Sweet September

September is half over. Jobs are scarce, but I continue to network and explore possibilities. The right thing will turn up. In the meantime, I’m learning how to use my new camera, spending time with Katie, writing and doing volunteer work. Dick and I have enjoyed some great day trips.

We took the subway into Boston for the Feast of Saint Anthony. I saw the Rose Kennedy Greenway for the first time and found interesting photo opportunities in the North End. Walking along the narrow streets, we watched vendors set up their pushcarts in preparation for the biggest feast of the summer. We wandered through, taking in the aromas of various pasta dishes, pizza, sausage, peppers and onion. So much great food! It started to rain just as I was eating my ziti. I saved the gourmet biscotti for later and we headed back to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. We stopped for a drink at an outside café, walked back to the subway and got home before the deluge.

That same weekend, we took a ride to Ipswich for fried clams and continued on to the beautiful seaside town of Newburyport. I loved having bigger boats and different scenery to take pictures of and rambling through the Oldies Market. I got some terrific shots. We went to a farm stand on the way home. I found an unexpected photo opportunity. They had chickens, turkeys, a llama and, of all things, a buffalo. You know I had to get his picture. Photography can be a challenging and sometimes dangerous hobby.

Last Friday, Dick took me on a mystery ride. Not knowing where I could end up, I grabbed a hooded jacket and my camera. It was cold and windy at Salisbury Beach. Even though it has changed so much and doesn’t have the flavor I remember as a kid, I liked being there. I looked at what it is now and saw visions of the exciting place it once was. I stood where the Frolics used to be and remembered the night when I was fourteen and my dad took me there to see Paul Anka. I took some pictures of the crashing waves, something that had always been part of that beach. I thought about the rental cottages and some of the family vacations spent there. Recalling it all so vividly, I pointed out where the flying horses, boats, tilt-a-whirl, rollercoaster, Ferris wheel, dodgem cars and fun house with the barrels once stood. It was like stepping into a time machine. We had a slice of pizza at Tripoli’s. It’s not the same as it was all those years ago, but my taste buds were working from memory. A light rain began to fall. We ate in the car and I was further surprised when we continued on to Hampton Beach where the Seafood Festival was beginning.

It was colder and windy at Hampton too, but not raining. We walked through the tents and stores and food booths for an hour and a half. I had fun taking more pictures. It rained hard all the way home. Once again, we got out before a deluge.

On the writing scene: I’ve been toying with the idea of resurrecting Carousel Kisses and getting it out there in the global market. I’ve even been thinking of starting my own publishing company. I have added a story or two to Sweet Violets and hope to get that one further along while I have the time. As you can see, I’m blogging again.

I hope your summer was a good one, despite the torrential downpours of June and July and the steaminess that followed the rainy days of this ridiculous excuse of a summer. I hope your vacations went well and that you are enjoying the cooler days and a sweet September as we segue in fall. Dick and I are looking forward to Disney in October and I’m trying not to think about Black Friday or Christmas shopping being so close.

Happy fall!