Above, another shot from Cape Porpoise, Maine. I might attempt a quick jaunt up there tomorrow morning if I can get up early enough for an event, but that’s iffy. Going to spend the afternoon today at our friend’s pool. Ahhhh!
Category: Memories
If I Ever Make the Cover of Men’s Health
Mark stood in front of the bathroom mirror, adjusting his favorite t-shirt and let out a long, exasperated sigh. “This is just perfect,” he muttered, running his hand through his thinning hair. “Twenty years ago I could play basketball for hours, now I throw out my back reaching for the cereal on the top shelf.” He stretched gingerly, feeling the familiar twinge in his lower spine that had become his constant companion since turning forty-five. The irony of his shirt choice wasn’t lost on him as he contemplated the growing list of daily aches and pains: his creaky knees that predicted weather changes better than the meteorologist, his shoulder that protested every golf swing, and his neck that seized up from sleeping wrong on his supposedly ergonomic pillow. “When did my body become a walking complaint department?” he wondered aloud, though deep down he knew the shirt was both a badge of honor and a cry for help—a middle-aged man’s way of announcing to the world that he’d officially entered the phase of life where comfort trumped style, and ibuprofen had become a food group.
Hot Afternoon at the Gym Pool
Yesterday was a good afternoon to hang by the pool, even if only to watch LD get some more yards in. What else happened? Not too much, kind of a rest day. Went to the lobster food truck for lunch, watched the Indiana Fever game, did some weeding and cleaning of the back deck, had a pizza for dinner. Pretty chill for a hot day.
Emotional Baggage at a Winery!
Woke up this morning to some kind of screeching. Couldn’t tell what it was. Eventually we figured out it was a Common Raven! Never encountered one of those before, it’s always been crows.
Checked out the Blueberry Festival this afternoon in Mendon over at the Vandervalk Winery. There was a giant Santa there and we got some really cool stuff from some artisans that had a few tents there. Before that we hit this Hosta place in Mendon that sells very specific varieties of Hosta and Lillies that they grow themselves. Got a few of those. They also do a great job with Lotus plants, but that’s really tricky stuff to grow, plus you need a body of water. I ate some grilled cheese from a food truck that was there as well for a quick bite.
My Princess Cheyanne book arrived just as we were leaving the house. I grabbed it up but LD wants to read it first, so I let her. She actually knows the person, from a different time and career path at the time. Anyways, I’m going to see if I can find the former Princess and see if I can get her to sign the book.
Gametime: Blobun Mini. Get the snake to cover all the squares!
It Was An Interesting Fourth In Jersey
Sun’s Out – Tongue’s Out! 👅 Also highlights: Enjoying lunch at the Pompton Queen Diner after a long drive down, watching LD do forty lengths at the Madison Y – amazing facility and great job LD! A dinner at a place called the Thirsty Turtle – the pretzel buns are shaped like pretzels! A doggo falls asleep on my foot after I took him for a couple of long walks – think he enjoyed! Finally Cowboy Up before leaving – also I learned something new called “Alabama Apple Sauce!” – you had to be there.
A Fourth Day of Fun and Some Pottery Pickups
Had a fun fourth over at a friend’s house down in Fairhaven along the water yesterday. I ate a bunch of burgers, dogs, chicken, chips, desserts, etc. Hung with with 4 dogs. So cute. This was right after we celebrated LD’s achievement again at the pool at the gym – there were treats and balloons and a lot of fun. Also picked up a bunch more Dedham pottery bunny stuff in Swansea which was sort of on the way and today in Dedham of all places, obtained a bunch more, some of them cats with their kittens. So it was a good haul this weekend to be sure!
Enjoy this pic of the lilies on our friends property from yesterday.
Doing Bunny Yoga For a Change of Pace
First off, I have to send out a Congratulations to my one and only, Ladydoc, for completing 5 miles of swimming to benefit the American Cancer Society! Awesome job! This morning I went down to the pool with her and watched her take the final laps and document the occasion for posterity!
The town of Dedham had some all afternoon bunny events. We chose Bunny Yoga!
Saturday Night BBQ and Smores
We had some guests over and I BBQed, a bunch of things, salmon, angus burgers, and veggies we put into grill cages. We had smores and great conversations. It’s nice to have people over sometimes.
Fire Lily 2025
Actually it’s a Ruby Spider but I’m still calling them our fire lilies which are starting to pop now!
It’s been a pretty busy week, between walking around the town in over 100 degree F heat, to trying to get my mom set up with a new cell phone, to doing all the other stuff. It’s all good though.
Currently Watching: My Mom Jayne.
Mr. History Post #14: Most Photographed House in America (once)!
Mr. History Post #14: The Most Photographed House in America at one time and I believe still the most photographed house in the state of Maine. It’s the Wedding Cake House! It’s up for sale if you want the slice! If you want a look inside you can check that here.
Sunsets, Fish Shacks, Cape Porpoise Love
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
Sconset Memories
Fire Sky
Been a while since I posted some of my sunset photography. Enjoy this one!
So Saddened to Hear About This
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
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.
Yes, I’m Generation X – Love the 80s!
Had an idea! Gag me with a spoon? Got any others? I still feel we’re the greatest generation but I’m biased!
Happy 8th Birthday Carson!
My best buddy!
The Perfect Shirt Doesn’t Exist…Oh Wait!
This shirt embodies how I feel (occasionally!)
I did take a ride down to the Chicken on the Road food truck yesterday and it tasted just like I remembered it. Then I watched the Valkyries game and was pleased to see them play so well. Fun game.
Free Donuts
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
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
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
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
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!
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.