Author: Pat D

Obviously this is a Thanksgiving like no other in my lifetime. Like many others, I am sacrificing time with loved ones in hopes we will be able to celebrate together again very soon. It is not without pain and some questioning on my part about just how much risk to take. We all need to make those decisions for ourselves and for those we love. We also need to respect the decisions of others to do the same. I hope you take some extra time to express gratitude today.

And…..since many of us have big birds on our mind today, I thought you might enjoy some of the birds I have recently seen. We went looking for the snowy owl, but found these white birds (and a soaring eagle) instead. We also found snow geese, a first for me!

One afternoon session on the wall by the old Coast Guard Station by Old House Cove treated me to these friends coming and going: The Stanley Thomas, Labor in Vain, Kathryn Leigh, Holy Mackerel and Fat Tuna.

We watched the Patriot return to the harbor from a couple of different angles several days ago. Always thankful to see them come home!

This made me smile. Thanks, Mom’s Kitchen! Your decorations brightened my day.

We returned to Seaport Grille recently and had another marvelous experience. Honestly, we waited until many of the visitors had left the island so we could enjoy a quieter evening meal at one of our favorite places. All COVID protocols are in place and strictly followed. I had the delicious French Onion soup and filet mignon with béarnaise sauce that I had been craving. Jim tried one of the cod specials with crabmeat and heirloom tomato sauce. He enjoyed that very much! I always try to finish my Seaport Grille meal with a Seaport coffee. Jim ordered cheesecake. The atmosphere was enhanced with the fairy lights on the enclosed (toasty) deck. We left full and very happy with our choice! Make your reservations on Open Table, easy peasy: link here.

It’s always fun to find a group of photos you intended to post but forgot about! It was a gorgeous day at Niles Pond about 2 weeks ago that brought out several plein air painters like you see here. This kind of scene makes me wish I had that kind of talent. So grateful that those that do have artistic talent are so willing to share their work.

We didn’t get enough of Mile Marker One at podcast 449 this week, so we went back for our lunch on Saturday. It’s a gorgeous setting on the water made even better by a varied menu of food and drink. While we were there, several families were also having lunch so it is family friendly as well as COVID aware. We saw GM Patrick Hurd on our way out and shared our delight with the roast turkey chaffle and the Italian sandwich. The Italian sandwich could be a contender in a future taste-off! Thank you Patrick and staff for a lovely lunch on the water.

As Thanksgiving approaches, my thoughts turn to the things I am grateful for right here in Gloucester. Good Harbor Beach, even wrapped in fog, is one of those things. What a blessing to have our beaches (especially Good Harbor) right in our backyards to enjoy!

We hadn’t been to The Farm Bar and Grille in Essex for a while and the bonus points offered by the Seated App for a Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday visit gave us the extra incentive to stop. We were not disappointed! Buffalo wings or tenders are one of those dishes I like to order at different places for purposes of comparison (and for pleasure), so I ordered Buffalo Chicken tenders. Perfectly “Buffaloed” for my taste! Jim got the Grilled Cheese, the classic comfort food. The seating and service was COVID aware and safe. The food and drinks were spot on for a weekday lunch. The Seated App worked like a charm and I earned enough points to make an Amazon purchase for free with just a few steps. Win Win. Thanks Farm!

The afternoon sky recently was so dramatically beautiful that I took shots from several different angles. One was at the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial, my personal magnet. Contributor Nichole posted yesterday about her affinity for the Man at the Wheel. Mine is for the Wives Memorial. She overlooked some jaw dropping skies this week.

The winds well and truly blew most of the remaining leaves from the trees this week. I already miss the color and the textures. Dolliver’s Neck and Buswell Pond in their Autumn Splendor.

The sunrise seemed to set the marsh on fire this morning. Now, that’s a beautiful start to another day in paradise.

We took a ride to Parker River yesterday and found these two beauties on one of the beaches. The wind was blowing like crazy so they were hunched down protectively. Just spectacular. I believe it’s kind of early for them to be arriving but I have seen many reports in nearby states and across the country, so I am hoping it might be an irruptive season ( a winter during which more than the usual number make their way south in search of food). So exciting! Hoping they grace our fair city soon! Keep a watchful eye!

One way to improve a Monday: The Rockport Police announced the following on their Facebook page today:

Today begins the Free Parking Season in Rockport that will extend through April 14, 2021. You do not have to pay at the parking kiosks or meters during this time. Have a safe and healthy holiday season.

Image borrowed from Facebook page:

The Generous Gardeners have been have been hard at work on at the garden beds on the boulevard preparing them for next season. Some people might not realize that all those gorgeous tulips we enjoy in the spring need to be planted in the fall. Tulips are my number one favorite and I was told these bulbs being planted are for very tall tulips to surround the Fisherman’s Wives Memorial come spring. Other signs of fall were present as well. THANKS GENEROUS GARDENERS! Donate or volunteer here if you can.

One foggy day at Niles Pond, another dreary one on Brace Cove which was hosting a few seals the other day in the gloom. It’s glorious over there any kind of day.

Niles Beach showed off some November color on a recent foggy day. And again a few days later w hen a brave soul took a swim adding some color to a dreary day at Niles. Every time we go by, there are people taking respite watching the shoreline and horizon.

Sometimes I like to walk down to the wall on Old House Cove near the old Coast Guard station and sit awhile. The gentle waves, the lighthouse, boats and birds are very soothing sights. Here are some sights I saw during a recent walk that brought a smile to my face. Thought you might need them today too.

Today’s the day for the release of the Fish Workers Mural Documentary! Scheduled to be released at 6 PM on the Awesome Gloucester Facebook page and followed by community discussion t 7 PM. Info and image from the Awesome Gloucester Facebook page:

TONIGHT! Tonight a short documentary about The Fish Workers Mural will be released at 6p on the Awesome Gloucester Facebook page. The film will be followed at 7p by a community discussion about the mural, the film, and all the people these original art pieces are intended to honor. We hope to see lots of past, present, and future fish workers tonight at the 7p during the community discussion on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81506707722Everyone welcome!

Fitz Henry Lane was known for his use of light in his artwork. so I turned the tables on him recently and gave his sculpture its own “light treatment”. You can see how quickly the light changed and I like how the harbor lights in the background add to the story.