Small Town, Big Flag

There is something about a small town, the Fourth of July and the American flag that just says "summer". This one is hanging in the center of Manchester. I wonder how old it is. I did not count the stars. Flag displays like this on put me in the mood for parades, picnics and fireworks. Happy almost July 4th!

Celebrating St. Peter

I thought you would like to see some of the images of St. Peter that adorn the pins people buy during Fiesta. This blog would not let me post the full range of them so this is a smattering. The pins have ribbons trailing down from the bottom. I just love the way they look and how proudly people wear them during Fiesta. I would have bought one this year, but I couldn't find where they were sold.

Greasy Pole

Ah, the famous Greasy Pole! After nearly 23 years here the motivation to soak up more of Gloucester took me down to watch day one of the Greasy Pole sporting event, as they call it. It was the most fun I've had on Cape Ann. The drama, the excitement. Really.

The beach is covered with people standing to watch. They didn't even bring chairs. I sat next to a second generation Sicilian American live long Gloucester man of 65 who explained the whole event to me. The first round the 52 "walkers" are not allowed to go after capturing the flag at the end. They are trying to walk the length of this bouncy greased pole to get that flag. Jim told me a foot thick of grease is slathered on the pole each morning during Fiesta. If you look carefully at the images you might see the jagged grease line towards the far end of the pole.

Jim walked the pole once. Unfortunately he slipped and landed on his family jewels and said he was sore for a week so he never walked again. I asked him what you win on Sunday, the most important day of the event. You get $250., a cross blessed by the Bishop and bragging rights. Jim said this year "professional walkers" have come from Italy to walk on Sunday.

There sure was a lot of slipping, sliding and spectacular falling yesterday when I watched. After the first run through the grease starts to wear down so the walkers get more traction. About a third of the way through the second round, Jim leaned over and said one of the next 5 walkers would take the flag. Sure enough, number 3 did it. When a walker wins, the others all jump off the platform and swim to him, lift him on their shoulders and carry him to the St. Peter's Club. Somehow I miss calculated their route and wasn't fast enough to get a picture. There's always Sunday.

If I were an anthropologist, I would tell you about the mating ritual aspect to this whole Fiesta. The walkers are all young, buff (for the most part) men usually mid to late teens. They hoot and holler out their on that platform. While on shore there are all these young beautiful girls dressed up with flowers in their hair. I was completely taken with this aspect of Fiesta. If I think about it though, Fiesta exists to praise St. Peter for protecting our fisherman and the not so hidden agenda seems to be to ensure procreation so we have more fishermen! Fascinating.

FIESTA!

St. Peter's Festival is THE biggest celebration in Gloucester. The tradition began in 1927 and was brought to Gloucester from Sicily. The five day event is partly religious, partly party blow-out in honor of St. Peter, patron saint of fishing (or fishermen). There will be outdoor masses, Seine Boat races, the greasy pole competition and the Blessing of the Fleet. Recent years have seen rise in the carnival rides and this year I noticed booths hawking Direct TV and other productions. I prefer to think of this as a community event with deep traditions.

The Family

Whenever I go to Brewster, I stop to visit "The Family". These are the gravestones of all that has gone before me. Aside from several smaller graveyards around town, this it . . .. the spot where the citizens were laid to rest. My mother used to take me there since it was a nice walk from our house. It was a terrific way to learn about my ancestors and local history. I always feel very welcome when I stop by. They hall have their faces turned to greet me.

Brewster General Store

The Brewster General Store has been the center of Brewster since the 1800's. This building started as a church. My grandfather, Henry T. Crocker, owned the store from 1926-1945. His one-stop shopping store provided everything one needed in this small town plus he was the postmaster and sold insurance out of the store. A woman who lived in the town in the summer told me the mail would come in by train in the evening. She said everyone walked to the store and hung around talking waiting while my grandfather sorted the mail. There are still benches outside so everyone can sit and talk while they drink their morning coffee and catch up on gossip. My grandfather was deposed as postmaster by President Franklin Roosevelt.

Visiting Home

I have been off for a few days visiting family on Cape Cod. This is the remarkable vista from Brewster beaches at low tide. It goes on forever. When I was little we would walk on the sand flats at low tide. Way out at the tide line is where you find sea clams out of which you make clam chowder and clam pie. There used to be a fish weir off to the left of this spot. Every afternoon at low tide in the summer, Clint Eldredge would drive his Model T Ford out on to the flats to pick up the fish caught in the weirs. It was always an exciting moment in our young lives!

After the Rain

I like the way this photo makes me feel every possibility is open after a cleansing rain. Open roads always call to me. I am tempted to follow wherever that road leads me just for the journey.

Temptations

I am so tempted by the wares of farm and garden shops. This one is aptly named Utopia Farms and it stands on the corner of the street I turn on to go to my athletic club. Every time I go by I want to stop and buy a plant for my already over flowing garden. In the summer Utopia Farms sells produce from their farm,flowers, cheeses and locally made breads. You can't leave the shop empty handed. Farm stands always remind me of my mother's passion for gardening and fresh vegetables. Every summer day was a chance to enjoy the wonders that came from her garden.

Floating

This image makes me think of the laziness of summer. I remember spending endless time in the ocean day after day. Floating was timeless. I would watch the sky and drift on the waves.

The ocean off Cape Ann is way too cold for floating and drifting. If I go in the water here it's a quick dunk to cool off during heat waves. Now I live vicariously through the adventures of this buoy.

Summer Heat

What are you going to do on a humid, hot summer evening? Fish, of course. And, take your clothes off while doing so. People fish here in almost any weather. Last night was the perfect evening for just hanging out on the rocks at sunset and enjoying the relaxed life.

Cultural Tourist

Historic New England, an organization owning 36 historic houses in the whole region, celebrated its 100th anniversary today with open houses at all of their sites. Newbury MA has four houses close together so I was able to visit three of the houses. This is the Spencer-Peirce Little House. It was a wealthy-ish farm that prospered because the land included salt marshes which were important to the financial success of the area. This site is restful and peaceful. The front of the house shown here reflects three different kinds of architecture added in different time periods. The far right section with the door (with a very human looking face) was the original and built after an English country farm. Go out and enjoy one of your local historic houses.

In LA

If you've ever been to a conference in downtown LA, you probably know the Hotel Figueroa. It is a completely unique lodging experience of Moorish design. Many of us in the museum industry choose it as the oasis it has become especially in light of all the high rise buildings that have been erected in the neighborhood in the last couple of years. The Fig still stands in the midst of urban renewal awaiting those of us who like to have individualistic travel adventures.

My Backyard

I finally got outside on Sunday and, with some help, got rid of all the berry vines that were trying to take over the flower garden. I know it doesn't look like much in terms of flowers yet. My flowers bloom later in the summer. The Lady's Mantle is getting ready to flower right now. I like the cozy feeling of my little backyard with its tumble down shed. Some day I hope to turn the shed into a little office for me.