Author: Matthew Green

I am a translator, origami artist/teacher, and photographer, a blogger, former philosophy professor, and I love to sing. You can see my photos on Flickr and buy prints of some of them on Fine Art America. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter (@mehjg), and in various and sundry other social media sites on the web.

The Gloucester Farmer’s Market continues to be amazing

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It’s been a few weeks since I went down to the Farmer’s Market, so I couldn’t resist going yesterday to pick up some treats.

Of course, I had to get some of Ma’s Brand Tomato Marmalade, which now comes in three varieties (soon to be four!) – Original, Organic, and “Jeesum Crow” hot (with Thai peppers).  The “fourth-coming” variety is going to be “hoity-toity”, with Gran Marnier! I can’t wait!

Plus, I got some Italian pecorino and parmigiano cheese from Luca Mignogna (of Wolf Meadow Farm).  Those cheeses should be interesting with the marmalade (and with just about anything else)!   They have the delightful combination of a solid consistency (but not too hard) with fairly salty, mellow, and slightly pungent flavors.

Finally, I also bought an apple tart from A.J. King Artisan Bakery, which was well worth the (already reasonable) price – a nice flaky crust, with well-cooked sweetened fresh apples and a crispy topping of brown sugar, cinnamon, etc…  I bought some granola from them the first day of the farmer’s market, and it was really good, so I didn’t hesitate to buy from them again.  Among the many treats they offer, are lavender butter cookies. I tried a sample, and I have to admit that I didn’t taste much lavender, but the cookie was  delicious!

There are lots of other good things available at the market, including fresh veggies, hand-blown glass, all-natural locally ground nut butters, local honey and beeswax products, real maple syrup cotton candy, and lots more – including hot food ready to eat.  Almost all the food sellers have free samples, so you can try before you buy.   If I didn’t have to worry about my weight or my wallet, I’d buy some of everything…

-Fr. Matthew Green

 

A Gloucester Polydactyl Cat

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I came across this handsome polydactyl cat the other day near the rectory here at St. Ann’s Church.  According to various internet sources (including, of course, Wikipedia), “double-pawed” cats are particularly common on the east coast.  Reputedly, sailors prized them as skilled mousers and bringers of good luck.  Historically, they are particularly linked to Boston, from whence they spread to other ports. Hence, their higher distribution in cities like Gloucester.

This particular cat has polydactyly on both front and back feet, which is apparently (according to Wikipedia) fairly rare.  He was also extremely friendly with me, despite my being a total stranger.

According to a member of our parish staff, this cat (he, or maybe she? I’m not sure…) hangs around the church a lot.  Does anybody know to whom he belongs? If he’s a stray, I’m adopting him… (or her, or it, or whatever…)

– Fr. Matthew Green

“The Sing” moves from The Annie to The Inn at Babson Court

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A week ago today, the group that formerly met at The Annie every Wednesday (7:00-9:30PM) to sing together had it’s first session at it’s new home, The Inn at Babson Court.

It was a perfect evening, weather-wise:

It was also a perfect evening for singing. We had a great turn-out, and Paul and Don gave us a great welcome to their inn, which provides an elegant and intimate setting for an evening of music.

 Click here for more photos of the evening:

 

Come and join us! We sit in a circle and take turns singing songs of any genre, with or without acoustic instruments.  We often join in with the songs if we know them, harmonizing or just singing the refrain.  No formal training or professional experience expected or required – the group includes everything from pros to people who usually only sing in the shower.  Or, come along just to listen! BYOB, and snacks to share are a welcome contribution.  A $5 donation is requested.

 

– Fr. Matthew Green

Opening Night of Community and Identity

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Last Saturday was the official opening of the “Community and Identity” show at the Rocky Neck Cultural center.  It’s quite a nice show, and well worth the visit!

The opening was very well attended, and the food – provided by curator Rocky Delforge’s mother – was absolutely amazing.  She could take up catering professionally, in my opinion.

But, back to the show itself.  A variety of artists are showing works related to the theme of the show, with a wide variety of approaches and media.  Give yourself time to contemplate them!  Community participation is also encouraged: there is a wooden lattice cube in the center of the room with cards inviting visitors to write or draw reactions to the exhibit or to questions and ideas on the front of the card.

Many of the artists were present, so I snapped photos of them with their work:

Curator/artist Rocky Delforge
Leon Doucette
Corinne Grant
John Swayze
Danny Diamond
John Sarkin. (I had autofocus on, and the camera went crazy trying to decide which face to focus on…)

The most beautiful thing at the show, though, was this little baby.  She was looking around at the art with the expression of a connoisseur as her mother carried her from place to place:

The Rocky Neck Cultural Center is easy to locate. It’s at 6 Wonson Street, and is quite distinctive:

It is in easy walking distance from the parking lot at the beginning of Rocky Neck – from which vantage point I took this panorama:

– Fr. Matthew Green

Christopher Wood’s paintings at Addison Gilbert Hospital

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In the course of my ministry as a priest, it’s not uncommon that I go to the hospital to visit the sick and the dying.  Along the wall of the lobby of Addison Gilbert hospital, on the way to the elevator, there is usually a display of art.  I hardly ever stop to look, but I was really struck by Christopher Wood’s current display of abstract watercolor paintings.

To me, it seems somehow odd to go visit a hospital in order to see art, but at the very least, I recommend stopping to see the paintings if you are at the hospital for any reason at all.  Or maybe you can stop in to see the paintings, and pretend you are on your way to visit a sick relative or get some x-rays done…

He describes his work thus, on an explanatory panel next to the paintings:

“My work is organic, bold, gritty, sensual, and completely inspired by my mad scientist tendencies. I paint ferociously; this creates real energy within the piece.  My painting style and its looseness makes watercolor and optimal medium for me.  I paint wet on wet, this allows the colors to mix themselves on the paper, and allows little experiments/accidents to be created within the piece.”

Besides being an artist who has worked in various media, he has a Masters in Conservation Biology.  Check out his website…

 

The Paint Manufactory (with a skull) a year ago

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I found this interesting photo in my files from last year, while trying to clear up space on my hard drive…

 

Community and Identity at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center

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The Rocky Neck Art Colony is pleased to present Community and Identity, a group show at the Cultural Center on Rocky Neck (9 Wonson St., Gloucester, MA) curated by Cape Ann artist and RNAC member Rocky Delforge. The opening reception is tonight from 5 to 8 PM. Click on the image below to see it full-sized.

Parade of Lights during the Schooner Festival

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For a six-image slideshow, click here:

Seen from the schooner Adventure, docked at Rocky Neck.

– Fr. Matthew Green

Sunset from the deck of the Adventure

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Taken last Saturday evening, as we ate, sang, and waited for the parade of lights.

Click here for a slideshow:

 

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

Sing-Along on the schooner Adventure

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On Saturday, Sept, 1, during the Schooner Festival, there was a pot-luck supper and sing-along on the schooner Adventure, docked on Rocky Neck. It was a great time!  I was there last year too, and this is the sort of the thing that makes me so glad to be in Gloucester!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos can be found here.

-Fr. Matthew Green

Labor Day fireworks

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As seen from Rocky Neck, after the pot luck supper and sing-along on the schooner Adventure:

Click here for a slideshow:

– Fr. Matthew Green

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

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This is the sunset last Friday night, while I waited for the blue moon to show itself… These colors are what came from the camera with no significant editing. It’s oversaturated somewhat, but pretty close to what I was seeing.  I set my camera’s white balance to “incandescent bulb” to get these colors; on automatic or “sunlight”, it was making everything golden – pretty, but nowhere near the real colors.

I got up to the roof of the rectory early to wait for the sunset/moonrise, and the seagulls, which usually occupy our small roof, were NOT amused that I was usurping their prized vantage point for observing the world.

Homie is giving me the evil eye.

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

 

Blue Moon

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This first shot is actually from Thursday evening, several hours before the precise full moon:

On Friday night, the “blue moon” put on a real show, playing hide-and-seek through the clouds:

Click here to see these two and more photos close-up:
– Fr. Matthew Green

 

G33K Grand Opening Week sales on until Sunday

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If you have ever wanted to make a customized tee-shirt, now is the time!  During the G33K store (130 Main St.) grand opening week, printing a custom design only costs $10 (plus the cost of the shirt), with no cost for setting up the design. You can bring in your own graphic or work with Allen to have him come up with the design you need using stock images. He prints them onto the shirts right there in the store, as I illustrated in an earlier post.

Also, if you want to play some video games but can’t afford an X-Box, you can go to the gaming room and play with their machines, for just $3 an hour discount price during the Grand opening.

If you want a funny tee-shirt but don’t feel like making up your own, the store has quite a stock of shirts with funny images and slogans:

There are also graphic novels, including a series of adaptations of Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” novels (which I am just starting to read – the novels, that is; the graphic novels will probably come later…).

 

There are also skateboards and related paraphernalia:

(Note the awesome pickle-riding-fire-breathing-rainbow-jumping liger shirt on the left in the photo above! I now have one of those without the text advertisement – thanks, Allen!) They also sell gaming supplies and other related items.  Quite a variety, really!

Lastly, if he’s not busy, you can chat with the owner, Allen, who is a really nice guy!  We were discussing scifi and fantasy novels as I took these photos.

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

 

 

 

 

Dubliner Cheddar from The Cave

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If you are a cheese lover, you really should stop by The Cave.  You can taste before you buy, so you can find just the right kind of cheese for whatever recipe or occasion you are planning.  They also offer wine and cheese tastings on Thursday nights, 5-7PM (they are announced on their Facebook page).

I stopped by several days ago, looking for something not too bland, but not too sharp; something with character, but not overwhelming.  I particularly enjoy cheese with soup – either on the side with crackers, or diced or grated into the soup itself.  (Some cheeses, especially aged cheeses, are a source of glutamate, which gives the “umami” flavor to things, which I like very much).  After trying a couple of options that Laura suggested, I settled on Dubliner cheddar.

As it turns out, I haven’t had soup since I bought this cheese, so last night I opted to try the it with some multi-grain Wheat Thins and Sauvignon Blanc.  It really worked!

I mean, wow! I could have polished off all the cheese in one sitting, but I held back, because I really want to try it with soup.

So, if you are looking for the perfect cheese for your palate, let Laura help you find it.  She also sells wine and various artisanal marmalades and spreads at The Cave, so she can undoubtedly help you find the perfect pairing.

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

Jeff Weaver painting on Pleasant Street

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I was walking down the Pleasant Street several days ago when I saw him with his easel on the sidewalk, almost right across Prospect Street from St. Ann’s School.  He courteously let me snap a photo of him while he worked – apparently, I was something like the 15th person to photograph him that day… He has a gallery at 16 Rogers Street here in Gloucester (open Friday and Saturday 1-5 p.m., also by chance or appointment). His website gives you an idea of his beautiful work.  I haven’t made it to his gallery yet, but after perusing his web gallery, I really want to go!

– Fr. Matthew Green

City Hall at night

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I can’t wait to see her without the scaffolding again, all shiny and restored…

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

G33K Grand Opening Tuesday-Sunday

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The G33K store at 130 Main St. in Gloucester has been open for a little while, but now they are fully stocked!  They offer “geeky” and custom T-shirts, gaming materials, video games (which you can play right there in the back room), and now also graphic novels!

You can visit them on Facebook for more details.

Cape Ann Museum – Music in the Courtyard

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Wonderfully talented Gloucester native Mari Martin was singing jazz in the courtyard of the Cape Ann Museum this past Friday from 4 to 5PM, accompanied by bass and keyboard. Here is a slideshow of the event:

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You can see the photos full-sized on my photostream on Flickr.

– Fr. Matthew Green