Author: Pat D

I feel blessed these views are part of my daily life.

Meet Walter. You can be forgiven for thinking he is a small dog…..he’s a very large cat. He’s the store pet at Animal Krackersat 232 Main Street.  Even though we have no pets, sometimes we find we need pet supplies and this is usually the first place I like to check. Today, however, was the first time I met Walter. He greeted me in a friendly, up-close manner (as cats like to do) to give approval to the cat food I was purchasing.  Service is knowledgeable and efficient. Go meet Walter! He appears to be posing for his mug shots here.

 

The skies turned unexpectedly “funky” while we were boat-watching down at the Harbor Loop yesterday but there was plenty of action on the water and above the water.

From Massachusetts Department of Public Health today Aug 19 2020 that (with some expemptions)  as a requirement of entering school  January 2021, flu vaccines will be required for children. This includes day care, preschool, K-12, and colleges/universities.  From their press release:

State public health officials today announced that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and ​the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. Also exempted are K-12 students who are homeschooled and higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all those attending child care, preschool, K-12, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.

Additional information here: https://www.mass.gov/news/flu-vaccine-now-required-for-all-massachusetts-school-students-enrolled-in-child-care-pre

 

 

For those of you away from “home” and missing the waves at the back shore……this is for you.

The Gloucester Beaches Facebook page announced Tuesday Aug 18 that the waters were reopen for swimming at Good Harbor Beach. It also shared a photo of the warning flags used as necessary, so keep your eyes peeled for these warnings (such as today for jellyfish)

Authorities restricted swimming at Good Harbor Beach yesterday (Aug 17) due to a possible shark siting at Long Beach. It was pretty wavy anyhow so I don’t know how much these beachgoers felt like swimming anyhow. Some scenes from Good Harbor Beach Monday under swimming restriction.

The Gloucester Beaches Facebook page shares the following:

We decided to stop at the Topside for dinner recently. I sort of felt like having “bar food” and Jim wanted a proper dinner. Topside Grill on Rogers Street is a good choice in these circumstances. We ate indoors, downstairs where tables are sufficiently separated to maintain social distancing. It’s a cozy, friendly atmosphere and I enjoyed a cheeseburger while Jim had cod. His grilled vegetables looked wonderful! Thanks, Topside. See you again soon.

There were a couple of intrepid surfers in the water near the Shore Road in Magnolia making the best of some wave action on an otherwise dreary afternoon. While I chatted with a new Magnolia resident (welcome!), they happily rode the waves.

It is not often that I have the opportunity to stroll through a brand new (relatively speaking) cemetery but Dolliver Memorial Cemetery on Lincoln Street off 133 offered us that chance recently.  It hadn’t even been established as of the Essex Society of Genealogists’  Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts published in 1991. In that publication, it is called the Lincoln Street Cemetery and states that these 8 acres was purchased by the city in 1979 and would begin selling lots no more lots were available at Beechbrook.  Signage on the property indicates the cemetery was established in 1996……a mere infant in cemetery terms.

It’s a lovely setting surrounded by trees and well maintained by the DPW.  The lots appear to be lined up in nice neat parallel lines, making it a groundskeeper’s dream I imagine. Perhaps the most notable thing to my eye were the modern and innovative memorials: ship engraving, ski memories and even the Star Trek Enterprise. these brought a smile and I can imagine that’s what the families intended. Well done. It’s a lovely cemetery worth the stroll.

 

I recently participated in a photo walk at Appleton Farms sponsored by the Trustees. I had never been there and I was seeking a little boost in my creativity by challenging myself a little bit in a new location. Nick, the photo instructor, did a marvelous job walking us through some of the trails pointing out possible shots and offering advice on settings.  Nick was great…he treated our photography choices with respect and understanding. Sometimes instructors kind of force their methods on their students, whether they are ready or not. I appreciated that Nick met us where we were in our spectrum of photography capabilities and interests. The farm at sunset, in golden hour, was a spectacular choice! Thank you Nick! I learned several tips and am pleased with the results of the evening.

Little River view under a lovely sky. Stopping to soak in the view one day recently. Just watch out for the large hornet nest in the tree over the picnic table…….I mistook the wasp busy-ness for a pleasant summer afternoon buzzing noise……

I have been experimenting with light painting, which is basically long exposure photography. I thought you might like some of the images I’ve gotten so far, including GMG Jim on his trumpet and a special Weber grill treatment for our grilling friends.

Progress is being made at the new Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce building on Harbor Loop.

The hummingbirds in our back yard have been VERY active recently. They have been flitting, flying, dashing and chasing each wildly other like a bunch of toddlers let loose on a playground. I was even able to capture two together in the image below.

Apparently this behavior is not unusual at this time of year when the young hummingbirds have fledged, so it really is like backyard full of wild toddlers. See this link: http://www.wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com from Nancy Castillo.

I am sorry Joey, I am not trying to rub your face in it. Just sharing what I think our readers and followers might be interested in. 😆

Also sharing a different clip (taken prior to water restrictions) showing a hummingbird bathing happily. Similar to one I shared previously and still delightful.

Sharing information from the Mayor’s office today (August 11 2020): 

I’ve been awaiting the Colby Farm Sunflower patch to reopen, but was pretty sure I wasn’t going to feel able to distance myself adequately while there. I’d kind of accepted I wasn’t going to find myself awash in sunflowers this year and have something else to blame COVID for.

BUT Jim took me to a small field on Linebrook Road in Ipswich today (thanks neighbor Richard!) and I recalled Glen Campbell’s

Sunflower
Good mornin’.
You sure do make it like a sunny day.
Sunflower
Fair warnin’.
I’m gonna love you if you come my way.

For added value bonus points, a doe and two fawns joined me enjoying the sunflower field yesterday morning. Another day in paradise. Maybe this will brighten your day too.

 

Breakwater Roasters has recently opened on Duncan Street and offers a wide variety of cold brews, coffees, teas, and baked goods. There was a steady flow of customers, safely distanced and enough seating to maintain safety protocols. We experienced friendly and efficient service, including a hello from Eoin himself!

We had the pleasure of watching the Tigers play the White Sox  at Boudreau field this weekend. Our own Little Leagues days are far behind us, but it was nice to watch kids playing baseball again. It looks a little different in some ways….coaches reminding players to use the sanitizer is a new one for us…..players delayed getting on to field for mask retrieval…..but it’s still kids playing baseball!