Yummy pastries

Julia Child once said, "I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate."

Jesus Loves You, even in a NY subway

I spotted this elderly woman in a subway station under the roads of New York City. By number of stations, New York has the largest subway system in the world and you never know who you will see or what you will see people doing. This woman has decided to tell others that Jesus loves them. It is a simple task that she told me she was called to do. 

Pastor Rick Warren once stated, "God is looking for people to use, and if you can get usable, he will wear you out. The most dangerous prayer you can pray is this: 'Use me.'" I smile when I see people being worn out :)

We all have a job

Throughout the morning, this homeless man in New York opens the door for McDonalds guest. He stands on the ready holding the door open with his foot as he sees guest about to exit. To him, this is his job.

“Every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone.” ― Lloyd Alexander

Location: McDonald's 972 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10018

A motorcycle wreck landed him on the streets

As he came out of his tent I noticed he had trouble balancing. He stepped out and used a milk crate as a seat to sit down and lace his boots. He had to tie the boots by placing the shoelace into the creases of his hands because he could not fully bend his fingers as his hands were in a fixed position.

I asked, "Do you have arthritis?" He said, "No, I had a motorcycle accident a number of years ago and broke my back. It took me months to learn how to walk again. I never regained the full use of my hands. It was the second time I had an accident, only this time it was much worse then the first." I asked him what kind of bike he was on and he smiled, "It was on my Harley." He laughed and told me. "The wreck was in my own back yard... I knew there was a hole in the ground, just didn't see it."

Take the picture, now go "F" yourself

As I approached him I tried to start a conversation, but it was not going anywhere. I lifted my camera to my eye and he said, "Take the photo!" I clicked and I heard, "Now go F*$# yourself!" I smiled and said thanks - will do, or something along those lines. 

"You can't please everyone, and you can't make everyone like you." - Katie Couric 

Acid poured on my legs

I had to lean in close to hear her as she was very soft spoken, but friendly. “Why do you have a walker,” I asked with curiosity? She said, “A homeless woman poured acid on my left leg, I spent 32-days in the hospital and my muscle was fully exposed.” She told me that she too was homeless at the time, but is now staying at a shelter in Washington, DC.

Airline service workers want 5-cent fee added to tickets to cover insurance costs

Commercial aviation helps to create some 11-million jobs in America. If that is not enough to get your attention, I don’t know what will?

While in Washington D.C., I stumbled upon a major protest on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House. The wind was blistering cold and I struggled to take photos without my gloves on, but I wanted to make sure I captured the emotion that was stirred up by the workers who were asking for help to cover the cost of their personal medical insurance.

The group of airline industry service workers were asking for the airline companies they work for to add a nickel to the cost of every ticket sold in hopes of acquiring better health insurance for their families. The group suggested that an additional 5-cents added to every ticket would cover the cost of their family medical insurance plan, which right now is unaffordable for many. Their website stated, “We will be forced to pay the Obama Care Income Tax Fine for declining to purchase this un-affordable insurance.” That 5-cents per ticket, according to the protestors, would cover their expense.  

I walked in close for these shots as I was using my small 23mm fixed lens Fuji X100s. Those who were protesting seemed to be too busy shouting what they felt was needed for their family to even notice my encroachment into their personal space. Several police officers asked me to step back as they began making arrests while the crowd deliberately blocked the flow of traffic in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue.

After 15 or more protestors were arrested, the chants continued. The big question that lingers, will that additional 5-cents be added to the cost of an airline ticket and if so, will it be noticed by the traveling public? Only time will tell.

I have to buy diapers

I listen to stories, I don't question them... 

"Can we take you to a shelter tonight, it will be about 2-degrees later this evening with a windchill in the negatives," I asked? He looked down at his sign as if to think about the question, then held his sign up. It read, "I need money to buy diapers for my son." 

I said, "You don't need to stay in a tent tonight, you will literally freeze to death." He said to me, "I just need a few dollars, I have to buy diapers for my son. He doesn't live with me, he lives with his mom in an apartment - but I have to buy him diapers... diapers... can I have a few dollars?" I said, "I'm not here to hand out money, I'm here to take you to a shelter so you don't die tonight in the cold." With a trembling tone due to the cold he said, "I'll be okay, I'll be fine... I just need a few dollars." 

I told him to call the police department if he changes his mind about sleeping in the cold, informing him that they won't ask any questions tonight - they will simply take you to the shelter. 

I will play my trumpet for you

With a handkerchief held tightly in his left hand as he grasped his trumpet while steadily pushing the keys down with the right, "When the Saints - Go Marching in..." Every once in a while he would drop the trumpet to his side singing with the raspy tone of Louis Armstrong.

On an interesting side note, Armstrong (nicknamed Pops or Satchmo) also played with a handkerchief in his left hand when playing the trumpet or cornet. Armstrong died at the age of 70 in 1971.

"Musicians don't retire; they stop when there's no more music in them."  - Louis Armstrong

Translated through a smile

I shot this picture in Haiti. I could not understand a word this gentleman was saying, but his smile said it all.

“Small children will talk to anyone, once the guard of shyness has fallen, and they have, like the elderly, a sense of immediacy, a need to say or do something, now, now, the minute it is thought of, combined with that other sense, of the complete irrelevance of time.” 
― Susan Hill