Author: Pat D

I’m a sucker for bunches of poinsettias at this time of the year and Heather promised she was going to have a bunch in the shop so I stopped by to check it out. Audrey’s Flowers on Railroad Ave in Gloucester is a small shop with a big heart and a large variety of gift ideas that go beyond flowers. Though the flowers are quite lovely and they do a great job with their classes, there is also a fair assortment of other gift items you should check out. I picked up a candy cane poinsettia and some unique hand sanitizer. Check here for classes and hours. You can even order online! Great place to shop small and keep it local.

The day was dreary and the winds were kicking up. but there was still a grand scene as the tide comes in at Good Harbor Beach and along the Back Shore earlier this week. If you are not in Gloucester to see this yourself, here’s a reminder of the beauty even on a gray day.

As you know, the tradition of installing and lighting a Christmas tree at Kent Circle was continued this year, thanks to extraordinary arrangements made due to the pandemic. Due to border closures, the tree had to be shipped from Halifax to Portland ME then picked up there by Ringo Tarr and his crew. The Boston Globe covered the event here. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/28/metro/virtual-tree-lightings-symbol-covid-19s-impact-this-years-holiday-season/?outputType=amp

And it is beautiful.

It did get a bit battered in the winds and rain this week, but it still standing proud. Seems symbolic of the times. The Kent Circle Tree Lighting Committee is seeking help from the community to help pay for the expenses incurred in this monumental effort. A GoFundMe page has been started with a goal of $2000 and you can donate here if you choose. If you prefer to send your donation directly, please send it to Kent Circle Tree Lighting Committee 18 Timberview Dr. Gloucester MA 01930. You can follow the tree on Facebook at the Kent Circle Tree Lighting page here. It just did my heart good to see this tradition continue despite all the difficulties. I LOVE seeing the lights on the circle and would like to sincerely thank all involved in the major effort.

The waves were impressive on the Back Shore yesterday. The bird murmuration is an added bonus.

The Harbor Loop behind Maritime Gloucester is all bright and merry as part of the first annual Winter Lights of Cape Ann. Maritime Gloucester has reimagined their annual Deck the Docks event for 2020 and more information is available here. Events include tree sales on sight; virtual art show and their own Holidays By The Sea gift shop featuring local artists such as Melissa Cox Photography, Anchored: Unique Gifts and Hold Fast and others. So, until you can get down there, enjoy these winter lights on the Harbor Loop.

The almost-full moon helped the festive lighting at Stage Fort Park seem even brighter and more joyful. I think Carol Mondello is probably responsible for the lighting at the Visitors Center, so thank you! It look great. Mother Nature did a much better job showing off the moon than these cell photos, but I think it still looks pretty wonderful.

An almost full moon shone brightly over the Kent Circle Tree Lightning last night. The virtual lighting was held at the circle under COVID precautions but felt cheerful nevertheless.

I came across this handsome hawk (Norther Harrier, I believe) at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. Access to this reservation is free after Oct 31, so we have begun to return there on a semi regular basis to see what’s new. And found this guy sitting nicely posed until he took off for me.

I took CB out at the dock for a photo shoot recently and I was pretty pleased with how things were going until CB took a “fatal” fall to the concrete and was too damaged to continue. Here’s the link for the my CB model. As I told her, “you can be replaced!” Thanks to the magic of Amazon, she was replaced for about $20. But we’ll be more careful at the dock from now on.

Good Harbor Beach looks great in a high tide!

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!