Author: Pat D

At the podcast last week, we promised Joey we would take his donation over to the Open Door food pantry.  We decided to combine that with some donations of our own after stopping and shopping at Stop and Shop.

GMG Jimmy driving the shopping cart for a change.  Not searching for owls or seals.

“Do you have your Stop and Shop card?”

 Kersten graciously accepted the donations from Joe and Jimmy

We were very happy to see the Good Harbor Beach footbridge survived the recent assault of snow, wind, tide and general abuse but we also took note that a moat has developed at the base.  We observed people jumping down or lifting their dogs so they could reach the bridge from ground level. I spoke briefly with a city worker who noted this kind of damage is not the normal post storm kind.  He’d never seen the moat so deep. Fascinating what Mother Nature can do!

It seemed we were followed everywhere Thursday by the Mass Audobon van loaded up with people with cameras and binoculars.  I’ll assume they were looking for birds.  So was I, but I was lucky enough to have GMG Jimmy driving me around.  Instead of birds, we found seals.  Ten of them in Brace Cove relaxing on the rocks and occasionally performing a bit for us. It was quite a show.

While recording the podcast Wednesday morning from Joey’s kitchen, we noticed these tracks in the back yard.  Anyone know what critter makes these tracks? They aren’t very big–I should have placed something there so you could judge the size.

Before you go to too much trouble, perhaps it doesn’t really matter what critter this is because I noticed the tracks come to a dead stop. Upon closer examination, it appears this guy fell prey to a hawk or other flying predator.  Despite the poor quality of the photo taken in the shadows, I think you can see what looks like claw marks at the end of the line of tracks.

Circle of life.

It’s all gotta go somewhere……..

Snowed in.  For now…….

I understand the weather will improve drastically toward the end of the week and be as different as night and day from just a few days ago.  These were taken at Wonsons Cove on Rocky Neck where we hope everyone is recovering from the storm. We are thinking of the thousands of people affected by the storm and hope you can remember that, with the night, comes the dawn.

Cozy Cafe Bischo.

You might be wondering what all the hype is about DNA testing for family history research and ethnicity.  Ancestry and 23 and Me made a big push over the holidays and lowered their prices considerably as an incentive.  I’ve had great good luck meeting new cousins as a result of DNA testing (many of them with Gloucester connections).  When I share the stories with family members, I realize there are misconceptions about what DNA testing can tell you.  I’m no expert, but I can share my own experience.

The biggest surprise for people hearing about new cousins as a result of testing through Ancestry is that the test results can connect you with actual people in addition to giving you an idea about ethnicity.  Time and time again I heard “You mean it connects you with people too?”  Yes, it connects you with potential cousins and it’s glorious when that happens!

Ancestry test results not only provide you with potential cousins and that famous pie chart for ethnic background, but also with historic context about migration patterns of people that share ethnicity.  Mine are Irish fishermen who settled in Gloucester and Ancestry could provide some historical background into the common factors that forced the Irish out and how they may have found their way to Cape Ann.  This kind of knowledge greatly enriches the stories of the ancestors I’ll never get to know personally.

Ancestry DNA testing usually costs $99 but is often discounted, especially around holidays like Mothers Day and Fathers Day.  If you are considering it, I’d wait and watch for discounted pricing, perhaps as low as $69.  If you decide to have DNA tested, I encourage you to further consider adding family tree information so that potential cousins (like me) can contact you!!!  I’d love to meet you, Gloucester cousin!

This link seems to provide some good general information in DNA testing if you are interested.

These headlines from the Gloucester Daily Times on consecutive days in Nov 1917 tell an interesting story about how the public and the government handled the food shortages forced by World War I:

Here’s hoping we never see such headlines.

I have noticed that Gloucester displays its patriotism proudly by flying the flag all over the city.  Kudos to all as they are just beautiful.  This one is at the Park at Fort Point.

What does this look like to you?  I think it looks like a lizard-like creature rising from its sand home to have some sea grass for lunch.  When I come across something like this, I can easily understand how people might imagine they have seen sea creatures or some other-worldly being when in reality it’s a piece of driftwood on the beach at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.  Can’t wait to get back there and see what it looks like covered with snow.

Overnight the calendar turned to a new year.  It’s a time for reflection.  Some of us had a great 2017 and are sorry to see it go.  Some of us need to start anew and bid good riddance to last year.  Whatever your situation, we hope you have enough.

Enough winter to relish the summer.

Enough sniffling to enjoy good health.

Enough penny pinching to appreciate prosperity.

Enough heartache to feel true joy.

And…… enough New York to savor Gloucester…..

Happy 2018 to all!

Jim and I are disappointed that we will not be able to be in Gloucester to greet the New Year.  We’ve both been laid low by “the crud” and don’t wish to share it with our Glosta friends.  You can thank me later.

We’ve added a few things to our bucket list as we contemplate the New Year.  Jim wants to participate in the Rocky Neck Polar Plunge.  I want to find a snowy owl and get a spectacular photo.  We both hope to explore Magnolia, Manchester and Lanesville a bit more.  I’d like to add some names to the family tree as a result of research done in the area.  Modest goals for us, but we have big hopes for you all.

A new year is like a shiny penny: bright and full of promise.  We hope 2018 is your best year yet.  We hope we can all live by the Dogtown words of wisdom but more than anything else, we wish you

It seems the world is running short but perhaps 2018 will turn that around.

Since Gloucester will be adding a Ciaramitaro to its rolls sometime in the future (congratualtions to the Boss Capt Joe and the lovely Kate!), I thought it might be fun to take a look at how this Gloucester family has grown over the years. In the 1917 City Directory,  there seems to be one lonely Ciaramitaro family: Giuseppe and Rosie at 5 Commercial Ct.  By 1937, you can clearly see the family has grown considerably, right along with the variances in spelling. One thing remains constant: Fishermen all.

*Correction: at least two things remain constant: 1. occupation and 2. Joey and Kate’s love for each other.  *

“If a man must be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most. A small sailing craft is not only beautiful, it is seductive and full of strange promise and the hint of trouble.”  E.B. White.  I couldn’t say it any better.

A sign we found in Cortland NY.  Anyone know where Glouchester is?

If you haven’t had a  chance to visit an aquarium, perhaps it’s worth consideration taking an opportunity to see fish and aquatic life from a different perspective than what you might get around town.  These are from Mystic Aquarium which isn’t a long drive from Gloucester.  I loved the colors and textures.  Nothing against the wonderful New England Aquarium…I just don’t have lovely pictures from there recently.  It’s on the bucket list, along with the Georgia Aquarium.