A Favorite Post

Saturday, March 31, 2018

A Short Walk, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA



Cornell University, founded in 1865, contains many grand structures........



......and offers sweeping views towards downtown Ithaca, Cayuga Lake, and the opposite shore.



On one of the quads, a small pocket of snow hides in the shadow of this marcescent tree (I think an oak variety). Life looks pretty good on this grand campus.


Friday, March 30, 2018

Welcome to Spring, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Spring greeted us with a few inches of wet heavy snow but, there is always great beauty to be found after a snowfall. This view is through the windows of .......



....this rural church, Union Chapel, since 1870.



Otherwise, this series is a rendering with some special effects and color reduction.



Notice the snow covering only one side of the tree - the wind was blowing horizontally.



Soon, the blanket of white will melt away and the annual greening will proceed in earnest. I'm ready.


Thursday, March 29, 2018

Beaver Dam Brook, Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Beaver Dam Brook, restored to its natural state as part of the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, meanders through former cranberry bogs. The Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is a 450+ acre preserve newly opened in Manomet by Mass Audubon.



Shadowman stops to make a shadow puppet - perhaps an upside-down rooster or right-side up cow? - not very good in either case......


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Winter Reflection, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



A mostly still pond makes great reflections......



...and it can be difficult to differentiate up from down.


Monday, March 26, 2018

"March for Our Lives," Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA



I am in Ithaca, New York, and took the opportunity to join the "March for Our Lives" rally held on the Cornell University campus.



Hundreds of students and some adults gathered to rally and listen to student speeches decrying the state of affairs regarding the school safety debate and lack of a solution.



It was a beautiful spring day for a protest rally and march.



Articulate and impassioned students presented their various points of view.



Following the rally, many then marched to downtown Ithaca to join another rally being held on the Ithaca Commons.

Personally, I am inspired to see and hear young folks driving this agenda towards an improvement in insuring the safety of school environments particularly and society generally. I hope that when they gain control of the levers of power in this nation that they are more successful than previous generations have been in improving their safety. The hundreds of school shootings over the course of time clearly indicates a problem still needing a solution. Both sides of the debate need to find that common ground answer.

The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."  It does not override the Declaration of Independence clause which states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

By design, people have a right to life as do people have the right to keep and bear arms. A thoughtful, effective solution should be achievable. 

Saturday, March 24, 2018

"Grace Morrison and Sarah Blacker," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



I enjoyed another delightful evening of live performance at downtown Plymouth's Spire Center for Performing Arts. Above, co-headliner Sarah Blacker provided some first class entertainment, as did.......



....Grace Morrison, co-headliner, pictured above with her band.



Sarah Blacker and her band. The former chapel setting makes a great backdrop for a beautiful live music experience.



A guest saxophonist played a set with Sarah Blacker and her band.

Once again, the performers, production quality, and setting ambiance were outstanding at this venue! I look forward to future shows. Come out and support the performing arts in our hometown - "America's Hometown" - Plymouth.


Thursday, March 22, 2018

A Long Escalator, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA



On a recent visit to Gillette Stadium, this very long escalator caught my eye. I removed all color except the flag and added a gritty texture overlay in post-processing.


Wednesday, March 21, 2018

More Conservation Land, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



I am always glad to see this sign.  It means that my town is protecting land in an undeveloped condition for the enjoyment of the citizenry.  This one is across the road (Beaver Dam Road) from the new Mass Audubon Tidmarsh Sanctuary in Manomet. The area had formerly been an active cranberry bog.



The property is in the process of becoming another resource in the town of Plymouth's trail system.



Although grasses are taking over the bog, the millions of berries still on the plants give a purplish tint to the darker surface areas.

The town has constructed a small parking area at the entrance to the trail but I haven't been able to find any written material about it yet on their website (at this link).


Monday, March 19, 2018

After the Blizzard, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



It is still cold and windy but, the storm has passed and folks are getting back to their normal lives. Power has been restored for almost everyone. Above, an icing layer of snow covers the Manomet bluff.











Each major storm brings new erosion to various parts of the bluff. In decades past, there was a tennis court between this house and the bluff edge.











One of the Town of Plymouth road crews is cutting up fallen trees that blocked a roadway. Hard to believe that Spring starts tomorrow!


Friday, March 16, 2018

After the Blizzard, Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) glows brightly against the backdrop of a fresh snowfall. Just imagine, in barely 45 days, the stage will echo again with the opening performance of the 2018 season!

I always have mixed feelings about snowstorms - the gorgeous beauty of snow is one of the rewards of living in New England. On the other hand after it's done falling, one is left with shoveling and plowing and snowblowing and ice and slush and so on.



I had hoped the forecast would have panned out - more than 20 inches! I was imagining the wonderful visual of that much snow on the PBT campus.  Alas, it was not to be this time. We only got about 7 inches in this part of Plymouth. 

The performance season opens on May 4. Better hurry if you don't have tickets yet!

"The Last Five Years" in May,
"The Drowsy Chaperone" in June,
"Guys and Dolls" in July,
"Bye, Bye, Birdie" in August,
"Damn Yankees" in September,
"Dames at Sea" in October.


You can contact Priscilla Beach Theatre by phone at 508-224-4888 or online for tickets! You'll be glad you did. It is extraordinary that we have such a wonderful and magical venue right here in Manomet. Owners/guardians Bob and Sandy Malone and their team know how to put on a show!


Thursday, March 15, 2018

Between Storms, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



A recent wander around the Quincy Market, Haymarket, and North End was as enjoyable as ever - a bit chilly and breezy but, that's what you get in New England in the winter - at least it wasn't snowing on this day. That is saying a lot since we've had three big nor'easters roar through here in barely a two week period of time - most unusual.



The Quincy Market upstairs dining area was filled with diners as usual.



The outdoor Haymarket was bustling as usual.  It's been operating there since about 1830 and is open dawn to dusk, year-around, on Fridays and Saturday.  Good deals abound!



The former Custom House towers on the background skyline.



Fruits .... and veggies......



.......and flowers are all available at great prices.



Over in the nearby North End neighborhood, folks are out and about, filling the restaurants or...



....popping into a bakery for a sweet treat. Boston - the little big city always worth a visit.


Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Confession of an Electricity Addict, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



I don't remember the last time I was without electricity for an extended period of time - no heat, no stove, no light, no water, no internet - just the unrelenting silence of a "dead" house, the only sound is the blizzard wind raging outside as the snow continues to blow sideways and pile up and the temperature drops below freezing.

I realize the truth: I am an electricity addict. Much of what I do routinely, day in day out, involves electricity. Without it, I can read books, I can write with pen and paper, I can play my acoustic guitar, I can nap or sleep, and I can eat the cold uncooked food in the fridge or cupboards. I can think and reflect. It is a sobering experience but, I am in very good spirits.

I spent about $800 on electricity last year to support my lifestyle. I think that's a mighty good value for what it provides me: the creature comforts of heat, light, water, internet, television, laundry machines, and more.

What if I have to live this way all night? tomorrow? next week? permanently? could I? would I? All the other creatures and plants on this planet do so, only humans do not. In the eons that humans have been on this planet, it is only since the late 1800's that we have enjoyed electricity and many on this planet still do not have it. But there are those of us who expect it, have built a life dependent upon it and, are spoiled by it. I must face the truth: I am an electricity addict.

As the day wears on, it gets colder and colder inside. Outside, the wind and snow rages on. I pile on more layers of clothes, wrap myself in blankets. I can't face taking a cold shower, instead I drag a cold washcloth across my skin.

I think about when the electricity will return. I imagine what I might do first and second and so on. My hands are cold, my fingers stiff. My stocking cap is pulled down over my ears, my hands encased in gloves but still, I am cold. I am weak and soft, thoroughly spoiled by my electricity.

As night approaches and the storm continues to rage, I think surely the power will come back by dark - but it does not. I am like the birds and squirrels and the other creatures that populate my neighborhood - life pauses with the onset of darkness. Time to hunker down and wait and hope.

I am alone, isolated, disconnected from the world. Stranded by the snow and ice and wind. I am trapped in my cold house and still the storm rages. My thoughts and dreams and wishes keep me company. I want my electricity back. I am an addict.

I have about 12 hours of darkness to get through - it will be long and tedious and cold.



I am not accustomed to this. I have spent nearly every day of this 65-year life connected to the magic flow of electrical power. I walk up and down the inside stairs to warm up. I think of batteries and candles and generators and flashlights and wonder when will the electrical umbilicus nourish me again. The hands of the clock move at a snail's pace (battery powered). Time seems to have slowed down. Tomorrow, if the power does not return I must clear the snow and escape this cold dark world and find warmth.

Humans are not evolved to thrive at 42 degrees north latitude without support. I think of the many homeless, routinely living outdoors under bridges and overpasses, hoping to survive through the night - this is their normal only it is much worse for them.

It's been nine hours, it is cold and dark now, my water supply is gone - there is no electricity to power the water pump and the pipes have drained of what they had within. And suddenly, the lights come on, the furnace fires up, the water pump charges the pipes - I am positively giddy with delight. I get out of bed, remove my hat and gloves and blankets and layers and joyfully celebrate it all.

I am an electricity addict.



The morning after.....


The electricity has remained on...... I am happy.....with tongue firmly in cheek.


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Tides, Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Notwithstanding the monster blizzard today (expecting 20+ inches of snow), mostly the winter storms have passed through Plymouth for the season although the tides in this image are still a bit on the high side.



For comparison, a similar view at a low tide earlier in the season. I think "America's Hometown" is ready for spring.


Sunday, March 11, 2018

"Divas With A Twist," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



The "Divas With A Twist," just brought down the house with their rousing sets of original and cover tunes. A local group hailing from the Massachusetts south shore, the five women and their four-person backing band really connected with the sold out crowd at Plymouth's Spire Center for Performing Arts.



There's something special about a group of performers like the Divas. They're real people with a warmth and friendliness that really plays well in an intimate 200-seat venue like the Spire. And the rowdy, happy crowd wasn't there by accident. They were there to party and weren't disappointed!



By day, whether a math teacher, or school bus driver, or cardiac nurse, or mom, these musicians have a passion and energy that makes it obvious why they keep experiencing increasing success. What a great show! I saw them last summer (link here) on the Plymouth waterfront at Project Arts, too, and hope they come back again this summer - I'll be there.