My View of Life on the Dock
photos & video January 26, 2026: Ventured out for a walk about 4 hours after high tide and was surprised by the rollers. Road plowed. Sand whipped wind near Long Beach.
Yesterday it came down steadily and looked like this at 10:30AM when it began.
Saturday was stunning.
Maybe by the time you see this post, you are feeling a little bit housebound and bored. One way that I enjoy passing time away is by looking at the old newspapers available online through the Sawyer Free Library online collection. You see here a partial front page from Jan 29 1926 almost 100 years ago. Every single time I do this kind of research, I am pleased/frightened to note that as much as times change…..they stay the same.
To do this at home yourself, go to Sawyer Free Libary online ( link here) and click the box that says Cape Ann History Digital Resources. Select the top choice under Newspapers Cape Ann Newspapers (1827-1998) (or others …these directions are for an article similar to what you see here). From there you can search for a term you decide …I used “storm” this time and narrowed the search to Jan 1926. I often use this valuable resource for family research so you can use family names, businesses, boat names and more. You are only limited by your needs, time and imagination. A snow day is a great day for this kind of fun! Highly recommended as break from shoveling snow.
Pre-Storm…
GloucesterCast 827 Livestream 1/25/26
Audio Podcast Click Here-
Video Podcast Click here-
As fellow contributor Donna Ardizzoni says: “It’s all about the light”. That seems confirmed here with these winter sunset photos at Eastern Point.
DANGEROUS COLD is here this weekend and early next week. Your safety is our #1 priority. Take immediate action to
IMMEDIATE WARM SHELTER
The Cape Ann Motor Inn is offering a FREE two-night stay for anyone needing shelter from the cold this weekend.
📞 CALL 978-281-2900 NOW to reserve your warm room.☕ WARMING CENTERS ARE OPEN
Our City designated centers are open to provide a safe, warm place to escape the cold.Sawyer Free Library (2 Dale Ave.): 10 AM – 5 PM (Sat & Sun)The Grace Center (264 Main St.): Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM (Also Mon-Fri 8:30-4, providing meals, showers, and more!)Gloucester Community Impact Unit (5 Center St.): Sat & Sun: 8 AM – 12 PM (Hot coffee available!)West Gloucester Trinity Congregational Church: CALL 978-283-2817 for access.NEIGHBOR SAFETY: Please check on your elderly neighbors and those who may be vulnerable. Do not risk exposure to this extreme cold.
LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY? Dial 911.
#GloucesterMA #StayWarm #ColdWeatherSafety #EmergencyAlert
Staying Warm…
Sharing information from the City of Gloucester: (that I can almost guarantee you will forget by Monday)
1) @pdalpiaz is giving away “Stay Salty” pens when you purchase from her.
2) I’m giving away GMG Stickers with any purchase.
3) We’re giving away salted caramels
4) We have free gift bags
5) I have a bunch of super cozy warm fleece lined beanie and Pom caps back in stock perfect for Valentine’s presents
6) Pat has a bunch of new nightlight designs
7) There will be Sea Shanty singers up and down Main St
8) @paullundbergmayor will be doing children book readings @sawyerfreelibrary
9) There are tons of cool ice sculptures on Main St to look at and photograph
Thank you to @capeannmuseum and @discovergloucester for putting on a great community event!!! We appreciate you!
Interesting progress on the old Dunkin building in Magnolia. Exciting! Not sure what the plan is yet.
Chris will fill us in with the latest storm update.
We traveled to New Hampshire on an expedition yesterday and we were rewarded with our first snowy owl of the season. We are maybe halfway through the typical snowy owl season in the northeast so it’s a little later than usual for us to find our first but it was a beauty! Again, this was not on Cape Ann though I haven’t lost hope yet.
This owl rested on the ground occasionally feasting on its prey (I was told it had been a rabbit). The sun shown and the brisk breeze ruffled feathers but the snowy remained steady in its observations and feasting.
I hope you will understand that I zoom with my camera and not my feet. I keep a respectful distance and would never intentionally do anything to cause wildlife harm. It’s unfortunate that I feel I need to make that statement but the number of keyboard owl and wildlife warriors apparently need this reassurance that no harm came to this beautiful creature either from myself or the rest of the small crowd gathered.
For additional pictures and some other story details please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.
Good Morning Gloucester 