I think I drink too much coffee. I can’t help it, I feel sometimes as though I need it. I must be addicted to the caffeine I think. Usually I’ll have a cup a little bit after I wake up. I do this because it helps me to get started, it gets my cognitive functions going, so to speak. And I like the plain old coffee, none of that specialty flavored stuff. During the week I’ll also have 2 or three in the afternoon. And finally, once every two days or thereabouts I’ll have a cup in the late evening. It doesn’t affect my sleeping at all.
Today is the Superbowl but since the Pats aren’t in it, who cares? Not that I cared even when they were in it. Instead we’re going to hang out over another couples house and watch the Irishman. More later…
On the corner of Prince Street, in the heart of the North End of Boston. Prince spaghetti day! No, actually it’s Groundhog Day and he didn’t see his shadow which means an early spring, so let’s hope that’s true!
I spent the day in town today so over the next few I’ll be posting various pics that I took around while hitting over 31,000 steps on my activity tracker. (That’s 13 miles of walking!)
I started by going through Downtown, through Faneuil Hall, , then up into the North End, over to the waterfront briefly, up to North Station, down along Fort Point, over to the Leather District, over to Copley around Trinity and the BPL and part of the Back Bay – basically all over. Why did I do this? Well, I had some free time and I was jonesin to capture some new content without any particular ideas of what I could see. Just being spontaneous and see what happens. I also wanted to see how far I could push my body – seems like 13 miles is pretty much the maximum I can walk in a day (and the weather wasn’t too bad!) – after that I start turning to mush.
This first pic above is from Faneuil Hall, and the statue is actually a giant size version of a former mayor of the city, as an exercise to the readers I’ll let you figure out which one.
After all that walking I met up with LD and we went out to an early dinner at a place we like in Braintree. Then it was back home, resting watching some 20/20.
I’m becoming ever more mindful of the layers of fragility at this uncertain time in history…
Speaking of watching, I was able to watch the first episode of Star Trek: Picard after all, as the powers that be have decided to place the episode up on YouTube to watch for free for a limited time, so if you want to catch it better hurry up quick. I must say that I am very impressed with what they’re doing. Two thumbs up from me – however I’m still not paying for CBS All Access. And speaking of sci-fi type stuff – did someone mess with the timeline because lately it feels like everything is a bit off from where it should be – for example, Kobe Bryant has passed; Prince Harry is leaving the monarchy; dinkweed is in the Oval Office; the world seems so divisive these days – just seems like something isn’t right. Did a Crisis on Infinite Earths or Back to the Future Part II actually happen? I’m becoming ever more mindful of the layers of fragility at this uncertain time in history…
I like the way this photo came out. I titled it “Rise Above” because of the buildings rising up into the sky surrounding the old State House into the morning fog, but also as I zoomed in, which I didn’t notice before, due to the window washers. I think what’s cool about this photo are the building details which you can see better as you zoom in – I find a certain kind of hidden beauty in that. Also the way I need to feel lately, so there’s that. Other themes that resonate with me as I look at this are the muted colors, the fog, things like that – relevant to how I’m feeling in a lot of ways these days.
Finally took down the Xmas tree today and stored it away for next season. Spent some time at the Sanctuary as well as hitting a couple of grocery stores in the afternoon. Did a bunch of cooking this afternoon as well. Sad news about Kobe. Tried to do a impromptu photo shoot with Carson. We did get this one which I thought was pretty good:
What’s up with all the Aaron Hernandez specials on all of sudden?
Thoughts on the Hello Fresh – I did good on my first try although this particular recipe was very easy to prepare. Does seem like their ingredients are fresher than Blue Apron but that’s just my limited observation. Probably no different really.
Finally I did get a chance to see the David Harbour Hellboy movie this morning on HBO (I had DVR’ed it a while back). All in all, he’s good but I did prefer the Del Toro movies better. I guess it doesn’t matter since it didn’t do well at the box office so I suppose that’s the end of that.
Rest of the day is pretty much just taking it easy. Reading, napping, chores, etc. Might update this post more later…
Lots of appointments filling out today. I had a dental appt early in the morning with a followup in two weeks and then LD had some stuff. Carson had a vet visit as well. That was a bit of trauma getting him in the carrier at first – but he did good while he was there. He was so scared he actually let out a little poop while en route – which actually was advantageous as it was used as his stool sample. Good job Carson! We also did get to check out a cute cafe in Lincoln as well since we were in the area (the Twisted Tree Cafe). In case you were wondering I had a pretty good turkey sandwich.
This seems to be the year of seeing concerts – got a whole bunch of musical acts to see this year. Might see Bon Jovi again (not sure why his prices are so high, he ain’t THAT good – just my opinion), and entered a contest for front row Billy Joel seats at Fenway along with a meet and greet after the show through SiriusXM – hey you never know. Can”t win if you don’t try although I know my odds on that one are pretty slim. This all goes along with acts I plan to see this like Def Leppard, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Joan Jett (granted all those are on the same bill) as well as Johnny Mathis, possibly Damone again and maybe Lita Ford or some such, who knows. Maybe even the Harp Twins. Might be getting tougher and tougher to see local acts these days as the old Middle East is up for sale though admittedly I haven’t done that in quite some time – age and all.
Wish I had CBS All Access – I want to see the new Picard show – heard good things, but I’m too cheap to buy the streaming service for one show. Anyone wanna invite me to a watch party? Heheh!Another show I’m looking forward to Forensic Files II! Wonder if it’ll be as good as the originals – I noticed it even has the same opening theme music!
Got a free shipment of Hello Fresh to try this weekend (friend that uses them got an offer to send a free shipment to us try them out) – we’ll see how it goes (haven’t done any of these things since the Blue Apron days, which we did for a while but quit a couple of years ago). I’m doing the cooking tonight! What else? Still keeping my amaryllis and European Tree going strong, so that’s good. Filled up the bird feeder outside as it was empty – I haven’t really done any birding in a while. Might have to get out there and try some again.
Fort Point Channel Historic District, Boston Waterfront.
Going through some of my older photos and stumbled upon this one I took along the Fort Point Channel in Boston, since I don’t have any new shots right now. Looked sort of cool so I figured I’d share it now. I find I don’t seem to take many shots in the winter, compared to the summer months when I take hundreds. That red building in the center which is obscured partially by the bridge is actually the Tea Party museum where the tea dropping happened back in the day.
Latest observation: Carson gets more deliveries than any of us, with all his various toys! He does seem to enjoy playing with them.
Rather uneventful day, catching up on some shows and watching Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence on HBO (she was good in it but the movie itself was blah). Doing some reading of The Power Broker and playing with Carson.
Started the day by cleaning up the snow that fell last night. It was the kind of snow that’s easy to deal with so I was done fairly quickly, cleaning up the driveway and walkways. Nice that the sun was out today and melted a bunch of it as well. Well, actually that’s not true, before shoveling I finished some books I had been reading, I also got a massage yesterday so I was ready to go. Feeling the sun out there today does make me wish Spring was here already, I want get started on my plantings. It’ll be here before I know it, but I want it to come now!
I was able to (finally!) finish all 7 seven levels of Full Circle as well as this game, Escape the Void, which is similar. I’ll keep at these things until I beat them – it’s kind of obsession with me.
I ended up going to the grocery store this afternoon to get some needed things. Isn’t that so exciting to read about? So what did we do with the groceries I got? We made Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie (can someone invent skinless potatoes already? Peeling them is annoying). I enjoy doing the prep work though, cutting the carrots and mincing the garlic, etc. etc. Also helped assist with a tofu dish for LD. Spent the later evening watching a thing on Aaron Hernandez and the SAG awards show, which I found kind of boring but LD didn’t want to watch the remake of Hellboy. Can’t imagine why!
Tut’s 25-foot tall guardian visits Boston City Hall!
I went and got a much needed haircut early this morning. I find early Friday mornings are the best time to go to this particular barbershop because it isn’t too busy and I can get in and out really quick. Also, I’ve noticed that barbershops (or most of them) are all pretty hip these days with young men doing the work. Not the barbershop scene I remember growing up as a kid.
Carson meanwhile continues to amaze. He really likes this fake mouse at the end of a string toy, so we play a lot with him using it as it seems to be his favorite. He’s like a dog. He actually will play fetch with it. Apparently this morning while I was the barbershop he took the mouse, carried it all the way up the stairs into the bedroom, and dropped in in the bed next to LD! What a character this cat is!
Work is work. Trying to find pieces here and there. What’s really annoying is that we noticed a job posting in the company looking for the work that I am totally qualified and AM doing! But for some wacko reason I can’t work with them unless I switch into their group (but they’d essentially have to ‘hire’ me even though I already work at the company – actually it makes no sense). We’ll see if they want to pop on me, although it’s dumb to me that the resources are already there but do to most likely financial setups we can’t just work together. The fact that I haven’t heard anything from them doesn’t make me feel confident but I’ll give it some time and see.
This afternoon I decided to brave the cold and check out the big Tut statue down at Boston city hall, since it’s only there for a few more days and I’m not sure I’d get another opportunity to see this thing. Like I said before, I have a thing for ancient Egyptian stuff.
Coldest day of the season with wind chill factor, no problem!
Ended up going to a restaurant for an early dinner, Venezia’s down by the Boston/Quincy waterfront. Hadn’t done that in quite some time, it was nice.
Also as for gametime these days:
Goat in the Cave – help the goat survive and get out. I was able to complete all the levels.
As for Tasty Jewel looks like Level 92 is far as I’m going to get. I think I’ve annoyed LD playing this game long enough now.
Full Circle is a good puzzle game, but alas, I cannot for the life of me seem to be able to solve level 6. There are 7 levels total. When I get trapped like this it makes me nuts! I must solve the puzzle! But how?
Can’t wait for spring to arrive so I can do more outdoor stuff. My amaryllis is starting to bloom, so that’s exciting. Found out another Carson oddity. You know how you play with kids and you do that hide your face game? Well, it works with him too. If you look at him and then move so as to hide your face, he gets curious where you went and has to discover for himself where you are. He’ll leave wherever he was sitting to investigate. Like I said before, quite a character.
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.
Looking toward the Longfellow Bridge through the glass panes.
Spent yesterday at the Museum of Science in Boston. It’s a lot more interactive than I remember it being – I guess they redid a lot of it over. I was pretty impressed actually. Lots of stuff to do there. We took in a 4D movie as well. I didn’t really know what that meant. You wear the glasses so the screen is 3D but then there are environmental effects as well. When a snake goes by on screen you can feel something slithering along your legs, when a blast of wind comes through, you can feel that to, your seat shakes and vibrates with loud noises, and you even get wet with a mist of water during rain and rapid flowing water shots. Something different for sure!
Also played a lot of Air Hockey this weekend, saw some animals at the Sanctuary, watched Home Alone and ate a ginormous pizza. I think all had a good time! I also joined a new group of fellow jukebox owners. Pretty friendly community of folks to chat with!
I read this interesting article in the paper yesterday that a bunch of states were re-instituting the teaching of writing cursive. I mostly always wrote out everything in printed letters and still do so a while back I retaught myself cursive because I had found that I had actually forgotten how to form some of the letters like capital Q. The article said kids these days can’t even sign their signature, bad as I was I never forgot how to do that.
My sister is coming over for an overnight! So planning on having some nice meals and chat and games and downtime. Think it might be fun.
A heron waits for some geese to pass by, just like I’ve been feeling.
I started the week feeling a little under the weather, so that’s why it’s been a little quiet around here. I am starting to feel better though so I’ll start updating again. Carson is adjusting quite well, he is really such a love and cute. The little guy has quite a personality. He loves the brush and to be groomed so if he runs away you just show him the brush and he runs right back to you. He can also be coaxed out of hiding by luring him out with his toys. I’ve noticed he also has this thing where when he wants a drink of water he scoops out 4 or 5 pawfuls and drinks it out of his paw before placing his face in the bowl. Never saw anything like that before! Now I just need to get over this cold and I’ll be golden!
Rocks that have nothing to do with Carson, I just like the shot.
Today was the day that we were to meet Carson, the cat that had been living in a shelter in Millis for two months. I don’t know what is was about him when we saw his picture on the website but his big round eyes, dashing grey coat with white paws, and heart-shaped nose cuteness just spoke to us like he could be the one. Around noontime was the appointment and we arrived a little early. When we were finally introduced he looked a little scared at first, but not too bad. He allowed us to brush and pet him and play with him and it was almost like an instant connection. Yes, he is a bit shy and skittish at first, because it’s all new to him, but I could tell he will adjust really fast. I could tell he would be a gentle and friendly cat. Plus, he apparently loves face-scratches which is something LD had become an expert at with Oreo, so right there is a connection that could work for us. He’s shy (but I found not overly so) and he didn’t hiss or scratch, he seemed like a real catch. I knew we could love this cat and that he also has the capability to return the favor.
It was pretty much a done deal after spending some time with the little guy. Carson was getting an all expenses paid trip to his new forever home. After all the paperwork was signed, he got placed in the carrier and I let him say goodbye to his other cat friends at the shelter, who in their own way, probably felt bittersweet. Sad that he was leaving them, but happy that he could find a loving home to be in. I’m sure the volunteers who help out at the shelter felt the same way. Also, I have to say this shelter was amazing so I’m giving a plug to Purr-fect Cat Shelter. They are really a wonderful folks doing good work there so if you’re looking for cat, check them out.
So with that, I’m happy to say that Carson is now a member of the family! I’ll get some nice pictures of him up after he gets a little more adjusted to his new home, that grey and white handsome bundle of joy. Interestingly I had found a Xmas tree ornament while shopping at Target last night with his exact name on it. What are the odds of that? I don’t think that’s an everyday name but it does seem to suit him, so we’ll be keeping that. Naturally we ended up buying it, so I guess it was fate that he would be coming home with us today. The shelter folks told us to keep him in a room for the time being to adjust to his new surroundings and slowly let him acclimate to the rest of the house over time, so for the time being he’s hanging upstairs in the home office room. So far, I think he seems to be adjusting quite well – it being fairly quiet here and no other cat shenanigans to worry about.
It’s officially 2 weeks away from Christmas! People ask me, “What do you want for Christmas?” and I have no ideas. Truth is I don’t really want or need anything, maybe some books on my Goodreads “to-read” list and maybe a Fitbit Versa 2 and a sweater or two, but honesty not really much if anything (!!) When I was a kid, I would like to receive presents but nowadays I get more joy from getting other folks things. I have stuff for LD all lined up (although I always want to get more – especially stocking stuffers) and I think I might get tickets to Johnny Mathis for my Mom (he’s coming to Medford in May – also Damone is doing another show in May, might get those for myself).
What the hell happened to my right forearm? Woke up this morning with it feeling really sore. I suspect it had to do with the shoveling from two days ago, but I usually feel the effects of activity such as that the next day, not two days after! Must be a part of getting older? Also, strange that that’s the only part of my body that’s sore, everything else appears fine to me. Must have twisted it in some way while I was doing it is the only thing I can think of. I think I might have to actually ice it, or place something warm on it, as I prefer that better.
Lately I like to post a photo to go along with the blog posts. I don’t really have any at the moment to reflect the status of my arm (it’s not swollen or anything), so I’m transitioning to an enjoyable pic of Bean and Buckley from the sanctuary! They have interesting stories, as do all the animals there.
Bean came to the farm at two weeks old. He was rescued from slaughter. He needed to be bottle fed when he first came. He is a mischievous little boy, liking to chew on visitor’s shoe laces. Bean doesn’t seem to realize he is a goat. He is being socialized with the other goats nowadays as before he was actually living in the owner’s house. He probably thought he was either a human or possibly a dog for a while.
Buckley, as a baby, was rescued from slaughter too. He was cared for and when his rescuer could no longer care for him as he got older, he was brought to the farm. He is very attached to the volunteers, following them around, and visitors too – especially if he senses a snack around! I find he can be a little pushy. He’s been known to butt me and others at times, but not in a malicious way. Those horns are killer! It’s just the goat way. He and Bean, as can be seen in the photo, have become good companions.
I consider these two to be rather handsome goats! I’ve grown to have a fondness for goats in general now. Growing up in the city, I didn’t have many opportunities to hang out with animals like this, and I find them to very soulful animals.
After waking up early and shoveling out over at Earth-1, I decided to head into the office. I was kind of expecting the snowfall to be worse but I didn’t think it was all that bad. I actually have some stuff I could get done so maybe things are looking up a little bit. My plan was to go in around 10 but I actually ended up finishing up earlier than I though and got in around 9. Keep sending me the light, people!
I never really liked winter. I hate snow now. Back when I was little, maybe it was fun to play in it. Maybe. But nowadays, forget it. Between shoveling, scraping, slipping on ice, getting frozen, taking longer to do anything.. real f’in pain. Do any of you like winter? I mean, it’s scenic when it first falls and all. I’m done with it now though. And it’s only just begun!
