We were very happy to see that Russell Orchard has opened! I love their fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the baked goods!  Yummmm…..we took home a blueberry rhubarb pie. They have a very helpful website in case you are ever wondering what’s going on there:  recipes, seasonal info and other helpful guidelines.

Thanks Russell’s! We had a great first visit of the season.

For Mother’s Day, I thought  a little tribute to my Gloucester grandmother Catherine Pierce Ryan might be in order.  My memories of her are a little vague, but stories from friends and family help round out a picture of one of those wonderful moms you see portrayed everywhere at this time of year.

Catherine was born in Gloucester just a few days into a brand new century, in January of 1900, daughter of a fisherman.  She was in the middle of the pack of 12 children born to William and Edith Pierce.  She married Paul Ryan in 1923 and raised 3 sons through war and Depression years.  She worked at the Bass Rocks Golf Club as a cook and also worked for the school in the cafeteria.  By all accounts, she was a great cook and very kind to those in need. Though I did not get to spend a great deal of time with her, I consider her to be a great role model as well as a wonderful representation of a daughter of Gloucester.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there who helped shape our lives.