Author: Bridgette Mathews

Wishing everyone a blessed St. Joseph’s Day!  Last night we finished up our 9 day Rosary at Sista Felicia’s, as she and Barry graciously open up their home to us each year. This year’s altar was a true labor of love and devotion and it may not be perfect, or exactly how our grandmother’s and great grandmother’s experienced it, but I can certainly tell you that “our elder village” was with us, guiding us and praying over us…and ok…maybe having a few chuckles with us along the way too! To sit and view the photos on the altars of the people we pray for is especially moving.  All of the altar breads were made by hand over the last 3 months by our Novena “Village” of women and are the focus of this year’s altar.   Our feast was held last Friday night and all of our 47 Novena Comare’s invited their families and friends to celebrate and honor St. Joseph.  Over 175 guest enjoyed an evening of prayer, friendship, faith and lots of delicious food!!   There just aren’t any photographs I could take that would do it justice but here are a few! Viva! Gesu, Maria, Giuseppe!

Spent a few days exploring the foliage around the Lake George area in the Adirondacks a couple weeks back and the weather was less than optimal but it made for some beautiful, saturated colors against the grey backdrop!  

I’ve been playing with my new camera and as with all new gadgets…there’s a learning curve. My struggle yesterday was figuring out the focus points on my new Sony A7iii …what better way to practice than to play in the waves!

Trying to get out a little more before we change the clocks back and sunrise gets early again…so here’s a couple quick views from this morning’s sunrise!  

Annisquam Lighthouse is a spot I could visit a million times and never tire of the views! Here’s a few from Saturday night while I played around with my new Sigma Art 14mm wide angle lens.

The best sunsets are right before or after a storm when the clouds are decorating the sky!   Tuesday night’s rains brought these cotton candy skies and beautiful views from Plum Cove Beach.

Traveling home after work yesterday post storms to find a sundog/rainbow glowing around the Boulevard so I took a minute to take some “His and Hers” pics!  

Jimmy T was entertaining the crowds along the Boulevard before the boat Parade this weekend.   It happens to be his Birthday today so Happy Birthday Jimmy!

The Schooner Fest could not have had a better weekend!  The city was bustling and it seems like everyone was out enjoying these last few days of summer.  As we all head back to work this week I share my photo dump from my spot on Ten Pd Island…just me, my coffee and the seagulls!

Beautiful day to catch the arrival of the Bluenose and Columbia to the Schooner Festival yesterday.   All the gang came out to greet them!

As I sit here at my desk overlooking the inner harbor, with my long lens poised toward the ocean awaiting a glimpse of any schooners arriving for the weekend, I share some pics of one of our own beloved Schooners, Ardelle as she headed out in the warm light and the Lannon’s flag reflection on Wednesday.   Looking forward to the sights and activities of this long beautiful weekend!! 

Sunsets around here are beautiful wherever you may be.   This view is from the Gloucester House dock looking over to St. Peter’s Park.

“Summer dreams, ripped at the seams, but oh those summer nights…”

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air!” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are getting to the point of the summer where we are holding on to every moment, every sunset, and breathing in every salty breeze!  Happy Sunday! 😀 

It was a beautiful night to be outside with my camera and the still waters of the incoming tide.  I was hoping for more stars but I’ll settle for a peaceful night on the river!

Not much of a sunset last night but clouds and reflections are always fun!  Here are some views from my seat on the rocks. 

The rain makes everything more vibrant…spotted this yellow bike in Essex that just pops with color!

You don’t have to be a History Geek to be totally wrapped up in the Battle of 1775 re-enactment Saturday morning off Pavillion Beach!   The narrated re-enactment, having the 3 Schooners, Lewis H. Story, Fame and Ardelle, all authentic to the period, and the smell of gun powder gave you a taste of the battles that our Fort defended in her early years.   I’ll be looking forward to reading Joe Garland’s book “Guns off Gloucester.”  Published in 1975, as it told the tale of what Garland wrote as “Gloucester’s resolute role in America’s fight for freedom.”