Memorial Day Weekend - 2011

This Memorial Day was awesome, but for reasons that had little to do with me.  They had everything to do with the people who visited me, and I was extremely grateful!

I love throwing a party- I really really do.  Food, fun, silliness, food... all good times when good people come over.  I had a decent turnout, including a real treat- Grandma!!

Brendan and his new fiance were in attendance, as was my friend Mickey Colburn from pottery class. 

After eating loads of food, picking up Jeff at Wonderland Station, and enjoying more food (great asparagus, Kohta!) and company late into the night, we retired.  I have to say, I did a lot of work on the yard, using this BBQ as my excuse.  I was thrilled at the turnout, and my lupin-n-a-tree bloomed perfectly!!

The next day, Jeff and I toured the North Shore a bit.  We began with a walking tour in Gloucester.  It was a short tour, and just today I realized there is more walking tours to enjoy.  Next weekend maybe- the Festival of St. Peter promises to be a drinking-good time.  Meanwhile, we enjoyed the harbor, the working fishing port, and the artistic views.

Lobstah traps!

fishing boat...with lobstah traps!

Statue of Gloucester artist Fitz Henry Lane, a disabled painter with international renown.

The Fitz Lane statue was a highlight of the Gloucester scene.  The artist left his shoes behind to inspire...and they did!

After some ice cream, we started our driving tour and found the Rockport Quarry.  Who knew Rockport used to be a port for rocks!  This proved to be the biggest surprise, and an absolutely beautiful one.  Kudos to Jeff for suggesting it.

Finding a quiet spot...for a while, anyway!

This spot was just beautiful... quiet, serene, scenic...until some bozo baby-boomer stepped over us to look at a spot about 10 feet away.  I thought this was a rather insensitive intrusion on our little nook, and I made sure Jeff knew it by giving the guy "THE LOOK".  Then his 20-something daughter, slightly more cautious (which I appreciated), joined him and he shouted, "GEEZ!  Be careful!"  Which really pissed me off, and at which point Jeff cried, "Holy crap, there's another setting!!"


THE LOOK

We left to find a geocache in some poison ivy, and flew a kite on the rocky shore. 



Not the best place to put a treasure chest!



Jeff "Detoxes" in the quarry.  In his head, anyway.



Flying Jeff's big stunt kite.  The wind actually threatened to take Jeff up in the air with it.


The next day, after being terribly disappointed in the movie "The Road", we walked the Lynn woods, which was more of a treat than either of us expected.  It was hot, tho, and ice cream was required later.  Click here for more pictures- there are plenty.  I was actually super tired and worn out this weekend, which left me in a terrible funk.  I just had no energy for anything, and really appreciated having a four-day weekend wandering about.  Thanks to Jeff and everyone for making a great weekend, in spite of myself!