Foliage Slideshow

As promised, here is the slideshow. I hope you enjoy it! We won't see this beautiful color until next Fall.

Fall Foliage in the City

I want to share the foliage beauty I am seeing in Boston with you. Foliage in Maine this year (at least in the foothills) truly sucked! Usually, by the time I get to Boston, there isn't much to see color-wise, but this year was just so spectacular I was moved to take my camera and capture scenes that took my breath away.

I will follow up this post with a slide show a bit later, but here are individual photos I thought you would enjoy. Mind you... these photos were taken November 10th and 11th. Way...... past the time for this kind of color. I also see tons of rose bushes still in bloom.

So please enjoy!!


This is a hosta. I love them when they are green, but this Fall breakdown in color is beautiful as well.












Don't ask me what type of tree this is. I think it is a Japanese miniature something or other, but every year it captures my attention.



This was taken along what I believe is the Neponset River in Dorchester. I am not used to seeing this portion of it and came upon it by accident. It was raining cats and dogs on the day this was taken.











It was raining when I snapped this and you can see the rain droplets reflected on the lens, but it does not take away from the beauty of this color display.



Another Neponset River photo...

A Rainy Drive from Maine to Boston

It is "that time of the year" when we make the trek from Maine to Boston to get away from lots and lots of snow. Some might be wondering "why." Or you could be thinking "they are only going a few hours away......what's the big deal; it snows in Boston too."
Yes; it snows in Boston, but a lot less; and after a storm the snow melts. In Maine, the snow falls and never melts until Spring. The snow just keeps piling up one snow storm on top of the last until you have a five-foot-high snow bank.

This year on our drive it rained the entire time across three states. I took my camera out and snapped a few pictures to let you see...


One of the Maine Turnpike stops in Kennebunk..













Leaving the state of Maine and crossing into New Hampshire





We are approaching what I like to call "The Wishbone Bridge" in Boston






This one is a "joke!" 'Thru traffic' my foot!! We spent at least 20 minutes in this tunnel underpass!!


See what I mean????

Not Much Color This Year in Maine

Usually, Autumn brings wonderful leaf colors in Maine but not this year. I don't know what happened. Leaves stayed green for so long and it seems the changeover took place 'overnight.' Then we had lots of heavy downpours and at night the temperatures dropped resulting in an instanteous leaf deterioration. Some leaves began dropping to the ground and were yellow, while many leaves were still on the trees and green. That's Mother Nature for you during "these times" of the Ascension Process for our Planet. Everything; and I mean EVERYTHING is, has been, or will be affected before all is said and done.

Thank goodness I took photos during the past few years of the splendid colors we usually see in Fall.

The ones below were all I could get this year and were taken a few weeks ago.

Pumpkins and Gourds At the Bates Farm

On the 29th of September, I visited my friend Jill Bates for a long overdue get-together. She and her husband Randy own and run an organic dairy farm. Their daughter Allison helps. It's grueling, labor intensive work that has to be done every single day without fail and they love what they do. I marvel at what they do. Ninety percent of us reading this would not be able to farm; and dairy farming is the most intensive form of all. Twice a day, every day, you have to milk your cows, and time in between milking is spent on feeding them, cleaning up after them, and making sure your grounds are secure so they can't wander off. There is also the process that has to be done after the cows have been milked. The milk has to be properly harvested and stored until the milk trucks come to collect your hard work.

The Bates also plant small crops of potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and gourds. Each year after putting aside what they need for canning, they sell their pumpkins, gourds, and squash to the public from wooden wagons in their front yard. Our leaves haven't sufficiently changed color yet for me to take pictures, but their pumpkins, squash and gourd wagons were poised and calling my camera. They were so beautiful I wanted to share with everyone; so here they are in a slide show. I hope you enjoy!

Why Is This Egyptian Obelisk Vibrating?

I thought long and hard before making this post to my Blog. I hesitated because what I am about to show you is not supposed to occur. I have long had a curiously deep interest in ancient Egypt; namely the Pyramids. Not all of them; just the Great Pyramid located in Giza. I was fortunate to be able to take a trip to Egypt in 1982. It was a guided tour lead by a small handful of scientific minds who studied the ancient culture of Egypt. In particular; they studied the functions of the pyramids and temples; primarily the statues and obelisks inside the temples. I learned a lot from that trip. Each evening after returning from our day trip we gathered around a table and were lectured on the true functions of what we saw. We weren't fed the "usual tales" told to tourists and from school books. We learned that the pyramids had a very deep function. They weren't used as tombs to the kings or Pharaohs. We were told of the energies functioning through these structures; and we were told of the role of the obelisks located on temple grounds. They weren't placed there for decoration. The main function of the obelisks is to send positive energies into the atmosphere (similar to the positive/negative ion technology in the air cleaning machines sold on the market today_). The obelisks were constructed from pink granite; a stone that conducts energy because it has a high crystalline content. Though you cannot see this conduction of energy, does not mean it is not being done.

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has an Egyptian Exhibit. Each time I have visited, I make it a point to dash up the stairs to view the statues and obelisks. An obelisk can look like the Washington Monument (yes, the designer copied the Egyptian obelisks), or it can be round.

On the last two visits (in 2004 and June 2011), I took pictures using a digital camera. The photos I took on both visits showed phenomena with one of the obelisks. It was so strong, it effected the statues next to it. At my 2004 visit at first I thought I had moved as I snapped the shot because a few of the photos were blurry. An inner urging told me to re-examine my pictures and I am glad because when I did, I discovered I didn't move while taking the pictures, the column and statues were moving! I carefully examined the surrounding areas in the photo, and there were portions that weren't blurry. If I made the mistake of moving; every aspect of the entire photo would have been blurred.

What is so remarkable about this whole thing is: an inanimate object isn't supposed to move on it's own. If something weighs a ton or more and moves, there must be an earthquake going on (at least that is the reasoning taught in school). What I am about to show you should not be able to occur, but my camera picked it up on two separate occasions, and there is one photo showing the obelisk 'swayed' to the side as well.

Below, you will see pictures of both visits. I present them in two forms: the original photo; and portions of the photos cropped and enlarged so you can see the vibrations. The pictures taken in 2004 are of poor quality because the camera was purchased when digitals were new to the market; but it's not so poor that you are unable to see something unusual going on.

This first picture shows a normal view of the obelisk.

In this second picture, I moved in closer and if you examine it, you can see that the base and the top of the obelisk are blurred. However; if you look at the statue next to it and the wall behind the statue, most of it is sharply defined.
And you can see that the obelisk sort of 'leans' towards the statue.

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In this third photo I cropped the picture which 'enlarges' it a bit. Look at the top of the obelisk now. Even the head-piece of the statue next to it is vibrating. If you examine the rest of the statue, it looks fine.
I moved in a little closer below so you can see more. Is the shadow blurry? No. It is well defined.

In the photo below, I cropped the photo to highlight the bottom portion of the picture. If you look at the base of the obelisk, it is blurred. Once again; look at the statue next to it and the black cubes against the wall.

Below are the pictures I took in 2004. Look at the woman standing in the photo. She is sharply defined. Now look at the obelisk. Look once again at the top, the bottom, and also look at the leg of the statue in the lower left hand side.


Here is the same photo. I changed the color to black and white and placed arrows in red pointing to the vibration.

Finally; the same photo in which I tinted the photo green because it defines the outline a bit more.

So you be the judge. Put on your 'thinking cap.' Why is this piece of stone vibrating??

Boston Museum of Fine Arts - Egyptian Exhibit

I've been meaning to make a return visit to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for a while now. My last visit was in 2004. Since then the museum has undergone renovations and moved exhibits around. Some of the museum changes were nice; some could have been left alone, but it was easier to maneuver your way from one collection to the other, which is why they made changes in the first place. Some of my favorite pieces have disappeared. I haven't seen them in over 20 years.

Of all the days I chose to visit, I had no sooner gotten in the door, paid my $20 admission and was getting ready to find my way to the Egyptian exhibit when I heard the sounds of a fire alarm! In all my years, I have never been in a museum and had to evacuate. Every patron, every employee was made to move to the outdoors and stand on the grass until the building was cleared of any threats. We were outside a good 25 minutes. Good thing it wasn't raining or 90 degrees!
You can't run and jump in your car. Parking is at a premium in more ways than one in Boston. Practically nil on the streets and paid parking is costly. I think it cost me $16 for 90 minutes in 2004, and on my visit the other day, they have added "Valet Parking" for $27 for the entire day if you aren't a member; $17 if you are, and major credit cards only..... No cash. Needless to say, most people arrive by public transportation or taxi.

I didn't go through the entire museum. You need to be extra young to do that. Even though they have places to sit down; sitting down just doesn't get it after a while. Plus your mind is overwhelmed looking at and absorbing things. Thank goodness for cameras; take photos come home and download them to the computer for repeated virtual visits at your convenience.

I did manage to go thru the Egyptian, small portions of the Roman, African, Asian, Art of the Americas and toured the Chihuly Glass Exhibit.

I didn't take a lot of photos, as I didn't find a great deal that excited my heart; and that is how I take photos. If something 'excites' my soul or spirit, I will take a picture or two.

Here is a slide show of a few things. They were in the Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Art of the Americas exhibits. Actually, when going thru the Art of the Americas exhibit I felt I was walking through an episode of "Antiques Roadshow."

To be quite frank; most rooms in museums gives me the 'creeps.' If there aren't other people in them, I won't go in; or if I must, I pass through them quickly. I know it sounds strange; but it's something that has developed over the past 30 years.

Here is the slide show.......

Boston Museum of Fine Arts - Chihuly Exhibit

Dale Chihuly, born in the United States 70 years ago is being called the most famous glass artist since Louis Comfort Tiffany. He set out on a path to study interior design and architecture. Obtaining degrees in sculpture and ceramics he worked with glass masters in Murano, Venice. When Chihuly returned to the US he established a glass program at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968 and co-founded a Glass School in 1971. Losing an eye in 1979 at age 38 he continued blowing glass but ceased later in life when due to a swimming accident lost strength in his shoulder and was no longer able to support a long tube used to blow glass. He still creates by designing but other glass blowers do the work he is unable to do.

Based in Seattle, Washington, Chihuly works with a team of glassblowers to create room-sized marvelous pieces.

I wandered into the exhibit by mistake, but was instantly drawn into overwhelmingly, breathtaking beautiful creations of glass. Every room caused me to gasp in awe as if I were watching a 4th of July fireworks display! Each room was painted a rich dark charcoal grey which served as the perfect background to make those colors "POP!"
I left the exhibit wanting "more" and my spirit and soul was temporarily healed from whatever ailed it from living...
Yes! viewing the pieces in this collection is "healing."

If you get the opportunity to see this exhibit in a city near you; please take time and see it! You won't regret the journey; and your heart and soul will thank you.

Here are a few links to learn more of this man's tremendous talent. I encourage you to explore.

Chihuly Book - $50 and $35 (hardcover, softcover) 160 pages, 125 color illustrations:
http://www.mfa.org/collections/publications/chihuly

A quick video showing how the exhibit was set up at the Museum:
http://www.mfa.org/collections/publications/chihuly

Access to a small variety of Chihuly videos
http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/chihuly

Wikipedia link giving more information about this man and a listing of permanent exhibits across the US and around the world; too numerous to list here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Chihuly

Everyone has a very interesting story to tell, and this newspaper article gives a much more insight into Mr Chihuly:
http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Chihuly-victimized-by-his-own-success-1201229.php#page-1

Here are some of the photos I took of the exhibit. It takes a professional photographer to truly capture these works, of which I am not; but I hope you can get an idea of the beauty I saw that day.




By the way; the small bowls shown at the end of the slideshow were for sale in the Museum Shop. They ranged in price from $6,000 to $9,000. I read in the newspaper article above that people have his chandeliers hanging in their homes. I can't even begin to imagine the price tag on one of those babies.

Ok...! This IS Winter, Blizzard of January 11, 2011

Well; Yes! Mother Nature did it to us again, and She did it with gusto! This storm travelled up the east coast from the deep southern portion of the United States. We knew we were going to get smacked hard. It was all you heard on the local news stations for days prior. Massachusetts was even declared in a 'State of Emergency' a day before the snow started. Schools were closed (and I hear schools will be closed a second day as well). Non-essential state employees were told to stay home. We were even told we might hear thunder while it snowed; and I heard it! I heard it twice within 3 hours. I have never experienced thunder while snowing and it was a weird, delightful occurrence. I thought it was a plane flying too close over the house. Winds were blowing hard and with great consistency. When I went to the front and back doors to take photos, I had to brace myself to obtain a movement-free shot and the wet snow was blowing in my face and onto my camera lens.

It was a heavier, wetter snowfall than the last. (See the post below this one) Branches of trees and bushes were weighed down. In some areas outside of the city, electricity was lost. What saves a city like Boston is, the majority of their lines are underground. I stayed up until 6:15 AM because I enjoy keeping track of how things are going, and I will open doors and take photos if I see accumulation in significant amounts.

This snow accumulation will be with us for a week or so because temperatures will be in the high 20's and very low 30's during the day.

The people in the neighborhood were shoveling hard afterwards digging out their cars, sidewalks, driveways, steps and porches. I think people are changing because this is the first time I have seen neighbors helping neighbors. Young people were pitching in helping those older than themselves; and that was a first as well.

It reminded me of when I was little back in the 50's and people were more neighborly and looked out for one another. I hope that time is heading back. The planet needs it. We all need to begin showing little acts of kindness to others. There has been enough of being self-centered and ignoring those around us who are in need.

As to how much snow we got; I think it might have been about 15 inches; give or take a few depending upon where the snow was measured.

I even saw a Front-end Loader clearing snow from the intersection; something not usually seen around here. But I remember the Blizzard of 1978 in Boston, and nothing can compare to that. We got about 36 inches of snow. Transportation came to a total stand still. People could not get to work for at least 4 days. Those who worked for hospitals and were essential personnel had to be picked up by the National Guard in jeeps. My husband; not to be outdone, walked to work; and we're talking about a 15 minute drive when all is well and traffic is not a factor. Walking is 42 minutes on bare ground.

I am going to include some individual pictures below.

This shows snow falling highlighted as ribbony squiggles in the floodlights.

Here is a close-up of the snow falling. When you first look, it appears to be gossamer strings of silky fibers.

You can see the strength of the wind interacting with the snow and illuminated by the street light. This was taken at night at the beginning of the storm.

The following photographs were taken tonight, after all of the shoveling has been done. It is however, still lightly snowing, but nothing that is going to accumulate.

Icicles dripping from the street lamp.

You can see the snow still weighing down the evergreen bushes at the foot of the stairs, and clinging to the tree branches above.

All is well in the streets tonight. You can see the snow on the rooftops after this snowfall. In the slide show prior to this posting, the snow is nowhere to be seen on the roofs.

Now; I will present a slide show of photos taken from beginning to the end of the storm.

We all must keep in mind that for the past few years Mother Nature has been re-arranging Herself, and cleansing her body (the planet) of thousands and thousands of years of negative emotional energy deposited into her by the emotional thoughts and actions of every human who has spent time here. She has to do this in order to continue living. She is; after all, a living entity just as we are. Just as we need to cleanse our body of toxins in order to continue living, so must our Planet. So when you read, hear, or see reports of unusual chaotic weather conditions happening, understand that our Planet is clearing Herself of accumulated toxins.

Major and minor cities in various countries all will eventually have their "cleansing" times; whether it comes in the form of flooding, snows, hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes. Look back in history to see what war like atrocities occurred in these areas. And if war was not a part of the history, how were people treated there? Were they slaves and denied a 'life?' Was there emotional or physical turmoil going on?

All of these conditions must be neutralized and transmuted. So hold on to your hats. Some form of cleansing is coming your way if it hasn't already; large or small, it's coming. In general, the heavier the emotional turmoil that took place on or under the surface, the heavier the cleaning of toxins. It might even need more than one cleansing in order not to completely destroy all life in these areas.

I need to add an addendum here. After posting this I read online that at the time this storm swept north, the National Weather Service reported snow on the ground in every state except Florida. Even Hawaii had 7 inches of snow on Mauna Kea Mountain.

To have the slide show automatically advance for you, click on the large triangle lying on its side in the middle of the slide show screen, then click on the smaller triangle lying on its' side in between the two arrows.