down country lanes

The Snowman

2012-02-02T21:40:00.003-05:00

Did any of you ever watch the video", The Snowman™", based on a book by the same name, by author Raymond Briggs? Coming home the other day, the sky had this large magnificent cotton ball/floating ice-pack of-a-look to it. I stopped to take a photo or two, and suddenly I saw this image in my rearview that reminded me of the beginning of The Snowman video. Thats really about all there is to say about it (the photo). The video was a favorite in our family for years, and still is. First saw it on PBS™, then got our own copies. I think we wore a few out from watching with our kids......

Catch a great spot, perhaps the best, from the video, here....

Live Music in Sharon!

2012-01-31T21:02:00.000-05:00

Well, in his never ending effort to find out exactly what folks want at his newly re-done and re-opened Black Goose Grill in the plaza in Sharon, Rob Caeners has taken the old Raven/Waldorph/Ironworks/Country Corner to a new and previously untested waters in Sharon. He has added live music on a kind of trial-basis situation. His first try with it was in late November when he had a fund raising event for the Sharon Fuel Bank. That night, he had invited four different bands to participate. He gave them a small corner of the small restaurant and let them work out the rest. He charged $10 cover to get in and from 8 till 11 the place was packed with all kinds of folks. He sold food. He sold wine and beer (he had just gotten his liquor license days before). He gave away munchies. The place was wall to wall people. I bet more than one hundred and twenty people came and went that night. And the important thing.....everyone had a great time! And the fuel bank got a nice shot in the arm.

Jump ahead to this past Friday evening and Bob had his first night of music that was sponsored just by him. His Chef Kevin had done up a new special menu just for the night. The very local band, Swamp Yankee was back (they were one of the four the first time in November) and the music began at eight sharp. Clare and I went for dinner at 7:15 or so and had a delicious meal. By 8:05 the place was full and by 8:20 it was standing room only. The music was loud, but the songs were great and having all our local friends in the band, and all local folks in attendance, it was far more a party than a place with a band. Everybody knew everybody. The laughs were plenty, and the singing was totally fun. I spoke with Bob and he said he did a lot of food and drink that evening so that was really key. Bottom line here...we want this place to exist. We don't want to be without a place to eat in Sharon.

In respecting peoples right to privacy when out in a eating/drinking/dancing scene, I only took this little shot with my iPhone.

So, I believe this past Friday was a great success, and there are more nights scheduled. The group Wooden Nickel is coming in soon, Feb. 10th (love these guys) and Swamp is coming back in late February. I grabbed this shot of their poster which is hanging at various places in town. If it's something you might like, I strongly urge all my readers to give it a try on one of the music nights for sure. And I sure hope you try The Goose out other times as well, to enjoy the quality and choices that Kevin and Robb are offering. I think that you'll be quite surprised and pleased, if you haven't been there already.

"fire on the mountain, run boys run..."

2012-01-28T20:22:00.001-05:00

Actually, it's more like fog on the mountain.......

T'was a rather wet morning around here on Friday morn......picked up my tux at Sap's for our annual jaunt to the big town to go to the Met on Wednesday. This year's performance will be , Anna Bolena. Opening night. Whoa!

Fiat 500

2012-01-26T21:30:00.002-05:00

So today I got to see, up-close-and-personal, one of the new Fiat automobiles. My reaction? Pretty cool. I talked with owner who is absolutely in love with it. They have another car, which is a older, and bigger, and has all-wheel drive, so when it snows, or they need a car with room, they still have it for their use. But if it's around town driving, over to Torrington for shopping, or Barrington for lunch with friends, they jump in the Fiat. They are getting like 27 miles per gallon on local short-hops, and close to 40 when they get out and go someplace. The tank only holds ten gallons or so, so she enjoys not releasing a paycheck to just get fuel. It has plenty of power she feels for what they need and have yet to find anything they don't like about it. Her husband is about 6'4", and they did their research ahead of time....the model with the sunroof has less headroom, due to the sunroof being on a track which must drop down into the car when opened. Her husband is totally comfortable with the "standard" model.

They bought there car in West Springfield at the dealer there. (she told me the salesman was far nicer) And right now apparently, there is zero-interest loans. Her husband said that closed the deal.

So....for under 22k and you can get a brand new car which gives great milage, rides and drives great, and is zero-interest loans? Not too shabby I'd say. Not too shabby.

Dead duck(s)

2012-01-24T21:33:00.000-05:00

On our weekend in Maine, one of the somewhat interesting things we stumbled into was this story. We came upon three or four men,(I can't remember which) with a boat, and the boat and they were all in camouflage. They were coming out of the bay and had just loaded their boat on a trailer behind their Suburban or whatever big SUV they had. Now, it's around freezing, and these guys are in camo coming out of the ocean and I am wondering what the devil is going on here?

So, what better thing to do than to ask? So, with camera in hand, I approached, though somewhat hesitantly, but still extremely curious. When I got close to them it all became clear. As the picture below shows, they had been duck hunting, and they were laying out their take for a picture for themselves. I introduced myself, explained my curiosity and they were only too glad to explain. They were doing late winter hunting for "treasure" birds, that would be, if they were good enough, stuffed and used in a museum display. They had had extraordinary luck they said and they felt that all of these would be able to be used for the organization that had asked them to do this hunt. They said they had been here other times and had not seen hardly a bird, yet this time they came away with such a huge amount of success.

While this picture may be somewhat disturbing to some, when I learned that they would be used in a museum, for educational purposes, I thought differently than I did at the initial sight, and I congratulated them on their successes. They also said this was the last weekend, or very near then end of the season that was open for these birds, so they also felt extremely fortunate in so many ways. They did name them off, but this storekeep from the hills of Connecticut totally missed all that. But that was also part of my learning process for camera work. Next time, I should have taken their picture with their kill, and also jotted down what kinds they were exactly.

There sure is a learning curve to this blogging business. :)

a couple more shadows..

2012-01-23T22:17:00.002-05:00

~today was just a grey, melting day. Nothing interesting did I see. So, I'll just bounce up one more from yesterday. A little more low winter sun shadows.....

Tracks...and shadows.

2012-01-22T21:58:00.003-05:00

Finally had a little ground snow cover after Friday nights snowfall. Thus, tracks for the first time in a long time.

Caption: You go your way, I'll go mine.....

Gone.

2012-01-21T20:40:00.000-05:00

We all do stupid things from time to time, right? I'm not alone in this am I?

So, for way to long I have been putting up with a real bad thing in my life. My furnace at the store. It was old. It was inefficient. It was health hazard. Recently it became a fire hazard. Yesterday, Thursday, it went to the boneyard, and a sparking new, hopefully far more efficient unit took its place. A lot of money when I really didn't need that expense (when exactly is a good time for a large expense?) but I feel very good about it.

Think I'll post a picture of my new unit in a day or two. I need to clean the area up around it first. The new unit is putting the rest of my back room to shame......

Shark-infested breakfast room..

2012-01-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

Back up in Maine, we discovered an extremely popular bakery/eating establishment named The Wild Oats Bakery in Brunswick. We had read of this place in Down East Magazine a month or so back, so we were on a mission to check it out. Amazing! Thats all I'll say about it at this the. Amazing.

I told you that to tell you this. While eating our breakfast the other morning, out from a shop next door in this indoor little plaza, which was all about slot cars (Slot Car Junction) and really cool toys, came a floating, flying shark. It was about five feet long, was filled with helium, and its tail fin would flap back and forth to give it forward movement through the air. It had a fin which moved to make it change directions, and it had a weighted, motor-driven piece on the bottom on a track which could move and make the shark go up or down. Push it forward...nose dive. Back it up and up it would go. And all remote controlled. How totally cool! I don't know who was more amazed...this fifty-something or a set of twins who were about three or four at the oldest.

Totally fun!

Is that snow I see?

2012-01-19T21:15:00.001-05:00

Shortly before leaving work this evening, it started to snow. Since our Feb-tober blizzard in October, which did so much tree damage throughout the state, we have had about maybe two inches of snow(and that might be a bit high). So, this is like....news! Not sure how much we are getting, but I came home and put the plow on just in case it becomes "measurable". Stay tuned for further updates. :)

Time off.

2012-01-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

Continuing with my Maine side-trip for my blog.......

Lobster season in Maine tends to be busiest during the summer months. Demand is highest due to tourism then. That also is when the lobsters are closest to the land, thus making fishing for them the easiest. During the winter months, they move off shore, requiring bigger and stronger boats, and what with winter storms at sea and the cold, it becomes a much harder task. Fishing does still continue, but by fewer lobstermen.

With all that said, we saw lots and lots of traps in peoples back yards, front yards, side yards, driveways, docks and just about any place else we looked on this tiny island chain of Great, Orrs and Bailey. The group pictured below was one of the more "organized" that we did see. I would venture to say they did their repairs pronto and are just waiting for the winter to roll on by so they can get back at the catch next summer. Perhaps they are working on their boat now? Whatever, I enjoyed the makeup of this shot and was very happy with how it came out.

Happy Birthday....

2012-01-17T20:23:00.004-05:00

to Jack Dolan!

:)

Hope it was a great one!

Long-time passing...

2012-01-17T20:22:00.000-05:00

Wow, the days have gotten away from me. I have not done a post in a good while so in order to keep this blog "active", I better get something out there. My blog does not have to be done daily, nor does it have to be on Sharon.

With that in mind, today's posting is for all the guys like me who played with Tonka toys when they were kids. This past weekend we traveled to Maine and did a whole bunch of things and saw a whole bunch of sights. One of the sights we saw is this really huge crane in the skyline of Bath, Maine at the B.I.W. (Bath Iron Works). In the picture, it's hard to really tell just how large this machine is. Let me just say I am probably more than a quarter of a mile away from this when I snapped this shot. It would make sense that to build a U.S. Navy ship you would need rather large equipment. Well, here is one really large piece. It fills the skyline from a great distance.

Amazing!

Morning light...

2012-01-11T20:53:00.003-05:00

~just for those of you whom may never see the dawn's early light.....a great start to the day over Sharon mountain recently....

Black Squirrel(s)

2012-01-07T19:50:00.002-05:00

Out behind The Singing Hollow Operetta Building on Main Street, Sharon, Connecticut.

Why is it I went almost fifty-eight years without seeing a single black squirrel and now in recent months I have seen three? Is it an epidemic? Or overpopulation? I told you about a month ago I was getting overrun with grey squirrels at home and was considering lead poisoning, but thus far I haven't gone that route.

Hmmmmm. Mother Nature is up to something.

Rick...do you have your camera with you?

2012-01-06T20:48:00.000-05:00

"you might want to run out and shoot the sunset.....Over the plaza...again? People, and myself included, are so tired of seeing the empty laundry. But, thanks, I'll go look"......Whoa! Sure wish I had been elsewhere to capture, but beggars can't be choosers....

Sinking winter sun.....

2012-01-05T21:30:00.001-05:00

full of such blaze and splendor,
.....think

for a moment, double-click on the picture and
just think....

Standing Room Only...

2012-01-04T21:11:00.002-05:00

...at the transfer station? Before you say why on earth was it so busy, think holidays. Christmas was just a week ago, of course followed this week with the New Year celebration. More than likely, lots of folks really got into cleaning up this weekend from Christmas and Tuesday morning was the first day they could visit the transfer station with all their used gift wrap and boxes and food garbage and all. Fortunately for myself, I was up-and-at'm, so I was on my way out as the crowd was really descending. I had to stop and take a picture though as I had never seen it quite like this..... :)

Did somebody call for the police?

2012-01-03T21:10:00.001-05:00

If you needed a policeman in Sharon today, we had them. Four actually for a period of time.....Unfortunately, there was an automobile accident in front of the plaza this afternoon. Apparently a car exiting the plaza drove into the direct path of a southbound pickup truck on Route 41. Though the crash did send one person to the hospital with some injuries, I was told that it could have been far worse. So, if that is true, I am thankful. I keep waiting for the big one to occur there , and I fear that it will happen. Thus far, the accidents over the years have generally been small in nature. But with the tendency of cars to speed down the hill,and POOF, they are in a shopping area, with direct cross-street exiting of cars from the gas station and the plaza, some day I fear there will be a tragedy there. I pray not, but I bet it will happen. I have hoped for some time that the plaza would go to a one entrance-exit on 41, basically in the center of where they are now, and close the two existing driveways. Basically, across from the law office, perhaps a bit south by just a little bit. It would stop the cars that shoot back and forth from gas station to plaza, or vice-versa. Just seems like that could help possibly help prevent a tragedy from occurring. Sort of like where you turn into the parking lot at the movie theater in Winsted, on 44, east of the town. It would require a bit of road widening perhaps, but hey, it might be the life of someone we all know and love who gets saved if that were to become a reality. And then a traffic light at that location would also help slow vehicular traffic in general in the area.

Are you listening Mr. Mayor?

Too good to be true?

2012-01-02T16:37:00.000-05:00

I don't think of myself as much of a weather watcher. Today I took a look ahead. It is currently 34 degrees by my little outdoor thermometer, and that is as high as it is going to be for the next two or three days I am told. The lows will be near zero degrees Fahrenheit. Uggggh. No wonder all those former Sharonites moved to Arizona or some barrier island off Florida! It was too much fun for them here. Chickens!

The sun was shining for most of the afternoon, but the temps were falling and the wind, well let's just say you wouldn't want to go fly a kite in it. Old sol didn't help do much but provide light it seemed today. No snow of any value (if snow has value) yet but that is okay with me. I had twenty four inches in October. That was enough for now, thank you very much!

So, I offer you this look at our late afternoon sky, which is right in the direction from where the current cold blast is coming from. Hope all my neighbors are snuggled up and warm for the evening.

Angel's in the clouds?

2012-01-01T19:21:00.001-05:00

So a few months back, maybe less, I was scrolling down the Facebook™ activity page and I found where a friend who lives locally (and is quite a photographer I might add) has a picture of a cloud, and they said something about the cloud being an angel. I looked back further through the history, and found where they had indeed posted other photographs of clouds that also had this image of a body and wings and, well if you let your mind wander a bit, you could see what they were referring to. Today, on my way home from church, I looked up at the sky while climbing Jackson Hill Road. Off slightly to the southeast I saw two amazing clouds. I almost ended up in Austin's field, paying more attention to the sky than the road! I couldn't get to the top of the hill fast enough, and dash out of the truck, camera in hand to see if they were still there. They were!

So, you tell me. Have you ever heard of doing this, or seeing these shapes in clouds? I hadn't, or if I had, sure didn't recall it. But the camera doesn't lie..........does it?

Governor Dannel P. Malloy comes to Sharon

2011-12-30T22:00:00.003-05:00

So Hartford came to Sharon today, with the Big Kahunna himself, Governor Dannel P. Malloy(D) stopping by Sharon at about 12:30pm at The Sharon Ridge Apartment Complex. He was here to give us a verbal commitment from the State of a $165,000 STEAP GRANT for The Sharon Housing Authority. He also gave a commitment of $100,000 to The Sharon Housing Trust. The Sharon Housing Authority is going to be building I believe twelve more apartments at The Ridge, and the Housing Trust is expected to break ground soon on another single family home, to be located off Low Road.

The Governor looked sharp in a nice suit, his hair all in place and very professional. He spoke very nicely to all members of the boards who were represented there, a member of the press and a few other would-be press folks. Two folks who reside in the complex ventured out to hear the address and were quite surprised by all of the commotion. They too seemed appreciative that "The Gov" took time out and make the presentation. I was impressed that he shared a few minutes from his busy schedule afterwards and spoke with numerous members personally. I was also impressed that he recognized Mike Silverman and others for their countless hours of work over years to this project. Projects of this nature do not happen by themselves. They take huge commitments of time and energy from many folks on different levels. I applaud Mike, Gene Lattimer and all the others who have served on this committee for years. The Ridge seems to be a great thing, and some expansion should only help it and all of Sharon. To paraphrase something I heard today from the governor I think, that it takes all kinds of people, from all walks of life, to make a good and active community. True words...

Admiring a gift of Rick's Reserve Red!

A Christmas to Remember...

2011-12-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

My back has been in the pits for the last few day, so I am doing basically what I have to and nothing more. Right now I am icing it...... With that said, I am very blessed in my life and one of my greatest blessings is my family. So, today's entry is a pic of my kids from Christmas morning, just a few days back now. Maybe boring to some, but it's about all I have left for pics till I feel better. And since I get to look at my own blog, hey, I'm prejudice, I admit it.......I love these guys!

Oh Fr..........please give me another chance......

2011-12-28T22:12:00.003-05:00

Did you ever have something that you always thought nobody really cared two hoots about one way or the other and then come to find out, it really meant something to someone, maybe on the positive side, or maybe on the negative side? I learned a while back just that very kind of thing. So tonight's dedication is a " give me another chance Fr........please?"

.....and on the 27th of December, it rained....

2011-12-27T21:26:00.006-05:00

And How!

The "Light" House

2011-12-26T21:33:00.002-05:00

When I was a kid, it was Dr. Fisher's for the lights in Sharon. Of recent years, my neighbors The DiMartino's I think are the most well-lit house in Sharon.... :)

Sharon Congregational Church at night

2011-12-25T21:31:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas -- 2011

2011-12-24T23:10:00.002-05:00

Hey now wait one cotton-pickin-minute...

2011-12-19T22:10:00.000-05:00

The gas gauge was unusually low in my truck so I visited our local Shell station for a fill-up this evening. I started pumping away when I noticed $3.099 on the price sign on the pump. Whoa! Somebody made a boo-boo. That was the posted price on the large signs over the blends. The small price was the correct (unfortunately for me) one at 3.599. Sharon, the home of really high priced gas.

I went and told the clerks quickly, who immediately corrected the mistake. If I had been a pain and wanted to push it, I believe (from my old station days) I could have done so. The sign which was wrong I believe to be as the "legal" price.(again from my old days of selling petrol) However, it doesn't matter as I would not report them for that honest mistake.

I am in retail, and have been for years. Mistakes happen. I have been caught by folks who have gone both ways. Some say, no problem, others say uh-uh, you gotta do the price marked, no matter what. Thanks friend. If it's a dollar, well, it's a dollar. But when you lose ten or twenty, which has happened, well, that hurts a small guy. xtramart is not a small guy by any means, but I've been there. I know the meaning of a buck, especially when it is mine!

I think I might stop to see the manager tomorrow and see if she wants to buy me a coffee for being a good guy. :)

Christmas Pageant

2011-12-18T21:01:00.001-05:00

With the religious holidays fast approaching, christian churches worldwide are preparing to celebrate the birth of their Lord, Jesus Christ, on December 25th. Today in Sharon, at the Congregational Church, the annual Christmas Pageant was put on by members of the church school program.

This years event was very well attended by lots of guests and family members and I think that all participants and observers all had a great time. Kudo's to Shari Marks, Judy Albright-Perotti and a number of other members for lots of time spent planning and teaching of our youth.

A bit different from my days. No old hooks for the shepherds. No straw spread all over making a whale of a mess! A dvd helping to tell parts of the story, microphones to help amplify little voices and a strong choir of young girls with some really magnificent voices.

As the pastor said before the start, pageants not only show todays youth, but it makes members of the audience remember theirs......and that it did.

This promises to be a busy week for me (all of us probably), so not sure how many posts will be up. About all I can say is, check in!

Squirrel soup

2011-12-16T21:11:00.001-05:00

Okay....crazy post I readily admit, but I am serious, though in a funny sort of way, if that makes sense. Does anyone else out there, beside me, think that there is an over-abundance of grey squirrels this year? In the picture below there are five, or there was when I went to take it. There are squirrel road-kill everywhere I go it seems locally. They are running all over ( until they get run over that is)! What is going on? Is global warming affecting this and playing with the balance of nature? Do we need to have an "open season" and get the shotguns out of the closets?

Seriously. Take a look around your neighborhood and tell me when you see me if you think at all the way I do...

One more look from today...

2011-12-15T20:04:00.000-05:00

Holy Smokes......Eagles!

2011-12-14T22:20:00.000-05:00

So I am back with a post in just few days....Shoot me! A customer told me of this male and a female eagle, so I just had to go grab it this morning, shortly before noon. I had never seen one before........so exciting!

Something's gotta change...

2011-12-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

Dateline:Sharon.
I am bored with my blog.
I love my blog, for what it is, but I am bored with it.
It is boring, and I don't want to do a boring blog.
I just said that, didn't I? Told you I was bored.
Bored may not be my only problem. Perhaps it's......"deeper"....

I doubt it. Basically, I'm just bored.

It's become a chore. It's meant to be fun, for you, the observer, and for me, the author. I doubt it's been fun for either of us of late.

I need to think about it. What to do with it. Get some feedback. Weigh it. Discuss it. Pray over it. I need to pray about a lot of things.

I am thankful. Thankful I could do this blog. Thankful I am not afraid to take a break, to try to figure it out. Thankful to Harry & Cindy. And Bob in Virginia. And Tom. And Bobby. And Jack & Jeanne. And a whole host of others too. You know who you are. Part of the hundred or more each day who stopped by to just look-in. I feel bad to take time off, but I am pretty dry right now.

I have some pictures. But pictures need to do something. To tell a story. To show something that would not be seen. To bring thought, and feelings. I am not sure that has been happening for some time now. I liked my bit on the house, in black and white, from last week. That's the only thing in weeks I have liked.

That's not enough. Or good enough.

I need a break.

I bet I'll be back, but I don't know when. Maybe next week. Maybe next month. Perhaps in June. How about.....sporadically? I don't know.

I'm bored with my blog, but I said that. Thanks.

Lastly, I'll close with, check back. I hate to lose you. You're my friends.
Merry Christmas, if I don't see you. I can say that.

about these bushes........

2011-12-11T19:16:00.001-05:00

~during the summer months, I never pay much of a never-mind to two of these shrubs off North Main, but when the holiday season hits here as it has, and the decorative lights come out, they always catch my eye. Round in shape, small bottom, then ever increasingly larger as they go up, and then to a flat top! How...... unique shall I say?

Hot time, in the cold town, tonight!

2011-12-10T21:57:00.001-05:00

So tonight at six pm, the fire company hosted their annual "light parade". Starting at the clock tower, north thru town, down Cemetery Hill Road and back to firehouse was the route.There were numerous vehicles, firetrucks in disguise, wagons, carts, motorcycles and more. While not quite as exciting as the one a few weeks back that I attended over in nearby Pine Plains, NY, but it was still a good time for those who attended and participated. It was followed by hot chocolate and cookies at the firehouse for all. Very much appreciated, as it was a chilly night! I hope the fire department holds steady and continues to have this event each year, and not fold because of poor attendance. Rome wasn't built in a day! I am working on early groundwork to co-ordinate this event with the tree lighting which was just last week. Get the whole town involved, like in Pine Plains. Get organizations to do floats. Get towns people to do personal fun floats. It was a real party in Pine Plains. It could be that here too!
Loved the rower from Kent Fire Company tonight!

Hot time in the ol' town tonight...

2011-12-09T22:04:00.001-05:00

Gosh what a fun night! A number of the stores in the plaza (not all unfortunately) chose to stay open past their normal hours, as part of a small "holiday" celebration/ chance to shop/ chance to see friends/ chance to support local business. The Bodhi Tree was busy with folks checking out local artisans wares and enjoying a sip of bubbly. The SFM offered some nibbles free of charge (sushi anyone?) and Rick's Wine had a awesome wine tasting. Becky's Salon was open for a birthday party for her daughter and a chance for folks to come in and say hi as well. The big parking space filler for the plaza tonight though was a fund raising event held at "The Black Goose". Bob and staff opened up to four local bands to each do a small set and raise money for the Sharon Fuel Bank. A $10.00 cover was charged at the door and I am only guessing but I bet 100-150 people attended over the course of the evening, perhaps more, to make it a great success! The Goose has just gotten their wine and beer license recently so they were selling those items and a different menu of nibbles and snacks just for the event, and seemed quite busy to this observer. The place was packed, and I really thought it was great how the town was into it....

There were lots of smiling faces at all of the events, and it was great to see so many support all the events..... Hometown fun, at the plaza!

Sharon Historical Society

2011-12-08T20:35:00.001-05:00

Oh what a difference twenty-four hours makes! This time yesterday it was pouring rain, and had been most all day and evening. The wind was blowing, the temperature was dropping and within a few hours snow was falling. Up here on my part of the hill, the grass and walks got a good two inches and the driveway a bit less. And so it begins I guess....

Gay-Hoyt House

Rain anyone?

2011-12-07T22:19:00.001-05:00

Big fog again first thing this morning followed by rain, heavy at times, all day. Right now, at 10:19 pm it is pouring, and I just put my snowplow on my truck as it is supposed to turn to snow.
Just great.

"hello, Southwest? Can you get me out of here...........tomorrow!!"

King House on a Sunny morning 12/03/11

2011-12-06T20:46:00.001-05:00

Foggy morning estate

2011-12-05T20:29:00.001-05:00

Did you all experience the fog this morning? Whoa...pretty thick, thick like pea soup! The south end of town was really socked in while I was out and about. And by Long Pond Road it was pretty thick as well.
Found this South Main address was pretty surrounded with fog and it helped give it a really photographic opportunity.....hope you like it.

Guinea Brook Culvert

2011-12-04T16:26:00.001-05:00

Up in the Ellsworth Section of Sharon is where Guinea Brook begins. It meanders around up on the top of the mountain before working its way over to Route 4, then down the mountain and eventually ending in the Housatonic. Where one of our town roads crosses it there has been a rebuilding project going on which has finally come to a conclusion. There was a setback in the project when one of our storms washed out much of the work that had been done, so the contractor had to almost start over at zero, Whatever, the project is done, the road is paved, the safety fences are installed and water is flowing unimpeded. To this layman, it looks like a job well done.

Out and about....

2011-12-03T22:42:00.001-05:00

I have taken this day off from work each of the last three years and just try to do a bunch of fun things with Clare. We started the day at the Christmas Fair @ The Sharon Methodist Church, then on to Lakeville to the town grove to s spectacular artisans fair, then to the Lakeville Methodist Church Fair, then to Falls Village to Toymakers for lunch, P.D. Walsh's store also in Falls Village and then to the high school for a christmas tree purchase. Then it was home and change clothes and off to West Hartford for some speciality shopping for ornaments, some supper, then a shoe store for work shoes, back to T-town to see the lights on Main Street and The Christmas House and then finally back to Sharon, with a stop at the tree on the green. Rather a full day. How was yours?

T-Town Lights

2011-12-02T20:06:00.001-05:00

We had to go to Torrington, or as I affectionately call it, "Torrinton" to collect on some business rebate dealings on Thursday evening. After that we had supper, then on our way out of town we were quite impressed by the street decorations and decided to swing around and grab a photo, though taken with just my cellphone camera. I wanted to post just to support that community as well as the decorations all really looked quite nice, but the photo doesn't really do it justice. Need to go back to "T" town with my real camera and see what I can work up. I am proud to support my fellow local businesses, but also like parts of Torrington and what it has to offer as well.

Out and about tomorrow (Saturday) at church fairs and tree sales ( maybe some lunch out somewhere too!). Hope you all have a good Saturday and support those you can. Talk to you later...

Nice Job!

2011-12-01T22:25:00.001-05:00

Anybody besides me enjoyed the amazing transformation by the new owner of the old house next the methodist church parsonage? Wow! Looks great!

Holiday Window @ Rick's

2011-11-30T22:05:00.001-05:00

How about a "Thanksgiving" moment here? I am so very thankful for my wife for many things. One on the list, but very important to me is for her guidance in decorating the store window at our store in the center. Store window decorations are a thing of the past it seems, but not to us. Every seasonal change gets a new display, and as the holidays change, they too get special attention. It was changeover night at the store with tomorrow being December 1st. We started at shortly after seven and just got home shortly after ten. No splash-slash for C.... She takes her time and turns every ornament and light just so. And all the labels on the bottles.....she goes outside and checks each and every one for correct positioning. I love her for all that she does, both at home and at the store. She certainly has an 'eye" for it!
Thank you C!

New Stripes! (or step #1 perhaps?)

2011-11-29T21:28:00.001-05:00

Last summer, after the last car "jumped" into the grocery store, the landlords of the plaza took a real interest in trying to see what they might be able to do to help keep the plaza safe for all. They hired a consultant who studied the traffic, took a zillion measurements and drew up nine different possible ways to change the parking and traffic patterns within the plaza. A meeting was held with interested parties and there was much discussion. This past weekend, a first step was taken at the plaza in what I think are going to be a series of changes to help aid safety for all. While I was at the meeting this summer, I am not involved in any way with these matters as I am but a tenant in the plaza. I have lobbied hard for years for the diagonal parking in front of the stores, and I am thrilled the owners have taken this first step. In addition to the angle parking, they have added more space to the areas surrounding the handicapped parking spaces, of which I whole-heartedly approve. Now, wheelchair vans and cars with wheelchairs and people who use walkers will finally have room to unload safely. I spent time last summer with my cousin who has lived her entire live thus far in a wheelchair (more than fifty years), and I now understand why this space is needed and I am happy to see it added here in Sharon Shopping Center. Yes, three "regular" spaces have been removed, but in the name of safety for those who need the room and just doing what is right for them, this will only will be a learning curve for the rest of us. But in my humble opinion, it's a long over-due good improvement. Anxious I am to see what step #2 might be (if there is one).

Santa and Mrs. Claus

2011-11-28T20:36:00.001-05:00

Here is one more from Saturday night in Pine Plains at the Light Parade. What is the end of a parade, a month or less before Christmas, without a float with Santa on board?( Miracle on 34th Street anyone?) Gotta tell you..... The crowd was crazy about this Santa and his Mrs......must be someone very popular in this locale.

Sneak Preview

2011-11-27T20:30:00.001-05:00

I have become friends with Eddie from Mizza's Pizza over the last year and as many of you know, he and his family have purchased the former Sharon Motor Lodge here in Sharon. They have had contractors laboring there since the early summer, restoring a rundown motel to what is going to be just a very fine, comfortable place to stay. From the shingles on the roof to the foundation, things have been fixed, thrown away, replaced and renovated. A whole new septic system is on its finishing touches of being installed out back. Rooms all have fresh paint, and all new furniture and televisions. Carpeting and bathroom tiling is in its final stages. All new door locks, air conditioners and more. Everything will be new. Everything will be up to todays building codes. The water heating equipment is on schedule to be installed this week.

Eddie and his family are doing just a remarkable job. He is really making a huge investment in both time and money. I told him I can't wait to see him hang his "Vacancy" sign. I said I might have even had rented a room this past weekend what with a house full of relatives here for the holidays. If we had had just one more person, we wouldn't have all fit, and we would have had to rent a room somewhere. He smiled and said " invite more people next year"...

He is planning on being open by April for sure, and hopefully in March. This investment for our town to me speaks volumes. A happy customer of his might have breakfast at our diner. Perhaps buys a paper at our pharmacy. Or some wine for a relative. Gas for their car. Flowers for the friend in the hospital they traveled from afar to see. This inn/ motel/ whatever he calls it can only help all of us. To use a partial line from My Fair Lady....."just you wait Henry Higgins, just you wait!'

Different views from a couple of rooms....

Holiday Lights (and sirens) Parade

2011-11-26T19:20:00.001-05:00

Each year of late, many town fire departments in our immediate area have what they call a "Light Parade". Tonight's was in nearby Pine Plains, New York. I had been meaning to get over there for a few years to view this as I knew that they involved their whole town pretty much in one way or the other. Boy do they ever! They have many organizations involved in the vehicles and floats, and other groups giving away cookies and hot chocolate and more. There was an awesome raffle and other fun things going on too! The town was all decorated and lit up for the holidays, with lights in many windows and post lights all lit up from stem to stern. The parade itself lasted for just over thirty minutes and features fire trucks from Falls Village, Kent and Sharon in Connecticut, and a number from around Dutchess County in New York State. There were old cars, new cars, electric cars, new tractors, old tractors, horses, ponies, miniatures and more. It truly was a very enjoyable small-town America parade at its finest. I applaud them sincerely!

So, watch for a parade coming to or near your community in the coming weeks before Christmas. And when it does, get out there and show everyone good support!

And in case you are wondering, I bet there was 1500 to 2000 spectators there, perhaps more. Then throw in easily a number of hundred involved in the parade directly as participants....WOW! A really big town function to be very proud of. Well done Pine Plains...well done.

Look Up!

2011-11-25T22:00:00.001-05:00

I've been saying for months to you all to look up. I sure hope you all looked up at the setting sun tonight. Amazing!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T22:44:00.001-05:00

~I am grateful for many things in my life, both past and present. Each year, since owning our own wine store, we look forward to trying a special wine to have with our Thanksgiving Day Dinner, a once-a-year super-treat. This day I brought home a special battle of red zinfandel . It is from Ridge Vineyards in California. It was their Geyserville 2009. The format was a 3 litre bottle, which makes it all the more special. I know this is an extremely special treat to be able to enjoy this delicious bottle of wine, and I am thankful to be able to do it. I hope today was a special day in one way or another for all of you as well.

Oh....the wine? It's taste? Ah-may-zing!

Pie Sale

2011-11-23T23:42:00.001-05:00

Small towns. Don't ya just love'm? I mean, when a pie sale from the church ladies at one of the local churches is like the greatest anticipated thing of the day since hot and cold running water....how much more small town can you get?

Today's sales total....96 pies in seventeen minutes!

Ladies. You rock! Congratulations!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

The day before the day before....

2011-11-22T19:55:00.001-05:00

Well today's posting is just a quick one. It was a busy day at the store, and tonight it is food-central around the house, so I am busy lending a hand. Hope to snag a pie sale or something "holiday-oriented" tomorrow. You all take care this holiday and be careful in the rains if you are traveling, either near or far.

Found: A flight of stairs

2011-11-21T21:01:00.001-05:00

~stairway to heaven perhaps? and it's located on Murtagh Road, right here in Sharon? All these years of looking, and it's right here!

The truth be known, not only did we all lose power for multiple days earlier this month, but our local Sharon Farm Market lost a whole bunch of product when that all happened. A large financial hit I am sure. But, and this is a big BUT, that wasn't the end of the story for them. A major compressor died and repairs took a lot longer than anticipated so the farm market arranged for a refer trailer from the food warehouse for JAM's frozen goods so they could keep them operating. It just was moved away yesterday, and the steps they had for access are still there.

there's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying the stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she's buying the stairway to heaven.

Meet George.

2011-11-20T19:29:00.001-05:00

George the Cat. We had cats. For one reason or the other, they have been gone for some time now, and we were cat-less (yes!). But then, Catherine came home from college last spring, and she brought a friend. George. A rescue cat. I was looking to be rescued! Six months have gone by, and he is a secured part of the family. He can find the most wild places to curl up and sleep. Here is his latest. Our vessel sink bowl. What a nut. That's our George.

New toys and the learning curve...

2011-11-19T23:34:00.001-05:00

Okay, after supplying the "kids" with technology (iPhones for multiple years), yours truly has made the switch as well. My slide phone was three years old and scratched up very badly on the screen. So much so, I could hardly see what was there... I've been a good boy, worked hard and well, what can I say, I made the leap. Well along with that phone came the need for a new OS for the home computer, and it is just so different in many ways.......long-story short. I am having to learn a bunch of new stuff, so bear with me....please!

Today was the annual Sharon Women's Club Holiday Fair in front of my store. There were, wreath's and decorations, and all kinds of great baked goods, and some soups,and a raffle for a gorgeous little chair......just a neat bunch of items. It was a bit of a "behave" of activity!

One local was not very photogenic, and in a bit of a hurry....

Miniature Lobster trap buoys

2011-11-17T22:19:00.001-05:00

Went to Torrington at the crack of dawn this morning, then back to the store by eight-thirty, then never left till six p.m. Thus no photo of local interest today. So, y'all get a selection from a trip to Maine. This exhibit was inside the lighthouse keeper's home at a lighthouse I visited this fall.

Great colors, don't you think? And that's the thing about them...these are the true colors of the real ones. The replicas were done of all different buoys that are all from this one town or immediate area. The markings and colors are how they tell whose is whose! Pretty amazing.

Evening Sky

2011-11-16T21:08:00.001-05:00

Sure hope we get a sky like this one tomorrow. This day of rain was not my cup of tea.

Correction

2011-11-15T21:05:00.001-05:00

I was notified today that I had my wires crossed, so-to-speak regarding yesterdays post. The first gent, whom I have listed is indeed George Marckres father. That part is correct. The next part, where I said the photo of the man in glasses like Steve Jobs wore, IS NOT George Marckres. It is one of Sharon's first keepers of the green (whose name escapes me right this moment).He preceded Jack Ward (Flashlight) and Ken Bartram and Carl Golden and perhaps others.

So yesterday sure was a Monday, and I apologize for my errors. I will revisit my source, get the correct "flow", and present it at a later date.

George Markres's Father

2011-11-14T21:09:00.001-05:00

The mysterious man yesterday was George Markres father. George Markres was our town's greatest photographer of town history, in my humble opinion. Fran did great work, Jonathan and Brian do great work. I try my best. George Markres. He was amazing. He was more than a photographer. He was a story teller. He showed us history. He showed us history.

Stop at the town hall and see his work there, and visit the historical society for much, much more. Be sure to read the caption about George's father and his ladder. A great story.....

Father(and his ladder)

George Markres

Sharon Ct. Quiz

2011-11-13T20:52:00.001-05:00

~anybody recognize this guy?

First person to let me know the correct answer wins a lifetime free subscription to downcountrylanes...

Mini Cooper

2011-11-12T21:12:00.001-05:00

2002
1500 miles
Wouldn't I look good driving this car?

Autum Colors

2011-11-11T21:48:00.001-05:00

While most all of the trees, and in particular the maples, have all changed and dropped, been pounded with snow and dropped, been beat with wind and dropped, this drop of gold is still shining up here on my hill with most of its leaves. Gotta love its beauty...

Thank You Tulsa

2011-11-10T20:23:00.001-05:00

In Sharon, where we sure had the snow, and lots of folks went days without power, we were fortunate (in my mind) to have some great work crews from Tulsa, Oklahoma here to help return us to normal, power-wise. I had the pleasure to talk to a number of the fellows and they were just some of the nicest guys. Very friendly, extremely polite and assuring in most every way is about how I would describe them. I did have a nice lead-in with them, as my mom grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is about an hour from Tulsa, according to some of the men I talked with. I have not been there since I was a child. If I ever get the opportunity, I just might get there again, and try and feel my mom's "roots".
I told you all of the above to just sum it up with this: Thank you Public Service Company of Oklahoma linemen and your foremen for all of your work here in the Town of Sharon. We really did appreciate it!!

Sights on Election Day in Sharon--2011

2011-11-09T22:22:00.002-05:00

Blogger wouldn't pick-up pictures yesterday, so here is yesterdays offering a wee bit late.........small town election.-U.S.A.

Selectman's Office...Closed for business this day.

Hrr-rumpf...........!

2011-11-08T22:46:00.004-05:00

I wanted to show some pics from voting day in Sharon, but the blogger won't let me upload photos. Maybe tomorrow. Sorry....

day is done.....gone is the sun....

2011-11-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

What just moments before was a world filled with color, scenery suddenly changes to just a very few shades of colors as the sun disappears into the western sky. These fast differences have to be almost taken with a motor-driven camera as they happen almost in the blink of the eye.......

If you are wondering where, this is from just over the New York State side of Dakin Road, looking due-west. The hill would be what I always refer to as Sunset Ridge, just about midway between Amenia and Millerton. The lighted facility you see I believe is part of The MacEnroe Farm complex.

Church Ladies

2011-11-06T20:56:00.002-05:00

Since most of the good folks who take a peak at my blog from time to time tend to be all connected to Sharon in one way or another, tonight's subject will probably be one that 95% or more know exactly what I am talking about. I want to complement The Church Ladies of Sharon ( awww heck, and everywhere else too!). First, let me say this. Church ladies are the best! Church ladies are the good ladies, usually older than others in the church, who just see to it that there is always a cookie for the kids, a coffee for the adults, some yummy fruit in the summer, and all kinds of goodies the other weeks of the year. They are the ones who set it all up, and clean up the mess when it's over. They fill the sugar bowls and bring in the fresh milk. They start the coffee before a service, so it's ready when the service has ended. They wash all the dishes, and put everything in its place. And when there is a special event, be it a special service like a funeral or memorial service, they crank-up the product mix, and bring out the home-made cakes and fresh apple pies and such. They'll break-out the good silver, shine it well, and have the punch bowl filled with a nice punch and the crystal cups will be filled. You know the ones I mean. The ones with the handles too small for ninety-percent of the worlds population to get a finger through to really support the drink, so you live in fear you may drop the cup, break the glass and get Hawaiian Punch lemonade on your white slacks. Those cups. I feel like Andy Rooney. Who invented them anyways?

So today I was watching the church ladies at my church, The Sharon Congregational, and they just go about their business in such an awesome way. I really love it when one will place a plate of brownies on the serving table one way, and another will turn it to suit their taste. Then when that one turns their back, the other one spins it back! You can't make this stuff up. They are so caring right down to how that plate of goodies looks to the herd as it comes through the back door following the service. Remarkable.

So, I propose a toast. To Carol and Jean, and Phyllis and Maggie some too. And at St. Bernard's to Jose and the other good folks there, and to Judy and Marion, and Maureen and Lee at the Methodist Church, along with a whole host of others. You all are awesome! Thank you! You treat us all so well. We should be treating you......

Got him! (if only for a second)

2011-11-05T23:36:00.000-04:00

Chased this guy the full length of Crystal Lake one morning about ten days ago and he finally relented and gave me one quick pose before bolting again. Guess I should say Thanks!

Halloween Night @ Sharon Firehouse

2011-11-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

The Sharon Fire House on West Main each year hosts a bit of a Halloween Party, with some cider and donuts for trick-or-treaters and I think they extend a prize or two to some good costumes. (I have been away from that Halloween stuff for a good bit, so I am not sure if they still normally do that) This year, things really changed. The Feb-tober snowstorm we've all been dealing with in one form or another since last Saturday evening turned the firehouse into a warm place from the cold, a hot meal for those who could come, a charging station for cell phones, a shower for those in need and sleeping quarters for those who just couldn't be in cold, dark houses. And friendly faces and warm smiles were everywhere one looked.

I won't say anything more than a big thank you to all who went above and beyond for their neighbors in need during this stressful time for many, and I'll just let these few pictures tell a bit of the story.....these pictures just start to tell the story here in Sharon. There were so many more involved, (and still are) from sunrise to late every evening and throughout the night for those who slept over. And this scene was repeated throughout the area and the entire state....neighbors helping neighbors, in whatever way they could, in their time of need. A remarkable time indeed.

Early morning lineup on Hilltop

2011-11-03T21:15:00.000-04:00

I came down off the hill this morning via Jackson Hill and Route 4. I was curious to see if any action was transpiring on 4 and South Street, as I knew there was much to be done in those respective areas of town. As I crested over the knoll near Ed Kirby's, I saw about five trucks parked on the south side of 4, headed east. A crew was working directly opposite Hilltop and there was just a pack of men swarming around the hood of a nearby vehicle, looking at a huge map and having a bit of a conference. I wanted to catch that on the memory card but they flagged me through.... "Keep moving please..." I quickly threw on the right-hand turn signal, and crept up Hilltop past more men and their trucks, all from Oklahoma -American Electric Power-.

Since I didn't want to be the first "local" to run over a worker from a power company in the mid-west, here to help my friends and neighbors..... I can see the Hartford Courant now.."Oklahoma lineman killed in Sharon by local man trying to take pictures.".... So I pulled over when I had the chance, into the old William Riley driveway and caught this little glimpse back at just a partial shot of the equipment lined up, getting ready to head out for a day of repairs to our local grid. As of this evening, I heard they did a lot good out there today, and I understand they returned power to lots of folks today. Thanks Oklahoma!

Feb-tober Snow Storm 2011

2011-11-02T20:12:00.000-04:00

It already has been more than four days since the first flakes started to fall, and while some have lights and heat, many will not see that luxury for days to come yet. While the saying of "what a difference a day makes" rings true for some, so did the have concern for what lies around the next corner ring so true as well. You could have just snow here, and roads and yards be clear, and a one hundred year old monster might meet you around the next curve, blocking everyone, and bringing everything to a standstill. It really was an incredible storm. I have a theory, which could be totally wrong, but one I am going with anyways......it is, as follows: the fact that we actually had less damage than many other areas is because of our hills dropping their woodland-leaves perhaps a bit earlier than other areas, causing them to drop and our trees therefore not being there were not holding all that wet snow....possible? Or perhaps we in the hills were just a degree or two colder than other areas, so our snow turned-out to be not quite as wet and heavy for as long as others, thus making the damages someone less? Seem possible?

Here are a few shots showing the "flow" as I saw it.

First hour..Saturday afternoon, early.

Just a couple hours later than above photo..

Corner of Hilltop and 41..Sunday morning early..a white "wall"..

Maine Street, looking south @ corner of West Main

At "The Edgwood", on my way back from getting gas, in Washington Hollow, NY

No entries

2011-11-01T13:59:00.004-04:00

Due to snowstorm dropping more than 24" in our immediate area, having no power or Internet, my blog is temporarily in sabbatical state.. when the power and web returns, so will I!! Until, then, Happy Trails!

Halloween will soon be here.

2011-10-28T21:17:00.001-04:00

~and the best part about that is that it means it will soon be over! Personally I do not care for Halloween, in a way, shape or form. With that said, my next-door business neighbors, The Sharon Pharmacy, is known as Halloween Headquarters. Today, while minding my biz, I looked out front and two really strange characters were out roaming about. If they show up at your house in the coming days, I'd lock the door for sure...... :)

Maybe the snowstorm tomorrow will drive the monsters back into their caves for another year!

Town Line changes..

2011-10-27T20:21:00.000-04:00

August 23rd and October 23rd..........just a wee bit of difference, wouldn't ya say?

It's a "guy" thing...

2011-10-26T22:13:00.001-04:00

First things first...hopefully, I am now back on schedule. Sorry for the mix-up to those who are kind enough to follow daily. I found numerous subjects yesterday morning so I think I'm good to go again for a bit.

Second. Today's post. It is a crane, which was just raised and is being used this week at the early stages of the construction of the new "green energy" heating plant, now under construction at The Hotchkiss School in nearby Lakeville, Ct. Kind-of a guy thing, I know. It has all kinds of counter-balance, as can be witnessed in this picture. The crane is operated by a guy walking around with a little joy stick on the job. The power is from an electric motor, which is run by a very small, quiet Honda generator. How cool is that? No big monstrosity of a diesel fume-throwing machine thus far, other than the excavators which dug the hole.

I am told the plant will burn wood chips for its energy source, and burn them so cleanly that it truly will be amazing. A case of Hotchkiss investing their money, and doing something really good for the environment, and for all of us.

Applause, applause!

Long day on Monday....

2011-10-25T08:29:00.000-04:00

So last night I had a monthly church meeting which ran extremely long, and when I got home, I just crawled into bed and called it a day. Thus, no posting was done Monday evening. I also need to thank my daughter who correctly said I had done a post on The Black Goose already, and yesterdays was pretty much a re-do.. Oops! I forgot! Sorry. But thank you Cat for having a good memory and alerting me. So with all that said, I'll throw up this little picture from recent days and say we'll try and do better tomorrow....

Breakfast....and more...in Sharon!

2011-10-23T22:03:00.002-04:00

This offering is a bit overdue, but I wanted to get it out there. No longer (thankfully) is there not a place for a little breakfast, lunch or dinner in Sharon. The Black Goose is open! There has for years been the gas station coffee and Hostess snacks for breakfast at minusmart. Then last year the Farm Market opened, and there was a place for a bagel and an egg sandwich ( which I must admit is awesome!--from Jam). But this summer the Black Goose Grill opened in the old Twin Oaks location in the plaza. Breakfast and lunch: served Tuesday through Sunday. Suppers: Wednesday through Saturday. Closed: obviously Mondays.

My review: Bob and his staff are working hard to make an affordable stop in Sharon. I enjoy their short stack of pancakes and a cup of coffee for about $5.60 or so. I think that is a good deal. Suits me anyway.. The regular menu has nothing I don't think priced over $10.50, and that's is a pretty large variety for that price range. In addition, they are doing specials on a large blackboard for supper that seems to range from $10.95 to about $15.00 if my memory serves me correctly. In this day and age, that's almost verges on amazing...

I think Sharon is indeed fortunate in this economy to have, first off, someone willing to take a chance on opening a restaurant, and then secondly, making it as affordable as they have. I hope others feel as I do, and that we ALL need to support them as best we can, when we can, for it sure is nice to have them there. Driving somewhere else to get a meal is no longer a necessity, and for that I am thankful.

So welcome to Bob and his crew. Thank you for trusting in us. I hope we show that trust back to you, so you can be here a long, long time.

What's up with dropping foliage anyways?

2011-10-22T22:44:00.002-04:00

Why is, do you suppose, that some trees drop their leaves from the bottom branches up first. and others drop them from the top down first, like the one pictured here? This particular tree is out in the open, so it's getting plenty of light from all sides, so I wonder if light matters? Guess I'll need to ask the Tree Doctor.

Birds of feather, flock together

2011-10-21T21:52:00.002-04:00

Those noisy critters from the north are starting to do their thing in recent weeks, so I guess that is just another sign to keep doing the annual fall chores. Gutters, leaves, storm doors, lawn furniture to the shed, firewood to the porch, shut off the outside faucets, posts to line the driveways, surely I must be forgetting something!

Oh well. If you're going to live in New England, well, you just have to expect it. Tis' part of the game.

Evening sky Oct. 20, 2011

2011-10-20T22:23:00.003-04:00

Clouds rolling in from the northwest, and the butternut trees are bare already.....not sure if that is a good or bad sign.....

Removing Wallpaper.....Yuck!

2011-10-19T21:09:00.000-04:00

I took this afternoon off from work at the store to continue work at the house. I am working on our living room. Currently, todays schedule was to finish about 3/4 of the rooms wallpaper removal and ripping up the other half of the carpet, under-pad, carpet cleats, and get it out and in the truck, ready for the dump tomorrow morning. With the help of my wallpaper steamer, I can say, it's done! Phew! Stripping wallpaper I rate right up there with digging a ditch with a hand shovel. Uggh. Anyway, it's done. Thank heavens....

In lieu of photo's of great interest, I am going to give a plug. If you are ever in Brunswick, Maine, I highly recommend The Lion's Pride Pub. Their food is awesome, and the feature 35 beers on tap, and none of the Coors Light/Bud Light varietals. The good stuff only. If your in the neighborhood, check'em out! I mentioned this on FB last week, and a friend who frequents Maine on business is planning on going there soon. You never know!

These steeples.......

2011-10-18T22:29:00.001-04:00

Well last year The Sharon Congregational Church steeple went through a major repaint and some carpentry repairs. That work, which happens to be up over one hundred feet in the air at the tip was a very expensive project. Very thankfully, funds were raised and the work was completed. This year, the work has moved south about a hundred yards. The Episcopal Church steeple has been removed this past spring. Their project involves far more than paint. Much of the steeple needs to be rebuilt, from its strong, large beams inside to the outside skin. Fundraising is just getting started I am told, and it will be expensive. Maybe some kind person of extreme "fluidity" will come forward. I hope so. The church just looks so unfinished without its customary steeple.

Substitute or Guest Star?

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

When my parents went on their getaway to Maine, I added myself (with my father's permission of course...HA) as a contributor to his blog so whenever he doesn't have the chance to post I can keep it updated. But I'm not content with being just a fill-in; I'm taking on the role of "guest star". (Which, by my own definition, means I can write about my own silliness.)

SO, since things have been fairly exciting for me the past few weekends, I thought I would quickly mention some of the fun things in the NWC that I have been lucky enough to partake in. Columbus Day weekend was a big weekend for everyone, not only because it was a long weekend but also because it seemed to be the last hooray in terms of summer weather. The endless weeks of WET have really taken a toll. Gardens, fields, and crops were not the only things that have been drenched. People's attitudes seemed to be too! But those few extraordinarily gorgeous days really seemed to brings some smiles to match the sunny weather. :)

One of the many events that weekend was the Salisbury Fall Festival . An all weekend event, many local businesses, clubs, groups, churches got involved and had wonderful pancake breakfasts, scarecrow contests, etc. One event that I partook in was the 2nd Annual Hotchkiss Bearcat 5K to benefit the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau. I could not have asked for a more beautiful day nor more beautiful scenery! Ran on the Hotchkiss Cross Country course, the 5K brought back many memories of training on different sections...some better than others (anyone who knows "Cardiac Hill" will know what I'm talking about!). Not only was the run great, but it really was for a great organization. Nancy Vaughn, the director, said that they had more than 100 more participants than last year! With a fun run, 1K and 5K there was something for everyone. Here are the results. [Disclaimer: Despite the amazing weekend, I still managed to develop Lyme Disease and felt progressively more crumby. I finally got diagnosed on Tuesday and spent the next day in bed! Not that my times would have been that much better...but it might be a factor :)]

Annual Rite

2011-10-16T20:52:00.002-04:00

Can't be a fall without a picture of the maple tree in Tom Bartram's yard on Low Road. Sure glad I don't have to rake up all those leaves! What am I talking about? I built our house in the woods. We have more leaves than Carter has pills........

Hidden Messages

2011-10-15T20:59:00.001-04:00

So in 1987 we started building our house in early April. In February of 1988 we moved in. Tonight I started stripping the wallpaper in the living room, which is the original, and removing the carpeting. It was time. (actually about five years ago was time, but it takes time!) Anyways, under the paper, on the wall I started on, I found a secret hidden message, in my own handwriting.

If you're wondering, the Yankees didn't make it. Oakland did and was beat by the L.A. Dodgers, and Kirk Gibson hit those home runs which live on in Sportscenter™ highlights forever....

(Yes Cat......no apostrophe in Yankees...I'm learning.....slowly)

Mitcheltown Bridge Repairs....

2011-10-14T20:41:00.000-04:00

Just curious.... I know that Mayor Bob removed himself from the discussion as he is a neighboring landowner, which I guess makes sense. The last I heard the other selectmen were to meet with the landowner on getting a go-ahead to get going on repair of this road bridge/culvert/whatever..... This goes back about three/four years now doesn't it? What is the problem here really?

Moody's Diner

2011-10-13T22:06:00.002-04:00

Saturday night past found us heading south on Rt.1 from Rockland towards Bath and on to Brunswick. When we got to Waldoboro, I pulled the car into Moody's Diner. We got there about 5: 45 pm, and walked in and we were seated at a booth in about one minute. If we'd walked in at 5:50, we would have been waiting for thirty minutes or more! Wow, do the folks go here! And they have been going since 1927! I enjoyed the nostalgia of it all, and the desserts were yummy. My meal was okay, but nothing to brag about, as was my wife's. Our friends did enjoy their meals, so maybe we were just expecting more? Whatever. I am glad we stopped, and I will try it again the next time I am in the neighborhood. If you're going through, give it a try would be my suggestion.

click on and read about this landmark

LIFESTAR

2011-10-12T21:24:00.001-04:00

How to get rid of leaves...quickly!

and water as well.....

There are many things I love about our town, and state. One of the businesses I absolutely love is LIFESTAR Air Ambulance Service, based at Hartford Hospital in Hartford. The ability that they present to possibly leave Hartford within seven or eight minutes of a call, travel in another eight to ten minutes and be on the ground at Sharon Hospital is awesome. They as well can go directly to the scenes of serious calls where faster transportation to better equipped facilities is necessary, another tremendous advantage. This service has resulted in I am sure, hundreds, if not thousands, of possibly saved lives, or improved lives because of that ability of quick transport to a better equipped facility. Their video says twenty-five years and twenty-four thousand calls.......wow!

Thank you LIFESTAR, Hartford Hospital, and the state for funding such a valuable program.

Marshall Point Lighthouse

2011-10-11T22:44:00.002-04:00

As many of you are by now aware, we got out-of-town last weekend, and saw some new sights (to us) in Maine. This one is of The Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, Me. Many of you may recognize it from it twelve seconds or so of fame in the "Forrest Gump" movie....... enjoyed my stop here very much, and highly recommend it!

UPDATE

2011-10-08T22:17:00.003-04:00

We interrupt this blog with an urgent message --

RICK IS MISSING.

Sharon, CT -- As of midday Friday, Rick was no longer in the NWC. Sources close to him say he may have escaped up to Maine with his wife and two close family friends for the holiday weekend. Currently their whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact the authorities.

Ok, so he's not missing. But for those who are curious, Mom, Dad and some friends went on their second annual Columbus Day trip to Maine this weekend. The long weekend conveniently falls close to my mother's birthday so as a present, they have made it a habit of taking a well deserved mini-vacation to their (second) favorite state. Although Maine is lovely in the summer, there is really something to be said about taking slow walks by the water with your hands warm in your pockets and a scarf wrapped around your neck. I'm convinced the cool air makes the clam chowder and fresh blueberry muffins taste that much better, too.

I'm really glad they have the chance to get away for the weekend. Not only to take a break from the daily humdrum of life but also to get the chance to do things as a couple. It's been many many years since they were just two, so I'm happy they have the opportunity to revisit some of those experiences again.

(Now time for the obligatory Maine photo)

For those of you who get tired of my dad's constant stream of amazingly beautiful pictures taken with his fancy-schmancy camera, here's what my iPhone can do...

Introducing....

2011-10-06T20:12:00.000-04:00

Rick's Reserve Red

I made the decision about six weeks back to sell at our store a private label wine. The big kicker with that....it is my own label with my name on it! It took a bit to get things together but last Friday I put on sale for the first time in Sharon, Rick's Reserve Red. It is a red wine made from the pinot noir grape. These grapes are grown in California, and shipped to The Millbrook Vineyard in Millbrook, New York. There it is made into wine and bottled and marketed. This wine is only used for their private label offerings.

I took the pictures (obviously) for the label and our son wrote the little note on the back of the bottle, so it really is a family-involved deal. I have an opening introductory price of $11.99, which is a steal!

I sort-of guessed that the initial sales would be somewhat good, due to the town clock picture and all, but I worried about that second sale....I want to assure you......there is nice wine in the bottle and repeat sales are happening every day! Comments have been overwhelmingly positive! The one I did get that wasn't too positive was just that they didn't really care for this style, that they like a more hearty red. That's fine.

So, if you're perhaps in the need for a bottle of red, with a hometown feel to it, or need to bring a gift or have a gift for someone, I feel really good about presenting this red wine as an option for all to consider.

Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T20:51:00.001-04:00

My son, at a very young age, taught me about this thing called an Apple Computer™. We owned numerous Apple computers as a family, then Apple Computers became Macintosh and then eventually just plain Mac's. My kids grew up with them, so I guess I did too. They started in grammar school and went through college and law school, and in their personal lives. I have used them strictly in my business endeavors, and here at home.

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple. Steve Jobs took the company and turned it into what it is today, through his visions and leadership. Apple changed the world of computers. And then they changed the world of listening to music with iPods. And then they changed the music shopping world with iTunes. And then, there came the iPhone, the King of Smartphones. And then, along came the iPad.

Steve Jobs died today. I didn't know Steve Jobs other than through news and readings throughout the years. But I can't help but feel that the world lost a true visionary, as my friend David said just this evening on his Facebook™ account. His efforts have affected so much of my families lives thus far. One company, led by one individual, has had such an effect on our world.

Rest in Peace Mr. Jobs. Thank you for all that you have given the world. In my family, you will never be forgotten. My condolences to his wife and children.

'32' Desoto

2011-10-04T22:06:00.000-04:00

"if I were a rich man......yada-deedle...... "

Many of you know I am a bit of a gear-head, having a love for many types, styles and ages of cars. I like some brand new models, and I like some mighty old ones. Yesterday, I think I saw one of the prettiest I have seen in years. Years! Dr. John Downey of Sharon, a good friend and neighbor, has had local car builder, restorer, aficionado Chris Coons working for more than three years off and on on his '32' Desoto. Without a doubt, totally neat. Totally.

Still looking up.....

2011-10-03T21:26:00.000-04:00

I've been making comments for weeks now, from time-to-time, telling you all to "look up"...... A friend with a large tract of private land lets me come take pics whenever I want, of which I am quite thankful. It usually about amazing skies, super sunsets, or rainbows or all kinds of wildlife. Last week I visited one late afternoon and a funny thing happened. When I left town, the sky was clear and I thought from up on his land it would be a magnificent afternoon for some clear shots. I still have not figured out where the clouds came from. So, when I got there and saw the clouds I was disappointed and wasn't thinking I would have a good shot. But lo and behold, when I got home, I was very pleasantly surprised with this and other similar shots. Why, or how, the sun blurred up the way it did....no idea. But you know what....I'll take it! So I'll keep saying....Look Up!

Hope I'm not boring you all with these sky shots....

and now, for something totally different...

2011-10-02T20:06:00.000-04:00

Well, today I saw something happen in Sharon, which I have never seen done before in Sharon. That doesn't mean it never happened before, I just have never been witness to it happening. The Sharon Ecumenical Clergy Council had a Blessing of the Animals on the Green in front of Town Hall. Attending were Father Fador from St. Bernard's, Rev. Kim from Sharon Methodist, Rev. Ryan and Guerrera from Sharon Congregational and Rev. Widing from The Episcopal Church.

So, the churches were all represented, and there were lots of folks from I believe all of the denominations there, with their dogs and cats, in all shapes and sizes (no goats or pigs or snakes--thank heavens, for I'd been outta there!!!)). During my time there, the clergy went around and said a blessing for each and every pet there. It really was quite touching and I left feeling quite happy for all who partook, especially for the really young, whom I felt paid very close attention. There was one dog there who would fit in a bread box with lots of room to spare. There also was a number of B-I-G dogs there. I hope the little guy wasn't breakfast or a snack for one of the big guys..........

Pastor Ryan

Rev. Kim with an attentive audience!

Rev. Guerrera has her hands full!

Rev. Widing giving a blessing..

Father Fador and Rev. Guerrera, Janice and Torey

Big Tree Down

2011-10-01T20:47:00.000-04:00

On my trip yesterday morning from Long Pond Road to Mudge Pond, I ran across a pretty big tree which recently decided to lay down for a long winters nap....... The little boy in me wanted to climb up on it, and cross the stream like I would have forty or so years ago. The adult in me said don't be an idiot! You fall off, you're dead (or at least extremely sore).

Guess which one won.....

fog in the valley.....

2011-09-30T20:39:00.002-04:00

The fog over Mudge was pretty incredible this morning. From Long Pond, it looked like a whale of a thick cloud. I clicked this off, drove down to Mudge, caught the fishermen seen below and POOF, it had disappeared! Or had it......?

Umbrella anyone?

2011-09-29T21:26:00.000-04:00

~Well, has everybody had enough rain yet? Sake's alive! Today was quite a day of it, starting with 2+ inches in a little over an hour early this morning, which caused washouts, delays, detours, a serious accident in Sharon and minor havoc here and there and everywhere. Our ground is so saturated that any rains which fall just run and gain speed and strength in volume. I had a culvert tube plug(one of three), causing water to flow up and over the header we had built and on to the second tube under our driveway. At it's peak, it went over that header as well, and on to the third tube.(all ten inch by-the-way) That second tube was a life saver, and it was like a water cannon on the discharge side! I got the debris cleared from the first one and it was a huge relief! It was like a big whirlpool when it opened up and sucked downward. My heart relaxed when that happened! The rains had plugged the end of the tube with grasses and sticks that came when the torrent came rushing down thru the near-bye woods.

That was just the start of the day. The rains continued off and on throughout the day, probably a good four, five, maybe even six different times. When it stopped, the sun would come out and you would think you were all done. Forty minutes later it would be teeming again. And we just had thunder and lightning here at around 8:30 when I started on my two blogs for today. We missed a blog yesterday because of "busy-ness". :)

Sure hope tomorrow is somewhat more stable in the weather department!

Remember.....look up!