Author: God's Morning

Sandy commented on my post yesterday https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/weather-heading-into-smiths-cove/ asking if I had seen the big fish in the foreground of the first photo.  I hadn’t seen it and thought she was just imagining a fish until I blew up the photo and adjusted the exposure.  Indeed there is a big fish in the foreground of the photo.  It is a metal sculpture at the water’s edge in Kim and Linda’s yard where I was photographing, but I hadn’t noticed it because I was so focused on the incredible light on the boats in the distance.  Amazing observation Sandy!

E.J. Lefavour

Thunder, lightning and the most beautiful light – just breathtaking, as I stand out on a dock with metal railings and lightning flashing around.  Only for GMG.

E.J. Lefavour

Glass: Realism to Abstraction

Photography by Judith Monteferrante

Gallery 53 on Rocky Neck, 53 Rocky Neck Ave., Gloucester

Wednesday, July 22 – Tuesday, Aug. 11

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 25  6-8 pm

“Glass: Realism to Abstraction” is the title of local photographer Judith Monteferrante’s upcoming Summer Artist Series show at Gallery 53 on Rocky Neck in Gloucester. The show opens on Wednesday, July 22 and closes on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Opening Reception is set for Saturday, July 25 from 6-8 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and meet the artist.

This photography project started for Judith with the death of her only child and her desire to avoid the holidays. On a cruise in 2007 she explored the book “Light, Science and Magic” and found she could capture images of inanimate objects with their reflections that together represented her private vision.

“Photographing glass and its reflections, creating abstractions from simplicity to pure indulgence in subject matter, while adhering to the principle that light illuminates and shadows define, led me to this metaphysical exploration of reality,” says Monteferante.

A fine art photographer living in Gloucester and Scottsdale, AZ, and a retired cardiologist, Judith’s skills at imaging the heart were transferred to the study of nature’s intimate places. Her main focus is on fine art photography of flowers, often interacting with water, still life, glassware abstracts as well as landscapes to seascapes. She believes that years of witnessing and helping those who are ill and dying  sharpened her sensitivity and allowed her to see beauty in the world with precision and with her personal stamp.

She was awarded Copley Artist status with the Copley Society of Art in Boston, is a Moab Master photographer (by Legion Paper),  a member of many art associations including Sonoran Arts League and the Rockport Arts Association, and was the former Artistic Director of the Rocky Neck Art Colony. Judith has gallery representation in Massachusetts, New York and Arizona.

Judith recently had two solo shows at the Rockport Art Association and Marblehead Art Association. She was accepted into fifteen juried shows in 2014-15 as well as two invitational exhibits. Judith has won numerous awards, most recently First Place in the juried SeARTS: Art @Bass Rocks 2014-5 exhibition in Gloucester and second place in the winter members’ exhibition 2015 at the Copley Society of Art, Boston. She was published as a Silver Award winner in “Color” magazine in 2011 and won the Haystack Residency Scholarship Deer Isle, ME from the Copley Society of Art in 2010. Judith’s work is in many private and corporate collections.

Whether this is true or not, this study provides great justification for looking at those adorable kitten photos every morning before you start your day, or before starting a project you need to focus on.

http://www.upworthy.com/do-these-3-kitten-photos-help-you-focus-thats-what-a-2012-study-says

On the subject of focus and memory, I have been doing a lot of research and trying all sorts of things since my mother slipped into the realm of dementia.  I wanted to find whatever I could to help regain her memory, and my own, which had gone from bad to worse rapidly over the past few years.  While I can’t say I have found a universal cure, I can say that my own memory is now back to where it was 10 years ago, and mom’s is also improving.  This morning I met a new neighbor and his puppy, Ted and Pippa.  Might not sound earthshattering to you, but a year ago, I would never have been able to remember their names, nor the names of people I had met repeatedly, which was very embarrassing, but whose names I now remember.

Aside from regular exercise, pursuing a deeper spiritual life, and getting us on as brain healthy a diet as possible (fish, fruit and vegetables, minimal gluten and bread/pasta carbs, coconut oil, beet juice, etc.), there are three supplements we have been taking for a number of months now, which I believe have been having an amazing effect.  One is Dynamic Nutrition pure extract turmeric curcumin with BioPerine, the next is HealthForce ZeoForce Detoxify Daily, and the last, and I think the most effective, is Biogenesis Focus Fizz.  Poor nutrition, stress and toxins are known causes of dementia and loss of cognitive ability.  Unless we live in a bubble eating only nutrient rich foods, we are all subject to them and need to take whatever steps we can to protect ourselves from their effects.

If nothing else, try the kitten photos.

E.J. Lefavour

There are so many beautiful spots on Cape Ann, but you gotta love Rocky Neck – it is magic.

E.J. Lefavour

Thursday, July 23rd, 7:30 pm at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street.

E.J. Lefavour

Just when you’ve lost a few pounds, gotten yourself into decent shape, and are feeling good and proud of yourself, you stumble across that 45 year old photo which tosses all illusions out the window.  Surfing buddy, Karen Husby, and I at Ogunquit Beach, ME, circa 1970.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

I have no idea who created these, but they are very cool, especially the Madonna in the rusted alter at the bottom.  They were in back of Madfish Grille by the parking lot.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

If you are on Rocky Neck, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Romula Art Gallery, G6 on Madfish Wharf.  Romula’s art is very unique, bold and done completely with her fingers – no brushes used.  Many of her pieces represent street and restaurant scenes in Boston’s North End, but she also has some beautiful figurative work.

E.J. Lefavour

I’ve seen this little diving duck a number of mornings at Niles Beach.  At first I thought it was a juvenile eider, but it is too small and dives differently than eiders.  It has a long spear of a tail feather, which you can see in the first and last photos.  It may be a juvenile of its kind, but I have no idea what it is.  It spends very little time above water and a long time under so it was challenging to shoot.  Does anyone know what it is?

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

Finally got down to Madfish Grille to try Andre’s Famous BBQ yesterday.  He is there Thursday through Sunday from noon until closing, although he didn’t open until 5:00 yesterday, so maybe best to call ahead to make sure he is there.  The prices are reasonable, the food is very fresh and delicious.  I had the chicken kabob and a cucumber, tomato and avocado salad.  The vegetables were fresh and crispy (except the avocado, which was perfectly ripe) and the dressing was very tasty.  The chicken was marvelous – juicy and tender with a BBQ sauce that was sweet with a nice hot kick to it.  I don’t care for traditional BBQ sauce, but this was delicious.  There was live music playing, which I am told will be happening on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, which makes this a really great spot to go on the weekend.  The bar was very quick and easy to get service at, unlike past years when it could be a challenge to get a beverage, and there was a good crowd, so it wasn’t like I was the only one waiting for service at the bar.  There is no wait staff.  You order from Andre and the bar, and then sit out under the canopy and enjoy the view, good food and music.  Check it out.  The Madfish has a cool, funky, colorful new look, which is fun and happy.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

Although off to a slow start, as has been summer, Madfish Grille is now open in full swing with music, dancing, libations and Dark Gable B-B-Q Thursday through Sunday.  Open noon until closing.  There is a Captain Morgan’s Pirate Party this Thursday (tomorrow).  Come dressed as your favorite pirate and have some Captain Morgan’s rum.  The galleries at Madfish Wharf are also open and the artists would love to have you come visit them.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

It doesn’t actually go to Heaven, but it is on Rocky Neck (close).

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

He went missing from Sailor Stan’s on June 30th.  If you have seen him, please contact Karen or Wayne at 978-281-4470 or stop by Sailor Stan’s to report sighting.  He is a sturdy, friendly male cat, dearly loved here on Rocky Neck.

E.J. Lefavour

Ran across my path and up this tree on a morning walk at Eastern Point.  I haven’t seen a red squirrel in a while.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

Although I have encountered gallinules in MA, I haven’t encountered them on Cape Ann.  This adult and chick were photographed in Florida, where they are plentiful but shy.

“The common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) is a bird in the family Rallidae. It was split from the common moorhen by the American Ornithologists’ Union in July 2011.^[2] It lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, and other wetlands in the Americas. The species is not found in the polar regions or many tropical rainforests. Elsewhere, the common gallinule is likely the most commonly seen rail species in much of North America, excepting the American coot in some regions.

The gallinule has dark plumage apart from the white undertail, yellow legs and a red frontal shield. The young are browner and lack the red shield. It has a wide range of gargling calls and will emit loud hisses when threatened.^[3]

This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-vegetated lakes. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as southern Canada and the northern USA, will migrate to more temperate climes. This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. It forages beside or in the water, sometimes upending in the water to feed. Its wide feet allow it to hop about on lily pads. It is often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, the common gallinule remains plentiful and widespread.

The common gallinule will fight to defend its territory. The nest is a basket built on the ground in dense vegetation. Laying starts in spring, between mid-March and mid-May in northern hemisphere temperate regions. About 8 eggs are usually laid per female early in the season; a brood later in the year usually has only 5–8 or even fewer eggs. Nests may be re-used by different females. Incubation lasts about three weeks. Both parents incubate and feed the young. These fledge after 40–50 days, become independent usually a few weeks thereafter, and may raise their first brood the next spring. When threatened, the young may cling to a parent’s body, after which the adult birds fly away to safety, carrying their offspring with them.” From Wikipedia

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

I love a good foggy morning.  Everything looks even more magical shrouded in a little fog.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com