Friday, December 07, 2012

Christmas Lights

Each Christmas Season a magnificent display of Christmas lights are erected around the lake in DeFuniak Springs. It has become part of our Christmas tradition to visit the display. Last year there were a reported 6.5 million light. This year, I estimate that there are at least 7 million lights. The displays are varied, religious, patriotic and winter Christmas theme lights. The trees are strung with white lights. Tree trunks are wrapped in white in one section, red in another. The circle around the lake is probably about 2 plus miles. In most areas the distance from curb to water is about 100 feet. The road is blocked and traffic is one way only. A small fee per person is collected to defray electrical costs. This year it runs from November 29 to December 31. There are numerous anti bell um and Victorian houses along the road that are beautifully decorated by their owners.

Following are a few of the of the better pictures that I took. Most were shot from my open drivers window. We did the circle twice.

















May you all have a Merry and Joyous Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Mom

 My mom had once again been in the hospital in Rhode Island and was back in the nursing home. She was slowly adjusting to the realization that this would be her home. She will be 97 on November 11th. I told Carol that I wanted to see her before it got too cold and before the snow flies. We decided that it was best that I do this trip alone. I could cover more miles alone. Carol stayed home with the "boys" our two dogs. I left on a Friday morning and would stop twice on the way up. The earliest I could get into my favorite hotel in Rhode Island was the following Sunday. I did well on Friday and stopped in Lumberton, North Carolina. I prefer to bypass DC, so I leave I 95 in Emporia, Virginia and go towards the coast and cross over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. There was hardly any traffic on the bridge. No one was behind me, so I stopped and took a picture of The Cape Charles Lighthouse through the passenger window. That picture follows.



I decided to stop early and stay in Chincoteague, Virginia. I wanted to see the wild horses. They were no where to be found. I was told that the local volunteer firemen had rounded them up for the fall checkup by the local vet and were given their inoculations. The horses are usually mad and when released they usually go deep in the preserve and stay there for a while. I did take a nice picture of the Assateague Lighthouse. I was also treated to a magnificent sunset. Those pictures follow. The sunset made up for no horses.


I arrived on the Sunday, and went right to the nursing home. I walked into mom's room and she asked "Is it you Edward?" "Yes, mom, I am your early surprise birthday present." I visited with mom every day and on the Wednesday, I took her to Twin Oaks for lunch. It is her favorite restaurant. She had her fried scallops, mashed potatoes and house salad along with a coke. She loved it. I offered to take her to see dad's grave, but she ran out of gas. Once back in the nursing home, she laid on her bed. I think she was asleep before I covered her with the throw. I managed to see my son and his three girls at one time or the other. He and I had dinner at Ted's Montana grill. I had Yankee bison pot roast. Fantastic! I had dinner twice with my niece, Janine. I managed to have diner at my favorite Portuguese restaurant and two lunches at EATS where I had the wienies. I did take several pictures of foliage. The foliage was past prime and somewhat muted, but it pleased this former Rhode Islander. Below is a representative picture.


Mom usually takes a nap every afternoon. I visited all morning the last day I was there. I told her I would return after lunch. She told me not to as she would be napping. I said I would be back. I did  go and sat with her as she slept. I do believe that the orderly woke us both when he came in with her meds. I sat for awhile and left, telling that the Lord willing, I would see her next summer.



Friday, September 21, 2012

Kitchen Remodel

 Carol and I had been talking about a redo for our kitchen. It was smaller than we wanted. It seemed like we were always in each others way while we prepared meals. I had approached one contractor but he was always too busy to call me back. Finally I asked my plumber if he could recommend someone. He did and we began talking to Tommy Day. He is a cabinet maker and he showed us several styles of door fronts and we agreed on maple with clear lacquer and a very plain door design. Projects like this always seem to "snowball". My back is very sore and therapy is not doing the job yet. So I asked if he could raise my bath room vanity to kitchen counter height and also redo the vanity in the second bathroom. The bathrooms will be a later explanation. Carol and I looked in  several warehouses looking at granite. I bet everyone was easily over 100 degrees inside. We finally found our granite,


The first three pictures are of the original kitchen. It was bright and functional, but cramped. The first picture is the corner to the left of the stainless sink. A feature neither of us liked



The second picture is a view to the right of the sink. Note that the dishwasher was located in the corner of the right El-shaped counter. The lower part of this counter had doors that opened to shelves. One of us was always on bended knee searching in the back space looking for something.



The third picture shows the window and sill and the double cabinet above the counter. Carol had a number of cactus plants on the wooden sill.



Tommy was to begin while Carol and I were away attending family functions and visiting family in Michigan and Rhode Island. The goal was to have a working kitchen by Labor Day. We talked to Tommy weekly to check on progress. Unfortunately, it rained almost every day for three weeks. Tommy explained that he could not shoot the lacquer. We understood. We had a useable kitchen the Monday after Labor day.

Following are pictures of almost finished kitchen. Tommy still needs to install the crown molding and the 1/2 inch round along the bottom of the counters. Tommy is on vacation with family and will finish when he returns home.


The following picture shows the window area. Now the dishwasher is  located next to the under mounted sink. It is a composite of granite and other stuff. Larger than the old. Remember the "snowball effect". This was the time to replace the garbage disposal and the dishwasher. The first time we used it, Carol asked if I could hear water. I could not. Shortly we heard a whooshing sound and we figured the correct buttons were pushed. The kitchen was expanded by slightly more than the width of the dishwasher. The faucet was replaced also. There are three cabinets above the counter now.




The following picture shows the counter top. We were very pleased with the quality of the install. There is a seam, but barely detectable.



This pictures shows the storage space in the counter. Note now there are drawers that pull out and will hold over 200 pounds according to Tommy. We may not currently know what is in each drawer, but we can easily look. No more crawling into the area below the counter. Over a year ago we had all new tile installed through out the home. Fortunately, our tile guy was nervous and has us buy an extra 100 square feet. When the kitchen was expanded part of the cement pad was exposed. Tommy got his tile guy to come in and tile the area. He removed part of one strip and it now looks like it was always there.



Another view of the kitchen, The crown molding across the top of the cabinets will further dress up the cabinets.



This is a close up of the new granite window sill. It of course matches the counters. I asked Carol when her plants would return. She said the sills so pretty and I think she is in no hurry.


We did wash dishes in the bathroom sink for about two weeks. Every thing that belonged in cabinets was stored in boxes or on a folding table in the guest bed room.  Our kitchen is fully functional. We think we know where everything is now located.  We know the inconvenience was well worth it.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Birthday Quilt

 Carol decided that she would make me a quilt for my 70th birthday. I told her that I would like a theme that would be representative of our beach locale. Off we went to the quilt fabric shop and we picked out appropriate materials and Carol began the quilting process. There would be a flurry of activity followed by time outs as other knitting and volunteer work absorbed her time and talent.

Recently, Carol finished the quilt just in time for my 71st birthday. Needless to say, I am thrilled with the result. The first picture is of the front and the second shows the material used for the backing.



I will treasure my quilt and will use it when the Florida version of winter comes.


Thursday, September 06, 2012

Narragansett Bay Cruise Part III


During the cruise several interesting landmarks, yachts, and an aircraft carrier were pointed out to us on board. We sailed past this antique wooded yacht flying the Canadian flag. I thought that it had such a simple and beautiful design.



Following is the "house on a rock". It looks like it is a precarious location, yet the house has been there for some time. it is currently owned by a family from Boston and is their vacation home. Note the wind electric generator above the roof line.



This recently constructed boat, designed for charter work was also used in the Johnny Depp pirate movies. It is home based here in Rhode island waters.






The boats pictured below are ocean racing yachts. Hence the reason for the very tall masts.




Long ago when I was young, I joined the U S Navy. I was trained as an Aviation Jet Mechanic and was assigned to VA 36 a seagoing squadron. I basically became a plane captain working from 5 in the evening until 5 in the morning. My squadron flew off the USS Saratoga, CVA 60. I have a great love and very fond memories of working on that flight deck. I was fortunate to be invited to the decommissioning of that ship in 1994. Then she was freshly painted and looked like a great lady. Today, that ship is slowly deteriorating in dry dock in Portsmouth, RI. Years ago, I watched her being towed through Narragansett Bay to her dry dock. I was dismayed then at her condition. Today, the ship is in even worse shape. I grew up on that flight deck. I was a scared teenager when I flew aboard in 1960, and a confident young man when I was discharged several years later. I am still close to the great friends I made in that squadron.






The navy put the Saratoga on the donate list years ago. She could be such a great tourist attraction. The Yorktown in Charleston, SC is an example of a ship  museum done right. I was sadden to see her in this shape.


Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Narragansett Bay Lighthouse cruise Part II

The Castle Hill lighthouse was completed in 1890. It was a navigational aid for ship traffic entering the East passage of Narragansett Bay as they sailed for Newport and or Providence, RI. The first picture was taken several summers ago when I took Carol to see this light. The second picture was taken while we were on the bay cruise. As you can see the Castle Hill Light is being painted and is surrounded by staging. The light is built on the ledge and the adjacent land offers a very scenic view of Narragansett Bay. From this site, Beavertail is quite visible.





The cruise continued into Newport harbor. The Lime Rock Lighthouse is also known as the Ida Lewis Rock Light. Now named after the most famous light keeper. Her father Hosea was the first keeper. He suffered a severe stroke and the duties soon fell on the 16 year old Ida. She would row her siblings across the harbor so they could attend school. She rescued many persons who by one means or another capsized in the harbor. She often rowed out in heavy weather to perform these rescues. News of her heroics spread and she was honored for her deeds. The actual light was placed in a window which is painted black in the following picture. Today the building houses the Ida Lewis Yacht Club.





Goat Island Light was the first beacon erected to guide vessels into Newport Harbor. Complaints were noted that the location was poorly placed for aiding the mariners. A second tower was erected and placed in service in 1842. The original tower was deconstructed and erected on Prudence Island where it still stands to this day. Goat Island got its name because Newport residents pastured their goats there.




Rose island commanded a strategic location at the entrance to Newport Harbor. During the Revolutionary War both sides used this position at various times. The lighthouse went into service in 1869. Today this lighthouse can be rented for overnight use. Renters are required to perform several duties associated with the light. The Newport bridge is in the background. I believe it is now named the Claiborn Pell bridge. It is also a toll bridge.



The final lighthouse that we saw during the cruise was Conanicut Island lighthouse. First activated April 1, 1886. Light  keepers duty was considered prime at this location. The light tower was attached to the keepers quarters and it was not a very tall structure. It was close to Jamestown for supplies.

Today it is a private residence and is not open to the public and the only view is from the water. At some point the actual light was removed from the tower.




This completes the 10 lighthouses that the bay cruise visited. There are a several more lighthouses that were not on the tour in and around the entrance to Narragansett Bay.

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Narragansett Bay Lighthouse Tour Part I

Originally, the main purpose of our trip to RI was to attend my grand daughter's sweet 16 party. I also wanted to visit family. Prior to our arrival, my mother took ill and was moved from the hospital to a nursing home where she could receive intensive physical therapy. Carol and I visited her every day except one. That day was Carol's birthday and we took a Narragansett Bay cruise that would take us by ten lighthouses and a tour of Newport Harbor.

The first lighthouse that we passed by was Poplar Point Lighthouse. Congress approved construction in 1831 for a beacon to serve Wickford Harbor and Poplar Point. This is a fine example of an integral lighthouse where the tower is build within the keepers living quarters. This property is now privately owned and according to a crew member it is for sale with an asking price of 6.7 million.



The second light that we passed was Plum Beach Lighthouse. approved by congress in 1895 as a beacon for the west passage of Narragansett Bay. The lighthouse became obsolete in 1940 when the first Jamestown bridge was built. The light quickly fell into disrepair. Eventually a group was formed to restore the light. Over 50 tons of guano were removed from the structure. This is how it now looks. The new Jamestown bridge is in the background. Some folks refer to this style of lighthouse as a "spark plug" light.



The dutch island light was approved and built in 1825. It also is in the west passage of Narragansett bay. Today it is a private aid to navigation.




Following is whale Rock. In September 1938 a massive hurricane roared up Narragansett Bay. The lighthouse was destroyed and the light keeper perished. This is all that remains of that light.




The first Beavertail Lighthouse was completed in 1749. It was a wooden structure that burned to the ground four years later. The existing tower replaced that one and was lit in 1754. The light faces  straight down the bay to the Atlantic. Over the years it has withstood many storms. The 1938 hurricane claimed the keepers daughter when her school bus was overturned on the causeway. His son survived. That keeper later drowned while in the service during WW II.

Beavertail is my absolute favorite place in Rhode Island. Often during the warm months I would ride my motorcycle there and lay on the rocks in the sun listening to the surf. There was a time when Marie was losing her battle with cancer, that we would drive there so she could listen to the sea crash on the rocks and feel the salt air on her face. I have been there in the bitter cold to see the salt spray frozen on the rocks, so pretty in the sunlight and so deadly. Every so often someone fishing is swept off by an unseen wave and is lost. I have taken Carol there to show her my favorite place and we walked the grounds with our dogs. Yes, this is a special place. Someday my ashes will be somewhere around Beavertail.


Part II and III will soon follow.

Sunday, September 02, 2012

Frankenmuth Michigan

I mentioned that Frankenmuth was a quaint town with a heavy German influence to Joylene.  Frankenmuth is also the location of Bronners Christmas store. It may be the largest Christmas oriented store in the world. The decision was made to take time to visit first Bronners and then visit the village. Carol and I and Joylene's children arrived ahead of Darlene. Joylene is texting her sister to see when they would arrive.



While we waited, I took a picture of my granddaughter, Kyrsten on the grounds. Bronners has a Christmas light display that they light each evening throughout the year. The drive through the display is a little more than half a mile. Look closely at the background and you will see part of the display.



The next picture is of Connor, Kyrsten's brother. The sun was so bright and he kept squinting, that we decided that sunglasses were needed.


Darlene arrived and met us inside. We spent several hours shopping and browsing. Pictures are allowed, but I did not carry my camera inside. There is so much to see and and to keep track of everyone. I did go and have a snack in the cafeteria. Beau joined me and he had tea.

After Bronners, we drove into Frankenmuth proper and parked at the open air shops. We walked down the hill and decided to have lunch at The Bavarian Inn which could sit all 12 of us together.



The menu was heavily influenced by the German cuisine. there were burgers also which pleased several of us. I had a German sampler as did Beau. Pictured below is Joylene with Beau to her right. Darlene's daughter, Brooklin is to her left.


Darlene and son Aiden are pictured below.


After our lunch we strolled back towards the shops. We visited a leather shop and I bought a new belt. Pleased to say it is smaller than the one it replaced.

Below is Darlene's children. Left to right, Devon, Caitlin, Aiden (seated) Darlene and Brooklin. Darlene's oldest daughter Amber is married and living in Italy where her husband is stationed with the Air Force. Darlene's son Christopher was at home with his dad.



This picture was taken as we walked up the hill to browse the shops.


This picture was taken at the hotel when we returned from Frankenmuth. Joylene was leaving early the next morning to return to her home in Florida. Carol and I were staying another day before we would leave for Rhode Island.