Some of the results of our garden coming to fruition. Already harvested the cucumbers - just waiting on some squash and eggplant now.

Today's a throwback picture to a Great Blue Heron I sighted in Wellesley waiting for LD a few years back.It's probably the closest I've ever been able to get to one of these creatures yet. It was just skulking around this little pond area looking for food. I don't think it got any that particular day though. In other news, going to a concert tomorrow night (more details to follow as it happens) and maybe a beach day on Sunday? I guess all that ocean air last week got to me.

At lunchtime today I went for a walk over by the Fresh Pond Reservation. I hadn't been there in decades. While walking a bit through Lusitania Meadow, I came upon two monarch butterflies doing some type of dance and chasing each other - was pretty cool to watch actually. I happened to pick this trail because of the name (Lusitania is the ancient name of Portugal, still used as the name of it in modern poetry, hey, my ancestry). In the future I'm going to need to explore this area further.

This one would look good as a painting - in fact, to me it almost looks like one!

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Today is National Tell a joke day so ...here goes...
Why does Snoop Dogg use an umbrella?
For Drizzle

Finally getting around to getting some things done about the house, getting the shed painted, getting the driveway retarred, etc. Going to be a busy couple if days ahead. But looking forward to some fun things planned ahead as well!

Yesterday we grilled with some steak tips and salmon and veggies that we grew in the yard for dinner using these new skewers I got as one of my birthday presents. It came out great! Somehow grilling items seems to make the flavors pop much better. Then as the night wore on we (well, really I) wanted to watch this tv show about the Son of Sam where they actually talk to that nut today. Unfortunately the part that most people want to hear, why he did it, he wouldn't talk about - so that was basically a waste of an hour.

I mentioned a couple days ago how a lot of times we'll just be cruising around and something will catch our eye. It's not always the scenic stuff that I see but also the oddities. Here are two examples from our recent travels.

A strange cat like structure built out of huge hay bales in the driveway of some private residence.

A place where the owner apparently collects all manners of odd things, including old buildings, such as this somewhat dilapidated train station. I noticed it as we were driving by, I said like "Whoa! Is that a train station in the middle of a lawn? How did it get there?" I especially liked the broken down wagon out front. Apparently after doing some digging the owner was a collector of everything - this was a place those Pickers would go I am sure. Collector? Hoarder? The place is somewhat of a museum although it's been closed for over a year - the kids are trying to turn in into a wedding venue. Another example of things we see on the road that requires a double take or worth taking a shot of. You can actually have your wedding photo shoots here - if you like having dilapidated buildings in the backgrounds of your photos - really weird.

Can't forget to visit the 'Nubble'!

Walker's Point, Home of '41'.

A lot of times we'll just be cruising around and something will catch our eye - such as this location. I've taken shots from here before but there's always new opportunities.

Whaleback Light in the distance. This was actually taken from Fort McCleary, a fortification since the Revolutionary War days.

Finally, a little time for some more RnR!

Great location to see various sailing ships and sloops pass by. The picture on the right is a private residence that supposedly was used in the opening shots of the television show 'Dark Shadows' although I could not really find any information that confirms that. In any case, it must have amazing views.

Another shot of a sailing vessel, this time some sort of three masted boat. I kind of have a thing for boats, I'm not sure why. Anyways I thought it looked kinda cool sailing into the horizon and the light at this particular time makes it looked bathed in a white glow, like they are sailing into a mysterious yet pleasurable place. Pic on the right is where we chilled out! Who wouldn't like waking up to this view?

These two shots were taken just before sunrise, so I had to get up and out there really early, and that was not easy (thankfully LD nudged me!), but sometimes that what you have to do! The quiet except for the lapping of the waves is really quite stunning.

So this particular morning, the place was having a watercolor class on the front lawn facing the ocean for anyone willing to try, so we said what the hell and did it. I will say at first I wasn't really pleased with my painting but over time it's grown on me. I actually learned quite a bit, about form, but also watercolor painting techniques in general. It is actually a quite forgiving medium, but I don't think it really meshes with my somewhat analytical mind. It's more about generalities and I'm a bit more detail oriented in that way. But that's kind of the point I suppose - it's not about the details but about the feeling of the scene - something I need to learn to let go at times so I can better appreciate what there is to offer me. However, we did find it extremely relaxing and couldn't believe that 3 hours went by so quickly. You don't even notice the time as your brushing over your painting, with water, and colors, and just going with the flow. We really did have a lot of fun with that. Pic on the right is just another boat with some pretty flowers in the foreground This is from the town center - a very busy yet picturesque location where in olden days much shipbuilding occurred.

If you'd like to get a better look at some of these pictures you can see them (along with some others) on my Insta feed for now.

Trip around Newburyport, Plum Island, Essex, Gloucester and various sights along the way...

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We had thought of going to the Caturday celebration on the Common this morning but we watched too many Datelines last night and decided to sleep in instead, so that didn't happen. We ended up going to some stores today and I ended up getting some men's activewear for the goat yoga after all. We also picked up some paint (a green to match the house) to paint the wood shed with which should be happening soon. Also picked up some USB sticks for LD and I - mostly for our mp3/iTunes music for the cars (especially hers since it doesn't have a CD player).I also picked up some pens with a writing width of 1.4mm. Most pens are 0.7 but I really like a thick line when I'm writing so I had to pop on those. For dinner tonight we're having leftovers from yesterday that we got at an awesome Greek restaurant down by the Norwood airport. We always forget about that place but the food is phenomenal. Basically just been getting ready to hit the road and enjoy some vacation R&R. Oh, the pic above is from Point Judith in Rhode Island but is from last year. I just felt like putting it up again, Sunday Feels and all...

Pictured here is the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry - the largest privately owned tall ship and largest civilian sail training vessel in the United States.

Supposed to be a rainy Saturday today, so I think it'd be a good day to get some errands done and maybe get caught up on some things. The cat did fine yesterday btw, so that's good. More later...

Just finished putting together these carpeted stairs for the cat so he can get up on the bed better - sucks to get old and all. The directions were in Japanese but luckily I didn't need them as the graphic was enough for me to figure it out. Speaking of said cat, he'll be going to the vet later this afternoon and I suspect he will not be such a happy camper.

I also mowed the lawn which was badly needed, and after taking an assessment of the garden plots it would appear that we have some eggplants growing along with some cucumber (we already ate one of those last week), squash, and the usual assortment of tomatoes. The brussel sprouts have been growing for months but are not appearing to actually be producing any brussel sprouts. Guess we wont be trying those anymore, just as well, as they're nasty to eat anyway (in least, in my humble opinion). Also, in the back some star gazer lilies have decided to open up which is strange because those aren't what they were supposed to be. LD doesn't even remember us planting them, but I do.

Update: Well, I biked outta here before the deluge so I didn't get wet so that rocked. Headed out to Kendall, managed to find a parking spot pretty much out front across the street from the restaurant and just as we got inside, it poured like a mother. Luck again! And when we left it was just a drizzle so it all worked out rather nicely and I enjoyed my dinner meal. Remind me however, to never, drive around Kendall Square at 5 pm - the place is a zoo.

Also, I got goat yoga coming up and I still don't have any yoga pants for the occasion! Oh well, guess it's the old college sweatpants for me!

Yesterday I started playing around with altering tones on some of my photos. I have a long way to go but I think it kinda made this shot look cool. Basically it's a lot of experimentation and deciding on what you think looks good. It's supposed to rain this afternoon but I took the bike in anyway - taking a chance but in the end, so what, it's only water. Also my mom is treating me to dinner tonight for my birthday, which is actually next week (since I'll be away on a much needed vacation). I'm thinking seafood!

Another beautiful day in the City of Boston!

Went for a bit of a history stroll last night around the neighborhood and learned an interesting trivia tidbit. The Charles Williams, Jr. House located on Arlington Street, Somerville, is the location of the first residential telephone line. The phone inside the house connected to Mr. Williams' office at 109 Court Street in Boston, about 3 miles away. These two properties had the first telephone numbers - 1 & 2. And it happened right here, in my hometown. Kinda neat.

Saturday was more or less a rest day, which was quite nice and needed (I believe we ended up watching a bunch of Scandal Made Me Famous episodes, Lorena Bobbitt, Pam Smart, Tonya Harding, etc. Needless to say, I was riveted!) and then last night went and saw a showing of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the classic film from 1982 on the big screen. Hard to believe it's been 35 years! We hadn't seen the film in a long while, it was quite a treat and really cool to see it on a theatre screen again. M&M were able to get tickets and ended up joining us, so that's always fun.

All these activities must have caught up to me because I overslept this morning and had to book to make into work on time. Thankfully I did, however.

The Tall Ship "Gloria" in from Columbia currently docked at Fan Pier, Boston.

Here's one so far, I call it "Rise!" I especially like the bird soaring into the sky along with it. This is from thr Financial District of town.

And here's a shot of Boston Public Gardens famous Swan Boats with actual swans swimming beside them.

Amazing production of Romeo and Juliet this year on the Common! Truly wonderful - I highly recommend seeing this before its gone!

Great day for sail along Battery Wharf.

I do it for some exercise and gas saving, but mostly because I find that it's been clearing my mind. I find it good for my mental health. I find it has this effect of clearing my mind.

Angel, Represent! @Duxbury Beach, MA.

"Dinner is better when we are eating together."

Spent a little bit of time at the Sanctuary on this beautiful afternoon.

Needless to say, it was quite a wonderful day!

Here's a shot from the archives from a Cape stay this time last year. First Encounter Beach in Eastham, Mass. So called because in 1620 the Pilgrims and Native americans first met. It wasn't a happy meeting. The natives had previously had some bad experiences with Europeans. The Pilgrims who arrived on the ship "Mayflower" stole some corn and robbed some graves. At First Encounter Beach, the natives responded to the newcomers by firing a few arrows into their camp. The Pilgrims decided to move on to Plymouth...

I really like the way this shot came out but what you can't see is that as I was waiting for the right moment to take the shot, I was getting eaten alive by mosquitos. Still, looking back now, it was totally worth it!

Who has the best jukebox in Cambridge? No one really. Call us old school but it makes me glad to say we have one of our own!

Some cool things coming up though: Going to see Fast Times at Ridgemont High on the big screen, speaking of movies, to celebrate its 35th anniversary! Possibly plan on seeing Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare in the Park Boston Common, and seeing a Sox game, among some other things.

Taking my mom into the hospital her colonoscopy appt on Monday - wish us luck!

Got some torrential rainfall last nite in Somerville for about a half hour or so and so the cellar flooded a bit. Luckily the sump pump was working perfectly and drained it all by and hour and a half later.

Could have been worse, but it's still such a pain when it does happen, although thankfully rarely.

I haven't been watching much news these days - maybe just a couple of local stories now and again, a newspaper on Sundays, definitely no political stuff - my mental health is so much better for it I find.

Grilling like a pro, scallop kabobs with zucchini, corn, and pepper. After the BBQ we painted Angel in acrylic to help to honor and remember her.

Neither this bunny nor I are looking forward to going back to the grind tomorrow. Seen in backyard while grilling late this afternoon.

Spent the early morning today bagging up the cut tree limbs that I worked on yesterday. Took me about an hour and half to finally clear it all. Being from the city, I never really had any chances to do things like this, I find it somewhat enjoyable working with nature and all, although it really is work. Planning on finishing mulching the front later this afternoon, and then that will be all done. Sucks to go back to the grind tomorrow. Feels like I've been away forever.

Let's go kayaking!

Spent the early afternoon taking a daytrip down to Scituate for lunch and to catch some breezy air down by the harbor. Later on, came upon some conservation land and explored some trails there.

Oh, here's a pic of some Mr. Potato Heads from last weekend.