Author: Pat D

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.

This is a very nice display honoring our veterans located on 133 near Gibbs Hill Road. I smile every time I drive by. Thank you to whomever put up such a lovely tribute.

Gloucester Veterans Day Virtual Ceremony details from their Facebook event page:

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the current restrictions on group numbers Cape Ann Veterans Services has joined with 1623 Studios to produce a pre-recorded Veterans Day Ceremony. Please join us on Wednesday November 11, 2020 to honor and celebrate our Veterans. Links and times are as follows:
Comast Channel 12: 10am, 3pm, 8pm
Youtube: 10am on 1623 Studios
Facebook 12pm on 1623 Studios and Cape Ann Veterans Services

This ceremony features speaker Chief Conley of the Gloucester Police as well as our Mayor, Senator Tarr and Representative Ferrante. It is hosted by Adam J. Cucuru, Director Cape Ann Veterans Services. Featuring the musical talents of Alexandra Grace and GMG’s own Jim Dalpiaz. I hope you can join us sometime today to honor our veterans.

Image borrowed from their Facebook event page:

We took a ride to Parker River Wildlife Refuge seeking eagles, so I was very excited to spot a white tail sailing around the marshes. Closer looks indicated it was definitely not an eagle, but a hawk; probably a Northern Harrier. It was hunting relentlessly and another even joined up briefly. It’s very intriguing to watch nature up close and personally at places like Parker River. It is well worth the ride if you like to watch birds and other animals. There are also hiking trails and beaches to visit. We have a lifetime senior pass (very reasonable) and there are several other programs for cheaper/free access. Info available here. These passes are good several federal recreation sites. Military, 4th and 5th graders are eligible for FREE passes! Check out the link above. We are very fortunate to have this resource so close to us.

In the meantime, some Norther Harrier on the hunt photos. If I am mistaken on identification, I welcome input. I am no expert beyond knowing these aren’t my eagles!

What a glorious few days this has been recently! And the beach looks especially inviting.

It was a spectacular fall afternoon earlier this week down on Dolliver’s Neck!

Seems like a good way to end the day! Eagle landing in the tree in the backyard at sunset.

We recently returned to Oliver’s Harbor on Main Street in Gloucester and quickly realized how much we had missed them! We prefer to eat in the bar area to people watch and check out the sports on TV. It’s a great bar area at Oliver’s with varied seating (all distanced and sanitized appropriately). The bread and oil were outstanding—-the oil was LOADED with garlic cloves and olives. Just right. I chose one of the specials: chicken broccoli alfredo and was not disappointed. The alfredo was light, the chicken and broccoli were plentiful. Jim went with the baked haddock — nothing remained to take home! Melanie was our cheerful and efficient server. As with other restaurants we have been to since reopening, we felt safely distanced and secure in the obvious sanitation efforts the staff is putting forth.

Over the summer, we met some nice people on a Lannon sail (hello photographer Judith!) and recommended Oliver’s Harbor to them. They were unable to get in that day, but I hope they will return one day and give it a try!

We spent a little time knocking around the dock yesterday and watched some boats come in, get off-loaded and restocked. Just like a well oiled machine! The Stanley Thomas and Pretty Girl are featured here.