Over the years, I have sometimes had reason to take reupholstery projects to a basement off Waltham’s Moody Street. Last week was the first time I noticed a curious figure that has apparently been hanging in the shop for decades. The upholsterer’s wife told me they never knew what to make of it, and she’s afraid to take it down. It’s become a kind of mascot. I’m calling it Guy Noir, and I’m open to theories.
The other pictures I’m sharing today are on more familiar topics: the biking trail in Minuteman Park, forsythia shadows on a rock, a tree weeping sap, a yard in spring, a window at Isabella Stewart Gardner’s palace, the Nesting shop’s sign and grape-hyacinth display, and a Colonial Inn flower box.
If you know what kind of tree grows those decorative yellow tassels, I’d be glad to know learn the name.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Your tree reminds me of a silk tassel bush (tree) .. don’t know if it is though
Hmm. I looked up silk tassel bush on the web. I think I need to go back to that house and compare the leaves. I don’t think they were quite the same, but the tassels do look similar. Thanks for setting me in a direction.
It sure looks like spring! Except Guy–he looks like winter . . .
Guy Noir could use a warm scarf and gloves if he’s dealing with winter, but he stays indoors, so I guess he’s OK.
Deb! It’s a river birch. I went back and saw new birchlike leaves and some crazy bark. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=792