tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111411842024-03-23T14:09:11.375-04:00Snowshoe DiariesWherein I record details and observations from my forays into the snowy woods, onto the water, and other environs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-79418685743262385952011-08-20T10:47:00.003-04:002011-08-23T22:59:00.733-04:00Thematic Photographic: Made of Glass<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/6061086394/" title="pouring2 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6061086394_07b936aa93.jpg" width="400" height="273" alt="pouring2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A very strong thunderstorm rushed through Cambridge yesterday. During the storm the windows in my office had sheets of rain flowing down them. This is looking through them at the building across the street.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">To see more Thematic Photographic <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/08/thematic-photographic-158-made-of-glass.html">click here</a>.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-53038244041803542362011-07-23T08:51:00.003-04:002011-07-23T08:59:28.620-04:00Cape Cod Visit<div style="text-align: center;">Spent last Saturday with my sister's family at their campsite on Cape Cod. I was not the most exuberant guest since I got injured in my softball game Friday night, but it was great to see them all. A few pictures from the day.</div><div><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5966351695/" title="swing by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5966351695_55a7f52ee8.jpg" width="266" height="400" alt="swing" /></a></center><center>My sister preparing to clear the site of pine cones.</center><center><br /></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5966907566/" title="happy camper by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5966907566_6a6f17fc3e.jpg" width="400" height="266" alt="happy camper" /></a></center><center>My sister-out-law looking up from her reading.</center><center><br /></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5966907700/" title="Mr D by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5966907700_c4b15f4f7e.jpg" width="400" height="266" alt="Mr D" /></a></center><center>After several hours of board games D headed off on his bike with JT.</center><center><br /></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5966907776/" title="helmet head by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5966907776_1b70754e0c.jpg" width="400" height="266" alt="helmet head" /></a></center><center>After several hours in his bike helmet the boy's hair had ridges!</center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-75781020466611627372011-06-29T22:12:00.002-04:002011-06-29T22:15:51.803-04:00Thematic Photographic: Rough<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4911546969/" title="old chair detail by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4911546969_1d963fc4d7.jpg" alt="old chair detail" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />Detail of a weathered Adirondack chair (in the actual Adirondacks).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See more Thematic Photographic <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/06/thematic-photographic-151-rough.html">here</a>.</span><br /></div></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-86608826246778239662011-06-24T23:23:00.004-04:002011-06-24T23:29:27.480-04:00Thematic Photographic: Signs<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/3584189140/" title="hill sign by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3584189140_595eda4a28.jpg" alt="hill sign" height="400" width="292" /></a><br />This sign cracks me up everytime I pass it.<br /></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See more signs <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/06/thematic-photographic-150-signs-that.html">here</a>.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-32115099471356606042011-05-25T23:59:00.003-04:002011-05-26T00:28:28.509-04:00Neighborhood WalkI played hooky today and I don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Today was the first sunny day in what feels like forever, and I wanted to take advantage of it. I did some work and spent some time in my workshop. Mid-day I took my camera outside. First stop was my own yard.<br /><br />First stop was the end of the walk to document the planter I put out last weekend. It was finished last fall but we never got it put into place.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Click on the pictures to see larger versions.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760776372/" title="planter by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5760776372_f9c008439a.jpg" alt="planter" height="240" width="207" /></a><br />The plants are dragon's breath sedum and pasque flower.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In the garden next to the driveway:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760776514/" title="pinks by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5760776514_89d9ee2325.jpg" alt="pinks" height="197" width="240" /></a><br />Pinks aka Dianthus<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760776626/" title="lithodora by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/5760776626_0ae584ac85.jpg" alt="lithodora" height="177" width="240" /></a><br />Lithodora - these are tiny flowers about 1/4 inch across.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760233047/" title="salvia by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/5760233047_26e6865360.jpg" alt="salvia" height="240" width="174" /></a><br />Salvia thinking about blooming.<br />When it does it'll be dark purple.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760234601/" title="sage by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5760234601_509a8d8a22.jpg" alt="sage" height="240" width="160" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sage<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Moving toward the back yard:<br /></div></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760776894/" title="chive by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5760776894_ec992a0219.jpg" alt="chive" height="184" width="240" /></a><br />Chives.<br />We originally got a couple of plants from Amy's Dad.<br />We now have two window boxes full, though we never use them.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760233437/" title="fern by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5760233437_00e6d9d3d7.jpg" alt="fern" height="160" width="240" /></a><br />Fern.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760233285/" title="lily of the valley by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/5760233285_49c4487d27.jpg" alt="lily of the valley" height="240" width="165" /></a><br />Lily of the Valley<br /><br />And then I headed out into my neighborhood:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760233661/" title="goldfinchs by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/5760233661_a440aaef5d_m.jpg" alt="goldfinchs" height="162" width="240" /></a><br />Goldfinches enjoying our neighbors feeder.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760777520/" title="phone pole by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/5760777520_e3992771b9_m.jpg" alt="phone pole" height="167" width="240" /></a><br />Pattern on phone pole.<br />Can you see the heart?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760777676/" title="cornflower by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/5760777676_136c10e9a4_m.jpg" alt="cornflower" height="240" width="189" /></a><br />Cornflower<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760234035/" title="pod by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/5760234035_f6a91c4471_m.jpg" alt="pod" height="160" width="240" /></a><br />I'm not sure what this pod will be.<br />I'll have to stop by in a week or so and find out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/5760777858/" title="bleeding hearts by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/5760777858_ddf539b000_m.jpg" alt="bleeding hearts" height="179" width="240" /></a><br />Bleeding Hearts.<br /><br />All in all a wonderful walk.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I know I haven't posted in way too long. I can't promise this will be the start of more regular posting, but I'm going to try.</span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-16411944235589304422010-08-15T22:56:00.002-04:002010-08-16T00:12:52.291-04:00Birthday AdventuresToday is Amy's birthday. We don't usually make much of a fuss about birthdays in our house. The absence of children probably has something to do with that. Most birthdays are celebrated with a card or two, a small present or two and a cake. Today was a little different. There were no cards and Amy got her present a week and half ago when we went to see Cirque du Soleil's <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/default.aspx">Ovo</a>.<br /><br />Yesterday was a busy day. I spent the morning kayaking with my friend Carol. And Amy and I spent the afternoon with friends celebrating the college graduation of their son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend Bill.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4892208027/" title="Bill by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4892208027_9c63ce259c.jpg" alt="Bill" height="400" width="302" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The handsome graduate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, we hadn't planned much for today. Amy decided she wanted to spend the day with me, and so she came along to Meeting this morning - though she chose to sit outside in the sun and read rather than participate in Worship. After rise of meeting we shared the cake I made last night with the Friends in attendance. It was once most Friends had left the Meeting House that our adventure began.<br /><br />Last week our caretaker, Wendyl, had asked for me help and advise on a project she had started. The kitchen of the Meeting House has a wonderful butler's pantry. At the entrance there is a swinging door which opens into the hallway. On the wall perpendicular to that door is a second swinging door which used to open into the dining room. Many years ago that doorway was blocked off to provide space for shelving in the dining room. On the pantry side the door was left in place and toenailed into the frame so that it was no longer operable.<br /><br />It was this second door which had captured Wendyl's attention. She was eager to remove the door so that shelves could be added into the space of the door frame. When she asked me to take a look last week she had managed to remove several of the nails holding the door closed, but was unable to release it. I gave it an unsuccessful try, and decided that we needed a different selection of tools to attack the problem.<br /><br />Which brings us to today. I'd reported the details of the project to Amy when I arrived home last week, and she'd volunteered to help (silly girl). So we left the house this morning with crowbar and saw in hand. The crow bar made quick work of getting the door open. The goal, though was to remove the door. This proved to be much more difficult than any of us ever expected.<br /><br />There are a couple of hinge configurations currently available that allow a door to swing both ways. One involves specialty hinges which are screwed into the frame and the door, like standard hinges. The other variety involves a pin that holds the top of the door and a <a href="http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=254552">spring mechanism</a> that does the work that is attached to the bottom of the door. The hinge mechanism on this door was most like that. This might have been a fairly easy extraction had both sides of the doorway been accessible - but one side of this doorway is a wall, so access to the edge of the door was non-existent. Method number one was to unscrew the plates above and below the doors. That didn't work because there wasn't enough give in the door to lift in off the pins at the either the top or bottom.<br /><br />Then we decided that we should chisel out around the plate that accepted the pin at the top of the door. This necessitated a trip home to pick up chisels. After the trip home (about 15 minutes round-trip) and the yummy lunch Wendyl made for us we went to work chiseling out the wood around the top plate. After this work we were able to wiggle the door more but still could no get it loose. Careful examination with a flashlight revealed that the pin was about the same thickness as my finger, and the plate included a large tab that stuck further up into the framing.<br /><br />After much discussion, examination of both the top and bottom mechanisms, and much wiggling of the door we decided to go with the slightly less elegant method. We pulled out the circular saw, draped off a good portion of the room with plastic and sliced the door in the middle (side to side). Space didn't allow us to slice completely through the door, but it didn't take much separate the two halves. After cleaning up the cut on the bottom of the door, which we did outside, and some cleanup our adventure was done, for now. The pantry is used for folding table storage, so the bottom half of the door is going back into the frame with shelves above.<br /><br />We did get a small surprise - a non-structural two by four in the center of the opening. I did attempt to remove it but there was not enough support for the dry wall and that attempt was abandoned.<br /><br /></div></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4895698455/" title="doorway by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4895698455_8fbf43decc.jpg" alt="doorway" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />The end result.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4895698305/" title="pin by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4895698305_3420ef071c.jpg" alt="pin" height="295" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The top pin.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />After our adventure we returned home to relax and promptly fell asleep. We both had nice, unplanned, late afternoon naps. Not exactly what we expected this morning, but a nice day anyway.<br /><br />The birthday celebrations will continue - there's another cake to make (once Amy decides what flavor she wants) and the annual birthday lobster to be eaten (at one of the number of local restaurants that offer such fare).<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-51672561373343798732010-07-17T00:05:00.005-04:002010-07-17T00:14:55.841-04:00Paradise<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4801050262/" title="Rainbow Lake by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4801050262_73757f006c.jpg" alt="Rainbow Lake" height="264" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning you will find me here.<br /><br />For many people vacation means a trip to the sea shore or to a theme park. For me vacation means heading to the Adirondacks - lake water to swim and boat in, a rustic cabin to relax in, family to visit with and friends to reconnect with. For the next two weeks that's where we'll be.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.wakanda.com">Wakanda</a> if you want to enjoy a little paradise.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-48694810648870458062010-06-29T22:31:00.001-04:002010-06-29T22:33:43.098-04:00Tuesday Lily<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4747896830/" title="lily by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4747896830_528274a4cf.jpg" alt="lily" height="266" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Blooming in the garden today. A sure sign that summer has arrived.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-74113904803851437532010-06-20T22:14:00.003-04:002010-06-20T22:19:08.212-04:00Sunday in the Garden<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blooming in my garden today.</span><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719464530/" title="lavender by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4719464530_2db34f1684.jpg" alt="lavender" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />lavender<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719463412/" title="coreopsis by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4719463412_8214f0eefb.jpg" alt="coreopsis" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />coreopsis<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719464130/" title="pale yellow weed by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4719464130_6d9d15ff18.jpg" alt="pale yellow weed" height="400" width="286" /></a><br />and this yellow weed which has popped up in our backyard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Be sure to scroll down - this is post #4 tonight.<br /></div></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-70097491034714794852010-06-20T22:10:00.003-04:002010-06-20T22:13:51.326-04:00Visitor<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719463786/" title="visitor by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4719463786_a198bc5754.jpg" alt="visitor" height="400" width="292" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">This little fellow decided to investigate our front walk yesterday.<br />When I took this our walk was covered in dust from the repointing that was done on the top of our chimney earlier in the day. I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure this afternoon's thunderstorms cleaned the walk off.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-29131032114018015122010-06-20T21:45:00.005-04:002010-06-20T22:04:51.477-04:00Thematic Photographic 102 - GeometricThis week's Thematic Photographic theme is geometric. The first thing I thought of was the circles in Kenneth Snelson's sculpture <i>Mozart III</i> which is installed at Wellesley College.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719463292/" title="circle by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4719463292_bc21758f34.jpg" alt="circle" height="400" width="310" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">circle<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a shot of the entire sculpture.<br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719463960/" title="Mozart III by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4719463960_4605040b6f.jpg" alt="Mozart III" height="293" width="400" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then on the way home I was stopped next to this sign (bonus points if you can tell where this was taken) and thought it fit the theme pretty well too.<br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4719463588/" title="circles & square by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4719463588_828b6a398f.jpg" alt="circles & square" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">circles in square<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">See more at <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2010/06/thematic-photographic-102-geometric.html">Written Inc</a>.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-84240457368686123912010-06-20T21:26:00.002-04:002010-06-20T21:44:47.427-04:00The Brownie Dilemma aka What I Do For Love<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4718873789/" title="brownie by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4718873789_9b79f3da5d.jpg" alt="brownie" height="283" width="400" /></a></center><br />I am the baker in our house. When I make brownies there is a dilemma. Amy likes her brownies with nuts. I'm not a great fan of nuts in brownies. Last week Amy asked me to make brownies, and since they were her idea I added nuts. But I would have been much happier without them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-38225316756136075632010-05-27T23:24:00.003-04:002010-05-30T00:37:30.558-04:00Mini-VacationOur house is not air-conditioned so hot, steamy nights are not welcome. We do have two window air-conditioners built into the walls. One in the living room and the other in the master bedroom. Both of these units scream 1970. When we, in desperation, turn them on normal conversation must cease. Sleeping with the constant, drone is nearly impossible.<br /><br />The weather reports Monday were calling for extreme heat starting Tuesday night. Amy suggested that perhaps we should find a hotel room for Tuesday night. Normally this is not a big deal, there are three large hotels and several other smaller lodging establishments within 5 miles of our house. This is, however, not normal times for hotels in the greater Boston area. It's graduation season which means lots of out of town relatives descending to see their beloved children, grand-children, nieces and nephews walking across a stage to receive their degrees. These out of town relatives fill our roads (a story for another day) and hotels. Normally we could also have gone a little farther afield but I had to be home early Wednesday to meet the chimney sweep.<br /><br />So it was with some trepidation that I began to look for a nice cool room for us to sleep in Tuesday night. Online searches were less than successful, unless I wanted to spend a lot more money than I felt I could. As a last resort I decided to call one of the larger hotels (the one whose loyalty card I have). It was late, so late it was almost Tuesday. The clerk who answered the phone mentioned that they only had one room left for Tuesday, and asked how much I'd be willing to pay. After I named a dollar amount we chatted while he looked up some information. During this I mentioned that I was a local who didn't have air-conditioning. He was then interrupted by an arrival (he was the only one working) and took my phone number so he could call me back.<br /><br />A few minutes later he called back, and after a few more standard questions announced that since our air-conditioning had died (his interpretation) he could give me the bereavement rate for the room about 50% of the normal graduation season rate. (He also fessed up that he got a bonus if the hotel was sold out.)<br /><br />So after a quick stop at home after work on Tuesday, we headed off to on our mini-vacation. The room was nice and cool. And we enjoyed a movie before bed. I was up in time for a swim Wednesday morning and then it was home for me and off to work for Amy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-75443519953737432142010-05-23T18:14:00.003-04:002010-05-23T18:52:11.446-04:00BirdhousesThe past two Sundays my First Day School class has been working on birdhouses. To prepare I cut parts. The plan is pretty simple. You can find it <a href="http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Backyard-Projects/Birdhouses/Birdhouse-for-Beginners-">here</a>. The kids loved this project - they had a wonderful sense of accomplishment from this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Week 1 was assembly.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First step was putting the screws into the front.<br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4633551254/" title="screws by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4633551254_b0760477db.jpg" alt="screws" height="266" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4633551380/" title="doing it myself by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4633551380_5fa1e6a70d.jpg" alt="doing it myself" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />Step 2 Glue<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4633041609/" title="glue by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4633041609_0dbe5f5bff.jpg" alt="glue" height="305" width="400" /></a><br />Step 3 Nailing on the floor, back and top.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4633637566/" title="hammer by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4633637566_be84bb0ecb.jpg" alt="hammer" height="278" width="400" /></a><br />Finished<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4632955969/" title="finished by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4632955969_a4a6875e2e.jpg" alt="finished" height="400" width="278" /></a><br /></center><br />Week 2 Painting<br />I don't have a lot of pictures of the painting because I was busy working with children who weren't there last week to get their birdhouses together and trying to avoid getting coated in paint. We also had a full-house today - 5 children including one who was new to our Meeting.<br />Here's the some of the results.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4633551558/" title="colorful by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4633551558_cb6130d39e.jpg" alt="colorful" height="248" width="400" /></a></center></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-31929246677675490542010-04-04T08:00:00.000-04:002010-04-03T23:24:07.999-04:00Happy Birthday!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4488048191/" title="daffodil by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4488048191_18f0fbfc2e.jpg" alt="daffodil" height="400" width="322" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, Mother!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-11390927316526945242010-04-01T22:31:00.003-04:002010-04-01T22:43:37.712-04:00Spring<div style="text-align: center;">Thunder of peepers*<br />welcomes me home -<br />spring night.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You can read about peepers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Peeper">here</a>. Be sure to scroll down to the sound files on the right.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The back story: our yard backs up to wetlands, and at this time of year the night is filled with the sound of peepers.</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-78871318224290197382010-02-10T21:24:00.004-05:002010-02-10T22:54:57.837-05:00New Orleans Day 2We ended up being so busy in New Orleans that I didn't manage to post reports from the rest of our trip. I'm working on catching up.<br /><br />At the recommendation of my college friend, Mary, we started off our second day with breakfast at <a href="http://www.brennansneworleans.com/">Brennan's Restaurant</a>, home of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananas_Foster">Banana's Foster</a>, with Amy's niece Melissa. The building was originally built for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Degas">Edgar Degas</a>' great-grandfather, during the Spanish rule of New Orleans. It was yummy, though none of us tried the Banana's Foster. We highly recommend the strawberries with double cream.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347411452/" title="French Market by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4347411452_588474febd.jpg" alt="French Market" height="400" width="276" /></a></center><br />After our sumptuous breakfast we headed to the French Market, and wandered through the flea market booths. An eccentric Cajun gentleman explained in more detail than we really wanted, how he crafts beautiful jewelry from scrap - making beauty from the destruction left behind by Katrina. And I added a bright pottery fish to my collection. After stopping to stock up on <a href="http://www.auntsallys.com/">pralines</a> for the folks at work, we stopped for a late morning snack of beignets at <a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/">Cafe Du Monde</a>.<br /><br />From there we headed to St Louis Cathedral, stopping to admire the art displayed on the fence along the way.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4346666627/" title="St Louis Cathedral6 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4346666627_ff11fc9833.jpg" alt="St Louis Cathedral6" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The outside of St Louis Cathedral.<br /></div><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347411956/" title="St Louis Cathedral1 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4347411956_ee11b4280f.jpg" alt="St Louis Cathedral1" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Looking down the main aisle.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347412114/" title="St Louis Cathedral3 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4347412114_91482aea82.jpg" alt="St Louis Cathedral3" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The organ loft.<br /></div><br />Then we headed to Uptown to meet my college friend, Mary, at her parent's house. I'd emailed Mary for recommendations on places to eat and things to see and discovered that she was going to be in New Orleans for the weekend too. After a quick tour of her parent's house we headed off to lunch at a local bar for lunch. We spent lunch talking and laughing.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347413300/" title="Barqs by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4347413300_b264b5bb6f.jpg" alt="Barqs" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The local drink.<br /></div><br />After lunch Melissa took us over to the Lower Ninth Ward to show us two of the oldest houses in that part of the city. Mary kept up a running travelogue on the drive pointing out the sights and offering stories about the city. There are still signs of the destruction of the hurricane throughout the city, but there are also signs of recovery in most neighborhoods. The houses we went to see are called Pilot houses and sit on opposite corners near the levee. Mary enjoyed seeing these almost as much as we did. She'd seen pictures of them before, but didn't know where in New Orleans they were.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4346664621/" title="Pilot House3 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4346664621_7f01541521.jpg" alt="Pilot House3" height="266" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The Pilot house closest to the levee. This was taken from the top of the levee.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347414172/" title="Pilot House6 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4347414172_96766cf5fc.jpg" alt="Pilot House6" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The second Pilot house. Note the kumquat tree in the yard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are more pictures of the Pilot houses <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/sets/72157623404133760/">here</a>.<br /></div></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4347411024/" title="Rebirth by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4347411024_8ffa3c5857.jpg" alt="Rebirth" height="266" width="400" /></a></center>Just a block away from the Pilot houses are these new houses. We're pretty sure these are part of Brad Pitt's efforts to rebuild New Orleans. If you click on the picture you can see what almost looks like a fourth house, but is actually a ship docked on the other side of the levee.<br /><br />I'll save our first Mardi Gras parade for my next post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-46980831978141691132010-02-04T22:22:00.002-05:002010-02-04T23:20:12.106-05:00New Orleans Day 1Today was our first full day in New Orleans. We arrived yesterday afternoon after a slightly bumpy but mostly uneventful flight. Amy's niece, Melissa, picked us up at the airport, which was great. We had a chance to meet her pups before heading to our hotel. We had dinner at Babylon Cafe, a small meditteranean restaurant - no frills but great food. On the way back to our hotel we spent quite a while sitting at an intersection while tractors pulled empty Mardi Gras floats down the street. Back at our hotel we were getting ready for bed when we heard drumming outside. We looked out the window to see what was happening to discover klieg lights illuminating the night, and a small brass band accompanied by a band of revelers following a police car down the street below our window. They got to the end of the block then turned around and walked back to where they'd started. The big fuzzy microphones at the sides of the road were clear indication that they were being filmed. The walk under our windows was repeated 4 or 5 more times.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331787458/" title="filming by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4331787458_9f08e48ea9.jpg" alt="filming" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the quality of the photo - this was taken on a rainy night, through a window without a tripod.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Today was rainy so we headed off to indoor sights. First up the <a href="http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/aquarium">Audubon Aquarium</a>.<br /><br /></div></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331787640/" title="scales by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4331787640_e75280b1ab.jpg" alt="scales" height="400" width="328" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Detail of the waterfall in the entry hall of the Aquarium.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331787734/" title="snacktime by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4331787734_46e582ac40.jpg" alt="snacktime" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">We arrived at feeding time in the Caribbean Reef exhibit. This ray decided that sucking the food out of the jar was the best way to go.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331787520/" title="sea star by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4331787520_9f8bed04f8.jpg" alt="sea star" height="266" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">To me this sea star looks like it's doing the wave.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331787556/" title="lionfish by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4331787556_bb98c0d380.jpg" alt="lionfish" height="266" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Lionfish<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4331049931/" title="owl by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4331049931_46f53ce4e8.jpg" alt="owl" height="326" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">The aquarium has a few non-aquatic critters, including this owl.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">From the aquarium we walked a short distance to the Riverwalk Mall. The mall itself was uninspiring (though we were able to score a superbowl t-shirt for a co-worker). After lunch in the food court, we checked out the <a href="http://www.southernfood.org/">Southern and Beverage Museum</a>, before heading back to the hotel.<br /><br />Melissa will be joining us for our adventures tomorrow which, as long as the sun comes out, will include heading to the French Quarter for gawking, shopping and beignets. Then she's promised to take us on a short driving tour.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-45590545058851908332010-01-31T14:44:00.002-05:002010-01-31T14:46:52.987-05:00See It Sunday: Italian<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/2190217746/" title="gelati by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2190217746_b6e0f2a26e.jpg" alt="gelati" height="332" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Gelati Sign in Boston's North End<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">taken January 2008</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">More See It Sunday <a href="http://www.seeitsunday.net/">here</a>.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-41865164223347048982010-01-15T11:07:00.004-05:002010-01-15T11:18:38.311-05:00Thematic Photographic 84 - White<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/3891517828/" title="Lake Willoughby Store by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3891517828_244fa19216.jpg" alt="Lake Willoughby Store" height="400" width="274" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Willoughby Lake Store<br />I took this last summer on the way to my cousin Matt's house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">See more White <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2010/01/thematic-photographic-84-white.html">here</a>.<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-52350361012240140452010-01-12T22:21:00.004-05:002010-01-12T22:32:39.446-05:00Thematic Photographic 83 - What I Did on Vacation<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/3849878227/" title="toward the flow by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3849878227_12f5076725.jpg" alt="toward the flow" height="300" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Kayaking on Rainbow Lake, August 2010<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See more <a href="http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2010/01/thematic-photographic-83-what-i-did-on.html">here</a>.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-67229534583641705272010-01-10T16:26:00.003-05:002010-01-10T16:30:58.172-05:00See It Sunday: Tower<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4263903072/" title="GST3 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4263903072_1cd7634520.jpg" alt="GST3" height="400" width="266" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Galen Stone Tower at Wellesley College<br />taken this morning<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See more See It Sunday <a href="http://www.seeitsunday.net/">here</a>.</span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-37694368751172618842010-01-07T23:04:00.002-05:002010-01-07T23:07:54.821-05:00Two for Tuesday: Road-River<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/4255930716/" title="road & river by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4255930716_1edbef9c0c.jpg" alt="road & river" height="288" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Looking across the Charles River toward Boston from Memorial Drive.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">More Two for Tuesday <a href="http://www.two4tuesday.com/home/two4tuesday/">here</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-12254105709198127132010-01-03T08:22:00.005-05:002010-01-03T08:30:31.873-05:00PhotoSunday: Round<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkriendeau/2710707609/" title="white shroom2 by ChelleRNatick, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2710707609_304acdd20d.jpg" alt="white shroom2" height="266" width="400" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Macro of mushroom found at <a href="http://www.wakanda.com/">Wakanda</a> in the Adirondacks July 2008.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See more PhotoSunday <a href="http://www.photosunday.net/">here</a>.</span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11141184.post-8982018618587254002009-12-25T19:30:00.002-05:002009-12-25T21:01:52.048-05:00The String of LightsIt's a simple string of Christmas lights containing 50 all clear bulbs. We've never used it, preferring multi-colored lights, but it's still in our decoration box (or rather one of our decoration boxes). There is nothing special about this string. Strings like this are available at almost any store that sells decorations.<br /><br />Each year as I pull out the lights to decorate our Christmas tree this set of lights makes me smile. Many years ago we belonged to a neighborhood gay and lesbian group (GLOW) which held potlucks each month. In December GLOW spiced up the potluck with a Yankee Swap. <br /><br />For those who have never experienced a Yankee Swap let me explain. Each person brings a small wrapped gift. Each person participating is given a number. The person with number 1 selects and opens a gift. Then number 2 selects and opens a gift. At this point the person with number 2 can either keep the gift they opened or swap it for the gift number 1 has. This continues until everyone has opened a gift. As things get further along each person who has a gift taken away can choose to swap with another person, though not the one who just swapped with them, before moving to the next number. At that point the person with number 1 gets to select any of the gifts. There may be variations depending on the specifics of the particular swap - gag gifts vs. useful things. Some swaps require that number 2 decide whether to take number 1s gift or open another before actually opening another. I know of one group that requires the participants to bring the worst gift they received the year before- rumor has it that there is one gift that has been at each of their Yankee swaps each year. The Yankee swap which GLOW did was always a lot of fun - lots of laughing, though we rarely came away with anything we really wanted or needed.<br /><br />Which brings me back to the string of white lights in our decoration box. At one of the last Yankee swaps that GLOW held our friend Robert ended up with this box of lights. Robert is Jewish and didn't have a use for the lights, so after the swap he gave them to us. I think Amy gave him the gift she'd ended up with. The lights got stowed away with our decorations and there they have stayed. Each time I open that box I think of Robert.<br /><br />Robert has been a true blue friend over the years. We don't see him often - usually only at our Passover Seder and when we have parties. He does call every once in a while just to check in. We haven't seen Robert much in the last couple of years. He's been battling cancer and has been too tired for much socializing. He did do me a huge favor just over a year ago, and despite the ravages of the treatment he helped me buy my car (he makes his living helping people buy cars), but we only saw each other once during that process.<br /><br />The other night as I pulled out the lights for our Christmas tree I came upon that box of clear lights, and smiled thinking of our friend. Before continuing on with the decorating I took a moment to think about Robert and all of the love he's given us over the years. We may never use those lights, but they'll stay in that box - a yearly reminder of our friendship with Robert.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2