My Top Life Moments from 2024!

Posted on by Markman

In no particular order this year because how could I rank them, each one was awesome in it’s own way. Actually the last one I mention was probably the best. Can you guess what it was before scrolling all the way down?

First Up, Baby Bunnies born in the flowerpot on the deck, again!

I awoke, to my utter surprise one morning, to notice that three baby bunnies had been born in the same old flowerpot that previous generations of buns had been born in, running around the deck, in between the various pots. I suppose we were first alerted to their presence when we realized that Carson never came up to the bed last night. He was watching the bunny action apparently. We put out some carrot strings in the afternoon and by early evening, they were eaten, most likely by the one bunny that is still hanging around, although after today, I would imagine it will be on it’s way to it’s life’s adventure.

Visiting my first Salt cave Experience!

We had a “free” couple of days to stay at the Cape which we obtained last summer so we finally decided to use it up this weekend. So back down to Earth-3 we went. (Earth-3 being the place down the Cape that we regularly stay at – a time share that we have). So we arrived Friday night and we ended up using a gift certificate to a local restaurant that we’ve gone to a bunch of times and got rid of that. (The gift certificate was also a “freebie” since they messed up our later last time and this was the way amends were made). So that all worked out quite well.

Some other fun things we got to do on this mini-vacation was, as usual, our multiple visits to the Chocolate Sparrow, a place we love to get our treats from. We grabbed a brunch from a place called Grumpies and they weren’t grumpy at all. In fact, I’d say the food was actually really good. I would go back there. We got much needed massages from a lady we know down there who is amazing, and those felt really good. Late Saturday night LD got me a surprise experience, my first, being in a meditative salt cave. So that was pretty cool. The weather wasn’t all that great, a bit rainy at times and quite windy which made the air very cold, but nature is nature! We used the down time to catch up on some of our reading.

The Saco Maine Getaway Pre Prelude!

Saco, Maine sunrise

This was being back from a relaxing weekend getaway in Saco and Kennebunkport Maine. The sunrises in Saco were amazing and we stayed in the cutest little Airbnb right on the water. Would stay there again for sure! On Small business Saturday KPT had all these sales if you wore your pajamas so that’s what we did! Oh, we met up with our pal Em to hang out this weekend as well, and we got to meet Boomer and Pippa (not shown) again! A lot of shopping and laughs were had. It’s not as busy there as it would be during prelude but it’s pretty much the same vibe more or less so in some ways it’s better. Again, it was fun hanging out with Em, and the dogs with her pops, and again, the amazing sunrises right on the water. Thankfully it wasn’t even that cold, considering. It was nice to be able to have a little getaway to take a break from all the stressors of life.

You can click the pics below for a bigger version. There’s a new version of the gallery tool now even though I preferred the old one but that currently isn’t working with the latest update so I have to use this. The snow globe I climbed in could have been inflated more (thanks town!) and a quick side trip to OOB didn’t really add too much but KPT is always top notch. Ultimately it’s all about the views, the scenery, the friends and the laughs. Oh, the pajama Saturday shot of the three of us was actually taken by someone on the Chamber of Commerce pages for the towns of Kennebunk, KPT, and Arundel so we’re also on those websites. That wasn’t a planned thing, the lady just saw us and wanted to post us!

Oh, and yes, I am wearing Pac man pajamas and believe it or not, I actually got quite a lot of comments on compliments on then from many different people!

Visiting the Island of Nantucket with Great Friends!

Finally got to revisit Nantucket, it had been about 10 years since the last time we went and never over top this particular side of the island.

I loved the Sconset Bluff Walk. This trail is truly loaded with beautiful views. It makes me so happy I got to walk along it! The experience is constantly changing. One minute you’re walking through a quiet neighborhood, the next you’re passing through a yard and the next you’re walking under a canopy of trees. Flowers, birds, pathways to the water, and places to stop and take in the scenery are in abundance. This walk can be quick or long, depending on how much time you have. It’s a great place for a leisurely stroll or a more invigorating hike. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy the stunning views. I sure did!

I have to also express my gratitude to our wonderful hosts who were so kind to invite us to spend a few days with them on this beautiful island. They were so kind and generous with their time and hospitality, and I really appreciate it. We thoroughly enjoyed the beach, seeing the sights, and all the great meals and places we got to see like the Brotherhood and Millie’s and Claudette’s. I hope we can repay the favor one day.

I’m also so grateful for the opportunity to visit the rose-covered cottages in Nantucket. The winding lanes and idyllic scenery transport you to a simpler time. Each cottage has its own unique blend of architecture and blooming roses, which make it a one-of-a-kind experience. The smell of roses and salty sea breeze (and it was pretty breezy at times!) is a relaxing combination that invites visitors to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of Siasconset. It was a perfect place to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Pig Yoga? You Read That Right!

So much fun! I was surprised at how fun it actually was! Then it was an afternoon by the pool, a night of grilling and doing a fire pit. Beautiful day! One of LD’s childhood friends came up and did it with us while she was visiting, along with some other activities over those few days in the summer.

Group Shot! (I’m holding the bunny!)

Rhode Island Trolls and Elephants!

For my Birthday LD and I got to check out some amazing sights in the beautiful coastal areas of Rhode Island. First up, was a drive down to the charming community of Charleston, RI, a place we had never been. We were there to see the trolls Greta and Erik. There’s a bunch of these trolls up in Maine at the Botanical gardens, which I may get to check out and some point, but these two are newer and closer. I had a little bit of a hard time finding Greta, but LD, with her amazing tracking skills, was able to locate her pretty quickly. A nice woman who works at the senior center there nearby gave us some great tips on where to go and find them! (Each picture below is clickable to see a larger version).

Greta!
Erik
If you’re a troll park here

We were going to eat at a local place in Charleston but after a while that didn’t seem like the greatest idea so we headed over to Narraganset and ate at a place called The Coast Guard House, which amazing is literally right next to the Towers in a building that used to be a Coast Guard Life Saving Station back in the 1880s until the 1940s. The views there are amazing and the food was excellent, also the prices weren’t that bad! (I did get a little tipsy again on some drinks).

tipsy!

Then it was off the beautiful town of Newport to check out the installation of the elephant migration. We ended up going to the ones at Salve Regina University, although there’s some at the Breakers and a couple of other locations. The amount of detail on the elephants is truly amazing! We spent quite a bit of time there, plus it’s right along the cliff walk which is beautiful.

We finished off the day with a giant pizza! What a great day! Today I’m off to my very first ever reflexology appointment – we’ll see how that goes!

Oh, I almost forgot! I got some great gifts too! A Dunkins gift card from our friend Em, a foot massager, some capybara socks and a capybara shirt (I love capys!) , and some more fireflies to help light up the night in the back patio!

Giant Hungry Hungry Hippos!

This game was amazing, have to see if one exists in our area and if so need to get some pals on board to challenge us!

A Summertime Family Visit

Family came to visit this particular weekend. Sort of an impromptu visit but it was a good one. Friday night I grilled and we did a firepit as everyone got settled. Saturday we went to the DeCordova Museum in the afternoon to check out some sights, get some photo ops, etc. The hearts are the best thing there in my opinion but that slanted house which is a newer installation was also pretty cool. Naturally we had to pose with it, along with some other installations. Had pizza in the afternoon at the hotel, and then headed to the beach in the late afternoon for some swim time. I think the dog had the best time of all!

Sunday was another low key day, breakfasts and then I watched the dog while everyone went to the pool to cool off and/or exercise. I will say the dog was extremely well behaved and such a pleasure to be around. Such a sweet dog. Not sure how Carson felt about everything but he got through it. Late afternoon was another grilling session, LD and one guest helped with some amazing sides, and even had the landlady down the street over to join.

All in all it was a pretty amazing time! Go figure!

.I will admit, I am a little fried at the moment. Geez, it’s tough to get older!

Getting to Meet and Hold ‘4-Day!’

Baaaaaaa-mazing!
Cute jacket!
Howdy!
An ear biter!
Falling asleep

Hanging out with these baby goats this afternoon at a place in Northborough, Massachusetts was simply, “Baaaaaaa-mazing!” The goat from the video below we were told was only 4 days old! He has quite a set of lungs on him! Another goat also got to biting my ear, which while kind of funny, also hurt a teeny bit! And then a third goat fell asleep in my arms- she was a sweetheart. We did get an amazing picture and video out of it all!

A 4 day old baby goat that had a lot to say!

Honorable Mentions before we get to the Final!

I’ll just link the entries here because this post is getting WAY too long!

…But the Bestest Moment Has to go to….

We got to partake in an amazing experience, getting to cuddle and play with a pair of capybaras! I love them! Their fur feels like straw. I never thought in a million years I’d ever be able to play with a capybara, let alone two. I remember seeing this animal in a zoo a few years ago and only learned about their existence a few scant years ago. To me, they seem to be the next up and coming “big thing.” We also go to see a wallaby which had a baby popping it’s head out of her pouch every now and again, which was cool to see, and a special cat, some yaks, alpacas and, of course, some goats, but the capybaras were the stars of the show for me! We were lucky to even get into this experience as it is currently very limited but I hit it just right and was able to get us access. The location of all this wonder was down in Mattapoisett, a town down on the southern coast. It was a bit chilly.

I’m definitely going to visit them again this year and get even more interactive with them.

Some of the best books I read last year were:

I hope you all enjoyed looking through some of our memories from the past year, I know I have. Let’s hope 2025 has some good ones too.

If you still haven’t had enough you can check out some previous years:

2023 Moments

2022 Moments

Happy New year From the Shore! 2025

Posted on by Markman

Back from the holidays down along the Jersey Shore. Although not everything on this trip went according to plan, I did make a new bond with my nephew doggo (running with him along the beach pretty much cemented the deal) and there were some fun moments. One cool thing we saw was an InSinkErator hot water tap in a friend’s kitchen that we got to see while we were down there. That thing is pretty sweet. Instant hot water from a mini tap right next to the regular faucet. Visited a bagel place that had weirdo bagels like a Doritos bagel, an Oreo cookie bagel, etc. They weren’t that good actuallty.

Every year, you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself.

If you did me wrong, I forgive you. If we stop talking, I love you. If you feel I did you wrong, I sincerely apologize for it.

My heart will be pure & my head will be clear.

Only love ,gratitude, and positive mindset.

Currently Watching: American Nightmare (Netflix) and old One Tree Hill episodes. LD’s sister has gotten me into watching the series now having missed it totally the first time around. So Much Drama!

Morning Routines

Posted on by Markman

I don’t know if I ever told you guys what I do when I get up in the morning after doing the usual morning stuff that everyone does. I go and work my brain. First I head on over to The NYT games sections and bust out sessions of Wordle, Spelling Bee, Strands, and Connections. Then I go on my phone and get out my daily morning session of Boggle. I’ve been doing this routine for years now, Just something to get my gears to start spinning for the day.

Ended up doing a lot of baking yesterday evening. All kinds of treats for the holidays.

The Solstice Viewing That Wasn’t

Posted on by Markman

Started the day by making lemon orzo soup again! Great day for it as it’s been snowing all day. The star of tonight’s show though was attending the SOLSTICE EVENT this evening down at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Unfortunely when it was time to go it really started snowing pretty heavy here. We gave it the old college try but took forever just to get to the highway and then that was backed up like crazy. So we decided then and there to abort the mission. It was becoming too stressful and might even be dangerous. Kind of sucks because it’s hard to get tickets but there’s always next year. We were supposed to meet up with some friends there who actually did brave the snow and got there but they were in the car for like 3 hours. So below would have been some cool pics from the event but since we couldn’t make it, there aren’t any.

Make Believe these were some cool Solstice Pictures from last night’s event

Currently Reading: Tits Up: What Sex Workers, Milk Bankers, Plastic Surgeons, Bra Designers, and Witches Tell Us about Breasts by Sarah Thornton and Oh, the Pics That You’ll Post! by Maiana Rose. That ought to finish out my year of books read. I’ll do a post of my favorites I read this year along with my usual top ten or so moments from the year. I already starting looking a little bit about what I’m going to post but that probably won’t see the light until after the new year so stay tuned for that.

Lots of Love for Carson’s Gotcha Day!

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Carson’s photoshoot (reminiscent of a Playboy pictorial?)

My calendar today reminded me it was Carson’s Gotcha Day! How could I have forgotten? Carson, we love you! From the moment we first saw you on Petfinder and that day we 1st met in the shelter, we knew! So lot’s of celebrating with this little guy today and giving him lots of loves.

Here’s some text I wrote about when he first came to us:

Carson Comes Home


Today was the day that we were to meet Carson, the cat that had been living in a shelter in Millis for two months. I don’t know what is was about him when we saw his picture on the website but his big round eyes, dashing grey coat with white paws, and heart-shaped nose cuteness just spoke to us like he could be the one. Around noontime was the appointment and we arrived a little early. When we were finally introduced he looked a little scared at first, but not too bad. He allowed us to brush and pet him and play with him and it was almost like an instant connection. Yes, he is a bit shy and skittish at first, because it’s all new to him, but I could tell he will adjust really fast. I could tell he would be a gentle and friendly cat. Plus, he apparently loves face-scratches which is something LD had become an expert at with Oreo, so right there is a connection that could work for us. He’s shy (but I found not overly so) and he didn’t hiss or scratch, he seemed like a real catch. I knew we could love this cat and that he also has the capability to return the favor.


It was pretty much a done deal after spending some time with the little guy. Carson was getting an all expenses paid trip to his new forever home. After all the paperwork was signed, he got placed in the carrier and I let him say goodbye to his other cat friends at the shelter, who in their own way, probably felt bittersweet. Sad that he was leaving them, but happy that he could find a loving home to be in. I’m sure the volunteers who help out at the shelter felt the same way. Also, I have to say this shelter was amazing so I’m giving a plug to Purr-fect Cat Shelter. They are really a wonderful folks doing good work there so if you’re looking for cat, check them out.


So with that, I’m happy to say that Carson is now a member of the family! I’ll get some nice pictures of him up after he gets a little more adjusted to his new home, that grey and white handsome bundle of joy. Interestingly I had found a Xmas tree ornament while shopping at Target last night with his exact name on it. What are the odds of that? I don’t think that’s an everyday name but it does seem to suit him, so we’ll be keeping that. Naturally we ended up buying it, so I guess it was fate that he would be coming home with us today. The shelter folks told us to keep him in a room for the time being to adjust to his new surroundings and slowly let him acclimate to the rest of the house over time, so for the time being he’s hanging upstairs in the home office room. So far, I think he seems to be adjusting quite well – it being fairly quiet here and no other cat shenanigans to worry about.

Welcome home, Carson!

Currently reading: Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America by Rebecca L. Davis

Got Through the Rainy Spell

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Another shot from the archives. Actually ate at this place a couple of times, including once when we were able to dine in one of their seasonal fish shacks (a private little outdoor dwelling). Being out in the crazy rain yesterday wasn’t the greatest but I survived. Thankfully one of the reindeer’s also survived getting knocked down a few times (the big daddy). He’s been put back into upright status now.

Currently Reading: The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor’s Journey Through Love and Death by Matt Murphy.

One of my Favorites

Posted on by Markman
Kennebunk Maine, just before the bridge to KBP,

Although I was going to wait until later in the week, the weather outside today seemed pretty nice so I went ahead and installed the three lighted reindeer out front, Momma, Daddy and Baby, Other than that I really didn’t do too much today, just playing a lot of Mahjongg and some crosswords and television watching. Real couch potato action Sunday.

Winter Wonderland

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Like I said, we got a little snow yesterday but believe it or not most of it’s gone from here already, although other parts of the state got a lot more and it’s sticking around, but it’s supposed to hit the 50s again next week so it’ll surely be all gone then. Which is fine with me and actually I prefer it. We spent a part of today beginning to bring out the holiday decorations, including setting up the tree. I plan on assembling all the outdoor decorations sometime next week when it’s a little warmer. It was pretty frigid here today.

It’s Beginning to Look Like the Holiday Season!

Posted on by Markman
Seaside Holiday Tree, Duxbury, MA

It’s a snowy morning here today. I’ve been pretty busy this week so I haven’t had time to update but I will let you know that over the next few days I’ll be posting some holiday photos, both new and some classic ones that I’ve taken in the past. Maybe it’ll be the first time seeing them for some of you, and others can just like them all over again. There’s a couple of cool things planned coming up over the next few weeks as the year winds down, so I’m ;looking forward to that.

Oh, I finally did get through all 550 levels of the Tomb of the Mask game last week. Now I’m contemplating downloading the Android version….In the aches and pains department I seem to have acquired a pinched nerve in my shoulder which actually makes my left arm bother me. Joys of joys. I wanted to get a massage on it soon but it’ll have to wait as I found out my massage therapist is in Seattle and then driving up to Vancouver to see Taylor Swift. I never knew she was so big a Swiftie!

Saco and Small Business Saturday Pajama Shenanigans

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Saco, Maine sunrise

Back from a relaxing weekend getaway in Saco and Kennebunkport Maine. The sunrises in Saco were amazing and we stayed in the cutest little Airbnb right on the water. Would stay there again for sure! On Small business Saturday KPT had all these sales if you wore your pajamas so that’s what we did! Oh, we met up with our pal Em to hang out this weekend as well, and we got to meet Boomer and Pippa (not shown) again! A lot of shopping and laughs were had. It’s not as busy there as it would be during prelude but it’s pretty much the same vibe more or less so in some ways it’s better. Again, it was fun hanging out with Em, and the dogs with her pops, and again, the amazing sunrises right on the water. Thankfully it wasn’t even that cold, considering. It was nice to be able to have a little getaway to take a break from all the stressors of life.

You can click the pics below for a bigger version. There’s a new version of the gallery tool now even though I preferred the old one but that currently isn’t working with the latest update so I have to use this. The snow globe I climbed in could have been inflated more (thanks town!) and a quick side trip to OOB didn’t really add too much but KPT is always top notch. Ultimately it’s all about the views, the scenery, the friends and the laughs. Oh, the pajama Saturday shot of the three of us was actually taken by someone on the Chamber of Commerce pages for the towns of Kennebunk, KPT, and Arundel so we’re also on those websites. That wasn’t a planned thing, the lady just saw us and wanted to post us!

Oh, and yes, I am wearing Pac man pajamas and believe it or not, I actually got quite a lot of comments on compliments on then from many different people!

Put A Nickel in the Jukebox baby

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Happy National Jukebox Day!

There’s something undeniably captivating about jukeboxes. They’re more than just music machines; they’re portals to a bygone era, where the thrill of selecting a song and hearing it burst to life filled the air with excitement.

Owning a jukebox isn’t just about collecting a piece of history; it’s about curating a personal soundtrack. Each record, each artist, each memory – it all comes together to create a unique listening experience for us. It’s fun to go find these 45s at various places in our travels, although we haven’t done so lately.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, jukeboxes offer a tangible connection to the past. They remind us of simpler times when music was shared and enjoyed together. That’s an important point for us. In a world dominated by digital streaming, there’s something truly special about holding a physical record and placing it on a turntable. It’s a tactile experience that can’t be replicated. Plus, vinyl sounds so much better as long as it isn’t scratched!

These Jukes can be pretty temperamental at times though. What can you expect with a mechanical machine with 700 parts!?

Mollie Comes for a Visit

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Yesterday was quite the exciting day. Mollie the Cavalier and her guardians came over to visit us and Carson. Now admittedly I was a little apprehensive about these two meeting, you never know how those things could go. Would the fur be flying or would everything be copasetic?

Well, I am pleased to say that it all went pretty well. When Carson first came down the stairs he didn’t notice her but after a few minutes their eyes locked on each other. Mollie growled a bit and barked a little, whereas Carson mostly just watched. Actually we are so proud of Carson. He spent the time mostly just watching the dog with interest but otherwise did not engage or bother with her. Mollie eventually got distracted by chewing on her bully stick. Interesting side note, I never knew this not being a dog owner but the sticks are actually made from bull penises. It’s true, go look it up. Anyways, as a grade, I would have to give Carson and A+ and Mollie a C-. It would have been a D but I’ll give her some slack since she is pretty much still a baby.

For those keeping score at home I’m currently on Level 483 of Tomb of the Mask as of this writing. I think I can see the end though. It looks like it might only go to Level 550. That’s a lot of levels!

Glory Be

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Glory Be. ✝️

I do like sitting in this new rocking chair! Carson was very happy to see me as he fell asleep on my legs while I was resting on the couch last night watching Law & Order reruns on WeTV. And of course, I can’t move because that would destroy the moment. I also fell asleep then. We must have rested together for a couple hours. When I woke up I went up to bed and he tucked me in but didn’t stay like he does when his momma is around, Little stinker. But I was grateful for the bonding time that I don’t usually get with him like that. Oh, currently on level 352 as of this writing in Tomb of the Mask. Maybe there is no end to this addicting game for me. The above photo was taken this summer, not sure if I posted it before, I think I have, but for whatever reason it seemed fitting for me to post it this morning. Just felt like it, plus it’s a pretty cool photo I think..

A Little Jersey Weekend Trip

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Hanging with Venom at Parsippany Hills High School, NJ

I’m back from a quick weekend trip to Jersey. Actually I came back alone since I have as stuff to address back here while as LD is going to spend a few more days there and come back by train on Wednesday when I’ll pick her up. Been trying to get a lot of stuff done and it’s been a lot of work. Stayed over at a cute little AirBnB nearby. Nothing to write home about and pretty small but gets the job done as it’s mostly just a place to crash for the nights, Anyways, we also got gifted a sweet rocking chair from a friend down there who wanted to part with it which I brought back and will use a lot I think.

This photo is from just outside Parsippany Hills High. We happened to be tooling around the area and noticed that all the spaces were painted different things by the students. I settled on getting this one with Venom from the Spiderman comics.

Currently Reading: Brothers by Alex Van Halen

You Just Never Know

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A couple of weeks ago an 80 year old woman got hot by a car down the road around 5:30 in the afternoon just before the time change. They said it was solar glare. I didn’t realize it until later but it was the same woman that I would chat with now and again when she would walk by. She was a very nice lady. You just never know. In fact, I think I spoke to her a couple of days before the accident, never realizing that would be the last time I’d ever see her again.

Gametime: I’ve been playing this game on the YouTube app on my phone called Tomb of the Mask. It’s pretty addicting to me but how long is this game? I’m already on L:evel 165 207(!!) as of this writing and it looks like there’s no end in sight!

Goats in My Pockets

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Spent some time yesterday afternoon visiting the sanctuary. We have to get to know these new goats better sooner or later! Plus we had some food we needed to drop off for the animals. For whatever reason, this one goat named Dansa really thought I had something in my pockets. We didn’t stay too long though, we needed to get back because we were having some guests over in the late afternoon, and that went really nice as well. We were going to do a fire pit but by the time they arrived it started to get a wee bit chilly so we hung indoors and ate pizza and calzones and chatted. I’ll try to get to the firepit this afternoon perhaps. But first we have a reflexology appointment in the late morning to luxuriate in! Oh, one other thing. While I was at the sanctuary I was pleased to learn they still had Stardust the Donkey’s 50th birthday party shirts for sale, so I got one. I wanted to attend his birthday this summer but the schedule just didn’t align. I am glad I was able to get one. In fact, I think I’ll wear it out today.

Currently Watching (or soon will be actually): The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth . I have it all scheduled to record on the DVR on Wednesday night.

Currently Reading: The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi (review)