Massasoit, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

From the crest of Cole's Hill on the Plymouth waterfront, this grand statue of Native American leader Massasoit stands majestically overlooking the harbor.

This powerful piece of art was created by Cyrus Dallin.  A Utah sculptor born in 1861, he studied in Boston and lived in the Boston area. He also created the statue of "Paul Revere" in Boston's North End neighborhood.



Massasoit was the Native American leader whose kindness was directly attributed to the survival of the Pilgrim settlers in 1620 in the New World.



Directly below the statue of Massasoit is the portico that houses the famous Plymouth Rock, seen here on a winter's day at low tide. Plymouth, "America's Hometown," always a delight.

A New "Cottage," White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

White Horse Beach stands beautifully on this late winter day - before the multiple nor'easters brought vicious winds and waves to the coastline.



There is an area of White Horse Beach right on the waterfront that contains a hundred or so mostly summer cottages. ("Cottage" is a loose term).

Google Map link: White Horse Beach cottages  Select the satellite view to see the actual houses.

They are squeezed tightly together originating from a time before more strict zoning rules might have prevented such close proximity. I've always wondered how someone rebuilds a house there.  How do you access it with building equipment? These owners used the panelized/modular technique for building. When the tractor trailer (at left above) arrived loaded with panels, the only thing that was complete was the foundation base. The man with his arms up is providing hand signals and the man in blue has a remote control panel at his waist to maneuver the crane to place each factory constructed panel in position. Twenty four hours later........



.....the structure was complete. Impressive - convenience, speed, precision, and quality.

Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Amber waves of grain? Not quite but, the golden hue is a nice addition to nature's winter palette in the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, a 450-acre property along Beaver Dam Road.



I don't know where this trail goes but, it's obviously closed. And much more compatible with the setting than if a barricade had been erected and adorned with garish brightly colored paint saying, "keep out."



I'm not sure why someone built this rock cairn. Generally, on public lands they should only be used to mark a hard-to-find trail. Building one for fun or entertainment detracts from the natural beauty of the location. Granted, it's a fun challenge to see how many one can stack vertically.

"Good or Bad? Hard to Say," Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

These downed trees brought to mind a TED talk I heard recently (at this link) about "good" and "bad." The speaker relays an ancient parable about a farmer's horse running away (a "bad" event) but then, the horse returns with more wild horses (a "good" event). The farmer's son rides one of the new horses but is thrown and breaks his leg (a "bad event), then soldiers came by the farm looking for conscripts but pass him by due to the broken leg (a "good event). The parable serves as an allegorical lead-in to the speaker's discussion of her daughter's rare medical condition.  It was worth my time listening to the thirteen-minute TED lecture linked above.



The ferocious storm that just hit New England uprooted these two trees. Seemingly a "bad" event. However, since they didn't damage the house structure, it might be seen as a "good" event. Further, it's obvious the still-standing similar trees are already leaning and likely to cause a future problem - potentially a "bad" event. So, it's likely smart to take down the others - a "good" event. Of course, it'll be expensive to take them down - a "bad" event. And on and on.......

The point here and in almost all phases of life is that whether something is "good" or "bad" is hard to say. A thing is not necessarily only one thing. Hasty judgment is neither helpful nor accurate.

Laszlo Gardony, Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I went to the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth recently to see renowned jazz pianist Laszlo Gardony. Above, the stage is set and ready for the show.



Drums and cymbals in blue light.



The crowd begins to fill the venue with anticipation. And yes, the wooden pews have been upholstered both seat and back so it's more comfortable.



Mr. Gardony took the stage for a solo set. He is a Hungarian born jazz pianist of extraordinary skill and talent. In 1983 he moved to the United States on a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He was the first student in the school's history to be offered a teaching position upon graduation.



Bassist John Lockwood and drummer Yoron Israel joined in for the second set.



To see and hear him perform solo is an outstanding life event. Adding the synergy of the three musicians, (all professors at Berklee), made it a transporting musical performance. And the setting in this former chapel seemed to make it almost a religious experience. Wow! 

I am looking forward to future shows at the Spire! 

A Walk in the Woods, Myles Standish State Forest, Carver, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Sometimes, a walk through the pine/oak forest on a drab, dull, gray, sad winter day needs a little bit of a pick-me-up so, I grossly over-saturated the color in post processing - I feel much better.

Rockin' Lobster, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I was downtown at night for a show at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts and wandered the streets a bit to find a nice image.  This one is at the corner of North Street and Main Streets. I like the lighted tree but the lobster art statuary caught my eye this time.



There are 29 of these unique lobster artworks scattered about town. I have featured many in past blog posts. The installation is sponsored by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. A link to their story is here.

Plymouth, Massachusetts - "America's Hometown" - a great place any time of day, night, or season.

Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Shadowman and I have been out wandering alot lately enjoying the spectacular weather we've had here this month. Definitely not a normal nasty New England winter. The Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is becoming quite the destination for a walk.



Once a cranberry farm, this 450-acre property underwent the largest freshwater ecological restoration ever completed in the Northeast United States and now it provides a wonderful natural area for humans and other native critters to enjoy. (No dogs allowed by the way.).



The torrential rain we had recently left a great puddle for reflection - both physical and spiritual.



There are large random boulders scattered about. I'm not sure if they are glacier remnants or bulldozer placements but, regardless, they are a welcome and dramatic addition to the landscape.



I wanted a being (maybe human) for a photographic subject near the rock but, no one was around and I couldn't find Red Ranger who often travels with me on my wanders.  Lo and behold, he had jumped out of my pocket and.........



.....was brushing up on his rock climbing skills on the marvelous boulders. Never a dull moment in the life of a retiree.

Beaver Dam Conservation Area, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The Beaver Dam Conservation Area is an almost 800-acre preserve adjacent to Little Island Pond. Trails crisscross the pine/oak forest. The only drawback is the parking area on the shoulder of Beaver Dam Road can only hold two or three cars.



I like discreet trail markers without ambiguity .......



...........but in this case, Shadowman was clearly confused which arrow to follow.

The Coming Spring, Bartlett Pond, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

In just a couple weeks, daylight saving time begins again.....already the days are noticeably longer......

.....and in less than a month - spring! I will have survived my 22nd winter of living in New England. Who would have guessed? Certainly not me.