Author: Pat D

I introduced by sister to Rafe’s Chasm recently. A departing fisherman noted there had been “no keepers” that day.  I beg to differ at least in regard to beauty and peace.  Rafe’s Chasm is a keeper in all ways……….

We weren’t the only ones enjoying the day out there.

It’s delightful to find these!

This,  however, I would put in the category of “No Keepers”. You’d think I’d be used to odd sights by now, but no…….

Sunflowers are showing off at Colby Farm in Newbury. This is a tremendous photo op: perfect setting for Christmas card photos, friends, engaged couples……or two sisters with cameras and crystal balls.

There is a $10 charge to park your car and an easy walk to the stars of the show in the field.  It’s an impressive sight. You just have to smile when  you see them!

Romeo was found yesterday in Rockport as part of their regular Thursday ride from Epping New Hampshire. That’s Retired Old Motorcyclists Eating Out. And yes, their wives and partners apparently allow them to wear those shirts! 🙂 Thanks to FOB Paula Ryan O’Brien for her on-the`spot photography!

Leader of the pack:

Fred Thibeau says “Hello!” to the Gallaghers of Two Sisters fame.

Ride on guys! Great meeting you.

Each scene seems to tell a story that I love.

The birds and the bees:

And the flowers and the trees:

And the moon up above:

And a thing called “Love”…..from the Jewel Aikens classic.  I will let you insert your own image of “Love”.  Sing this to someone you love today.

Coming home

Seeing them return always brings a small sigh of relief and thanks to heaven above.

Summertime activities on the river brought to mind Tom Sawyer’s river adventures.  Which then brought to mind Charley Pride’s River Song.

From the Charley Pride River Song:

And the world turns around

And the boy grows tall

He hears the song of the river call

The river song sings, “Travel on, travel on”

Anyone doing errands today? Check out the shopping specials from the Gloucester Daily Times Sept 8 1922 at Almy, Bigelow & Washburn.  They appear to have it all covered.

We had a very relaxing lunch at The Village in Essex recently. We’ve been there a number of times over the years for dinner with family, but this was our first lunch. It hit the spot perfectly!

I’ve always wanted to try a Bellini!

The Village burger was super yummy!

GMG Jimmy had the Wednesday special Seafood Pie

Thanks Village, for a great lunch!

Gloucester Daily Times article marking the annual Lost Fishermen events of Aug 1921 include the the names of the men lost in the previous year.  There are many recognizable family names included: Ivan Murphy, Manuel Veator Cardos, Dennis Muise, Michael Green, William F. Parker, Walter L. Goyetche, William Pierce, Eugene Boudrow,  Antone E. Brown, and Thomas Kenney. I count 6 widows and 16 children left behind to mourn.

Recent sunset over Plum Cove.

Most things seem prettier at high tide, and this is no exception–Robert Knowles Landing

One of the collective nouns for egrets is a “wedge”, so when I saw this I had to share it.

We found them at Parker River Refuge recently and were quite captivated.

The Schooner Festival is coming up so of course, my thoughts turn to the role of such vessels in my family’s life in Gloucester.

This is a picture of the schooner Concord, owned and operated by Captain John Duguo, an ancestor-in-law a couple of generations back who sailed about the same time as my direct ancestor Captain John Bentley. This picture puts in perspective for me the relative size of the ship to the men and to the sea. Yikes. Those guys sure look small there and it’s a wonder ANY of them ever came back from these fishing trips.

John Bentley was born in 1847 in County Galway Ireland. I have not yet found the siblings he surely must have had. To my knowledge, his parents Henry and Kate never came to America. He arrived in New York from Ireland before he was 18 years old, perhaps in 1863 when he would have been only 16.  He made his way to Cape Ann and  married Mary Catherine Costello (Kate) Christmas Day 1864 in Gloucester. (17 years old if we accept the dates on the various records). There were 6 children born to this couple.

Captain Bentley and his father in law, Martin Costello, died at sea in February 1882 when he was only 35 years old. His wife was left with 5 living children, the youngest only 8. Kate Bentley died just 3 years later of “natural causes”. By this time, the children were older and probably taking care of each other, but I’ve often wondered what life was like for them after they lost their father and then their mother in such a short time. An article in the October 1886 The Century Magazine called Gloucester Fishers states “Few men who fish on the Banks live to be old, and the result is there are comparatively few old fishermen in Gloucester.” And many fatherless children.

Seeing the schooners in the harbor is glorious and it’s worth taking a minute to remember the high price Gloucester has paid to get to this point.

Monarchs in the backyard. It’s great to see them again. Peek-a-boo! I see you…

If you look carefully on the right side of the photo, you will see the bee that startled Monarch away.

It’s hard to stop. I love the contrast of color provided by Mother Nature.

We finally took the Essex River Cruise that we’ve been meaning to take for quite a while now and it was delightful.  Under the leadership of Capt. Larry, who narrated; and his first Mate Joe the nearly full vessel sailed out to the ocean and back in about 90 minutes.  High tide was just going out and the breeze was a refreshing change from the recent heat wave.  One passenger even put a sweater on against the cool ocean air.

I’d recommend the ride if you haven’t taken it yet.  I think I’d like to go back when the leaves are changing.

These are greenfly traps, in case you were wondering like I was…….

Several terns accompanied the ride

Fun to see the beaches from the water side.

A very pretty day for such a ride!

The recent “Pretty in Pink” post from Bridgette made me do this………

These sweet young ladies were selling lemonade on a hot downtown street this week. Of course, GMG Jimmy always stops at these stands to pitch in.  I hope the girls had a good day for themselves! Their sweetness made the lemonade even better! And props to their security guy! Pretty sure that’s Dad…..I can see him in their faces.

I recently came across a new service called Dog Spots on the New York State Thruway that travellers may be interested in: dog-sized sanctuaries available for travellers so you don’t have to leave your dog in the car while you run errands, etc.  Using an app on your phone (DogSpot by Dog Parker), you can lock/unlock and monitor your pet while they are enjoying the climate controlled environment. After your pet leaves, it sanitizes itself.  For 30 cents a minute!

This service is currently available at some rest areas on the NY Thruway and is apparently coming within the year to several cities including Boston. Membership includes one dog and two dog parents and is $25 but, the website says they are currently waiving membership fees. Here’s a news video if you are interested.

An image borrowed from the website gives you an idea:

Reflections on the water usually give me that “peaceful easy feeling” (how many of you are humming that song right now?)