Author: Pat D

Pat D’s Photos has a new product we think you will like very much. Limited quantities of these 6″ x 6″ marble trivets with scalloped edge and cork backing are now available for free delivery to the Cape Ann area. These are great for your drink glass or for hot dishes. Also just a cool decoration or gift. Check them out online at Pat D’s Photos or on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures. They are fairly solid and I can ship them if needed but shipping costs will be a little higher than they normally are.

Red Chair on Good Harbor Beach Trivet

6″ x 6″ marble trivet with scalloped edge and cork backing. Free delivery to Cape Ann area or plus shipping.

$30.00

Fisherman Trivet

6″ x 6″ marble trivet with scalloped edge and cork backing. Free delivery to Cape Ann area or plus shipping.

$30.00

Footbridge Under Pretty Sky Trivet

6″ x 6″ marble trivet with scalloped edge and cork backing. Free delivery to Cape Ann area or plus shipping.

$30.00

Sharing news from the Willow Rest Facebook page. We thank you and will you well!

We were excited to learn that Salt Water Grille on Washington Street is back in the game! We recently visited and were very happy with our experience. Rosanne was our helpful server and we were additionally greeted by Mike, a friendly face behind the bar. We had potato skins as an app and Jim ordered the Salt Water Burger. I ordered the Vodka Penne, which was yummy with the generous portion of grilled chicken. The bar area was at capacity and it seemed to be everyone greeting someone they knew (lots of hugs!). I tried the Prickly Pear Margarita for the first official Margarita Monday of the season. Delightful experience and we’ll be back soon! Check it out!

It’s easy to overlook the original Memorial Day held May 30 each year but I like to make a point of recognizing that day as an additional remembrance of those lost in service to our country.

A day of remembrance today and forever.

All tied up at the dock.

We have had Baltimore Orioles in the vicinity for several seasons now, but this is the first time I have located their nest. They build sac-like structures in tree branches and you can see they are well hidden. I watched as one of the orioles made its way down into the nest and popped its head back out. Now we wait for little chirps and open mouths of young ones!

We lived on Lake Erie when I was in school but we never got to have a mobile classroom like this one! How cool for our students to be able to go out on the Ardelle for their classroom experience?

We had a wonderful dining experience at Fleur Cuisine on the T Wharf in Rockport recently. The bright, open atmosphere, friendly staff and menu selection all added up to an A+ experience. There is a small bar area, back dining room and outdoor seating. It was too chilly for outside so we sat in the back dining room. As usual, we were on the early side but the room filled up during our time there. Our server Maria was efficient and informed. We enjoyed plantains, the chicken entree and the pineapple bowl with shrimp. The chicken was amazing with just the right amount of spicy zing. We finished off with the best key lime pie I’ve had on Cape Ann. Get yourself there!

I recently downloaded the Merlin app from Cornell to assist with bird identification. The most useful attribute so far is the ability to record live birdsong and have it be identified. I admit to being kind of addicted. You see an example of a report here and the accompanying recording. We found our eagle pair recently along the river but I did not have my camera with me that day so I pulled out the phone to record when they started calling. So here are some other recent photos of that eagle pair along the river and a recording in case you love eagle calls as much as I do. (the audio file is at the bottom though the picture of the report looks like where you want to go)

We had a lovely deer family visit the backyard a few days ago. I cannot resist fawn photos. This grouping appears to be a doe, a yearling and a fawn. The yearling is developing its horns which you can see by looking closely. The yearling seemed very interested in the fawn. He used his hoof to “guide” the fawn or perhaps to check it out. I don’t know what that behavior indicates but it was super intriguing to watch. As they retreated a bit to the undergrowth, the fawn got a good bathing from the doe. Tis the season for the fawns! I hope they return soon and often. More details and photos available at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. Give it a follow if you like what you see.

I woke up one morning last week and just wanted to do something different. Though it wasn’t quite to plan, the different thing we did was go to the newest Serenitee Restaurant Dire Wolf Tavern on Washington St in Salem. And it was fantastic! Honestly the online presentation when the Dire Wolf was introduced made me think it wouldn’t be my kind of place, but I was mistaken! We stopped for lunch on a weekday and it was easy to find parking nearby. The bar area is spacious and lovely. There’s outdoor seating available but we chose to sit inside where we could watch the street. The menu has a nice variety of selections and I found it difficult to settle on just one so we will be back to try the others. We have Serenitee Rewards, so it was a win-win.

Jim ordered Crispy Shawarma Cauliflower as an appetizer and the Beef Brisket & Cheese sandwich. I ordered a BLT — though I was a little wary of the mustard aioli, it was a perfectly matched set of ingredients. Josh was our server and he was friendly and knowledgeable. A couple of people were overheard raving about the burger so I expect that to be on my list for next time.

As an added treat, there’s a downstairs bar area called Hallowed Tavern which seems to have a speakeasy vibe. It’s open later in the day. We enjoyed our meal and experience and we’d plan to go back. If you’re over that way, give them a try.

Sharing news from Gloucester Bites on Facebook. today Sun May 21 2023. The Cupboard is at Stage Fort Park.

A photo-dump from Friday’s Pirates vs Cardinals game. Great game, thank you coaches, officials, volunteers and team members!

Pat D’s Photos will be opening our season at the Spring Festival at the Academy at Penguin Hall on Essex St in Wenham tonight from 5-8 PM. I know it’s a busy day but perhaps by late afternoon, you’ll be looking for something just like this opportunity to benefit the students at the Academy. We are excited to be introducing some new items including ceramic night lights and outdoor banners! Stop by and check them out yourself. We also offer puzzles, prints, magnets, notecards, suncatchers, glass prints and more featuring local scenes and wildlife. You can also follow us on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures to see additional photos and updates. Here are some examples of our offerings for this season:

I haven’t seen this sight in quite a while, but thanks to a heads-up from our friend Susan, I was able to see this majestic eagle looking over Stage Fort Park from Western Ave. Always a treat.

I took CB (crystal ball) out to watch one of the recent hazy sunsets. I understand the haze was caused by Canadian wildfires. I am always grateful for the variations in our skies especially at sunrise and sunset. We went to Plum Cove Beach along Washington St for a view and thought you might enjoy the same.

Take note of the following change of date shared on Facebook:

Essex is holding its Spring into Essex event this weekend May 20-21 2023 and it sounds like a great deal of fun you might not want to miss. A variety of events are taking place including a “Wet Paint” class at Seameadow Gifts, Tequila Tasting at Ripple On The Water, and Birds Bees and Butterflies at Cox Reservation. And lots more: info here at this link. Here are a couple of my favorite Essex photos to get you in the mood. Who knows? You might see one of these on display in Essex this weekend! Hoping to see you around!

Sharing information from St. Peter’s Fiesta organizers about this year’s program June 21-25 and novena June 12 – 20 2023. Check the link for further info.