Author: Nichole S.

Traps for days. Blue, yellow, green, and even red (which I’ve never seen before)….square, rectangle, old, and new. Truest signs of a working waterfront.

Here is this week’s music line up for the Rhumb Line at 40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester. Don’t forget that in addition to this schedule there are also early shows on Friday and Saturday at 5:00. Live music 7 nights per week!

Always watching.

With a little bit of free time after dropping Finn off at a fishing hole, I drove through Essex on a foggy Saturday.

Where am I? I love these light fixtures.

We booked The Whalemobile to come to Harborlight Montessori the other day and it was fantastic. Thank you to Cynde for all of the hard work and passion you put into educating children about humpback whales, conservation, and the waters off of our coast. Seeing Nile, the life-sized inflatable humpback that was designed to look exactly like the real Nile who makes appearances on Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, is pretty tremendous. Learn more here: https://thewhalemobile.com/

Hello, old friend. This red cardinal greeted us Easter morning. I wish I had my camera to enjoy him up close but we stopped and listened to him as he called to a friend for a bit.

Kentucky Derby. With the Masters Tournament behind us, it is time to start thinking about the Kentucky Derby. At the time of this posting there will be 26 days, 9 hours, and 45 minutes until go time! Start thinking about your favorites! Check out the horses here: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/

https://www.kentuckyderby.com/

The year I killed the Easter Bunny….. With Easter this weekend, I thought I’d re-share a post I wrote just a couple of years ago when I “killed off” the Easter bunny from our holiday celebrations.

I killed the Easter Bunny. Well, I mean not literally….because well, he doesn’t really exist, but also because I would never hurt anything that way. But, that having been said, I killed him off….like, in a TV series.

You see, Finn, my soon-to-be 12 year-old has always been a strong believer. Some kids are like so-so believers…but, not Finn. He’s been hardcore since Day #1. Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy mascots…oh, the mascots…. but, Mascots are a post for another day. I digress.

I thought for sure, that at the fine age of 11, Finn might question the whole Santa thing back in December. But, he didn’t. Each time I thought he was just playing along, he’d say something that make it perfectly clear that he still believed. While it was cute and all, I’d be lying if I wasn’t kind of like, what the heck?

So, Christmas…and Santa…came and went and we wrote the list, put out the milk, left carrots for reindeer, decorated the cookie plate, and wrapped some gifts in Santa’s paper ….and some in ours. Holidays done. Check.

Then, before we knew it, came Easter. Last Easter Eve I kind of thought we were done. I mean we were hardcore in the throws of COVID with tons of unknowns. Easter and its gifts and traditions were kind of an after thought if I’m being honest. Then, at bedtime, the little bugger goes into the kitchen and gets all busy. I hear him, but don’t think much of it. All of a sudden he comes out ….with a plate of carrots…..

Finn (matter of factly): “I put out carrots for the Easter Bunny.”

Me: (shit) “Great, good job.” ….and by “Great, good job” …. I really meant, “Oh crap, we’re still doing that”  And, geez, thank goodness we had carrots. As I stuffed the Easter baskets and hid the eggs later that night, I did so while keeping Easter traditions alive.

So, 12 months later, I had a decision to make. The way I saw it, I had some choices.

A. Carry on with the bunny traditions under the assumption that Finn still, STILL, believes

B. Enlist Thatcher to get the deets as to whether Finn still believes… and go from there

C. Shop and plan for Easter….but, leave out the actual Easter Bunny character….hence, in doing so, eliminating him.

So, I went with “C.” Don’t judge.

Rather than the traditional Easter baskets, I bought new suitcases for an upcoming trip. I bought bathing suits, flip flops, a couple of t-shirts, a Dunks’ gift card, some baseball stuff, and the littlest bit of candy. I wrapped their gifts in tissue paper and stuffed the little pieces of luggage. I didn’t mention putting out carrots the night before….and neither did Finn.

After Easter breakfast and the opening of their gifts (with the absence of bunny footprint signatures and carrot peels from the gnawed-on carrots left behind from the Main Bunny’s visit in the middle of the night), we went mini golfing and out for ice cream… as has become a fairly new tradition for the past 3 years. We skipped an egg hunt. But, Finn was psyched to go fishing. Win.

At the end of the day, I plopped on the couch happy. But, then, kind of sad. So, that was it. The Easter Bunny had been eliminated…killed off from our story, if you will. He’d still hold a special place in our memories of course….but, would no longer play a role. Not until the day there are grandchildren running under foot at least….and that won’t be for a long time. Would Finn ask…or care? Finn…made no mention. Not that night. Not the next day. Not any day since. It was big brother Thatcher who ultimately said, “So, like, there’s no more bunny?” To which I answered, “I guess not.”

Congratulations to Caitlin Pszenny and Loran Caputo for the release of their delicious Queenpin IPA last night in support of the Pink Boots Society! The duo, one the outgoing Greater Cape Ann Chamber President and one the newest/current President, blended flavors and made their own beer at the Laneside Pub and Brewery at Cape Ann Lanes (which Caitlin and her husband, Nick, happen to own).

https://www.capeannlanes.com/ https://www.capeannlanes.com/food-beverage

Pink Boots Society: Boston Chapter

When you’re over the bridge (a couple of bridges) and Mike Forgette of one of our favorite bands, Over the Bridge, realizes Gloucester peeps and some GMG representation are in the house. Thanks for the song, Mike! You can catch Mike Forgette at the GOAT in Portsmouth, NH most Saturdays, but look them up and find them lots of other places too. https://otbtunes.com/bio/

Opening Day = Warm Fuzzies. This time of year I miss my days photographing at Fenway Park so much. It has been 9 long (and busy) years since I was last invited to stand on the hallowed field of Fenway Park and photograph the team as they prepared for Opening Day. That particular Opening Day also gave us a Ring Ceremony as we presented the 2013 World Champions… which obviously makes it that much more special. Also, on that particular day, Tom Brady was in attendance ….as was Pete Frates. A lot has changed since then. The starting line-up, for one, is very different. The ownership has changed a little bit. We’ve lost a few greats. And, as of recently, we’ve watched as MLB, along with the rest of the world, endured a pandemic. What hasn’t changed, for many, is the buzz and warm fuzzies that come along with Opening Day and what it symbolizes. Warm sunny days in an iconic ballpark (although today will be in the 40s)….with the promise of an exciting season….and the hopes of a long play-off run. 6 months of baseball. In the words of Joe Kelly, “Baseball isn’t boring.” #baseballisntboring #joekelly Let’s go, Red Sox.

The Young Legends Ball Hockey Rink is really shaping up at Stage Fort Park! With lots of hard work and some new tile by MS3 Multi Sport Surface it looks fantastic.

Thanks to Joey, Pat, and Jim for spending a couple of hours out of their very busy days to support Finn and his fellow cast members at their dress rehearsal of Kitchen Catastrophes at Gloucester Stage Company the other day. It means a lot that they were their to cheer him on! The cast went on to do two super successful performances on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Super proud of Finn for reaching pretty far out of his comfort zone!

4 years ago today, our city was rallying around this amazing guy! What fun that was! Having Jamie McDonald, ADVENTUREMAN, finish his epic 5,500 miles run from Washington state with us in Gloucester was such a exciting thing for so many of us! Now he’s home with brand new twins and an adorable toddler (equally as challenging, no doubt). Thanks, Jamie!

Like the rest of us, this is ready and waiting for summer weather.

Rocky Neck nook and crannies. This is one of the many little places on Rocky Neck that captures my attention whenever taking a walk or a drive.

Some nights simply call for a little Tonno time. This Jameson orange drink was delicious!

Going Green. The ice at the Union Arena in Woodstock, Vermont went green for the Pot O’ Gold Invitational this weekend. Super fun for my son’s team.