Hallow

...

...

...

Ever do that scary flashlight thing on your face?

The last little kids I did this too laughed at me...

...

What scares me:
- losing my eyes or hands
- Croaking before I get to my backlog of art, writing, n design projects
- senseless violence n war
- riding fast elevators in tall buildings
- drunk drivers n other careless drivers

...

What doesn't scare me:
- halloween stuff
- ghosts
- animals
- being alone
- public speaking
...

What stuff scares you?

Yay!

The Boston Red Sox have claimed another World Series Championship!
...
I only got to hear about two minutes of the game on the radio during my break, n had to work where I couldn't really hear it. I really wanted to watch the game .
...
For two weeks now I've been consciously NOT stating I thought they'd win, because it would've been bad luck. It's nuts the things you do for your fav team...
...
Having been a fan since early childhood, and of baseball inparticular, I feel very proud of their big accomplishment for the second time this decade...
I only reget my Dad didn't get to experience the fun of it. I'm sure his ghost was cheering- He's the "why" I like it.

Rocky Mountain High

...

...

...

Let's see what the mile-high altitude does to the Sox's winning attitude.

...

A miracle seems to have occurred, allowing me the second Saturday I've had off of work since a year ago last June! I even get to watch game three of the series between Boston n the Rockies. (Of course the trade-off is I get to work on Halloween evening instead).

...

Every time I hear "Rocky Mountains" I automatically remember a favorite songwriter of my youth, John Denver. I'll always love his music, n the pleasant attitude most of his music conveyed. He wrote songs of love n joy like "Annie's Song" n "Country Roads Take Me Home." His song "Lady" was played on guitar at my wedding in the 70's (note: the marriage didn't last, but the song did).

...

I can still play many of his tunes after learning them in my teens. His "folk tunes" inspired me to write on many occassions n motovated me to keep up finger-picking practice. I'll never forget seeing his TV guest appearances over the years, especially "The Muppet Show" episodes I watched with my kids in the 80's. His consistant work earned my respect.

...

Back when I traveled about every Saturday night with my musician friends, I often hung out with a groupie woman named Annie, ironically, who was asked to a large dinner once where Mr. John Denver would be in attendance. After mulling it over for a few weeks, she decided she wasn't interested in attending, because he wasn't that big of a deal she should give up a free night for. She'd rather go do something else that night.

...

Mark, the keyboard/mandolinist, n I expressed dismay that she spoke of him in those terms. We both cringed at her words. Both of us would've cut-off a leg for that opportunity she'd poo-poo'd so easily. Part of us as musicians wouldn't exist without John Denver's influence. I certainly would've enjoyed meeting him in person, n hoped to get to share some original harmony music with him.

...

Just a few weeks after this dinner Annie blew off, John tragically lost his life in an airplane accident October 13, 1997. I'd never get my chance to get to know him in person. I still bemoan this lost opportunty. I quit spending time with that stuck-up girl.

...

It goes to show you never know what fate will deal out. You should never dismiss people or chances, because life isin't guaranteed n can be unpredictably too short.

...

Almost as unpredictable as a Red Sox Game in Colorado with National League rules, with no DH, No Kevin Youkilis, n the pitcher Diasuke in the batting line-up. I couldn't have predicted before yesterday I'd even get to see the game. But I won't blow off the chance, either!

...

So here it goes, it's anyone's game!

(I won't be answering calls)

Deck-O-Rake

...

...

The deck is littered with MapleBeard's cast-offs.

After spending hours cleaning up the strewn lawn so I could mow, I returned home tonight to find it doesn't appear I did anything...

But at least it looked good when the important folks were touring the grounds. Looks like another full day of raking in my near future.

This is a pic of MapleBeard shedding this year.

The many oak trees across the street haven't even begun yet, just their vines have turned. These were all taken Monday.

They said it would rain n get chilly Tuesday, still waiting! Got a window open...

...

Wow, those California fires near San Diego n Malibu sparked by the Santa Ana winds are scary crazy! The ABC national news special on now reported it's the largest evacuation in Cal history, of 500,000 people. They've got tents pitched in the sports stadium. Five people reported dead, hundreds of homes totally burnt.

...

The Fire Monster is one of the worst! Makes ya feel pretty fortunate to have a home to sit n blog in. Always some one to pray for- Lets hope the disaster attacks slow down!

Autumn Bliss

...

...

A gorgeous setting for the ceremony yesterday to join a gorgeous couple.
It was a joy to attend. Congrats Kids!

Peep

...

...

I've officially been caught week-end driving n Leaf Peeping! Maybe that's where all that way home traffic on 128 around routes 95 n 93 was about, or perhaps it was Game traffic.

...

The Red Sox have made it to Game seven of the Pennant competition with Cleveland, with Daisuke Matsuzaka (pronounced "Dice-kay" in these parts) starting for Boston. After being shipped in from Japan at a hefty Mill+ price tag, it's time he pays his way.

...

Another evening of exhaustion full of suspense for this Baseball fan tonight. I should probably just pass out right now. After working late, then getting less than three hours of sleep before the drive North, then staying awake thru the ride home, I'll have a tough time keeping the lids open.

...

Twice this week I got up early hoping to get to much needed yard work, only to find it pouring rain. Now landlord people are showing up tomorrow, n I'll try once more to miss morning sleep n get the chore done. Then I'm out of time n go back to the work week.

...

The wedding went off with a successful hitch. It was quiet compared to other family wedding parties. I got to see a couple of my Dad's brothers, some old family friends, n a brother I haven't seen in a couple years.

...

The day was clear n warm in the upper 70F temp range, perfect for the outdoor vows while a dude plunked away without flaw on his Tacamine guitar. I'm still kinda dissappointed that when I went to the dance floor during "Staying Alive" to do my John Travolta imitation, the tune suddenly changed to "Play that Funky Music" to which I had to dance funkily!

...

I saw tons of great leaves along the way.

...

Of course no trip through upper New England is complete without stopping in New Hampshire for that Powerball ticket. Now All I need is a few years of sleep shut-eye to make up for lost time, right after the game.
...

In the third inning we're up 3-0, so here goes several good beginings...

Reflecting Pool

...

...

...

...

...

When water looks like space...

What a mirage of texture-

...

It plunges me deep into thoughts difficult to express. I'm reminded of Claude Monet's impressionist work. It seems that may be what heaven looks like, wonderous, mysterious, endless, beyond our plane. It's meerly a gift the Creator allowed me to see n pass along to my visitors.

...

Looking here I can almost forget the work-week I don't want to return to, my rushed week getting ready to travel to my niece's wedding this week-end. I need to iron out clothes n details, map the way, n miss sleep. But the experience will be worth it. I don't get to see the extended fam folks often, or they me. I'll get to drive thru peak foliage, also.

...

More reflections soon to follow in future posts.

Down

...

...

...

...

...

...

Is being down in the Dugout better than being down in the dumps?

Unfortunately, Red Sox fans are very, very used to losing! We're not there yet, n no game is more unpredictable than baseball. It's my fav sport to watch. I was never one of the folks who leave early to avoid the traffic jam.

I have to make a dump run with the garbage pile tomorrow too-

I suppose I'll be slightly depressed if they flop tomorrow without getting back to Beantown to play again. I hate the end of the season...

Seaweed to Ah-s

...

...

....

Patriots 6-0! Woo-Hoo!

...

RedFlops 1-1 after game 2 died with a suddenly big spread late in extra innings With the Indians- Boo-Hoo! A few more to go, tho-

...

Finally I have a night off with game 3 Boston at Cleveland on, n time to sit n watch it. I finished errands a little bit ago, n just remembered to tune in. Currently the Sox are down 0-4 after the 6th, finished off by a double play on Manny Ramirez.

...

Last night the Air Temp finally fell into the 30-F's. I'm not turning the heat on yet, tho. I put down a few storm windows, put on extra clothes, n filled up some bottles with hot kettle water for the armchair corners. I'll prob get to putting the winter floor rugs n some window plastic up tomorrow. Naturally it's slated to warm up again for go back to work time.

...

Yay! Varitek just got 2 on the scoreboard.

...

The deck plants haven't frosted yet. I hope to get a few herbs inside for the winter. It's hard to keep them going for months in the dry in-door air n window-filtered sunlight. They'll stay out there as long as possible, until I have to turn on that expensive heat.

...

Oh rats, in the 9th already, one out to go, still 2 runs down. Jason's the heavy again (3rd out game over spot or get on base) full count, keeps fouling balls. the 3rd pop-up out of the inning. Ugh, 1-2 game record for the Red Sox. How typical!

...

Well, at least I got to see some of it. There's talk tomorrow's game may rain out.

...

Yesterday I saw a disturbing report on the national news about Atlanta Georgia's emergency water situation due to the extreme drought conditions. Both of it's source lakes are so far down, it's possible their system will totally be out of water in a couple of weeks. That's very scary!

...

If only there were a way to shift recent flood-zone rainfalls over a bit to hit the Southern US. Maybe it's time to start doing native rain dances again...

Visible

...

..

..

...

...

Visibility at low tide at my fav beach spot was as magnificent as the color on the September evening when I recorded this. There's a couple of kayakers paddling through the sight. You could see all the way across the bay to pieces of the Cape (right) n the Southcoast of MA (left), a few light houses are out there, n you could even make out tree outlines over there.

...

This photo only gives a hint of the beauty of actually being there to see it in person. I remember the water's horizon being reflected into the sky color seeming to melt right into the sky. It's always a spiritual experience for me.

I've made many sidetracks to my fav place this year with the "I need blog pics" excuse. It's always worth the experience, even without a cam.

Good Sport

Massachusetts is having a great sports season.
...
The Boston Red Sox swept away the Angels n will begin the ALCS to compete in the World Series contest Friday. The descision is still between the Indians or the Yankees. I hope I get to watch some of the games. Today is Day Off, n of course there's no games on.
...
The Patriots also have a hot streak going, undefeated at 5-0. All the sports fans are pretty happy at work these days, until they run into that one Yankee fan... Now if the Celtics n Bruins could join in the fun it would be a truelly amazing year for BeanTown.
...
I don't try to predict who'll win the Series, cause it's just bad luck, n last time I thought they'd get it out loud, the Yankees killed 'em nastily in the ninth! I won't say it again, n will remain cautiously optimistic, as all Boston fans should've learned to be by now.
...
I still think what determined the Sox's WS win in '04 was the room full of people (priests n Monks included with the good family folks) at my Uncle's funeral all toasting n praying that they win for Mike, as he waited patiently n never got to see it in his lifetime, n never lost faith.
...
If they don't win this time, I won't be surprized. If they do, may skill n luck determine the outcome.
...
On another sports tac, the news about the Chicago Marathon is devastating. Unusual 90 degree F heat causing cancellation, hospitalization for hundreds, n death for one- such a terrible event due to the weather n a shortage of liquid for the runners. That wonderful feeling of accomplishment was ripped away from thousands of runners who'll never cross the finish-line.
...
A girl who lived at my mom's years ago having already done the Boston Marathon, went to run that race in Illinios, n talked of freezing her butt off. Usually Chicago is cold n windy in October. But as we now are certain, all weather predictablity bets are off the table. After the Tsunami, n Katrina, how can anyone pretend to know what will happen, where, next?
...
Sometimes winning doesn't matter as much... as survival-

Garden007

...

...

The most ironic deck garden moment of my growing season:
...
In mid-July there arose on a stem in the midst of the lush, full planters a single, bright blue, 1/4 inch, five-petal, delicate blossom, with a strange center. What was it? I'd planted many types of new seeds n couldn't remember which one this was.
...
I hunted down the pile of folded packets bound with a rubber band, n searched through the pile. There it was, in a picture of a cluster of the blossoms. Perhaps it slipped my mind because the one I had was solitary.
That's right, it was a "Forget-Me-Not!"

It actually appears in several of these photos, and there's other clusters which came up after in these pics, but they're difficult to spot because of the distance needed for the film to focus (4-feet), n their small size.
...
If I had a macro-lens, I wouldn't have borrowed this illustration from Wikipedia-



...

...

Mischief loves the garden too. Some of the plants are for her to eat.

Hi-Lo

...

...

...

These September yellow Susan blossoms on the main deck all wanted to grow through the rails or down on the floor. Maybe it's just been too windy for the long stems this year. There's more of the hot-pink Impatiens, ferns, n some little trees.

They've Grown

Here's the same containers in August, appearing golden in late afternoon light with more blossoms on the ferns n Brown-eyed Susans. Mischief is down on the main Deck.

There's many other plant containers n some little evergreen trees further down the deck.

In the past 24 hours, my deck has been littlered with many brown, fallen leaves from MapleBeard Tree out front already.

Early Deck Growth

I've taken several pics of the plantlings out on the deck, which is my small, private oasis of green without having to go downstairs. This is the beginning of yet another series of the same place n theme I'd wanted to post over the summer n just got to...

This is a pic of the NorthEastern walkway corner in early July. I like the light thru the rails.

The impatients have stolen the blossom show for most of the warm season this year. There's also Assylum, Boston Ferns, Bachelor buttons, several herbs, n a few wild plants n other immature subjects still on their way up.

I like to sit n read on the step down to the main deck right there when I'm too lazy to drag out a chair.

8Tober

...

October already, n gearing up for chillier temps n less daylight. There' so much to do in here in warm daylight, n little time to get to it.

...

The area's been very dry this year, n some leaves have gone brown without much color so far. The native Holly vines which turn red every September seemed less brilliant so far. Also the "burning bushes" n Bittersweet vines are turning early.

...

I may not get to scan leaves for the first time in years. I'm behind on the puter project list which backlogged so far all summer. Re-installing the scanner software n updating driver just aren't priority yet. I'm still waiting on new ink to check the printer out, n may need a new one.

...

Rotating prints has taken too much time n energy as it is. I should just be getting back to the projects left hangin' when last the machine went kaputz. But the blogging is the easy part I always would rather do. That's just the way it is...

...

For the third year in a row, in a couple of weeks I'm traveling into a Northern New England state for a fall wedding, my niece. Just a day trip this time, n only my second trip all year. I really need to get out more often! The fuel prices have really cramped my style.

...

I used to follow music friends all over Maine, New Hamphire, n Vermont every week-end. Now I've been working every week-end night, n getting so tired I just want to stay home in my time off. I do miss my old friends alot tho. There's no substitute for live, original music, either. J. Giels n James Montgomery were playing in the Blues club right uptown here this summer, n I didn't make it there to wave "Hello." Pretty sad when you're too tired to go a few hundred feet up the road for fun.

...

One day soon I hope to not be so over-worked so I can get back to some semblance of a social-life again. I've managed to shove all my fav folks on the back-burner in favor of surviving this fickle economy here. Meanwhile, I'm contemplating a second job just to stay afloat, n then really get no sleep or socializing in.

...

On the phone with friends recently I've noticed I've nothing to discuss besides work, gripes, n depressing news. I'll need some uplifting things to discuss at the wedding besides my cat dying, which is all I have on my mind lately... Apparently that's why I should get out more!

...

Fall has Fallen n it can't get up!

(Maybe it's time to get "Life-line Alert!")

Bldg

"Im fixing a hole where the rain gets in, it stops my mind from wondering. When it will come- O00-000-000 my love.... yeah, yeah, yeah!"

- Lennon & McCartney

...

This tune's been running through the space in my head often the past few weeks. This photo instantly turns it on...

...

Does anyone know what this strange, cement n steel structure is for? This construction ad is situated in gravel next to a building company headquarters in the middle of a beach neighborhood behind the center of town. I liked it's view of sailboats, a pair of Aderondack chairs by the water's edge, n the flowers.