I was fortunate to be on Saturday’s 7 Seas Whale Watch where there were multiple sightings of at least 4 whale species: humpback, minke, sei and fin. They were demonstrating their feeding habits which the naturalist, Jay, narrated competently for us. I must also mention all the seabirds we also saw, in particular the gannets and their aggressive diving for food, creating a spray that from a distance, I mistook sometimes for a whale blow.

I have been on a number of marvelous whale watches from the various companies around town, but never before one on which there were more than could be counted. Although naturalist Jay told us there is no better time of year for a whale watch than another, I am now convinced early spring is the best! All those hungry whales trying to fill themselves up was an amazing learning experience.  If you haven’t been, I suggest you go. There are lots of deals to be had with a little bit of homework, so just go!

Capt Bill & Sons opens season May 19 http://www.captbillandsons.com/

Humpback breaking the surface to find greedy gulls

You can see the baleen on these whales which filters their food.

The fog crept in and out very quietly yesterday morning. I could see it racing across the fields at Stage Fort Park, but could not capture the movement with a mere camera. I’ll leave it to your imagination.  Fog shrouded the harbor though and it reminded me of Carl Sandburg’s poem:

When I know that Seaport Grille is at the end of my long drive from New York, I feel as though I found that legendary pot of gold.  Especially fond of the Seaport Coffee, which I may have mentioned in the past…….  Anyhow, yesterday’s stop at Seaport Grille was improved immensely by the fact that my cousin and her girls were also there for dinner! It so happened that I was led to the next table and there was my cousin! Serendipity in action. I could have been seated elsewhere.  She could have decided to go elsewhere. Instead, we were able to share a great meal. I am very happy to be back home.

I returned to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to show Jim the delightful sights.  It was another great experience. Here are some of our new friends.

Spring’s late arrival this year put my mind back to the previous “shoulder season”, fall 2017 and I realize how much has changed around town since then especially at the beaches. Fall was very nice this year and brings some sweet memories.

It was monarchs before it was Snowy Owls

The boardwalks and the footbridge hadn’t been beaten up by the vicious storms yet:

Trees were still standing and holding tight awaiting harvest done by hand and not by wind

AHHH.  Sweet memories only 6 months old.

If you have ever considered having a DNA test done, this is the time to do it.  Ancestry’s DNA test is only $59 until April 29. The regular price for this test is $99.  This is the best deal I’ve seen for this test so if you’ve been thinking about it, I suggest you take advantage now by going to Ancestry.com

There are other testing companies to consider, so do your homework but this is a really great deal.  I am not benefiting from this unless I gain a new cousin from one of you!

We recently spent a relaxing afternoon at the Boat House Grille Bar on Rt 133 in Essex.  GMG Jimmy ordered the meatball appetizer — the meatballs are huge! I thought he had a meatloaf on his plate.  The bartender was friendly and helpful in just the right amounts.  They serve white zinfandel, so that’s a plus for me.  We will definitely be going back.  I suggest you join us.

I noticed they are hosting a number of fundraisers, one coming up soon on May 8.  I’ll be keeping my eye on these events also.

If you’re wondering what to do, the 1918 City Directory listed a few ideas:

Around the Big Heater????

Lobster traps are stacked in piles large and small all over town and remind me of building blocks.  Children’s building blocks come in all shapes and sizes; the same is not true of lobster traps.  They are certainly not toys, but rather much more like the blocks used to build foundations.  These traps are the foundation of livelihoods, families and the culture of the area.  They are beautiful.

Alice May Brotherton Campbell 1887 – 1916

A while ago, I read a book called The Black Flag written by Barry Stacks of Gloucester and enjoyed Gloucester as a main character in the book.  The Black Flag refers to ships returning to harbor flying a black flag indicating a death on board while at sea.  It’s an interesting coincidence that for my family history research, I’d been trying to verify that a William Campbell who died at sea aboard a Gloucester vessel in 1905 was the Campbell in-law that I was looking for.  My search led me to a new cousin and a new “view” on what the Ryans looked like back in the day.

This is Alice May Brotherton, daughter of Mary Ryan and John J. Brotherton.  This young lady is just beautiful!  Unfortunately she died at a very young age due to kidney problems.  She did marry C. Angus Campbell whose father William is the aforementioned death at sea I was attempting to confirm. I got this picture from a cousin who is a descendant of Angus and Alice Campbell.

This cousin, Pam, was able to verify that the William Campbell I’d found in the newspaper as having died at  sea aboard the Schooner Senator was indeed Alice’s father-in-law.  Pam was tickled that I could provide her with the verification of his death at sea and I was very pleased to obtain this picture–especially since most of those old Ryan ancestors weren’t overly fair of face. I’m certain God blessed them with other qualities.

A recent stroll through Rocky Neck produced some evidence that Rocky Neck Rocks!

I didn’t notice her hair until much later.  Not sure what’s happening here, but I love it!

Fierce.

Opening soon I hope! 1957!!!

I think Rocky Neck is already pretty great. Pretty soon it will be hopping busy with visitors looking for beauty in all forms.

As promised, GMG Jimmy and I drove ourselves all over the Cape seeking $1.50 or less Oysters for you faithful readers.  Here’s a handy chart.  ONLY Oysters that are $1.50 or less are included when they are offered consistently on a particular day of the week.    NOT occasional specials if you can’t depend on what day of the week oysters might or might not be offered.

This chart includes only $1.50 or less Oysters  offered on specific days of the week on a regular basis

Update from Short and Main–shortandmain@captjoe06 yes, we have it regularly every day! We currently have dollar oysters every day from 5-6PM, and again from 9-10PM Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10-11PM Friday & Saturday. Closed Tuesdays

Restaurants for oysters click here for Word document

We had a good time visiting with the various wait staff and bartenders.  Thanks to all for their input!

April Showers bring high tide and crashers in our new back yard.

April Showers bring Teresa Marie III past the breakwater

Willie Nelson lyrics that seem appropriate here:

There’s a bird in the sky

Flying high, flying high

To a place from a place

Changing skies, changing skies

Spring will arrive on Rocky Neck very soon!

It has come to my attention that we failed our children in at least one life lesson: how to use the United States Postal Service (USPS or “snail mail”).  There is ample evidence that we did not cover this life skill and I thought you might be in the same boat.  I believe this applies to Millenials and any younger generation such as Post Millenial or Gen Z. Share this with your children if you feel they might benefit.  There will be a test later.

The USPS is an independent agency of the federal government.  It moves paper and packages from your house to mine.  It’s pretty efficient and cost effective especially when you consider what its customers ask of it sometimes.  However, for many people, going to the post office personally can be challenging–like spending Thanksgiving night with your parents.

Despite current technologies, there will be a need for this service for the foreseeable future.  So buckle down and learn how to use it.  Stop calling your mother while she is in the cemetery to ask “how do I send this phone back again?  I’m at the post office and the lady says she can’t help me.  I have the phone right here in my hand.  What’s the problem?”

Sorry, I wandered a little bit there.  When you need to send mail out–like a birthday card to your father or a wedding invitation — you’ll need envelopes, addresses and stamps.  An envelope needs to be addressed to the desired recipient.  Put this in the middle of the envelope when it is in landscape format.  Usually you want the back flap on top but it doesn’t really matter.

There should be 3 lines: the first is the person’s name (first AND last is helpful).  The 2nd is the street address and the 3rd is City State Zip.  It’s a little like sharing on Facebook–you have to find the person by name with whom you want to share that crazy link.   This information should be clearly written to be legible by your most elderly aunt.  The print should be in contrast to the envelope (white envelope: blue or black ink creates contrast).  Avoid using gold ink on a gold envelope for example.

You MUST add postage.  One Forever stamp per envelope is generally sufficient.  Put the stamp in the upper right hand corner without obliterating any portion of the TO address.

Now there are “Forever” stamps.  You can use it Forever, I guess.  Currently they cost 50 cents each.  It will not go down.  You can pay 50 cents for a stamp today and use it a year or two from now when the cost of a stamp is 55 cents.  As millenials, you will not have that precious experience of looking across the table at a friend and saying “Remember when we stamps were 6 cents?” while smiling fondly and shaking your head.  You’ll never know how much it cost to send that envelope because the stamp won’t tell you.  Back in the olden days, looking at the stamp could tell you quite a story:Yes, this was in my lifetime thank you very much.

A third item on an envelope is the return address found in the upper left corner.  Contrary to popular opinion, a return address is not mandatory but is quite helpful if you haven’t followed USPS guidelines to the T.  The return address is your name, street address and city state zip.  You’ll get the envelope back if you fail one of the postal guidelines. 

The USPS has a great deal in common with the TSA in that the rules change regularly and you never quite know what new thing will be disallowed (and it’s always something new that you CAN’T do–never something new that you CAN do).  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Then you have to put the letter in a mailbox or give it to the person manning the desk at the post office, which is NOT open and available to you 24/7.

That’s what these blue boxes are for–you can drop your letters in these to mail them OR  use your own mailbox.  It helps to put the little flag up to let the carrier know there’s something in there to be picked up.  It’s also a good way for you to tell if your own mail has been delivered yet since the postman will put the flag back down after he picks up your mail.

Mailing packages follow similar guidelines.  You need postage, an address and a properly sealed package.  You may re-use boxes you might already have if you scribble out any barcodes and do your best to remove any labeling that might cause confusion.

Seal it up really well –the kind of sealing up that makes people nuts when they try to open it.  The USPS designed the rules that way.  Usually you put the name and address on the top of the box–I like to use a clean sheet of paper so it stands out.

Then you’re probably going to have to take the package to the post office to pay the postage and have them put it on their trucks.  This can be tricky sometimes as postal hours can be a little finicky

I chased the wild waves all around town one Saturday last month.

This sounds like fun! From The Gloucester Daily Times: Saturday April 14 will be Kite Day at Cogswell’s Grant in Essex (60 Spring St) 11 AM – 4 PM.  Free for kite flyers and spectators.  Bring or build your own kite.  $10 for kite making workshop. Watch professional kite flyers from Kites Over New England. Free chowder from Woodman’s! Win-win.  978-768-3632

Hoping to see you there!

The Gloucester skyline is ever changing and always beautiful.

In my small collection of family pictures, I have some from “back-in-the-day” Gloucester that I thought might be interesting to some of you.  This first one is a bit of a mystery to me and I was hoping someone could help me identify the location.  My notes say it is from 1936. I’m wondering where is was taken.  I was guessing train station perhaps? I’m assuming it’s Gloucester.  That’s my dad and his mother in the darker coat.  Not sure of the identity of the other woman.

Here’s one labeled Long Beach 1930, again with my dad and his mother. The buildings in the background are interesting, as well as the fact that my grandmother was apparently wearing a necklace to the beach!

The date of this is unknown but in the general time frame of the late 30s – early 40s perhaps.

And, just for fun, here’s yours truly in Gloucester in 1966 on Traverse St. I’m the one in the glasses……. stylin’ as usual……..