A Bird in the Hand...
Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Even though we've been unpacking every day, we try and get out of the apartment
for a break, and walk around the city. We've also learned to never leave without the camera in hand.
Wandering down Clarendon, we spotted this white, glazed, terra-cotta bird sitting
comfortably in its nest above an apartment building doorway. Neither one of us had ever seen any terra-cotta ornamentation quite like it. As I was taking the picture, I recalled hearing a phrase about a bird in the hand, but couldn't remember much more than that.
The next day we were out and about and passed this great building that looked like it had
been recently rehabbed, but stood vacant. We weren't sure if this was another example of the economic depression, or simply a lull in the redevelopment process. As we were admiring some of the decorative metal work that surrounded the doors and window openings, we came upon a pigeon roosting above the door. Another bird in the hand resting among the architecture.
So yesterday, I Googled "bird in the hand" and found the entire phrase: "A Bird in the Hand
is Worth Two in the Bush." I was surprised to see so many search results with so many explanations of the meaning, which boils down to; value what you have rather than trying to get more than you need, and risk losing everything.
I also came upon a Mae West reinterpretation, "A man in the house is worth two in the
street." And, we completed our first full week as Chicagoans.
Posted by designslinger at 6/15/2009 2:15 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Ephemera, Decorative Arts
Tags: Terra-cotta idioms and phrases
Categories: Architecture, Ephemera, Decorative Arts
Tags: Terra-cotta idioms and phrases
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