Floating Home in Essex Behind Farmham's Famous Clam

Day after Thanksgiving 2016 Friday

We had been invited to attend Thanksgiving with my sister and brother in law on this Friday. This Friday, the day after the entire nation celebrates Thanksgiving.

Day late and dollar lost I say. It is the type of invited that I hate to get.

I know that they don't want us around on Thanksgiving and that they are feeling slightly guilty. So, instead, they turn this invite around for us. It will make the driving easier for us- less traffic. Call me a traditionalist but, I can only do Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving day.

It just goes on & on . . . and I am tired of it all. Am I being selfish? No, I hurt and I am tired and I want the house to be quiet so, I can write and try to get out this election depression that is going around. Jack Jackson's Time goes By...listening on the computer to Pandora Radio Jack Jackson's Radio.

I had a long Aveeno Oatmeal Bath in my huge, double insulated bathtub which keep me warm after my skin of my fingers become wrinkle  & I see the future of my hands before me: wrinkled, cocked and old. On my face, I applied a think layer of honey from Trader Joes.  The honey is from Turkey and it is wonderful. It's color is golden yellow and it's taste has a hint of tarragon. It is lusciously thick, gooey, and quickly starts to react to my skin. It slowly will draws out chemicals, dirt and slowly, it will add moisture to my face. Jolly fun time I had.

Kissed my husband good bye and wished him a safe journey taking his almost 94 year old mother down to Cape Cod to have a day late Thanksgiving.

I proceeded to the living room and pulled out my favorite CD blues in the night;

the Johnny Mercer Songbook by Verve. Pulled out the double yoga matt and spread it out in my exercise cove.  My space is the bottom of an L of the living room. It has no doors, but, it has all my plants, cds, and coffee table books on an old & hand made wooden coffee table. It is my go to place. I read in this corner, I stretch here, exercise her, and most importantly meditate here. It is my go to quiet place.

I missed the Friday, Thanksgiving to go to this space. I need a day of quiet for my brain.

John Mayer is singing Free Falling on my computer. Nice touch.

How Can You Not Love Autumn?

I have always loved autumn the most of any of the seasons. Growing up it was about the piles of leaves, and watching my father rack leaves into a huge pile and then burn the leaves. I loved that luscious smell. Dad would look so big and strong as he keep his eyes on the burning file. I was so young.  The  weather would soon become chilled, and my mother would start feeding our winter birds. Some where mothers would be baking fruit pies and children would be excited from the sugary sweets. My mother did not bake. Why would you bake when you could find a perfectly wonderful pie in the freezer section of the local store? 

Quiet Spaces Which I Love

Newman Road, Newbury, MA is a stone's throw away from our home. The Little River gently flows though the marsh. In the winter time, the road will usually flood out. This land is protected and never will be built on.

We have  Glossy Ibis, Bald Eagles, and Willets visit this spot. One Thanksgiving years ago, we were away and some lucky birder spotted a Sandhill Crane.

Kayaks, small boats cruise through the marsh in summer. One must be careful to postpone boating during our Green Head Fly season in July.

A very fine quiet place to enjoy a summer day.

Through the Camera's Eye

My camera is always with me. Well, maybe 94% of the time, the Cannon is with me. Sometimes, I need to take a break and see with my eyes. The camera's eye is so permanent. I need to exercise my own imagination, curiosity,  and see for myself  life's little wonders. I need to tune up my skills, take time to smell the roses through my hazel eyes. 

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It is a new start, fresh start, and the beginning. It is filled with new flowers, soft green grasses, and the desire to get out and smell the roses.

Newburyport Art Association Gift Shop Treasures

Opening of Judith Monteterrante Exhibit

View of Water Street from Art Association

Newman Road Marsh and Little River on Deep Green Colors

Viewing Nature from the Eyes of Norwegians

Clear, calm waters off the shores of Norway

The world is now a place full of hate and prejudices. How did we slide so quickly into thinking that new comers to our country are not as good as we are? These people are looking for a better life. A life without  war, brutality, and hunger.  Our country was made of people looking for a better life, a better opportunity for their children, and freedom to speak out against tyranny.  America has always been a blend of many cultures that have blended together over the decades into one strong country.

Cod is King in Norway.

I wish that we could educate our people to be less consumer oriented and be more directed to the joys of nature around us all.

Elf Fiord

Sailing around Norway on one of its many mail boats was a thrill of a life time. I have always found a comfort of strange sorts being above the Arctic circle. Up north there is  NO Big Box Stores, Cell phones don't work, Northern People experience Nature in her full beauty. They don't try to change her. They are kind to nature. They respect nature. They work with nature. Life can be harsh in this barren,cold world. Summer is a time to celebrate life, nature, and joy. 

Norway's Arctic Circle Marker

People in Norway enjoy the quiet solitude of nature.  American's are so busy talking on our cell phones, we are so self absorbed that we never think about nature. We do not honor its beauty. We do not protect its scenery. We could do well to learn a few lessons from these Northern neighbors.

A Few All Time Favorite Photos that I Have Shot over The Years

My Wonderful Marsh in Spring

Ringo our Feral Cat 

The Gracefulness of Winter

Summer Breeze on Quill Pond

A Murmur of Birds

Quill Pond Great Blue Heron

Snowy Owl enjoying a high perch on Plum Island

Found Bird Nest

Young Great Blue who visited us for a day and a night.

Osprey Egg taken out of nest when it never opened..off for research.

Chris Williams Exhibit @ Cox Reservation.

Prize winning Green Belt Art in Newburyport.

Bird take away...from art exhibit on Birds

Walking in a Quiet Neighborhood in Newbury, MA

Winter Rains Growing Fungus on Trees

Rain not snow this winter.

We are having a winter with almost no snow. Our temperatures range from the 20s to the 50s. They say it is El  Nino; I say that as a New Englander  that "It is beyond weird".  I will admit that it is a treat to walk down the street in mid February wearing just a fleece jacket and no snow boots. But, it is not cold enough & long enough to kill mosquito larva, eliminate ticks, and the deer have a clear path without running through the snow to our gardens.

I miss the quiet of the snows storms. I never grow tired of waking up early and finding a surprise  winter wonderland. Right now my snow shoes are getting dusty in the hall closet. I did have one great hike in the woods with my snow shoes. The quiet is so relaxing. The only sounds are a distant bird call, my breath, and an occasional train. But this winter, I am going back to the noisy gym. I do hate the inside stale air, the sweat, and the sight of  ugly tattoos on uglier bodies.

Graffiti out in the woods. Old Man of the Mountain?

I love to find & photograph graffiti. I have been shooting graffiti for many years now. One day, I shall blog my best shots. I  stay away from Neon Spray Tags. They are too common,  destroy property and I am not sure of their message. But I love small, very compact pieces of art tucked away like a treasure when one finds one. Someone painted two small waves on a bridge over the marsh. Love walking by those waves. It is almost like a poem.

Unsigned art in the quiet woods. What could be better way to spend an outdoor afternoon by oneself?

Memories in pictures of Bruggs, Belguim

Another snow storm, and I sit daydreaming about Brugg. We visited this ancient city last September.

 There is something wonderful about cities that have canals. The light reflects on the ancient buildings, the boat trips open up the water wonderful vistas and reflections of oddly shaped brick buildings flash in my brain. 

Memories of a wonderful breakfast in the town square, great bread, cheese and oh yes, rich coffee. The local beer halls,  its customers, and good cheer. Wandering into a chocolate haven. Too many choices of rich fresh and delicious chocolate treats.  

Waiting for the boat trip, watching the shadows of this fair city.

Skyline of towers.

Classic building designs.

Hidden gardens.

Slow boat tour around the old city.

Old brick walls.

Ancient fish market with a movable loom.

Ancient churches aglow with stained glass stories.

Old city gates.

Chocolate choices.

Great breakfast outdoors.

Back in our air b n b, with hand picked Belgium delights.

Day dreaming of a past year, and looking forward to a new year.

I woke up with a smile this morning. It snowed all day yesterday. We had about 8 inches of heavy snow. I opened my eyes in the morning and looked out to a winter wonderland. Our trees were covered in the heavy snows. The sun was out and the sky was a winter shade of light robin egg blue.
As the day progressed the snow started to melt and drop off the trees at a very slow pace.

The world is crazy right now. I can not control politics, world leaders, or stop the wars. All I can do is control my inner self and keep my soul open to love and thoughts of peace.

Highlights of our trip to Amsterdam 2015

Looking for sunshine in Amsterdam

Traveling can have its challenges when it rains cats & dogs and soaks into all your cloths. What better place to be naked and under the covers than Amsterdam?

But the next morning the sun came out and surprised us with a beautiful outdoor wedding. After lunch we back our bags and proceeded to our first Air B n B reservation.

Not our best find, but good location, on trolly line, near a University, Coffee Shop and great bakery.

We hopped onto the No. 10 trolly for a full city tour.

After we spent a long day sightseeing, we went into to a  brown bar and drank some local beer.

Amsterdam's canals pick up the sunshine and and bounce the light off the brick houses. There is an Amsterdam glow that is hard to explain. But, it does exist and it is very pleasant.

Bikes are a culture experience in this town. Look both ways before crossing any bike path in town.

Don't forget to smell the cheese before you move on.