Blog Archives

All Hallow's Eve

10/31/2013

The colors are fading, fall is now here
The days become shorter, that night soon draws near

The leaves are falling, from a light fall breeze
Listen for whispers, that speak from the trees

As sunset approaches, the moon starts to rise
A flicker of movement, they float towards the sky

The dead are amongst us, released from their bonds
To roam with the living, from dusk till dawn

Sweet

10/30/2013

There were no tricks, but what a treat
The win tonight, was so bitter sweet

The Sox played hard, all year long
Thats what made them Boston Strong

They’ve carried us through, when things were tough
Showing us light, like diamonds in the rough

Now we bear witness, on this special fall night
They won it at home, and oh what a site

As fireworks shoot, to the sky so bright
From worst to first, it’s a real special night

Please come to Boston

10/29/2013

One win away …….The Red Sox are coming home from St Louis leading three games to two in the World Series. One win away… The Red Sox are still new to winning World Series Championships in the modern day. They have a couple under their belt in the last nine years but none were won at Fenway Park . In 2004 the team won the World Series championship in St Louis and in 2007 they did it again in Denver. But we haven’t clinched the Series title at home. The last time that it did happen was in 1918. One win away….

Tomorrow the Red Sox are very close to making the last unfulfilled dream of so many a reality. The team may have a chance to celebrate a World Series Championship in front of the Green Monster. I have never seen that happen. My father, grandfather or no one I know has ever seen it happen. Yet here we are… One win away.

The Sox could have fallen apart after losing Game Three on the obstruction call. At the end of the game I will admit that those old haunting feelings return to me like the many bad dreams the Sox have given me in the past. But as I look at the sun shinning this morning and think about this team, I am now convinced that these guys are unlike those other teams of the past. They are very different indeed. They are a little bit like the team of 2004 in so much as they never say die. They came back to win Game Four and Five of this series and the can do attitude that this team has shown all year just continues to play on until they are now just. One win away....The big difference in the 20013 team as these guys play like a machine. When its time to go, they just crank out the wins and keep going. Fro the start of the season when the town was down because of the tragedy at the marathon, this team gave everyone a big lift with their support for the people and community. One win away….

For those of you that have a ticket for either game six or game seven. I can only imagine the feeling you have right now. You have the chance to hopefully see one of the greatest sporting events ever
played in the old ball park….One win away. There is no doubt that the streets in Boston will be packed as the faithful will be drawn to The Park like the fabled moth to a flame for that chance to experience the final epic story of the last unfulfilled dream. So many generations of New Englanders are now just praying for, One more win ……

Baby it's cold outside

10/27/2013

I really can't stay….... Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away -... Baby it's cold outside

( Me)  I Can’ do it again …...........Cause its cold outside
( Her) Get your new Snugies…..Cause there nice inside

This week we have seen the coldest days yet going in to this late fall season. The snow has not fallen; there is no ice forming on the many ponds that are part of the world we live in.  The heat in my
house has not yet been turned on and I am cold. How I wish I was staying at the Mud Pond camp right now with the wood stove burning at a high temp and the ability to walk about in my boxers and be comfortable.

I live in the city on the second floor of my house and must pay all the money for the luxury to stay warm. I don't have a wood stove and wish it was part of my world. I will also say that I am just a little bit frugal.  My beloved hard core German wife has repeatedly told me that we should put an extra layer of clothing on because it’s not that bad outside yet. Our heating bill has never been figured in to the October Budget.

I did ask Helene the perennial question this week that I have asked more times than I can remember!...... Will this Halloween be a trick or a treat as far as the heat in the house goes? (You figure that one out) she will always reply… You will give thanks at Thanksgiving.

I now have to then ask the question of everyone that does not have a woodstove, Pellet stove or any of those luxury’s of life. When did you or will you turn up the heat or are you living on the edge with a good set of ?

Have a smile here cause its all about us.

Just Thinking

10/26/2013

Last week my friend John asked me if my new hobby of blogging was working out well and when are you going to write about yourself? I had to think for a bit for an answer. The reason being is, that question really caught me off guard. As a rule it never takes me long to answer anything.

I started this blog without having any expectations. I wanted to express my thoughts and feelings about life’s adventures. I have always thought that blogging for me would be writing about my experiences and adventures.

In my life, I have always considered myself a bit reserved when it comes to expressing my personal life and thoughts. There is a line in the sand that for me is as clear as the finish line on the track. I can speak of life’s experiences and adventures but the thought of sharing my most inner thoughts and feelings is just something I have never been able to do.

I have given some thought to that question and my personal barriers and this is what I’ve come to realize. Blogging doesn’t mean I have to tear down that wall of my deep inner reservations. It will take some time and effort if that is to ever happen and neither one is at the front of my life’s to do list right now. It is really not necessary to have to talk about my personal life or emotions. I can write about any topic that I have an opinion about (and I have an opinion about most everything!) So I will continue on the road I started by expressing my thoughts and adventures and maybe a little bit more on words.

I have always been attracted to the beauty of words. Inspirational Quotations, Lyrics of a song, Lines in a movie or a moving poem. Well written words have always had the power to move me and leave a lasting impact on my mind. They are just another one of life’s great pleasures.

Hoosac Tunnel

10/24/2013

Halloween events will be plentiful in New England begin this weekend. We live in a part of the country where there is no shortage of Haunted Houses or Ghosts. The dark side here is darker than anywhere else. Many people will travel to these Haunted sites with hopes they will be one of the fortunate ones to see a ghost when show themselves on All Hallow’s Eve.

Massachusetts is a state with a long and involved history of the supernatural. The state has been at the center of hundreds of legends and ghost stories over the years, but one of the most haunted places in the state might be the Hoosac Tunnel. The Hoosac Tunnel is a railroad tunnel beneath the Hoosac Mountains in Western Massachusetts. Work began on the nearly 5 mile long tunnel in 1851 and finished in 1874. During its construction a total of 195 men were killed. Most were killed during the building and some bodies were never recovered. Some were buried under the tons of rock during the explosions that were set off as the workers blasted their way through the mountain. Others were cut off and trapped in the side caverns of the tunnel and many were never recovered.

After many accidents and deaths that the workers were experiencing, word soon began to spread that the Hoosac Tunnel was haunted. People swore they heard men crying out in pain, or see what looked like men inside the tunnel. Workers began to report of dead men walking around the area, only to disappear quickly. They also reported to hear the strange moans and groans inside the tunnel. Many workers just walked away from the job as they did not want to be cursed by the dead. Eventually the tunnel was completed but the frightening tales still continued. Dozens of reports continue from people who say they have witnessed the ghosts of the tunnel themselves, or hear the sounds of people talking or moaning inside. If you do decide to visit the Hoosac Tunnel for yourself, use extreme caution. After all, this is still used as a railroad tunnel with dozens of trains traveling through daily.

I can say of all the times I have visited the Hoosac Tunnel I have never seen or heard a ghost. However I have stepped inside a little bit and the feelings that I got were eerie in that darkness.  It made me feel very intimidated. I need one of those EVP toys. Our last trip this week had us exploring a bit of the old Compressor building. There have been a few great articles written about the Haunting of the Hoosac Tunnel that you can read by clicking on them here.

    The Hoosac Tunnel                    Ghost of The Bloody Pit                     Abode of the Damned

Here we go Again

10/22/2013

Tomorrow, the Red Sox get ready to start the World Series against the Cardinals. With the exception of each teams fan base, the rest of the baseball world is sick of both teams. (Jealous) Between them, they have won four of the last nine World Series. It's about to become five of the last ten. There are a few more similarities this year that are going to make this match up pretty exciting.

Both teams have new managers this year. John Farrell for the Red Sox and Mike Matheny for the
Cardinals

Both managers have never coached a team in the World Series.

Both teams have Two World Series wins each in the past 10 years.

Both teams have bounced back from a disappointing previous year. The Red Sox were just plain bad and the Cardinals were eliminated in the playoffs.

Both teams have finished the regular season as the #1 seed

Both teams have finished the regular season with identical 97-65 records,

Both teams have a similar home/road records, the Red Sox were 53-28 on home and 44-37
on the road while the Cardinals were 54-27 and 43-38.

Both teams have Rivers that are part of their culture. Dirty Water of the Charles in Boston and the River Rats of the Mississippi for St. Louis

Each team has arguably one of the two best postseason players of this generation with Papi and Beltran.

Both teams charge their fans the most for a beer of any baseball stadium, The Red Sox are 1st with an average beer costing $0.60 an ounce. The Cardinals are second with an average beer costing $0.56 an ounce.

Now, the teams are set to meet again in the World Series. The Red Sox had a huge advantage in the 2004 World Series. The momentum they had going in was huge after performing the greatest comeback ever against the Yankees. There will be no underdogs in the series. This time around, these are two equally balanced teams. Both rotations are loaded with superb pitching and both teams are loaded from the top-to-bottom of their lineup with quality starters. It brings us down to the question, which gives out first, the quality pitching, or the quality hitting? It will be fun to watch.

It's gone!!!!

10/20/2013

I felt an immediate sense of loss, when I went "upta camp" last Friday. As we finished the long drive through the deep woods and pulled up next to the boulder in front of camp. With the headlights shining bright, it was obvious that something was missing. The sentry that has stood guard and watched the camp for decades was gone. The stump, that has been perched on top of the boulder for as long as I can remember was no longer there. It had fallen from its perch, a victim of age, time and weather. This is the stump, that I have taken many pictures of over the years and during the different seasons. It has sat there and watched every creature of the North East Kingdom Woods pass by at one time or another. It’s been engulfed in snow for months on end during a few big storms of the past, later it has served as the stage for the many birds and small animals that sat on the lofty perch, as they watched over their own kingdom. It is the stump that I show in the different seasons on the home page of this web site.

My friend Jim and I had gone up to camp to install a new tin roof. The old roof had started to leak and with the winter coming on fast, and a few more trips up to the Northeast Kingdom still on the schedule, it was time to get it done. I have slept in a camper in the past that had a tin roof and was a little leery about the thought at first. Rainy nights and all the noise that goes with it was not that appealing. Our friend Ray who is an expert in the field explained the benefits of having a tin roof and the decision was made. With Ray now taking charge himself on the installation, we put on the new roof Saturday afternoon. He is also one of the closest neighbors we have, his camp is only a couple miles away.

Later that evening, there was a session of storytelling, chili dogs, beer and happiness that the new roof was on. Jim and I drove Ray back over to his camp and then went back to our camp to turn in for the night. The wood stove kept the camp nice and warm by the time we got back that the bunk was calling so I turned in for the night. Later in the night I woke up to a noise that was very new to me. It had started to rain and the sound was soft yet consistent as it fell on the roof. It put a smile on my face as I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep.

The views on the road between Island Pond and Lyndonville on route 114 were unbelievably beautiful. As we traveled along the road that just three weeks ago was showing off its stunning colors of sugar maples were now aglow with the Tamaracks. The yellow Tamarack trees were joined with the greens of pine trees as the road wound down showing off the views of the valley on one side and
the tree lined mountains on the other. I never get bored on this trip with the scenery like this. It makes me happy to think that I'm now old enough to appreciate it all and that I can still rediscover it. When the Tamaracks have finished, it’s just one more sign that Fall is well underway and Winter is not far behind.

R.I.P Stumpy............No wood stove for you
For years you have stood, at the watch every day, as the creatures came out, when I drove away;
But now I've returned, and you are no more, there’s only a memory, those visions from the door;
You've been shared in pictures, tales and likes, with friends and strangers who marveled at the sight.
Goodbye, old friend, I've watched you so long, the camp will seem empty, now that you are gone;

Anything Interesting Tonight

10/18/2013

Tonight's Full Moon will glide across the outer fringe of the Earth's shadow. A Lunar-eclipse will occur at 7:50 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Unusual shading on the southern half of the Moon should be fairly obvious. It will not be a full eclipse, but for us stargazers it will be cool. You might be able to detect lesser traces of shading for about 45 minutes before and after mid-eclipse. I will be traveling on 91 North heading up to Vermont. I have to get Upta Camp for a little bit of work that needs to get done this weekend. Time to put on that metal roof and make sure all the wood shed is packed and ready. There should be a stop at a rest area along the way to check it out.

Last Road Trip for 2013?

10/16/2013

With mornings that are now cool and crisp, no rain and an abundance of stunning fall colors. Last weekend we again continued the quest to chase the “leaves that please”. We started this trip in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut and traveled to the Southern Hills of the Berkshires. It’s now halfway through October and the leaves are still hanging from trees, as they continue to swap life for color in their final performance of the year.

With this year’s extended foliage season continuing as a result of great weather, unlike some cold and rainy weekends of the past that have put the season to an early end. Saturday, we packed up the basket again and headed south to see the progression of colors on their annual migration. The foliage on this trip again proved it was worth the effort to get out. We started off on the highway and drove down to Hartford and then traveled on 84W to Waterbury and Rt 8 north. We drove on the highway for a bit then got off 254 north and then on to 63 north. Rt 63 (Litchfield Rd) is an easy drive that meanders through the farmlands and valley. We followed the northbound route and took in a lot of great colors along the way. The back roads did not have a lot of traffic. I think most people that were traveling were farther north in New England. That is based on my ride home from New Hampshire on Friday and the amount of traffic on the pike heading east and then again as we drove south on the highway Saturday morning.

The colors were good until midday when the sky turned cloudy and overcast. The effect was that it did diminish the brilliance of the foliage but there was still a lot of nice colors on the ride. When we got up into Canaan Ct. it was time to head east and follow the GPS through the back roads and hills because we wanted to enjoy lunch at Colebrook Reservoir.

When we pulled into Colebrook the skies had turned very cloudy and there was a strong breeze coming in from the west. So much for a relaxing picnic lunch today! The foliage around the reservoir was still looking good and we commented how after this week it may be over in this neck of the woods. Later as we headed up Rt 8 north into Ma. It was obvious that the show was over in the valley as the colors were not as abundant. There were a lot of yellows still out there but the red’s and oranges were just not as plentiful. We traveled up north a little more, then switched over to Rt 23 and headed east through Otis and Blanford and back towards home from what may be our last Road Trip for this year.

Autumn, it’s sure been nice to see you. You bring a lot of happiness because we haven’t seen each other for a while, and a lot of sadness, since I hate to see you go. So can you be a friend and hang out just a bit longer?

Hilltop Steakhouse Closing

10/13/2013

Another iconic Boston-area restaurant announced last week that after 52 years in business, they will be closing their doors at the end of this week. The Hilltop Steakhouse on Route 1 in Saugus was once one of the busiest restaurants in the nation. They were “the place” to get a steak and featured a very good menu. The dining rooms with their western motif were all named after western cities.

In 1989, Hilltop grossed $60 million and served more than 2 million customers. That year it was said that the Hilltop was the busiest, highest-grossing restaurant in North America, and some say, in the world.

I remember my first trip to the Hilltop in the Hey days of the late 70’s. We waited in line that wound outside the front door and into the parking lot. The property had a mock pasture with fiberglass
cows and a giant cactus. I fell in love with the place and that first chopped steak with mushroom
gravy that was to be my first meal there. I made many trips back through the years to enjoy the sirloins, filets and rib eye steaks that they were so famous for. The last time I was there was about 10 years ago and there were no more long lines waiting to get seated. This landmark had fallen out of vogue.
I thought, nothing had changed as far as the restaurant looked. The place was so completely old-school I wondered where is the sign declaring it a National Historic site. It was a bit tattered and could have used a polish but the big change I noticed was the quality of the food, it was just not the same.

Pay it Forward

10/12/2013

This awesome, inspiring story was shared to me from a friend and thought it would be a great story to
pass along. Alyssa Josephine O’Neill from Erie, PA and was diagnosed with epilepsy last year. Alyssa told her mom that she wanted to try a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks, her mom told her that they would go the next day. They didn’t make it because Alyssa had a seizure that night in the shower and passed away. Two days after the funeral, her brother Jason and Sarah O'Neill decided to pay it forward in her memory.

At a Starbucks in Erie, Penn., the O'Neills bought pumpkin spiced lattes for 40 people, asking that the hashtag #AJO, for Alyssa Josephine O’Neill, be written in purple marker on the cups. The employees were so moved, they all donated drinks for 90 more people and the movement was born.

Their Facebook page- had over 17,000 likes in about a week and over 15,000 talking about it! They have gone global and on their Facebook page, they have pictures from ALL over with people holding Starbucks with #AJO on it but it goes much deeper than just paying it forward with coffee!

Like the boy and the starfish story. It’s about making a difference in the world. You cannot do everything, but you can do something. “Selflessness is the sincere concern for the well being of others. It’s about compassion. It’s about kindness and faith. Smile and enjoy the fact that you have the ability to make a difference – one you’ll likely remember forever.

Munich Haus

10/10/2013

With October here and all things German in the headlines. (Oktoberfest) It's a good time to talk about Helene and my last trip to the Munich Haus German Restaurant in Chicopee Ma. We have been here before for both the lunch and dinner and it is a “good place to go”. On this trip we started off with the homemade potato chips and dipping sauce. They are a decent starter that goes well with a beer but is not representative of the real good food.

We ordered our appetizers which were potato pancake and the goulash. The potato pancake appetizer and the goulash were very good.... I then had a Jaeger Schnitzel for dinner and it is the same as the last time I ordered one, fantastic. I have had a few different Schnitzels here and have never been disappointed with any of them. Helene had the Sauerbraten and said it was good and moist. Sauerbraten is known for having tartness to it, having been marinated in a vinegar mixture before it’s cooked. She said it was very good and did not have that overpowering sharp flavor that we have been served in other restaurants in the past; her preference is not too tart but a good balance. We were both very satisfied with our dinner and reflected back on the many good dinners we have enjoyed here and how satisfying they all have been. We lived in Germany a long time ago and have enjoyed many different German foods in our lives. The meals here are served with hearty portions so remember that when you look at the extensive menu to order.

They also serve an extensive selection of sausages in addition to the many different schnitzel dishes
that are on the menu. You can find most all the German Food staples in addition to Eastern European specialties on the menu. The food is authentic and the imported beer selection is great! There are also some local craft beers on tap as well and the service is excellent. The Munich Haus features an outside Biergarten that has live music every Wednesday Thru Saturday during the warm weather months.

They also feature a monthly dinner called the Munich Hops Club. One Wednesday every month there is a dinner that features a stein of beer and a complete German food buffet designed to complement the beer of the night. Included in buffet is an oven roasted pig cooked in the authentic German style!
The Price is $15 per person (includes gratuity) and tickets must be purchased in advance. It does sell out every month. This month’s beer is Hofbräu Oktoberfest.....................Timing couldn’t be better.

Speaking of Oktoberfest........Check the food & beer events page on this website for all the Oktoberfest that are going on this weekend, there are a bunch.
Any one know the world record for carry steins? Here is picture of it being done.

American Horror Story

10/8/2013

I'm eagerly waiting for the 1st episode for this year’s series of American Horror Story. The series starts its third season tomorrow on the FX network and the series this year is called Coven. This show has kept me on the edge of my seat for the last two years. It's so different from anything else on
television. At times it plays off as creepy more than scary, but it works splendidly. American Horror Story is definitely out there. Sometimes I just scratch my head and think, what happened? Then I figure it and say “WoW”. They tackle some really dark subject matter.

In the first year you had the "Murder House" where people have been murdered in various ways and their spirits have stayed behind, trapped in the very place they died. The ghosts from all the different eras at times, took a physical form and would vanish in an instant. As the season went on we slowly learn about the past of each spirit, which added another big element of depth.

Last year was completely different from the first season but even more compelling to watch. It took place in Briarcliff Manor, the madhouse insane asylum with evil scientists, the Angel of Death, a homicidal Santa and demonic possessions. Jessica Lange as Sister Jude delivered a powerful performance throughout the season and with the last episode, accepted her fate from the Angel of Death.

This year it will be witches and voodoo that promise to keep us watching and with returning cast members Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy, and Evan Peters. The addition of Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett to the series this year should deliver some great performances. Time to stay up that extra hour after the show is over again, because going to sleep after the show is over does not happen easy.

The Pig Roast

10/6/2013

The fire was smoking and the pig was roasting on a perfect fall day yesterday at the neighborhood club. All afternoon as friends gathered together, they played horseshoes and sat around to
enjoy each others adventures and laughter. The smell of charcoal, oak and roasted pork filled the air. A large number of members and guest turned out to enjoy an all day food event that had a menu of Hot Chowder for starters, followed up by Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Grilled Chicken, Salads and lots of Fixins.
It was starting to get dark when the boys pulled their prize from the cooker and everyone was ready again to enjoy a treat that does not come around often. The group all watched with a smile as the pig was being pulled apart by the cooks. A few minutes later, a giant platter of it lay shredded on the table with barbecue sauce on the side. The crowed quickly lined up and dug in. The skin was crispy and the pork was delicious. Plates were loaded with seconds, and thirds and still there were leftovers.

The food all day was as plentiful as the ice cold beer that was included. It was truly like an Oktoberfest with no umpa umpa music. One of our members Don, had all of his DJ equipment there and the music was spinning all day to keep everyone in the groove.

At the end of the night as things were winding down, some of the people sat around the campfire that an hour before held the pig that was cooking on the spit. They relaxed and gazed into what may be for many, the last evening camp fires for this year. They told their stories and thought back on the experiences of the day. Others went back inside the club to keep the party going that everyone was
enjoying so much.
For you members that are reading my blog, go to the clubs web site for a few pictures that have been posted.