01.01.2025. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Happy New Year to you all!

Decided since it was the beginning of a new decade that I should go out to enjoy the festivities. Fireworks are among my favorite things to watch. So off I went to CPYC and had a very clear view of the fireworks over Boston Harbor. They were spectacular as always. There were a few of us there just in time for the display. Then we all dispersed to beat the traffic and the rain. And just as I was coming back to my town the rain started. So good timing, good choice of location, and good idea to welcome the new year!

(not my photo - downloaded from internet). 

My new year wish for everyone: May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop! (emailed photo and caption from a friend). 

 

Buddies forever.

 

If you made any New Year resolutions, may you have the strength and courage to keep them.

May you and your family have a very safe and healthy and happy and prosperous 2025.

Until next time......................

12.31.2021 In Remembrance of a Dear Friend

 It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write this blog about Mikey - a great person and humanitarian.

Mike died on 12/26/2021 following complications of treatment for bile duct cancer.

I have known Mike for over 20 years from the Cottage Park Yacht Club. He was always a silver haired fox!  Mike was kind, generous, and had a very engaging personality. His wife Betsy is also a very special person and I am very fortunate to have known both.

Mike was a great sailor and had a Rhodes 19 named Red Dog. He was so very excited for me when I bought Mimi, my Rhodes 19. He sailed her with me from Crystal Cove to CPYC on her maiden voyage. We quickly realized she had a leak - a leaky "O" ring and he had her hoisted out of the water and helped me replace the part. At the end of the sailing season, he either helped me deliver her back to Crystal Cove, or he grabbed one of his buddies and took her over there for me. I have no idea what I will do without him to bounce a few questions or ask for some advice on sailing techniques. He was always happy to help. What a man.

In addition to being an accomplished sailor, he had many accomplishments. His best was serving as a volunteer "kitchen boy" at Camp Fatima in Gilmarton Ironworks NH. He had done that for 55 years. Amazing.

Today was his funeral Mass and burial. The Church was full, and it was the most beautiful Mass I have attended. It was a high Mass, complete with organ music, a soloist, and lots of incense. I always thought Christmas time would be nice for a wedding, it also is a nice time for a funeral with all of the decorations and lights! I am sure Mike would agree.

The funeral Mass was concelebrated by his brother Father Tim and three other priests. I don't know his brother could do it. It was a really emotional service.

The organ at St. John the Evangelist Church in Winthrop, MA. The soloist had a beautiful voice and fitting for the occasion.

A prayer service at the burial site in Medford. Father Tim is wearing the white cassock.

It would not be an Irish funeral without the bagpipes.

Mike had a great sense of humor. These letters were inserted into the service booklet.

I'll find a few of my pictures with Mike on Red Dog and post later. 

God Bless you Mike and may you rest in eternal peace. You will be sorely missed. I miss you already as I type through my tears. And may God keep a close eye on Betsy, your loving wife, and keep her safe and healthy.

.

10.06.19 Last sail of the season

Summer is far too short in New England, at least the sailing season is too short. By the time Mimì is launched it seems like there are just too few good weekend days to sail her. It was quite sad to see her lined up at the dock ready for being lifted out and prepared for winter storage. Maybe I am also not ready for winter!

Last Sunday was a beautiful day to sail. The weather was perfect and so was the wind. A good way to end the season.

Here is my little girl, the small boat with the blue cover.




It was fun to see the sights of all of the different boats in the Boston Harbor - sailboats, tugboats, barges, ferries and motor boats.




Boston skyline.










Port to port or starboard to starboard, but never port to starboard!

"Two ships passing in the day."



Looks like fun.







Did I mention I liked tugboats?! They are hard working little boats!





A favorite landmark to find one's way home. 




And then it was over all too soon. Mimì was taken over to Crystal Cove and is in queue to be lifted out of the water by the crane and placed on her trailer. Here she is, third in line. It was a sad day, the weather was cool and windy and very, very gloomy.  

Took a couple of hours to take down her sails and carry all of the equipment to the car.  See the large crane in the background? Hope they lift her out carefully.

All stripped down and ready for winter storage. Will visit her at least once more to unplug her and empty out any remaining water. Until next Spring, good bye my little girl Mimì.

The gardens, too, are nearing the end of their season.  We have the last of the roses blooming this weekend but the monkshood will be in bloom until a heavy frost. So now I will spend my time on clean-up of the flower beds. With luck my boys will help, or at least encourage me from the porch and yard!

Do you see the bees?

Morning glories still going strong, too.

Gunnarr

Fionnegan

Shorty

The boys are three happy dogs! 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Until next time, be healthy and happy.

09.25.19 End of Summer, Sailing and Football

It seems like last month was quite busy and I have not posted for a while. We all (the boys and me) have been well but time slips by because of work, gardening, housework, sailing and now football. Have tried to sail as much as possible knowing that soon it will be time to take the boat out of the water for winter storage. May have one or two good days left.

And yes, it is football season. My team, the New England Patriots are doing very well and my home team the Pittsburgh Steelers, not so much. We raised the banner for the 6th Super Bowl victory earlier in the month and it was a great event to witness. We have been truly lucky if not blessed to have such success with our Boston teams. But the Red Sox kept us grounded this year with no chance at the playoffs and World Series. One year champs , the next year at the bottom of the barrel.

Fionnegan, Gunnarr and Shorty are healthy and doing quite well. Shorty seems to thrive in the cooler weather, a bit of a surprise for a Yapese dog. Gunnarr remains my little Houdini and can pretty much escape from his "condo" and the gates inside the house. I have come home on a couple of occasions to be greeted by his smiling face and wagging tail at the door. Fionnegan is a little thief, caught him red handed stealing Gunnarr's and Shorty's treats. He has such spirit! And bravery. It is really good to see all of them getting along. Shorty has mellowed towards being bumped and nudged by them and they seem to be less intimidated when jumping over him to sit on my lap! I have even seen kisses exchanged between them. Yesterday Shorty was on the couch next to me, Fionn and Gunnarr were wrestling on the floor and Fionn tail was wagging and bumping Shorty in the nose. In the past Shorty would growl at him, this time he just looked at me and moved his nose away from the wagging tail. Such progress.

Gunnarr and Fionnegan looking through the screen door to the kitchen. That is about as high as they can reach as they try to let me know they want back inside.



Sometimes a little howling just to make sure I know they are there!



As summer ends, there are no more lilies and few dragonflies left.



Playing on the back deck. Happy boys.




Friday the 13th - Harvest Moon at CPYC. Had a nice dinner there with a good friend.

Airplane flying under the harvest moon. The next time there will be a Harvest moon on Friday the 13th will be in 2049. Hard to imagine that.

Super Bowl Champions for the 6th time. Saw the latest banner drop at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Very exciting to be there. Is there room for one more? Always!

This past week four fighter jets flew over the stadium. This was a lucky shot with the cell phone. You can see the fourth jet in the clouds.



Here is TB 12 with the football, ready to pass.

And NE/Josh Gordon scores a TD!

Took a little time for a solo walk along the coast at Plum Island Parker Wildlife Refuge. It was beautiful with the setting sun. Just needed a bit of fresh  air and the sound of the sea. It was such a beautiful evening after work. A true escape.



Looks like someone trying to get a nice photo for their Christmas card! The kids, all dressed up, were having a great time playing in the sand.



The very last Stella d' Ora of the season. The gardens were beautiful this Spring and Summer. Soon the blue Monkhoods will b loom. Stay tuned.



Wishing you all good health and happiness. Until next time..... And I will try to write sooner.