Quincy's big snowfall

Quincy Center, decorated for the holidays, under a layer of snow.

Elves landing

You can tell it is almost time for Christmas because the elves and Santa have landed (via parachute) in Quincy. (Santa's landing is not pictured.)

Jellyfish

Two jellyfish at the New England Aquarium.

The end of an era

I noticed this when I was up and about today ---- a "For Sale" sign on the Wollaston Theater. It has been closed for over 5 years, but I kept on hoping it would open again. Then, when I heard the owner died, my hope was a bit less... then, I see this sign. Hopefully the City of Quincy or some other people will buy it so it can still be used as a theater. I would hate for it to be turned into a normal store.

Turkeys!

These critters jumped in front of my car, so I just had to take a picture. I guess the turkeys are trying to escape before Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.

Pope John Paul II park, in warmer days

Views from the Pope John Paul II Park.

flowers at a soccer game

Various parents watching u6 soccer in Quincy MA.

blue skies

This was taken a few months ago, on Rt. 128 heading south.

Pumpkins

Carved pumpkins found on Hancock street.

Big Rock

This is a big rock that the kids like to climb on. It is on the field across the street from Lincoln Hancock school in Quincy.

Meow...

Creepy/cute cat decoration found in Quincy.

fall leaves

Beautiful fall leaves at Brookwood Community Farm in Milton/Canton.

Jack O Lantern

Another pumkin from the pumpkin float event. This picture was taken by my 5 year old daughter.

Boo!

One of the many pumpkins that were at the Pumpkin Float this weekend. This particular pumpkin was too large to go on one of the boats.

Pumpkin Float

Many pumpkins floating down the Neponset River at the annual Pumpkin Float event at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester. Because it was so dark, this was the best picture of the pumpkins on the water that I could get. Any suggestions for a good camera for night shots?

Boston Bowl

Boston Bowl in Dorchester on a beautiful day.

fish!

This is a fish sculpture that I found on the Bristol Community College campus.

tiger lily

Found at Beechwood Knoll School, Quincy

View from the Tavern

One of the views from the Granite Links Tavern, on a hazy day.

Happy Fourth of July

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4rth.

Granite Links Tavern

This is the Tavern in the Granite Links, Quincy at sunset.

Look out, behind you!

Taken at Ward's Berry Farm

Strawberries!

It's strawberry season in Massachusetts, so it is time to go to a pick-your-own strawberry farm. This picture is at Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon. Notice one other person taking pictures too.

waterfall

I found this sitting area in an office park in Braintree.

Brookwood Community Farm

Somewhat hidden on the border of Milton and Canton you can find a small community farm. Brookwood community farm has a small CSA program and also sells things at their farmstand and the Milton Farmers Market. If you walk down this road and pass the building directly in from of you, you will see the building that the stand is hiding in.

houses

A typical street scene in the Wollaston area of Quincy.

Willard School

This building was finished in 1891, replacing the previous school that burned down. It is the oldest of the remaining public school buildings in Quincy. At one time, Willard school had over 1000 students. In 1982 the school was closed and now the Willard School building is now used for business offices.

Ben and Jerry's

A Ben and Jerry's truck, making a delivery.

U-Rent it

This little building always catches my eye. I'm not sure if it is the red sign or the orange cement mixer.

poppy

I found this poppy in someones yard. According to the neighborhood stories, the original poppy from the garden was planted when they came home from World War 1. For years after, the poppies always bloomed on Memorial day. (Until about 10 years ago when a fence landed on the garden. The poppies did come back, but not the same day anymore.)

landscape

One of the scenic vista stops in North Conway, NH.

up, up and away

This is the Balloon ride at Storyland, NH. Storyland is about 3 1/2 hour ride from Quincy.

Fort Independence

This is a view towards the main entry way to Fort Independence, on Castle Island.

Castle Island is the oldest fortified military site in British North America. The first fort was built on the site in 1643. The present pentagonal fort (built between 1834 and 1851) is the eighth generation of forts or "castles" built and garrisoned on the island.

In 1827, a young soldier named Edgar Allan Perry (later known as Edgar Allan Poe) served for about five months at Fort Independence. It is commonly thought that his short story, "The Cask of Amontillado" is based on a legend of an officer who was walled up in the walls of the fort.

walkway

One of the many walkways on Castle island.

Fireman memorial

A memorial to Robert M. Greene, firefighter, killed in the line of duty in Boston on Nov 27, 1978. This memorial is found on Castle Island.

Watch your head

There is a great playground on Castle Island with swings and fun climbing structures. Because Logan is so close, you can see the planes taking off and landing while you are at the playground. If a child likes planes, the view makes this playground irresistible.

Korean War Memorial

South Boston's Korean War memorial, found on Castle Island.

I think I got one

Fishing off the pier at Castle Island.

we love our kids

Around this time in Quincy, parents prepare for the various different child events (recitals, gymnastics shows, plays, and the like). This particular dance school first has people pay for the tickets, then later has the everyone come and choose the location of their seats (and get the tickets that go with those seats). This is the line for choosing the seats/picking up tickets. (I heard that last year people got in line a day early. No joke!)

Goliath

Growing up in nearby Braintree, I always saw the "big blue dog" from practically any hill. That dog was a crane known as Goliath. Goliath is huge, with 300-foot legs and a 390-foot crossbeam. At one point Goliath was the largest in the Western Hemisphere. In its day it was used to build liquefied natural gas tankers and other large ships in the now closed Quincy Shipyard. Sadly, this landmark will be gone soon, for it was sold to a company who will be shipping it to Romania. Farewell Goliath. Good puppy.

USS Salem

USS Salem (CA-139) is the only preserved US Heavy Navy Cruiser. She was built by Bethlehem Steel Company's Quincy Yard in Quincy, MA and launched on 25 March, 1947. After she served a distinguished 10 year career as flagship of the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Second Fleet in the Atlantic, she was decommissioned in 1959.

In 1995 Salem was re-commissioned and returned to Quincy - this time as a member of the Historic Naval Ships Association as a museum.

This ship also is the location of the Haunted Ship in October.

Donald McKay monument

A quick drive from Quincy, Castle Island is a great place for picnics and relaxation. Here is one of the many monuments found there:Written on the monument:
Donald MacKay 1810-1880. Master Builder whose Genius produced ships of beauty and speed before unknown which swept the seven seas made the American Clipper Ship famous the world over and brought renown and prosperity to the City of Boston. this monument erected by private subscription - 1933

lion, front view

Here is a front view of one of the lions from yesterday.

a roar from the past

Back when I was growing up (I'm dating myself now) Chinese food isn't like it is today. It was all pu-pu platters, everything fried and mostly bright pink with pineapple. The drink menus were huge, all the drinks had funny cups -- who can forget scorpion bowls? Most of those restaurants have died away, but not Cathay Pacific in North Quincy. Even the outside of the restaurant reminds you of the old days. Here is the golden lions that are in the front of the restaurant.

Bethany Church Tower

This is Bethany Church's tower. This building and its 120 foot tower was built in 1927 in a Gothic style. The cornerstone was laid that September at a ceremony attended by acting mayor Thomas S. Burgin. I particularly like the large gargoyles, which have been said to be 4 feet long, cast in concrete and the longest in New England.. The church was built with Quincy granite and trimmed with limestone.

In July 2000, one of the gargoyles was struck by lightning and crashed through the roof of the parish house, causing significant damage. No one was hurt.

old insurance

This building is the home office of the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company, founded in 1851. I really like the seal and other decorations in the front.

Thomas Crane Libary, Children's door, closeup

Here is a closeup of the door I showed yesterday.

Thomas Crane Libary, Children's door

Here is a view of the old children's room door at Thomas Crane Library. (For another view of the library, see here.) Now the children's room is in a completely different part of the library and the door is unused. But, it is one of my favorite views of the library.

Thomas Crane Library

This is a view of the Thomas Crane Library (main library). This part of the library was built in 1881 by the architect H. H. Richardson. (Yes, that is a morris dancer in front.)