Watching...

I am learning that observing is better than talking in most instances. I was kind of forced into this new mindset by my circumstances, but I am gaining new insight every day from just observing. Here are some of my observations and the insights gained from them.

On a clear night, the sky, with all of its stars, is one of the most beautiful sights the human eye can see, and it is totally free to anyone interested.

When the wind blows yellow construction tape, its movements are symmetrical. Amazing what you can notice when you take the time.

Trees are one of the most beautiful parts of creation. And, their beauty stands in all situations; whether rain, wind or snow, trees are always beautiful.

The cell phone is the main reason most people do not talk or look at other people. I was writing one morning while enjoying a cup of coffee at a certain establishment and decided to conduct an informal social experiment. I paid close attention to the next five people that walked in the door. All five had cell phones on their person, with three actively engaged in a conversation walking in the door. Two of those three did not stop their conversation when ordering at the counter.

Loyalty is becoming extinct, and so is true friendship. In my conversations with some of my friends and in my observations, friendships these days serve some sort of purpose, and when that purpose is gone so is the friendship. Most common excuse given to not staying in touch... I am really busy. Second most common excuse... I have a lot going on at work and at home right now.

People who are walking a dog will say hi to you before someone who is just walking alone. I do not know if the dog gives the person walking it added security, but they will say hi sooner than someone who is walking alone.

A fire will attract every boy within a mile of the fire. I was trying to burn a stump out this weekend in my yard, and before I knew it, every boy on our street was bringing me wood for that fire.

A bad mood is contagious. If someone in the family is in a bad mood, chances are at least one other person in that family will get that bad mood at some point during the day.

If you want it to rain, plan a labor-intensive project that demands that it not rain. If there is no rain in the forecast, there will be as soon as you start the project.

Grass will grow everywhere except on your lawn. I see grass growing in the cracks of the sidewalk, on the street and in our garden but in certain spots on my lawn... no grass.

Men are less likely to admit being wrong than women. Men will go to the grave first before admitting they are wrong about anything.

People will do things in a group that they would never do alone. It is called the mob mentality, and it has no boundaries.

Well, that is all for now. Watching the world that I live in has been most enjoyable. Stay tuned for more observations! 












 

Memories

Memories tend to be paradoxical in nature, at least to me. When your young you are so busy making memories that you tend not to reflect back on any, but when you get older a picture like the one to the right can bring many racing back into your mind.

This is a picture of a road sign on the front lawn of the school that I attended in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts. The school you can see in the background was a beautiful four room building with a library and the best gym around.

Monroe Bridge was a small town of 250 people during my childhood. Today, it is a struggling town of about 130. Many wonderful memories were made there. Those of us who grew up in Monroe Bridge grew up in a place and at a time when life was good. I can't remember locking our door at night or worrying about sleeping with the windows open. I remember walking to school in the morning... as an elementary student. I remember riding my bike 5 miles up the road with my friends and swimming at the "Cement Bridge" until dark with NO adult supervision. I remember playing hide-and-seek in the whole town with the flag pole of the school being base. I remember sliding at night on Monroe Hill. I remember winter river walks and winter forts in huge piles of snow Kenny made with the bucket loader. I know he was cleaning the town up after a winter storm, but, deep down, I knew he was making those huge piles of snow for us. I remember swimming in Rowe Pond on a hot summer day. I remember building yet another fort on the Mini-bike trails in the woods by the river. I remember playing basketball with a friend for hours on his hoop which used the public road as a court and never being distracted by one car. I have so many memories of Monroe Bridge to reflect on these days.

Monroe Bridge is a memory of a time when life was good. I often think is life not that good anymore, or am I too old to enjoy it in the way and in the manner that I did as a kid in Monroe Bridge. In recent years, I have recognized that the place may have had more to do with the goodness of life as a child than I once realized, but, just the same, I have no real answer to that question other than to strive to give my own children a bit of that same life. I think it is the right of every child to live a bit of life with no fear of the unknown and in the outdoors running and playing without the constraints of constant security.

Monroe Bridge gave many of us that right years longer than most, and I, for one, count myself blessed for having experienced it as long as I did. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but finding that picture today brought many memories back of old Monroe Bridge and most of those memories were good. And, when most of your past memories are good, well, that is more than one deserves. Blessings!

More...Snapshots of Life

Three snapshots of life in Richmond. The first is of the state capital in Richmond, which was being worked on the whole time we where there. This capital building is home to the oldest legislative body in the United States. Please do not miss the phrase carved into this capital building when it was built in 1788. The second picture is from our favorite spot on the James River, a place called Pony Pasture. Sheri and the kids used to spend afternoons climbing on the rocks; you can just make them out in the distance. The third is a picture of the monument of Stonewall Jackson on the famous Monument Avenue. Monument Avenue is home to many famous and beautiful monuments commemorating Virginia's rich history.

I believe appreciation for a place comes after one leaves and then reflects back on that place. Appreciation, to me, comes after the experience is over. What is left is based on whether that experience is predominately positive or negative after proper reflection. I believe it is safe to say that our experience in Richmond was a wonderful and a positive experience! Enjoy the pictures!

Snapshots of Life... in Monroe Bridge, MA

Here are three snapshots of my life in Monroe Bridge. The first two are of the old James Ramage Paper Mill. Here is where my father worked for many years. It was the town as long as it was alive and active. In the first picture, the mill hugs the Deerfield River, as water was its blood.

I remember, as a child, when the green paint was applied to those now old walls in the second picture; also, you get a peak of Monroe's bridge. It was said that the name, Monroe Bridge, came from the delivery of mail in the past. The mail came in on the train which ran on the track on the other side of the bridge; the stop was originally called Monroe's bridge. Over the years, you guessed it, it came to be known as Monroe Bridge. To still find that green paint when the mill has been silent for so long ...is comforting in some odd way.

The third picture is of Harriman Station. This is the station that I worked out of during my summers in college. The New England Power Company employed many of us college kids as summer help. We reported to this station in Readsboro, Vermont, just across the border of Massachusetts. It was here where I was first exposed to hard labor, a full day's work and the NEPC legend, Fred Look. Someday I will share my interactions with the legendary Fred Look.

Memories come flying back whenever I stumble on old pictures of the past. Today, I share some of these with all of you. Enjoy!

Snapshots of Life

Here are two more snapshots of life. The first is of Jamestown Landing just up river from the original Jamestown landing site. The second is a statue of Captain John Smith at the original site of Jamestown. Enjoy!

Snapshots of Life

From time to time, I will provide snapshots into the life we live. Today I bring you two snapshots of our time in Virginia!

The first snapshot is one view of the James River. We love the James, and while in Richmond, we often spent time on the James or in the James. My kids will always remember the James.

The second snapshot is of Westover Mansion. It was William Byrd II's residence. It was built in 1619 and sits on a lawn overlooking the James. Today, it is a private residence. There were many mansions on the James: Berkley and Shirley are two that are still around. Enjoy these snapshots into our life!