Saturday, November 25, 2006

Sakonnet Lighthouse

I have been thinking about viewing the Sakonnet Lighthouse for sometime. One would think that with a state as small as Rhode Island, I would have been everywhere, especially when I spent all those Sunday mornings wandering around aimlessly on my motorcycle. Nevertheless I had never been there. I did my research on my favorite lighthouse site www.lighthousefriends.com and Marie and I set out this morning. It was a lovely day, bright sunshine and blue skies. I recommended heavy jackets as the ocean breeze can be very brisk this time of year. The easiest way to get there is to go into Massachusettes through Fall River and take route 24 towards Newport. We took exit 6 (Fish Road) and eventually connected to route 77. This quaint country road wound us along towards Sakonnet Point. Along the way we were able to see beautiful country stone walls, grand old homes and occasionly, views of the Sakonnet River. We drove by the restaurant where our oldest daughter was married and where the reception was held. We passed by a couple of small villages and finally arrived at the very end of the road. I parked along side the massive stone wall and ignored the "no parking" signs.

As we passed throught the wrought iron gate, I read the sign that announced that we were not welcome and we were trespassing on this private beach. I will add that Marie collects rocks. We have rocks from up and down the east coast, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Bretton, most of the Great Lakes, assorted river beds, Yellowstone and from the Crazy Horse museum. This beach was filled with rocks of all sizes, shapes, colors and they were so smooth. A lady from Connecticut was carefully selecting rocks for a dry riverbed she hoped to construct on her property. Marie began her search for the chosen few while I snapped pictures of the lighthouse. I have to admit that these rocks were beautiful so I took about 6 small stones also.

A lengthy description of the Sakonnet Light is available on the web site mentioned above. I will give a brief history. Funded in 1882, the light was lit November 1, 1884. It is a cylindrical cast iron tower that sits atop a concret filled cast iron caisson. It was damaged during the 1938 hurricane and was repaired. The 1954 hurricane severely damaged the light and some discussion began concerning tearing it down. The local townspeople raised money and it was eventually restored and remains in private hands. It has been relighted.

On the way back we took a little time to look at Compton Commons (a post office, general store and a diner). It is very quaint New England. We also stopped at Greys Ice Cream Parlor. They make all their ice cream and is touted to have the "worlds best" coffee ice cream. Marie told me that it was up there with the best she has ever had. I tried the butterscoth and was disapponted.

All in all, it was a great way to spend the morning, and yes, we were glad we had warm coats.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Tippy Tumble

Marie and I were watching the news about the hoards that were waiting to buy the new Sony game player. We were also dismayed at the violence that has occurred. I said I would never wait in line for a product for myself. Then I asked Marie if she remembered the Christmas Eve when I stood on a loading dock, long after my little angel was sleeping, waiting for a truck to arrive. I held in my hand a numbered slip that guaranteed that a Tippy Tumble would be mine. I must confess that my memory was of the bitter cold and the hour. Marie remembered the name of the toy. Looking back on that night, I now wonder if the truck driver had a family waiting for him to arrive home for Christmas.

I wonder if any Tippy Tumbles still survive.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Veteran's Day

Earlier in the week, I received a phone call from my eldest daughter. My granddaughter's fourth grade class was scheduled to March in the Middleboro, MA. Veterans Day Parade. Each child would wear a gold star with the name of a veteran and / or an active service member. Lilia had chosen me to be on her star. The problem was that my daughter needed to choose between another equally important function for my grandson or Lil's parade. Would I be able to take Lil to the parade. Yes of course I said and can I march with her?

This Veterans Day was beautiful, a bonus for New England, sunny skies about 60 degrees. While we lined up in our designated area, Lil gravitated towards her classmates and I began a conversation with Cosmo who was wearing a hat for his Navy ship. He was in the Navy from 1946 to 1948. He could not get his mother to let him lie about his age and he still is sorry he missed WW II. He's 78 and when the parade started up a long incline, I noticed he was dropping back. By this time Lil was in a pack with her classmates, so I dropped back and Cosmo and I brought up the rear of the fourth grade class. We compared notes on the navy in the 40's and the 60's. He was a delightful person to march with. The parade ended at the town hall for ceremonies. The local high school marching band played all the theme songs for the 5 military branches. The flag was raised and moments of silence for those departed and those fighting. It was a nice way to spend Veterans Day.

One young man was wearing a gold star for his dad who is with the Army in Iraq. He has been in my thoughts all afternoon.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Old habits

My last two vehicles came equipped with auto locking doors and auto lights on at dusk. My new Honda Odyssey does neither. We blissfully ride with doors unlocked as we seem never to remember to push the button.

Last night as I pulled away from my sister-in-laws, I mentioned that the dash was dark. My wife told me that the headlights were probably not on. Yep! Old habits are hard to break.

However, this car has a most aggravating chime every two minutes if the seat belt is not fastened forcing me to finally wear the damn thing. So I guess I'm safer as I head down the road in the dark with the doors unlocked.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Mom's 91st Birthday Gift

Mom has had a good life. My dad was an engineer and did well and mom was a saver. Needless to say, trying to figure out what to do or get for her birthday is always a problem. She buys whatever she wants and tells everyone..."no gifts". A while back I took her to lunch and she began to talk about the things she missed since my dad passed. She told me how much she liked going to Maine. Marie and I have been going to Maine for several years to complete our semi-annual visit to L L Bean. Sooo, I asked her if she would like to come along. She jumped at the opportunity. Mom has macular degeneration and her vision is failing, she is also a little hard of hearing which sometimes makes for interesting conversation. I said it would be nice to have her come with us, She answered, oh it will be icey. Yup!

Mom is very independent and feels she must pay her way. I explained that I would pay for her meals and that would be her birthday present. I also explained that part of this ritual would be The Steakhouse Restaurant. I have never had a better filet of beef anywhere than here. I made this clear as mom's favorite is KFC and Subway and I did not want any doubt as to where we would eat.

I arranged to pick her up the day before and we were able to leave from my house on the 31st. We did some shopping in Kittery and had a so-so lunch at Noels. We then stopped at the Stonewall Kitchen outlet. Their manufacturing site is in York. They have jars of small crackers and open samples of all their jellies, jams, butters, etc. It was like I turned a kid loose in a candy store. At one point my wife said I can't find your mother. I said I was sure she was somewhere tasting samples. I stood in line to pay and as I was almost finished paying, Marie spotted mom. She proudly proclaimed that she had tried everything. I shuddered to think of the three different salsas after the assorted jellies and butters that she had consumed. She said she had the best time and it was better than any dessert that she could have had anywhere.

The Steakhouse was super. All steaks come with a little tub of herb butter...just wonderful. Mom wanted halibut which is getting harder to find or baby scallops, neither was on the menu. She refused to have a small steak and ended up with baby back ribs.

The Hamton Inn in Wells, Maine opened this past July. It is one of the nicest Hampton Inns that I have stayed in. It has a double sided fireplace in the lobby and a wide screen TV. The morning breakfast was also one of the best. So after our breakfast we went to Freeport for shopping at L L bean, Carters, and an educational toy store. A generally nice day. That night we once again went to The Steakhouse. Mom was cranky, she was not going to order a steak. I would be happy with a sandwich, she proclaimed, you eat too much red meat. Mom, I did not come all the way here to eat dinner at KFC or Subway I replied. She pouted a little and settled for a half order of crab cakes and a baked potato.

The next morning we ate a hearty brakfast and headed home in the pouring rain. Once we got her to my niece's home and settled in, she told me that she had a great time.
I kissed her and wished her a happy birthday.