Snow Cover

I've heard of frost on the pumpkin, but snow? Well, poet James Whitcomb Riley’s(1853-1916) text is the authority:
"When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,"
I know that old Jack Frost visited our pumpkins on a few October nights. And most farmers around these parts had their 'fodder in the shock' well before then. Because after Halloween weather-wise, all bets are off, and snow and the harsh ravages of a Maine winter can come any day. Now, the whereabouts of this mushy pumnkin? As of yesterday, it is now resting comfortably in our compost pile.

Ice Season

Little bit of ice , little bit of snow on the back roads can make for some disastrous driving around these parts, but it makes for some fascinating backyard viewing over the next few months. Right now just a few lonesome, brown tattered leaves and an old forgotten caterpillar nest or two, hanging in the balance, are about all that resist against this morning's slate gray sky. So this ice covered green and red serve a comfortable visual purpose. That ol' Mother Nature has her way, whether we like it or not. So sit back and just enjoy!

A Good Desk

Everyone needs a good desk. The summer before I started high school Mom decided that I needed a room of my own and a new desk. My brother and I had shared a room upstairs for years. We got into our share of mischief and had our secret talks, but it was time for a change. This new development was exciting to me. I was moved to the front room facing the street(my two sisters were sharing this room before), where I could keep track of any action at the corner. You know: fire trucks screaming through the intersection, the train whistle moans in darkness, the Christmas tree twinkling on the traffic island, the high school kids up to no good well after 11 PM, and the clinking, clinking of the chains on the plow trucks usually signaling a snow day away from school. It was a fun room with many memories. And as I remember, a trip to a used furniture store got me a workable desk. She painted it white, and I was ready for that 'new adventure' called high school.

Delicate Ice

The high today will be in the 20s, so this thin film of ice will soon be frozen over solid. NEWSFLASH: it's 12 above right now as I type. Brrrrr!

ice etching moments
entwined in strong spruce branches
entombed til spring thaw

Ax Work

I'm still trying to finish up some loose ends in the backyard. In the last few weeks, I've been doing some chopping, moving and stacking of wood up back. Back in September, we had a couple of trees cut down to make some room. Trees, once they get rolling, grow fast. Our plan is to try and finagle some more late afternoon sunshine in August and September. When the sun starts dipping in mid-August, these trees have grown so much, they're blocking the rays of ol' Mister Sun. Hopefully, this tree work will mean more warmth on the deck, longer in the afternoon. The trees we won't miss and the chopped wood will provide fodder to take the chill off next fall.

Rat Rumor

Recently, I read a short story entitled "Three Skelton Key" by George G. Toudouze, and it got me thinking about our furry 'friends', that frequent the docks, and river banks in most big cities. Today's post will fall squarely and firmly into what we all call the rumor mill. When the condos, in the background at Chandler's Wharf, were constructed many years ago, I heard lots of stories, none of them ever confirmed by the early condo dwellers ... with those "dramatic ocean views", about an infestation of rats. I haven't heard much talk lately. As a matter of fact, in all my illustrious years of hanging around the Old Port, I've NEVER seen one single rat. However, I've seen endless wild, dock cats running about here and there. Here kitty, kitty!

Cool Space

A cold amble up Congress brings me outside the Space Gallery. There have been plenty of times that I've wanted to stop by and take a look at this place... on the inside. It'll happen. Looks like a happenin' place to me with some cool concerts and art installations. Take a look at the link.
http://www.space538.org/
Under exhibits, is that a whistling tea kettle? Now that image drags me back. On Washington, Stevens, Coyle and Bancroft there was always one of these whistling away the the afternoons in Mom's kitchens. And yes, on many occasions the kettle would boil away and destroy itself, but no problem, within a day or so, there was a replacement. Mom had to have her tea!

Growing Bottles

Sitting on the back window sills, these two bottles hold remnants of warm summer days. On the back porch, there is a line of old bottles found through the years, while digging around our 'back forty'. June through September, they hold tiny flowers from Elenka's gardens. As October arrives, most die off or turn to mush. But as you can see, these two impatiens have taken hold and are vigorously sending forth roots. They are with her at work these days and will soon find a home in the good earth.

First Fall

It's early morning, after our first significant snowfall of the season. It looks to be about 3 inches of the sticky stuff hanging out in the back garden. It's a winter wonderland with everything covered with whiteness, even the garden hose and grill that still remain on the lawn and deck. It's official. The holiday season has begun. Snow is on the ground. My December 4th Advent Calendar door has two little mice huddled under the Christmas tree. The season has arrived!

Fish Barrels

Down along one of the piers the other morning, I caught sight of this design. These barrels were stacked along side a row of draggers docked nearby. In high school, 'the job' was the thing. I caddied at Riverside Golf Course, while two of my best friends worked at the Fish Factory, a fish processing plant. When I got home afternoons, I smelled of sweat, if I was lucky. The whole day out in the sun and home for dinner. L- and Eddie always smelled like fish, stinking, rotting fish and never got home til late in the evening. I swear, even after a shower, they STILL smelled of fish. Whenever I'm down along the docks and the aromatic fumes travel through the air, I think back to the Fish Factory.

Bay Bridge

Here's another view of the Casco Bay Bridge, looking down Commercial Street. The bridge spans the Fore River and connects Portland and South Portland. About a year ago, I photographed the entrance ramp in the foreground and to the left. The color and the lines of the bridgework itself intrigue me as I travel under it. Do you get a bit apprehensive when driving over large, expansive bridges? I don't, but I often have dreams where I'm trapped on a mountain ledge, a precarious roof position or at the top of an extremely large tree. I've made my way up but can't get down. I reach a cul-de-sac with no way out. I'm in a death defying position, that seems so real and scary... and then it's over. Dreams. Ya gotta love 'em!

Theme Day: Time

Today, December 1, 2010 is Theme Day across the CDPB(citydailyphotoblog) community. Is time really on my side? Sometimes I think it sides with me, while at other times I cringe to think of how fast it fades away. I do realize though that it waits for no one. One of my favorite all time Stones' songs(and I do have many) is Time Is On My Side. As I remember, it was the first song they sang in the US in 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show. Keith was badness for sure. I love it!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x18v7u_rolling-stones-time-is-on-my-side_music

Pond Skate

Growing up in the city, there were lots of places to skate. The most popular venue was at the Allen Avenue pond in the North Deering area. Ah... there were lots of girls there. It was the family skating spot too. I skated there many, many times. Now, venturing to the Oaks was a real treat. One of our parents would drop us off late morning and pick us up again mid-afternoon. The many Evergreen Cemetery ponds were close by and good places for hockey. Behind Deering High School and here at Capisic Pond were places I skated seldom, maybe twice each. However, I never remembered it having so dense a crop of cat tails, as seen in this picture taken on Sunday morning. As you can see, it's certainly encroaching on ice time.

West End Water

Up on the Western Prom these water fountains will have to wait til June. Water, water, everywhere. This time of year, in our backyard or at Gullivers, football was still the game. Even as temperatures tumbled, and it snowed or was pouring rain, those were the best days. It wasn't miserable at all. The fun was actually heightened, as we went slip sliding away in the snow or got covered with serious mud in pouring rain. Explanation? Hey, we were guys! We did that for FUN! The games weren't organized. They were just the run of the mill pick-up games, with usually 10-12 of the gang decked out in our rag tag 'uniforms'(jeans, sweatshirts and of course our helmets). Mine was orange with a blue stripe and 4 stars on either side. My brother had a blue one, as I remember, with a plastic facemask. Those afternoons were just loaded with happiness and enjoyment, regardless of the weather conditions. Now the water? We carried those glass gallon jugs, that vinegar came in with the glass finger holders, filled with refreshing, ice cold water for our breaks. As the football games ended and we moved towards home, spitting water through our front teeth became the game of choice. Covering your friends with sprayed cold water or seeing who could spit through their teeth the farthest, sometimes offered just as much enjoyment as the actual romps with the pigskin, that had covered the last few hours. I have enjoyable reminders of those days.

Scratching Sky

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show."
- Andrew Wyeth
The blue sky, with clouds moving fast, is usually a cue for me that changes are in the wind. However, even with the sun shinning yesterday, the icy patches across the yard gave no evidence of leaving soon. Off in the distance at sundown, the final barrage of rifle shots were heard as deer hunting season came to a close. Maine is ready for her winter. The more things change, the more things remain the same. Growing up in this state, oh, I use to love my long, snowy, cold winters. Now, not so much. The inevitable will arrive here soon; we push on.

Some Snow

Yes, we've had our first snowfall. Well, sort of-- the night before last we had a wintery mix as the meteorologists call it. It was a bit of snow, a bit of sleet, a bit of freezing rain. As an old timer would say in these parts in that Downeast drawl, "weren't much." That first significant snow drop has always been a special day. Forget December 21. For me, the first day the snow flies is always that first day of winter. I remember sliding all the way to school, in grammar to high school, in that new fallen whiteness. These days, it's still special looking out my back window at work across the wide expanse of fields to the spruces in the distance and viewing the snowfall. Now, driving in it is a whole different ballgame some days.

Morning Light

Early mornings, driving down Free Street, this sight always catches my eye. The Downtown Holiday Inn on Spring Street sits across from CCCC and views Fore River and beyond on the opposite side. When a buddy from college, who flies for Delta, stays overnight in the city, he and the crew usually stay here. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's always an evening of good times filled with reminiscing and hearty laughs.

Milkweed

On a day noted for extravagances, especially in the culinary arts department, let's keep it simple like this milkweed in the wind. Happy Turkey Day to all!

Deering Row

The sun was kind this morning to this row of buildings on Deering Street. I know one thing for sure. There is an awful lot of brick in this city. The building on the far left is Harold T. Andrews, American Legion Post #17. My Dad was the Post Commander here for many years and would often regale us with stories surrounding the Post, its history and the many characters within its walls. A walk in the sun, on a November morning, on a brick-lined street is a pretty good thing. Now, for a cup of java!

Curved Congress

Downtown Congress things are heating up(sorry it was cold and blustery, really) for the holidays. The decorations are hung from the light poles; the large spruce is up in the Square. The official lighting of the tree comes Friday evening at dusk. We used to partake in the festivities all the time; however, lately we've traveled to Jersey to be with family there. This year, we saw everyone at the recent wedding so we'll stay put this week. So, this Friday the tree is on our 'to do' list. Action, camera, LIGHTS!

Iced In

The next sign that autumn is gone and winter's footprint is among us is that early morning's most ponds have that thin glaze of ice lacing them now. Even these ducks fear breaking through to see if I'm throwing any stale bread their way. In my toddling years, my grandmother often brought me here to this pond connected to a cemetery. I never asked why we came here so many afternoons. I was just excited about feeding the ducks. When I got older, I realized it was more than seeing and feeding the ducks that pulled her back here. Her son, killed in the 'Good War' (WWII), was here nearby. I bear his name.

November 22- I'll remember this date forever. JFK killed in Dallas. Where were you? Me? In my high school Library in Sophomore English class.

Adverbial Phrases

A friend of mine passed this little book along to me. He thought I'd like to take a look at it. It's Swinton's Language Lessons: Introductory Grammar and Composition. The copyright page is missing, but the name and address inside reads Ella M. Noyes of 117 Boston Street, Lynn Ma.
My first day in Seventh Grade found me in the new gym getting my schedule. Skipper leaned over looked at my schedule and said, "You got Kibler." A moment later, he said, "Uh, oh you've got her twice." Yes, it was true. I had her for English and social studies. That afternoon, I raced home, found Mom and told her to call Lincoln Junior and get me out of her classroom. I didn't know it then but that day was a benchmark in my life. Mom, of course, said no, and a good chunk of that school year was spent in Room 210. The first part of the year, she drove me crazy. I hated that room. She made me work so hard; she covered my papers with so much red ink, I thought I was bleeding at times. As the year progressed, something changed. She taught me to have some confidence when I took up my pen, introduced me to Jack London and made me want to go to her desk and talk to her(even with that funky, 'old lady perfume'). Bottom line, Helen Kibler was my favorite teacher of all time. I think about her room and those life lessons she taught a lot. She's been a big influence on my life in so many ways. Then there came a day in the early 90s, when I opened the Press Herald and was saddened read her obituary. That was a hard day for me. I tried to replay that entire year in my mind that morning to no avail. How strange it is that some people become attached to us beyond our control.

Bookcase

Here's a bookcase with no rhyme or reason to it and a few memorable lines of Dickinson. No plans for today? Need suggestions? Take a walk(wear blaze orange around here), pet a cat, visit a college, rearrange lights on an outside tree, write some rhyme, split some wood, finish the painting, plan a trip, close the laptop...

He ate and drank the precious words,
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book. What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!
- Emily Dickinson

The Pool

Before the snow hits, here's one more view of the Oaks. This one is of the area at one end of the wading pool, this time of year without water of course. Each summer, Shakespearean plays are performed here, with this area being center stage. The gentle sloping hills on each side provide seating, if you don't bring your chair. I enjoy strolling along the sculptured walkways around this running pool.

Goodbye...

"Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign."

Ok, I'll take the bait. Sometimes, sometimes, even I'm a bit confused by this world I live in. I photographed this plywood wall at Congress Square awhile ago. Walking by it this past week, it's now covered by graffiti, posters and other placards. However, this young gal, with the molotov cocktail in hand, remains with this strange expression. When I read, "Goodbye Rape Culture", there are times I think I get it; it's obvious. But then, I read it again, and I'm really at a loss. Who is she? Looks like she has fallen out of a 50's reading primer somewhere. What is she doing? Why is she carrying the bottled gasoline? Enjoy your day. I'm going to ponder this a bit more. No, maybe not!

Back Door

I believe this back door leads to many lost yesterdays. As a matter of fact, I know it does. I found this doorway at the abandon mill with the trucks of yesterday. The inside looks to be some sort of power station for the factory nearby. It's been pretty much gutted, with just traces of ghosted machinery remaining. I didn't venture very far in for fear of the floor giving way. Really, not a fit place for man nor beast.This entrance was a beauty in its day though, I bet.

Lost Trucks

Just where do aged trucks go to die? Like the economy these days, the GMC and Mack are lost in a sea of bushes, waiting out the autumn for another rugged Maine winter. I found these parked outside an abandoned factory, just outside the city. This photograph reminds me of days of jumping over the Stevens Avenue National Guard Armory fence and spending a Saturday afternoon rummaging around the front seats of the big army vehicles. We would sit for hours dreaming about driving the big trucks and never once were we ever bothered. Ah, I guess it was another time.

Tribute to SS

It's all about masks! I think I've written about this fact before on this site. While on a visit to the PMA (Portland Museum of Art) in early October, I was wasting away a few idle moments in the gift/book shop, when a book grabbed my attention. It was Masquerade, by Inge Morath, a book detailing the artist Saul Steinberg's paperbag masks. Masks have always intrigued me. Whether it's for All Hallows Eve(remember my devil costume?), on stage, on a morning tv show, or even at an actual masquerade ball, they hide a lot but REVEAL more. After sharing the book, a few of my friends and I played around a bit. It was hilarious! Take a look at this example. How'd I do?

http://www.saulsteinbergfoundation.org/saul_steinberg.html

Front Stairs

Here's the Victoria Mansion on the corner of Park and Danforth Streets in the city. Designed and built by New Haven architect Henry Austin in 1858-60. It is one of the grandest Italian villa style residences in the country. I remember on a field trip in high school, it was a real treat to walk up its grand staircase turn back and to notice the elaborate ornamental design seen on every cornice and chandelier. I haven't been back in it in a while, and in the Christmas season it's suppose to be amazingly decorated. Maybe this season, it'll be in the cards.

Fear the Turtle

Thought you'd like a quick look at my work this weekend. I hope to put a dent in two cords of wood and get it moved into the woodshed out back.The wedding last weekend put my wood haulin' schedule off a bit, but it'll get done, hopefully before the snow flies in these parts. Mom reminded me often of that old adage, 'slow and steady wins the race'. And the way I look at it, if the tortoise could do it, it's good enough for me. I try to use this as a guide in all I do these days. Take BIG jobs and break them into their simple parts. The work gets done, and I remain happier for it. Why run the risk of being overwhelmed and or intimidated by that nasty thing called WORK. That turtle had his act together. Serenity soon!