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Theme Day: Animals

2012-02-01T00:01:00.008-05:00

Today, February 1, 2012, is Theme Day across the CDPB (citydailyphotoblog) community. If you look very carefully, you'll spy one of our kitties hiding out in one of her favorite spots, my leather backpack. Good old Molly. I still recall the day we walked into the Animal Refuge League shelter in Westbrook and after opening her cage, she crawled up on my brown, barn jacket and found a home forever. She's one of a long line of felines, who have graced our home and hopped into our laps on cold winter eves. As you can see, she's never met a paper bag, a backpack or a box she hasn't made a 'home' in for a few hours of sleep. We think she's a bit unique, because she 'talks' to us constantly, whether we are petting her or not. When J- was off to college in the Midwest, she'd 'talk' to him on the phone in her own, unique, meow-purr language. Even a random touch at 4:30 in the morning on seeing her, will send her off purring, 'talking' and rubbing for attention. She certainly makes a lot of noise, more than any other cat we've had. As if to say, "Good morning. Where have you been? What's for breakfast?" She's a fine lady... that good ol' Mollycakes!

Near Desk

2012-01-31T00:02:00.005-05:00

Brattcat asked so, her wish is my command today. On Saturday's blog I mentioned the photography show "Making Faces" at PMA and the hilarious portrait of Picasso at a dinner table with rolls. I bought a postcard and placed it on my wall collection at work, next to some of my other 'friends'. See it? Are you smiling? I know you are! Look closely. He joins Dylan, Dali, Lennon, Washington, God kicking butt on Jeopardy(love this Far Side cartoon), Heidi Klum, Mr. Ed, a baby picture of me(?) w/ Mom's caption, lots of writers, my inner cowboy, the Wizard of Oz comic, my favorite 'loaner dog' Annie and more. The wall is loaded with much important stuff and people and a lot of crap that just keeps me smiling. There's even a caricature of me up there on another section that many say resembles E. A. Poe. I don't see it, but some do. I do believe this Picasso is a nice addition though. And you? I know you can't see it all, but do you have suggestions to add to this motley crew?

Thanks Kitty!

Last Words

2012-01-30T05:55:00.001-05:00

I don't often read about religion, but I did yesterday. In the Boston Globe in the My Faith section, it was called "What people talk about before they die" by Kerry Eagan, a hospice chaplain. I thought this quote of hers was interesting. "We don't live our lives in our heads, in theology and theories. We live our lives in our families we are born into, the families we create, the families we make through the people we choose as friends." She talks about what love is and how the dying have experienced it. She shares the words of those that have lived a life of imperfect love or with little at all. Some stories out of the blue stop me in my tracks. This one did yesterday.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/28/my-faith-what-people-talk-about-before-they-die/?hpt=hp_c1

Dream-like

2012-01-29T08:12:00.004-05:00

When I was young I used to dream. I still do but not as often. Last night I was back in graduate school. I was taking needed math courses (math courses for an English major?), the last few to graduate. One was an advanced accounting course; another was just a basic entry level track. I was struggling, so they gave me a tutor, a scrawny eight year old, who claimed to know it all. Oh and another thing, during the night 'silent' construction workers went and removed the entire wall of the dorm I lived in. In the morning, the snow was falling and wind blowing, but I had to work my way to the 'know-it-alls' room, via a 3 inch ledge 10 floors above certain death and of course no sheepskin for me. My family had already traveled a great distance for the pomp and circumstance of graduation day. Oh, please don't ask me how I was to complete all the work and tests needed to walk. By the way, if you are someone who can interpret dreams, please don't try your hand at this one. I'm in a great mood on this sunny, albeit frosty Sunday morning... don't depress me!

Review

2012-01-28T08:17:00.004-05:00

Nope not us, but we were out and about last night. First, a light dinner at Plush West End, in the old Katahdin Restaurant. This new place has just been open since the first of November, so I wondered if they might be still working out the kinks. First the food: For dinner, we had the tapas menu and sampled the mussels, hamburguesitas (sliders), and calamares (baby squid). All were delicious! Next, the decor: if you enjoy eating in a small, sparse warehouse setting, this is your place. Finally, the music? Was that music? Thump, thump, thump! If I worked there for eight hours one night, I might do something deadly on exiting! Next, it was up High Street to PMA to check out the "Making Faces" photography show. I enjoyed the Philippe Halsman portraits of early TV stars, the like of Imogene Coca, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Jimmy Durante and others the best. While the French photographer, Robert Doisneau, portrait of Picasso at a dinner table with rolls in front of him (I bought a postcard of it for my desk) was eliciting smiles from all who passed, it was that Warhol portrait I wanted my eyes on. The Greg Gorman 1986 image, at the end of the white wall, didn't disappoint. All in all, it was fine night out in a drizzling, steady rain. Making faces... we all love to do it. Say cheese!

Flat Iron

2012-01-27T06:07:00.000-05:00

This pie-shaped building is wedged between Congress and Free Streets. This is the upper H.H. Hay Drug Building. You learn something knew every day, as they say. I never knew that there was an 'upper and lower' building, but there is. The lower building is located at Free and Middle Streets. This building has a very interesting history. The bottom two stories were built by Charles Quincy Clapp in 1826 and then later in 1922 the top floor was added by another renowned city architect, John Calvin Stevens. My Mom worked at the drug store in her early twenties. I always though it was in this building, but now I'm not quite sure. Today, the bottom floor is a Starbucks(make mine a Grande Pike's Peak!), while the Flat Iron Art Gallery(get it flat iron?) decorates the upper floors. This is a favorite Starbucks of mine. It's a fine spot to grab the Globe or Times and glance out the windows as the world goes by.

Quality Food

2012-01-26T05:41:00.001-05:00

On Congress Street, you'll find a classic neighborhood grocery store. If you need food staples, arrive by taxi or by foot, you're in business here. When we lived on Deering Street in the early 70's, I found myself in this place a few times usually around dinner, searching out the aisles for an item needed to complete a 'culinary masterpiece'. It was always bustling but a word of caution. Check those expiration dates and be on the lookout for strange, inappropriate food coloring before you purchase. I'm just saying...

Snow Fence

2012-01-25T05:54:00.003-05:00

Heading into the city I pass this fence and field on a regular basis. In the spring it's a treat for Elenka, because it's just loaded with cows and baby calves. Me? I just enjoy looking at the fence and the rolling fields heading off into the distance. Oh, and the 3 or 4 old bathtubs, for their water in summer resting along the other side, add a nice touch. It's Maine; we're pretty resourceful in these parts. It makes me always chuckle when I see that a 'new' one has been added during the 'dog days' and heat of July and August. Traveling by the other day in a light snowfall, I remembered how much I enjoy TexWisGirl's blog shots of all her fences and gates a ways from here. This is my tribute to her fences. Giddyup!

Office Curtains

2012-01-24T05:56:00.001-05:00

The other morning I was reading some blogs and a discussion came up about what to eat while one works. What does your environment look like? Some work with 'white noise', music, food and snacks; others accomplish the most in silence. If it's in the AM, give me a good cup of joe, probably multiple cups. Around the computer, I don't do food, but place some peanut M&Ms, Twizzlers or Mikes and Ikes around during the day, and I'm in some significant trouble. Music, I like. I'll listen to anything, while I'm on a project, usually low and 'off in the distance'. However, if I'm up against any kind of solid deadline and the pressure is on, only one ingredient works... silence. It's golden for sure!

Dead End

2012-01-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

We moved to Coyle Street when I was in high school. It was a dead end street that at its end looked over Baxter Boulevard. I liked that fact that sitting at the large window seat on the second floor you could see approaching weather over Back Bay. In fact, in winter without all the foliage you had a pretty clear shot to see Tukey's Bridge in the distance. I'm sure a few of the city's snowplow drivers didn't like the fact that it was a dead end. In heavy snowfall winters, there was really no place to push the snow, and on more than occasion the plows would get stuck. This at least provided some entertainment for us kids on a few long winter afternoons. You see, there's really not a lot of action on a dead end street. And of course this sign reminds me of one of my favorite Kinks songs penned by the genius of Ray Davies, "Dead End Street". Gotta love that song.

Park Bench

2012-01-22T08:00:00.004-05:00

Here we find a bench and trash receptacle at Tommy's Park. They say life is where you find it, and I'd have to say the same for images in the camera. Go seeking the BIG picture and you're more than likely to come back empty-handed. Head out to take a morning, sunny stroll, and images most likely will find you. Not earth-stopping ones, but one or two that'll make you take a step back and admire. I've said it before; life's a funny concept. Just when you think you've had enough and are at your wits end, you find something; you meet someone; you make something and it all changes. Not a lot... but just enough. Call me corny but I've always been a 'glass half full' guy. Mom always told me find the sunny side of the street and just walk. I just have to remind myself, sometimes, not to waste too much time walkin'. That side of the street is often so, so enticing!

Plastic Wrap

2012-01-21T00:04:00.003-05:00

It's a long winter here in Maine. I do believe it's a longer one for owners of boats, especially sailboats. I took a walk behind the Portland Company the other frosty morning, and although I was only out for a short time I got some interesting shots of boats under wraps for the winter. What do they say about owning a boat? "The two best days in a boat owner's life: the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it." Not ever being a boat owner myself, I can't be sure if there is real truth or fallacy held within this line, but it does bring a smile to my face. By the way, the only boats you'll see on nearby Sebago Lake this morning are ice sailboats flying across the frozen blue. You won't find me there though... maybe taking in a movie today but not walking a frozen lake.

Screened Window

2012-01-20T06:23:00.003-05:00

I have a friend who likes to 'do' windows. Let me clarify that a bit. He's an artist and enjoys painting from my photographs, especially when my subjects are windows. He likes painting all types of windows, wherever he finds them. With this subject, he mostly works in watercolor. He'll probably want to do this one when he sees it. Myself, I like this one, because it's a little dark and mysterious. Bright, upbeat or dark and mysterious, I like both subjects. Some days when I have some free time, I enjoy scanning lots of the citydailyphotoblogs pages that I never visit on a daily basis. Some really catch my eye, and I'll go for a short 'visit' to see what they are up to with their camera. Others seem pretty crappy. Now, is that a professional photographic term? Some times, I think these people should have their cameras taken away, never to be returned. Oh well, it's the weekend. I'm going to be nice.

Snow Rocks

2012-01-19T06:02:00.002-05:00

Here are some snow covered rocks found mid-stream on my way into Portland. Funny about water and ice... they travel wherever they wish. During the Ice Storm of '98 here in Maine, this water was pretty active. After about 5 days of being 'trapped' in our house, because the roads were mostly undriveable, J- and I headed out to find some open stores for a few snacks and such (see doughnuts). Everything was still closed in Gorham and Westbrook, pharmacies, hardware stores, grocery stores even gas stations. Most of the major roads were open so we headed towards the Maine Mall. We got as far as this stream, but were stopped, as ice and water were flowing over the road. Our brief adventure and search for junk food was over. The fire department was turning all vehicles around. It was amazing though to see what the power of water and ice can do to a road, even a normally, peaceful brook like this. We were without power for 9 days. It was a time, that we'll never forget.

Roof Line

2012-01-18T06:01:00.002-05:00

This is the roof of the bandstand Fort Allen Park on the Eastern Prom. Take a look at this blue, January winter sky! If it hadn't been so frigid out at this site (-11 and windy), I might have stared at this sky for more than a few brief moments. Don't look too long! Just point the camera and shoot. It reminds me of that Seinfeld line about staring at a woman's breasts, "... it's like looking at the sun. You're supposed to just take one peek and then look away!" I certainly was always cautioned about being careful during the viewing of an eclipse as a child, but Mom never mentioned parts of the body. Now, why I'm thinking about this this morning, I have no idea!

January Sky

2012-01-17T00:08:00.005-05:00

These oak leaves were fighting hard to hang on the other morning. It was about zero. I was sitting in my truck in Deering Oaks, but I was really a ways away. I was thinking about freezing winter days like this when Mom hung out the laundry, even though the load would be hard pressed to dry, let alone thaw. Often after school when I flew through the door, she'd say, "Go grab the laundry on the line for me." This loyal son would do just that, and head out through the shed off the kitchen. On those bitterly cold, wind-blown days, I knew in advance what I faced. It took me a good five minutes attempting to corral the batch of grotesquely frozen long underwear caught in mid-stride, malformed long sleeved dressed shirts and blouses with arms dead still and yet intertwined for hours and countless pairs of socks iced over. I'd lug them in to the woodstove-heated kitchen and bury my face in the sweet laundry aroma mixed with ice. I remember kissing my shirts and taking in all that was fresh-washed clothes and that icy coolness, so soothing to my lips. For a few fleeting moments, each time I was asked to bring in our frozen apparel, I was in love with the laundry.

Iced Windows

2012-01-16T00:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday morning, when I checked the temperature, it read -11F. Cold? I'll say, but it wasn't freezing inside. Although peeking out my office window at 6:30 AM, you'd probably think it was. I was up early loading the birdfeeders and was off for a spin to enjoy a morning coffee in the city. In my other life, our Stevens Avenue house had pretty big bedrooms, and on winter mornings, they were quite cold. Right up till high school, the night before I put my clothes on a chair next to my bed, and believe it or not I dressed in bed, from head to foot. By the time I got down to the kitchen for that hot oatmeal breakfast, it was toasty warm thanks to Dad and a glowing wood stove. Yesterday morning, if I closed my eyes tight, I could have been back upstairs at 820 Stevens real easily.

Daylight

2012-01-15T00:07:00.006-05:00

Looking out towards State Street, I see breaking daylight ahead of me. In high school, along with lots of classics, we had to read a recently published book. I chose Run to Daylight by Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi. It has been rated one of the best sports books ever written. I really didn't like the Packers, but it was a sports book, and I was game. By the way, a tackle football game in our backyard in about 6 inches of snow in January would make a Saturday for us guys.

Tonight's game just got over.

It was Tebowed Time!

Pats 45 Broncos 10

... Stampede!

Sunflower Demise

2012-01-14T08:00:00.004-05:00

Up in the garden, our sunflowers have long ago taken their final bows. A few, like this one, are hanging on and keeping the vacant birdhouses company. Most up here lies dormant now, but it's alive for your camera. In long ago winters, I always enjoyed a good adventure alone. Many times accompanied by my trusty sled, but often just me alone, I'd trudge off into the woods off Gulliver's Field to see what the snow covered woods would reveal. I needed to know. Most days it was not easy going, as I remember, but it was well worth the effort. The solitude was breath taking at times, even in my ordinary neighborhood. I liked to make my 'mark' with my gumrubbers on the new fallen snow. I still do.

Then Winter

2012-01-13T00:03:00.001-05:00

It wasn't going to last till April was it? We always wake up from those special dreams, that we want to linger in so much longer. The significant snow was going to come sooner or later, and our later was yesterday. The first flurries started falling soon after 5AM in the still of darkness. This photograph was taken from our attic window, looking out towards the backyard. This is my winter tribute to Fairfield Porter's 'view from an upstairs window'.

Walkway Design

2012-01-12T00:03:00.003-05:00

This is a walkway overlooking Bayside and Back Bay. The design was what really caught my attention. This city used to be covered with these on most main streets, now just a scattering of spots remain as relics of a past time. Riding your bike down Stevens Avenue was quite a bumpy proposition and your trip home often ended with cuts and bruises. I still remember the day, while sitting on our Stevens lawn eating a picnic lunch, that trucks lined up and covered the street with thick, gooey, strong smelling tar. The cobblestones disappeared forever. Well, at least for my forever, they were gone.

Fire Windows

2012-01-11T00:06:00.005-05:00

Literally snow yesterday on the wheelbarrow, and today let's go to with some figureative fire. Brings to mind the Frost words in "Fire and Ice". Either way, what a way to end it!

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if I had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

F. Frost

White Wheelbarrow

2012-01-10T00:06:00.004-05:00

"So much depends upon..."

No, I'm not going there. I say let William Carlos Williams and his wonderful poems rest in peace. For a brief moment in time, an overnight snowfall left the rocks and Mom's old, rusted wheelbarrow with a 'new life'. It's pretty beat up but serves it purpose in our flower gardens most summer days. In winter, it doubles transporting wood to the back door. Mom would be pleased. It's winter in Maine, and when the cold sets in, I become a homebody. I was thinking yesterday. Why would I want to venture far from this beautiful home these days. I've got plenty of wood stacked up, two good books going at the same time, a bit of football on the telly, if I need a diversion, and Elenka's amazing culinary dishes, and company. Oh, and all of my blog friends out there in the blogosphere to touch base with daily. All this seems to fill my day nicely. I'm a happy man.

"So much depends upon..." on all these things.

Trees Grow...

2012-01-09T00:05:00.003-05:00

I've joined a book club. Ok, that'a lie! I plan to attend a book club meeting soon. To tell you the truth, most members probably have no idea I'm planning on showing up. I've always wanted to read one of their selections and 'tag' along so to speak, but I always had an excuse or two. I've got plenty of excuses; I'll never run dry. It's my aqua spring! Why am I even thinking of showing up? The book for one. They are reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", a book I have always wondered about and wanted to read. I'm about a 100 pages in so far and like it a lot. I'm also reading Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". I'm intrigued by both the females Francie and Salander in the novels. Sheeesh! Salander and that wintery, Swedish landscape kept me up the night after I saw the movie. Riveting to me. I don't think I'll get the two gals confused though. The book club? It meets the end of the month. Oh, did I tell you there are about 10 women in it... no guys. Did I leave that tidbit out? Mea culpa!

Do Not Enter

2012-01-08T00:04:00.004-05:00

The state bird of Maine is the chickadee, but the moose is the iconic symbol of the state. This one was caught 'trespassing' at a rest stop on the Maine Turnpike yesterday. He's on loan from the Ira Mountain Association in Kingfield, Maine. I've seen quite a few real ones in the wild in the North Maine Woods, on the Golden Road up North and in Baxter Park. At twilight, they come out of hiding and are quite a sight to behold. You just don't want to run into them on the highway. If you do, and you're traveling at a high rate of speed, because of their height, they're most likely coming through your windshield, and the end, as they say, won't be pretty.

*postscript: I did hit one once with my Honda. Luckily, I was moving at a pretty low speed (maybe 40 MPH), and she just glanced across my front bumper, bounced up and continued to head back into the woods. The next morning, Elenka wanted to know why the front of the car was covered with all kinds of hair.

Bus Lines

2012-01-07T07:11:00.005-05:00

The look of buses sure has changed. I caught the side of this Portland Metro bus with my camera, at a quick stop on the Hill. Portland METRO Bus provides bus service throughout the Greater Portland area and communities of Westbrook, Falmouth and the Maine Mall in South Portland. I rode buses a lot as a kid in the city. My first three years of school, I rode them daily from our house on Washington Avenue to St. Joseph's School. In the fifth and sixth grades, I was aboard them twice a week to travel up the Hill to the Lee Recreation Center to play basketball on the school team. In Junior High, the gang and I piled on them every Thursday night and ventured up Forest Avenue to take swimming lessons at the YMCA. I was on them a lot, and I can certainly tell you with factual accuracy that they did not resemble this one. They were your basic cream and orange color-schemed bus, small, loud with little heat provided. Advertisements were small placards, sprinkled about inside above the windows. I only read them when I was really bored to death. City-wide bus life today attempts to hit you over the head with a 2x4 with ads. Where the windows and doors located is a crap shoot. And the cost today? I'm sure is well above the dime it took me to get to my classroom back in the day.

Three Bells

2012-01-06T05:55:00.004-05:00

Walking a back alleyway near Longfellow Square, I came across these three vertical doorbells. This got me to thinking. Are doorbells still in vogue? On Stevens Avenue, we had a front bell, but most, except for the mailman and our papergirl, took the driveway and used the backdoor. Our Coyle Street home's front door had a wonderful sounding set of chimes and, as I recall, was used quite a bit. In the Seventies, Mom's new home on Bancroft Street had one, but unless there were visits from black-suited young ministers or others trying to sell magazines and such, I never remember hearing it. Most just entered the connected garage, knocked and then walked into her kitchen. Today, living in a home for thirty five years and counting, we've never heard the sounds of chimes or assorted ding dongs. I can count on one hand the number of visitors who have knocked on our front door. The back one, up the driveway, is the choice of friends, visitors or drivers lost in the country. We do have a neat brass knocker, (Marley would be proud), that Elenka bought for the backdoor twenty some years ago. We used it for about 10 years or so, but when we remodeled it never made it back to its rightful place. Maybe this summer? Don't bet on it though. It would take me some time just find it again. It's buried in this house somewhere. So, the question today is: do you have a working doorbell in your dwelling?

Sadness

2012-01-05T05:53:00.002-05:00

In Maine, we have another sad commentary on our times. What would possess someone to do this to a child? These things never turn out well. I hope this doesn't mean that crazy blonde, Nancy Grace, is coming to our state. THAT would be the cherry on the top of this all around heartbreaking story.

Reading Glasses

2012-01-04T06:25:00.003-05:00

Stopped by the Bard, a favorite coffee stop on Middle Street, the other day. Is everything I do connected in some way to writing? A cup of joe and a crossword puzzle were my table mates, seeing that Paul's schedule made a meeting here with me impossible. I enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of early arriving office workers, stopping by for an early morning pick-me-up and making plans for the afternoon and evening. It's 8F above this morning. I'm happier on this side of the window. That's for sure!

Tree Shadows

2012-01-03T00:03:00.004-05:00

This shadow on a 3 decker is on North Street, next to the old Shailer Elementary School. I think we've all heard of selective memory. My brother has it. He claims he does not remember flying off the top of Elephant Rock as a kid and surviving to the bottom. It was an amazing 'flight'. I do remember that day. Now, climbing trees was a rite of passage growing up in our neighborhood, probably every neighborhood. We all loved to climb, the bigger, the more challenging, the better. Eddie loved to climb too, even though his body layout wasn't a part of the master blueprint for making it to the top of any tree. He was chubby, slow and a bit clumsy, but wanted in on all out feats of courage, midnight escapades and stumbling and bumbling with the fairer sex. There was a day, in winter, as I remember. It was a classic leafless, cloudless, cold January afternoon. It was a challenge, to see how high up a black- barked, gnarled maple, towering over a lot of Evergreen Cemetery we could get. We all took our shots for 'neighborhood immortality' that afternoon. We scampered up as far as we could go. As I remember, once you got up 15 feet or so, the combination of the blustery, biting wind, slippery bark and teenage nerves took their toll. Eddie was last to go, and he seemed to have a plan and seemed possessed. Amazingly, he got up about 1o feet higher then any of us. When we finally told him he had won and to come back down, he turned and looked down and burst into tears. He was frozen He claimed there was no way he could ever maneuver down the maple. He was almost screaming above, and at the bottom, we didn't know whether to laugh or cry with him. Honest! Soon darkness was beginning to creep in, and it got so bad he even begged us to go to Arbor Street and get the Fire Department to come and rescue him. "They did it when ST fell off Rocky Hill and got snagged on that ledge. Please do it." He pleaded. Well, there was no way we were going to alert the firemen. It took us 20 long minutes, but we finally coaxed him down branch by branch to terra firma. Various pats on the back over, we all headed off in multiple direction to the safe confines of our homes. Another day of growing up

an early teen was accomplished. On this incident, my memory was not selective but served me well.

Nana's Pork Pie

2012-01-02T00:02:00.004-05:00

Dear Justin, Karen, Zack, Elizabeth, Julie, Stephen, and Adam,

When your Gallant great grandparents came from PEI to northern Maine to settle, they brought lots of pieces of Canada with then. One was Nana's pork pie recipe. Usually, sometime between Christmas and New Years, I try my hand at it. This was on last night's menu.

Nana's Pork Pie

1 pkg. Pillsbury Hot Roll mix

1 egg

At least 3 pounds of Pork

One large Onion

Caraway seeds

Salt and Pepper

Prepare hot roll mix according to directions- let rise once.

Slice onions and pork into cubes. Cover w/ water and bring to boil. Lower temperature a bit and 'strongly simmer' for approximately 1/2 hour or til tender. Add salt and pepper and thicken the liquid with flour. (Mix about 1 Tbsp flour into about 3 tbsp cold water and then pout it into the water. Stir and cook until mixture thickens somewhat, like a gravy.)

Mix caraway seeds into the dough, divide dough in 1/2, roll it out on a floured surface and line greased pan with 1/2 of the hot roll mix.

Place pork mixture on top of lined pan. Place rest of roll mixture on top. Seal edges.

Put more caraway seeds on top. Cut hole in top. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes(cover w/ foil after about 30 minutes to prevent over browning.)

Enjoy! It's great for dinner, lunch or breakfast.

Grandkids, I hope you too carry on this culinary tradition passed on to you from your great grandmother, Josie. You won't be disappointed!

Theme Day: Best of Year

2012-01-01T00:01:00.006-05:00

Happy 2012!

Today, January 1, 2012, is Theme Day across the CDPB (citydailyphotoblog) world-wide community. Three years ago yesterday afternoon, at about 4 PM, I posted this image of this bridge in the snow at Deering Oaks. It won't stand as my best of this past the year, but for one who tends to lean a bit towards the nostalgic this time of year, it rings true and is purposeful.

Year Gone

2011-12-31T07:34:00.001-05:00

The year passes. Things change. Some for the better. Some on the flip-side. We make gains. We count our losses. Many things tend to stay stagnant. And that can be a good thing. We are evolving even when it's hard to distinguish. For most the view of where we are going and how we're getting there, the landscape, if you will, remains the same, while our panorama is altered even without note. The experience of our last 365 days makes that so. Trying to find the ways you've changed over the year can be a fruitless search. Just live with it and push on to tomorrow. Don't try to dissect it; take my word for it. You did!

*Happy 3 years to me! Today's post marks year three in my daily posting of a piece of my life in photo and text. Thank you to all who stop by to view, read and say hi!

Bye, Bye 2011!

Books and Music

2011-12-30T07:35:00.002-05:00

Dylan, Beatles, Stones, cowboys, classic author or two, a worst case scenario edition and even an old science book thrown in for good measure, that a quick look a section of a bookcase in the den. Interesting how the vertical authors are sort of sandwiched by music. Although this section really has no rhyme or reason to its placement, when I take a step back it becomes a bit symbolic of me. An immeasurable piece of my heart and soul centers around writers and music. Hawthorne's Marble Fawn holds a special place in my library, and who can forget those Sunday nights when Ed Sullivan finally streaked his outstretched arm to the left and yelled, the Beatles... to the screaming masses. I must admit, while others concerned themselves with Lennon and McCartney, it was George, 'the quiet one' that piqued my interest. And the night the Stones hit the stage, in their sweaters, as opposed to the Beatles suits and ties, I was struck by the utter aloofness of Keith, standing in a world of his own. At first glance, a seemingly haphazard placement of books, really helps reveal a bit about who I am. Now, Dylan's words and music... I'd need another page.

Three Bay

2011-12-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

This is a small piece of quite a big dwelling on the Western Prom. At one time, it was a stunning, large home to a single family, a showplace. But these days, it's probably broken up into many apartments. I'm a very good dreamer. Are you? If this was our home, there would be places for our two vehicles, and then in the third bay, I could store my vintage, silver Jag. Oh ya, I don't own it yet, but it might be in my future. You know, if I ever win Megabucks, the Maine State Lottery. Oh ya, just one small problem-- I don't play the lottery. I think I've played it about 5 times in my entire life. Not really much of a gambler in just about anything. Are you a dreamer? What would you store behind the third door?

Bank Block

2011-12-28T08:45:00.003-05:00

Here on Middle Street a look up is in order today. Life moves on. This block is no longer affiliated with Casco Bank or any other bank for that matter. It is a good solid building with some classic architectural design, as you can see. And in the evening, the holiday lighting in the upper windows is just an added touch of ambiance to this stretch of buildings. Once a bustling bank that serviced what was to become known as the Old Port area in the 70's, today it's lawyers' offices and such living out another life. Life moves on. Retirement on a comfy couch used to be the dream. Today, when and how to make the move is part and parcel to this dream. If indeed, it is a dream and not a minor nightmare. They say it's the next phase of your life. We'll see soon. I do know, like many today, it'll be all about 'still standing' but used in a different way. The couch will not be an option.

Boulder

2011-12-27T08:41:00.007-05:00

Nope! We're not in Colorado. Ever spend quite a lot of time around someplace, and then out of the blue see something you've never, ever seen before? I think we all have, a time or two. We're up on the Western Prom this morning in Western Cemetery, the city's second oldest cemetery with interments dating back to the late 1700's. I stopped by and caught sight of this large boulder, that I had never seen before. Now, why was this? Given the number of times I have wandered around the grounds, I sat in my truck and wondered. Had it been added? Dug up? Why hadn't I seen it before? After a few more moments the mystery was solved. They have removed the black fencing on this side of the burial grounds. No need to walk through the narrow entranceway any more to get inside. At least for now, just walk in at any point here on Vaughn Street, but watch where you walk. Years ago, it was basically an 'off-leash dog park', where dogs were apparently welcomed to relieve themselves on your relatives graves from dawn to dusk. This, along with a large number of grave desecrations years back, tended to give this cemetery quite a seedy reputation. The city is attempting to 'clean this up' in more ways then one, and so maybe a new fence along Vaughn is in the plans. Hope so. Heck, they even broke into Longfellow's family's tomb back a few years ago but interestingly found no remains. No respect at all!

Tree Time

2011-12-26T08:42:00.005-05:00

It's always a special time when the tree goes up. The decorations bring so many memories flooding back. Our tree is festive this year with so many objects and colors from beyond. There are 50's era elaborate glass balls from Elenka's family tree, her mother's designed snowflakes and ice skates, my grandmother's mouse she wore on her coat, birds and birdhouses, a stack of books, mice in red dresses, cut glass ornaments with etched designs, dressed teddy bears sitting plump, angels caught in mid-flight, wooden soldiers marching in time, a swinging reindeer, a moose or two, after all it's Maine, a plastic jolly snowman once filled with candy, Santa's plump face, green ceramic trees, a small stuffed Garfield or two, magical lanterns, decorated packages, stuffed, festive ponies, a couple of small framed pictures of a kid I know well, dangling sweethearts, a snow-covere sled ready for a run and even a toy drum of yarn. White lights and seemingly countless red balls set the theme on a green field. And there you have it, the STAR of a family room yesterday that was loaded with family and good friends. A steady light snow into the evening made for a wonderful canvas to paint the day. It was the perfect tree for a perfect day. Noel!

Another Christmas

2011-12-25T07:24:00.008-05:00

"Who, and what are you?"

Scrooge demanded.

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

"Long past?" inquired Scrooge, observant of its dwarfish stature.

"No. Your past."

A Christmas Carol By C. Dickens

I do believe my 'inner cowboy' had its true birth this long ago Christmas morning. I remember going days and not removing this outfit. Now, our table top NHL hockey game was memorable and entertained the neighborhood for literally months, but these matching cowboy getups that my brother and I are modeling here next to Nana's tree were the end all for me. We were just a couple of buckaroos in the bunkhouse after a long cattle drive on the range, if I recall this image correctly. It was another time and place that'll never be able to shake from inside.

Thank you Mom and Dad!

It's perfect. It's snowing outside right now!

Merry Christmas to all!

White Pond

2011-12-24T08:07:00.003-05:00

It's a white Christmas Eve for us. Here's a quick look down the road at the pond and what this evening's looking like. Growing up in the 1950's in Portland, High Street was a favorite place to visit leading up to Christmas. I actually do remember the time Dad first showed me the window in Starrett's Store on a shopping trip to find a special gift for Mom. Long before there were malls sprinkled all over, if you were shopping for Christmas, you went downtown. Petula Clark was right; it was all about Downtown. The large window was on the ground floor of the Eastland Hotel. The window was filled with train tracks, tiny snow-covered villages and four or more LionelTrains running throughout the various village scenes. What really made this window enchanting and jaw dropping was the metal plate on the window that when you placed your small hand on it made the trains move and the window come alive. A visit here was a ritual of pre-Christmas for my brother, sisters and me. I could have stayed there for hours, even in the cold of the season. Got a favorite Holiday Memory? HoHoHo!

Church Doors

2011-12-23T07:22:00.004-05:00

This is the front door of the State Street Congregational Church decked out for the season. This morning in the southern Maine we wake to an over night snow cover of 3-4 inches. This snow is going to be sticking around, all but guaranteeing us a white Christmas. So now it's time to check the record books. A white Halloween? A white Thanksgiving and now a white Christmas? I certainly can never remember such an occurrence in Portland. I'm sure that over the next day or so, meteorologists will be scouring the history of holiday snowfall to see if it's even on record. I say it's amazing, considering my memory recalls some years of no significant snow till January around here. Today, some last minute shopping and out to dinner with my two best buds. There's a piece of steak in my future!

Cattails

2011-12-22T00:03:00.002-05:00

Learn something new everyday, they say. I try to do this. I did today. I drive by these cattails in the Stroudwater Marsh most days when I enter the city. I grew up knowing them as cat o' nine tails. That's what Mom always called them things growing along the marshes and swamps near our house. Now, I find that the cat o' nine tails' was something altogether different. It was a type of whipping device, used throughout history in Great Britain. Flogging has quite a history throughout the world. In the song "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor", there's a line "Give 'em a taste of the Captain's daughter" where the 'captain'r daughter' is the cat or a whip. Ever hear the expression, "not enough room to swing a dead cat in"? Right, the cat refers to the 'cat o' nine tails'... a whip if you will. I love the twists and turns language takes. And I do really wonder if Mom knew what the heck she was saying? You say potato; I say 'patattah'. You say cattails; I say cat o' nine tails... let's call the whole thing off.

Paint

2011-12-21T05:34:00.004-05:00

I live with an artist, and that has made all the difference. I need to be around creativity to strive. That probably sounds a bit strange, I know, but it's true. There's something within my center that gets me reinvigorated seeing the artist work. The final results of the endeavor is fine, and I love looking at art, but there is something so stimulating for me about the process of getting there. I enjoy immensely reading about how writers and painters do what they do. Why writers write, and why painters paint? What drives them? What's at their creative epicenter? Many who view art just don't see that there's a process. They see the painting and leave it at that. What is creativity? Why do some get it, while others can't even see that there is a door to open there. What's the vision? What provides the inspiration? What is the imagination, and how does one get there? See what paint and a good book does to me?

Tree Feet

2011-12-20T05:26:00.004-05:00

The trees in Portland's Deering Oaks are big. Most of them have resided there for hundreds of years. The park and her trees have quite a history together. Long before anyone ever heard of building fairy houses, there was a year where I spent some time away from rubbing bottle caps and playing baseball during recesses at St. Joseph's Grammar School. We built our little houses at the base of trees like this. Popsicle sticks and many small twigs provided the framework for our 'buildings'. You see, I've always used my creative energy to entertain myself. Growing up, whether it was Washington Avenue, Stevens Avenue or even on Coyle Street, I often went to my room and closed the door and entered a pretty interesting world... compliments of dear, old adorable ME!

Farm Dawn

2011-12-19T05:51:00.005-05:00

Until we bought our house in the country in 1977, I was always a city boy. The closest I got to farm life was our nighttime escapades in Mr. Bustin's neighborhood garden and our Sunday drives to 'nowhere' in the station wagon with Dad at the wheel. It was a life out there that I knew nothing about. Even as an adult, other then walking the grounds of the Cumberland Fair and the Common Ground Fairs or visiting Smiling Hill Farm with J-, I had never seen the animals that inhabit the big farm barns. It was quite an eye opening experience and that saying noting to what my nostrils took in on those visits. Although the news is filled with the demise of family farms around here, there are still quite a few barns that are still stirring at 3AM. It's a hard life. This farm always attracts by eye on the Gorham bypass.

* I like it so much I show it twice!

Excuse Me

2011-12-18T07:09:00.006-05:00

Excuse me. I have to use... the men's room? the bathroom? the basement? the john? the water closet? the toilet? the restroom? the loo? the washroom? the lavatory? the outhouse? Got some free time on your hands this weekend? Check out the etymology of these words. You'll be amazed and yes, intrigued by what you find searching out these word origins. As for this 'mensroom', I've never set foot in a salon, ever. A saloon yes, a salon, not so much. First of all, to 'work' on ones feet is just plain weird, if you ask me. Fingernails? Don't go there, too embarrassing. Hair? I haven't set foot in a barbershop in 30 plus years, and you think I might survive a salon? I'll pamper myself for the holidays, but there are many less intrusive ways to go about it. Now, let's see the word loo has a very interesting derivative. Want to guess? Think about the number 100 and you're on the right track. Doing this might give you some 'relief'.

Lighted Tree

2011-12-17T06:57:00.005-05:00

If you celebrate the season, it all comes down to real or artificial. Growing up, we always had a real one. I can recall many a Sunday in December heading off to the outer reaches of Cumberland somewhere, in the station wagon with Dad with an ax in the back seat. We always headed to the same area and always returned with a 'perfect' tree. To this day Elenka and I have had a real Christmas tree to decorate each December. Hey, we live in Maine, and 'it's the right thing to do'. Where we get ours seems to go in cycles, but even with 10 acres out back we've never taken down our own. We've shopped at mom and pop stands, local garden centers and most recently at Lowe's. Whether a Douglas fir, a Fraser or a Balsam, we seem to find the 'perfect' one each year without fail. Could I survive with an artificial one? No problem. I'm sure someday, depending where we end up, it'll happen. A small one sitting on a table? I'll know the score. I'll live with it. But these Decembers, when I return home a bit stressed from my day, I light the tree and ah... my worries seem to just slide away. As I type this last line or so in the family room, our tree, twinkling away with its white lights and heirloom decorations, sets the mood for my coming day... and it's softly snowing out right now. Peace!

Five

2011-12-16T05:55:00.003-05:00

For the first 5 years or so of living in our home, this is what faced me each winter morning at about 6:30. We had no garage, so I scraped the windshield, a bit, and defrosted as I drove along. The garage was a good investment for many reasons. The biggest? Start the truck and go, of course. On the downside? There's always a flip side to everything, you know. Garages provide one with SPACE, and I LIKE to fill space. I'm sort of a pack rat. Far from a hoarder, but I do like to save stuff. Lots of stuff. I know I'm asking for trouble down the road when we move, but the old bottles I've dug up, the pieces of a three-hole outhouse we found when we moved in, saws and other assorted tools I never use, a couple of old Subaru tires, hundreds of vintage Rolling Stone Magazines, from the 70's stored away in boxes just enticing rodents to make homes in them and lots more I just can't seem to get rid of. I wish I was like my brother. He seems to keep not much more than the essentials around. Lugging crap to the local landfill is a passion of his. And why, why, why am I so darn sentimental about things. Not just these things but EVERYTHING! It's a cross I carry; I guess. By the way, think I have issues in the garage? You ought to see our house attic. I gotta get busy!

Duck Backs

2011-12-15T05:55:00.002-05:00

It's pre-7 AM, and these duck backs in the distance abound in the waters of Strowdwater Crossing this morning. Walking on this frozen sea grass in the foreground reminds me of coming into the dining room on Stevens Avenue and heading straight for that big, gray iron radiator. It stood chest-high to this youngster and gave my hands, that were ice cold and beet red, comfort. I was one hurting puppy. The heat generated would give my hands relief, but it always took 5 minutes or so of painful rubbing. I never thought of putting them in a sink of warm water. That's how I do it these days. See, I'm paying for all my youthful digressions. I never get away with anything. I always get caught. I'd make a poor criminal!

Off to Merry Madness in the city tonight. It's all about celebrating with friends and shopping in the Old Port. I can do this! I hope it snows a bit.

Yes... I'll be wearing gloves!

Thin Ice

2011-12-14T05:45:00.004-05:00

Here's the walkway around the pond at the Oaks. A thin layer of ice has begun to form, and by January kids will be attempting pirouettes and scoring goals here. Our favorite place to throw the puck around was the swamp at the end of Mayfield. It froze over early, and by Christmas afternoon it was the perfect place to try out those new skates and sticks. There was one place that was pretty wide open, at least enough for a small rink. We'd shovel it off, put out our goals, pick teams and play till well after dark some nights. We had quite a few choices to skate at nearby, but this was close and ours, and that made it special. Most winter days, we were outside doing something. Livingroom couches, occupying our butts, were alien environments to us. And as for 'thin ice' I've skated on it a lot, just ask my friends... then and now. Goal!

Cobble Cobble

2011-12-13T05:54:00.004-05:00

This ain't no turkey! This is a shot of the street at Boothby Square in the heart of the Old Port. Streets in this part of the city used to be all cobblestone. Now, there are but a few remnants of this type of paving. Driving on Commercial Street, with its stones and all the railroad tracks scattered about, used to be quite a a task for the driver, but the sound of tires on the street was music to my ears as a kid. Amazing! What a job it would have been, back then, for someone to have been the official 'cobblestone counter' for the city. The Saturday night out with the kids always included a maneuver down double-wide Commercial on our way to the Maine State Pier and then up the Hill to Eastern Prom. If we were lucky, we'd see a train at the Grand Trunk Terminal. A fun-filled night out with four kids and it was free! Mom and Dad thought of everything.

The Street

2011-12-12T06:02:00.002-05:00

Look what was rolling out of town early Sunday morning. Of course, I really can't say I grew up with the gang, but in lots of ways I spent a second childhood with them. Most afternoons J- and I piled on the brown couch in the den and were entertained by Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar, and the rest of the Muppets. My favorites had to be The Count and Elmo. I loved to countdown with that lovable 'Dracula wanna- be', and was there ever a character anymore innocent then orange Elmo? There was a stretch in my life where, if there was a Disney or Sesame Street show at the Civic Center, we were there. I still get my melancholy days that make long for the these innocent times.

Wouldya, Couldya?

2011-12-11T11:58:00.005-05:00

Wouldya

let a faded red canoe linger through a Maine winter

along a pebbled driveway

its tears longing for a summer river,

or remove a classic colonial

from a town square,

board by board,

lug it 90 miles Downeast

and leave but a foundation

and a broken-down

piece of a man garage,

or cut an oak down on the front of your house, til it stood only 20 feet high,

with but 8 forearms shaking violently and cursing the heavens,

or establish a clothesline in front of your house

just five feet from the main drag

and share with the world all your 'unmentionables' and more,

or spend hundreds of dollars to decorate your yard

for the season,

while what looks like the entire contents

of your trailer are strewn across your property

Happy Xmas to all,

or destroy a beautiful downtown park

because you want to survive a Maine winter

in tarp-covered tents

99%?

Do the math.

Wouldya?

Hey, the world keeps turnin'

Sometimes I want to get off!

Morning Light

2011-12-10T06:06:00.002-05:00

Up early this Saturday, it's just me and Mollycakes. She's been fed, but she's still complaining. Doing her acrobatic thing, jumping from piece of furniture to piece of furniture. Often she'll just sit calmly, on the arm of the chair, as I pound away on this blog. On other mornings like today, she wants out before the morning light. Even when I attempt reason with her and remind that the 'wild things are still out and about, she scoffs and claws the rug and other items that I can't share with Elenka. You know, it's that special bond between feline and owner. Now, I can't speak for dogs(I'm not opening that can of worms today), but as for cats, I'm a staunch believe in this rule-- you venture through life and never experience the companionship of a cat, your life is a wee bit less for having missed out. Are you chuckling right now? Nonbeliever? Take a trip to your local Animal Refuge League this AM and roll the dice. You'll be amazed at what you'll find out about yourself. Gotta go. Lights up, and Molly's at the door. She wants out!

Faces

2011-12-09T05:35:00.005-05:00

Who are you? Do you really know? Are you who you hope you are? I hear that you really never see yourself the way others do. Mirrors? Photographs? They are all about glass and reflections. I used to dislike my name, because it was too short and didn't lend itself to a nickname like all my other pals. I'm over that now. As for my face, gosh, I hated my freckles. I looked in the mirror and I just saw this funny-looking, freckled faced, little waif staring back at me. I complained to Mom. I asked her how to get rid of them. I even shared my frustration with my Aunt Mimi. She related to me some round-a-bout story, with a bottom line that freckles were where I had been kissed by angels. Sheesh! By the look at that 12 year old face, I wasn't kissed, I was made passionate love to! Oh well, I'm over that now too. These days, quite a few of the old 'dots' have dissolved. I guess the angels took 'em back! Hahaha!

As Popeye says, "I yam who I yam!"

Leftovers

2011-12-08T00:04:00.003-05:00

Today is for leftovers. First of all here is my first turkey that I prepared myself. Well, Elenka assisted, directed, and helped out preparing the bird. Hey, those pieces of neck and giblets are plain disgusting! Pretty much the dinner was mine: turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, turnip, gravy and that can of cranberry sauce. For dessert there was homemade pumpkin pie. I think there was a glass or two of wine in there someplace, but I must admit I did not squeeze the grapes. The next day you guessed it: hunks of white turkey breast, lettuce and plenty of mayo on rye bread. To die for!

What a surprise! Out of the blue, a package arrived from Amazon last week. I had to laugh out loud when I saw the book The Story of FERDINAND wrapped in plastic. My sister in Oregon read my blog earlier in the week and did what she does so well. Sent a gift, just because. As soon as I settled in the family room, I sat back and read it to Elenka. Thank you so much J!

Two special treats... just for me. Lucky boy!

True Confession

2011-12-07T05:28:00.002-05:00

It's true confession Wednesday. It seemed that a rite of each summer would be that week of racing our homemade buggies, (like soapbox derby racers, but without all the rules), down college hill. We spent the week building our new models in our garage, complete with wheels taken off an old baby carriage we found in the neighborhood dump. Now, there was always the debate: build it light to go fast, or build it heavy, so with the momentum of the long hill, it would really be rolling by the time it reached the bottom. One year, we were short on wood and B- and S- said the old dilapidated building next to their house had some perfect pieces for our latest model. They went on to say their neighbor worked during the day, and we might 'borrow' a few boards. Needless to say (we were 12), the deed was done. It turned into the perfect buggie that won countless races down that hill that summer. A few years later in religion class, I discovered I had something called scruples, and I ventured back to that summer morning rummaging around in that building for wood. I guess I was a bad boy.

Funnies

2011-12-06T00:03:00.002-05:00

The funnies often get me in trouble. My funnies NOT theirs, if you get my drift. The Boy Scouts did not appreciate my 'creative knot tying' demonstration at the St. Joseph's Hall. I thought it was hilarious! I was asked not to return. Sister Joanne did not see the humor in my ring-leading the early morning 'attack' on the sanctity of her sixth grade classroom... after school for a week copying the dictionary. Whew! I told Mrs. Lyons that I had already ventured into puberty and the voice change, but she didn't believe me. My solo of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" will live in infamy in Lincoln Junior's Room 310. I had to prove to Father Graham that I had had just about enough of his falsetto-voiced tales of exorcism. I thought my impersonation was a 'comedy-connection' riot. Needless to say he didn't see it the same way. A few of my collegiate capers were classics. Firecrackers in cigarettes, radios flying out windows, and the night I commandeered the PA system after midnight in the girls' dormitory(@Nazareth College) in a vain attempt to get a date. Don't believe me? Ask SG... he was there. Like I've always said trouble seems to follow me. I like the funnies. Do you?

Wreaths

2011-12-05T05:57:00.006-05:00

Wreaths Across America-

The project started in 1992 by Karen and Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine with the placing of 5,000 unsold wreaths on headstones in Arlington National Cemetery and has grown in leaps and bounds since then. Last December, they placed 24,000 wreaths there, and next Saturday, December 10, they plan on laying 100,000. Today, over 84 big rigs from various locations around the country will start to make their way to the nation's capitol. A nonprofit group now assists them as they they attempt, some year, to place laurels on all 210,000 graves in this national memorial. That would be quite an undertaking, from Harrington to Arlington!.

* See story today below.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/wreath-mission-saluted_2011-12-05.html

Picture This

2011-12-04T08:02:00.004-05:00

Last night I was watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV and began thinking about all those holiday movies and shows that reflected a simpler time. Back then, we gathered around the set, sitting on the floor, for specials like: " A Charlie Brown's Christmas", "An Andy Williams Christmas", "Babes in Toyland", and "A Christmas Carol" among others. Our lives take twists and turns. Sometimes our futures are directed by major, life changing events, but most of us seem molded by subtle, minute nuances of our youth. How did moms and dads know this would make all the difference. This becomes the recipe for who we are this morning. Take it or leave it; the die has been cast. Enjoy the buffet!

Kiley

2011-12-03T07:25:00.003-05:00

Is there a more depressing place in winter than a lonely softball or baseball diamond? My answer to this question is: No, I don't really think so. This is Kiley Field on Eastern Prom. Most summer nights, it's very much alive! It's filled with boisterous voices, and lots of middle-age men running wildly all over this dirt infield. A couple of times each summer, I'll stop by and watch my brother play second base and just take in the wondrous views of Casco Bay. Soon to be covered with snow, summer nights can't come fast enough.

Winter Windows

2011-12-02T05:55:00.004-05:00

"It's the holiday season

And Santa Claus is coming 'round..."

These windows on upper Forest Avenue are quite colorful and seem to be welcoming the holiday season. Besides putting our Christmas lights up in the windows in early December, Mom allowed us to coat the bottom of the windows with aerosol cans of 'fake frost'. I also recall one season where we used some sort of colored plastic paper (oxymoron?) to create a stain glass effect on them. They weren't as elaborate as these, but I bet we had as much fun. Thanks to ideas she gathered from the old Captain Kangaroo show, Mom had what seemed an endless 'treasure house' of art supplies. Good thing, because she had to entice and entertain us for hours each December.

Theme Day: Action Shot

2011-12-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

"To the Bat Cave, Robin!"

Today, December 1, 2011, is Theme Day across the CDPB community(CityDailyPhotoBlog). With the theme this month of Action Shot, I flashed back to the old Batman TV series that ran from 1966-1968 staring Adam West as the crime-fighting crusader and his faithful sidekick Robin, played by Burt Ward. Watching it at Kendall's with the gang from Gorham, rolling and laughing for a 1/2 hour while sipping on Champales was great fun. What more can I say but... POW!, ZAP! CRASH! BAM! KAPOW! THWACK! SOCK!

Toy World

2011-11-30T05:44:00.003-05:00

Forget Legos! Forget K'nex! My world was always about Lincoln Logs. Invented by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, (John L. Wright), these notched-wood, interlocking beam log sets entertained my brother and me for hours at a time across the living room floor. We built elaborate forts for our little green soldiers and camp sites for our Roy Rogers' stage coaches. Although there were designs where you could build Uncle Tom's Cabin and Abraham Lincoln's log cabin, the 'Lincoln' was named after FLW's father and based on the design of the architect's Tokyo's Imperial Hotel. Did you know that? I didn't. Laugh all you want at these little red suckers, but they got the inventor into the National Toy Hall of Fame and me out of my mother's hair for hours upon hours. That was my 'lego world', and I also must admit that I LOVED the smell of the logs in the box. Kinda strange, I know.

Iced Pumpkin

2011-11-29T05:53:00.000-05:00

Mary Chapin Carpenter sings, "Sometimes you're the windshield

Sometimes you're the bug.

Sometimes it all comes together baby

Sometimes you're just a fool in love."

It's all about your perspective. This pumpkin next to the garden fence looked pretty 'halloweenie' back in October, but to me, it's even more exciting this morning iced-in. Human nature's a funny thing. Take brothers and sisters. On one level, so close in blood, yet they often are so different in so many ways. Some are subtle; others strikingly unique. To each their own, as they say. Vive la difference!

Three Windows

2011-11-28T05:52:00.001-05:00

Each time we attend a performance at Portland Stage Company, I look out across Forest Avenue to these three windows. It looks to be a cozy apartment with two residents. There's always a TV flickering across the room, a couple of standing lamps, at least two large chairs, next to a window, a side table with a stack of magazines and to the rear of the unit: just darkness. Against the center window, in one of the chairs sits a gentleman. I wonder, if he knows, that people (well, at least me) might be spying into his world. It reminds of the six-links building that I delivered papers to when I was just a sprout. I always liked peeking into residents' lives on collection day. There were always interesting aromas and warmth emanating from those rooms. We spend our days and evenings 'painting' our life stories, dabbing pigments across a sheet . Sitting in his comfortable chair, just after Thanksgiving, I wonder what's on today's canvas?

Oak Leaves

2011-11-27T07:51:00.004-05:00

This morning's image was taken this Friday, after the snowfall, at East End Community School. As you can see, the city and along the coast got just a dusting as opposed to inland where we received 8 inches. Never been to southern Maine? A mere 15 miles or so can really mean a lot when dealing with snowfall amounts, especially when you are near the water. Even summer temperatures can vary quite a bit. So sometimes it IS important to be a 'weatherman to know which way the wind blows'. These oak leaves wave resiliently against the early winter sky. They'll be around awhile too. They say "no" to bright, fall colors! They say "no" to politely falling to the ground in autumn! I admire the fight in them!

Leftovers

2011-11-26T07:20:00.002-05:00

Friday morning, this white truck was delivering groceries to restaurants on upper Forest Avenue. For me, Friday, after the turkey, was always a GREAT day. Why? I think I've told you this before. Thick, turkey breast sandwiches with lettuce and lots of mayo. Would it be sacrilegious to say that I really enjoy this MORE than a turkey dinner? Shhhh! Don't tell. Last night we took in the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Monument Square and then strolled to Grace for a holiday libation. It was a mild evening for late November, very nice. Today, I will attempt to prepare my first turkey dinner ever. Ok, it's true. The jig is up. I will be assisted by a true, culinary genius in the kitchen. She will direct, and I'm sure help wipe away my tears from time to time. And tomorrow, if everything works out? Ah... leftovers!

Birdland

2011-11-25T07:00:00.008-05:00

Some of my friends have headed South, and after 'surviving' the Parade yesterday, I want to get away too. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was always a staple in our house, amid the wonderful aromas of the bird and all its fixins in the oven. My brother and sisters would sit mesmerized in front of our Philco, as we watched floats, bands and balloons come, one after another, across the screen. It was a ritual of the day in our home. Today, I must admit, those days are gone, but I still do like to find and watch it for a few minutes so I can still say, "there, I watched it.", even for just a few fleeting moments. Hey, call me an old 'fuddy-dutty' ( Sheeesh, I can't believe I called myself that), but yesterday, as I searched the screen for my clown buddy Gary, decked out in his safari gear, I almost wanted to throw a turkey leg at the screen. I had to ask or scream, as I subjected myself to the ridiculous TODAY Show hosts pandering their way through act after act on 'stage' in front of Macy's, where was the PARADE? Anne, Matt, Al and Macy's, it was an embarrassing 3 hour display. I had to shut 'er down! I couldn't even wait for my favorite part, Santa. You should ALL be ashamed! But knowing you guys, you probably thought it was wonderful. Do me and many more a big favor, crawl out from under you rock you are living under and bring back the PARADE!

... and nope, never caught a glimpse of Gary. Thanks, Macy's!

Over the River...

2011-11-24T08:22:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, we went to see the movie The Way again. It's the story of a man who comes face to face with the greatest challenge of his life and ends up walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as the The Way of Saint James and ends up finding 'his way'. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, family, football and, of course, food. I always take it for a time to reflect. Where am I? Where am I going? There's a wonderful quote in the movie that speaks to this for me. A son corrects his Dad saying, "You don't choose your life... you live your life." For me, I'll be reflecting on this today. Find your 'way' and live it!

*See this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Backyard Snow

2011-11-23T09:20:00.004-05:00

Well, it has gone and happened. There were eight inches of snow on the ground to greet us this morning. The plow has passed the house 3 times now since about 4 AM. I guess I can say that the fall is OVER. Usually, the first solid snow around here comes in early December, but not this year. This stuff is gonna be around for awhile, I fear. Turkey's ahead for tomorrow, and I'll be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to try a catch a glimpse of our favorite clown, Gary. We dined with him and his family on our last cruise. He's going to a safari clown this year! And let me be the first to announce that I will NOT be participating in anything close to Black Friday. However, I WILL be kicking off the holiday season at the tree lighting ceremony at Monument Square Friday evening and then venturing over to Grace for some bubbly. Track me down there, Friday evening. My treat!

Hill

2011-11-22T05:35:00.003-05:00

Here's a sunny shot of life on the Hill in the city. There are a few less leaves these days, and it'll be covered with whiteness come tomorrow morning. Back in my youth, first snow meant lots of excitement; these days not so much. Unlike the freak storm of October, tomorrow's 3-8 inches will be hanging around awhile. After work today, a few last minute jobs of tightening up around the homestead, and I'll be able to say, "Winter... bring it on!"

Roadside Stand

2011-11-21T00:01:00.004-05:00

Here's a very weathered look to a local roadside stand. In the 34 years I've driven by it summers and falls, I have never seen it open for business. Slowly but surely, it's making its way to the ground. It's in the middle of nowhere. There isn't a farm in sight for miles. Kind of a mystery, if you ask me. Mom attempted quite a few gardens over the years, with not much success. However, she often stopped at roadside stands in the afternoon for tomatoes, string beans and corn. The job of snipping the string beans for dinner always seemed to fall to me. I kind of enjoyed the task, always knowing that her creamed beans would find their way to the table that night. I always made sure I saved room on my Thanksgiving plate for that cream-style staple. Beans!

Floating Gold

2011-11-20T07:46:00.005-05:00

What goes around comes around, as they say. Life was always a struggle, it seems, for my high school football team. When I started following the 'purple and gold' in elementary school, it was always a losing proposition. Breaking even at 4-4 was considered a pretty good fall expedition. Heck, in high school the team was disbanded for lack of funds... and wins. If you were a follower of pigskin exploits during autumn, it was the height of discouragement. And we're are not even going to speak of the out and out embarrassment among my friends, who attended its arch rival down the road. I must say, it was a fine feeling, when off at college, I read that the gold helmets would again be venturing forth on the gridiron Saturdays in the fall. These days, things sure have changed. Two consecutive unblemished seasons, two consecutive Class A State Football Championships for the Stags. Livin' the highlife!... and waitin' for the floor to drop out!

Ferdinand

2011-11-19T07:43:00.000-05:00

It's late fall, creeping up on Thanksgiving. It's a good day to take a stroll and hit some vintage clothing shops. If I didn't live in an old cape farmhouse and had plenty of closet space, I be in significant trouble. I like clothes; I like junk; I like vintage stuff. Perhaps I might even find a copy of "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson laying around. I wouldn't mind picking up a used copy for my library. Maybe Paul still has his copy. I think I first saw and read his copy one night in high school at his house. I had never seen it before. It never made an appearance in our house growing up. Sheesh! Now how did I ever get here today?

Abandon Line

2011-11-18T05:34:00.003-05:00

Even when I was a kid, I was a morning person. I was always up and at it early. Many a morning I just took off into the woods on an adventure. Down back along side the lumber company, there were a couple of abandon railroad tracks that headed like this off into nowhere. A walk along tracks like these always offered a interesting morning undertaking. I always found stuff too. Some worth bringing back to the real world; some things not even worth my time. Cool shaped sticks, old bottles, discarded girlie magazines, a lean-to in disrepair. There was plenty to explore and IMAGINE for a young kid. And the beauty was? When my 'trip' was over, it was, usually, still before 9 AM. Most of my buddies hadn't even cracked an eyelid. The entire day lay ahead.

Layered Look

2011-11-17T05:31:00.003-05:00

Experience buys you a lot. There was a time when I thought making my way around this spinning planet was going to cake, easy as pie. I had not a care in the world, really. I was selfish. I went around doing whatever I wanted. There were casualties by the wayside. My philosophy of life was: "Heck yeah!" I'm better now . Humanity is a complex situation. It's quite a layered circumstance. Just when you think you have it figured out, contained, if you will, it takes a turn and seriously refreshes and reminds you who's in control. It's not simple. It's multilayered. It's old; it's new. It's easy; it'll challenge you and take you places you never knew you had. Relax. Sit back and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

Elmwood

2011-11-16T05:55:00.000-05:00

Here's an old grange hall, that I pass on my way into the city. Paul and I often took in the Presumpscott Grange Hall dances on Saturday nights, arriving there in his Dad's mighty Buick Wildcat. The hall is still standing on Route 302 and for sale, if you want to make an investment loaded with memories. For music, there were a bunch of local bands, like the Royal Knights, Gary and the Counts, Dickie and the Ebb Tides, the Grand Prix, the Mustangs and others that made the weekend circuit of clubs and halls, like Presumpscott, Frye Hall and the Expo to name a few. Often there were "Battle of the Bands", where two or three of the groups would get together and battle it out for the night. The dances were great fun, loaded with 60's hits and the girls weren't that bad either. Rock on!

Requiem

2011-11-15T05:58:00.001-05:00

Can I have a moment of silence for a 200+ year old friend. Just under a diameter of three feet, this once stately maple met the chainsaw a week ago. When we moved in back in '77, three gigantic maple trees shrouded our front lawn. We were given an old black and white print, featuring our home with a horse and buggy and a woman in a babushka standing in the rutted driveway. To the right, one of the trees can be seen standing about 10 feet high. Before it hit the ground last week, it towered above the telephone lines that run our road. This past summer, with only half of it with leaves, we knew it was time. We rolled the dice, and it survived the strong winds of Hurricane Irene. It had to be taken down for the health and safety of the house. We're not happy, but it had to be done. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

Ties

2011-11-14T05:55:00.003-05:00

These are just a few of those ties that bind. Railroad tracks, that is. I found them stacked behind a warehouse on Read Street. Interesting phrase 'ties that bind'. I wonder about the origin. It's found in a Thornton Wilder play, an early hymn, a novel title and a Springsteen song title. When I hear this phrase, I'm immediately drawn to a connection with family. They say the ties that bind a family together are stronger than those that keep it apart. I guess, I'll let individual families tackle that one. Coming up on Thanksgiving, I think it's probably on the minds of many, that and the fear of tryptophan.

Shadows Falling

2011-11-13T08:50:00.002-05:00

Last evening on a trip out to dinner, a large orange harvest moon made its appearance, hanging low against the dark sky. It was a treat. Nature's night show. I find shadows especially appealing in the fall, as mother nature slowly begins to close her door on another year. Sometimes it's the mighty lunar orb, just hanging early in the night. Sometimes, it's even more simple. It the morning low light along a golden carpet. Either way, it's very soothing in some sort of unexplained way. Just enjoy... the day closes so quickly.

Deer

2011-11-12T08:12:00.002-05:00

When I'm on the way to catch a flight, I usually have a few things on my mind like most travelers. If it's an early morning flight, I need my java, so I'm looking for a Starbucks or some other coffee joint. Later in the day? Gotta have my Twizzlers or some other candy item. I really think these, in a since, sooth me a bit. Maybe, in my way, they help release some of the tension of the flight ahead. Here at the Portland Jetport (Jetport? what's in a name? They say it's the ONLY Jetport in the world. Kinda strange, if you ask me.) there are some new 'iron wildlife' that greet travelers on the access road. They are thought to be a stress-release before your flight. Would they do it for you? To tell you the truth, they are a bit of a hard find against the fall colors seen here. For me? I'll take my strawberry Twizzlers or a box of Juicy Fruit. Thank you!

Buster's Flag

2011-11-11T08:31:00.004-05:00

My uncle Leonard Albert Gallant, U.S. Army Air Forces, hometown Norway, Maine was killed in World War II. This flag draped his coffin when my grandparents received his remains. Josie and Albert were generous, kind, and so loving to us. I'm so happy I never had to look up at their faces on this day.

Happy Veterans' Day!

Oaks' Bandstand

2011-11-10T05:59:00.002-05:00

"We're goin' hoppin'(Hop)

We're goin' hoppin' today

Where things are poppin' (Pop)

The Philadelphia way

We're gonna drop in (Drop)

On all the music they play

On the Bandstand (Bandstand)"

-B. Manilow

Come afternoons at 4 PM, Mr. 'forever young' Dick Clark would traipse his swinging soiree across the TV screens of southern Maine. Believe it or not, the dancing I could give or take, but what I really enjoyed was the Rate-A-Record segment. Clark would pull two dancers aside, play pieces of two songs and had them rate them from 98-35. "I liked the words and it was easy to dance to." In the end, the higher rated of the two was played in its entirety. I thought it was pretty neat to hear songs that, in most cases, were weeks away from airplay on my favorite radio stations. I did enjoy my music. Still do. Pretty cool!

Frosty Haystack

2011-11-09T06:02:00.004-05:00

Back in another life, I used to watch a lot of Saturday afternoon wrestling programing. As a 12 year old, I was excited when Haystack Calhoun was in the ring. He tipped the scales at 601 pounds and stood about 6' 5'' in his white t-shirt, blue overalls and horseshoe necklace. Everyone who watched him 'work' waited for his patterned "Big Splash" finish, where he would jump off the top rope of the ring and land on his helpless opponent. Yikes! I was always amazed that he could get up there to begin with. Legend had it that on his family farm, he actually worked cows by picking them up and moving them. One of the highlights of the Saturday shows was when he and some palooka took on the the feared duo of Mr. Fuji and Professor Toro Tanaka in tag team matches. Now that was ENTERTAINMENT!

Machigonne Votes

2011-11-08T05:54:00.002-05:00

Today is Election Day in the city and across the state. Voters in the city will be choosing their first publicly elected mayor since 1923. I think there are about 15 or more on the ballot. Plenty of choice there. A fly in the ointment? It's the city's first 'ranked-choice' election. This aspect could prove to add some fun twists and turns tonight when the results are in. Elsewhere referendums will be the big draw. Can Maine support up to 5 casinos? Simply ridiculous! I'm interested in the Governor and friends attempt to repeal our same day voter registration statewide. Will scare tactics work? Stay tuned. The state's Attorney General expects a turnout of around plus or minus 25%. Bottomline? Apathy wins again!

Some Gloves

2011-11-07T00:01:00.003-05:00

Love these! I've got at least three pairs from Mexicali Blues. Got green; got blue and these brown. One Christmas I gave pairs to J- and Elenks, but they weren't big hits, so I inherited them all. These have been in my truck since September. Yes, really! You see, I have a touch of Raynaud's phenomenon. Well, to be perfectly honest, I've got it good! Had I listened, as a kid, to Mommy Dearest and not gotten some severe, repeated frostbite, or not had my 'love affair' with the chainsaw in my later years , I do believe I wouldn't be dealing with this now. But that's another story. All I can say is when I'm wearing these... I ain't got no Blues!

On Stage

2011-11-06T06:36:00.003-05:00

We attended a performance of "God of Carnage" at Portland Stage Company last evening. It was an enjoyable, fast-pased hour and a half. In the family dynamics of things, do we really still think that it's the kids that are screwed up? This 'sandbox' scene reminded all in the audience that, for the most part, the 'kids are alright', and it's the adults that need some fine tuning of life skills. Good show!

507419

2011-11-05T07:37:00.004-04:00

Do you gamble? Play Bingo? Cards for money? Sitting around her metal kitchen table at 250 Main Street, Nana taught me to play 'penny ante' poker. She had a coffee can of pennies and when that hit the table, I knew an hour of cards and joking at my expense lay on the horizon. And to tell you the truth, except for a few 50/50 games at sporting events or a few pools, that's about the extent of my gambling addiction. Sure, I want to win MegaBucks, but I always forget to play, even when the stakes are high. Now, for some irony, I do have, what I consider, a favorite (lucky) number. I really like the way 22 looks. Call me crazy. Yes, I have a favorite number, but I never play it. Go figure!

Junk

2011-11-04T05:54:00.002-04:00

Man, is this a red door to nowhere or what? I just noticed this. That first step is a killer! This is the backside to an 'antique facility' in Bayside. I call it a junk shop! There was one of these places on Arbor Street in the old neighborhood. We guys always got a kick out of going in and walking the aisles, while picking around and admiring all the remnants of others' lives. The visitors, the stuff the smells: it was the total package. Our fun was short-lived however, because soon that building and a bunch of others were knocked down by the wrecking ball to make room for the new A&P Supermarket. For us at the Corner and for others around the city, it seemed to mark the end of the mom and pop neighborhood stores, the end of an era. RIP.

Recess

2011-11-03T05:45:00.004-04:00

This is a playground on the edge of Bayside. At St. Joseph's Grammar School, we had nothing like this at recess, but we made do. We were left to our own devices. Back then, we were pretty creative. Yes, we had devices! Rubbing bottle caps on the school's back steps, constructing mini houses out of sticks and gum wrappers (early stages of what we know now as fairy houses? Good grief!), baseball, using a tennis ball and our fist for a bat, flipping baseball cards against the wall and trading them back and forth ("I'll trade you a Rocky Colovito for a Bob Cerv and a Tracy Stallard"), eating nickel candy, playing basketball against a wall with no basket just a spot to shoot for (we were kind of dumb), throwing balls into the air and catching them with or without our gloves, the Whip in the snow (til the nuns outlawed it), Tackle Red Rover in the snow (til the nuns outlawed it), the snowball firing squad (til the nuns outlawed it), Hopscotch, jumping rope, assorted games of tag and oh ya, just plain running back and forth to nowhere were some of the ways we attempted to fill our 20 minutes of recess back at St. Joes. It WAS a simple life. How about you?

A Floater

2011-11-02T05:43:00.001-04:00

I found this large metal ball at a local junk shop. It looks to be some sort of device found floating along the waterfront. When I saw it, I thought about going to our YMCA and learning to swim. Being a paperboy, I got a free membership, but all I wanted to do was get in the water and swim. I remember lots of things about going to those Wednesday night classes with my friends. The beginning program was led by Mr. Golden and were loaded with excitement and frightening moments for me. One special memory was the evening we were taught how to do the backstroke. I remember floating, back and forth, the length of the pool just staring at the blue, iron gridwork of the ceiling. I thought it was so amazingly easy to to do. When I flew in the door that night after swimming practice, Mom got the long, drawn out, stroke by stroke version of my first adventure on my back in water. I wonder if she was excited for me as I was retelling the events to her? Knowing her, I bet she was.

Icy Leaves

2011-11-01T05:37:00.003-04:00

Today is Theme Day across the CDP community, and I don't care. I have more pressing issues. White stuff! The snow is trying hard to disappear. It better. The state still has football and soccer champions to crown. 5o degree temperatures the next few days will probably take care of it. I hope so. I still have leaves to rake off the front lawn, brush to burn up back (with a burn permit, of course), a little bit of wood to get in and a bunch of other odd jobs to get done before the snow flies... whoops! Sorry about that. Looking out my window at work yesterday, the snow covered fields looked January-like not barren pre-Thanksgiving. I'm not mentioning climate change; I'm just saying.

It's spooky!

Boo!

2011-10-31T07:28:00.002-04:00

Happy All-Hallows-Even (“evening”)!

Halloween was an exciting time growing up. It was always, simply amazing to me that dressed in my devil costume, I could walk up to any house, to peoples’ houses I had never met, never seen, say “trick or treat” and get loads of candy piled into my bag. Often, we had to stop home and get a second bag we ‘hit’ so many places. Yes, that lil’ red devil did pretty well for himself each October 31, much to Dr. Richards’ (my dentist) delight.

Trick or Treat?

2011-10-30T10:04:00.003-04:00

Say what you will, but it's only October 30th on my calendar. By the time I was up and on the road this morning, a lot of melting had already occurred. Two snow falls before Halloween? It's hard for me to remember. But alas, it has come and will be just a fleeting memory with the mid-week temperatures expected. Might this be a harbinger of our coming winter? Hard to say. I don't hold much faith in the Old Farmers' Almanac, because it's always predicting a tough winter for these parts. Two years ago, when I was home for my surgery, it was pretty mild. Last winter, it was a bit more upbeat. Today, there are lots of church services canceled. For the 3-4 inches of snow in my driveway? Here's what I say. Stop the predicting and all the worrying-mongering and just let the days play out as they will. That's what I'm doing. Simple as that!

No Turn

2011-10-29T07:07:00.004-04:00

No Turn and no entrance either at this Market Street doorway. I've always wondered about this once ornate stone entrance to nowhere. Its been bricked over a couple of times. On this street, to the right and left, and up there is a mix-match of patterns and designs. Some reconstruction has been administered and not for the better. Although now, its been rendered an architect's nightmare gone bad, I'm sure in its time it was well meaning and probably was an eye-catcher, as they say. This column design is found further up this block and carries on along the second story. There was a meaning to the madness; I'm sure.

Just a Memory

2011-10-28T05:22:00.007-04:00

It snowed last night! Yes, I said snow. It was a dusting, but still it was snow. It's been awhile since we've had the 'white stuff' this early. I heard yesterday that upstate there's a town that always gets it for Halloween, but I just can't remember it around here... ever. I'm sure it has and will again, but for heaven's sake, it's October... not December. And that's not the worse news that I wake up to this morning. The weather forecast for tomorrow night--- ya, you guessed it, more snow. There's 3-5 inches coming to the coast.

As Peter Pan said to Wendy about flying, "Just think happy thoughts." Maybe I'll fly away!

I'll leave it at that.

Detroit Leaning

2011-10-27T05:55:00.005-04:00

It's all about blue today. It's a good safe hue for me. It's the sky. It's the sea. It's just me. As in azure, baby blue, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, corporate blue, cyan, indigo, midnight blue, navy, Prussian blue, robin's egg blue, royal, sapphire, sky blue, slate, steel blue and more. I find it strong. I find it calming. I find it secure. I hear it's a good color for bedrooms. It's soothing. It's even been known to keep evil spirits away. They say colors have meaning for us. I don't know about that. For me, it comes down to this. Blue is a simple color in all its shades. It's me.

Round and Round

2011-10-26T06:00:00.005-04:00

Stop this merry-go-round! I want to get off! Ever have that feeling? I get it every now and then. As a kid, I'd say Faster! Faster! Faster! I'd see just how fast I could get my bike moving down 'college hill', skidding and bring up sand and lots of dust at the bottom, or how fast I could get those steel runners of my sled streaking down the backyard hill and across Gulliver's icy surface. Life seemed to be a blur, and I liked it like that. Go! Go! Go! Never look back! Well, in retrospect that's how I remember it. It probably just creeped by, but as a early teen that's how it seemed to go down. These days, I like a gentle pace in my days, fully under control, but that not how it seems some days. Some busy mornings, it's more like that childhood's playground toy, a bit out of control, attempting to whip me off. It's a bit unsettling, till it's over. Anyone else have mornings like this, or is it just me? It often is.

Afternoon Hydrant

2011-10-25T05:55:00.002-04:00

A fading sun brings the afternoon to a close. This time of year, regardless of your state, a warm spot under a blue sky is always welcoming. Now, in this photo, the good thing is, if it gets too 'warm' here, the fire hydrant will come to your rescue. This reminds me of those days where we always seem to be putting small blazes out. No matter how we spend our day, there always seem to be those days that come along every once in a while, where there are always obstacles to our peace of mind. Hope your today is fire free.