“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” — Tony Benn
For this week’s post, I will just post a photo and pretend this is a photo book. You can fill in the words on each page.
Sunday, 07/09/2023: Posted photo — Mother and Babies
“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
Sunday, 07/02/2023: Posted photo — Pratt’s Falls.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/15 s, 22 mm.
Pratt’s Falls, a 137 ft ribbon or cascade style waterfall located in Manlius, NY. The site was originally a sawmill and was the site of Onondaga County’s first mill operation in 1796. The hike out to the falls is only a half mile long (one-mile round trip) and could be step for some. There are stairs that take you down to the lower viewing location.
Photo tip of the week — Lessons learned from taking waterfall photos.
Set you camera to manual with a slow shutter speed. I use between 1/4 sec to 10 sec depending on the lighting.
Set your aperture to a value between f/16 and f/22. I sometimes open up, or close up, my aperture depending on the light and how I am taking the photo (with a tripod or handheld).
Use a tripod with image stabilization off. If you do not have a tripod, find a tree or other object to hold yourself steady.
Turn you ISO to the lowest setting. I use ISO 100 for my shots.
Use a ND filter if you have one. I use from a ND3 to a ND10, depending on the lighting.
Take time to get your composition the way you would like to have it. Try both portrait and landscape photos of the falls.
Pick a focal point, such as a rock or a tree near the falls. It is difficult to focus on the water.
Lighting is important. Take your photo in the morning or in the evening when the light is not on the waterfall. If it is on the waterfall, use the appropriate ND filter.
Use a remote, or your camera’s timer, for your shot to cut down on camera shake.
Monday, 07/03/2023: Posted photo — Tinkers Falls.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/32, 1/6 s, 79 mm.
Tinkers Falls in the Labrador Hollow Unique Area and is about 50 feet tall. The Labrador Hollow Unique Area is a 1,474-acre (5.97 km2) conservation area located in Cortland and Onondaga counties, New York, and was the first property to be designated as a Unique Area by New York. A unique area, according to the state New York Department of Environmental Conservation, is “land owned by the state that was acquired due to its special natural beauty, wilderness character, or for its geological, ecological or historical significance.”
When I took the photo of these falls, I did not use my tripod. I was practicing my handheld long exposure photography. I was either leaning against a tree, sitting on a log, or using long exposure breathing techniques. The hike to these falls is very short, only about a quarter mile, and the trail is relatively flat.
Bonus photo tip — how to breathe and hold your camera for long exposures.
The way you hold your camera can have a big effect on the amount of blur caused by your own movement. Hold the camera with two hands close to your body and make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart. Being conscious of your breathing can further minimize shake. Inhale or exhale and then take a gentle half breath in and hold it there in a relaxed way.
Tuesday, 07/04/2023: Posted photo — Peas.
Settings: Samsung SM-G930V (Galaxy S7), ISO 125, f/1.7, 1/60 s, 4 mm
A pea is a cultivated climbing vine having compound leaves and edible seeds enclosed in a green, elongated pod. The seed of this plant is used as a vegetable.
I often wonder who the first person was to eat peas and how they knew that they could open the pod to get the seeds out.
You can look up the health benefits yourself for details on each of these benefits.
Wednesday, 07/05/2023: Posted photo — Bryn Mawr Glacier.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/25, 1/30 s, 48 mm.
Bryn Mawr Glacier flows southeast for about 4.5 miles (7 km) to Harvard Arm of College Fjord in northwestern Prince William Sound, about 45 miles west of Valdez and 44 miles northeast of Whittier, Alaska (61° 15′ 13″ N, 147° 49′ 29″ W). As you travel into College Fjord, the glaciers on the left are named for women’s colleges and those on the right are named for men’s colleges. The names are Amherst, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Harvard, Smith, Vassar, and Yale). Harvard Glacier is the biggest – its face is a mile and a half across.
Alaska is such an amazing place to visit. The landscape keeps getting better and better as we headed north from Vancouver on our cruise. Here are a few more photos taken in College Fjord.
Thursday, 07/06/2023: Posted photo — Just Floating.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/25, 1/30 s, 48 mm.
Here are a couple of seals that were just floating on a small iceberg. Look at the heartberg floating with them.
Friday, 07/07/2023: Post photo — Cashews.
Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/20 s, 106 mm.
Cashews are low in sugar and rich in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They’re also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health.
I needed a photo; I had some cashews in the house, so I took this photo.
Saturday, 07/08/2023: Post photo — Just a Mountain in Alaska.
Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/25, 1/30 s, 48 mm.
To finish of this week, I am posting a photo of another mountain that we saw in Alaska. I just love the mountains in Alaska.
“Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies.” — Diane Arbus
Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.
This week is full of sunrises and sunsets.
Sunday, 06/18/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise at the Beach.
On one of my past vacations, I took a sunrise walk on the beach with my camera. During the walk, I saw this great sunrise. I stopped and took this photo.
I just loved the way the sunrise looked as we walked to the beach. I timed it to get the bird in the photo.
Tuesday, 06/20/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise at the Pier.
One of my trips to Jacksonville Beach Florida, I took another sunrise walk. I saw this heron near the shore and near the pier. I just loved the silhouette of the bird, so I took this shot.
Wednesday, 06/21/2023: Posted photo — Lightning at Sea.
We had a condo on the beach and there was a storm at sea. I set my camera on my tripod and set the timer for 15 second. I liked the way this photo came out but was disappointed that I did not set my timer at 30 seconds.
Thursday, 06/22/2023: Posted photo — Sunrise on Wachusett.
Moring winter hike up Wachusett Mountain for sunrise. There was a small coating of ice on the summit. The sunshine on the ice took a great photo.
Friday, 06/23/2023: Post photo — Sunset at the Cape.
One thing my wife and I do is have a weekend away on Cape Cod during the off season. This was one of the sunsets we saw.
Saturday, 06/24/2023: Post photo — Sunset on Wachusett.
Here is a pleasant sunset from the summit of Wachusett Mountain.
“And if I go, while you’re still here… Know that I live on, Vibrating to a different measure, Behind a thin veil you cannot see through. You will not see me, So you must have faith. I wait for the time when we can soar together again, Both aware of each other. Until then, live your life to the fullest, And when you need me, Just whisper my name in your heart, …I will be there.” — Emily Dickinson
A small tribute to my oldest brother. My he rest in peace.
Sunday, 06/04/2023: Posted photo — Baby.
10 months and 6 days after my parents were married, my oldest brother was born. What a life and many adventures that were ahead of him. 16 years, 6 months, and 29 days later, our youngest brother was born. The first four were each three years apart from each other. Number five, me, came 5 years later. Another brother came four minutes later and then three years later.
Monday, 06/05/2023: Posted photo — Poetry.
My brother was a poet. He wrote hundreds of poems and started a company that wrote poems for weddings. He wrote on anything. We found poems on items from the backs of tickets, backs of envelopes, notepads and electronically. We have a few large boxes full of poems that one of my brothers will type and publish.
Tuesday, 06/06/2023: Posted photo — Family.
He loved family. These are two of my favorite photos. There are not three sets of twins, just looks that way. The one with our mother was the first time all seven of us were together. The other photo is my favorite Easter photo. People enjoy looking at us in our Easter best with our dog in front of our Easter egg tree.
Wednesday, 06/07/2023: Posted photo — High School Graduation.
Here is a photo of his high school graduation. We all ended going to the same high school.
Thursday, 06/08/2023: Posted photo — Peace Corps.
The adventure in his life stared by joining the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps brings together skilled, committed Volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries.
Volunteers live and work side by side with community members on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives for generations. He spent in time in the Peace Corps in Marrakesh Morocco teaching English and poetry to the children. That was an experience that he talked about during his life.
Friday, 06/09/2023: Post photo — Baseball.
He loved baseball. The Red Sox was his team. And as stated by one of his friends at his funeral Mass, It was always “wait until next year” starting on opening day. Hid and my Red Sox never won anything. My son’s Red Sox won four championships.
This is a photo of my brother at Polar Park in our hometown of Worcester. The WooSox, as they are called, are the AAA team for the Boston Red Sox. AAA is the highest level of baseball before the players make it to the major league.
Saturday, 06/10/2023: Post photo — The End was too Soon.
This is a modification of his prayer card. The photo that originally picked was good, but I like this photo and I wanted to use it in this post.
My brother passed away very unexpectedly last week at the young age of 72. He will be truly missed by all who met him. The people in his apartment complex only said good things about him.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” — Tony Benn
Random thoughts and ideas for this week.
This week’s adventures.
Sunday, 05/21/2023: Posted photo — Angel of Patience
The Angel of Patience statue by Design Toscano is a majestic sculpture. Patience is the ability to endure delay, trouble, or suffering without getting upset. This statue is in one of the gardens at our church. I took this photo between masses while selling cakes for the Relay for Life.
Flower of the day: Alyssum
This aromatic bloom emits a tranquil, spiritual vibe that promotes emotional equilibrium. Apart from being a symbol of beauty, the sweet alyssum protects the wearer from dangerous situations.
Monday night is hiking night. Here is a photo of some of the members of the group of hikers I lead tonight. I took them on some of the more difficult trails. Some people may consider Wachusett Mountain not a difficult mountain to hike. I could bring them on some trails that would change their minds.
During the hike, I came across a newt. A newt is a salamander. The terrestrial juvenile phase is called an eft. Newts are semiaquatic, alternating between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
When I arrived back home from my hike, I saw the big dipper. My phone has a night sky feature so I tried it out on the big dipper.
Flower of the day: Lady Slipper
At one of the trail junctions, we saw some Lady Slippers. A Pink lady’s slipper is a large, showy wildflower belonging to the orchid family. It has two opposite basal leaves with conspicuous parallel veins and a large flower at the end of an erect stalk. The flower is magenta to whitish-pink; sometimes the whitish pink flowers will have darker pink venation. Rarely the flower may be all white. This plant grows 6 to 15 inches tall and flowers generally between May and July. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/cypripedium_acaule.shtml)
Tuesday, 05/23/2023: Posted photo — St Anne and Mary.
Saint Anne is the mother of Mary. There were two churches in Ashburnham, St Annes and St Denis. St Annes Church had to close due to safety reasons and this statue was moved to St Denis.
Flower of the day: Lavender
Lavender is a well-known and fragrant perennial plant that will come back every year with gray-green foliage, upright flower spikes, and a compact shrub form. It will grow at a moderate pace, often adding a few inches to its size each year. Lavender can be toxic to pets like dogs and cats.
Wednesday, 05/24/2023: Posted photo — Jack Frost Trail.
Jack Frost is a bipolar trail on Wachusett Mountain. The lower part of Jack Frost is flat, the middle section is what I consider the third most difficult climb on the mountain, and the last third is a mixture of easier and harder sections. A few years ago, the blazes were changed to have a paw print in them. This phot was taken just before the hard section of the trail.
Flower of the day: Azalea
I put out a description of an azalea a few weeks ago. These azaleas are on one of the hiking trails on the mountain. These look different than the ones that I had previously posted. It might be because of the altitude difference between my yard and this location.
As you may or may not know, I have hiked all the 4000+ feet tall mountains in New Hampshire for the second time, completing it last year just after I finished rehab of my ankle. Besides getting a patch to put on my pack, the AMC send out scrolls. There was a banquet to receive your scroll. I could not attend so it was mailed to me, arriving today.
Flower of the day: Lupine
Lupine is a plant of the pea family with deeply divided leaves and tall colorful tapering spikes of flowers.
Friday, 05/26/2023: Post photo — Monument.
There is a memorial at the summit of Wachusett Mountain dedicated to the 10th mountain division. Since Memorial Day is approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to post.
Flower of the day: Pansy
Pansies are the cheerful flowers with upturned “faces.” They love cool weather and are popular to grow in spring and fall. They’re also edible, adding color to salads, drinks, and cakes. Here’s how to plant pansies and keep them growing and blooming.
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is a short-lived, herbaceous perennial or biennial with a height of about 2 feet that is often planted as an annual flower. The flowering plant, with average pointed green leaves, is ideal for use in cottage gardens, perennial beds, or containers. The flowers come in many vibrant shades and are attractive to pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. (https://www.thespruce.com/sweet-williams-growing-guide-5200995)
“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson
Random thoughts and ideas for this week.
I have a flower of day this week. I am attempting to change the format of this blog to have one or more educational items per day to make reading my blog more interesting.
Sunday, 05/07/2023: Posted photo — Pyx.
A pyx is vessel containing the consecrated bread used in the service of Holy Communion. Although pyxes were made in various shapes, the most common form was that of a small cylindrical box fitted with a cover, which is generally conical. The pyx in this photo is the one that I use every week to give Holy Communion to the choir.
Flower of the day: Pericallis
Pericallis senetti provides daisy-like blooms in early spring when the weather is cool. They produce vibrant blues, magentas, violets, and can be bi-colored. They can tolerate low temperatures but are sensitive to frost. These are located outside our church.
Monday, 05/08/2023: Posted photo — On the Trail.
What would Monday night be without a hike? Don’t know. Every Monday that I hike does not happen is a disappointment. The good thing about missing a Monday night hike is that I can spend more time with my family. Today was a wonderful day to hike. The temperature was in the goldilocks zone, not to hot and not to cold. The black bugs were not bothering me as much as other members of the hiking group.
Flower of the day: Hobblebush
“Viburnum lantanoides, hobblebush (also known as moosebush, witch-withy, witch-hobble, witch-tangle and tangle legs) can grow more than ten feet tall, and often at least as wide, in its sprawling, errant, fashion. Branches extend outward, arch and descend, re-rooting where they touch the ground, forming a small copse. This lissome habit is most evident in winter when the hobblebush is leafless and the shrub’s structure can be traced. What appears to be a solitary shrub is usually an aggregate of clonal offspring called ramets.” https://wildseedproject.net/2015/06/viburnum-lantanoides-hobblebush-adoxaceae/
Came home from shopping tonight and saw this rabbit in our yard. I took out my phone to take this photo. I took this photo from a distance so that I did not disturb the rabbit. It looks like my camera went into the digital zoom range causing this abstract effect. You can see the tree debris that I still need to clean up in this photo.
Flower of the day: Pansy
Pansies are the cheerful flowers with upturned “faces.” They love cool weather and are popular to grow in spring and fall. They’re also edible, adding color to salads, drinks, and cakes. Here’s how to plant pansies and keep them growing and blooming.
Wednesday, 05/10/2023: Posted photo — Start of Third Leg.
I am leading a mystery hike in a few weeks. The group is meeting at a trailhead, and I am giving them direction at trail junctions. The directions will only consist of bearings and distances. This is the location of the third leg of my trip.
Thursday, 05/11/2023: Posted photo — Dam at Round Meadow Pond.
Here is a photo of the dam at Round Meadow Pond. This is a location that I photograph often.
Flower of the day: Bluets
Common bluets produce both nectar and pollen. Their short flower tubes make their nectar accessible to our short-tongued native bees. Quite a few species of native bees including small carpenter bees and some of our sweat bees will visit common bluets. Several of our smaller species of early butterflies will also visit common bluets.
Friday, 05/12/2023: Post photo — Hitting Off the Tee.
My son purchased a hitting tee for the junior high baseball team he coached. I did some hitting practice. Have not swung a bat in a while. I swung the old way with two hands on the bat as Ted Williams did. He attempted to coach me by having me remove my top hand off the bat as the modern hitters do. I like the old way of hitting.
Flower of the day: Malus baccata (Siberian crab apple)
Siberian crab apple inhabits northerly areas of New England, although certain cultivars grow as far south as Florida. The tree produces white-pink, non-hairy (glabrous) flowers in spring along glabrous branches. With a pleasing, rounded crown, abundant flowers and small, edible fruits, this crabapple has been introduced widely as an ornamental tree.
Saturday, 05/13/2023: Post photo — Lilac.
I have a photo challenge this week that is titled detail. Chances. Details are having your eyes instinctively lock on to a small part of the image before looking at the whole picture. I attempted this by putting a mononuclear on my cell phone and taking this photo.
Flower of the day: Azaleas
Azaleas are typically deciduous while other rhododendrons are evergreen. Azalea flowers are funnel-shaped, somewhat two-lipped, and often fragrant. These azaleas in our yard have survived the last heavy snow that fell. The bush was heavily loaded with snow. There is still a large area of the bush that has not yet bloomed.
Last week I posted a photo of a votive stand. Today I am posting a single votive. I am posting this because I am in a 52 week photo project and the topic of the week was single light source.
Monday, 05/01/2023: Posted photo — Flow.
Water flowing during my Monday night hike. On photo is of a stream, the other of a trail. This trial was almost like a river with water flowing over the rocks.
Tuesday, 05/02/2023: Posted photo — Roots.
Here are two edible roots, garlic, and onions.
Wednesday, 05/03/2023: Posted photo — Corn.
Corn while eaten sometimes as a vegetable and sometimes as a grain, it is classified by botanists as a fruit, as are tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and other squashes.
Thursday, 05/04/2023: Posted photo — Selfie.
Here is a hiking selfie. Great to complete the hike with daylight.
Friday, 05/05/2023: Post photo — Sunrise.
Nice sunrise this morning. The clouds have great red shadows on them. Photos do not do sunrise justice.
“When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I’d like to know them. Anyone I know I photograph.” — Annie Leibovitz
Random thoughts and ideas for this week.
Sunday, 04/16/2023: Posted photo — Clock.
There is a photo project that I am involved with other than my 365 photo project. It is called 52 frames. Each week a topic is posted, and you are to take a photo that complies with that topic. This week’s challenge was dreamscape. My photo was one of the top 52 photos submitted during the week.
It is called Droste effect. The Droste effect describes a specific type of recursive picture in which a smaller version of the larger image is featured within the larger image. I added a little twist to mine photos since the object was round.
This week’s challenge is Blue Hour.
Monday, 04/17/2023: Posted photo — Yellow Roses.
No hike this week due to the weather. We are getting some cold rain and fog, so it was not safe for me to take a group out under these conditions. I stayed home instead and thought about what photo I would use for today. I chose a photo of a yellow rose.
Yellow roses are universally known as symbols of friendship, most people give them to each other for their birthdays or to celebrate the love between two good friends. I just like taking photos of them when I am out shopping.
Tuesday, 04/18/2023: Posted photo — Moxie.
The first bottled carbonated beverage made in the America. Moxie has a distinctively different flavor. It as first bottled in 1884. Moxie was designated as the official soft drink of the State of Maine in 2005. I just love the taste of Moxie. Most people do not. I even have a bright orange shirt that has Moxie on it and “Distinctively Different Flavor” on the back.
Wednesday, 04/19/2023: Posted photo — Clouds.
Morning clouds. My cellphone does not capture the color well.
I may edit this photo and use it for blue hour challenge. Blue hour in the morning is when Civil twilight begins, and Nautical twilight ends. Nautical twilight is a deep dusk — dim bluish sky, bright planets visible. In civil twilight, the sky is light all over though the sun is not visible.
Thursday, 04/20/2023: Posted photo — Mountains.
Here are two photos of mountains that I have visited during my travels. Pu’u’ula’ula at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii and the other is Waterton Lake Sunset Alberta during blue hour.
Friday, 04/21/2023: Post photo — Eclipse.
Like the mountains I posted yesterday, here is a photo of a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse taken during my travels. The lunar eclipse was taken in my back yard and the solar eclipse was taken in Tennessee a few years ago. The next total solar eclipse in our area will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. Look for photos of this event.
Saturday, 04/22/2023: Post photo — Score Card.
This is the difference between our son’s time, world rank 23133, competition place 35 and Tymon’s time, world rank 7, competition place 1.
“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson
Random thoughts and ideas for this week.
Sunday, 04/02/2023: Posted photo — Crocus.
Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there’s still snow on the ground. That is what happening at our house. We had snow at this location up to a few days ago and the crocus were growing under the snow. Many places south and east of this area that the crocus are flowering. They are not yet in this area due to our elevation. You can have a carpet of crocuses or a chorus of croci. Both are the correct plural form of the word.
Monday, 04/03/2023: Posted photo — Certificate.
Finally received my AMC leader certificate and badge. The only thing is that the certificate is incorrect. It should also have a winter local leader certification on it. I am in the process of working on my backcountry leadership certificate. Will be doing some hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire starting in June. I have already hiked the forty-eight four thousand footers in New Hampshire twice and have led many hikes in them. Now I need to go through the formal training to receive my certification.
Tuesday, 04/04/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.
Shopping day. Saw these flowers in one of the stores. I took a photo of the one with the bunny since it is close to Easter. I took a photo of the roses because I like the way roses look.
Wednesday, 04/05/2023: Posted photo — Ready to Hike.
I lead a group on a full moon hike. The full moon is not until tomorrow. It rises so late on a weekday that the hike was held earlier. There was a good turn out for the hike, even though overcast sky was predicted. The clouds held out until after our hike was over. I started and ended with the same number of people, and the same people. Nobody was hurt so I would call this a successful hike.
Thursday, 04/06/2023: Posted photo — More Long Exposure.
Still playing with the long exposure settings on my camera. With the melting snow, the streams on the trails are starting to flow with more velocity. This would be a good shot if the dead leaves were not in it. Then again, I still am experimenting with this new feature.
Friday, 04/07/2023: Post photo — Clouds.
What a wonderful day today is. The temperatures were up in the high 60’s starting the day in the 30’s. This time of year, in New England, the temperature can fluctuate so quickly. I hear in other parts of the country that if you do not like the weather, just wait a minute. True in New England.
Saturday, 04/08/2023: Post photo — Glasses.
Had my eyes checked today for the first time in almost 10 years. I need new glasses and looking forward to getting them in a couple of weeks. This is a photo of some of the frames in the women’s section. I took this when my wife was selecting new frames.
“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.” — Bruce Gilden
Random thoughts and ideas for this week.
Sunday, 03/26/2023: Posted photo — Organ.
History lesson of the week.
“The earliest known organ was the hydraulis of the 3rd century bce, a rudimentary Greek invention, with the wind regulated by water pressure. The first recorded appearance of an exclusively bellow-fed organ, however, was not until almost 400 years later.” More information here.
“The Valère organ: The gothic organ is regarded as the oldest instrument of its type still in working order in the world. It is thought that it was installed in Valère between 1430 and 1440. It has barely three octaves, and the keys are much smaller than those on a modern instrument.” More information here.
Monday, 03/27/2023: Posted photo — Long Exposure.
This is from Machias Pool at a trailhead on Wachusett Mountain. I noticed that the camera on my phone has a long exposure setting so I was trying it out. I will need to try it out at the waterfalls at the end of Round Meadow Pond and at the Old Mill to see how it really works.
Tuesday, 03/28/2023: Posted photo — Bat House.
One of the best ways you can support bat conservation is to put up an artificial roost, like a bat house. Since bat populations have decreased significantly, bat houses can be very useful in providing secure roost sites for bats. This bat house is at one of the trailheads on Wachusett Mountain. It has been installed for a few years and is in great shape. There might be bats in there. I have hiked the mountain at all times of the day and during every season and have not see a bat use it.
Wednesday, 03/29/2023: Posted photo — Tomatoes.
Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety. Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring. Many gardeners purchase their transplants at a garden center or nursery but you can certainly grow you own from seed indoors.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which may help lower your “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Lowering these numbers helps lower your chances of heart disease.
Thursday, 03/30/2023: Posted photo — Town Pound.
In the historical district in town, there is the old Town Pound. The pound is just a stone wall with a wooden gate. I can imagine the field filled with cows and goats in the old days.
Friday, 03/31/2023: Post photo — Melting Snow.
The temperature has been fluctuating between warm and cold around this area. The three feet of snow is still melting on our street. These are some pieced of wood that I need to split this summer to burn during the winter. There is still snow in our yard and in the mountains here in north central Massachusetts. The snow in our yard last longer than the surrounding area because we have many trees on our property that shade the sun.
Saturday, 04/01/2023: Post photo — St John’s High School.
I went to my high school today to watch our son compete in a cubing competition. I was in the class of 1982. He competes in a few events but mostly enters the data. He will be entering data for the cubing national championships this summer.
The place has changes since about 1990, the last time I was on campus. A few new buildings have gone up, the brother’s resident has been moved and a couple of state-of-the-art academic centers have been built. Here are a few photos from around campus.
RosaryOne of his 3 x 3 x 3 solvesFoundwrs HallRyken CenterAngel of Peace
Information from the school website. I would write its history the same way. “Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Saint John’s High School enjoys a unique history, one that is deeply rooted in the development and traditions of the Catholic Church in Central Massachusetts. The school was an outgrowth of both the first Catholic Church (1834) and the first parochial school (1873) in Worcester. It also has the distinction of being the first of many high schools operated by the Xaverian Brothers in New England.”
Have a good rest of the week and a Happy and Holy Easter next week.
Photo by Joseph Ciras 