Category: Memories

Sunsets, Fish Shacks, Cape Porpoise Love

Posted on by Markman
Cape Porpoise Fish Shacks

We headed off to Cape Porpoise for a little mini weekend getaway. I really enjoyed this trip. The Airbnb we stayed in was really great – I would surely return to it. It was so spacious and the hosts were super great. The first night we headed to the town over called Biddeford Pool because there was a food/store place called Goldthwaites that we wanted to try. It was good and the views from their back outside area were wonderful. I noticed you could even see the Stage Island Monument in the distance. I do so love this area of Maine. We also saw deer and what appeared to be a company of black swans, but could that be true?

Next day we did a bunch of things. We hiked a part of the Carson trail, which is part of the Rachel Carson Reserve Wildlife area. It was kind of too hot to really do too much of that though plus it was a little buggy so we didn’t stay there too long. There were a ton of chipmunks around I noticed. For lunch we drove into Kennebunk and I ended up getting a burger at a place called Duffy’s. We then headed back for a little rest before hitting Goose Rock Beach for the afternoon. While there we saw piping plovers, a cool sandcastle that someone built, and a very cute Bassett Hound named Baxter that we had to greet.For dinner we got some good eats at Mabel’s Lobster Claw.

Next day we went to Sunday services at St. Ann’s Church, What’s cool is that they do the service right by the water weather permitting. It was a bit rainy when we went so the service was actually indoors but even that was pretty cool. I actually really liked everything about this location and plan to return for some other services soon. We got breakfast at a place next to Mabel’s from last night called the Pantry. I decided to try the eggs benedict with lobster and it was damn good. Another afternoon at the beach afterwards I wanted to catch a sunset at the famous fish shacks. Thanks to LD for finding the perfect location for me to shoot from!

The fish shacks. I was always curious about these buildings. After taking these shots we eventually found a place where we could get some eats (a pizza actually) which was a bit of a struggle to find food since it seems all the places around here close at 8 or 9 o’clock. I caught the tail end of the Valkyries WNBA game as they beat the Suns. It’s nice that this Airbnb had all the stations you could want, they aren’t usually like that in my experience.

Finally on Monday it started to get really hot. We checked out, hit Stonewall Kitchen for a quick bite and Yummies to get some candy fix. Our freinds up in Georgetown were kind enough to let us stop by and use their pool for a bit so we could cool off before going all the way home. So we took a dip for an hour or two and were then on our way back home.

All in all, this was a fantastic trip! I probably left out a ton of stuff but these were some of the high points!

Currently Reading: Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers

So Saddened to Hear About This

Posted on by Markman
Rest in Peace Harold and Barbara 😭

I was saddened to hear last night that the two capybaras that I love to visit both sadly passed away, The owners are still trying to figure out what happened, including bringing in a capy specialist doctor from Brazil, but in the end it was to no avail. I will never forget the experience and joy they brought to me and so many others. This is heartbreaking to say the absolute least.

Celebrating Michael Madness

Posted on by Markman

If you know, you know! Twas a busy day yesterday, between the brunch in the morning, a little rest in the afternoon to catch an WNBA game, and then back at it for the party.

Had a pretty good day today, even set up out first fire pit outing of the season, and even fired up the grill not once, but twice today for two different meals throughout the day. And caught a little WNBA basketball in the early afternoon.

Free Donuts

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Today was National Donut Day so I made use of the opportunity this morning and got my free donut. (Is it really that free though? You did have to purchase a beverage first). Anyways, I went down to a local CVS to pick up some LD meds but they weren’t in stock yet, even though they said it would be there last night. Annoying, I’ll have to go back later tonight. Anyways, there’s a DD across the street from the pharmacy and that’s where I picked up the D. I ended up going with a maple glazed, which I had not seen at other DD establishments.

Cat Vet, Gardening and Strippers

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I haven’t updated in a while because it’s been sort of busy, but nothing to report of great import so that’s why. Let’s see if I can give a little catch up. In no particular order, took my mom’s cat to the vet (see above). Don’t be fooled, it was a bit of a production to get him there first into the carrier to go, and then out of the carrier so they could give him his annual shots and things. He did seem to like staying on the scale though, And of course, once he’s done it’s like they know and happily carts himself into the carrier to go home. Will have to get his brother there next month to do the same.

What else? Bunch of gardening things, pulled out the little Adirondack planters from last year that I had forgotten about but was reminded when I went to the Depot to get a new watering can and saw they had new ones. Still waiting for the fence guys to return to install the panels just laying about in the driveway. Went back to that food truck last Sunday and got another roll. Chicken on the Road guys are going to be there on Saturday so I may need to take a trip down and get some. I remember when they used to come to the office where I was working at the time and I liked it very much. Been so long since I’ve had one of their entrees.

I watched the Suns get absolutely shellacked last Friday by the New York Liberty. Damn, are they good. Hopefully the Suns can get a win on Friday. And then on Saturday is a national televised game with the Valkyries, LD trainer’s daughter’s team, who is a badass in her own right. I’ve been really getting into this WNBA stuff. No other good sports stuff going on around here lately. Sox blow but I can’t stand baseball anyway,

What else? Found a fun little demo of a game called Feezie and Friends on UFO Island which was cute. Pretty much finished all the Sokubird2 levels but gave up on the last couple. Guess that’s it for the moment. Looking forward to reading about Princess Cheyenne memoir by the princess herself, Hmmm, she also did other things after that career that might be even more fascinating but I wonder if this book she wrote doesn’t go into any of that now that I’ve read the blurb.

Also wouldn’t mind eating popcorn out of Galacticus’ head!

More Garden Stuff and Fence Installations

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Been a crazy 48 hours between a work dinner and some other pressing things, but after it was all said and done I decided to do some lawn maintenance before the supposedly rains come again. The fence panels arrived yesterday ready to get in the ground soon, and I noticed some new things while I was out there, including new blooms of blue irises and the rosebushes out front in bloom. They aren’t fancy roses by any means but they are resilient.

Tonight I’ll chill out by getting a massage which is sorely needed and maybe grab some take out tonight as I watch the Suns try to get their first win of the season. Playing Indiana tonight but no Caitlin Clark as she’s injured.

Suns Lose Bad but Psych Me Up

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I ended up watching the Connecticut Sun game last night. I was rooting for them to win since they traded most of their good players at the end of last season and they hadn’t won game yet. Leading most of the game, but towards the end had a major collapse and let the Lynx, who couldn’t get a basket for the life of them for a long stretch, were allowed to go on a 21-0 run or something like that. Talk about a choke job. My girl Mabley did good though, and the game itself was entertaining. Even though the Suns lost it did get me psyched about seeing a game in person this summer. I’ve decided not to root for teams actually anyway, just certain players, that way I can cheer on both Mabley and Veronica B (LD trainer’s daughter), over out in the west when they meet up.

I also like how these games go by quickly and it’s so much smoother than the NBA. I can’t quite explain it but it just seems like it’s a more pure form of basketball playing.

I’m currently on level 19 of Sokobird 2. Love these little brain teasers.

Witch Hazel Appears and Self Driving Cars

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A while back the town had some get a free tree thing to plant. Anyways LD signed up for it and although all the trees we originally wanted were gone, a specimen showed up today unannounced on the doorstep. An American With Hazel, a know that’s more of a shrub but we’ll find a place to plant it at some point and go from there. It’s a pretty good plant to have in the yard for the pollinators and such. We’ll need to consult this guide to get the most out of the plant, hopefully our green thumbs will prevail with this guy.

I forgot to mention this yesterday but as I was going to my dental appt checkup (everything was fine btw!) I happened to notice one of those Waymo cars driving next to me in bumper to bumper traffic down over at the Alewife area. Those are those self driving cars. I remember reading they were going to try them out around the metro area here. There was a guy in the drivers seat. The car itself is pretty unique looking with this big spinning dome thing on the top and spinning things on the four corners of the car, must be sensors of some kind I imagine. Here they come!

Mr. History Post #13: Squirrel Nuts!

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The Squirrel brand dates back to 1890 when it started as the Austin T. Merrill Company in Roxbury. Incorporated in 1899 as the newly named Squirrel Brands Salted Nut Company, the company’s ownership changed and two long-time employees, Perley G. Gerrish and Fred S. Green, began to run the business. As the company grew, it moved from its Boston location to Cambridge in 1903 and then to this building in 1915.

The company was here in Cambridge from 1915 to 1999.

Their popular flagship product was the “Squirrel Nut Zipper,” a vanilla, caramel, and nut taffy that supposedly was named after an illegal drink during Prohibition. The candy was always regionally popular, but it made more of a national comeback during the 1990s when a retro swing band named themselves the Squirrel Nut Zippers and gave out the candy at their performances.

When Hollis Gerrish, the son of the founder, died in 1997, he left instructions for the company to be sold. In 1999, Squirrel Brand Company was purchased by Southern Style Nuts and the operation was moved to Texas. Its leaving marked the departure of the city’s last major independent candy manufacturer.

My personal connection is that I can remember my late grandmother telling me when I was a kid that she worked there probablyaround the kate 1940s. (My mom might have also worked there at the same time for a while.) Everytime my granny would tell me of her time there I kept imagining in my head that famous I Love Lucy episode. My grandmother was on the line!

This one was for some of our memories together Grandma.

Added a new category called History to link all these history visit posts.

Gametime: Sokobird 2.

Sunday We Do Yard Work

Posted on by Markman

We were quite busy today getting a bunch of stuff done around the house. But first we saw a promotion from a local floral business that stated if you brought them 2 or more old vases you would get a free floral bouquet. So we looked around, found two old vases that we had no real attraction to keeping anymore and went down and met the folks. And got the free bouquet. Pretty good idea actually.

Then it was on the yard tasks. First before anything else, I put the AC up in the window because it’s going to start to be getting hotter. Then I went ahead and gave the outdoor grill a thorough cleaning, inside and out. I also cleaned down the patio table and LD planted more potter plants. Then we went over to the “prairie area” we have a weeded out there. Now the 100 year old lilies that we planted there a few years back will have more room to grow and prosper. I have to say they look really good and healthy so far, I guess they like the location. I then decided to go ahead and mow the lawns and edge the fences. That took a while since it’s a pretty big yard, but I like the job that I did. I left a spot in the middle of the lawn where some wild buttercups are in bloom for pollinators though. Once they’re done I’ll mow over them.

As a reward LD decided to take me to a place I saw on tv the other night that makes mochi donuts, an Asian specialty that I wanted to try. I got three different kinds but I think my favorite of the ones I got was the taro. Now it’s wind down and relax time as our bodies muscles are hurting! Escpeally mine after all that biking yesterday.

Saturday Morning City Bike Ride

Posted on by Markman
Took a picture of this church before the ride.

This morning was the annual spring bike ride that the city of Cambridge puts on that I try to do every year. This year’s theme was a tour of Cambridge’s off-leash dog areas. We also stopped at Fresh Pond for a water and restroom break and to hear from a guest speaker about the City’s biggest dog and wildlife hotspot. The ride was really good, mostly level terrain, with a police escort. If you weren’t near the front though I don’t think you’d actually know where the parks were because there wouldn’t be anyone to point it out to you as you rode by. This was a good 11 mile ride with about 115 participants. The best parts were the dogs that came along for the ride. After it was all over I headed to place a saw on Chronicle last week in my neighborhood that I wanted to try out, a Rwandan couple that has a coffee shop and serves coffee from their homeland, I must say it was pretty good! Would definitely go back and try some other things.

Below Listing:

  1. Cambridge city bike ride start
  2. Doggo on the ride
  3. Rest stop
  4. Wildlife by the Charles
  5. Back on the road
  6. Only time we can bike this underpass
  7. Again
  8. Drinking coffee from Rwanda!

Swinging into the Weekend Like…

Posted on by Markman

I was able to find a book of some of Edgar Allen Poe’s most famous stories in a little library while I was hanging around, It’s been a while sine I read those. This version looks to be nicely put together, with illustrations and editorial thoughts in the margins. Afterwards we picked up some more plants, which we’ll get into their pots this weekend, along with a stone cat figure that reminds of of Carson. Probably put it near where the bunnies lay their nests in the pot as he is the protector of the baby bunnies!

mr. History Post #12: Winter Hill Gang HQ

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It’s a church now, but the building at 12-14 Marshall Street, a landmark in the history of 20th Century organized crime, served as the headquarters for the infamous Winter Hill Gang.

With 12-14 Marshal St. as its headquarters, Winter and James “Whitey” Bulger directed a criminal organization that fixed horse races along the east coast, corrupted the Boston office of the FBI and provided the basis for an academy-award winning film (“The Departed” was loosely based on Bulger’s role as an FBI informant). From the 1970s until 1994 when Bulger fled Boston to avoid law enforcement, the gang rivaled the local Mafia in brutality and profits. And until 1980, when Winter went to jail and the gang moved to Boston, Marshall Street was the crew’s command center.

In 2008, the garage’s infamous trapdoor, which led to a basement where the Winter Hill Gang tortured or disposed of their rivals, was still intact. A significant place in the history of organized crime in the United States.

A Little Back Yard Love going On

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Yesterday was a pretty busy day! In the morning some guys we got to replace some of the falling fence panels in the back yard came by to remove the worst of the offenders. These panels are just so old and waterlogged, one even fell down. Those will be getting replaced piecemeal as time goes on. By the end of a week or two they should be done with the work. Good thing I had finally mowed the lawn a few days ago. We then had our previous massage lady come by and pick up the supplies she had left here, by now a few years ago, like her table and heater and bolster, and it was fun to reconnect. Maybe we’ll do a lunch or something in the future. We then hit the town’s garden flowers sale, something that we do every year. It wasn’t as big this year and it was a bit rainy but we got a few things. LD had a bunch of things to do while caught the Celtics game and then we planted the plants we got earlier, but then the sun had come out and it was a nice day.. We then cooked and baked some things as well, and I ordered a pizza. That’s that, a typical Saturday around here.

Mr. History Post #11: The Birth of Reddit!

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Mr. History post #11: Birth of Reddit.

Some of you might have seen this elsewhere but anyways in 2005, college roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian created Reddit from their apartment at 265 Elm Street in Davis Square, Somerville.

Today, their creation ranks as the 18th most-visited website in the world!

I grew up just a few blocks from this location and must have walked by it thousands of times, especially during that time, and I never even knew!