Category: Scenic Photography

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

Good Afternoon for Yard Work

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After my shift today I decided to tackle some yard work and getting ready for the next season. I started off by mowing the lawns, mulching a bagging all the leaves. I left some for ecological reasons in certain spots as well. Then it was off to disconnecting the grill and putting it away for the winter and getting the heater set up in case we want to use that later on. Brought the patio umbrella into storage and then went ahead and picked up a bunch of leaves that were just lying around the front porch and driveway. It was sort of a lot of work but it was nice out and I feel pretty accomplished by doing it. Now I just need to get those leaves bags out on the curb by trash day and we’ll be all set. That’s what fall clean up fun is all about! Of course now my back hurts and I’m tired but that’s the way it goes. Afterwards I took a shower, did some laundry, and cooked dinner for us tonight.

Halloween week 2024

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What a week! Started off by me wanting to get some autumn shots over at Mount Auburn cemetery, (one of my better shots now available) so much so that I went on two days, both Sunday and Monday. Tuesday was spent doing my usual Tuesday things where I also tried out a new burger establishment in town and it’s pretty good, especially the chicken sandwiches. Wednesday was meeting up with LD at the office after my dentist appointment checkup, who had been away on a solo trip for a few days. Yesterday was Halloween so we had to give out the candy – I even got a couple of shout outs from some kids about my shirt. Later in the evening though I sort of had a stomach ache, I think I just ate too much candy. It seemed to me we didn’t have as many kids this year but there was enough. Let’s see, my favorite costumed kiddies this year would have to be the Rubik’s Cube and a skeleton that actually had lights all over themselves and lit up. Of course, the best ones of all all the really little kids who are just so cute.

Statuary of Mt. Auburn: An Education

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Alright, I couldn’t help myself. I decided to go back for the second part of this particular journey, this time focusing on the various statuary that I came across. Here’s a chosen few that I really liked. I’m especially fond of the ones that have the dogs in them. You can click on each one for a larger view. I’ve added my own commentary to a few of them. It’s been a educational experience for me to look up the many notable figures buried there and learn about their contributions to the world. Oh, and the grounds are absolutely gorgeous.

Look in the tomb
Not sure what this represents
Another view of the Mary Baker Eddy memorial
The Poet Longfellow
Patiently waiting for his owner
Universalist clergyman
Lawyer, Animal Rights Advocate, & Founder of the MSPCA
This guy was a teacher
Isabella Stewart Gardner Crypt
Psychologist behind the “Hierarchy of Needs”

Visiting Mt. Auburn in Fall Part One

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My mom invited me to brunch over at a place called the S&S in Cambridge this morning so I took her up on her offer. I hadn’t been to that place since probably before the pandemic with LD. I ended up getting a turkey club with I must say was delicious. That place has been there forever and it’s always pretty good.

After dropping her off I decided that Mt. Auburn might be a good p[lace to get some autumn shots so I drove on over there with no set goal in mind and to just see what I see. However after today I feel I’m going to need to go again because there is just so much and I only had limited time today. There’s a few more sites there I want to check out and pay my respects to. As LD always says, “Mr. History!”

I did find a couple of noteworthy people in my walking today however. Stopped by Edwin Booth‘s grave, considered by many to be the greatest actor of the 18th century but unfortunately overshadowed by his younger brother killing Abraham Lincoln and Dorothea Dix, an advocate on behalf of mental health. Her grave is very non ostentatious considering all the achievements she accomplished in life.

Spooky Season Approaching!

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Got to swing by the the Ville for a little bit yesterday afternoon. After getting a photo op down by the old Assembly Row (kind of amazing how many new things are down there nowadays) I took a trip over through Malden to visit the grave of my grandparents. I hadn’t been there in quite a while. I also took my mom out for a quick bite to celebrate her birthday the other day.

Finding My Calm

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Finally had a chance to get a massage tonight. Felt good as my back, neck and shoulders were really crunchy and actually giving me some pain. Although I wouldn’t say I’m at 100% yet, this really helped big, big, big time! Maybe another treatment or two and I’ll be good as new. I was able to also get a bunch of errands done today, which had been outstanding, so it was nice to be able to cross those off my to-do list.

Staring to really feel like autumn around here now. Enjoy this nice picture of a tree I took.

Do We have a Collecting Obsession?

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Might be time for another trip up to Maine soon! Nubble L:ight, York, ME

We’ve sort of decided that we might want to visit Maine in a moth or two and not do the usual Prelude thing that we’ve been doing for the last couple of years. Not that we don’t love it, but it’s just so busy around that event. Might be a little quieter earlier in the season.

Got a few more leads on some Dedham Pottery items. Once again, we’re always on the lookout for something different, and generally involving a bunny or two. The key is to get a somewhat unique bunny themed item that you don’t usually see and at a very good price. I saw someone selling these cute pins for cheap and it happened to be close by in Roslindale so this morning we went and picked them up. Plus I was jonesing for a Dunks so we stopped off at a drive thru to fuel my caffeine addiction. Later on in the afternoon LD saw a display plate she wanted in Ashland so I hopped on over out that way to get that. Not too much going on out that way.so it was a quiet ride up and back for about an hour or so. Always on the lookout! It was originally just because the colors of the objects matched the new kitchen colors so well plus it has the bunny theme but now it’s taken on a life of it own.

Last night we watched the Suns of the WNBA take game 1 of the semis against Minnesota. Very good close game. It would be amazing if they could pull off a championship. I think my fav player on the team (besides the daughter of LD’s trainer) would have to be Mabrey. Not only does she nail the long bombs and is super scrappy but she’s from NJ!

I Like Big Mums and I Cannot Lie…

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Today to help LD out from going stir crazy we took a ride to the beach! The weather was pretty nice with only a cool breeze passing through now and again. One thing we noticed was a fishing boat just a few feet out from the beach. After looking it up I discovered it was the Nemesis and discovered this interesting website where you could track all these vessels,. On the way back we ended up at a stand and got some interesting looking gourds and another pumpkin and got a great deal on a pot of some of the biggest mums we’d ever seen! I’ll have to put a pic up of some of the gourds later.

Thursday Travails and Treasures

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Got in the actual water for this on. Chatham, MA.

Yesterday ended up being a fairly busy day for me. I had an early day so I used to time to head on over to Earth-1 for a few things. First up was getting an oil change because my auto kept nagging me about it so it was good I was able to get that done. I also got a haircut while I was there. Finally, as one last task, LD saw a chair on marketplace that was for sale pretty cheap and looked really good in town so I went to go pick it up. They seemed like a nice young couple. They lived just outside of Union Square though by Lincoln Park which is in an area of town that I wasn’t all that familiar with. Anyways I got the chair no problem, but the traffic down there around rush hour time and in rain (although thankfully it didn’t rain when I had to do anything outdoors) leaves a lot to be desired. Having to cut through Cambridge along Mass Ave around that time wasn’t great either but I figured it would be the most direct route back. All in all, it all worked out. Go Connecticut Sun! So cool to know people around the team on a personal level!

Life’s Pretty Gourd Right Now!

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Three highlights from Saturday. We finally got out to Lexington to check out the annual pumpkin wall over at Wilson Farms (something that I had been wanting to check out for a while) and while there we even purchased some goods, like pumpkins and mums and various treats. Then if was off to Revere Beach where we hung out for a few hours. The beach was warm but there was a constant sea breeze which felt cool. I also had a Kelly’s lunch there. One interesting thing was watching the seagulls get these mollusks and fly up into the air with them to then drop them to let the fall help crack them open. Every now and then a different gull would grab one’s hard work. Finally came home on grilled in the early evening. Burgers and some corn that we got at the farm. Today we’re going to get some friend pool time in before checking out some kitty and goat experience. We’ll see how that all goes!

Finding Out Where the Music Was Coming From

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Had to go into HQ today to get recertified in CPR training. Pumping on the old mannequins! Pretty straightforward actually. We get to practice on the adult mannequins and also an infant mannequin. Hopefully would never be in that situation but it’s good to know these things. Now for a little story. For a while now in the evening we’ve been hearing this music blaring and it goes on for quite a bit, certainly disruptive after some time. This has gone on for a few weeks now. So finally last night we decided to take a drive and see exactly where this is coming from. We hopped in my car and we took a ride around the neighborhood. Eventually we found where it was coming from. Just as I pulled over for a closer look, I could see what appeared to be a woman watching us! I then drove off but now we know where to direct future energies as we now know exactly where the disturbances are coming from.

Currently Reading: College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Woman Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen

Hanging It Up

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Currently Reading: The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI Ray Kurzweil

I went into the gym this morning that has an outside pool and large hot tub so I could use the hot tub. Ahh, that felt pretty good. It was a beautiful morning too so that adds a lot to it. Then it was off to Staples to return some Amazon things. They make the returns so easy now, just pop in and they scan a QR code and it’s done. Afterwards we headed to the office to hang up one of my photographic landscapes. This particular shot is a little old before I really knew how to shoot scenes better so there’s a newer shot that I want to do and hang, at least for myself. When I get around to having that done I’ll post that here as well. Finished off the afternoon with a short nap in my gravity chair on the deck (maybe that hot tub took more out of me than I thought!) and then some light grilling of burgers and salmon. A pretty standard Labor Day weekend thing to do.

Meta AI Summarizing My Work

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Sometimes I post some of my photos to various Facebook groups and I’ve noticed now that it a picture gets over 100 comments it seems, that Meta AI will pop up a box basically summarizing all the comments that were left. Here’s a sampling of some of them. I’m glad that so many people seem to genuinely like my photography. Thanks to anyone who liked my pictures and left a comment. This sampling is all from our summer visit to the Cape this year.

Commenters are in awe of the stunning visual, with many expressing admiration for nature’s beauty and one observer noting a striking, cross-like formation. Overall, the post has inspired a sense of wonder and appreciation.

The post’s photo of a summer sunset captivated viewers, with many praising its beauty and serenity. One commenter noted that the image is “framer worthy” and appreciated the outstanding photography.

Commenters admire the serene and naturally beautiful photo, appreciating its authenticity and nostalgic value. One commenter shares a personal connection, continuing family traditions despite loss. Others express gratitude fir the uplifting image, describing it as a “love letter from God” and “peaceful perfection.”

This photo received widespread acclaim for its beauty and serenity, with many commenting on it’s exceptional quality and the sense of calm it evokes/ One observer noted that it resembles “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, while others praised the photographer’s skill and use of perspective.

Diners rave about the Lobster Pot, some visiting annually for their “lobster fix.” The seafood is highly praised, with one commenter claiming it’s the best in the world. The restaurant’s connection to Anthony Bourdain and its status as a landmark are also noted.

The post’s beautiful sunset photo drew praise, with many commenters admiring the vibrant colors. One commenter noted that the clouds enhance sunsets, while another mentioned a personal connection to the location, finding it both pretty and historical.

Beach, Dog Snuggles, Art, Family, Nothing Better

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Family came to visit this 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!

Bulls on Parade

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Bulls on parade. Just another photo opportunity! Acton, Mass.

We got up very early for a Sunday. 6 am to be exact. LD wanted to make a couple of dished for one of her friends who has been under the weather. So we got up and cranked out multiple containers of Lemon Orzo Soup and homemade chili. Amazingly got it mostly done within an hour. Then we had to take a ride out to Action to make another marketplace pickup. Before heading all the way back we stopped by what was one of the nicest Trader Joe’s we’ve ever been in, to pick up a few more things. Then we had to head back before the sick woman’s children who were driving back from New Hampshire to meet us back at the house, so they could pick up all the food goods that we made. Oh, also made some egg muffins as well. And all this before 12:30 pm! On fire, baby!

We saw these bulls along the road in Acton so naturally we had to pull over and take pictures with them.

Then we dropped some more soup off at the old landlady’s place and went to get some locally grown sweet corn from a farm in Westwood, which I’ll be grilling tonight with some chicken and salmon and shrimp skewers. Finally went to a local outlet furniture store just to look at some things.

So, yeah, a pretty full day!

Seeing the Light at the End of the Trail

Posted on by Markman
Sankaty Light, Nantucket Island

Here’s another shot I took of Sankaty Light on the island of Nantucket earlier this year when we were invited to stay for a bit by some wonderful kind and caring friends. I remember this day quite clearly, partly because it wasn’t that long ago, but also because I wanted to walk along the cliff trail which basically ends at this location. So I got to walk the entirety of the trail and finished up by hanging out at the lighthouse trying to figure out what would make a nice picture. I think I did pretty good with this one – I am satisfied with it!

That circular object in front of the light is where the lighthouse previously stood. It had to moved a bit a while ago due to erosion of the cliff side. Some of the other structures that were there originally are gone, although you can still see the foundations of one of them.

Oh, if you were still wondering what the pickup was yesterday from the marketplace, I will now divulge the deets. It was a turntable like device that we placed under the dollhouse so that it can be spun from front to back quite easily. It was great that it fit the job perfectly and fit just right and that the guy wasn’t too far from the office. We also did some minor repair work on the windowpanes.