Happy 2015 and big thank you | Why I haven't been blogging

{Spring, Princeton}

In case anyone is still checking this blog, I wanted to say an official goodbye (for now). After an unexpectedly long period of work travel, I was looking forward to blogging again. Then I got sick. It was cancer. Luckily, my prognosis is favorable, but this space will remain quiet while I concentrate on my health.

Although I have not been able to return your kind comments and notes in my absence, I want to thank you all for making my blogging experience so lovely and enriching.

Below, some (pre-hiatus) farewell photos... Sending you best wishes for a happy, healthy 2015!

{Early spring, New York}

{Summer, Boston}

{Summer, San Diego}

{Last but not least: Kona the canoeing canine, Princeton summer}

Old Nassau

I think I've shown Nassau Hall in almost every season except winter (most recent glimpse was autumn). This was the last of a late afternoon photo-walk. The sun was already fading.

Enjoy your weekend. I'll be taking a break because of work travel and visitors. Be well, see you soon!

Late afternoon III

Hurrying from yesterday's traffic, you'll soon see another dormitory at the edge of the university. Our tiny train (the 'Dinky') once stopped right out front (causing great disturbance to the students!).

Late afternoon II

Rush hour in Princeton (all those cars are headed into town) is brief but intense. That's Holder Tower, modeled after Canterbury Cathedral in Kent UK, and part of Princeton's burst of dormitory construction in 1909 - continuing into the First World War - for a growing student population.

Late afternoon

Henry Moore's Oval with Points (inspired by an elephant skull) glows in the sun. Just before I left for Cambridge, Massachusetts, I caught a few sunny afternoon moments. I'm glad I did as it's been rather grey since.

Weekend explorations: Pedal power

On the streets of Philadelphia... the pedal-powered pubcrawler. Imbibe, work out, and see the sights! Designated drivers (in St. Patrick's Day green) included.

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: A tiny tour II

Through the looking glass at Harvard's Science Center. Just a few blocks beyond are (below) the blue plaques of Irving Street, marking the home of psychologist William James (#95) and birthplace of poet e e cummings (across the street). A few doors over is the grey home of American culinary icon Julia Child, who lived and worked for 40 years at #103, broadcasting her shows from its kitchen (now housed at a Smithsonian Museum). Enjoy your weekend!

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: A tiny tour

Fun sights: Meerschaums at 127-year-old tobacco shop, Leavitt & Peirce. Below (clockwise from top left), sign for the most expensive sandwich in Harvard Square - $100 caviar "Catherine the Great" (sold here), mini ice rink, thoughtful public bike repair stand, free street corner 'library', and a lovely independent used bookseller (dying breed).

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Whispering arches

Of Sever Hall, Harvard Yard (next to yesterday's library). If you whisper directly into the bricks on one side of the arched doorway, you can hear it on the other side of the arch, 12 feet away.

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Fun Sever story: Writer Gertrude Stein once took a class from psychologist William James (Henry's brother) and during a final exam in Sever, wrote in her exam book: "Dear Professor James, I am so sorry but really I do not feel like an examination paper in philosophy today.” She received a response the next day: “Dear Miss Stein, I understand perfectly how you feel. I often feel like that myself.” James gave her the highest mark in the class.

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Widener Library

Harvard Yard: Walk through yesterday's photo and say hello to 'the mothership' of Harvard's enormous library system, named after a student who died on the Titanic. There's a Gutenberg Bible in there + 57 miles of bookshelves so labyrinthine you could put a minotaur in the middle and no one would notice.

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Enter to grow in wisdom

On a winter's day last week: One of many gates leading into Harvard Yard (where a few years back, one professor exercised his 200-year-old right to graze cows). The arched walkway runs under a freshman dormitory, Wigglesworth, once home to Leonard Bernstein and other famed former students.

Rush hour

On Princeton University campus. I'll be taking a break next week - enjoy your weekend, see you soon!

From a private collection

Two Alexander Calder works are on loan to Princeton University through June, "The Kite that Never Flew" (left) and "Man." Both were installed on a rare snow-free day in January, below. (Doesn't the wrapped-up "Man" look Trojan horse-y? Open at your own risk, Princeton.)

Snow fun

Who needs man-made playgrounds when there's snowy fields? No more melting - the cold is back, brrr!

Snow Man

In mid-melt, I'm afraid, but still rather life-like!

Sunny afternoons

It was 1C/30F late Sunday, heat wave! Fields and woods are still snowy, but this bench looks ready for 'benchwarmers' soon.

Happy Friday!

In the distance, two friends were running about, enjoying the snow and sunset. Enjoy your weekend!

Swirled tree

I always liked the slightly swirled bark on this tree, reminds me of marbled cake! With new snowfall like cake frosting. (Winter weather makes me hungrier than usual.)

My Congressman IS a Rocket Scientist

Seen on many cars here. Our Congressional representative, Rush Holt, a physicist, is retiring after eight long terms in Congress. He was an unusual Congressman - advocating for and securing funds to support scientific research and education, social equity, environmental conservation and suicide prevention in the military.

Winding down

Ending the day in pastel. Looks like a cross country skier had fun here.

Thoughtful gestures

Amid more snow and -15C/2F temps, someone thoughtfully hung a bird seed bell. (Some days ago, when sidewalks became treacherous ice rinks and I had to walk on the road, a sweet older couple stopped their car and asked with concern if I needed a lift - the kindness of strangers!)

Snow white

Just after a wiggly dog pulled my arm off center, and before the camera froze, a moment of fresh snow. Enjoy your weekend!

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(Below, as refuge from the storm, watching the Beatles' U.S. television debut 50 years ago - the Beatles were an early love - Happy V-day:)

Let's forget that upcoming storm

We are being hit by our 3rd severe winter storm in less than 1.5 weeks! So forgive me if my mind wanders back to last winter...The weather was (unbelievably) warm enough for this bride to be outdoors on a January afternoon, swanning about the Princeton Battlefield in fancy dress - seems a world ago!

Fancy some chili?

Warm food and colorful un-suit on a cold day. This is the local outpost of Whole Foods - overpriced, but with good food samples:)  Thanks to this gentleman for posing!

Snow walrus

Despite ice, falling branches and power outages, people still had fun outside! I loved this walrus.

Ice blossoms

Almost like fresh "spring blooms" bursting forth. Just pretend that blue sky is warm, not -10C/12F!

Looking up

Taking refuge from snow and ice, Princeton University Chapel. I'm ready for spring. Enjoy your weekend!

The ice storm

Yet another storm swept through yesterday, leaving beauty and destruction. Many are still without power.

The unintentional shot

I wanted a shot of peaceful geese on a pond, but our Kona girl (below) tried to give chase and off they flew.

{I deserve a belly rub for interrupting your picture}

Yesterday's winter storm

I spoke too soon in my last post - no thaw in sight!

Winter morning

Back from (work) travels and the polar vortex is loosening its grip, yay! Even the geese are flying again (specks in 1st photo). A cross country skier (2nd photo) enjoyed the sunrise with me.

This month many years ago

"This is hallowed ground. Across these fields in the early light of the third of January 1777, Washington's Continentals defeated British regulars for the first time in the long struggle for American independence." Portico and sign by the tomb of unknown American and British soldiers, Princeton Battlefield. Unplowed snow blocked my path to the battlefield, but I found these January 2013 snaps. (More battlefield here and here.)

I'm taking a break next week. Enjoy your weekend, see you soon!

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P.S. Below, Friday AM forecast is -20C/-8F (thanks to Jack for the Fahrenheit reminder) - far colder than Alaska's 2-3C. No wonder my camera's protesting.