Katie's House

Katie DeProspo, 82, a Bronx resident for 63 years, is a victim of elderly abuse. Her tenants stopped paying rent two years ago. What was once a secure source of income has become a nightmare. Not only is Ms. DeProspo facing foreclosure, her tenants refused paying rent and became confrontational causing Ms. DeProspo to collapse and require a pacemaker and walker. 

I've started a campaign to help with her expenses and create awareness of her situation. She needs legal assistance to go through NYC housing courts. To find out more, please click the link below. 

Help Katie Here

Katie DeProspo shows a pile of  overdue bills that have stacked up.

Katie DeProspo sits in her kitchen, the only room with air conditioning. 

Religious mementos and photographs of her late husband adorn her kitchen.

A friend and Ms. DeProspo admire a portrait drawing of Katie from her youth. 

Katie DeProspo and mini poodle Lily

Katie DeProspo and Lily hug.

Katie DeProspo greets visitors at the door. 

Her home health aid checks on Ms. DeProspo as her children playfully hide from Lily.

(My) Bronx Backyard Garden

When I moved to New York City from North Texas, I expected a lot of things, none of which was having a vegetable garden. But I have one. And stuff is actually growing. Quite well. It's been a labor of love and respite from the hustle of NYC life. During an event I was photographing at a five star restaurant in Manhattan, I was having smalltalk with someone. They asked where I lived in the city and I said the Bronx. The person replied, "You know...I have never met anyone who lives in the Bronx." I didn't know exactly how to respond but felt no disrespect. Often while tending the garden, I've thought about that conversation and think to myself, I'm glad I live where I do because I have this, a Bronx backyard garden.

Carrots

Honeydew melon

Container color

Pond with koi

Green Beans

Red Pepper

Yellow mini tomatoes

Blizzard NYC 2013

New York City with lots of snow! After the storm Friday, Saturday gave way to sunshine and beautiful powdery snow. 

L

Walking in the Bronx

Bronx streets

Clearing skies in the Bronx 

Sunshine in Central Park

Snow covered Ramble in Central Park

People everywhere to see the snow in Central Park

Two Three Island and Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York

The largest park of the five boroughs, Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park, is a favorite destination for thousands of sun seekers during the summer months. However, I visited on a stunningly beautiful, densely foggy day during January. The scenery was eery and enchanting with only a few joggers and lots of ducks, seagulls and Canadian geese. During low tide, the walk to Two Three Island was accessible and worth the trek.

The dense fog made it seem like a dream

One of a handful of people seen during the morning

Orchard Beach sits empty in January

The trek to Two Three Island

Through the trees and down the path to Two Three Island

The seagull sits on a seemingly floating rock

Two Three Island falls into the fog filled bay

Simpson Street, Bronx, NY - 2/5 Trains

This station has a great view of the tracks so I went to check it out. This is what I saw on a late afternoon in November...

Afternoon light makes tracks look vibrant

View from above, loved the light

View from above

the platform

Sidewalk car ride

Stained glass window on station platform