Day 161

Portal of the day

June 8th, 2012


Day 161

Some serious railing

June 8th, 2012



It ain't kiddin' around.

Day 161



Day 161

Botanical sellouts

June 8th, 2012


Day 161



Day 161




I believe the last election for which ballots would have been cast here at PS 5 was this doozy back in late March.




Unlike its Franklin Avenue counterpart, this painting contains (an approximation of) a full-on infinite regress.

Day 161




They don't quite compare to wild blackberries, but I'll take what I can get.

Day 161




Like our friend Rubel, Mr. Dietz dealt in coal and ice. He's featured in this history of the neighborhood's ice industry, a wonderful window on the days when the ice man still made his rounds.

Day 161

So close!

June 8th, 2012



I thought today was finally going to be my day, but this kid just horsed around for a while without ever inserting a quarter.

Day 161

The flag man

June 8th, 2012



Each year, during the lead-up to the massive Puerto Rican Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, Tony sets up a little store outside his house here in Bushwick. Miles from the parade route, he sells flags, t-shirts, and other memorabilia (there was much more stuff on display to the right of this photo) to neighbors and passersby.

Day 161

Keepin’ it cool

June 8th, 2012



on a hot June afternoon

Day 161



Day 161

Hey, knucklehead!

June 8th, 2012



That was the greeting I received from Mr. Williams as I passed by his house here in Bed-Stuy. I asked him how he knew I was a knucklehead. His reply: "Because I am the Son of God." By the end of our subsequent conversation — of which I remember very little; I suppose that's what happens when you're in the presence of the SoG — "knucklehead" had become a fond term of endearment, and Mr. Williams insisted we perform a thug hug ("like they do in prison") before I departed.

Day 161

Sidewalk memorial

June 8th, 2012


Day 161

Nicest barbers around?

June 8th, 2012



Wake me up when you're the nicest in the world.

Day 161

Kofi from Togo

June 8th, 2012



Wandering the streets, playing Bob Marley tunes (among others)