T Stands For Crane Beach

The Eldest had a vacation week around the time of her birthday the second week of July. She asked if I wanted to go with her to the beach. It used to be if you wanted to go to the beach, you packed a bag, towel, and chair and drove to the beach. Now you have to make reservations. It seems local residents complained about the Summer people getting all the parking spaces. Reservations come in the form of day passes which get scooped up quickly or 2 hour passes. Nice if you live close to the beach but not practical if you have to take an hour and a half ride to get to the beach.

The week the Eldest chose also happened to be prime vacation time. I told her about the reservations, but she had no difficulties securing a day pass to Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts. We left early on a Monday morning, and had a little hassle with commuter traffic.  When we got to the beach, we were one of the first visitors and hardly anyone was there.

A seagull

claimed his spot on the beach

We took a selfie to remember the day

The Life Guard crew were holding contests to see who could paddle out to the buoy 

and back to shore first.

It was a perfect beach day. Though the weather was hot and humid at home, it was quite breezy at the beach. We set up our chairs and I made a little cabana to try to keep us out of the sun.

It had been decades since I had been at this beach with Teague. One thing I forgot about was this beach was notorious for Green Heads, a type of Horse Fly. They have emerald green heads and giant teeth! Apparently, the Green Heads decided to return a few weeks earlier than normal to correspond to our visit. 

By the time we left, I was covered with so many bites I looked like I had chicken pox.

I found a beautiful snail shell

There's a snack shack along with a clean beach house so we decided we didn't need to drag along a cooler for lunch. We did bring water. 

The Eldest was going to treat me to lobster sandwiches for lunch, but they were out of lobster. I opted for a veggie and hummus wrap with a peach ice tea. The wrap was delicious, but I'm not a fan of peach flavored things though I do like peaches. All that could be said about the tea was it was wet and cold. We had a nice lunch underneath the pergola.

While the Eldest was swimming, I met a young woman a few years older than the Eldest. Her name as Tanya and she had also brought her mother for an outing. We had a nice chat.

How many seas must a white gull sail

before she sleeps in the sand? (apologies to Bob Dylan)

Despite the Greenheads and the sunburns, we had a nice day at the beach.

See ya later! 

Only if the Greenheads are gone!

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

T Stands for Eldest's Birthday

 

We've always celebrated birthdays by going out to dinner. The birthday person gets to pick the restaurant. The Eldest decided she wanted to go to The UxLocale for her dinner. Good choice as the restaurant is our go-to place for special occasions.

On the way in, I got to say hello to Elaine, the owner and chef. Elaine used to work at the Worcester Art Museum where I teach. We had a nice time catching up and then a fabulous dinner.

I ordered a change of pace dish for me. Usually, macaroni (pasta) has to be in gravy (tomato sauce). I ordered a fettuccini and zucchini dish in a butter sauce. Delicious and look at the pretty dish my dinner was served on. I also had a glass of Prosecco. So festive.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. I heard from my high school friend who is moving from California to Arizona. The renovations to the house haven't been finished yet so they won't be moving until the end of the month. I'm glad I didn't send the new home card yet.

2. The Eldest Door Dashed donuts for breakfast.

3. The first ripe tomato and cucumber when to making a cucumber and tomato sandwich on brioche for lunch. Okay, it was Wonder Bread and still delicious

4. During bookbinding class learned about a jig to make perfect mitered corners. Found a different tool that does that plus has  4 other features for less money!

5. A lady at the hairdresser let me go ahead of her so I could have the hairdresser I like to cut my hair

How was your week?

Doodling for Stress Release

 

On Mondays via Zoom, I participate in a class where we spend  a half an hour doodling our stress away. I missed two weeks of class because, I skipped class because I was invited to go to the beach with the Eldest. The second time, I was busy doing stuff and lost track of time, but this week I paid attention to the clock.

The assignment was to draw concentric circles and doodle in the spaces.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I finished Season 2, Part 1 of The Sandman

2. The Eldest invited me to go to Crane Beach. 

3. I had a lobster roll at the 99 Restaurant before going to Qi Gong and Reiki Meditation

4. The Eldest was working and Himself went to a karate seminar. I made a sandwich for supper and binge watched The Gilded Age.

5. Another hot and humid day, Teague and I had ice cream at the Dairy Queen.

How was your week?

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Blueberries! Well, they're green now, but we'll have blueberries if the critters don't get to them first.

Strong winds on Friday took down this large branch

A pretty Calendula in Ink's garden.

The Eldest gave Himself a red peach tree and

a regular peach variety for Father's Day

A curious Rose Breasted Grosbeak

How does your garden grow?

T Stands for Fancy Dessert

 

For Mother's Day, the Eldest provided a fancy dessert. Amazing chocolate-covered strawberries and a delightful bottle of Riesling. She knows I like sweet, white wines.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week

1. The Eldest sent a text from work asking me to keep an eye out for FedEx. The Package being delivered is for me and is perishable.

2. We enjoyed a Netflix movie called Nonnas based on a true story

3. Video call with The Young One, chocolate covered strawberries and wine from The Eldest, and dinner take-out courtesy of Himself. A perfect Mother's day.

4. I had a meatball with roasted, green peppers from Tony's. It had been a long time since we had ordered there. I forgot how good their sandwiches are.

5. Another rainy Thursday at Teague's but at least it was warm enough to hang out in the sunroom.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. On the way home from his workout, Himself stopped at Harry's. I thought we were getting fish and chips because the Knights of Columbus weren't doing their fund raiser because of Good Friday services at the church. Himself got me a full belly plate (fried clams) as a surprise.

2. Easter Sunday was quiet with just the two of us as the Eldest had to work at the hospital. Good food (roast leg of lamb), Easter egg bread, hot cross buns and we watched another Holy movie.

3. The Young One received her Easter box. They both got a kick out of the plastic "eggs" shaped like game controllers.

4. The order I placed that said it would arrive on Friday, was delivered the day after I put the order in!

5. Teague found a new place for lunch. Mak's in Franklin with awesome roast beef sandwiches. We'll be going back because they serve breakfast all day!

How was your week?

TBT: Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  

In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Friends Like This

Saturday was another glorious Fall day. I met Teague for lunch and then we took a walk along a bike trail along the Charles River. It was a bit breezy but the walk sooned warmed us up. Since the day was so beautiful lots of people were out and about. We passed a young family. The mother was pushing a baby in the carriage. The baby, with her large pumpkin head and one tooth grin smiled at everyone.

"There's a happy baby," said Teague.

"I'd be happy too if someone pushed me around."

"Your day is coming. You'll be the Weeble, and the Eldest will be pushing you around in a wheelchair. 'Eldest, I want you to take me to Mahket Bahsket...' "

TBT: Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  

In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

A One Sided Conversation

You girls won't get a chronic disease by replacing the toilet paper roll when it's empty.

Putting the roll on top of the toilet tank doesn't count as replacing the roll.

You don't know how? C'mon it's not brain surgery.

Don't be a smartass, it's not rocket science either. Release the spindle.

The spindle, the stick that holds the roll in place.

No, you won't prick your finger. You're not a little princess. The spindle has a spring, push it either from the left or the right to take it out of the holder. Take the empty cardboard tube and toss it in the trash or put it in the recycle bin. Place the full roll on the spindle and insert it back into the holder.

Because I won't always be around to replace the toilet paper for you. I'm fine. I just feel a pain forming behind my right eye.

No, changing toilet paper rolls is not an early sign of OPD.

I did not flip the bird at the two of you. I made devil horns.

No, that's a Texas Longhorn.

No, that's the Hawaiian Aloha. Devil's horns. Like this.

Yeah, it is a funny superstition. Grandma did it to me when I was a kid.

Yeah, I laughed until I had you two.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week

1. The hospital let the Eldest stay overnight so she didn't have to drive through the snowstorm

2. The Boat Anchor couldn't handle the heavy, wet snow. Ma-Bo was able to shovel 1/4 of the driveway and the walk and stairs before her back gave out.

3.Another Tuesday play day instead of the usual Thursday due to another storm

4. Stopped at the Post Office to mail a package. S, my favorite clerk was on duty. I haven't seen her for some time so we had a nice chat

5. Cleaned the flat file and put on a new tablecloth

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Had a nice time at the annual family gathering watching the new baby enjoy her first Christmas. In February, another new baby will join the family.

2. I won $4 on a scratch ticket.

3. Besides a new stove, I also bought new pans and made scrambled eggs. The eggs didn't stick in the pan!

4. We watched The Doctor Who Christmas Special: Joy to the World and waited for the Eldest to finish her shift at the hospital to begin Christmas festivities.

5. Texted with the Young One to hear about her Christmas

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. The Young One arrived for a 10 day visit

2. The Young One needed some new clothes so we went shopping.

3. I cleaned glassware and dishes for the holiday. God bless the little dishwasher.

4. The Eldest had the holiday off from work at the hospital lab so the four of us were together again

5. Himself brother came to spend Thanksgiving with us, too, so we had a good food and a nice visit.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I got the flu and Covid vaccines

2. The Eldest subscribed to Paramount+. I'm enjoying the original Star Trek while I work out on the Cubii

I had  mild reactions after Friday's flu and Covid vaccines, I finally felt like myself again late Sunday night.

3. The Eldest started orientation at her new job

4. Himself and I went out to breakfast, got our hair cut, and did a quick run to the grocery store

5. Teague and I are toying with the idea of a trip to Western Connecticut and Western Massachusetts

How was your week?

How Does Your Garden Grow

The Greenhouse, where the wild things grow

Mums

Tired and sad sunflowers

The bees love the goldenrod

Goldenrod and jewelweed

Heath asters

The little sedum the Eldest planted many years ago

We had a few ears of corn for our Labor Day cookout. Tasty, but picked too early. Hopefully, we'll get some proper ears of corn.

Nasturtiums. Supposedly edible. 

The Little Great Pumpkin

Storm clouds moving in

Cherry tomatoes, anyone?

The September garden flag

The leaves are starting to turn

and fall

the faded beauty of the hydrangea

How does your garden grow?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Sunday was such beautiful day. It just begged to open the windows.

2. A visit to the chiropractor. Hopefully over time with all the twisting, pulling, poking, I'll be more limber. My goal is to be able to get up off the floor a little more gracefully and without a lot of grunting.

3. Play day with Teague. Too nice to stay inside. We had amazing turkey sandwiches at Outpost Farms. We went for a walk and then went to JJ's for awesome ice cream.

4. Since the Eldest had a dentist appointment and her dentist office is next to Five Guys, we had Five Guys hamburgers for dinner. I love it when a plan comes together

5. I got to the hair salon before the heavens opened up. The storm was done just as the stylist finished up.

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week

1. Friday is usually the day I change the sheets on the bed and do laundry. It seemed silly to fold my clothes and put them in the drawer when I would need them on my trip. So, I packed my suitcase for the Ogunquit trip

2. The Young One sent me a UPS tracking number. The package is schedule to arrive on Tuesday. I will have already left for Ogunquit so it will be a nice surprise when I get home.

3. Happy Birthday to me! Birthday muffins, Birthday pastrami on bulkie rolls, watching old movies in the sunroom, takeout from the Outback, ice cream cake. Godiva chocolates from the Eldest, something from Himself that requires assembly which he will do while I'm away, and lots of birthday greetings from family and friends. The Young One sent me the Pusheen image in this post.

4. Monday was a red letter day for Happy Mail

5. Tuesday was Ogunquit or Bust!

How was your week?