Boston Architectuer

While my family was visiting I happened to be in Boston for the first time after dark. I love this clock tower at night!

Here is a night view of the Cricket Weather vein atop Faneuil Hall in Boston.

This is the Marriott Hotel on Long Wharf in Boston. From the harbor end of the building it looks like a ship.

Family Times in Boston

On Friday's at sunset during the summer months one of the local radio stations hosts free Friday Night Flicks at The Hatch Shell in Boston. We went while my sister and her family were visiting. We saw Evan Almighty. It was a hoot!
Above is my niece ans son waiting for the movie to begin and below is my nephew waiting.

Here I am with my niece, nephew, and son.
My son and niece sitting on Long Wharf in Boston watching the jellies and 3 Stripers swim around.

New England Aquarium Final Episode

The NEA had Sharks and Rays. We could actually touch them. We were instructed to place our hand in the water palm down and wait for the Sharks and Rays to swim to us. Then we could touch them behind the eyes as they swim past. The Rays really seemed to like being touched as they frequently came to hands in the water. My niece was loving touching the Rays. My son and older nephew touched the Rays but weren't as into it as my niece. I didn't like the feel of them. The sharks weren't swimming around, they were sort of in a pile near the edge of the tank. I believe each of them were able to get near to touch them.This is my niece touching a Ray.
Here was a Jelly Fish. I loved trying to get a good picture of them.

It was a great trip to the aquarium!

New England Aquarium Continued

They have a great touch tank at the NEA. The kids can pick up the animals as long as they don't take them out of the water and are gentle. My niece, nephews and son really enjoyed it.

Here are the three of them looking and deciding what to touch. "Touch it with me..." My niece wanted to touch the Horseshoe Crab, but didn't have quite enough courage to do it alone. Her big brother was great and obliged without even a hint of giving her a hard time!
Here is the 3 year old nephew. He was having a great time too!
Here are, from back to front, my niece's, nephew's and son's hands exploring. This is a moment in time recording I believe the first time my son has touched, but definitely picked up any water animal.

New Engalnd Aquarium (NEA)

My sister and her family was in Boston last week. My son and I went into Boston 5 out of 6 days. We took the commuter rail in a few of days and drove and parked at the U.S. Coast Guard station a couple of times. We walked a lot and had even more fun. I hadn't seen her for 8 years. So it was a great reunion and I had the opportunity to get to know hew wonderful kids over the week.

Here our son was watching the penguins. They have 3 or 4 different types there.

Here is my 15 year old nephew, my son, and my almost 10 year old niece. Behind them is a gigantic Loggerhead Turtle.
This guy has been at the NEA since the 1960's. I didn't catch how old he is.
Here is a view of him from the top of the tank. He is about 4 feet long I'm guessing.

The tank is a 3 story tubular tank with a ramp spiraling along it to the top. The kids were totally enthralled with this turtle. There were racing up the ramp trying to keep up with him as he swam around the coral in the center of the tank!

Bubbles

Our neighbor has a pool and our son goes down there all the time. For their son's birthday they bought a bubble blower. The boys had a natural lesson in surface tension. When they got out of the pool and went and stood next to the bubble blower the bubbles would stick to them. As they dried off they popped. After they were too dry the bubbles popped as soon as they touche teir skin. They were entertained just jumping into and them out of the pool, getting covered in bubbles, watching them until they were too dry and then starting over again!

Fireworks on the 5th

Our son waiting for the Fireworks Display to begin.



I was playing with the manual settings my camera and got several nice shots of the fireworks.
I was very pleased.Here are the kids playing (they all piled into the front seat of the car~no we didn't travel) after the few fireworks we saw down the street . They were having fun.

Today We Celebrate our Independance

And the Rockets Red Glare...
The Bombs Bursting in Air... Gave Proof Through the Night...
That Our Flag Was Still There...

We didn't go anywhere to see fireworks tonight, but a few people in the neighborhood were having some fine displays. We walked to the corner to get a better view. The displays were from two opposing vantage points and only lasted 10 or 15 minutes altogether.

When we were living in Korea we had the opportunity, on Halloween, to go see a fabulous 1 1/2 hour firework display. What I noticed after the evening was over is that while they were beautiful, they did not evoke the emotion I usually experience when watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

So tonight I am thankful for our Independence and when I see the fireworks I am reminded of the sacrifices made by so many men 230 years ago so we could be free today.

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

and

GOD BLESS YOU

Feeding Station Activity

It has been rainy this afternoon. The birds have been really active at my feeding station. This House Finch sat pretty for a portrait.
This Juvenile Downy Woodpecker was fun to watch.
This male Cardinal always eats from the far side of the feeder.

Petunias in the Rain

Baltimore Oriole and A Bug

The other day I saw 3 Baltimore Orioles flying around my neighborhood. This is the first time I have ever seen any, so I was pretty excited. They did not pose very long for me to get any nice portraits of them. This is amount the best.
So I decided to try to lure them to my feeding station. I did not get the Orioles, but this lady bug sure seemed to like the treat! I love the contrast of this photo.

Street Sweeper Blues

I looked out my front window this morning to the following scene. What's wrong with this picture? Isn't the street supposed to be cleaner behind the Street Sweeper than in front of the Street Sweeper?

This next one is after the dump truck came and he emptied his bucket.
Still making messes.
Our son went out to investigate. The man explained to him, "When the dirt builds up inside it starts to throw stuff out onto the street. The sweeper driver calls for help to clear the built up stuff out. They reversed the conveyor belt to throw it out. They have to spread the dirt out. And then go over it several times to pick it back up." [quote from our son]
Pretty cool stuff!
Real life learning is the best!
Our son will remember what he learned much longer than what we read in a book.
Although I will probably look for something at the library to enhance what he learned if he seems interested.

Spring is Beautiful

Blooms on a tree in our neighborhood.
My Crown of Thorns in bloom.
Mockingbird in my yard, sounds so beautiful.

Palm Tree

I ocasionally check my local Craig's list to see what people are giving away or selling. Our oldest son got his job at FedEx Ground from a posting on Craigs List. Yesterday I saw a listing for a 7-8 foor palm tree being given away. I sent off a relpy thinking it would probably already be gone as the listing was several hours old. Imagine my delight when I recieved a message that it was still available and I could come right over. So I am the deilghted new owner of an 8 foot palm tree that out grew its' previous home!

Dinner and a Drive

Warren's is a Lobster House in Maine on Rt 1. They have been in business since the 1940's I believe. There is a display case of various old menus. It was really cool to look at. When they first opened as a dine in restaurant a 1 pound Lobster dinner was a mere $1.75! I had claws and ribs, the claws were great! As it happens (again) I forgot to take a picture of dinner. I definitely recommend this place. The atmosphere was comfortable, the food good, and as the sign says, "The Seacoasts Finest Salad Bar!" My friend treated me to this dinner, so "Thank you."
This is the draw bridge crosing the bay into Maine on Rt 1 from the New Hampshire side at dusk. After dinner we drove along the New Hampshire side of the cost looking at some of the architecture. It was a beautiful evening. The Lobster house we went to is on the far edge of this bridge.

Weekend Fun

Our son LOVES it when Daddy plays with him!
Slip-N-Slide fun with friends!