The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. The Young One finalized dates for her visit. She'll be here for Thanksgiving.

2. I had an exceptionally productive Monday starting with a very fun doodle class

3. Play day at Teague's. She sent me home with some frozen, ready to bake giant chocolate chip cookies from Dream Dinners.

4. Only one student showed up in class. It was more like an art play session than a class.

5. Summer temps for Halloween. No cold, no rain, no blizzard. No complaints. Most likely one of the last evenings in the sunroom for the season

How was your week?

2OLOTR (Two Old Ladies on the Road) Roxbury, Connecticut

On the last runaway trip with Teague, I came up with a new title for us. 2OLOTR. Two old ladies on the road. I was looking forward to our getaway to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. But before heading there, I wanted to make a stop. To visit a place I have wanted to visit for some time.

As with a lot of our ramblings another dumb trail was involved. The place I wanted to visit was a cemetery. Great Oak Cemetery in Roxbury, Connecticut. I'm fortunate that Teague is a good sport and enables and indulges in my fantasies. So we took a 2 or so hour drive to Roxury, Connecticut so I could visit

the grave of my hero and favorite actor of all time, Richard Widmark. I fell in love with Mr. Widmark when I was 8 years old and saw the movie Take The High Ground.

Another fan left a DVD case of the movie The Halls of Montezuma. Someone also left an America flag. Because of a perforated eardrum, Widmark wasn't able to serve in the military during WWII, but he was an air raid warden and entertained service men.

On his headstone, I left a pale pink, quartz heart.

Widmark is buried with his first wife, Jean Hazelwood and there's a waiting marker for his second wife, Susan Blanchard, ex-wife of Henry Fonda.

It wasn't until I was going through my photos of the trip did I notice that Widmark's headstone is sinking.

There were lots of famous neighbors buried here. In front of the Widmark's is writer, Arthur Miller and wife Inge Morath

Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes. The inscription on his grave reads: 'Tis.

Playwrite, "Pete" Gurney is also buried here. He wrote the play Love Letters. Teague and I saw that performed by Robert Wagner and Jill St. John.

So, this trip to the cemetery to see Richard Widmark's resting place brought me full circle.

Richard Widmark spread from Here There Be Dragons, my Minnesota travel journal

In 2006, the Young One accompanied me to a convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  While at the convention my friend, Frau, came from Iowa to show us around when not busy with convention stuff.  I documented this trip in a book shaped like the state of Minnesota that Frau gave to me.

She had asked if there was anything that I wanted to do. I asked her if Sunrise, Minnesota was nearby. She said it was about an hour away and near where her parents had a summer place. Sunrise, Minnesota was the birthplace of Richard Widmark

On the way to Sunrise we passed through fields and fields of wheat. A friend had visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame and took a picture of Richard Widmark's hand, footprints, and his neatly written Palmer method, signature.

Online, I had seen a sign announcing Sunrise was the birthplace of  Richard Widmark, but I didn't expect that someone had made a shrine in the vacant field where the house he was born in once stood. The dedication sign reads:

Richard Widmark's Birthsite "Hollywood Legend"

In the summer of 1914, Carl and Ethel Mae left Braham, MN to take a job as a clerk in Elias Nordgreens Mercantile Store  

It was here on December 26 at 12:26 AM when Carl ran across to the existing house and announce to Harry Wolleat they had a son.

Richard Weedt Widmark

He would go on to Movie Stardom, starting in 1947's "Kiss of Death" as the infamous Tommy Udo, "Don't Bother to Knock" with Marilyn Monroe 1953, and "The Alamo" with John Wayne 1960. From 1947 to 1991 he made 74 films. In 1949 his hands were place in cement at Hollywoods Walk of Fame, and his legend, and legacy

were made permanent

Pictures in the spread of me worshipping at the shrine and refusing to leave.

Not only was there the large Welcome to Sunrise sign which I had seen online

Est 1853

Welcome to 

The Historic Village of

Sunrise 

Birthplace of Hollywood Actor  Richard Widmark

and Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden

"Almost a President"

but someone also had a museum of Richard Widmark memorabilia. We walked across the street to the museum which was in someone's garage. There didn't seem to be anyone around, and we didn't knock on the door.

T Stands for Self Portraits

Teague and I visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts last weekend. We saw Rockwell's iconic self-portrait. Notice the glass on the wicker chair which holds the mirror. Paint water or a beverage? You decide.

Besides Rockwell's art there was also a special exhibit going. What Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine. Alfred E. Newman Triple Self-Portrait, 2002, Richard Williams. From the museum description of the painting: An admirer of Norman Rockwell and the chief appropriator of his work for MAD, Richard Williams put a twist on Triple Self-Portrait, the artist's 1960 cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post and My Adventures As An Illustrator, his autobiography, Alfred E. Newman takes Rockwell's seat at the easel..."

Can you spot the things that are the same and the things that are different?

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. I started feeling better from the sinus cold.

2. I felt well enough to go on the runaway weekend to the Berkshires with Teague, but first a stop in western Connecticut because there was something I really wanted to do.

3. Sightseeing around Stockbridge

4. Head Stoning in the Stockbridge Cemetery and

5. a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum

How was your week?

Godzilla's Bird in the Hand

A week or so ago, my friend Andy Fish asked for my snail mail address. I thought he was sending out a promotional postcard announcing an upcoming art show he and his wife, Veronica were participating in.

Last Thursday, I was surprised when I went through the mail and found this large, flat mailer addressed to me from Andy. 

Inside the nicest note I've ever received and a tiny, twee cardinal charm. Andy said when he and Veronica saw the cardinal they thought of me.

Cardinals always make me think of my parents. They loved watching these birds at their bird feeder. After my parents passed away, I started seeing cardinals especially when I was feeling down. It never failed when I was down in the dumps, I'd see a cardinal which I took to be a message from the folks. 

Last Thursday, I was feeling very sorry for myself. Himself had gallantly shared his sinus cold with me, and I was put out that I would have to postpone the runaway weekend trip with Teague to the Berkshires. There was no time to reschedule the trip, and there was something I really wanted to do.

Inside that padded envelope, the teeny, cardinal charm. My folks again, thanks to Andy.

The charm also came with a little card:

The

Christmas Cardinal

Charm

This little cardinal brings

good luck to you.

It symbolizes the power of faith

in all that you do.

Its brilliant red color symbolizes

joy and Christmas cheer,

bringing beauty and warmth

to last throughout the year

Wishing you all the joys

of the season!

This little charm

may be carried in a pocket,

held, or placed on a shelf.

Godzilla holds my favorite pen Man pen, and so the little bird won't get lost among the tools and desk toys, Godzilla lends a hand (along with a bit of museum putty) to guard the little cardinal.

Doodling for Stress Reduction

On Mondays via Zoom, I participate in a class where we spend  a half an hour doodling our stress away. 

I had told the group leader I would not be in class on this particular day as I would be away. She kindly sent me the doodle she planned so I could still participate and be part of the doodle community.

The happy faces doodle was digitally drawn as I sat on the front porch of the  cabin when Teague and I were in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. I printed it out to put in my Doodling for Stress Reduction book.

Monet and Me

 

Monet helped me pack for another runaway weekend with Teague which is happening as you read this. I won't need my beach chair as beach is not involved.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I went with Himself to the dojo and saw our friend, Beef, before he began his Master in the Morning class. It was nice to catch up

2. I heard from a Florida friend that she and her family were safe after the hurricanes.

3. I found a Sherpa-lined, zip up, hoodie in my shade of blue with pockets that have zippers. 

4. I skyped with The Young One and floated plans of me going to Ohio around Veterans Day or them coming here for Thanksgiving or Christmas

5. A package arrived that cheered me up

How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I got the flu and Covid vaccines

2. The Eldest subscribed to Paramount+. I'm enjoying the original Star Trek while I work out on the Cubii

I had  mild reactions after Friday's flu and Covid vaccines, I finally felt like myself again late Sunday night.

3. The Eldest started orientation at her new job

4. Himself and I went out to breakfast, got our hair cut, and did a quick run to the grocery store

5. Teague and I are toying with the idea of a trip to Western Connecticut and Western Massachusetts

How was your week?

T Stands for The Old Post Office Tea Room

 

In the package of goodies Tiggy sent me a couple of months ago, was a postcard of the Old Post Office Tea Room, Chapel of Garioch, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. 

The cute, blue Brown Betty style teapot and the table set for tea is my ticket to T Day. Tiggy explained the postcard shows a local tea shop. "Are you coming?" I'll be there in a heartbeat, Tiggy!

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

T Stands for the Kitchen and Butler's Pantry at Castle in the Clouds

Especially for Robin, the kitchen and the butler's pantry at Castle in the Clouds, Lucknow Mansion, Moultonborough, New Hampshire

The table in the kitchen was set for tea for members of the staff. Each folder had a "bio" of the duties of people who might have worked in the home.

The oven and stove

Kitchen sink. The tile floor was made of rubber and pieced together like a mosaic. Apparently, the floor material was another state of the art feature and nearly indestructible. The pattern made me dizzy.

Storage closet for kitchen tools. The items in the house did not belong to the Plants, but were items that were used during that time period. 1914 - 1941.

View from the Butler's Pantry

Here's my T Day ticket. Grab a cup for coffee or tea

Sink in the butler's pantry

State of the art appliances and technologies are seen throughout the house. At first we thought this was a dumb waiter and then realized it was a refrigerator and freezer. Not an icebox! The cooling system for the units was ammonia brine refrigeration system. The house was also equipped with a central vacuuming and intercom system.

The intimate and tastefully decorated dining room.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Crescent Lake, Wolfeboro, and Ice Cream

Beautiful scenery

On our way to the town of Wolfeboro, we stopped at Crescent Lake 

We wandered around Wolfeboro. There was a nice park with this charming sculpture of Grandpa and grandson having an ice cream cone.

"The Bench of Friendship, a gift of Russian Craftsmen "from people to people" came to Alton for welcoming ceremony before heading to the Wolfeboro town dock and its summer home.  The Bench will return to Alton in September for its seasonal location in the garden adjacent to the Gilman Library."

Alton Rotary Club

The town dock and Lake Winnipesaukee

Wolfeboro boasts that it is the oldest Summer resort in America. The town was incorporated in 1770 and now has a "population of about 6,416 (54th in New Hampshire) that swells to approximately 25,000 during the summer tourist season"

I liked the heart shaped shadows of the iron railing

Rocktrumpet

The bench outside of Yum, Yum's ice cream shop which was closed!

We puttered around a souvenir shop. Please don't touch the moose. So we headed back to Laconia.

We knew we were in the right area when we saw the cows

Sawyer's ice cream!

I had a small cup of Almond Joy, a vanilla base with bits of coconut and pieces of the almond joy candy bar. I also had a cone on the side. Ice cream shops tend to pile the cone so one lick and the ice cream lands on your shoes. A cup and a cone are the best of both worlds. Sawyer's Dairy Bar in Gilford is one of the ice cream shops listed on the New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail By Region

We sat at picnic tables under some trees and watched some low flying planes. Turns out there's an airport. Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, New Hampshire.

T Stands for What A Nerve!

 

I was happy and excited we would be going to Pop's Clam Shack, the little roadside stand we've all heard about from our blog friend, Erika at BioArtGal. The place is closed Summers, Monday through Wednesday. 

Thursday arrived and I was looking forward to fried clams eaten outside. Teague found something online that said Pop's was closed on Thursday. I contacted Erika through Facebook. She said Pop's was open. I checked the hours on the website and waited until they were open and telephoned.

A man answered the phone.

Hi, I was just calling to find out if Pop's is open today.

Nope, we're closed. It's the first day of school. We'll be open tomorrow.

Thanks, and I ended the call. What the HELL! Closed? What a NERVE! What does the first day of school have to do with the price of clams? And I'm going HOME on FRIDAY and Pop's is in the opposite direction. And what about people who don't have kids, don't have kids in school? Why can't they have a fried clam lunch?

Teague told me to calm down as she had a plan B in the works. She said Pop's was okay, but it was just like every other roadside clam shack.

She drove to Alton's Bay across the street from Pop's to Shibley's At The Pier.

After a short wait, we were shown to a corner table with a view of the lake

and a view of Pop's across the street.

Shibley's was a nice restaurant with lots to choose on the menu. I opted for a broiled haddock wrap, sweet potato fries, and an Arnold Palmer. A little too much aioli in the wrap, but it was delicious.

After lunch we walked around the park in Alton Bay.  I was taking a picture of the wolf by the boat ramp when a fella trying to get his boat out of the water warned me, "They bite."

There was a surfer in a wetsuit (the lake temp was getting chilly) and he was e-Foiling, surfing on the lake. It looked like he was flying across the lake like this:

e-Foiling Lake Winnipesauke

Alton Bay Station was a stop on the Boston and Maine railroad back in the day

Alton Bay boasted the first floating bandstand.

After lunch and walking around, we were continuing our adventure with more exploring of the lakes communities in search of ice cream.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page