Rare November ride: Mass. North Shore

Don jumped on the bike this A.M. and got in a ride. It started out 46 degrees, calling for the cold-weather gear (no fairing on the Shadow 1100 = layer up when it’s below 60), but quickly evolved into a sweet, mid-fall gem of a Sunday, 65 degrees and sunny.

Heading for the North Shore, he was surprised to find all-time favorite flea market Todd Farm (Rowley) not only alive and well, but thriving at this time of year–as well as old friend and watch/clock guy Mike Karagozie. Then it was off to Plum Island for a beach hike and sitting down to watch the waves a spell and take some brain-clearing surf therapy.

Costumery

Halloween pictures, barrette mania, and modeling the new winter coat Gran made for Susanna out of polar fleece:

Mine Falls foliage

The light was amazing today around 3 at Mine Falls Park in Nashua as Don walked Milo and Glory, so he whipped out the cell phone and started snapping pictures…should have brought the much higher quality Canon but oh well…still you get the picture.

All they knew was that it was perfect walkin’ weather at 60 degrees and sunny.

Bob & Darlene’s Fall Fling in Melvin Village, NH

We flew up to Melvin Village yesterday (well, drove, really) and hung out with Patrick’s godparents, who threw a get-together up in the woods. While our GPS got us lost by confusing Wolfeboro with Melvin Village, we got our money’s worth of fall foliage…which seems to be coming in slowly but surely…and late. Still, Don maintains it’s a weak foliage season–probably due to the prolonged cold spell we had in June that stunted the incoming leaves.

Anyway, the photo highlights:


Susanna’s godparents were there, too. This is Dennis chillin’ with the little one.

Daddy Bob’s slot cars were the highlight of the proceedings, at least for Patrick.

“No, no, Belichick, run BenJarvus Green-Ellis! HE’S the one on my fantasy team!!!”

Fall stuff

Just emptied the cell-cam and wanted to share some pictures:

Susanna at the SEE Science Center grinding gears…

…making bubbles bigger than she is…

…and in general having a good time.

At the Milford Pumpkin Fest.

Don, kids, Carolyn and Rebecca visit Allison in Plymouth

Today was homecoming at Plymouth State, and we loaded up the van with Don’s sister Carolyn and daughter Rebecca to visit Allison. She showed us around and of course we attended the festivities on the green outside the Hub.

We met Allison at her place, a grand old house barely off campus she shares with 14 other students; it,s huge, she’s got a massive bedroom to herself.

We briefly took over her room.

Picnic lunch of corn chowder in bread bowls and buffalo burgers.

Pumpkin painting was involved…

…as was cotton candy…

…and a train ride.

The foliage was nice, especially the ivy turning color on the sides of buildings.

We were worried what this “brain trust” was scheming.

Meet the new hound, Milo

Not much to say except he is a 7 year old male, returned to the kennel because previous adopter got a new job that included long hours and night shifts and the dog did not like that at all.

He is named after Milo Aukerman, the lead singer of the punk band the Descendents. (Yes, with an “e”).

Jack-o-lantern

Patrick got a small (4″-6″) pumpkin at his first grade field trip to Parlee Farms Friday, and he was hot to carve that thing up and make a jack-o-lantern. This, it turns out, is one of those skills one assumes dads have, and Dad tried not to disappoint.

So here goes. He drew the face he wanted me to cut…we roasted the seeds…and actually had to cut down a votive candle to make it light…

Apparently he felt it was so cool he had to introduce his trains to it…so I guess, mission accomplished?

Fenway, Monday

Well things started off cheerily, with Beckett supposedly starting on Don’s only 2009 game at the Fens with cousin Doug (from Ohio, Red Sox diehard, go figure) and his son Alvin.

Then Beckett was scratched with back spasms, Bowden gave up 5 hits and 4 runs before he got his second out, and it went downhill from there, including the torrential downpour that sent us running to the Kenmore T. We–us three, and 200 BU meatheads, soaked to the bone–jammed ourselves into a single, steamy Green Line car. It was like the locker room after a mud football game. But here are the pictures from the better part of the night.

The view from up in right field, pregame.

Don and Doug.

On this momentous Pesky night, we were 15 rows up behind the Pesky Pole.

Oh yeah, I forgot: The seats were obstructed view. Turns out that, with Toronto shooting rockets into the bullpen and off the Green Monster all night (11 runs before the rain mercifully ended things in the 7th) it was actually comforting to be able to not see it all unfold.

Don and Alvin.

Papi at the plate (he did hit a home run during the game).

I hadn’t noticed from watching on TV, but Doug pointed out (and I caught it with the camera) how Youkilis takes a little hop as the pitcher throws every pitch. He maybe should lay off the coffee a little bit.

Tents!

Location: EMS HQ in Peterborough, their annual sample sale and clearance.
Goal: A boys’ tent and a girls’ tent for camping next year, upgrading our single 2-person tent setup so we can camp as a family next year after our excellent test-trips with the kids this year.
Mission: Accomplished!

We had no idea EMS stores rented gear, but we know now. Also, a tip for you frugal-minded freaks like us: When they sell it, they practically give it away (in the case of these today, 90% off).

The scary part was buying a rented tent, which conjures images we don’t even want to consider. In setting it up I expected holes, rips, stains and other issues, but this Nova (sleeps 4 plus has a massive vestibule) only needed the customary vacuuming and it is 90% new. Both tents were barely used.

The Tundra Dome sleeps 3. We built it in the dining room (the Nova was too big) when rainclouds rolled in. Big hit with the kids.