Author: Pat D

On a gorgeous sunny day recently, Joey wondered why I was wearing my boots. I told him I never know where I will end up. Shortly following that conversation, I took this video ……. and got my socks totally drenched even with the boots! All to bring you some Friday zen. You’re welcome.

Our friends at Minglewood Harborside on Rogers St recently introduced their fall menu so I decided to go there to “cash in” my Serenitee birthday rewards (FREE entree and FREE dessert). I also wanted to redeem some of the reward points I have earned over the last several months. Win Win.

The new menu items are very appealing to Jim and I. I ordered the Orange Chicken and Jim got Lo Mein. I loved the chicken though I will let you know it’s on the spicy side. (Only one tissue meal for my runny nose.) I had Jeanne’s sangria (perfecto) to accompany the meal. For dessert I ordered the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae which we gobbled up faster than my camera could capture, darn it because it was a beauty.

When you sign up for Serenitee Rewards, you are gifted a free entree and dessert at any Serenitee restaurant. You have a few weeks near your birthday to cash them in so it’s really a no-brainer to sign up. Plus you earn points each time you go to a Serenitee establishment and you can apply those at any future meal. I like to build my points up and then cash it in to celebrate. I suggest you sign up ASAP!

Sometimes it pays to take the MACRO view. You never know what surprises you might find. Once in a while, you might have to build your own shelter from the storm.

I came across this lovely remembrance draped in autumn leaves at the Seine Field.

Sharing Facebook information regarding Dunkin Donuts on Main St.

Happy Halloween with a very pretty Barn Along the Byway in Rowley. Can’t really get enough of the fall leaves adorning the barn scenes.

We spent a few days shrouded in fog recently and it was a welcome sight to spot these egrets riverside along Essex Ave like bright beacons calling me over. I presume they are migrating and taking a bit of a rest along the way. There were about 8 of them and they looked so regal and relaxed that I just had to stop to take some photos. For additional photos and story details, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. It’s also where you can keep up with new products and where we will be in the upcoming weeks.

Special birthday wishes to Joey from the gang! Wish him a happy birthday when you see him.

The fog crept in and settled in the granite crevices and shrouded the fall leaves this week.

I took a ride down to Niles Pond just to check things out and came across work in progress along the causeway between Niles Pond and Brace Cove. I further noticed the continuing drop in the water level at Niles Pond. It seems we are most certainly feeling drought effects.

Progress is being made at the new location for the Gloucester Vietnam War Memorial and I think it’s going to be stunning. Previously located at the high school, the memorial was recently relocated to Stage Fort Park near the tennis courts. Work picked up again recently with new sidewalks and other progress. I haven’t heard an expected completion date, but it appears the area is going to allow for appropriate reflection and remembrance.

Time is running out on the whale watching season and fall is a great time to go. I went with Cape Ann Whale Watch last week on a gorgeous morning. We headed out to Stellwagen Bank and were treated to several whale sightings including some feeding activity. As always, the captain (Capt John) and crew were fantastically informative. One passenger asked me if my long lens would bring the trip good luck. I replied that sometimes that lens is too long because the whales are so close by. It was the case on this trip as well. I just love these creatures but will say farewell for the season soon. I highly recommend trying to get out there! We are SO FORTUNATE to have this right in our backyard.

I had not been to Coolidge Reservation in quite a while so I decided to take a walk on a recent pretty fall afternoon. It was refreshing and fulfilling to walk the quiet paths, look at Clark Pond and the leaves and contemplate how fortunate we are to have these properties available to us. Although it is listed as being in Manchester, it’s a quick ride from my Magnolia address to the small parking lot and entrance. It’s a very popular spot so it’s not uncommon to find the parking lot full. I used the Go Trustees app to help with the trail map and I found it spot on. I walked down to Magnolia Beach (the path to the Ocean Lawn is only open on the weekends according to the signage) and back without any issues except be warned there are many many tree roots especially at the beginning of the trail which could trip you up (speaking from experience). Perfect little fall afternoon respite.

Here’s a photo dump of some of the photos taken at yesterday’s Children’s Halloween Party held at the Elks. It was a very successful afternoon full of fun, music, candy, costumes and smiles. So many cute costumes! Well done, families! Great job Elks!

Barns have a distinct look as autumn approaches and passes so I am going to cheat a little bit and use a Barn Along The Byway that I have featured previously. Maybe you will recognize it and maybe not but fall leaves really dress up the wooden barns along the byway. Take time to see the leaves this fall!

I particularly enjoy Seaport Grille on Rogers St. in the fall and winter when it is a bit quieter around here. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of spring and fall but “off season” can be fun too. We had lunch recently at the bar. I had the turkey club with onion rings and Jim had non alcoholic beer (Sober October) with his haddock sandwich. I am glad we stopped by. It felt like returning to a friend’s home after a long absence.

As the seasons change and we realize there are things we need around the house, it seems like a good time to go check out what’s new at Second Glance on Pond Road. We did that and were reminded that winter is coming! There are holiday decorations and clothing now available (thinking about the Ugly Sweather party?) though we were looking for some furniture. We did find EXACTLY what we wanted at a very reasonable price. It’s definitely worth a look-see AND you are helping the Open Door at the same time. Win Win.

Someone is praying very hard and I hope it works out for the best. Just a little additional randomness around town.

I recently realized October 2022 marks our 5th anniversary as Good Morning Gloucester contributors! Time really does fly. I have been reflecting on how far I have come along as a contributor and podcast participant and I want to thank each of you for your support and especially for your comments. Sometimes we meet you in our daily routines and you kindly comment on the posts or the podcast. We really appreciate that! It’s always gratifying to know someone is out there listening or reading. Thanks also to those who take the extra steps to comment on Facebook, the podcast or the blog. It means more to each of the contributors than you might realize.

Special thanks to our Boss Joey and all the Castaways: Chris, Nichole, Scottie, Paul, Drew! And to the other contributors especially Donna, Nichole, Paul H., James, Manny and others past and present.

To celebrate the randomness of everyday life here on Cape Ann, here’s today’s offering. An apparently abandoned cute little Adirondack chair sitting roadside near the Good Harbor Beach footbridge just begged to be part of the blog’s history. And Keith and Aretha joined in the fun. As you may know, Keith is a wreath (follow #KeithIsAWreath on Instagram) and Aretha is his companion. They like to have their photos taken around town for fun.

Sharing information from the City regarding the Rocky Neck parking lot.