Author: paultmorrison

Sunny in Boston today.

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Sox take over first place in AL East. Buck Showalter's team gives it up in the 13th inning and will never see first place again. Meanwhile the Yankees climb out of the basement with six straight wins to get to .500 but they are still the Yankees and of course they still suck.
Sox take over first place in AL East. Buck Showalter’s team gives it up in the 13th inning and will never see first place again. Meanwhile the Yankees climb out of the basement with six straight wins to get to .500 but they are still the Yankees and of course they still suck.
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So toasty in Boston today that the tourists are vaporizing.

Rubber Duck says Toot Toot! Essex River Race results

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Another fun Essex River Race was pulled off by the Cape Ann Rowing Club. This is a voluntary group that does an amazing job each year with the 6 mile Essex Race to begin the summer and the Blackburn Challenge all the way around Cape Ann in July.

In both races there is one certainty, if you are not super fast you pay for it. The wind always comes up quickly and is in your face at the finish while the winners are already eating the Woodman’s Clam Chowder.

Preliminary race results here.  A couple of points. Travis Hayes on a paddleboard 1:04:10.  Jimmy Tarantino and Joe Cominelli, Banks Dory Double 1:08:48.  That’s pretty close to six miles an hour either standing up or rowing a hefty dory. That’s ridiculous.

But on to the Sea Kayaks. John Karoff who I think broke 60 minutes last year wins again. Looks and talks like a totally normal person, a tad skinny but he wins this every year. Before the race Rubber Duck checked the percent body fat of all sea kayak contestants both male and female. None measured higher than 7%. This is when rubber duck looks at who is paddling her boat and does a major SMH and FFS. But check out these numbers. These are preliminary but I’m taking them to the bank and signing up for the Blackburn tonight.

All of these contestants but one has competed in at least two Iron Man triathlons. Can you pick the odd duck?
All of these contestants but one has competed in at least two Iron Man triathlons. Can you pick the odd duck?

The haul today at Motif #1 Day in Rockport

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Cake Ann and Seaview
Got the dessert at Cake Ann and some Salsa from Seaview. Stopped by Seaview to pick up some eggs.
bareskin
Bearskin was hoppin’
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Rubber Duck also did not write down the name of this shop. Bearskin Neck. Soapy bare skin.
Didn't catch the name of the store. You have to come to Bearskin Neck to see the pig. "Some Pig"
Didn’t catch the name of the store. You have to come to Bearskin Neck to see the pig. “Some Pig”

Practice Lap around Straitsmouth Island 48 Hours before Essex River Race

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143 matches to “Captain_Yes” meaning 143 boats registered so less than forty slots left. Still time to register. Essex River Race this Saturday morning.

Adam Bolonsky showed me this swimming spot. Shot this with some added software on the iPhone to take an 8 second exposure to smooth out the water. Not bad for hand held.
Adam Bolonsky showed me this swimming spot. Shot this with some added software on the iPhone to take an 8 second exposure to smooth out the water. Not bad for hand held.

Rubber Duck signed up for Essex River Race this Saturday!

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With a little help Rubber Duck fit her fat ass into her kayak this morning. Although she sounded like a champagne cork when attempting a water exit, she fit.

Rubber Duck fit easily into her kayak with just a little help.
Rubber Duck fit easily into her kayak with just a little help.

Registration is open until Thursday night at 7 PM but you better register right this minute because the cutoff of 180 boats in the race is rapidly approaching. Click here to go to the Cape Ann Rowing Club Registration page to sign up and get info.

Never entered a race before? It’s only three miles up and three miles back and then hotdogs, beer, and clam chowder await you back at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. If you don’t want to race just go to the causeway in front of Woodman’s and watch the work boats and dories start at 10 AM this Saturday and make sure you stay until noon to see Rubber Duck make it back.

As always a hat tip to all the volunteers of the Cape Ann Rowing Club who make this event a memorable start to the summer.

Sliders at Willow Rest OMG OMG

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These are Sliders in name only. Brioche toasted nicely , some sweet onion and a cheese that makes the whole thing so gooey. Try it with the potato onion soup.
These are Sliders in name only. Brioche toasted nicely , some sweet onion and a cheese that makes the whole thing so gooey. Try it with the potato onion soup.

There is a three day science meeting I go to in a secret location on Cape Ann. I go to all three days because Willow Rest caters it. Rubber Duck gains three pounds.

Willow Rest

Some Boat Names

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OK, UB88, looks like a Navy Landing Craft named after Patrick T Kennedy
OK, UB88, looks like a Navy Landing Craft named after Patrick T Kennedy. Was he 87 last year? But now?
All About the Buoy. I get it.
All About the Buoy. I get it.
This one was missing from the lineup last year. It consistently cracks me up every time I see it. Evvy and I do, "Bob Loblaw's Law blog!" over and over as we head down the Annisquam.
This one was missing from the lineup last year. It consistently cracks me up every time I see it. Evvy and I do, “Bob Loblaw’s Law blog!” over and over as we head down the Annisquam.

Even the Rubber Duck has had it with this weekend weather.

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She’s taking Thursday and Friday off until this bullshit drizzle stops on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunrise this morning 5/12/2016, 5:25:34 AM. Nice sunrise. It must be Thursday.
Sunrise this morning 5/12/2016, 5:25:34 AM. Nice sunrise. It must be Thursday.
Because guess what's going to happen this weekend just like last weekend and the weekend before that?
Because guess what’s going to happen this weekend just like last weekend and the weekend before that?

No! Towards the light Mr Asparagus, towards the light!

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asparagus
If you follow me on Facebook I posted first light of Mr Asparagus on April 28. That is a full week before I’ve seen one in my garden. Today I go to measure my asparagus (it’s a guy thing), and he seems to be retreating back into the earth. Come back! It’s a sunny day! In a week all your pals are going to be popping out of the ground and into the pan.

In a case of the early bird not getting the worm that damaged asparagus (behind little stiffy) was likely the first up but I used an iron rake to clear the leaves a week ago and must have whacked it right in the cojones (that would be the apical meristem.)

Anyone notice the Andrew Piatt Bridge is done as in D-O-N-E?

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No bridge bra, no girdle, no Porta-Potties. Could it really be completely done for a few weeks before they start painting it again or setting it on fire?
No bridge bra, no girdle, no Porta-Potties. Could it really be completely done for a few weeks before they start painting it again or setting it on fire?

Holy cow! Green flash! Then I took the photo.

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Sunday, 5:45AM Don’t see that every day. First time for me. I really need a second hand and Siri needs to tell me exactly when the sun rises. 5:46 does not cut it. Shot this between 5:45 AM and 5:46 AM. It has a greenish tint but it was really green about a third of a second before. Kool-Aid Lime green. Stella was not impressed.

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Great Eastern heading north about 12 miles east had a good view.

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Joey: “Who in their right mind uses Red Mulch?”

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This has been a burning GMG question for years now. Joey believes that anyone who uses red mulch is a sociopath, only sane people use black mulch. This is a photo of red and black mulch. Equal piles. I will be graphing the usage of the mulch over the next two weeks.

 

The problem is, this is right next to Fenway Park so we might find that only gardening sociopaths live in the Fenway area.

The manager of the Shaws on Boylston Street in Boston will be posting updates of usage.
The manager of the Shaws on Boylston Street in Boston will be posting updates of usage.

Homie and Rubber Duck’s Fifth Anniversary

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Five years since Rubber Duck and Homie met on that blustery day April 18, 2011. The Fifth is the wood anniversary. Homie gave Rubber Duck a carving of Homie. (Homie is a little self-centered.)

Homie would have carved it himself but he has no opposable thumbs.
Homie would have carved it himself but he has no opposable thumbs.

The following is a repost of Homie and Rubber Duck’s First Anniversary describing that fateful hook-up five years ago today.

Homie: “You’re not from around here are you? May I show you the cove?”
Solitude of the lonely Homie.
Cold, lonely, rubbery, but Patriotic!
A little stand offish at first.
They’re eyes locked and Homie was in love.
“So how many children should we have?” Homie wasn’t wasting any time.
“I have a lovely nest on Milk Island.”
You’re not listening to a word I’m saying!”
“We could make it work!”
“Do you think it’s safe to come out?”
Your friends are rude Homie.
Rubber Duck out on the Town at another Fred Bodin Christmas party.

I cannot believe it has only been one year since the Rubber Duck met Homie on a blustery day just like today, April 18, 2011. When I posted that first part of the Rubber Duck saga I was only joking about it being a twenty part series. Little did I know that maybe a hundred posts later the story is still not finished. To commemorate their anniversary I repost the first few chapters. Later this week will be an update of how Homie and Rubber Duck spent their day today. Part I posted April 18th, 2011:  (This will be a twenty part series.) Part II posted April 19th, 2011: But first, the back story. Two lonely birds:  But soon the connection was made and time stopped. ”  “I am so out of here!”  But Homie came back of course and took Rubber Duck all over. The Rockport Dump, Thacher Island lighthouse, Maine, Florida, meeting Santa when he arrived in Rockport, wine tasting at Passports, Duck Confit at Duckworth’s. Then, just a few months later, things got a little weird: Last sighting of RD was at the Spring Fling two weeks ago with rumors that she was at the Thirsty Golf contest at the DogBar last week when Joey caught her again staring at him.  Flexilis anatidaephobia is the fear that a rubber duck is staring at you and Joey has got it bad.

Decent waves linger on north side of Cape Ann

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The wind died off before sunset but the waves kept rolling in. The cool thing about this shot is that I am pointing pretty much straight to Nova Scotia. All overnight flights from the USA if they are from Houston, Atlanta, New York, all over, funnel into the great circle route right up over Nova Scotia then down to London, Paris, Berlin and beyond. Or it is our government medicating us with mind control drugs using chemtrails.
The wind died off before sunset last night but the waves kept rolling in. This photo is pointing pretty much straight towards Nova Scotia. All overnight flights from the USA if they are from Houston, Atlanta, New York, all over, funnel into the great circle route right up over Nova Scotia then down to London, Paris, Berlin and beyond.
Or it is our government medicating us with mind control drugs using chemtrails.
Looking to the left back in the cove here comes another fleet of Airbus and larger jetliners with people settling in for dinner and a few movies before landing in Paris at 6AM and like zombies making it through customs to their hotels by noon or if they are really sad sacks they are invited speakers for 10AM seminar.
Looking to the left of first photo back in the cove here comes another fleet of Airbus and larger jetliners with people settling in for dinner and a few movies before landing in Paris at 6AM and like zombies making it through customs to their hotels by noon or if they are really sad sacks they are invited speakers for 10AM seminar.
Just before sunrise this morning April 17, 2016. Still a little wind out of the north maintaining some decent waves. There is a low parked out on Bermuda counter clockwise pulling the Nova Scotia air down to us still. Moving east a bit slower than the weatherman thought.
Just before sunrise this morning April 17, 2016. Still a little wind out of the north maintaining some decent waves. There is a low parked out on Bermuda counter clockwise pulling the Nova Scotia air down to us still. Moving east a bit slower than the weatherman thought.

The Dodging of the Balls

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Joey and Frankie made sure all the balls, large and small, were hard.
Joey and Frankie made sure all the balls, large and small, were hard.

 

Rubber Duck was not the only one who could not turn away.
Rubber Duck was not the only one who could not turn away.
What happened next was epic. Maybe Craig caught it on film. Mister F. U. socks has unloaded a 97 mph fastball that misses the mark. The high cheese is high but do you see the two with the Red Solo cups not paying attention? Yeah, that's what happens. Like a trick pool shot the ball first hits her in the face then heads on over to finish off the dude. Epic launching of two beers into the air.
What happened next was epic. Maybe Craig caught it on film. Mister F. U. socks has unloaded a 97 mph fastball that misses the mark. The high cheese sails but do you see the two with the Red Solo cups not paying attention? Yeah, that’s what happens. Like a trick pool shot the ball first hits her in the face then heads on over to finish off the dude. Light blue Hoodie freaks just because. Epic launching of three beers into the air like a three Stooges finale.

Vernal Equinox 12:30 AM this morning

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6:20AM twenty minutes before sunrise. It's spring but wear your mittens since it is a bit nippy out there.
6:20AM twenty minutes before sunrise. It’s spring but wear your mittens since it is a bit nippy out there.
If you click on the sunrise and enlarge you can see the Rockport Breakwater and also a very large barge. A click or two on maritime traffic and bread crumbs left behind by the tug Dolphin identifies the boat heading north five miles out. Hope the heat works on the bridge.
If you click on the sunrise and enlarge you can see the Rockport Breakwater and also a very large barge. A click or two on maritime traffic and bread crumbs left behind by the tug Dolphin identifies the boat heading north five miles out. Hope the heat works on the bridge.

Anyone having a Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday Party Tonight?

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Super bummed. My entire family wants to watch 15 episodes of Daredevil on Netflix tonight. Murder, mayhem. Awful. I want to watch Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday which is now streaming on Netflix!

It debuted at SXSW on Friday! Totally awesome. It has hot female bank robbers and balloons and two women fighting over Pee-Wee! OK, maybe not that last one. Ten farmer’s daughters. Yeah, that’s it.

Is anyone having a Pee-Wee viewing party tonight and can I be invited? I will bring Cheetos and Mister T cereal and tacos made in the basement of the Alamo! Can Rubber Duck come too?

Fish Chowdah

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The key is all those Capt Joe lobster shells and guts simmered all day last fall to make a kick ass lobster stock. Frozen pints of gold. Then a big piece of haddock from Steve Connolly Seafood laid into potatoes and a few other things that were simmered in the stock.
The key is all those Capt Joe lobster shells and guts simmered all day last fall to make a kick ass lobster stock. Frozen pints of gold. Then a big piece of haddock from Steve Connolly Seafood laid onto potatoes and a few other things that were simmered in the stock.

A panorama of this morning’s DST sunrise

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Usually when I try a panorama on sunrise the horizon is chewed up. Maybe because DST I drank less coffee this morning.
Usually when I try a panorama on sunrise the horizon is chewed up. Maybe because DST I drank less coffee this morning.

If you click twice to embiggen, the horizon is just a wee bit chewed but what is causing most of it is that there were two oil barges out about ten miles and they were replicated a few times as the software tried to cope.