So this is new. “Left turn YIELD on Flashing Yellow Arrow.”
Prior to today, a left hand turn was obviously permitted when the light was green. Makes sense. More than a few times, however, I saw cars start to turn left without a second’s thought, only to have cars coming from the other direction continue straight towards Blackburn Circle. Many a car almost got sideswiped while making that left turn towards Rockport. I’m guessing several actually did.
Most drivers, who frequent that intersection (between Blackburn Circle and Main Street…heading to East Gloucester or Rockport), soon realized that oncoming traffic should go first…or that it is safer to wait for the green arrow.
This makes more sense I guess….but, will most likely take some getting used to.
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I’m so mad that I forgot about these photos until last night. Posting photos of this guy on a 37 degree day isn’t nearly as fun as it would have been on February 12th when my car thermometer read 9 degrees. It was that very day that he drove past me on 1A in Beverly. I was coming back from a quick trip to Tendercrop on my lunch break and, the consummate blogger that I am (the adjective…not the verb…and an exaggeration at that) I simply had to turn around and get a better look as I saw him turn in for gas.
Might I add that he took forever getting gas (with two trips into the gas station) and I felt more than a bit like a stalker as I sat in the parking lot waiting for him to exit so that I could snap a decent pic.
It was FREEZING that day….I’m quite certain we broke records….yet, there he was driving around town in his Cobra…and his helmet. Was the helmet for safety? I’m guessing it was because of the cold. Did he want to be out driving his convertible in such extreme temps…or was his other car at the mechanic. I had so many questions. Maybe he’ll write in.
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As is becoming a February school vacation tradition, we spent several hours checking out the boats at the New England Boat Show this week. The boys can’t get enough of seeing the bells and whistles, so to speak, and love the large variety of boats on hand. At the end of the day, they’d both be incredibly happy with the smallest of boats providing they could toss a fishing rod onboard, but they love seeing the opulence of some of much larger boats too. They had a little “this is the life” moment sitting in some theater chairs in the cabin of one boat that had a rotating TV screen that would swing out for optimal movie watching.
They were incredibly fortunate to score two KYPADS (an awesome combination of paddle board and kayak) for Christmas…and are more than thrilled to hit the water on those this summer. Still….it is nice to dream a bit at the boat show each year.
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We had a fantastic time at the boat show yesterday and it is a great way to spend a day. We find that most of the boat dealers have the patience of saints with the kids as they climb, explore, and dream onboard the boats.
It helps that adults are only $15 and children under 15 years of age are totally FREE
My boys LOVE it here. We’ve hiked to the Braintree location and even all the way to Providence. Now that there is a new location open in Woburn….I’m guessing we’ll clock much more time hitting the games. Dave and Buster’s is full of really great grown-up games…it is no Chuck E. Cheese. The kids are still going to rack up points or tickets and are still going to score some “stuff” that you don’t really need junking up your house, but at least the games are a blast…even for the parents. The restaurant is pretty good too.
The same morning earlier this week that everyone was out photographing gorgeous images of sea smoke, I took this photo. While we didn’t receive new snow fall during the night, the homes and landscape at the end of our street were covered with ocean effect snow early the next morning. It was kind of cool to see.
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So, this conversation came up the other night… “When is using the term Hon (or Honey) appropriate?” Whether it should be spelled “hun” or “hon” is a conversation for another day.
I have a friend who, I’ve noticed, will often say, “Thanks, Hon” as he pays his tab at a restaurant or bar. He means nothing by it….it is simply a habit he has picked up. He is never trying to be condescending nor is he trying to flirt. Nonetheless, when I hear him say it, I sometimes wonder how well it is actually being received by the server/bartender. So, to conduct a bit of research for the sake of the blog, I started to ask.
The feelings were mixed. The three bartenders questioned all happened to be female. The first bartender agreed that it feels a bit unsettling and often seems rude. The second said that it didn’t really bother her when she is working, but that her own fiancé sometimes uses it when they are out, and when she hears it coming from him, it makes her skin crawl a bit too. The third bartender was indifferent. All agreed that it is very situational….and sometimes it wouldn’t phase them at all, but sometimes (under different circumstances) would really annoy them. So, what exactly are those situations?
Well, for example, these questions were posed: The tone of voice used. The age or the customer and/or the age of the server. The gender of both parties involved. Is the person a “regular”? Was the person using the term “Hon” attractive (one very honest bartender brought that up)? Was the customer alone? Dining with a significant other? Out with friends? Was there drinking involved? And even geographic locations.
I went to college in Virginia and everyone was “hon”, “sweetie”, or “babe” down there.
There are so many possibilities to consider. Sometimes it feels ok, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m 44 years old. There is a young, female employee at a particular Dunkin’ Donuts who will always hand me my coffee through the drive thru window with a, “Here you go, Hon” or a “Have a great day, Hon.” While it doesn’t bother me, per say. I find it interesting. I find it interesting that someone so much younger than me would call me “Hon”. More typically, while I don’t enjoy it, in that situation one might think she would call me “Ma’am.” I’m not in love with either. But, I’m not going to lose sleep over it either.
Often times I’ve noticed that when a server is older they will deliver a meal with a, “Here you go, Hon” and I find it totally endearing. Very grandmotherly. That never strikes me as odd…..but, why?, I wonder. Years ago, my husband and I went to a certain place maybe once a month or so. There was a female bartender there (in the same age range as us) who ALWAYS called my husband, and most other male customers, “Hon” but never the female customers. I found that a bit annoying.
I wanted to conduct a poll on the matter, but I think that there are too many factors to be considered, so I hesitate to do so. Rather, do me a favor, and leave a comment in regards to when it is OK…..and when it is definitely NOT ok. I’d be interested to know your opinion.
Photo from Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Back at the Yard House up at MarketStreet in Lynnfield and with hundreds of beer choices, I decided on a Moscow Mule with Tito’s Vodka. Sometimes too many choices is a difficult thing. I did, however, order the same Surf and Turf Burger that I usually get. It didn’t disappoint.
While freezing, it was too pretty to not stop at Good Harbor Beach last night to snap this photo. There was something about the juxtaposition of the snow and the sand at sunset that made us sit for a longer while than planned.
I’d rather it be July, but pretty nonetheless.
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Sea Creatures of Cape Ann is an environmental vacation program. The program is four days (Tuesday – Friday). Students may enroll for a day or for the entire four days. There are two different programs based on age of the students that are offered during the four-days.
Tomorrow is officially Truck Day at Fenway Park! Spring is on the horizon and the Red Sox have packed up their truck to head south for some Spring Training action. They’ll make a quick stop at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and will then be on their way. Go show them some love as they head out of town!
We took a drive just after high tide today. We drove by Old Garden Beach, down Atlantic, to T Wharf, down Bearskin Neck, to the breakwater, through town, by Front Beach, to Granite Pier, and then back home. Not much accumulation but it was coming down good, VERY windy, and some great surf! #winterstormmars
Just another February on Cape Ann.
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Who doesn’t want ice cream for breakfast? Eat ice cream for breakfast with zero guilt, because it’s for a great cause! (Please invite your friends!)
Saturday, February 6th is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. We’ll be celebrating at Cherry Farm with a special “breakfast” menu featuring…
Waffle Sundaes
Pop-Tart Sundaes
“Coffee & Donuts” Ice Cream
Maple bacon ice cream
Warm maple syrup sauce
Warm blueberry topping
Bacon bit topping
Sorbet/Sherbet fruit cup
& More!
Be sure to stop by early because from 8am – 12pm we will be donating half of the proceeds to support The Endowed A.J. Trustey Epilepsy Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
To increase support of the fund, Cherry Farm will also be teaming up with The Epilepsy Foundation of New England (EFNE). As part of Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, the EFNE would like to encourage everyone to “Bring a Bag to Breakfast” of unwanted clothes, shoes, or linens. Staff will be onsite to assist & provide prizes for each bag donated. All additional proceeds generated from “Bring a Bag to Breakfast” will support The Endowed A.J. Trustey Epilepsy Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Named in memory of A.J., The Endowed A.J. Trustey Epilepsy Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital supports novel and innovative epilepsy research with the goal of improving the care and treatment for epilepsy patients and their families. Thanks to the outpouring of support, some projects are already underway including research focused on training clinicians to identify and address mental health issues in epilepsy patients, improving the transition from pediatric to adult care, and identifying characteristics that will predict a patient’s adherence and response to treatment.
We hope to see you there! Please help spread the word by inviting your friends.
Pick #2: Karen J and the Jitterbugs at the Cabot
Ok…so this is actually NEXT weekend, but if I waited until then, it might be sold out! And, we can’t have that.
The Cabot has a pretty tremendous! Check out the full schedule on their website HERE!
Bug Out! with Karen K and her imaginary friends, the Jitterbugs: Bumble (the bee who doesn’t like to sting); Stinky (loves playing outside, refuses baths), Hop (working on his self control); and Slug Bug (needs a LOT of naps). Named one of the “Must-See Acts of 2015” and called “Power pop sheen that makes them fun for the whole family” by the Boston Globe, the Jitterbugs have quickly become a favorite among kids and kid-ults in Boston and beyond. Known for their totally engaging, high-energy show packed with humor and amazingly catchy, well-crafted tunes, Karen K & the Jitterbugs has quickly become one of the most buzzed about kindie bands on the East Coast.www.karenkjitterbugs.com
Pick #3: Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival
Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice 2016 Festival – Feb. 5 through Feb. 7, 2016!
Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants, and businesses invite you to attend the 14th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!
Ice Sculpturesaround Town – Starting Feb. 6, 2016
This year, we have a record-breaking 23 beautiful ice sculptures that grace downtown Salem starting February 6. Some of the themes for this year’s ice sculptures will include The Friendship, the Mad Hatter, an alpaca, and more – including an actual ice bar on Rockafellas’ patio! A map of sculptures and locations is available below and on brochures to be distributed around town closer to the festival. Be sure to make plans for a special evening stroll on Saturday, Feb. 6, when some of the sculptures will be temporarily illuminated between 5 pm and 9 pm by Retonica!
The Salem Trolley offers trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting on February 6 & 7 from 12 pm to 4 pm for only $2 an adult (free for children). Trolley pick-up locations include the Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf, and near Rockafellas on Washington Street.
For a more comprehensive list of family activities, please see our friends at North Shore Kid
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I know the phrase “I Can’t Even” is a bit overused, but SERIOUSLY, I.CAN’T.EVEN.
Who in the world does something like this!?
Evidently my kids, that’s who.
Allow me to back up.
On Friday evening I had a fantastic night out with some great friends. Thatch had hockey practice and on the way home the boys grabbed fried chicken and ice cream to celebrate a mom-free night.
Flash forward to Saturday. Finn had 8:00 am hockey, we took the dogs for a long romp on the beach, raced home, had Thatcher throw on his hockey gear, and tried to get out the door on time to get to Pingree’s rink up in Hamilton for a 12:20 start time. The boys declared they were STARVING just as we were leaving and when I told them to quickly grab something, they frantically grabbed the left over bag of chicken, 2 yogurts, and a couple of apples. Good enough.
We got to Pingree with plenty of time to spare, but with another game underway and a school event to boot, parking was at a premium. I dropped the boys at the front door and went to go park by myself. It didn’t hurt that alone time in the car is a slice of heaven. Once the Jeep was snuggly tucked in between two other hockey parent SUVs, I took to grabbing what I needed for yet another chilly hockey game and to making sure that the boys’ water bottles weren’t spilling on their iPads. Imagine, if you will, my horror upon turning around and finding this display of disgustingness on the back seat armrest.
I was almost incredulous. Almost.
Degrees of car nastiness have been of issue since the boys were old enough to eat in the car. I know plenty of families who do not allow snacking in the backseat, but I’m not going to lie, we’re on the go enough that it is somewhat of a necessity….like on Saturday. I’m certain that a better parent…with some better planning skills…could have fed his/her children a wonderful home-cooked meal in between two hockey games and exercising the dogs, but I am surely not that parent.
So, this is what I get.
I can’t quite explain just how torn I was. I have a fair share of OCD so the thought of leaving the chicken carcasses for the boys to pick up went against every fiber of my body. However, I’m pretty strict with the boys, and the thought of picking up that crime scene for them was equally as disturbing.
I opted to take photos, clean it up, and begin preparing the dissertation that would surely take up the entire ride home….while also crafting a new list of backseat rules that will last for all of about one week (speaking from past experience)….and planning a bit of public shaming. Hence this blog post.
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Did you know that Gloucester hasn’t had a girls’ hockey team since 2007? With a large increase in the number of girls currently participating in Cape Ann Youth Hockey and the number of surrounding school systems (not to mention nationwide) that are currently offering ways for their female high school students to play competitive hockey, it is a shame that Gloucester isn’t.
Well, some mothers of current Cape Ann Hockey players are trying to change that!
I also find it noteworthy that Gloucester High School’s home rink, the Dorothy M. Talbot Rink, is graced with a scoreboard donated by Visa USA to honor and acknowledge the Olympic career of Team USA Women’s Hockey Coach, Benjamin Smith, III….and yet, does not have a High School Girls’ Team. [Ben lead the USA women’s team as they earned a Gold Medal in the 1998, a Silver in the 2002, and a Bronze in the 2006 Olympic Games.
PLEASE spread the word and see what we can do about making sure that Gloucester has a Girls’ Hockey Team next year!
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
It wasn’t our typical Friday night practice at O’Maley Rink for our CAYH girls teams, we went from lacing up our girls’ skates to talking about the future. Where does it go after here? Some of the U14 girls entering 8th and 9th grade started to inquire about a high school team. The CAYH league currently runs a girls travel league from the U10-U14 level. Over the last few years, girls hockey has increased in popularity with over 69,744 females registered with the USA Hockey Association in 2014-15. In our community CAYH went from 24 girl players in 2012/13 to a significant increase to 62 girl players in 2015/16 season.
Where does that leave the girls in our community entering high school who want to continue to play in an all girls league? Gloucester High hasn’t had a girls’ team since 2007. After some research we have found that Gloucester High is the only school that is not in a cooperative girls hockey team. Manchester/Essex travels to Marblehead, Ipswich travels to Beverly, and it was indicated that Rockport travels to Boxford to play. Seems crazy when we have a rink right in our back yard!
After some emails and a facebook page dedicated to bringing awareness that “YES Gloucester wants to PLAY!” there has been tremendous feedback and support from former GHS Girl players and from the community. Our girls want to play and we want to see our girls play!
Our first step in creating a team is gathering a list of interested players from Gloucester and surrounding towns. If your daughter is interested in playing please e-mail girlsplayicehockey2@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Jessica Cusumano and Mandy Milan (CAYH MOMS)
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Good Morning Gloucester 