My View of Life on the Dock
GREETINGS! The Winter Solstice for 2017 in Northern Hemisphere is today Thursday, December 21st, at 11:28 AM EST. Wishing you the very best for the season ahead — and always!
XOXO
Tom
“The Solstice is a time of quietude, of firelight, and dreaming, when seeds germinate in the cold earth, and the cold notes of church bells mingle with the chimes of icicles . . . All around us the season seems to reach a standstill – a point of repose.” —John Matthews
Thomas A Philbrook
Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy Holiday!
Unfortunately, the holidays are not always a joyful time for everyone. According to one survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), people may experience mixed emotions and increased stress during the holidays.
Increased Stressors at the Holidays May Include:
56% reported they experience the most stress at work.
Social Isolation Can Add to Holiday Blues.
View original post 665 more words
Joel and Skip Munroe arrived yesterday morning at Lyn’s home and the three spent the day continuing to modify the chicken coop-turned swan house-turned fantastic sanctuary (Joel is one of Mr. Swan’s caregivers and a carpenter). Lyn has generously added her dog’s run to extend the swan’s home, providing room enough for the Young Swan to stretch her wings and walk around within the enclosure.
Increasing the size of the enclosure.
Today, the very awesome landscaper Patrick Low, owner of JPL Landscape Solutions spent the morning modifying and attaching the (former) dog run to the chicken coop and securing the entire structure from predators such as coyotes and racoons. Pat, Joel, and Skip have very generously donated their time and services to creating the winter swan sanctuary.
Pat Low, creatively solving potential predator issues.
A friend of Lyn’s is donating three bales of hay. To supplement the pellets and corn Lyn has been feeding the swan, yesterday she purchased collard greens (which the Young Swan loved), spinach, and kale (yet to try).
We still do not know whether the Young Swan is male or female. Jodi Swenson kindly paid for the swan’s checkup at Dr. Cahill’s (with funds provided from her recent fundraiser) and Lyn has volunteered to pay for the DNA test. We should have the results back from the DNA test in several weeks. The Young Swan has a temporary name, TOS, an acronym for The Other Swan, but perhaps when we determine whether male or female we can give her a gender specific name, and possibly tie in a naming contest with a mini-fundraiser, to help defray the unexpected cost of taking care of her for the winter.
Success! Photo courtesy Lyn Fonzo
Tom tells a tale about a grad student in NYC making it big selling Christmas trees.
Was honored to have teacher Mr. David Brown call me and ask if I could come and take some photos of the 6th graders making these very awesome Bluebird Nesting box. I really enjoyed this, the 6th graders did a great job making these special Birdhouses. The kids, measured, clamped, sawed the pieces, made the opening for the bird and even had a side door that opened to be able to feed the birds. Thank you O’Maley for putting these projects into place for the kids. Just one more thing, lots of smiles on these 6th graders. Now I want one.
I’m so amazed and excited for our new and unique food destination, the COVE CAFE!
Located in the heart of Lanesville, the secret side of Gloucester, the Cove Cafe hits the ground running with amazing food, hospitality, and style. If you live on this side of town, you know the places to grab great sandwiches on the run, food for a party or event, or an amazing cup of coffee and breakfast, are scarce at best. For the most part, we have Capt. Hooks for pizza, subs, and fried seafood, then Willow Rest for amazing specialty items, sandwiches, and to-go items. But now we can spread the love to Cove Cafe! From Christmas cookie trays to daily specials, soups, stews, and sandwiches, they are sure to have something for everyone!
I’ve had several very good Cubano sandwich, amazing coffee, sweet delights, and a smile with amazing service every time I’ve been in. Stop by and see Alisha and her family, you will not be disappointed!!
OH! And if you call by Thursday, Dec. 21st. you can get your holiday cookie platers, party trays, or homemade pies for the holiday!! facebook.com/thecovecafegloucester
If you would like us to pick up your tree please call New Phone # 978-309-9501 with your name, address, telephone number and which day is best to pick up your tree.
Or, E-mail with the same information to New E-mail Address troop20treepickup@gmail.com
Rockport and Gloucester only please.
Dinner Specials Each Week!
Wednesday, December 20th – 7pm
A Holiday Tradition: THE AMERO FAMILY CHRISTMAS!
We’ve been doing this Rhumb Line show on the last Wednesday before Christmas since 2009. It’s really
an extension of a Christmas Eve family tradition the Amero kids grew up with in South Essex, singing
songs in the back room (known as “Moulty’s Inn”) of the old house on Southern Avenue. Mother Moulty
was e’er the festive, gracious host, and every hippy who ever hitch-hiked Cape Ann in funky Walter Dyer
moccasins was, over one season or another, in attendance. I learned a lot of guitar from Chick Marston
on those nights. And the late, great Andrew Doran closed many them at the kitchen table in the wee hours,
draining the final abandoned bottles while discussing the “new world order”. This will be our first Christmas
without him, and he is sorely missed indeed. But, life goes on, as does The Amero Family Christmas! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
The Rhumb Line Kitchen……now features Janet Brown with some new and healthy ideas!
Plus a fine, affordable wine menu!
Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward……to seeing you there 🙂
You can now pick up Cape Ann License Plate gift envelopes at Shaws Railroad Avenue and Shaws Eastern Avenue plus Tucks Candy in Rockport. Pick up the envelope add $40 and you will be giving a Cape Ann License plate to someone you love and the Non profits on Cape Ann will be getting a gift too, win, win!!!
All three locations are also are selling Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificates, good at over 200 Cape Ann locations.
A Breakfast Hug
Haven’t check out CFCA yet? Why not?! Join us at 18 Sargent Street every Saturday at 9AM for our Community Team WOD. You can even bring a friend! The More the merrier! $5 for all non members which is donated locally. No Crossfit experience necessary. If you’ve been wondering what Crossfit is all about, no better time than now. See you there!
Check us out at http://www.crossfitcapeann.com of find us on Facebook @crossfitcapeanners
Looking for an insight on what actually happens on Saturday mornings? Check out this first hand look at why people love CFCA!
https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2017/02/26/cross-fit-cape-ann-the-aftermath/
I love these barnyard animal sculptures! I shop at Agway in Danvers for rabbit food once a month or so and I always find myself browsing the aisles. They have wonderful bird feeders, gardening accessories, boots, fishing gear, and more in stock. Last week was the first time that I noticed these fun roosters and goats though.
Serenade your way over there in the moonlight!
The Rockport Christmas Tree Committee, now in its 119th year, is Rockport’s oldest ongoing tradition.
Started in the 1890’s by Rockport grocer Tim Sheehan, the custom of remembrance is carried on today. Members of the Rockport community 80 years of age and older, shut-ins, people with illnesses and others are remembered on Christmas Day with the delivery of a fruit basket and cookies. Residents of area senior housing, nursing homes and local hospitals receive a visit in the days before Christmas. Santa Claus himself visits residents of the Den Mar Nursing Home and presents each with a small basket of fruit and other goodies.
On Christmas morning in Dock Square, Santa arrives at 10:30 and gives all the town’s children a bag of goodies, in the tradition of the 1890’s.
Santa’s volunteer helpers will meet at Spiran Hall on Broadway at 7:00 PM on December 22 to pack the bags and baskets. On Christmas morning volunteers are welcome at Spiran Hall from 8:30-9:30 AM to deliver baskets. Generations of Rockporters have participated, all you need is a willingness to help, and a smile.
The Committee needs your help to continue this tradition. We rely solely on volunteers and donations. Donations may be mailed to the Rockport Christmas Tree Committee, %Doreen Carter, 2 Mary Helen Way, Rockport, MA 01966 or dropped off at Smith Ace Hardware & Lumber. Donations are tax deductible.
If you have a neighbor or friend who you feel should receive a basket, just let any committee member know, or leave a note with name and address at the Lumber desk at Smith Hardware and Lumber.
Committee members include Dana (Buddy) Woods, Jay Smith, Lisa Littlefield, Doreen Carter, Judy Harris, Mary Helen MacLeod, Linda Johnson, Janice Ramsden, April Beaton, Sally Frithsen, Ruth George, Andrea Ritchie, Chris Murch, Judy Bogage, Mary-Kathryn and Jeff Gray, Darlene Trumbour, Pat Brown, Roger Lesch, Nina Samoiloff, Toni Rowe, Bethany Brosnan, Diane Bertolino and John Thompson.
On this Thursday, December 21, we will be packing the bags. We need volunteers to help. Please come to Spiran Hall on Broadway in Rockport at 7PM. Thank you!
These baskets are delivered on Christmas morning, beginning at 8:30AM, volunteers needed!
And on Christmas Day, Santa arrives in Dock Square at 10:30AM to hand out bags of candy and fruit to the children of Rockport.
Merry Christmas!
New Moon Meaning
A new moon represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another new 28 day cycle. Sun conjunct Moon gives an invigorating burst of energy and initiative. This is an excellent time for making a fresh start and turning over a new leaf or starting a new project. You can also question old habits, behaviors and beliefs as you search for new and inventive ways to make progress.
The effects of the December 18 new moon last four weeks up to the January 16 new moon. The best time for making a fresh start and for beginning new projects is during the first two weeks of this new moon cycle. This waxing phase of the Moon lasts from December 18 to the January 1 full moon.
Give this gift to yourself – it’s free but worth millions.
“Blockage is disease/Flow is health”
Info@ayurvedawellnesshealing.com
What do you get that hard-to-buy-for person on your list this holiday season? A Cape Ann Gift Certificate! These can be used at over 200 participating shops, restaurants, service businesses and more. Your gift… their choice. Click Here for a list of participating businesses.
Not only is this a great gift option, but it is a wonderful way to support our local businesses. They can be purchased at either Gloucester Shaw’s locations, Tuck’s Candy & Gifts in Rockport or at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
You can also give the gift of Cape Ann by giving a Cape Ann License Plate to friends and family. Stop by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to pick up a free Cape Ann License Plate gift envelope – the perfect stocking stuffer! And remember the proceeds go back to the community. Plates can be ordered online and are mailed right to…
View original post 6 more words
Good Morning Gloucester 