Mr. Toad's (Wild) Ride

More Smiles

2012-02-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

from Sweet Adeline. We saw her briefly when we returned Maggie to Cambridge yesterday evening.

Gooey, chocolaty

2012-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

That's how Maggie described the brownie batter she and CL were working on yesterday.

Cleaning up

2012-02-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

After breakfast this morning, Maggie asked if she could clean up the crumbs with the little vacuum cleaner.

A Documented Day

2012-02-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Unlike yesterday, when I shot a trip to Forest Park using a camera with no memory card, I was careful to capture today's activities.

First, CL and Maggie made scones for breakfast.

They passed the taste test.

Then we went to the Springfield Museums for a special exhibit on frogs. Maggie enjoyed them

but also wanted to visit the T Rex again, where she lay in the dinosaur footprint cast and looked up at

the T Rex, who was appropriately dressed for the winter cold.

Children's Story Time at Trinity

2012-02-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Maggie went to church with us yesterday and went up to the chancel steps with the other kids for story time.

The surprise was that this week she volunteered to be a chicken

and stand up to help tell the story.

Cheering for the Pats

2012-02-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

Here's Maggie cheering for the Pats with the banner she made in pre-school (she prefers that term to day care). Too bad we didn't let her stay up for the second half.

Baking Cookies with Grandma

2012-02-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

Maggie's spending a few days with us. The first thing she did was to bake some oatmeal raisin cookies with CL.

And the second was to eat them.

A Quick Adeline Visit

2012-02-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

We dropped by J&A's place in Cambridge yesterday; here are a couple shots of Adeline with her proud Grandma.

BHF 2012

2012-02-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

The Boar's Head Festival was Jan. 13, 14, and 15. I finally finished going through everything I'd shot last night. Here are a few representative scenes.

BHF Nuns

2012-02-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

CL was a nun at this year's Boar's Head Festival. Here are a few shots of her and her "boquet of nuns."

Three Grandchildren

2012-01-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

and probably too many pictures.

Family Picture

2012-01-16T17:51:00.000-08:00

The last time the entire family was together was Christmas 2010, but we never got a picture. The last picture of the whole family was Christmas 2008, but the whole family was three persons smaller then.

This morning, in Cambridge, all 10 of us were awake and happy at the same time:

Boar's Head Festival Dress Rehearsal

2012-01-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few shots from last night's rehearsal. One show tonight, two each Sat. and Sun.

A Warm, Winter Day ...

2012-01-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

... so we went for an afternoon walk in Forest Park. We saw a hawk and some Canada Geese,

and, even though it was 60 degrees, there was still a bit of ice on the duck ponds.

By the time we headed home, it was already sunset.

A Few Late Christmas Photos

2012-01-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Maggie's Christmas

2011-12-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

Adeline's Expressions

2011-12-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve at Trinity

2011-12-24T20:48:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T19:36:00.001-08:00

Mr. Toad's Back!

2011-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

Mr. Toad is Sick

2011-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Mr. Toad had an electrical fire in the engine compartment yesterday afternoon. He left on a flatbed for New Country MINI this morning.

Constitution Plaza

2011-12-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

Since I'm a retiree, CL and I were invited to Hartford Steam Boiler's Christmas party. We enjoyed it, and afterwards took a brief stroll on Constitution Plaza to look at the Christmas lights.

Final Halloween Storm Clean-up ...

2011-12-17T08:10:00.000-08:00

...at least for us. Northeast Utilities sent a crew by to clean out the broken branches over the power lines behind out house. They did a great job, including raking the back yard after they finished.

Christmas Tree

2011-12-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

We put it up today; more later when there are gifts under it.

Tower Destruction

2011-12-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

Which is more efficient at knocking down towers? Angstrom's toy or Angstrom?

Early Christmas

2011-12-10T17:13:00.001-08:00

A small gallery of pictures, primarily of Angstrom, of our early Christmas celebration with the Pittsburgh contingent.

Angstrom, Again

2011-12-08T17:23:00.001-08:00

Angstrom Thursday

2011-12-08T09:56:00.001-08:00

Thinking Inside the Box

2011-12-07T14:25:00.001-08:00

First evening in Pittsburgh

2011-12-07T12:47:00.001-08:00

We drove up to Pittsburgh yesterday and got to see Angstrom briefly.

Arc of the Piedmont Dinner

2011-12-06T18:00:00.001-08:00

The main reason for the trip to Bumpass was that J&B invited us to a fundraising dinner for the Arc of the Piedmont at The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville. It was one of the best meals we've had in years.

(photo courtesy John Sharrard)

Montpelier

2011-12-06T17:49:00.001-08:00

On Monday we went to Montpelier, James Madison's home. After his death, it went through several changes in ownership, ending with the DuPonts, who made many modifications throughout the 20th century. It has recently been restored to its early 1800's condition; it was a very interesting tour.

Santa's Sleigh

2011-12-06T17:38:00.001-08:00

Last Friday we left for Bumpass, VA and then Pittsburgh for early Christmases with brother John and then Jesse, Aurora, and Angstrom.

Thanksgiving with Adeline & Maggie

2011-11-25T19:39:00.001-08:00

Adeline's eyes were big and bright in the morning,

but as soon as we tried for a picture of the two girls, they shut.

The Weekend's Over

2011-11-13T20:08:00.001-08:00

This morning Maggie went to Trinity with us and was comfortable enough to go up front with the other kids for their story time.

There she is at the bottom right.

Then we had to take her home. But at least we got to hold Adeline for a bit.

Muffins and Museums

2011-11-12T13:06:00.001-08:00

Maggie put on her apron and got to work this morning preparing blueberry muffins,

which she eventually consumed. They were good.

Then we visited the Springfield Museums, where we first visited a T-Rex.

Maggie just fits into his footprint.

We next checked out some African wildlife,

and we finished with the Seuss Sculpture Garden, where Maggie had fun posing with the characters

and even Dr. Seuss himself.

Back home, Maggie tried out Mr. Toad, but decided that the seats are still a bit low for her.

Breakfast and Butterflies

2011-11-11T17:51:00.001-08:00

Today started with Maggie helping CL prepare blueberry waffles for breakfast.

Then we went to Magic Wings in Deerfield, MA to look at butterflies. It's a great place and Maggie really enjoyed herself.

The Start of a Maggie Weekend

2011-11-10T18:29:00.001-08:00

We're looking forward to having Maggie with us for the weekend. This afternoon we did a quick round trip to Cambridge to pick her up. Here's Amanda and Adeline,

then Maggie and her headphones.

As far as we can tell, the main purpose of the headphones is to keep her from hearing her own tambourine. At least Adeline can sleep through anything.

Checking out the Park

2011-11-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

Forest Park is still closed from the October snow, but we took a walk in it today anyway.

Eleven days after the snow, there's still some on the ground in shady areas,

and most of the downed trees have been removed. This one still sits on what was a Bright Nights display. Oh, darn.

This is a spot I've photographed several times before. The birch trees are now tipping even more than they were. Their roots appear to have been pulled up, so I doubt they'll survive.

Power to the People!

2011-11-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I noticed this sign in front of a neighbor's house. Apparently it worked; see the utility truck in his driveway.

I hope he was grateful. The people giving him power came all the way from Oklahoma and Kansas.

Storm Clean-up

2011-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

When we got home from church today, there was a huge truck and trailer collecting all the downed limbs that everyone stacked on the tree belt. We were amazed at how quick the clean-up was.

This has nothing to do with the storm, but I shot it this morning and thought it looked good.

October Snow Aftermath

2011-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots from a brief walk around the neighborhood early this a.m. We've got power, phone, and cable; and this'll melt before we need more food. This is not the same branch on the cable as in last night's picture; I removed it, and another came to take its place.

There are four cables in this shot. The top one provides power to the house next door. There are two branches hanging on it that are also touching our garage roof. NE Utilities won't be here for at least a week.

Firglade Ave. looking south

and north from the end of our driveway.

October Snow

2011-10-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Around 2:00 this afternoon, when it first started snowing, I took a couple shots because the snow looked sorta pretty. The view to the back

and of the blackberry bush.

But by 4:30 the poor blackberry bushes were on the ground,

and as I was about to update the first picture, a branch came down and caught the phone and cable lines. We still have service for both, but I'm not expecting it to last.

By 9:00 a tree down the street is in bad shape. It should be twice as tall, with only the trunk reaching the ground.

I was going to walk around the neighborhood checking out the damage, but as I was walking down the front steps, I encountered a bright flash quickly followed by thunder -- thundersnow! I took that as a sign and stayed indoors.

Fall Flowers and Produce

2011-10-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

The last rose of summer? This on a Mother's Day gift rosebush in our garden.

A cone flower amidst the sage plants, again in our garden.

The last three from a visit to this year's last Farmers' Market in Forest Park.

Quilts!

2011-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

CL has been spending most of time recently working on her quilts, getting ready for a craft fair at Trinity. Here she's just finishing getting her booth ready. She sold quilts, table runners, hot mats, pot holders, and knitted dish cloths.

More Addy and Maggie

2011-10-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sweet Adeline

2011-10-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Our second granddaughter, Adeline Elizabeth, was born to Jeremy and Amanda on October 6. We were on our way to Pittsburgh then and didn't get to welcome here until yesterday. For more of Adeline, go to her blog.

More Pittsburgh & Angstrom

2011-10-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Chicken by Jesse

Tea with Mona Lisa

Fun in the backyard

Bedtime story for Angstrom

More Angstrom Time

2011-10-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Plus some pictures taken on a walk.

Friday in Pittsburgh

2011-10-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

Trip to Pittsburgh

2011-10-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

In order to keep ourselves amused on out trip to Pittsburgh last Thursday, we shot pictures of signs of towns along the highway.

Fryeburg Fair - Food

2011-10-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

Fryeburg Fair - Animals

2011-10-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

rain between two cow barns

calf about 16 hours old

Fryeburg Fair - Tractor Pull

2011-10-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

This was the lightest weight class - 1,000 pounds max, tractor plus rider. The winning tractor was able to drag about 2500 pounds in the rain on smooth concrete. Full size tractors pulled a lot more weight, but were nowhere near as much fun to watch.

Fryeburg Fair - Skillet Throw

2011-10-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

This event, for women only, is for distance and accuracy.

Fryeburg Fair Overview

2011-10-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a map and a couple general pictures.

Fryeburg Fair - Woodsmen's Field Day

2011-10-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

The first event we attended was the Woodsmen's Field Day. It included the contests below plus more that we missed, some of which involved souped up chain saws.

Sawing.

This one was attaching then towing three logs through a slalom course for time.

Axe throwing for accuracy.

Log rolling.

Chopping holes in the tree trunk, inserting springboards in the holes, repeating once, then chopping the top of the trunk. Very scary.

Another timed contest: fastest time to boil water starting with a block of wood, an axe, and matches. The winning time was roughly 3 minutes!

Chopping through the wood the contestant is standing on; all the contestants wore soft boots or athletic shoes, and the axes were like razors.

It seemed at times that there were more referees than contestants.

Fryeburg, Maine

2011-10-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

A few family pictures to start off what will be a Fryeburg series. First, Connor at the piano,

then Emily teaching skating,

and Connor with friend.

New Best Friend

2011-10-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

Once we got to Fryeburg, I was welcomed by Cato, the blind dachshund.

A Quick Maggie Fix

2011-10-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

On our way to Fryeburg, Me we stopped by Cambridge to visit Maggie on Sunday.

Art at Trinity

2011-09-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

We returned from vacation just in time to catch the last day of the latest art exhibit in Trinity's Grace Chapel. Trinity has been working with Sumner Ave. elementary school and in this case handed out digital cameras to selected students last spring. This show was of their work.

There was even a slide show of the artists.

Home Again

2011-09-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

We returned home on Tuesday afternoon. The lawn needs mowing.

Goshen Pass

2011-09-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

The next day we drove all over Rockbridge County, looking for things CL might have remembered. The highlight, at least photographically speaking, was Goshen Pass along the Maury River.

CL and CJ.

The rocks in the wall in the above shot had some interesting graffiti.

The rear view of Carolyn Jean's house.

And a long overdue shot of Mr. Toad.

Carolyn Jean's Country House

2011-09-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Our base of operations was Carolyn Jean's country house, recently restored. I probably published a similar image last year, but the house is too beautiful to ignore.

Several views from the kitchen window

or the yard.

Except for this, which is on the porch of a nearby inn.

On to Lexington

2011-09-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

On our way from the Outer Banks to Lexington, VA, we stopped at a couple wineries. The first was Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fishersville. The winery building was previously an apple orchard barn.

CYA.

CL in the tasting room; wood is original to the barn.

Very recent wine fermenting in small barrels.

And the finished product. Their wines are excellent.

Next stop was Rockbridge Vineyard in Raphine, Va. We visited them at least a couple times before, and they were setting up for a wedding reception, so I took few pictures.

The last stop was a quick one to get CL standing by the Rick Mast Loop street sign in Rockbridge Baths, VA.

Hi, Jo!

2011-09-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

One final image from Corolla.

Last Day at the Beach

2011-09-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Another day with a forecast of rain. But we had a lot of sun. Not a bad crowd for the first day of Fall.

Did I mention that Sanderlings are territorial?

CL finally got into the water.

Stuff along the Shore

2011-09-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Jellyfish with passenger.

Driftwood as a perch.

Driftwood as art.

Another ghost crab, larger than yesterday's.

A willet.

And more driftwood.

A Good Day

2011-09-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

I noticed today that we can see a small piece of the ocean from our 3rd floor deck.

The weather forecast for today was 50% chance of rain, but we had mostly sun with a few thin clouds. CL got my picture in the water today; water temperature was 75, and the waves weren't bad.

This, supposedly, is a Sanderling.

And this is a Ghost Crab; it was next to my beach chair, about 1.25 inches wide.

Back to the Beach

2011-09-20T13:40:00.001-07:00

The red flags are down, as is the wind. We did a short walk this afternoon, and I took a quick dip in the ocean (but the camera batteries died, so you'll have to take my word).

Looking south from our beach access

and north.

Corolla

2011-09-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

We went as far north as possible with a two wheel drive car (actually we went about 50 feet too far, but that's another story) this morning. This from a short nature walk near the Corolla light.

A crabber had just caught this guy as we walked past.

The Whalehead Club.

The Corolla light.

CL and a local hunting guide.

A pileated woodpecker we spotted along the trail.

Moving North

2011-09-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

We moved from Duck to Corolla (short o, not like the Toyota) today. This is the house we're renting this week.

It's stopped raining, but it's still cloudy and windy. No swimming.

CL and some driftwood.

More seabirds that I can't identify.

And what appears to be the remains of a ship wreck.

Today's View of the Ocean

2011-09-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

This describes it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbUCW8vwr1g

Cloudy, Cool & Windy

2011-09-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

No swimming today.

John & Bev's 40th Anniversary

2011-09-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last Good Beach Day for a While

2011-09-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

We're Still at the Beach

2011-09-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

And Angstrom still likes his pails of water.

Steve in his cave.

One CL shot while we were out fishing the other day.

More of the Same

2011-09-14T14:39:00.001-07:00

More Beach Time

2011-09-14T09:41:00.001-07:00

Dinner

2011-09-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight Chef Jesse prepared dinner around the bluefish we caught this morning.

One of two table of happy diners.

Good Night, Moon.

A Fishng We Will Go ...

2011-09-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Jesse organized a fishing trip for this morning. So at about oh dark 30 we all got up and headed for Wanchese. The moon was setting as we left the harbor,

and the sun was rising as we passed the Oregon Inlet bridge.

For Jo, a couple jellyfish pictures.

And our catch, on the boat and dressed.

Duck, Day 1, Afternoon

2011-09-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Duck, Day1, Morning

2011-09-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

Sunrise from the deck outside our bedroom.

Angstrom and Henry on the beach.

And a shore bird. Maybe I'll identify it later.

Off to Duck, NC

2011-09-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

We're of to Duck, NC for a week on the beach with family. The trip down was uneventful except that we spotted another Mr. Toad. Except for the stripe and a few trim pieces this was a twin.

The little beach cottage we're staying at.

The view from the deck.

And a bunch of us around a fire on the beach this evening.

A Post for Jo

2011-09-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Look -- there's another use for red plastic cups!

Yesterday at church, a woman was giving away raspberry vines. We gratefully took a couple.

Rock Cats

2011-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

We went to the New Britain Rock Cats game last night.

The starting pitcher, Pat Dean, made his first start for the Rock Cats, having just been brought up from Class A Fort Myers. He's relatively local, from Naugatuck, CT and Boston College. Other than the first inning he pitched well, but it really didn't matter since the Rock Cats only managed to score once and lost to the evil empire's Trenton, NJ team.

There were fewer between innings games on the sidelines, but we still got to see the race between the little kid, shaving cream, sun screen, and hairspray.

And the race between a Dunkin' donut, Dunkin' coffee, and Dunkin' iced coffee.

After the game there was an excellent fireworks display.

Afternoon Walk

2011-08-17T13:54:00.001-07:00

As usual we walked to BerryLine after Maggie's nap.

When we got there we discovered what today's flavors are. We all had original (but CL and I both sampled and rejected the Habanero-Lime).

Swinging

2011-08-17T10:20:00.001-07:00

Red Sox Win

2011-08-16T14:54:00.001-07:00

We went to the Red Sox - Rays game this afternoon. Here are some of the retired numbers.

Pedroia at bat.

Ellsbury about to catch a fly in left center. The ball is just above the P on the sign.

Papelbon pitching.

And the final score.

Another Duck Feeding

2011-08-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Maggie, Amanda and Jeremy were here Saturday. We went on a walk in the park

and fed the ducks while we were there.

Maggie had improved her bread throwing significantly since the last visit.

Same scene as our last walk in the park but with different lighting.

A Day with Maggie

2011-08-11T08:28:00.001-07:00

We spent yesterday with Maggie. First we went to the Cambridge Library,

then to the playground outside the library.

In the afternoon we made our standard BerryLine visit,

and checked out the flowers on the way home.

Back home, Maggie played in her sand and water table.

Our Garden

2011-08-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

And Another Butterfly

2011-08-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

on CL's butterfly bush.

Little Alum Pond Revisited

2011-08-01T13:03:00.001-07:00

A Couple More Butterflies

2011-08-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

Blueberries & Butterflies

2011-07-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

This morning we drove out to Granville to pick up some blueberries (link to Sussmann's).

Forty pounds of them, to be precise.

While CL was in the barn, I watched the butterflies in their garden.

There was also an insect that I'd never seen before. After some searching, I discovered that it's a Hummingbird Moth.

Home in the Rain

2011-07-26T14:50:00.001-07:00

It rained for almost the entire 9.5 hours it took us to drive home yesterday. It was even wetter than it looks in this picture. By the way, why is there a town in Pennsylvania called Jersey Shore? It has to be 250 miles from the Jersey shore.

A1 - Birthday Party

2011-07-26T11:17:00.001-07:00

Angstrom's first birthday party was Sunday. There are a few pictures below; click here for the full set on Flickr.

Lunch

2011-07-23T13:34:00.001-07:00

Backyard

2011-07-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Angstrom and his slide.