Big Dogs at the Waterfront, Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I met this nice couple out walking their two huge mastiffs along the Plymouth waterfront. Offering a treat, she got them to stand up for me.  Wow, are they tall! And big, and friendly, and calm. Very sweet dispositions but, I'd hate to pay the food bill - not to mention dealing with the results of the food. 

Priscilla Beach Theatre Restoration, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Priscilla Beach Theatre, which just completed its 78th year, is the oldest barn theatre still in operation in the United States. The ongoing restoration work by owners and guardians Bob and Sandy Malone will be completed in time for next summer's performance season. "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Chicago" are already scheduled. Call 508-224-4888 to get your tickets/reservations now.

The exterior of the structure is essentially complete.

Construction of the decking continues with most of the surfaces completed. Installation of the fire suppression system under the decking is underway now.

Interior finish work continues even on these cold winter days.  The windows have been installed in the master control room at the back of the mezzanine.

View of the stage area from the audience right mezzanine.

View from upstage right looking towards the audience area.

This update is the latest edition of a multi-part series which I began in May 2014 to chronicle this extraordinary project to restore a precious part of our American theatrical heritage. You can read my other blog posts about the construction progress and stage performances by typing "Priscilla Beach" in the search box in the right side column of this blog.

Selfie, Derby Street Shoppes, Hanover, Massachusetts, USA

A selfie as reflected in a Christmas tree ornament at the Derby Street Shoppes. Yes, it was cold that day.

Frozen, Bartlett Pond, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It had warmed up to 15 degrees F on this sunny January afternoon on a frozen Bartlett Pond. I kept the shadows freakishly blue to over-emphasize the cold.

Sun, cold, ice, and wind are the common elements today......

........unlike the warmth and range of color in August. I vote for August.

Pond Hockey, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

One of the advantages of living near a small pond is that for a few days in the winter when the ice is fresh and thick and smooth, the neighborhood enthusiasts play pond hockey.

There is nothing like the graceful arcs that a skate blade cuts in new untouched ice.

After a few hours of intense use, though, the ice surface gets pretty chewed up from the skate blades. And one of the disadvantages of a frozen small pond is that there is no Zamboni to refinish the ice. (Zamboni is a machine that is often used to resurface ice in an arena or skating rink). 

This is one of the images that I was hoping would be great. I wanted to capture the spray of ice from an abrupt stop sparkling in the sunshine. I timed it well but, the skaters moved into the shadows at the last second. Oh well, better luck next time........

Hockey isn't the only activity on the ice. These two long-haired women made a great image when spinning around.

As the day draws to close, imminent rain, sleet, and snow is forecast to arrive which will render the surface unusable.

Walking the Dog, Manomet Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Dogs at the beach don't care about being cold or wet, they just want to run and chase and play! Great examples of living in the moment. I aspire to be more dog-like.

Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

A common sight in New England is lobster traps arranged into a Christmas Tree pattern on the town pier. Now, if they could just move the trash dumpster and port-a-potty out of the view.......

I'm surprised there are this many dingys at the dingy dock.  I don't think there are that many boats left in the harbor over the winter.

Great name for a boat - and for the pilings that support the adjacent pier through 10-12 foot daily tide cycles. 

Only one boat left at this floating marina.  All the others have been removed for the winter.  Rocky Hill is in the background. (Special effect in post-processing).

Boston Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It doesn't seem to matter how cold it is, this busker was still out in Boston's Public Garden playing for passersby.  My own fingers were almost numb with gloves on, I don't know how he maintains the dexterity to press small buttons and keys bare-handed.

This image was taken at about noon. Note how long the shadows and how low the sun on the horizon.

These benches are normally full of folks in warmer seasons.

Looking toward the Garden's lagoon and distant downtown.

I didn't think the ice was thick enough on the lagoon but, obviously it held the weight of these youngsters.  Even if it broke, the water is only a few inches deep where they're standing.

These two not-so-youngsters ventured out a bit farther on the ice.  Only one of them looks glad to be there. 

Directly across Charles Street on the Boston Common, the sausage man is hoping for brisk business despite the cold.

A view of some of Boston's best (and pricey) real estate -  along Beacon Street, adjacent to the Boston Common, all with a southern facing exposure.

Motif #?, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

About 50 miles (straight line distance) from Plymouth, the town of Rockport, Massachusetts, has a red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf  that has gained a strong following among painters, photographers, and other artists.  It is called Motif #1.  (Google it if you are not familiar - it even has its own Wikipedia entry).  

Well, Manomet isn't Rockport but, this resident can still artfully arrange buoys on the side of small buildings, too, as this image demonstrates.

Taylor Avenue, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I know that some of you blog readers around the world once lived or played here at White Horse Beach and enjoy an occasional vicarious visit through this blog. So, here's a look at the new improved Taylor Avenue, the main road that parallels the beach. The fancy new layer of asphalt with fresh line paint is a long overdue improvement.  What a treat not to dodge potholes anymore. 

Next summer/fall the town has announced they will construct a public restroom near the public beach entrance - also long overdue. 

Although this proposed restroom is controversial (some folks don't want restrooms because it may attract more people to the beach), my opinion is that providing a safe and sanitary place to relieve oneself is about basic humanity - a statement about who we are and how we choose to live.  With a public restroom, finally, desperate beach-goers will no longer defile the dunes as they have for generations - a long overdue improvement and a legacy for future generations of beach-goers.

Just my opinion........