizes and colours have fascinated me and this exhibit had me very excited.

The entire exhibit is on line and can be read, savoured and take us back to one of several Village heydays.

Phenomonalogy?

This interview with Professor Julian Isaacs has me thinking, consciously.  For a great while I was very engaged in the study of phenomenon and parapsychology.  Although the subject remains a major interest of mine, my studies in recent years has declined.   Isaacs makes some interesting points, and Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, as always asks good questions.




As science advances it is not unlikely that the mystery of mind and matter will reveal answers, although not necessarily any answer heretofore postulated.