My mantra for today and moving forward: Letting go of negative thoughts. I highly recommend it. Here’s a shot I took a few years back of some seals lazing on a spit. It’s actually a much larger landscape shot with more seals and details but I cropped it for Instagram. I especially like the little baby in the background. I also have some cuter shots of him in other shots. I will probably make the large version available for purchase soon. Anyways my mantra appears to be paying dividends already as today we were able to set up some things and I put the fire pit (which I cannot wait to start using) together. Still more stuff to get done but it is happening little by little.
The story behind the photo: Just another hot July night as sunset was approaching in Cape Cod. This part of the bay, when low tide comes in, goes out for what seems like miles. Also I like how the sky seemed to be purple-colored that night. This photograph will be available as a print coming soon!
Beach grass lines the shoreline during low tide in Cape Cod Bay.
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.
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.
“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!
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…
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.
The story behind the photo: This was taken at Rock Harbor in Orleans. This is one that I was surprised by. This was actually taken just in the parking lot so if I stepped the shot back just a foot or two you would see the awful pavement and surrounding automobiles. I do think in a strange way the Earth is trying to reset itself – you hear stories of pollution way down and marine life returning to the canals of Venice. Maybe Mother Nature has had enough and wants time to heal and so is forcing it to happen, the only way she knows how.
“You don’t need to be the tide to rise and fall, you don’t have to be a wave to touch the shore; just be a little sand-grain and feel them all.”
In these days of staying at home, I’ve been going to go through some older photos I just have laying around on my storage devices, touch them up, and if I think they’re worthy enough – sharing them, to keep the content coming. As I may have mentioned before, I will literally take tens to hundreds of shots from a location in which only one gets to be posted. So how’s about another sunset photo – people seem to like those! Once again, I like the texture of the sand in this one – the rivulets marking tiny canals throughout.
Other things we’ve been doing to keep sane, is going out for a little walk at lunchtime. We discovered a little trail very nearby that cuts across some streets, like a shortcut, which has these pretty blue wildflowers growing along it. Also beating a game called Colorkey, although admittedly I found it pretty easy except for the last level.
BONUS! I just found out that NECN (a local news station in Boston) shared my Blue sunset photo below on their page! Might be shown on the news segment – I’ll be keeping a look out for that!
The story behind the photo: Another Cape sunset shot this time from July 2018. The original shot is much more orange – I altered the tint in post production to give it less warmth. I particularly like the texture of the water lapping up onto the shore in this one.
“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light. “
The story behind the photo: It’s shots like this one that make me think that maybe I could be a good photographer. This one is from last summer vacationing on the Cape. We basically would scope different locations every day for possible good sunset shots. I was somewhat protected this time from all the biting bugs having learned my lesson from the year before, but they were still pretty brutal swarming all over my face. I think it had rained earlier in the day and it was just wrapping up which is why there’s clouds in this photo. I think this photo could represent what’s going on in our lives at the moment, in a way, with a symbol of hope at the end of it all – just trying to be positive in a sea of sh*t.
Kids are out of school now. So now a thing is that some of them might have trouble getting food and meals that they rely on. I grew up on Welfare since my mom was a single mom so I can kind of relate, although we always had food in house, no doubt thanks to my grandparents. I remember actually going down and waiting with my mom while she got the block of cheese (the government cheese! yes, that really was a thing, don’t believe they do that anymore – they give you money to buy your own now). We were never destitute thank God, but hearing the latest stories did make me remember those long ago times. We might not have had much, but it was enough, and appreciative of what we had and have.
Been feeling a bit bummed out lately – actually, it’s been going on for a while. Good days, bad days – just trying my best to get through. Tired of being anxious all the time, trapped in a world of my own making.
I did take LD out to Sky Bar last night for her birthday so that was good, and we’re going to some place called Abby Park tomorrow as part of restaurant week. I went to Target today to get some supplies she wanted in all the hoopla about the COVID-19 baloney, but they didn’t have everything on my list so I got what I could. Today I just feel like laying low, making dinner, watching television, and awaiting the fates that the future may hold.
2019 wasn’t the worst year ever, but certainly wasn’t the best for me either. I think 2020 is probably going to be a bit of a test as well, especially at the beginning, but hopefully over time things will improve.
Anyways let’s look at the bright spots. Here are some of the highlights that I can remember from 2019, in no particular order:
Losing Oreo but gaining Carson.
Visiting Blue in Newburyport in a snowstorm.
Nice beach views!
Seeing Damone perform live again. Kris Kristofferson too with/for my mom.
Baby Robins! It was a thrill every day to see how they would progress, from eggs, too little alien looking things, to growing feather, and finally saying goodbye. Their mother was amazing in her care of them.
Exciting to watch baby robins form, grow, and leave.
Scoring free tickets to see Jack Nicholson in the Shining at the Somerville Theatre.
Mother’s Day Cruise aboard the Beauport Liner in Gloucester.
Scenes along the Gloucester harbor.
Remodeling the bedroom, scoring a free bike on one of the Buy Nothing Facebook groups.
Large Condo apartments being built on either side of Earth-1 property, squeezing a rose between two thorns. Ridiculous!
Michelle coming to visit and doing Alpaca Yoga with her.
Gardening game going strong, and growing “Sean”, our first pumpkin.
Going away to the Cape for a week, getting some good photos, but having to be in a different unit than usual next to the “murderers.” Not really – they were just really quiet and not sure where the rest of their party disappeared to.
Cape sunsets are the best.
Having a short stay on the Jersey shore, in an historic BnB but narrowly avoiding what could have been a massive storm!
The storm moving in!
Trying another bout of baby goat yoga at a place in Georgetown. Will definitely visit again but also will probably hit our go to place in NH as it seems their babies are really small and cute.
Waquesset Inn overnight stay.
the patio.
New website design after the old system could no longer be supported.
Boston views as always:
“Boston you’re my home!”
Finally some books I read thus far in 2019:
Books I read in 2019. Bad Blood, Maybe you should talk to Someone, and Still Alice being favorites.
Day 2 at the W. Yesterday we had lunch in Sandwich on the way down (one of our usual spots by the Canal). Soon enough we got to the place and checked in, had supper at a place called Pate’s that we like and they came through. The line was out the door upon opening – we never seen it so busy in the summer! Delicious meal, then we headed back and relaxed for the rest of the night.
Today after a restful night, we got room service which was nice. Hadn’t done that in a long time. Afterwards we went for a walk along the spit. Soon enough it was time to go. We didn’t head home right away though – we tried to hit some little library’s to see if we could score any good reading material. Came up empty this time, although I did find a book entitled Why Men Love Bitches. Senseless drivel? We hit a couple of beaches – they are pretty empty this time of year, but there’s something nice about the silence. We visited the wildlife area on South Chatham too but didn’t catch anything spectacular sadly. Of course we had to hit the Chocolate Sparrow for a quick lunch and some delicious drinks.
Although I had a good time I still feel bummed about a few other things going on. Hoping for the best, I know I’ll get through them. I also got a feeling that I’ve got a mad case of Seasonal Affective Disorder! This getting dark early sh*t sucks,
About a year ago, we happened upon this majestic creature just hanging out in a marsh in Chatham. I had taken pictures of herons before but for some reason this one really stands out – he didn’t seem as skinny as a lot of the other ones I had seen, and now that I look at it, maybe it’s a bit older than them as well. A grizzled veteran I would say. These birds don’t seem to be bothered by anything. I once saw a red winged blackbird pecking at one and squawking away, probably had a nest nearby, but the heron acted like it wasn’t even there. Totally ignoring the pecking and all, seemingly insignificant.
Who’s watching the watcher?
I plan on going to see the rock band Damone tonight – it’s been 10 years or so since they disbanded but now they are a doing a show down in Harvard Square. One of my favorite local bands from back in the day when I actually went to shows. Let’s hope I can stay up that late!
Guess we picked a good week last week to visit the Cape. They just got hit with a tornado so Yarmouth and Harwich are without power and there’s been a lot of damage to all the surrounding towns! Here’s a shot of Paine’s Creek at sunset during a much calmer time. Funny thing is that this week is usually the week that we go down there, but this year, other things got in the way so we went down a week earlier. Seems to me like it all worked out perfectly. I love it when a plan comes together!
One thing I forget to mention from last week was the “neighbors” we had in the unit next to us on the right side. They showed up the same as us, and were kind of annoying in the fact that they had to have the two spaces right in front of their unit. But the oddest thing about them was that all week, it appeared that they never left the unit – for anything! Also, they were so quiet it seemed they weren’t even there. Since there appeared to be about 6 of them, included a young boy with a guitar, you would think we would have heard something. We had no problem hearing the other unit on the left side, with their riding their bikes out back, and flying a drone around. Thankfully after that first weekend, some of them must have cleared out because they became quieter – but not so much as this other family. The Ladydoc thought the women might have murdered the men since there was no hide no hair of them to be seen all week – including the child! (BTW- this is when you’ve realized that you’ve been watching too many murder/mystery shows like Dateline and such over the years – when this is your thought process). Then, finally, on the day we have to pack up and leave, there they all are packing up the family trucksters – checkout time wasn’t until 10 am but they were all packed and gone by 8:30!
It was just odd that they never appeared to leave the unit – not to leave to get some pool time in, or barbecue out back, or even take in the beach or catch some sights, as we did. And the silence! Not to say that it was not appreciated by us – it certainly was. It was just so odd to be so silent and cooped in. Anyways, I hope they enjoyed their vacation!
I forgot to mention, the other day this movie was on called Never Too Young To Die starring John Stamos, Vanity and Gene Simmons. I had never heard of the movie. It is terrible! Like, really, really terrible. A real train wreck, and yet that’s what makes you want to watch it. Definitely one for a watch party. Makes we wonder why the hell Stamos took on this project at the time.
