Author: Pat D

The Beatles song was ringing in my head when I saw these. I believe this is a Coast Guard excercise:

These dories are getting a little assist getting “home” (I believe accompanied by student sailors). Well done to all!

Some ads from the Gloucester Daily Times back in the day gives a little perspective on how our predecessors might have spent their summer. Exercise and snazzy clothing.

No such thing as “Tired Business Woman”.  GDT July 30 1920

Talbot’s ad for the gentlemen in town. GDT July 16 1920  Be still, my heart

Seen and appreciated in Magnolia recently, they remind me of flowers in a garden.

Who’s the fairest of them all?

I could sit here all day.

We recently saw Mr. Swan at Niles Pond. It was a very pretty day and I thought he made a lovely picture on the reflective water. I did notice he seems to be showing his age a bit…. in that regard, we have a great deal in common.

I was intrigued by a Blanton’s Bourbon bottle with stopper that I saw at Main Street Art & Antiques recently so I did a little research.  I learned that a series of 8 bottle stoppers has been produced in a nod to Blanton’s Kentucky heritage. Each of the 8 stoppers depicts a race horse and jockey in various stages of a race. Each contains a letter (B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S). I was quite charmed by the story (click link above if you are interested. Image above borrowed from same site) and took myself back down to the shop to select one of the three available. Just had to bring home S for victory!

Someone is getting artsy on the Back Shore

Seen this week at St. Peter’s Square….. apparently a plein air paint party.  Amazing work done by these artists!  Wishing I could do the same…….

A while back, I attended a session on hypnotherapy given by Tina M. Grasso at the Sawyer Public Library, and lucky for me, I won a free session.  I do not think I am alone in the fact that sometimes racing thoughts and worries keep me from getting decent sleep so I asked Tina to concentrate on that as a focus for my recent session.  I was hoping to gain some tips and tools to use to re-route the midnight fretting that sometimes keeps me awake.

It’s not the hypnosis you might think of from the sitcoms. There is no quacking like a duck when you hear a certain phrase.  There is no watch dangling on a chain for your eyes to follow. No loss of control and no lack of memory of the hypnosis. If you have ever been mesmerized by waves or clouds or the sound or rain, it’s a bit like that.

There is the steady tone of a voice, closed eyes and a restful posture. My experience was that I was very aware of being in an office seated comfortably in a chair.  I heard everything Tina said.  I left feeling deeply relaxed and this state lasted almost 18 full hours. It was kind of like you might feel after a deep tissue massage. That the relaxed feeling seemed so deep and lasted so long is what surprised me the most.  I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.

Perhaps this kind of therapy is not for everyone. Many believe they are “too pragmatic” to benefit; or they are just “weirded out” by the idea. I can only speak for myself: I left feeling like I now have some tools to use to assist with relaxation and sleep.

There are a few different hypnotherapy options here in Gloucester. My experience was with Tina M. Grasso at Bright Mind Services I am very appreciative to her for her professional and compassionate approach. It might be something for you to consider next time you’re lying awake at 3 AM.

I was thinking about the recent sign posted at the bridge prohibiting vehicles on the sidewalk while we were waiting there recently. At first glance, this nearby sign appeared to be blank on both sides, so I was curious. You can see how faded the lettering is and I can’t quite tell what it is supposed to say.

If a sign is illegible, is “whatever” still prohibited/enforced/informative?

Scrumptious feast at Seaport Grille this week. We treated ourselves and are not the least bit sorry.

Helpful info that came on the accompanying wet nap

GMG Jimmy stepped into the World of Weber with his very first charcoal grill! (Thanks to Joey)

With instructions from Joey, off we went to Fosters. They were very helpful and we enriched today’s receipts a bit.

Then to the grocery for some planning and preparation. We see that Weber is everywhere!

I’m expecting great meals in my immediate future. FOB Paula Ryan O’Brien also got her first Weber grill today—–coincidence???? I think not…..

When we need to return to New York, it’s comforting to bring a little bit of Glosta back with us. Thank you Destinos , Cake Ann, Cape Ann Olive Oil, Design of Mine!

During a recent podcast we mentioned Jerome Rand’s recent return to Gloucester after an almost 9 month voyage during which he circumnavigated the globe. Joey wondered if there had been other such voyages with Gloucester ties.  Of course, this set me off to research.

The simple answer is yes, there have been other such voyages.  The most prominent I could find are Captain Irving Johnson’s voyages in the pre-war 1930s on the schooner Yankee from his home port in Gloucester.  Yes, that was plural…voyages.  He and his crew made seven total trips around the world, the first three on the 92 foot wooden schooner Yankee from Gloucester.  Here is a link to an article you might find as interesting as I did.

As I noted, these were 18 month trips with a good size crew.  I found a ship manifest at Ancestry listing some of the crew from the 1939 voyage listing actor Sterling Hayden as a member of the crew.

His wife Electa (Exy) usually accompanied him as a crew member, though I do not see her on this list.  These trips are well documented if you are interested including this book available at Amazon.

Mr. Rand’s voyage, however, was a much different experience.  He traveled solo on the Mighty Sparrow and without any additional technology to assist.  He also traveled non-stop making the journey in about half the time of the Yankee’s trips.  Wow.  Kudos to all with that innate urge to sail and challenge themselves.

Pond residents and visitors soaking up the sun. Good time for a snack.

This listing of remakes/sequels reminded me that 2³ = 8. Maybe Ocean’s 8?

Prepping for the Fourth. This is monstrous in size! Loving the topper.  Enjoy your holiday!

He may have been over-served this past weekend. We wish him well in his recovery.

Sunday morning at the Square:

Did you ever wonder how they got the Greasy Pole flag in place? Here you go…. Thanks, guys! I think it’s cool I got to see the flag taken down Saturday night and back up again on Sunday!

And, to top things off…..looks like they add MORE grease