Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Big Steel, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



I had parked the car at Post Office Square in the Financial District of Boston and was walking toward the Boston Common when I came upon this construction site. I was immediately captivated by the soaring steel framework already erected and the ongoing work still underway.



I stopped for just a few minutes to watch. Five minutes became fifteen which became thirty which became forty-five which became a full hour. I couldn't tear myself away from the drama as beam by beam, these steelworkers gave form to this structure.



It is a fascinating choreography with big steel as the creative medium. Upon reflection I decided it is analogous to a theatrical production. A cast of 15-20 people, each working hard, efficiently, as a team, each one trained and skilled - all humming along together like a well-oiled machine, each doing his/her part in the performance.

Their main props included three cranes and three lifts that allowed the men to position their baskets anywhere in three-dimensional space to align the steel beams and then bolt them together. 

As a kid in the 1950's, I used to enjoy playing with an erector set - a toy with small metal pieces and tiny nuts and bolts. The steelworkers are using the original erector set.



Using a language of hand signals and shouts, they precisely maneuver the heavy steel pieces into place. With danger ever-present, these steelworkers are building big things, piece by piece, with their hands, brains, and heavy steel dancing high off the ground.

The only thing missing was a musical soundtrack.

We've come a long way in design and manufacture but, ultimately, it all comes down to humans to assemble the heavy steel beams with hammers, wrenches, nuts, and bolts.



I wanted to applaud but, somehow it didn't seem appropriate at the moment. I'm sure they were wondering what the odd old man in the hat was doing standing on the sidewalk watching for so long anyway - had I applauded, they would have thought me crazy rather than appreciative for their skill.

What a great show - and I didn't have to buy a ticket!


Monday, May 29, 2017

Memorial Day, Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a holiday to remember the many who have died in our nation's history while serving in the armed forces. In Boston, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund planted 37,000 flags on a slope in the Boston Common at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Each flag represents a Massachusetts service member who gave his or her life all the way back to the Revolutionary War.



(Panorama - click on the image for full width view if your device supports that action).



































Whatever your personal politics, our way of life is worth defending - in the past, in the present, and in the future.



Friday, May 26, 2017

Local Sights, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



As spring continues to unfold, it was uncharacteristically above 90 degrees Fahrenheit on this particular day. In mid-May, that's unusual for New England. So sprawling out cozying up to the cool stone of an empty birdbath seems as good a place as any to chill out for this yard squirrel.



This red-shouldered hawk has been around almost daily this spring. He still spooks whenever he sees me move inside the house with camera or binos in hand but, I am getting better at seeing him first. Image from a distance through double-paned glass. Do you notice what looks odd about the hawk in this image?



What is odd is that in the first hawk photo, he is actually facing away from me and has turned his head around. In this one, he is facing towards me.



And once again, my dandelion crop this year turned out well. They look like hundreds of small fireworks explosions. I don't quite understand why dandelions have such a bad reputation.



Amy's Mother's Day lilies are almost done so I thought I'd blog one more image before the opportunity passes. And yes, I will concede they are prettier than dandelions. It's a big world though, and beauty can be found almost anywhere.


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

"A Man Called Ove," Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



I came down with a bad cold recently and spent a few days taking it easy at home. Amy gave me a book she had just finished reading titled, "A Man Called Ove," written by a Swedish author named Fredrik Backman (in 2012).

What a wonderful and powerful read it was! If you like an off-beat love story that will make you laugh and cry, often simultaneously, then this book is for you! It is astounding how wise and mature beyond his years the author was when he wrote the story - a man barely in his thirties. To understand some of the nuances of aging and love and loss and weave them together into this story is truly remarkable.

He has written two other best sellers, "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" (2013), and "Britt-Marie Was Here" (2014). I plan to read them both soon.

I think all of us have bits of "Ove" within us in various degrees - curmudgeon qualities - some folks, like me - have more than others........I hope you find a copy and enjoy it as much as did I!


Monday, May 22, 2017

"The Little Mermaid, Jr.," Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) recently opened the first young people's show of the season with two performances of "The Little Mermaid, Jr."

The theme of the show is: "In a magical underworld kingdom, the young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home behind and live in the world above. First she will have to defy King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's seeking. The show includes all the beloved characters of Sebastian, Flounder, King Triton, the Mersisters, Ursula, Tentacles, Flotsam, Jetsam, Scuttle and more!" Source: PBT

Producers: Bob and Sandy Malone
Director: Matt Torrance
Stage Manager: Tricia McGrath
Musical Director: Christina Fererra
Production Manager: Josh Patino
Lighting Designer: Ellie Rogers
Choreographer: Ashley Evans
Costumes: Ross Magnant

The following images were captured during the final dress rehearsal and are in order of occurrence in the performance. Click on an image to view a higher resolution version.











































































































Come out and support our local youth at any or all of the following shows the young people will perform this summer. Contact PBT at 508-224-4888 or online at http://www.pbtheatre.org/

"Disney's Aladdin Jr. (Musical)"
"30 Reasons to NOT be in a Play"
"Dr. Dolittle"
"The Princess and the Pea"
"The Wizard of OZ (Musical)"



PBT's adult productions for the 2017 performance season are:

"The Marvelous Wonderettes" in May,
"Nunsense" in June,
"West Side Story" in July,
"The Producers" in August,
"All Shook Up" in September, and
"Little Shop of Horrors" in October.

Bob and Sandy Malone, owners and guardians of PBT,  have created and continue to inspire a magical place. It's a wonderful venue and production values are high - you'll be glad you came out to see and I'll bet you want to come back!