“When rocks fall from the cliff, the ocean will rise to meet the sky.”
This is from a set of shots I plan on posting over time.
Bald Head Cliff Part 1
Month: April 2020
Flowing with the Wind
My sun sets to rise again.
Robert Browning
Went to the old office today we return my work laptop and clear out whatever belongings I decided to keep (which actually wasn’t much – just a few odds and ends). It was good to chat with the facilities guy and IT guy – we all three go way back. Hung around for a few hours, before heading back out. Ended up just keeping a few of the best of the best things, which admittedly may sit in the basement forever but some things have sentimental value to me.
Pathways
The story behind the photo: This one was taken at First Encounter Beach down in Cape Cod as sunset was fast approaching. It was so named because it is the site of the first encounter between Native Americans and the Pilgrims prior to their settling in Plymouth.While camped here Standish and company were surprised by a group of Nausets; arrows flew and shots were fired, but no harm resulted.
Promise of a New Day
“Man starts over again everyday, in spite of all he knows, against all he knows.”
Emil Cioran
If you’ve ever liked any of the photos I’ve taken and would like them to brighten up the decor in your home or office in various formats I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been working on that option and it’s coming real soon!
Finally decided on a fire pit. Can’t wait to start using it on the patio out back. Tomorrow the grill comes out and I mow the lawn finally!
Fire Skies
This is my favorite time of the day. Light and dark touch for a few moments.
I’ve been researching getting my photos out into the world where people can purchase them. More details to come but hopefully some folks would be interested in this and help support me in my journey! Last night we all got involved in a google hangout live video chatting with various family members across three states. It was kinda cool if a little bit haphazard. At lunch today we got some exercise by rocking out to the jukebox – have to get the body moving somehow to keep the mental health up! Carson is still getting used to it. Oh, and another one of my shots made the news bumper!
Light & Shadows
LD noticed flipping around that Boston news station NECN showed one of my pics of the Boston Public Garden on television. Pretty sweet!
Woke up early this morning to finish the mulching that we had started yesterday. Pleased to say we got it all done. Wanted to finish it before the rain started coming in later in the day.
Uncertainty
It’s a dark place, not knowing. It’s difficult to surrender to. But I guess it’s where we live most of the time.
Overall, I think I’m a positive person but every now and then I get a bit down, especially lately. The current events of late is giving me a little bit of a time, it evens invades my dreams now. Well, enough about that – try to keep the chin up. This pandemic stuff is getting to be a bit much though.
Did a bunch of stuff outside today – LD did a little planting of various flowers and herbs and vegetables, a lot of mulching around the garden beds around the house and patio area out back, making use of the nice day. Damn, LD and I are going to be sore tomorrow but it’s a good sore – felt good to be outside today.
The story behind the photo: This is another shot from a shoot I did a few years back and posted a different one a few days ago. I’m not sure if the clouds were coming in or if the clouds were going out. Kind of like the mess we’re all in these days. How apropos.
Stairs
“It’s like climbing a staircase. I’m on the top of the staircase, I look behind me and I see the steps. That’s where I was.”
Jeanne Moreau
Spent a good part of today over at Earth-1. I hadn’t been there in a while and I needed to address a few things and get my laptop and some other items. Also had to help take the cat to a vet appointment. So weird these days how it’s all done with basically no contact and social distancing.
If you’re looking for a good movie to watch that came out last year check out Yesterday. I watched it tonight for the first time and thought it was pretty cool.
The Log at Hardings
The story behind the photo: This photo was taken at Bradley Beach down in Chatham MA. I touched it up a bit because it was dark but I’m not too sure about how it came out – they sky really did look like that but I’m not sure whats going on with the log in the sand – almost looks like it was drawn in but it wasn’t.
I’m only realizing just now how stupid these daytime game shows really are. More later once I’m done with today’s adventures…
Juvies
The story behind the photo: I really like this one. Reminds me I need to get back into birding more. Anyways, we had taken a boat cruise around the harbor in one of the Cape towns last year, I think it might have been in Dennis or somewhere around there. And we just happened to pass by this osprey nest. Thankfully I had the foresight to bring my complement of lenses so I switched to one where I could get a closer shot of them. I actually have a bunch of different shots from this but I felt this was one of the better ones. I remember having to try to brace myself as the boat kept wobbling over the waves. I assume they were waiting for their parent although they looked like they were just about ready to head out on their own. The fact that their eyes are still brown rather than yellow also signifies them as juveniles. I like how the two on the right appear to looking directly at me.
Today was the first day I ever applied for unemployment in 30+ years. Hopefully that won’t take too long to start kicking in. Crazy. Mulch arrived but although sunny today it’s kind of chilly – maybe I’ll start putting it down tomorrow or Friday or maybe even over the weekend – days really have no meaning lately so everyday is like a weekend day I guess. Gonna Zoom meet with some friends tonight – not the same as in person, but something nonetheless.
Cotton Candy
“The really happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery, even when they have to take a detour.”
Going through a bunch of shots off and on and deciding what to do with them. This shot is a another one from a set I posted a few days ago. I just liked the color of the sky that night. Sunset pictures are pretty much the best.
Greys
“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”
Hope Springs
“The deep roots never doubt that spring will come.”
One thing during the down times I like to do is puzzles, but I’ve exhausted my puzzle book supply. There’s some on order but they haven’t arrived yet, but LD was kind enough to create her own crossword for me to solve! She’s the best! Ordered a bunch of mulch coming on Wednesday so hopefully the weather will be good so I can go put that stuff down. I handed in my HR paperwork today sealing the deal on the previous chapter of my career and emailed my goodbye letter to the colleagues I enjoyed working with over the years. Bitter sweet but looking forward to new opportunities. It’ll take a while, plus all the summer concerts I was going to see this year have pretty much been cancelled so this is really going to a long haul, but it’s what has to be done. I do feel people are starting to go nuts being inside a lot so I don’t see how that’s going to happen with the warmer summer months approaching.
The story behind the photo: This one is actually a coupe of years old but makes sense in this time because it looks so empty yet springlike. I had been invited down to see some therapy dogs in town and before arriving there I strolled through the Public Garden and this shot just looked like it could be good, I especially liked the overhanging tree.
More later….
Missing Pemaquid
The story behind the photo: This was taken by me a few years back while on vacation for my birthday. I had to climb down these rocks and then look up toward the lighthouse, which just at hat moment had the setting sun shining against it and also the clouds looked somewhat ominous in just such a way – it was a case of being in the right place at the right time – pure luck. Just so happens this was also the same shoot where we saw two skunks being amorous, with the male chasing the female and her being coy, but that’s a story for another time. This location is one of my favorite lighthouses to visit in Maine.
Today was a rather productive day, cleaning out the basement for one, and making homemade pizzas for two. Did a bunch of yard cleanup as well – it was finally a really nice day to get outside for a while.
The Road Ahead…?
The story behind the photo: I took this a few years back after a storm had hit Gloucester and this foot bridge was damaged a bit. Looking at it now I see it as a metaphor for things that are going on right now, in my life and the world in general. In a lot of ways it all still feels unreal for me, like a bad dream that doesn’t seem to end.
Travelling along the bridge is a bit treacherous, but certainly passable with some caution and a bit of hope, and we can see the good times waiting for us at the other end. We’ll all get through all this awfulness that is currently all around us and we will get to the other side, and be the better for it. I have some ideas for side hustles that I’ve been wanting to get going on for a long time that now I plan on exploring and will hopefully lead to some positive outcomes.
Dragons
Magnolias
I always had a thing for Magnolia trees – it’s just so spring – even though I woke up to snowfall this morning, but it’s supposed to be 60 degrees tomorrow so no big deal. Growing up, my grandmother had a magnolia tree in the front of the house that I would remember climbing up on. They are super fragrant but once they start shedding their leaves they leave behind a big mess.
Coulda’ Been
Yesterday would have been opening day of the swan boats in the Boston Public Garden.
Happy Easter!
Visiting Old Friends
Took a drive out to the cemetery this afternoon where my grandparents are buried. Felt like visiting them and sharing my thoughts with them. Really wanted to ask for their advice and guidance , my grandmother always knew what to say whenever I needed it. While there we also got homemade masks from a friend – practicing the proper routine and social distancing and all. Ended the evening off with a Zoom call with our couple friends and played a game for a couple hours – believe it or not it does actually help our moods.
The picture above has nothing to do with this entry – just felt like pulling it out from the archives, a throwback to a time when you could walk around town.
New Beginnings
Distance means so little, when life means so much.
I felt a little sad today – I get good days and bad days, but overall I try to keep an optimistic outlook (this rainy cloudy dark cold weather day isn’t helping). Worked on some great projects and I learned a lot but it is time to move on. I think in the end things will turn out pretty good – but it’s going to be long road for sure. One day at a time, no one said rebirth was easy. We’ve been going over some ideas that might give me a focus and that I could possibly use to provide some value. Mostly I’m thankful and immensely grateful for all the support that I have. I need to remember that.
No Safe Harbor
A ship in a harbor is a safe ship, but that’s not what ships are built for.
And 2020 just keeps on sucking. Had a meeting late this afternoon and guess what…. I’ve been laid off, kinda shitty the way they did it too. Basically I’ll be cut off totally after April 21. I’ve worked with this group for 30 years (well, actually if I made it to September of this year but close enough). I’m not surprised – the writing was on the wall, but I think if they couldn’t find anything for me with my skill set I think that company as a whole is going to be feeling a lot of hurt soon, as a lot of folks already are.
Well, I’ll need some time to process all this. Not feeling so great at the moment but I’ll find a way through it somehow.
The Visit to Castle Hill
The story behind the photo: I had seen photos from this location that other people had taken and wanted to see it myself. So, I found out that there was an inn right at the location and booked a getaway there. I’ve been to this location a bunch of times since and this photo is not from the first time I was there, but maybe the third or fourth. The actual location is back a ways from the inn and you have to climb over this huge rock outcropping formation to get to the location that I liked – good thing I’m agile, more so back in those days. The location is very scenic.