POISSON D'AVRIL/APRIL FOOLS

April 1st fast approaches, and I thought it might be nice to celebrate with this small selection of turn of the century French fantasy postcards that celebrate "Poisson d'Avril", the equivalent of April 1st
or April Fools day.

Many cultures throughout history have celebrated Spring with a sense of relief, release and frivolity and though the true origin of this holiday remains a little murky, the general theory is that it came with the French change to the Gregorian calendar ordered by King Charles IX in 1582. Before the calendar shift to January 1, people had celebrated the New Year on or around April 1st, following the Spring equinox. In the days before instant news and email, many were left out and or didn't get with the program and were referred to as "April Fish". They were often on the receiving end of hoaxes and pranks and thus came the beginnings of April Fools.

POISSON D'AVRIL/APRIL FOOLS

Serendipity Knocks

Occasionally, when doing street photography, "serendipity knocks". It is rare as hell,and remains one of my favorite kinds of photographs.

SERENDIPITY KNOCKS

DOORS OF NEW YORK CITY

I came across this top door last week, and of course it reminded me of an appropriate intro to an ever expanding file on the "Doors of New York City"

DOORS OF NEW YORK CITY

words on walls

Everyone has something to say, whether politics, poetry, or romantic pronouncements. Humorous aphorisms compete with deranged rants and New York city walls offer a constant comment canvas for free expression of it all....

WORDS ON WALLS

Shopwindow Sweeties