Author: Nichole S.

Vote For Homie

Posted on by Nichole S.

Our good friend, Homie, is feeling slighted…to say the least…that his friends, in this otherwise adoring and faithful community that we call GMG, let him down.   I, for one, am ashamed.   I think that possibly I am not alone in this.  Joey, Craig Kimberly, and James + Anna Eves brought this oversight to light in a recent podcast…and since then, each time I see Homie, I feel bad.

How is it that no one made certain that his likeness, as iconic and symbolic as it is, was put up for consideration in the Cape Ann License Plate Design Contest?  And I don’t mean that itty bitty homie that is sharing the stage with a lobster, sailboat, pier, etc. in one of the designs. Homie should be center stage.  Although that particular design is lovely, as are the others…they’re just not homie.

Bygones.  Let’s just move on.  I have taken it upon myself to create a Homage to Homie Plate…which may or may not be illegal. I have slightly accessorized him to add to the global appeal. Feel free to print/copy and join the Homie Revolution.

For those of you who have been under a rock and don’t know what all of this homie talk is about….put “Homie” in the search bar and see all of his claims to fame.

To see the original plate designs…minus our mad seagull, See: You Can Influence the Voting

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Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave….

Posted on by Nichole S.

All of this lying is exhausting.

I feel like I was pretty prepared for parenthood.  Many of our friends had children before we did, I had taught young children for several years before thinking about having my own, and I read lots of books.  What no one…not one single person…told me, was that I would soon become the most extraordinary pathological liar to ever set foot on this earth. 

I lie so much, I can’t even begin to remember my lies.  I’m not alone in this.  My husband lies too.  For that matter, you’ve all lied.  Any of you with children, nieces, nephews…..    I guess, upon reflection, it isn’t the lying that bothers me. We OBVIOUSLY all do it for their own good.  It’s the fact that no one told me to be better prepared so that my lies wouldn’t be so stinkin’ lame!  

My husband and I were thoughtful in our decision to have children.  We kind of discussed religion, what our maternity leave plans would be, we chose names, we discussed parenting strategies, but no one…not one single person….told us to get our lies in order.  Our lies became necessary so suddenly that we didn’t have time to compare notes.  Whack!  Damn.  Busted.

It’s the freakin’ holidays.  Lies, lies, lies.  What started so innocently with, “Santa brings presents to all good boys and girls on Christmas Eve” soon became reckless, half-ass lies that didn’t even make any sense.  Those little buggers began firing questions at us so quickly…when we were weak and alone…that we couldn’t keep up.  At first it was just Christmas.  “How do reindeers fly?”, “How does Santa get around the world so fast?”, “Will Santa die?”, “Why don’t the dogs bark when Santa comes?”, “Can we MapQuest Santa’s house (seriously!)?”, “Where do Santa and Mrs. Claus shop for their food and stuff?”, “Does Santa have any people friends… or just a bunch of elves?”, “Does he pee in people’s houses along the way?“…..   Endless freakin’ questions. 

And…they’re no fools.  They always ask me while I’m driving.  When I can only half pay attention.  When I’m distracted and vulnerable.   And… they’re so fresh.  They ask my husband and then ask me.  Or me and then my husband.  “If reindeer use magic carrots to fly then why did Daddy say that Santa sprinkles them with magic dust?”  Efff!!!  Smart little brats.  Of course, we don’t help the matter by using GPS to track Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve.  Or by making special videos from the Portable North Pole Station customized just for our children including behaviors that they’re working on improving and gifts that they have asked for.  Or by taking the carrots that the boys left out and using a vegetable peeler to scatter scraps on the deck. Or disguising dog poop as reindeer poop (we didn’t actually mean to do that, but we didn’t tell them differently when they assumed the scat belonged to reindeer.  They were too excited about the poop, to break their hearts.”  All of the things we do (for their enjoyment) perpetuate more and more and more lies.  Such an intricate web of lies that they’ll probably want to file for emancipation once our lies are discovered.  Who could blame them?

But it isn’t only Christmas.  It’s Easter too.  Like this week.  “Where does the Easter Bunny live?”, “Why is the Easter Bunny so much bigger than normal rabbits?”, “Why does the Easter Bunny walk on two legs instead of hopping on four legs”, “Is his wife as huge as he is?”, “If Santa has a sleigh, what does the Easter Bunny have?”, “Does the Easter Bunny work alone or does he have, like you know, bunny elves?”, “Rabbits don’t even lay eggs….I don’t get it.”  That last one isn’t a question…more of an accusation and an attack on my poor ability to lie.  Little punks.

And then….the Tooth Fairy!  For the love of God.  “What does she do with the teeth?”, “Why does she want them?”, “Does she just go to the bank and ask for money?”, “She doesn’t rob banks does she?”, “Don’t you think its weird?”  (Ummmm….YES!!!  But I’m your mother and evidently it is  my job to spin this lie or else I fail at parenting.   So lie I will.

It is exhausting.  I know, and I’ve always said it to be true, that my children have been more than the normal dose of inquisitive.  They’re not the “believe it because we said so” type of kids.  They want answers ALWAYS.  Normally, I enjoy that.  I have answered no less that 3,482,093 questions about ocean animals since they were born.  And, I’m happy about those questions, but….   These efffing holiday questions…they are a whole different beast!    They take skill…they take finesse….they take panache….most importantly, they taking comparing notes with your significant other.  We have failed miserably.  But yet, they still believe.

Happy Easter.  Happy lying to you and yours.

Here are some of my favorite Easter Photos from 2 years back.  Finn went all Roller Derby Death Match on the other poor kids….probably due to the fact that his parents lie to him too much.  Somehow he thought that the egg hunt was a race.  Did I tell him that it was????  Who the hell knows?

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 Rockport’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Because It’s Hump Day…

Posted on by Nichole S.

Introducing my friend (and soon to be yours), The Incredible Dancing Skate.  If you’ve never been to the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH and need another reason to get yourself up there….well, here it is.  This guy…or girl (because how the hell would I know….although I’m sure someone is going to tell me) makes me laugh every time we see it.  Is it possible that it has knees and ankles??

Other than that, I have no words.  Happy Hump Day.

Check out the Seacoast Science Center

It’s About that Time of Year

Posted on by Nichole S.

Once a summer or so we get the phone call.  Well, actually, the email is more accurate these days.  It is always an email that I look forward to getting, but yet it is also one that gives me a moment of panic.  The email usually reads something like this,

“Hey, we thought we’d make a long weekend out of heading up your way for a quick getaway.  Any recommendations of where we should stay?”

So, my question is this….   Where you do recommend that people stay??  Because it’s about that time of year again, and I’d like to be prepared.

Typically, the emails I get are from college friends (who I am always PSYCHED to see) but who come from places where you can easily book a Hilton…or a Marriott….or a Hyatt….or a Sheraton.  All are choices that we don’t have here.  Now, let me be perfectly clear…I LOVE where we live and I love the variety of quaint choices that we have to offer visitors, but I’m never certain of what their expectations might be. 

I’ve had some good luck…and some bad luck…with my previous recommendations.  I feel like a have a pretty good handle of what the options are, but I haven’t stepped foot in many of them.  Likewise, I know that I can read Trip Advisor or many other reviews, but I’d rather ask you.  And…as I tell my students…let’s keep it positive people.  I have no desire to slam any local businesses so, while I’d really love some feedback, let’s stick to places you WOULD recommend and respectfully not mention the places that made your guests want to bathe in scalding water for days.  Not that we have any of those places here, but hopefully you get my point.

I’m so curious as to what you all have to suggest and share!!  Thanks in advance!!

 

Bringing on the Bling, Sox Style

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’m going to share some Opening Day photos from Fenway and then I’ll lay off the Sox photos for a while, I promise.

The Red Sox organization rarely disappoints and this year’s opening day ceremonies were no exception.  It was such a mix of emotions to celebrate last year’s victory and this year’s new beginning while also honoring the families and fellow firefighters of Lt. Ed Walsh and Mike Kennedy and survivors and the families of the victims of the marathon bombings.  Likewise, watching Mayor Menino hand the ceremonial first pitch ball over to Mayor Marty Walsh tugged at the heart strings a bit.

While the Red Sox ultimately lost their home opener to the Milwaukee Brewers, the day was a win.

 

Big Brother???

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’ve asked this question before, but never on GMG.  I have yet to get an answer.

Can anyone out there tell me what these things are???  They look like polaroid pictures. Speed checkers, car counters, solar gizmos, mere reflectors???   Big Brother seems to be watching for something, I guess.  

I used to notice one random one on a rock…somewhere near Exit 15 heading North on 128 in Manchester.  That damn thing wouldn’t budge.  It stood there through rain, snow, wind…you name it.  It kind of looked like an old iPod glued to a rock.  I became a bit obsessed with checking to see if it was still standing day after day.  It always was.  Sooner or later, I started to notice them everywhere. Some are bright blue….some are black or grey.  They are on street signs, on the medium strips, on guard rails….everywhere!  For some reason, I only really notice them going to and from work in Beverly, but I did notice a bunch near Gillette Stadium in the fall while stuck in traffic leaving a Patriots game.  With so many of them now, my love affair with the first lonely one on the rock has diminished.  I keep forgetting to check if it is still there.  I’m sure it is.

Ummm, and, for the record, before Joey goes all crazy-ass LMGTFY on me.  I have tried “Googling” it several different ways and haven’t had any luck!

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Play Ball!

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’m just a little bit excited that it is baseball season again.  I’ve used the word “giddy” a few times in some recent posts, but there’s truly no better word.  I love the sport, but more than that, I love the tradition, the history, and the camaraderie.  I’m not sure if there is anything better than a day inside Fenway Park with some great friends and/or family.  The quintessential sensorial experience!  The noise, the smells, the colors, the cold beer, and the sausage…peppers, onions, mustard, relish.  Come on!

For me, though, it’s also the park.  I love Fenway Park. I already peppered you with my love for the seats, but there’s so much more.  I love the architecture.  I love the brick. I love the grass.  I love the lights. There’s something about how it all comes together that truly can take your breath away.

The Red Sox begin their 114th season today…and then there’s only 161 games left in the regular season.  So,  let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride.

In case you need a “Roster Refresher” 

Opening Day “Fun Facts”

A little feel good baseball musical inspiration for you.  Love this song.

 

Mood Music

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, it isn’t so much that I’ve never been a fan of John Legend until now, it’s just that I hadn’t really given him much thought.  I’m not sure I could have named one of his songs and whenever I heard his name mentioned as a tremendous artist, I felt kind of indifferent.   I kind of kept on meaning to remember to look into what all the buzz was about, but then never did.

That having been said, DEAR LORD, if his song “All of Me” doesn’t do it for you then you’re one tough cookie. Seriously, a six-pack of grapefruit beer and this song and I’m a happy girl.  While I realize he is singing to his super model wife, the warm fuzzies are all mine.  In my humble opinion, there is nothing quite like some excellent lyrics.  I’m a huge fan of words.  So, put some great words into a good song and I’m hooked.

All kidding aside, if this song doesn’t set the mood for a fantastic evening, you’re going to have to tell me what does!  Well, maybe don’t go far as telling me what it takes to set your mood.  That’s just weird.  BUT, any other great songs out there with amazing lyrics….feel free to share.

Disclaimer:    I should note, that as I write this, my husband is asleep on the couch and my younger son is in bed next to me because, “he’s sad that E.T. went home and Elliot will never see him again.”

So, clearly I am no expert on mood music….

 

 

Honorable Mention

Posted on by Nichole S.

I love this wall.  While it represents a whole lot of honor and bravery….and is especially lovely in light of this week’s horrible loss in the Boston Fire Department….it is also one of my favorite signs of spring.

Anyone know where it is?  There are a couple of hidden clues within the photo if you need some help.

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“Asinine” is Clearly Missing an Important Letter “s”

Posted on by Nichole S.

If anyone happens to be looking for further proof that “asinine” should really be spelled “assinine” take a few spins around Blackburn or Grant Circle.  It’s fun.   I, for the record, will continue to spell “assinine” incorrectly, no matter how many times spell-check tells me I’m wrong, because, honestly, if there is a word that begs for a more appropriate spelling, “assinine” is it!

Today’s proof that “assinine” is missing an “s” is dedicated to the donkey who thought that even though he was on the inside of the circle, and even though I was on the outside of the circle and clearly exiting the rotary to head home to Rockport, he should feel free to speed up, slice his way in front of me with a couple of inches to spare, and then throw his hands up in disgust…indicating that he believed I was in the wrong.  ASSinine.  See my point?

I’ve been commuting from Rockport/Gloucester to Beverly for 20 years now….5 days a week, if not more.  To and from.  Many, many go rounds those roundy-rounds.    I’m not going to lie, I kind of do it on autopilot because it seems somewhat obvious which lane you should be in…depending on where you are planning on exiting the rotary.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve learned to not overestimate anyone’s common sense, and I am always on the look-out for assinine moves by other drivers, but yet, it still amazes me.  Now, I know what many of you are thinking.  “Lay off.  Rotaries can be tricky.  The poor guy was probably from out of state.”  NO…GO.   Rockport sticker proudly displayed.  Rotary savy, my friends…let’s get on board.

So, as a mere public service message (not at all a sarcastic rant) I am posting the RMV’s rules for operating a motor vehicle on a rotary here in the state of Massachusetts.  Possibly “said driver”, and other assinine drivers, may want to take a gander.  And then, for your viewing pleasure, see how Chevy Chase handled it.

Mass RMV tells us how to drive on rotaries
Mass RMV tells us how to drive on rotaries

 

 

 

No Need to Curb His Enthusiasm

Posted on by Nichole S.

 

I was reading some of the very nice comments written in response to my last post to my boys….since many of the comments kindly mentioned that I have a couple of pretty cool kids.  A parent can never really hear enough of that…even if we already know it to be true ourselves.  They are good kids!  And we are very lucky!  After I read my post and the comments to them, Thatcher was concerned that some people might not know exactly what Thacher’s Island is.  I explained that more likely than not, all of the GMG readers are super familiar with the island and its twin lighthouses, but he was adamant that I should post photos anyway.  Because he was so excited,  I refrained from showing him the many gorgeous photos of Thacher’s Island that have been posted by other contributors in the past. No need to curb his enthusiasm.  So, this quick follow-up post is actually his.

On a side note, I’ve learned two things since Thatcher was born (more like 2 million…but for this post’s purpose…I’ll stick to two).  First of all, if you name your kid “Thatcher,” you better be ready to explain why…and secondly, if you name your kid “Thatcher,” you better be ready to take countless photos of “his” island.   These are a few of his favorite.  Another side note….if you ever hear our younger son, Finn, refer to Straitsmouth Island as “Finn’s Island” kindly just go with it.

Click here for the Thacher Island Association to learn all about the island

 

God’s Country

Posted on by Nichole S.

Does it get any better than where we live?  I think not.  Since my two sons were born, we’ve been “Sunday Drivers.”  Tease me if you’d like, but I swear that half of their early language came from trips “around the Cape.”  From such a young age, they would both ask to drive through downtown Rockport, around Halibut Point, through Lanesville, all through downtown Gloucester, past all of the whale watch boats and as much of the fishing fleet as possible,  to Harbor Loop and the Coast Guard Station, to the State Fish Pier and the Grand Isle, through Rocky Neck, past Niles Beach, down to Eastern Point, around the back shore, past Good Harbor Beach, Long Beach, Cape Hedge Beach, and back home.  Along the way, during the 6 years that we’ve been doing this, literally thousands of lessons have been learned.  They learned about tides, lighthouses, the various types of boats in our fleet, the statues, the names at the Fisherman’s Memorial, the bell buoys, the entrance buoys, the Independence (which no longer docks behind the Cruiseport and which they sorely miss), the schooners, the boat builders, conservation land, breakwaters, and so, so much more.

I LOVE that my boys love this area.  I am in awe of how much they know and how well they can communicate it all to the people that we meet along the way.  I am so grateful to the fishermen who have invited them aboard their boats, to the Coast Guard members who have given them spontaneous private tours, and police officers and harbor masters who have stopped to say “hello” and answered my boys’ questions (so, so many questions) as if they were the most important questions in the world.  I love that their favorite foods are mussels and sushi and I love that there is nowhere they’d rather be on a warm afternoon than on a boat or sitting at Capt. Carlos, The Seaport Grille, Mile Marker 21, on Rocky Neck, Latitude’s, or Cape Ann Brewery having a snack and rating the boats from their favorite to their least favorite.  I love that Finn looks into the dishwasher and says, “that spinny thing looks like a Furuno” and Thatcher likes to shout, “The sign says NO WAKE, you Googan!”   (Maybe not so polite, but an important lesson none-the-less).

So, yesterday, with hockey having recently ended, we found ourselves with nothing to do.  We enjoyed a yummy breakfast at Flav’s Red Skiff…where the boys love to sit at the counter and talk to Judy.  While waiting for breakfast they studied a map of Cape Ann and found all of their favorite haunts.  After we ate, we drove to Gloucester, parked at St. Peter’s Square and walked to Harbor Loop and back.  Certainly not a long walk, by any stretch of the imagination.  But, somehow, even on this cool, barely spring day, we turned it into almost a 3-hour tour.  At the fine age of 6, Thatcher is still an emerging reader, and my favorite type of torture is making him read boat names.  He pretends to complain when I don’t let him give up, but there’s nothing he’d rather be reading.  Today we read the names of at least 30 boats.  We learned about, Salt, the humpback whale (and practiced some more reading).  Finn reminded me all about lines of latitude and longitude while looking at boats behind Latitude 43. We read about Fitz Hugh Lane and got inspired by stepping into his sandals.  We read many of the signs along the way on the HarborWalk.  We read about the various types of boats in Gloucester’s Coast Guard fleet.  Thatcher taught some tourists about how you can tell what the length of a Coast Guard boat is…..and then taught them about the history of Thacher’s Island when they learned his name is Thatcher.  Finn explained that he wanted to climb up the orca whale’s back and grab onto its dorsal fin…but that he wasn’t going to try to touch the pectoral fins.  They both discussed north, south, east, and west while checking out the new compass rose.  And they taught another lovely couple all about how they haul their own lobster traps, what the “rules” are, and how you tell males from females, and what would be considered a “short”, an “egger”, or a “cull.”

On the walk back to the car it started to rain and we ducked into Turtle Alley for a much deserved Aloha Turtle and piece of rock candy.  Finn told me that he can’t wait for “that day when we eat hotdogs, hold the snakes, and do an art project”….by that he meant the Schooner Festival celebration at the Maritime Center.  Thatcher chimed in and said that he loves the day when “we ride the little train, listen to the music, get our faces painted, and eat fried dough”….by that he meant the Sidewalk Bizarre.  Spring is finally here….summer’s a coming.  Cape Ann is amazing…and life is good.

Makes me want to channel a little Billy Joel.

Who’s Ready for Some Cornhole?

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ahhem, Ahem.   Moving on.

I am absolutely in love with how our local sports teams are promoting new ways to experience the ballparks, stadiums, ice, courts, and fields that are home to the teams we love.  There has been some fantastic PR happening as of late and some of it is just pure genius.

My own two children have had opportunity to skate with Bruins on the ice at the TD Bank Garden and skate + sled on the field at Fenway Park…this winter alone.  They’ve been in locker rooms, sat in penalty boxes, posed with trophies, hugged mascots, been given autographs, etc.  While my boys will treasure their memories for a lifetime, the proceeds from these events all go to fantastic charities.  Win, win!!

Sometimes it takes a little investigating, but if you keep your ears and eyes open, there are always new and exciting ways to experience being a fan….   while helping raise money for organizations that our favorite teams support.

Next stop, cornhole.

Don’t laugh until you try it.   GMG Cornhole Classic, you may ask?  Why not, I might answer….but, I don’t make those decisions.

Until that happens, I think both of these events look like a whole lot of fun!

Fenway Cornhole Classic

Matt Light Foundation Cornhole Commotion

Oh, Well Hello There!

Posted on by Nichole S.

Today, being the first day of spring, I’ve been getting all giddy about the fun that is dangling like a dandelion in front of our noses.  I’m not a winter person.  Honestly, I kind of hate it.  Summer is without a doubt our first round draft pick in the seasonal line-up.  But spring is at least, thank goodness, the gateway to summer.  So, I’ll take it!

Bring on the sunshine!   Bring on the fun afternoons after school rather than the dreary drive home in the dark for yet more cooped up cuckoo-crazies in our far-too-small bungalow by the beach.

Bike rides, roller blading, baseball, runs with the dog, ice cream, driving ranges, quick round of mini death golf.  Bring. It. On!  I can’t even stand how excited I am.

Here is a perfect example of how the Schraffts roll when spring’s earthly goodness finally graces us!  Just after spring’s long awaited arrival this time last year, we left school with that “the world is our oyster”+ “no one can get in our way” slap happiness that can only come with the sunshine.  When given a choice of spring-esque activities the boys chose to head to Richardson’s Dairy in Middleton for a little ice cream therapy.  While there, we checked out the cows in maternity row (I kid you not) and saw a big mommy looking like she was ready to blow.  Indeed she was!  Within minutes she (and we) welcomed her little calf into the world.  Although, by the “Oh, well hello there” look upon her face, she hardly seemed to notice.  Must be nice.  Behold spring and all of its warm fuzzies!!!

Check out Richardson’s Dairy here!