tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10920647227838794902024-03-13T06:26:59.291-04:00in the valleyTonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.comBlogger580125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-9181340890878884932012-11-10T23:30:00.000-05:002012-11-11T09:39:16.520-05:00Paramount aka Hippodrome nee Paramount<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having recently joined the <a href="http://qhpclub.ning.com/" target="_blank">Quaboag Hills Photography Club</a> I was privy to a photowalk they arranged at the old Paramount Theater, or Hippodrome as it was known during it's club days, before being reverted back to the original name. It was <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/paramount_theater_in_springfie.html" target="_blank">recently bought</a> for $1.7 million by a local non-profit with the intent of securing a further $36 million for complete restoration. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86seQfLQyvs/UJ8fofsdn1I/AAAAAAABM0A/m-mX8W6PjIQ/s1600/D7K_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86seQfLQyvs/UJ8fofsdn1I/AAAAAAABM0A/m-mX8W6PjIQ/s640/D7K_9922.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The building's interior is still in remarkably good condition given it's age and the pounding it must have recieved during it's recent stint as a night club.</div>
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The stage area still seems to have all it's original fixtures for curtain and light controls.</div>
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Fresco type murals and flourished carvings adorn the high walls.</div>
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The hallways and various side rooms all retain that early 20th century flair. Maybe it's club days actually served to sustain the old decor, rather than ruin it.</div>
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Up high in the old neglected projection rooms, time has taken a heavier toll.</div>
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For all the debris and clutter left behind decades ago, I could still catch a whiff of celluloid in the air.</div>
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This section reminded me of the state of the <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2010/10/victory-in-making.html" target="_blank">Victory Theater in Holyoke</a>, a contemporary theater and similarly beautiful, though in more dire need of rejuvination.</div>
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Hopefully the new owners can give this old building the attention it deserves, and restore a lost classic.</div>
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<br />Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-81790823874545373822012-08-17T00:41:00.000-04:002012-08-31T01:29:49.574-04:00Brown Vs. Swan<br />
The gauntlet was thrown down last spring, and it was a raucous but lighthearted basketball challenge between Senator Scott Brown and Springfield's Reverend Talbert Swan at the Dunbar Y Community Center in Springfield.<br />
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It was a charity event for the benefit of the Path to Manhood program, and the <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2011/06/after-storm.html" target="_blank">recently destroyed</a> South End Community Center. Both teams were aided by a bevy of local politicos.</div>
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Both teams came out swinging and came here to win. The game was fast paced and as typical a little bit physical, but the mood always remained in the spirit of good fun and charity.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown defends against Swan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown takes a shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown is knocked down, and helped up by Sarno.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown's team discusses strategy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QD9faLeCj-g/UCl-70Z_BTI/AAAAAAABGC4/YADwG79IO78/s1600/DSC_3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="630" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QD9faLeCj-g/UCl-70Z_BTI/AAAAAAABGC4/YADwG79IO78/s640/DSC_3589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan and Brown race up the court.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uoVjsDYohs/UCl-agnSUOI/AAAAAAABGCo/qeuQed4meFM/s1600/DSC_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uoVjsDYohs/UCl-agnSUOI/AAAAAAABGCo/qeuQed4meFM/s640/DSC_3557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarno takes a free throw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarno defends against Rivera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neal makes a pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williams and Rivera take a break.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown cools off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moment of levity between play.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suddenly, late in the game, Swan goes down with an injury.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown helped Swan back on his feet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Swan is helped off the court.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjS5Erl779g/UCl_y8hoY5I/AAAAAAABGDw/UuNntUwtTqQ/s1600/DSC_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjS5Erl779g/UCl_y8hoY5I/AAAAAAABGDw/UuNntUwtTqQ/s640/DSC_3635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The game resumes as the final minutes wind down...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsNDaIdkkeM/UCl_448DkXI/AAAAAAABGD4/73xkzLj5Hvk/s1600/DSC_3646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsNDaIdkkeM/UCl_448DkXI/AAAAAAABGD4/73xkzLj5Hvk/s640/DSC_3646.JPG" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...culminating in a literal last second basket- putting Swan's team one point ahead for an exciting win.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFQp7Xe5N9Y/UCmAEhaC2iI/AAAAAAABGEI/f-o28UKiKjg/s1600/DSC_3653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFQp7Xe5N9Y/UCmAEhaC2iI/AAAAAAABGEI/f-o28UKiKjg/s640/DSC_3653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowd, of course, went wild.</td></tr>
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It was a great game for the players to play, the spectators to watch, and the charities to benefit. A three point shot.<br />
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Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-19224569145390189302012-06-08T22:57:00.001-04:002012-08-31T01:32:02.507-04:00Officer DownI joined a solemn crowd of onlookers at recently <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/springfield_police_officer_kev.html" target="_blank">fallen Springfield police officer</a> Kevin Ambrose's funeral procession. The procession made it's way from the funeral service at St. Catherine of Siena church on Parker Street in Springfield, and moved north to nearby Hillcrest Park Cemetery.<br />
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Thank you for your service Officer Ambrose.Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-33058596833258656172012-06-02T09:49:00.000-04:002012-09-13T21:56:33.570-04:00Press PassI was privy to a press pass for the Massachusetts Democratic Convention, in order to assist Mary Serreze of Northampton Media and that site's never ending quest for local news dissemination and tranparancy.<br />
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Basically, her regular photo people couldn't make it, and she threw this eager doggy a bone.<br />
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I'm not much of a Democrat, but it was intensely interesting to be allowed to stir about deep in the bowels of such a large local political mechanization, virtually at will. The press platform, back hallways, hidden bathrooms, doorways to be buzzed through, squirming between suspicious and large security-type folk, getting nearer the dais platforms for close ups. Flash the pass, I was in. It was cool.<br />
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But while I was having fun playing Jimmy Olsen, more serious matters were afoot. Namely, the nomination of the Democratic challenger to Senator Scott Brown. The players came to play.</div>
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I stumbled upon a pre-nomination pep rally going on in one of the conference rooms, apparently put on by the AFL-CIO. It was packed and raucous. A series of speakers rallied the cheering crowd, by Governor Deval Patrick, always a potent speaker, who set them clapping and hooting to new heights.</div>
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The crowd was virtually frothing by the time the woman of the hour, Elizabeth Warren, made her entrance. </div>
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She was energetic and fiery, imploring the crowd for their help in unseating the Republican Senator.<br />
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Out in the main floor, the seats had just about filled up, and the Democratic nominees or their representatives worked the mass of Mass delegates.<br />
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I didn't see Ms. Defranco, Warren's challenger, in my travels. Also I was not around when she spoke on stage, so unfortunately she won't get much representation on this blog post. Other than to say she needed to get 15% of the delegate vote to compete in a primary with Warren. It didn't happen.
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Warren, who just plainly out-supported and out-endorsed Defranco, moved about the delegate crowd with confidence.<br />
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Up on stage, all the Democratic politicians made their appearances and speaches. The Crowd loving every minute.<br />
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Several impassioned speeches were heard...<br />
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...with one of the best from Deval Patrick.<br />
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All in all a successful affair for Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren...<br />
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Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-47939761306999983952012-01-01T18:53:00.001-05:002012-01-01T19:52:38.939-05:00Day of First NightsSome Video from a family-friendly afternoon at Holyoke's First Night, Jr. festivities at Heritage Park:<br />
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A feature of the park is the classic, transplanted old Mountain Park Merry Go Round; now safely housed in it's own big round building and still delighting big and small kids alike.<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tBzXelj1dis" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Nearby, we let the little one expend some energy at the Childrens Museum before heading back outside to the park grounds for the drop of the New Years Ball; a jubilant crowd and outgoing and incoming mayors in attendance.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_9hgnjbzHro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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When all of this afternoon fare was done there was still time for a run to Northampton, where their own First Night celebrations have begun to garner some serious popularity among the valley folk. It was shoulder to shoulder on every sidewalk, shop and venue. The view from Thornes entrance:<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HMe5V0He2vw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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We made it up in time for a look at the early evening fireworks; positioning ourselves among a burgeoning throng of spectators in front of the Faces block. But the initial fireworks turned out to be partially obstructed by the Thornes building across the street. A mass exodus to the rear of that block and closer to the launch area ensued.<br />
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We decided a half display was good enough for us, and maintained our position on the sidewalk with a few other contented folk. Luckily enough, the rockets gained a little altitude as the show went on:<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TCmqoaj_oxk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-13858447504144617422011-12-22T10:51:00.001-05:002011-12-22T12:11:33.922-05:00Arcadia SolsticityA beautifully warm and foggy night at Arcadia Wildlife sanctuary; to welcome a hopefully warm and foggy Winter.<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M7egIjukciw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2XPEVaOqww/TvNVMgUu-II/AAAAAAAAwro/TX8t7GQQJU8/s640/blogger-image--643553806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2XPEVaOqww/TvNVMgUu-II/AAAAAAAAwro/TX8t7GQQJU8/s640/blogger-image--643553806.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TQSovD-KrE8/TvNVNPkVYjI/AAAAAAAAwr4/ac46XpD9dqk/s640/blogger-image--1150980400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TQSovD-KrE8/TvNVNPkVYjI/AAAAAAAAwr4/ac46XpD9dqk/s640/blogger-image--1150980400.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j-0jG2snSpc/TvNT8EHEx2I/AAAAAAAAwq4/PMimF7ilCmg/s640/blogger-image--1666764130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j-0jG2snSpc/TvNT8EHEx2I/AAAAAAAAwq4/PMimF7ilCmg/s640/blogger-image--1666764130.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A4rQERWPpZM/TvNkxIzBRNI/AAAAAAAAwsI/vtOsROaGs-o/s640/blogger-image-883588356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A4rQERWPpZM/TvNkxIzBRNI/AAAAAAAAwsI/vtOsROaGs-o/s640/blogger-image-883588356.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R4KUzisoh4M/TvNT9La_IUI/AAAAAAAAwrY/s5EY709S_9k/s640/blogger-image-773979666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R4KUzisoh4M/TvNT9La_IUI/AAAAAAAAwrY/s5EY709S_9k/s640/blogger-image-773979666.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R3_SuTjzurk/TvNVMwMIxNI/AAAAAAAAwrw/o8JX7az3Dko/s640/blogger-image-165158276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R3_SuTjzurk/TvNVMwMIxNI/AAAAAAAAwrw/o8JX7az3Dko/s640/blogger-image-165158276.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Au57ENltSAQ/TvNVNYOVuPI/AAAAAAAAwsA/kp1_IGqiwk0/s640/blogger-image--759893969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Au57ENltSAQ/TvNVNYOVuPI/AAAAAAAAwsA/kp1_IGqiwk0/s640/blogger-image--759893969.jpg" /></a></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-60502255230681717802011-08-29T23:52:00.000-04:002011-08-29T23:52:00.733-04:00Hurricane Highwater<div>
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<br /></div><div>Some pics from Leverett, Greenfield and Shelburne Falls after Hurricane Irene blew through western Mass.</div><div>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPSJj2ZE6Bg/Tlsb168pLdI/AAAAAAAAwnI/GuniYS5lnjE/s1600/DSC_1089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPSJj2ZE6Bg/Tlsb168pLdI/AAAAAAAAwnI/GuniYS5lnjE/s400/DSC_1089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646137171009678802" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMvHpNXlX1c/Tlsb1iik-UI/AAAAAAAAwnA/j91jxnSQWcc/s1600/DSC_1099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMvHpNXlX1c/Tlsb1iik-UI/AAAAAAAAwnA/j91jxnSQWcc/s400/DSC_1099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646137164457900354" /></a>
<br />Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-28410740043383503932011-07-27T18:32:00.002-04:002011-07-27T18:34:05.356-04:00Turtle Rescue!The bittersweet travails of turtle rescue.<div><br /></div><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U-xV4K_C7rI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-78505013539893435302011-06-01T22:16:00.003-04:002011-06-06T00:05:26.776-04:00After The Storm<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjadzEq6J3Y/Tew28SXpUsI/AAAAAAAAwXI/oZEyL6gO-bw/s400/DSC_8297.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614923244775232194" /><br /><br />Some pics and a short compilation video of the scene just a few hours after a tornado tore through Springfield's south end.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KA3pPpa7i3Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyqsXx7rEHM/TecLeax0lzI/AAAAAAAAwTg/axQoxCt2bgE/s400/DSC_8298.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468077752882994" /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmuVkWRwo_U/TecOMgWg_JI/AAAAAAAAwWM/720GvnBMZ54/s1600/DSC_8204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eX356uNbpX0/TecNRzNf1hI/AAAAAAAAwV0/obipt2vSgyI/s1600/DSC_8222.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eX356uNbpX0/TecNRzNf1hI/AAAAAAAAwV0/obipt2vSgyI/s400/DSC_8222.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613470059996370450" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPwspNmTc_8/TecNRjXw4CI/AAAAAAAAwVk/U4yX68XdPKg/s400/DSC_8225.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613470055744462882" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyq7MdkTJ_M/TecK9PWaWPI/AAAAAAAAwTI/VlHf8gum5ZI/s400/DSC_8312.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613467507749443826" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TF44FKtifSY/TecMImdnh0I/AAAAAAAAwUo/R8a1oeusaCM/s400/DSC_8269.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468802443872066" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41kbsaKnnUg/TecK9WnlJAI/AAAAAAAAwTQ/ZviGPqqR8mk/s400/DSC_8310.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613467509700502530" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAvnNrI1ddg/TecMHzlkfEI/AAAAAAAAwUQ/PMFm8p5-MtU/s400/DSC_8278.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468788787018818" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__qnroMZEgw/TecMHlkqPMI/AAAAAAAAwUI/DISsGhcGcKM/s400/DSC_8279.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468785025105090" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jpGp_ekJds/TecMIB6jKHI/AAAAAAAAwUY/R5H9oLsTT-4/s400/DSC_8274.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468792633108594" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMq54iABi3Q/TecLfOnlHWI/AAAAAAAAwUA/Ng2EsrH-aw0/s400/DSC_8263.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468091668569442" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyqfhzdTEfo/TecMsNuxyNI/AAAAAAAAwVA/YSX4wMuJWXs/s400/DSC_8262.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613469414280251602" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjI7lPEjH_U/Tew29WwBifI/AAAAAAAAwXg/IZCFjMyy-Fs/s400/DSC_8287.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614923263131093490" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdS69t1LXGk/Tew289oaf0I/AAAAAAAAwXQ/CyDMyKHC-QA/s400/DSC_8286.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614923256388288322" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWj8cZAnkKk/Tew29OHb7WI/AAAAAAAAwXY/3c8cjyoqEbQ/s400/DSC_8285.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614923260813372770" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBgHX35MvAk/TecNRft1HPI/AAAAAAAAwVc/0JekhBwaktg/s400/DSC_8227.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613470054763273458" /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyqsXx7rEHM/TecLeax0lzI/AAAAAAAAwTg/axQoxCt2bgE/s1600/DSC_8298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyqsXx7rEHM/TecLeax0lzI/AAAAAAAAwTg/axQoxCt2bgE/s1600/DSC_8298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJsDKBMFEf8/TecK9nng5wI/AAAAAAAAwTY/xDAZBGLiPj8/s400/DSC_8304.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613467514263627522" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4tCfzKpxIQ/TecMsXUCV8I/AAAAAAAAwVI/3JCgvIyq8WA/s400/DSC_8249.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613469416852445122" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0pNignM8y8/TecK9BnPNJI/AAAAAAAAwTA/DCvcXzJTNos/s400/DSC_8318.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613467504061920402" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCnLPo-gt5A/TecKVHJVlvI/AAAAAAAAwSw/y3DEOTNMgqE/s400/DSC_8324.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613466818352355058" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiLypl1K9lY/TecKUuKdj7I/AAAAAAAAwSg/UR1x4eCWY8o/s400/DSC_8329.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613466811646185394" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obsVOzjLQN8/TecKU7mNSGI/AAAAAAAAwSo/d7OSpaCNSK4/s400/DSC_8328.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613466815252220002" /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvDe-INN2hM/TecKUeCVfDI/AAAAAAAAwSQ/E13VHoVUIbw/s1600/DSC_8345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7RnnS8yKWQ/TecMIavmiPI/AAAAAAAAwUg/GgjBr5TMh_c/s400/DSC_8270.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613468799298078962" /></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-82941070361827801582011-05-31T23:15:00.010-04:002011-06-01T00:09:10.067-04:00Trains Of ThoughtReading the news breaking about 3pm that a train had derailed in nearby Amherst, the baby and I resolved to have a closer look at the unusual situation. The plan was to bike in along the Norwottuck rail trail which runs alongside the section of track where the calamity had occurred.<div><br /></div><div>But getting to the trail entrance closest to us, we found the fuzz had already taken steps to quash the satisfaction of curiosity that we were seeking.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI6x9cysxiM/TeWwGY6AdQI/AAAAAAAAwR8/7Xf_ofHVjYs/s1600/DSC_8114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI6x9cysxiM/TeWwGY6AdQI/AAAAAAAAwR8/7Xf_ofHVjYs/s400/DSC_8114.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086134398645506" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We waited for the officer to leave, and persuaded ourselves that the yellow tape was really for holding less intrepid investigators at bay. We mounted up, ducked the tape, and rode.</div><div><br /></div><div>About a mile in we could see through the trees the beginnings of the stricken train. It was already about 3 hours or so since the wreck happened and the engine was gone. But several cars in, each successive car began to look like it was sitting on the tracks a little more askew.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI6x9cysxiM/TeWwGY6AdQI/AAAAAAAAwR8/7Xf_ofHVjYs/s1600/DSC_8114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BN7Xi6OndJg/TeWwFTPRKMI/AAAAAAAAwRc/MkyZjaI_OKY/s400/DSC_8136.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086115697338562" /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HZsmvlcTwk/TeWwGOpdYRI/AAAAAAAAwR0/FrpAeawwRb4/s1600/DSC_8115.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />Just further on, we got to where both the trail and the tracks crossed Station Road in Amherst and sure enough, there it was.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RWamAbQCCk/TeWwFquBXUI/AAAAAAAAwRs/pwMmMiABVQg/s1600/DSC_8119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HZsmvlcTwk/TeWwGOpdYRI/AAAAAAAAwR0/FrpAeawwRb4/s400/DSC_8115.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086131644883218" /></div><div><br /></div><div>As advertised. The officer standing nearby greeted us with "There's something you don't see every day!"</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RWamAbQCCk/TeWwFquBXUI/AAAAAAAAwRs/pwMmMiABVQg/s400/DSC_8119.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086122000342338" /></div><div><br /></div><div>No, indeed. No we don't. About 4 or five cars right near the road were really blotto-ed, and dug pretty good to the street where tons of moving steel had plowed into the relatively soft asphalt; probably made all the more pliant by the mini heat wave of the past couple days.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7K52if8tQI/TeWvgKu2hWI/AAAAAAAAwRU/duSC-11_iJQ/s400/DSC_8138.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613085477758731618" /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mwD2GJJLtA/TeWwFaOxA9I/AAAAAAAAwRk/WvB8GWmjxX4/s1600/DSC_8120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />Crews were on the scene, but apparently waiting for the inspectors and crash investigators to do their work.</div><div><br /><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6mwD2GJJLtA/TeWwFaOxA9I/AAAAAAAAwRk/WvB8GWmjxX4/s400/DSC_8120.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086117574280146" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We watched across the bog as a handful of hard-hatted, clipboard toting officials were combing over the train and track; from the first car to several hundred yards behind the last car.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtZYflSXLco/TeWvfpvElJI/AAAAAAAAwRE/tl0p6CVobZA/s400/DSC_8153.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613085468901282962" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We saw them take a particular interest in a couple sections of track,<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RjNR4jiVdE/TeWvfSPiszI/AAAAAAAAwQ8/oJDfYGkw7vA/s1600/DSC_8167.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RjNR4jiVdE/TeWvfSPiszI/AAAAAAAAwQ8/oJDfYGkw7vA/s400/DSC_8167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613085462595023666" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RjNR4jiVdE/TeWvfSPiszI/AAAAAAAAwQ8/oJDfYGkw7vA/s1600/DSC_8167.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>...and we wondered what they found.<br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3DNnLxE5zc/TeWvfPS5oFI/AAAAAAAAwQ0/E8WWlpR6Qik/s400/DSC_8174.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613085461803802706" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, <i>I</i> wondered what they found. About an hour or so had gone by and my sidekick had just about lost interest in giant tottering trains, road blocks and investigations, and was becoming more and more persuasive about heading back home for some dinner.</div><div><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2Q0f_MlZO8/TeWvf8BG-EI/AAAAAAAAwRM/wblwm79gYfo/s400/DSC_8144.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613085473808775234" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Time to go. We'll have to read about this in the papers...</div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-1784557438387576952011-05-20T21:35:00.014-04:002011-05-21T00:28:58.026-04:00Rain. Rain. Rain. Rainbow.<div>My nifty porch-mounted rain gauge registered that a well over 4 inches of rain had fallen this past week. With our area's rain average running about 50 inches a year, (or roughly 1 inch a week), we got hammered this week, indeed. And it wasn't even the rain that was so weary; it was the nearly <i>complete lack of sunlight</i> all week setting misery meters high.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that finally broke Friday, if just barely.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_H1pcx9uxI/TdcXs2dDhkI/AAAAAAAAwP4/CQ3rCT1c904/s1600/DSC_7675.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_H1pcx9uxI/TdcXs2dDhkI/AAAAAAAAwP4/CQ3rCT1c904/s400/DSC_7675.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 176px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977920212305474" /></div><div><br /></div><div>On a drive to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Atkin's</span> Farm for green stuff, we spotted some portentous thunderheads looming in the distance. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEYe3qP4d8/TdcXkfvIJmI/AAAAAAAAwPw/E9TCOGROsts/s1600/DSC_7683.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEYe3qP4d8/TdcXkfvIJmI/AAAAAAAAwPw/E9TCOGROsts/s400/DSC_7683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977776675137122" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lightning and thunder could be seen/heard when we emerged from the store; so we decided to do the opposite of the common sense thing, and seek higher ground to have a look around. Mt. Pollux was conveniently on the return route, and it had the advantage of a lofty parking area with great views, so we could stay in the relative safety of the auto if the lightning got to intense. We're not <i>completely</i> crazy, after all.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBEYe3qP4d8/TdcXkfvIJmI/AAAAAAAAwPw/E9TCOGROsts/s1600/DSC_7683.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeXPDPaAtP4/TdcXjIRcOoI/AAAAAAAAwPQ/15Cx6nKfqEs/s400/DSC_7700.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977753196739202" /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6owzj3EtZSU/TdcXj8LtQvI/AAAAAAAAwPo/7vRKa2cH_SY/s1600/DSC_7687.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />We squeezed into a tight parking spot between a couple hipster types in their beat up station wagon, and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">collegy</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">professory</span> type in his ride. To our right, the sun was just sinking in for the night...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaLO8RbUo4I/TdcXj27Z96I/AAAAAAAAwPg/NXsmXKkHXQQ/s1600/DSC_7690.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaLO8RbUo4I/TdcXj27Z96I/AAAAAAAAwPg/NXsmXKkHXQQ/s400/DSC_7690.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977765720782754" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...while to the left, the torrent approached. The sun managed a few breaks through the cover, and turned the dark mass of water approaching into an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">orangy</span> mist.</div><div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6owzj3EtZSU/TdcXj8LtQvI/AAAAAAAAwPo/7vRKa2cH_SY/s400/DSC_7687.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977767131333362" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The lightning began to crackle and flash more often and closer, and then to our amazement, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">collegy</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">proffessory</span> guy got out of his car, metal framed umbrella in hand, and started on foot up to the bare summit of Mt. Pollux! <i>Dead man walking</i>, we mused to ourselves. Then a few minutes later, just as the first fat raindrops began to strike our windshield, another car came up the hill and parked quickly, and out ran a laughing young couple who also trotted up the trail and towards the top. <i>Dead couple walking</i>, we mused to ourselves. Isn't it lightning 101 <b>not</b> to seek higher ground during a lightning storm? The hipsters stared blankly from their station wagon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just before the downpour was finally upon us, the sun found a complete break in the cloud, and set the terrain alight in color and flame.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gWGCAio70/TdcXjXmum1I/AAAAAAAAwPY/jZGH7XRSHp0/s400/DSC_7698.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977757312555858" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then close on it's colorful heels came the rain, or deluge to be more precise, with lightning cracking right above. We had gotten our pictures, so we waved <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">adieu</span> to the hipsters, who stared back blankly, and we were out of there.</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gWGCAio70/TdcXjXmum1I/AAAAAAAAwPY/jZGH7XRSHp0/s1600/DSC_7698.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>On the way home, in the midst of the pounding storm, an ambulance went screaming by heading in the direction we just came from. Kelly and I looked at each other. Nah. I'm sure they knew what they were doing...</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting home, my nifty porch-mounted rain gauge showed that another 3/8 of an inch had fallen, just from that passing storm. How much more is in store.</div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-5083548382456848282011-05-08T01:42:00.024-04:002011-05-15T23:10:17.934-04:00Gay PeopleWe checked out the 2011 installment -and 30th anniversary- of Northampton's annual Gay Pride Parade. Or simply Northampton Pride, as it's come to be called.<div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkPyRs3XXac/TcY42mkTYWI/AAAAAAAAwLk/T-cJHva24sY/s400/DSC_7344.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604229297026064738" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJEOR5Crc7k/TcY4KdCaddI/AAAAAAAAwLM/yHvRd0V2tM8/s400/DSC_7312.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604228538553759186" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The attendance seemed just a scoche off <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2010/05/pride-before-spring.html">compared to last year</a>, but there was a healthy showing among the LGBT community, the supporters, and the gawkers.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaDxNrrEeec/Tc_UCyd3ZhI/AAAAAAAAwOg/MFLJxRrCqw8/s400/DSC_7327.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606933205471421970" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Perfectly late as usual we still managed to find a good viewing perch above the fray along the railroad bridge spanning the route, and in time to view the majority of the proceedings.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp42-p-vIAk/TcY4J7C-McI/AAAAAAAAwK8/0LZPS9qafuU/s400/DSC_7305.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604228529429295554" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tZehURGeAo/TcY3jTOqlSI/AAAAAAAAwKU/TLLTH6NKvig/s400/DSC_7268.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227865905894690" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJfqGX3mnzU/TcY3jkV7rvI/AAAAAAAAwKc/hRxTr3h_-Ko/s400/DSC_7278.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227870499778290" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUR1jvFGvok/TcY3jFAxhpI/AAAAAAAAwKM/m20a_84QlQY/s400/DSC_7259.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227862089533074" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Kelly and I count ourselves among the multitudes of supporter-gawkers, as my camera subject choices and some gay acquaintances and a Pride Survey will attest. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJnnYROk-mI/TcY4KEXcM3I/AAAAAAAAwLE/B9sHV2HBo0E/s400/DSC_7306.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604228531931067250" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m50nHLHtyIc/Tc_UCtrg4vI/AAAAAAAAwOY/6pNiT8oVTZg/s400/DSC_7310.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606933204186489586" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're not fervent, but hey, we're there.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4FAHwCR_Fs/TcY420ijivI/AAAAAAAAwLs/9NT-MyZl910/s400/DSC_7349.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604229300776831730" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I suspect it's detached side liners like us that make up the bulk of attendance at an event like this. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xroMnkJmlbE/Tc_aj2xFc0I/AAAAAAAAwO8/83kLk9r8cus/s400/DSC_7316.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606940370631226178" /></div><div><br /></div><div>And it's probably the casual spectators like us that have helped slowly transform, for better or worse, this once risk-filled march for equality into the easy going celebratory parade it is now...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWSxQ9oHsOo/TcY4KgSkDkI/AAAAAAAAwLU/vZjoyCtEMcE/s400/DSC_7332.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604228539426803266" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...replete with vendors, hawkers, and corporate sponsorship.</div><div><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Ue8NxfAGI/TcY3j7SxKtI/AAAAAAAAwKs/i3lKd8kK6GI/s400/DSC_7283.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227876660521682" /></div><div><br /></div><div>As I've <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/pride_march_finds_itself_on_th.html">read recently</a>, some of the old time warriors and original marchers have lamented that the cause has lost it's way, that too many groups seem to have a dog in the fight now.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ab6gJzdPHUY/TcY3jsdzzxI/AAAAAAAAwKk/KgQk_8AegHc/s400/DSC_7280.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604227872680300306" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Still, what may be seen as a decay of the fighting spirit exhibited 30 years ago... </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOf-2Atpbpg/TcY42iHC-PI/AAAAAAAAwLc/p2IkRnNi0Nc/s400/DSC_7337.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604229295829612786" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...could just as well be considered unintended consequences of accomplishment. Coat tail riders and fair weather friends inevitably come part and parcel with success. While there's more to do and more to achieve; with the front lines of the battle having come such a considerable way...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNTNSjiGWBs/TcY4J2fQJ0I/AAAAAAAAwK0/PHwOaa0S__w/s400/DSC_7289.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604228528205735746" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...maybe there's cause to celebrate a little.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUR1jvFGvok/TcY3jFAxhpI/AAAAAAAAwKM/m20a_84QlQY/s1600/DSC_7259.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUR1jvFGvok/TcY3jFAxhpI/AAAAAAAAwKM/m20a_84QlQY/s1600/DSC_7259.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-51290954002115657602011-04-22T22:48:00.012-04:002011-05-10T23:36:33.769-04:00High And DryWe skipped through an extravagangiing Amherst center...<div><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwUtG7xIEQI/TbI-qnVkNfI/AAAAAAAAwH0/6FUYc9fnQ_g/s400/DSC_6695.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606188609811954" /><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAHnZDpyOq4/TbI-p04AuGI/AAAAAAAAwHc/4ItlhDISyPQ/s400/DSC_6687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606175064078434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 129px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeLX_rexdgM/TbI-p5VDIbI/AAAAAAAAwHk/RZ0oLcvRzFs/s400/DSC_6692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606176259613106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>...hung a right and headed down and out of town for the beautiful, peaceful wood and water of Amethyst Brook.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUxudfFLflw/Tcn6kiTr6zI/AAAAAAAAwMQ/PaP10eE42RY/s400/DSC_6762.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605286716830903090" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The brook was roaring on this day. Possibly the highest levels and flows we've ever seen here, at least in our handful of visits.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-FIG10zhos/Tcn_UKs9-_I/AAAAAAAAwMg/YWL-7xuH-vA/s400/DSC_6766.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605291933174725618" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-KIDYXdGCY/TbI_TrjHdsI/AAAAAAAAwIQ/ZKUi0fScs-o/s400/DSC_6824.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606894115026626" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This presented a problem on our usual circular route when we found the fording section of the brook completely unfordable; except for a precarious balancing act across a teetering board.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFv-STjVXUs/TbI_T6HAnRI/AAAAAAAAwIY/ZhjwdbRSW_4/s400/DSC_6835.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606898023669010" /></div><div><br /></div><div>A couple years ago Kelly and I would have chanced it. But not in these baby and doggy bound days.</div><div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLfmNBYHLI4/TbI_TRl8LdI/AAAAAAAAwII/jZAeVUZCglw/s400/DSC_6822.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598606887147548114" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Better to take the long way back... </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjaHUmrRp-0/Tcn6kskqH7I/AAAAAAAAwMY/RqgkrPG--iw/s400/DSC_6854.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605286719586443186" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...it's a nice day for a walk anyway.</div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-14479663216744348852011-04-10T17:07:00.013-04:002011-04-10T19:08:30.256-04:00Rough And Tumble<div>A Sunday drive with the baby-scrums took us near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UMass</span>, where there was a rugby-scrum afoot.</div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUGZeWu1oApm-Qeru5ZLrt5h1iD2DDSEbPmLy5xT64oNeGVZXuvpm_VsHJc5_YLAuQnDEhYnif3kuMkXAIIzaZGLrKWSWkEc1Nc_3XpHL1Tcb7YeZGyTf2f3_EVqL_kTvAG_DVWI9cvk/s400/DSC_6507.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065111909573282" /></div><div><br />We pulled up along a field-side gravel road, and were able to watch the game right from the comforts of the vehicle. I took pics of the game while the baby changed radio settings, emptied compartments of their contents and relocated the rear view mirror to the rear seat. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdTcUt-C2GSSn_yAomOCSsql7CDasO_wVDg6qx4tDZOWYXduMVjZe-S0SIPVo4X8igJVm_m1zSlId_9EzlV3MnVSKECF2DAET05i02kMZbZJnTPHn70jkIgze5ee2CSljLTaa6N8VMD0/s400/CSC_6519.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065094194186914" /></div><div><br /></div><div>That stuff can wait. The game had captured my attention.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV08iTo7TOAGoFoFjWWA3cIBpZ_sXYVzM4SeHCv_Y07LdSpsqaePNKx3sEY0NXtdIH04HV1nB1Hq5F00_5pu3ZriHs7ILNDgL88zMlF0XhrhJpMWUtfGWmCo5lEbcf-Aul_KHsCDSKYhQ/s400/DSC_6621.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594066502576005858" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Admittedly, there isn't too much I know about the game of Rugby other than what I've read about on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_football"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wikipedia</span></a> or seen a handful of times by chance. What I do know is it's one rough and tumble sport to play, and just about if not as exciting as American style football to watch.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf1sNbzzPuCjfS7LhhXhlEVYJGxfoOUw1okmvfDMrzvO_alC3jhkjy5QeBALXcfARiOZhyw-gJwCAAicv7us70XbLU0ofkbiK4enLOW6sozXGBwVmvm6TLQnI_K5YFU9AFFLaGnKZiZ0/s400/DSC_6526.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 117px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065115745024418" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKtf31cWHgqbMbgUx9S5EDYc0lxxg2-35PmKnx-EK7-Xd011LgGQz1v4RiXOaeN_9DPnqyH6stbjAe0N4EQJ8RWLqMRqqeRL_5FDLQg6VRPMkmOFLHT-X4qav112Vys182J9E_yGh-3Q/s400/DSC_6527.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 172px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065755788278514" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLDootoY8Xhf0GDd9PcqSVURmjYfI700bEIRsEqQHCSGsQZ7CgE4wTwViO2UiEN7Vl8EWcnuxBvFDdMFaCkuqrjTpvsxtVt8oyqVjzmmDefCR5wiioYaB9Gb-D8wmq_hZn614GSxclwQ/s400/CSC_6548.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065096926735538" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is definitely a game yet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unpadded</span> by the litigious set, or otherwise hampered by anything resembling modern health and safety scruples.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVxSc3_IEU6DMmTuLbod6V2LE4lvE4HjPLesvCW2nGY4WCwy4Cm9w-7U335a30Nm0vMckxiGkYG5IdwZBbolTeGVcJ11f0JQRL6JqxRipGJHcLu18QcZ6_W0MwyxQ78NoFcjbSEqibw8/s400/DSC_6584.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594066495600093698" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZscAYsqA15QIh15YkhALSpVetrfYNm64X3fzSvvh3BWFJFsDp0p7GeHdIzRSoi8j11aeaUiF3Plelyt4Wdcl6lcx39BMfrqUQG0JN0zymydG_Ayd73NMy3zCdC1zUAXfcVLWYUiS8YME/s400/DSC_6572.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065768006248530" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Couple that with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">preeminence</span> of our vaunted NFL, and you know there won't be a 'Monday Night Rugby' on ABC any time soon. This game is still relegated to the more curious and exotic tiers of world sports that haven't quite hit it here but are a blast to play; taking it's station somewhere between soccer and lacrosse.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqI_2IHuZGoN3wIYtHYxIL44BshMLvD8ZZpcFEbrssQwulaxrrDbX1au9rukvTVzPql5zuZQq3orrELIjv-G-Lv9HG8Ce63t8axy060wbr_JRf_PgvQ3SuoXElNZACU1AasoDC4NM4W0/s400/DSC_6534.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065760612613170" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBLmHlfPJglp8Gpk18Cq98lDNZMq0SPX3r72aFcUD58xjQ8DcctfFX7zp1FNL1nTufqZKXwXPiYqq9-Rf_NctR5w673iwvtGCw3DAY-_1TB9nn35PpEobzWcMR3xDduAIbAjV3c94ADc/s400/DSC_6573.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594066486117842098" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapqh18bfeXYjdL4Kq-AxMqqIphZo9iStCEaS6JkqKFh5ad7-xEX4-dghweHUyM7lmnOhp7Sf_USUgJlQb6jsHiGWgtSzuvXAhQYdZGct2mvb7re1pdhK6PbKXTjZdZDt5As-Xg08rHSw/s400/DSC_6574.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594066489295568754" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Still, kudos to these hearty souls who brave this game's inherent risks, in order to make the victory or defeat that much more ...<i>real</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_5OjsHBdOYHoNA8X8lid4JhBOXsxYUkr-cpk83pBareiJbpOZI1DBGYQ49BuRXzEHXyIIaTtHYOn7tYvHscdxNHKgKN_DKlkEKjQI3QZdV4o13Mdl7yIiSSNaeV0n_CzwJjZKWNoJMg/s400/DSC_6498.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 176px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594065102482343362" /></div><div><br /></div><div>For them, and for us.</div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-30509657489496660352011-04-04T22:25:00.001-04:002011-04-04T22:40:27.419-04:00New NeighborsSunday afternoon warmed up into the fifties and Kelly, who was just getting back from walking the dog, poked her head in the door. "Hey, do you hear that?"<div><br /></div><div>I turned down the tv. "Hear what?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Listen, it sounds like wild turkeys fighting or something."</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting up and stepping out back, I did hear it. It sounded like, well, two turkeys fighting each other. Strange, loud warbling and cackling. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm. Wild turkeys mating or fighting = good pictures, I shrewdly gauged. In less than a minute camera was in hand. Checking battery level and settings while hustling by Kelly, baby and doggy; daddy plunged into the woods a' huntin'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pacing along the still-wet leaf clutter gently pushing aside prickly branches and side-stepping potentially snapping fallen twigs, all effort was made to advance as silently as possible. Course was adjusted with the occasional renewed warbling, which was now becoming more and more intermittent. At last, the sounds stopped altogether. I continued on more or less towards the last heard chatter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The house was long out of sight now, I wasn't completely sure where I was and no more sounds had been heard for several minutes. A new direction was about to be taken when through the brush there was a gigantic old tree. It was easily the tallest around and it's upper half was leaning, almost precariously. And at it's base was an equally gigantic, dark opening.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiSUtbWGMTXDRqFOB_ZrA92gdAGA2yIXgBlNkR3skuF5SBZPMv7Foj5dTPsCjsLKgAOT99ffAHVdL3YVq5dFqYy-5jxj8wJtVeLboyhF4uhKiXkDRQ2r3Ey1d3BeZbaKxDGFdnw552_E/s400/DSC_6335.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591551356355365746" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The old tree trunk looked hollowed out. The opening was big enough to shelter a human, or two if needed. Or a few turkeys.<br /><div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjBGudyofxJvZI9rj_W7fkP_fX6g8VhURH-Zy4_0K5Kr0-SQZ1U5oub3Gl9trVmcnhx9XIFQDZSrrbKK0d60JrRh1V8JldybjnUPCCQwN10Apj4pxdJiPMGqt2kRFQONzHRGZ_LHJyxA/s400/DSC_6346.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591551364028058738" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...or any other animal, for that matter.</div><div><br />Stepping forward even more cautiously, carefully placing feet upon mossy stones and fallen logs, stopping and proceeding, edging closer.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGr8S_ZpKmeUx2Vqn3zF93IpdXI0uJcypFpk_ems-KX2Dy7tyPIul3lRuqk8ITnYd62-P0Pe3qxaGzU1lP2dACDJ0LJ8D4RjT_LSgZurAzQghpcv4Q3ogBtbmlbLxFBaJUsbXrH7Sd0U/s400/DSC_6345.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591551357801725634" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then to the right of the tree there was a sudden movement. Something large and furry rustled off, taking it's time, into the brush. It didn't look scared, it was simply moving off.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEink9_rITEnwRBPvLTmi0eI5QI0S2UjrQ3IS6T0yltQzBcu_hYn70b014v93Z3IKWNGM0CwAKqRxpUjZI8KlNwWuV2JDgkbmvB9c7GJWVXoooHlu6YupzK9raCcNuBAzx8RvvmRJukJhcU/s400/DSC_6325.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591549331141781330" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I froze. My first thought was that it was fairly big. Big enough to be a bear cub. </div><div><br /></div><div>My second thought: where's it's mommy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking around in every direction, I started to backpeddle, ready to crash back through the woods if need be; gripping the camera strap and ready to swing it like a mace, if need be. Hoping Kelly had enough detergent to clean my shorts later, if need be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, one last glance back at the tree before swinging around revealed a member of my potential adversary; peeking out from around the back, a cold fury in it's eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGEWyJyEumz7jzUVyPbrcS6KkgoW3tYyguQfIQJWquzsWD_KcmaHisnkWNoWfFInLxnvoBGAdpzdpWgVGikuQngUPLN1eFa_4J39L2bZ5r4ZeFO5C6Z80txtUMJtuB_oVFaA5QeVeyUk/s400/DSC_6331.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591549337114493666" /></div><div><br /></div><div>A sigh of relief doesn't cover it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MryS5MRTL7k76su6dLFpjUFOwfI0InMivbZGl4HUOJD1n0F1gDx_Ep3LIexTNReB_hL-yRl3Zgma7k6PGbZmaPGjBCC1I6qYgGYJ-dKEc458TfJIQAuITcfezbwluaToAdgdJItf-Rw/s1600/DSC_6333.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MryS5MRTL7k76su6dLFpjUFOwfI0InMivbZGl4HUOJD1n0F1gDx_Ep3LIexTNReB_hL-yRl3Zgma7k6PGbZmaPGjBCC1I6qYgGYJ-dKEc458TfJIQAuITcfezbwluaToAdgdJItf-Rw/s400/DSC_6333.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591551348888227634" /><br /><br /></div><div>A minute later the apparent matriarch also emerged and very, very slowly scaled up the tree-side for a better look at their visitor.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOkqfIVpQq3Wfz0B-iARaqaqd1HZz69qOrYuWGtKwWrjFSd1vq1tOhvalnsajUAbjKu9u17cTdAQwC6jfLYlWmjBpfQTLWFwehbDN22j-SmwOeSXq5-7UEQG9GCeZ3vEx1zm4am2USDM/s1600/DSC_6350.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOkqfIVpQq3Wfz0B-iARaqaqd1HZz69qOrYuWGtKwWrjFSd1vq1tOhvalnsajUAbjKu9u17cTdAQwC6jfLYlWmjBpfQTLWFwehbDN22j-SmwOeSXq5-7UEQG9GCeZ3vEx1zm4am2USDM/s400/DSC_6350.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591549341869187106" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Not too knowledgeable in the ways of the raccoon; whether they were the mysterious warblers I don't know. But by the groggy way they seemed to be moving about, I suspect they were just waking up from hibernation. I backed off and left them to their business. </div><div><br /></div><div>Heading back, it occurred that we'd better make sure the trash cans are secured; there'll be a reciprocating visit from them in the coming months, no doubt.</div></div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-84853319670047371132011-04-01T21:24:00.013-04:002011-04-02T11:21:05.705-04:00April. Where Have You Been.Remember that scene at the end of 'The Wrath of Khan' were Ricardo Montalban says something to the effect of "With my last breath, I grapple with thee.."? That phrase was running through my brain this morning as I gazed dumbfounded at this Interminable Winter's final cast. <div><br /></div><div>Crossing that rare snowy line into April just to ensure we don't soon forget the long bitter slog it put us through this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTT4ivSaZLYTAFRF-nKK4JpgU-G5xEH3en0f0VHz-xcueh1Y5yp9SYpdPf5QCca1AaZ8NEgRF5l5gIYLppGUi_10ec7ozpcYcIQPehUhDGH5IoG8oQG6jtvz8Yek4QxQSRuPLzzh1qYc/s400/DSC_6227.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591006030283052866" /></div><div><br /><div><div>...that thought followed closely by "sure is pretty, tho'."<br /><div><br /></div><div>As alarming as the late season white was, it didn't come close to the forecasters' dire predictions of a foot or so of the heavy variety. By noontime in fact it was pretty much all gone in the valley. By three o'clock, I was strolling a wet but snowless Arcadia wildlife sanctuary on this day of turning, wistfully contemplating future and past.</div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbTyrY9lr1XzRhCTklhTCh1drfrtgi77cDv5waMgSDwZvDjeNkpx9SU1xP3giJ-ZnQsMQ-OsWhStUxyBElz2_LKS6ayjd6nMONKaamHMe6VwfjBqG7hOtBeU6SOt7036KNthtO2dQy4k/s400/DSC_6233.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591006034684735954" /><br /><br /><div>It was still a little chilly, but unlike the cold afternoons of autumn, there was the warming hope of gentler days on the way, taking the edge off the breeze. Soon and definitely, all will be green and full of life again.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://localhost:54885/d27998b364f629a275681a4bed176d5d/image/8587d4dc6dbf8ce2.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScJyd6OciqTdgBE2fKzQZkz8AeqOQu4S7PU17MUAs2RM4ET_7_H3dQ_gBuuUyvJ8-hevLGDWa1LoUXIP_U99Y-FDI8unm8iLZ8wzaSZUj2owyMW1JOX92VHhZlSB5BqCPYTnsBck7_eA/s400/DSC_6239.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591006036795938434" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Problems will begin to feel just that much lighter, energy will seem that much stronger; the long gray winter will shrink and fade to small distant shadow.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://localhost:54885/d27998b364f629a275681a4bed176d5d/image/24e9ffaeb5409b35.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfUogPDgFFTAilYvQbTiOtgG2qF7-FmOFY6OiafxsEfaeURHwfjK9aoMWJfDJhO2Asdbitb5lu_4gBAwFV480KIR5PikJ420oJBhniSeBzXBIyiuqNetwq49WxmYZCkHdB-qgy4MlcNY/s400/DSC_6242.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591006043579584338" /><br /><br /></div><div>The colors will come back, the leaves will rustle, the animals will move; </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://localhost:54885/d27998b364f629a275681a4bed176d5d/image/dddc85e2df9def7e.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDT54mofIJ1ytusSkMOeemE9LxU_6P4SY-HYL0jhyphenhyphenF-cGnPXUNpBae4p4DmbFC1ouGTmcTIMAtrSXXDoMYK6huDx0uDlu41wFqGf-k45sVufLUVlMjz5vopncY-Fz_QZG9_ywPfa8fE4/s400/DSC_6248.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591006048648370546" /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://localhost:54885/d27998b364f629a275681a4bed176d5d/image/5ec23451fb5ffa4.jpg"></a>...and reasons for it all will seem reasonable, once again.</div></div></div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-77545200489398180962011-03-19T22:47:00.010-04:002011-04-01T22:26:04.708-04:00Spring In Your Step<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe6NXb1YMuD2DugHdA4gB6RC84X783Qpe5mWdZXI_wmbeu4w9UUtqhSW9RsTtJgM-3nATRbusNnfuJBA1oiGfScFKz4BI6Le1mrG6meuXsHhTWOybMtEHZjOp2ghISd7riArIX-1y_tk/s1600/DSC_5861.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe6NXb1YMuD2DugHdA4gB6RC84X783Qpe5mWdZXI_wmbeu4w9UUtqhSW9RsTtJgM-3nATRbusNnfuJBA1oiGfScFKz4BI6Le1mrG6meuXsHhTWOybMtEHZjOp2ghISd7riArIX-1y_tk/s400/DSC_5861.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe6NXb1YMuD2DugHdA4gB6RC84X783Qpe5mWdZXI_wmbeu4w9UUtqhSW9RsTtJgM-3nATRbusNnfuJBA1oiGfScFKz4BI6Le1mrG6meuXsHhTWOybMtEHZjOp2ghISd7riArIX-1y_tk/s1600/DSC_5861.JPG"></a>Some pics from our <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/search?q=holyoke+road+race">fourth viewing</a> of the humongous Holyoke St. Paddy's Day Road Race.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe6NXb1YMuD2DugHdA4gB6RC84X783Qpe5mWdZXI_wmbeu4w9UUtqhSW9RsTtJgM-3nATRbusNnfuJBA1oiGfScFKz4BI6Le1mrG6meuXsHhTWOybMtEHZjOp2ghISd7riArIX-1y_tk/s1600/DSC_5861.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshfoqoYlPlNytYLyAY6T7sy-PNqi7t8jioF8BR1Totu9sOlh4FWNRomxtzfwBIC6-QN4D-9JC3hIB1mJKKa2L2QK6m-m8Y57Wp1N3Iq4Fb8mcfYSmn6gzuMCrcUxhzHTUH7nRUo2VREM/s1600/DSC_5870.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshfoqoYlPlNytYLyAY6T7sy-PNqi7t8jioF8BR1Totu9sOlh4FWNRomxtzfwBIC6-QN4D-9JC3hIB1mJKKa2L2QK6m-m8Y57Wp1N3Iq4Fb8mcfYSmn6gzuMCrcUxhzHTUH7nRUo2VREM/s400/DSC_5870.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Entertaining as ever, with some 5600 runners participating this year. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaTls51-wBQJOdnwozW1f0ATo16JXBfRNe6ckbQcjIWc2q47uAelbe3wA1YbBgFl866ZronkpUnM6biuJ1hoU_RpcWmAN2aa5GwSDM4UvWaBBglpZ1TIfawvfKqAqwWj-uJ9sS9xmaDw/s400/DSC_5880.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...including the usual sprinkling of characters.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshfoqoYlPlNytYLyAY6T7sy-PNqi7t8jioF8BR1Totu9sOlh4FWNRomxtzfwBIC6-QN4D-9JC3hIB1mJKKa2L2QK6m-m8Y57Wp1N3Iq4Fb8mcfYSmn6gzuMCrcUxhzHTUH7nRUo2VREM/s1600/DSC_5870.JPG"></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOd4ZnOdX8J_qBfR-8WD9GXR1a3Ek24SDn-UEItXxNs4z4k-zk1ZjvgB8Rjc56k_vwCBj5Fi1K2J4wP36bZ586kz6PMirC3Zsu_9kg6V-8j7EHxLOk_BJiAZ-AYTyjHVgoDrdFRodevg8/s1600/DSC_5872.JPG"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxB06c9oDLah82ZLCSCyeGzwj2pXOQ6rGns0IKFqP_HKk-42dxcSjGy3_JpaUxgKZP3UR9RykcPavE69kH3lhUCzjVVpJD-i1x6WTHbhMYVz42iP_gFqaG_JnZxTttOwBBgWFiH4_x84/s400/DSC_5972.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwH2jUsUBtX0MyeAubGvHJi67vgIvRcMqXD6TvpHnT19zo-ZWmFKQCxvYKnT3TcPOzMOfF2G_xqb87L_BCWvIDz9EAw8aPHUBQ-vxSxX9N0_kOL7qw0cXA225Gzb2Z3UoL1CgJ-stj-OY/s400/DSC_5967.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The serious front runners completed the grueling 10k distance in <a href="http://www.holyokestpatricksroadrace.org/36th_10KOverallResults.html">under 30 minutes</a>; which works out to something under <i>5 minutes per mile.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWSWLiLZxg6r3vvdmfZKkDPHyAbyeJol-Jr1rSi6WXEgImNozAUPX0ocGUKETWyh65OM8k_67x6oMrPjJ3-WVw-hNZgr5hrmrq2eaP2GD4yQ3sBgW75WC5KcuiS1Ip5nuOmXI3hYlh-k/s400/DSC_5911.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>But of course the prevailing masses of humanity were out for more modest personal victories and did the run at a more humanly pace.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pub5C5Vaos8kTTFrKdKqrCkcKnBnwcdRjaeoEvUM5FFq-udkRrNuyHx31GalrbfIv3HmRCBgHa9sWG36Ypa1y8iGkt_1yWFxbZqmWDBUiKO2EcpZf_I4q8hwavlJNAswahqDfOt4QME/s400/DSC_5971.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>That being said; modesty can take many forms.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOd4ZnOdX8J_qBfR-8WD9GXR1a3Ek24SDn-UEItXxNs4z4k-zk1ZjvgB8Rjc56k_vwCBj5Fi1K2J4wP36bZ586kz6PMirC3Zsu_9kg6V-8j7EHxLOk_BJiAZ-AYTyjHVgoDrdFRodevg8/s400/DSC_5872.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>In a race of these proportions, there's more than just the epic story of united masses fleeting by. There are also the smaller, raucous stories of pep and personality...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuxQwEwewc_CXrZbQ-p8tH8jAL3V6j2GLDnpiby47gDL-E2-eWIzL_jXX7z295_Hg-GijneayOwWfzzy23qUzpHEm5hXgSNzZ2MVpevRIZw5lozsrtkw9Pj6GrHiVoKy8zfO7J91HR1M/s400/DSC_5947.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VvYgB_uqUie-cDNLlqQ64yzGToovGuQ33_SN5gQwNJQEtbcfKsAUYGfW22KXoIG7z5vMcjuLmvGyjZp4UKQdEoadySsxd7K1G9kV7hO5HhEeVix96558gdBm_bir_vGnXzi7sosafCA/s400/DSC_5952.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMeuW_pB1D2-lMSASC-NsP-XKt3bKrLh3ApcUGHE7DqLxwcJqSu6KvT8PqqAocobwd7yRZyvWHytc44fX63C9KGluRP3f5SsgcB5KiTlYSbKFIJpLr0fsMeJ3Ch4h4hRgilzGwRyyee8/s400/DSC_5953.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br />...and subtler stories of dedication and perseverance.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qg_oClVDVAyodUVpZcHzmcAJ7i47dxSjelJRV3PDhY9FatnRMAwX5dZX9C8rnW6skBP9auMRHYrw2N-7PFNV7tbI4WhattdGK569GBXd9k9q4ZIYIWCsIVMdSx2V-_kLSft825qO95w/s1600/DSC_5999.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qg_oClVDVAyodUVpZcHzmcAJ7i47dxSjelJRV3PDhY9FatnRMAwX5dZX9C8rnW6skBP9auMRHYrw2N-7PFNV7tbI4WhattdGK569GBXd9k9q4ZIYIWCsIVMdSx2V-_kLSft825qO95w/s400/DSC_5999.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-27495997476953873292011-03-18T23:54:00.000-04:002011-04-02T01:59:29.068-04:00SuperMoon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gYd9FCQaotoQ3NlcJAGpemy4snkeZn4xyyeNJyEBo0BESFRPXs1FnfHZ0f5xOMgLgNEWxjBPgEZZ6JKbCmVqkBz6qS3Z8A90kRVPZ4_nLDQ5YVhoaXvC786tpNCun_PejlE2O7nXqGk/s1600/DSC_5712.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gYd9FCQaotoQ3NlcJAGpemy4snkeZn4xyyeNJyEBo0BESFRPXs1FnfHZ0f5xOMgLgNEWxjBPgEZZ6JKbCmVqkBz6qS3Z8A90kRVPZ4_nLDQ5YVhoaXvC786tpNCun_PejlE2O7nXqGk/s400/DSC_5712.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-5050040308660902302011-02-25T07:57:00.003-05:002011-02-25T08:17:16.094-05:00Transition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgss2vF5Sk2Rl6AEQngIEcFLZnWJwYkX4zTOGwann0J2C4sE8JcRNttRLOzhaCWeI0rpeSQ4CXXacaWPWNc6YncRa68AKjTpxXGgZvGTuFE2L2Vl6AUX54wX8vzBamTEee6HjLIoew7c/s1600/iphone+dec+6+308.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 391px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgss2vF5Sk2Rl6AEQngIEcFLZnWJwYkX4zTOGwann0J2C4sE8JcRNttRLOzhaCWeI0rpeSQ4CXXacaWPWNc6YncRa68AKjTpxXGgZvGTuFE2L2Vl6AUX54wX8vzBamTEee6HjLIoew7c/s400/iphone+dec+6+308.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577611162324451362" /></a>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-58873567272026385472011-02-06T09:23:00.001-05:002011-02-06T10:12:20.625-05:00Something In The WaterWe went up to catch sight of some winter madness in the form of the 7th annual <a href="http://www.thedistrictwestfield.com/2010/12/22/2011-penguin-plunge/">Westfield Penguin Plunge.</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN0ZgXg7fXzNW3jL2wq9FOvkLII3y-55sVPtd4kBGireSd5TTnHig-dUpuYPIYZY9DbdafVDu1y4NHMqc_tv_Nsm5vb9uQjNVQjT68ND4XcP2z3pXjY1REq6AYDXGq89ZuAXnm4Ep73M/s400/DSC_4664.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We had witnessed the 5th version of this event <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2009/02/freezin-for-reason.html">a couple years ago</a> at the Westfield rotary, and were memorably aghast and delighted enough to head up and give it another look this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwY8FxFWpxCJcOSSqd1cL43npsV1gCi697CWB1lT5N3GiCnIZKaY6KwqTJkzlVOXUJjEu4v_mLB2JXPcuAiwiVNfGvJQ65PXryGQNVc9GwUzgs3qYjOo0zGYSnKPqrNnwVxUshnL9RNY/s400/DSC_4631.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This time it was held at it's more typical location of Hampton Ponds off route 202. There was a good crowd on hand when we arrived. Along with a radio station truck, a local news crew, tons of spectators and 78 or so completely insane individuals bent on their own extreme discomfort, there were also fire and safety personnel on hand both in and out of the near freezing water.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj59YMil21vVBrI-tCEAbUna7yGvLlfoo6obDsfZKVsstW65VU3oLcekKqoWCDTdxR61W6mdKB_tdxUQ4VMW8G6zqEDf9BZNcQxv_hRGEurT8DSXizlERyBdFvkQNxTeIYCEruK4HP4Q/s400/DSC_4514.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Really</i> near freezing. 32.8 degrees. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERv1FlH7MtXs7N_AJvX51oRVcHcOHrVJRIR59W-B9fD5UbGNX8d1GEdvvArD3QqKgFq1x0n5ti-ce5k_2OkmK4JJFL1P6Mbmxy9FdCZnAXILTIheyyWiA0cYwgxLfkHJf74Q4yFZt_d8/s400/DSC_4689.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNVAKIyULyx2-Ey5ialcSTYaB6Q8J62m8NgJZXGUhHJL969kRs4Co0rkJRowGIf2XuCEEgdamX8DjI84ABs6YBEGpYLtpqHjuASxff_EebBgv_9O_ZZaUpr51CN1UP9zRYHT0d1nbP_k/s400/DSC_4528.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTFPj_Q-DGhChVXyXGvstu7tt8WddEnfwc2jsyFhhaXKZAtKF3IgspsVMbV7wSFASm_W8pOfWe43X9wZNm87sw4FujaKwU-cA-BP3A-L-tOyz-3n0709rqyLkgHIYgzQkoV33OQHIg3g/s400/DSC_4692.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Square-feet-thick blocks of ice were cut out to make room for a brisk January dip...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zYOlCgJMzTqZQpZzHbuWoejdDkQ5LXe379Jw2qPNr8-mtzFt2wXKzK30ZoKzpWE_lZk3kuPCqgimr9TsjzPsOBJj-qmXl1Ub5M7eFSC8PxLJ8Yw0cGXpcBnOrxBD_E5XJQ8eT2K9aL0/s400/DSC_4526.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...or spin.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEElSV4hcVqvj8j2ihfrq7UHZepqNR2eQclXjKIei2bktSMeBHmK5QRCphJVyuSNgG3HINBRYgUf6Dn6mq_Ban9zFHnhLLBAOiBnoO2IJvDlx1zXn4JbXA2Pkh7PUslQez8F0iiDRYJTI/s400/DSC_4539.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the kind of event you might catch briefly on tv as a nightly-news filler clip from some faraway wooded burg in some particularly loony sector of the nation. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iL0U3HUjUESxj8I-GM8DzFgR0bRnB2ccpgm_z-iRtrdtAoeB5riEn_bKNXb1x3CYUWD-75cu5GlOV2_bOAP7Cqv22_GIiTsTho0O8U9cOjMgTiKy43PI0Ct8QQI-8Lqh3rgCp0V88rg/s400/DSC_4690.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>But no. These are our own valley neighbors fearlessly leaping into 32.8 degree water, for the sake of charity. </div><div><br /></div><div>People you know...</div><div><div><div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaia8Sa39iOAoD5YFcK6jXUNN_qxhGGxumC5QVI86Xx-90Xa2agcyK9UPVkZSzdakMMNNPS-JBb6E_OgRTP61NE_SattmEMC37zhwTOPk0bqZza0iMxZCChX1IHIo_sTIjbW0ARdeXGtU/s400/DSC_4559.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>...people you respect...</div><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpLbUeuuT-AJnedW2mDkXVB8ZL8HXq-sYe8XXYgP4pdlgCmRH2wOIKU5OTM-B3ddyRGtxqiFGr8fyhDTCbVZs0PNKCJbKp2X2w4l0HkbPEAiNYqHryfhi1FMAitcklYZ1PoNLb03Xk2k/s1600/DSC_4569.JPG"></a></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j7U20XQfA2yiyC-M4Nr-BcaZFq-rqanbiKfLHdgwPwfI3Xyb4nCuLStLDcj9S0MkVmJf3UVYeprDmugyro-bU_BQ7gcQMTPlkgyjSsgY1d1EaglImgTMUQsczLJs_e3Nb3LfZybRGRE/s400/DSC_4560.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br />...people you might blandly chat with at the office coffee pot on Monday morning.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ7Lc-TouLc64ohdKH1PrSPSw0qcd8-Qs8pi89n8-G_7FnvSvK5LqmfrGBWqbhJet4Yf0_9HIWi07Ml9FYexvg40kg6iccRxRVY8b9MzT4ZQVbKlEC6gZujFvQsOhFdEoO4y4YQq0O6I/s1600/DSC_4577.JPG"><br /></a><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ7Lc-TouLc64ohdKH1PrSPSw0qcd8-Qs8pi89n8-G_7FnvSvK5LqmfrGBWqbhJet4Yf0_9HIWi07Ml9FYexvg40kg6iccRxRVY8b9MzT4ZQVbKlEC6gZujFvQsOhFdEoO4y4YQq0O6I/s400/DSC_4577.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>All of them taken this day with a temporary delirium, a uniting madness and need to do something remarkable for a good cause. A need to take the plunge.<div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpLbUeuuT-AJnedW2mDkXVB8ZL8HXq-sYe8XXYgP4pdlgCmRH2wOIKU5OTM-B3ddyRGtxqiFGr8fyhDTCbVZs0PNKCJbKp2X2w4l0HkbPEAiNYqHryfhi1FMAitcklYZ1PoNLb03Xk2k/s400/DSC_4569.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This year's charity proceeds went to the <a href="http://www.ameliaparkmuseum.org/">Amelia Park Children's Museum</a>, as worthy a hypothermic risk as any, and netted some $10,000. That ain't peanuts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay8poOcQgnuz-MG6tJCCkZZJXeMYFqCSGuVwiiua8hBgXXcLyx5LVFOgOQGkmYR88LBmITLCdwQ-4eGUiPCz7rtZGFeeNGerYxGpuIpLk9PUPRY9J_BeZWB8-PR8WmOM1nNwlLdZc7XI/s400/DSC_4594.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>But noble as they may be, the stunned look on some participant's faces told a goose-pimply story of regret and a shock back to reality.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr8ZgmJ8SPbLW4bTb6N-YFK1Cac3h9AEz4GQ-bmeFGkuCTd6p5nESMY8PfR3ncAyM2jhxFJxawH0HWC_G28ikvLsdN_bK8zObMQtqKzuUn0G0Xue19He5OOIEd1jU0sdlMXGwlvJ9TjI/s400/DSC_4599.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfIvagGKwcMyOxGA7xo6_4X_-JfEm-avcb-MTe46a20BRSVHyprXefxeZhE9j0sfTBqOBzoiRX7ts6_2wcbk1e6ai5tN8Q0JwZ7j12TiuWlICAFgVRXGmfpkJfxDeG4heG2-LE2vwPSk/s1600/DSC_4620.JPG"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfIvagGKwcMyOxGA7xo6_4X_-JfEm-avcb-MTe46a20BRSVHyprXefxeZhE9j0sfTBqOBzoiRX7ts6_2wcbk1e6ai5tN8Q0JwZ7j12TiuWlICAFgVRXGmfpkJfxDeG4heG2-LE2vwPSk/s400/DSC_4620.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div>Yet oddly, others seemed to suffer no such compunctions.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHHa6troiNoXfZfD72VFM-qvS6tSnG5RvwGI95V3RwuU-H7OXFGTL7FTQDiu5y-UzAyg-jsLJcGmdcPZUNJl8n3_WYKIPrmobefo_sOWzTSMiZjwFMSMyO90O-y7hRhRkQwUGeTeJ-I0/s400/DSC_4611.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm61GuLEflPsj3bwef6abbjHWu-0gZl6VIOgqsrLrlWvs-T-3LzdIiVqxmlx2Z-_7aR41B0eT8IR6pRz5vefc6dawTxlgaafJCCPcZLUWfDttZHBgoTKiGrL9s9yc2nXZGjplnyQgPVeM/s400/CSC_4702.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxaCuXpeWkgQZ-veh-lwrLqy0hcfXvJbDMjVKRT5MJrvRnEQaXJni23ejYzYs3KZrMaEhsO1AOFalrH7-ykskgtxZ5ALYp0sXIxoGH-wLXhFESNoDkTTMAg58YwkHoCabo1iCLvj1WNE/s400/DSC_4681.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSuy_ov0jbD3QdAy-XEAJA4XkjFkHt4Nyl0roZY2slBNX9teyAhftjBUiIas0YdAB65vdB5mFArtUqRBztGHwJGl1zVHQCi2mWEZGFckTswqWyg-snPQDfYcBnj4QiuQr_WgT7cg2q-w/s400/DSC_4682.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some found bravery with mutual support, running in by group of friends, family or team.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSs-7OdE6GiOz_b5KFBv11_gPR9A5GQ56_vqx-o-YZjC65n6_e3OVbpaZgP5bUw3NJZTGncE08d-TB7xp3HUAtBio94FmAMHMTDYSaTAF3GueQOAYYUIpgSiMwxevXvrTqlZioyXFsTY/s400/DSC_4677.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4T3sMIPZjNdVMW_ExIIVYxo2DR_d7T-fGw7j8dMBelFw-lD-Y2JZvocmj0a6TIzYQQIaM2EGYpE18JR0qEOm3Yg1RE8yuXih-FREGNfrzZlpkUkRb9hQMX2u0RFLOSsy_7lM-7WrfWs/s400/DSC_4654.JPG" /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDXxT3ClejoTsgq4p0PIXNZwnJUZUGiGzFZ0DMarD5v7FgZIrZgp-H6Gjooi4YYTazWq2BOGg4tG14KtVxoyiOdHqAO3pEGGHIsch4z1Nhh0Yk1fpyCYlDvnZsAU-DlsNQrM7RHswx5w/s1600/DSC_4687.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDXxT3ClejoTsgq4p0PIXNZwnJUZUGiGzFZ0DMarD5v7FgZIrZgp-H6Gjooi4YYTazWq2BOGg4tG14KtVxoyiOdHqAO3pEGGHIsch4z1Nhh0Yk1fpyCYlDvnZsAU-DlsNQrM7RHswx5w/s400/DSC_4687.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDXxT3ClejoTsgq4p0PIXNZwnJUZUGiGzFZ0DMarD5v7FgZIrZgp-H6Gjooi4YYTazWq2BOGg4tG14KtVxoyiOdHqAO3pEGGHIsch4z1Nhh0Yk1fpyCYlDvnZsAU-DlsNQrM7RHswx5w/s1600/DSC_4687.JPG"></a><br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">One gave new meaning to the phrase "taking the plunge".</div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOFCIw6GO8g0K5lHsqvfbpYueLb1GtiPER_9VPpdceToM63Ni49oCJx3KGQXvxWQvACTtns8Mi8UUpR8UDyO0Nyv3mxR8krmQ2kDyiZcGtPQ0DqeKwWc30IrNIPINvVS2zqbN-cWM7kk/s1600/DSC_4696.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF_v6-z9-cAeOrALIf0fGYs_Vo0dKNDpSbAhgp616SwAu8XbAVuK1UTp6cAstK7g4vWljStO_LRD9lUTOOo5E3vxdWfauGprAsC3HpZNyBoSAbU-BR_6VeQHxgTOyX84MPM2cuuA8z3I/s1600/DSC_4698.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF_v6-z9-cAeOrALIf0fGYs_Vo0dKNDpSbAhgp616SwAu8XbAVuK1UTp6cAstK7g4vWljStO_LRD9lUTOOo5E3vxdWfauGprAsC3HpZNyBoSAbU-BR_6VeQHxgTOyX84MPM2cuuA8z3I/s400/DSC_4698.JPG" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Possibly the frigid world of politics are some preparation for this kind of action.</div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2cN8aT8t2LzSTqld2PIkvB0mivfCA3lX7Kd37KE26KiztT6zVdfTsduwf-SkwoZEmlvy-K0oD2hTnRv8jjnK31gEzUqGqiPhEAm6s28Ez63mWr7bBlZt4Xsjlt7DtypJ_sxHrFE6tN0/s400/DSC_4642.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>And in that regard Representative Humason showed his merit, as he does every year.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7F1nuDY1YEclbhANX7yoSiTCYJ8Y1X8q4SwLFkTU8CKsPBx6gjol05a7UiaATmRgECIubQ1GhPj85SY3YSboN44S6HZTqwM9JWk6ujEhuIbVv6CzCc6nl-RgBsEbXDjgdC33o49xlyU/s400/DSC_4652.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">It was another good time and winter spectacle. We recognized several faces from the last plunge we saw back in 09', revealing a determination to the cause that spans years of good charity...</div></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-i2WdsUmZonwgSYo0FPsBP_Ex0Ek2LWSqZYwDxYlMN63NF6qr5exOifLh2jDvtaKKhM5zIG_32D9j8hv-uo3wuOzPkamBWfT_N69NXqP8Fn-0jd81JwLhcJoZvAeriXOvrZfkjGqXzM/s400/DSC_4637.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSs-7OdE6GiOz_b5KFBv11_gPR9A5GQ56_vqx-o-YZjC65n6_e3OVbpaZgP5bUw3NJZTGncE08d-TB7xp3HUAtBio94FmAMHMTDYSaTAF3GueQOAYYUIpgSiMwxevXvrTqlZioyXFsTY/s1600/DSC_4677.JPG"></a>...and ice cold karma.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-58455678785492431352011-01-29T22:59:00.016-05:002011-04-02T01:54:34.453-04:00Around A Cold Quabbin<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gYd9FCQaotoQ3NlcJAGpemy4snkeZn4xyyeNJyEBo0BESFRPXs1FnfHZ0f5xOMgLgNEWxjBPgEZZ6JKbCmVqkBz6qS3Z8A90kRVPZ4_nLDQ5YVhoaXvC786tpNCun_PejlE2O7nXqGk/s1600/DSC_5712.JPG"></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgW_NNcYN9thNJyoR5rL6FQ9iPVt1PV7Xw1oDsx3aLnS3jFrh9mrlt_XQyUOAQw-5bKoLt2noQT3HtyQbT-fUjk7g62HLAJPQ-HytegopYW_EAAtFBD1R-0seurFbv1C9MFFl-pqU3nU/s400/DSC_4453.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDolOcemMRqaadgq4FstTdmT8tyMCbinZAmtLf5873-I4F79e_vcSewRNzuFY1Tbu56bllHKaUAm1W_IRd1TYei3glFZ-8B3W5krTLdYytXarldgS9oRv0XIgcFLV_Dlw2fxBYZrrr0KM/s1600/DSC_4439.JPG"></a><br /><img src="http://localhost:59855/859fdcb2d6184b7f03df99601c5d7350/image/95e21fa542528b75.jpg?size=400" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDolOcemMRqaadgq4FstTdmT8tyMCbinZAmtLf5873-I4F79e_vcSewRNzuFY1Tbu56bllHKaUAm1W_IRd1TYei3glFZ-8B3W5krTLdYytXarldgS9oRv0XIgcFLV_Dlw2fxBYZrrr0KM/s400/DSC_4439.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgW_NNcYN9thNJyoR5rL6FQ9iPVt1PV7Xw1oDsx3aLnS3jFrh9mrlt_XQyUOAQw-5bKoLt2noQT3HtyQbT-fUjk7g62HLAJPQ-HytegopYW_EAAtFBD1R-0seurFbv1C9MFFl-pqU3nU/s1600/DSC_4453.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhbwdeTQhamDv4xyQp9Uux7vA4hop6rIncFYiiSJT3FonEnO6oBmSL0qS2MT85ByHfAWPAGEqGqVFx1P7dyWxo8TnUyahexcjmJDQJU91Qa4wJkECnD54b-AGVcvk-cK140M_W18wBv0/s1600/DSC_4462.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhbwdeTQhamDv4xyQp9Uux7vA4hop6rIncFYiiSJT3FonEnO6oBmSL0qS2MT85ByHfAWPAGEqGqVFx1P7dyWxo8TnUyahexcjmJDQJU91Qa4wJkECnD54b-AGVcvk-cK140M_W18wBv0/s400/DSC_4462.JPG" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-22568650797763264402011-01-26T22:15:00.002-05:002011-01-27T00:01:03.293-05:00Magic On The Wing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezODOdmVHmTI6BghHVrbKHaFQr9EShp_lTO16ENrsAMDXFRUT2rpYcg8Tfmq_5kSSvPwSro1UEw_cQiwTj0IVDiBZYzRqSOctRfau2AaK1ATc3gGy4ZeS5Q2it_4glZ2kg-ShUwl3mk/s1600/DSC_4258.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezODOdmVHmTI6BghHVrbKHaFQr9EShp_lTO16ENrsAMDXFRUT2rpYcg8Tfmq_5kSSvPwSro1UEw_cQiwTj0IVDiBZYzRqSOctRfau2AaK1ATc3gGy4ZeS5Q2it_4glZ2kg-ShUwl3mk/s400/DSC_4258.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezODOdmVHmTI6BghHVrbKHaFQr9EShp_lTO16ENrsAMDXFRUT2rpYcg8Tfmq_5kSSvPwSro1UEw_cQiwTj0IVDiBZYzRqSOctRfau2AaK1ATc3gGy4ZeS5Q2it_4glZ2kg-ShUwl3mk/s1600/DSC_4258.JPG"></a>Last Saturday we traded the sub zeros of a frustratingly snow-heaped winter wonderland for another visit to the encapsulated jungle-like environment of <a href="http://www.magicwings.com/">Magic Wings</a> butterfly conservatory, in Deerfield. </div><div><br /></div><div>We checked our burly coats in the coat room... stepped through a pressurized hot air isolation room... now just a few minutes for the cold camera to de-fog...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezODOdmVHmTI6BghHVrbKHaFQr9EShp_lTO16ENrsAMDXFRUT2rpYcg8Tfmq_5kSSvPwSro1UEw_cQiwTj0IVDiBZYzRqSOctRfau2AaK1ATc3gGy4ZeS5Q2it_4glZ2kg-ShUwl3mk/s1600/DSC_4258.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jre0yN_JFn0_wM4derbLdvvZ_3BFYle4nWHChrbcqflXAg4MOlibIJuw1OvDQk-EjjMxF11yz39Bl7WmP30vT1-Zl7n9rE9H4aYP-x5bCEcclY6medj_hyphenhyphenheFUTjsuMYkPiZXiBocao/s1600/DSC_4261.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jre0yN_JFn0_wM4derbLdvvZ_3BFYle4nWHChrbcqflXAg4MOlibIJuw1OvDQk-EjjMxF11yz39Bl7WmP30vT1-Zl7n9rE9H4aYP-x5bCEcclY6medj_hyphenhyphenheFUTjsuMYkPiZXiBocao/s400/DSC_4261.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jre0yN_JFn0_wM4derbLdvvZ_3BFYle4nWHChrbcqflXAg4MOlibIJuw1OvDQk-EjjMxF11yz39Bl7WmP30vT1-Zl7n9rE9H4aYP-x5bCEcclY6medj_hyphenhyphenheFUTjsuMYkPiZXiBocao/s1600/DSC_4261.JPG"></a>...and voila'. We realized we were in our tee-shirts and sweltering in the tropics. Arriving faster than any jet could take us.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jre0yN_JFn0_wM4derbLdvvZ_3BFYle4nWHChrbcqflXAg4MOlibIJuw1OvDQk-EjjMxF11yz39Bl7WmP30vT1-Zl7n9rE9H4aYP-x5bCEcclY6medj_hyphenhyphenheFUTjsuMYkPiZXiBocao/s1600/DSC_4261.JPG"></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpz8-XHUtSvbHbVI0JXoRw5Sp7tzgLVl3UnWgJEloi4FfbXUex8_sPSOrLYs-VREZBDoQ6_sF8pqSJBiU8_h1NQyew3kb9sHcCaUq30pFXWif35s0Zv8xbK59zyFlnPruJ99RwVIeTFg/s400/DSC_4395.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX1scBK5SVmF3_nNVs-La1JGEEtEPOJNrVXABqpaiV8RwTBFfdNdpwWt5KDHDhirGBhFJCoi-aPDWUifVe66HWF9NA076Yx2DLYtEaEs8nCvtEGlhfCfPKZCv29q45Ww2SPLWMEQUcys/s1600/DSC_4279.JPG"><br /></a><br />It's been almost two years to the day since we <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2009/01/get-your-wings.html">last visited this place</a>. And under similarly brutal New England conditions, if memory serves. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcx7jQqOefWJkHFFarFI5gr6rJCRwe9pVXE34wiIoUZgTU6kNNxzlE7vSRKYDoUDI-PPilxrwMrwL4maA2UCkivIzq-hwRQau9LF5lRPJcTkLv4G4NiSo_gsn2QYNr_vndFFvm39ODj0/s1600/DSC_4297.JPG"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX1scBK5SVmF3_nNVs-La1JGEEtEPOJNrVXABqpaiV8RwTBFfdNdpwWt5KDHDhirGBhFJCoi-aPDWUifVe66HWF9NA076Yx2DLYtEaEs8nCvtEGlhfCfPKZCv29q45Ww2SPLWMEQUcys/s400/DSC_4279.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>But in this glass enclosed world the marches of time distance and weather seem to hold still... </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mryxAFqX4GSGGA1H3zbshy14z0wcIL7o7K-qC3NZf-UVrd8_S_AIwNzNHbaRyWb_iwFa6inVLof60LSyU_9crn52WY4LiesDFbfSiYRmiByNs97vFJTf1q_0aMZJ7KT-aH5PExBz4fA/s400/DSC_4281.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">...even as it's residents race about like it's just another balmy mid-summer morning.</div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7DB0Td2HfaEciYKjUvN-32_TWfyySQaTomSZkchufUGGGl1XgejnRy9yuwp1pTqeRVQ2NqHakG6_pJy1-59EbTvmbMnhB6-byeMw8yRPq4Mv5757kIGjA-46LiEPf21U1LD9waI-mU4/s1600/DSC_4318.JPG"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcx7jQqOefWJkHFFarFI5gr6rJCRwe9pVXE34wiIoUZgTU6kNNxzlE7vSRKYDoUDI-PPilxrwMrwL4maA2UCkivIzq-hwRQau9LF5lRPJcTkLv4G4NiSo_gsn2QYNr_vndFFvm39ODj0/s400/DSC_4297.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The shock of a winter-acclimated body to soaking, extravagant levels of thick humid air is trounced by heaping eyefuls of color and design, courtesy of a nature at full swell.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinROIkyYiCvQ3ailJ4jqgRVfKA4ovIo4MTTiN_3Mccbo7-qMIf8QiRl-boUNdYma8uu7GzbxAURG1PRYwpJTfX0zXmhR7wsOq7PXd_TvSx4T0VU214U50niNuSJwrI5vG2w1RrGfBSGBY/s400/CSC_4325.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1eR1YApcc2KO2CArhE5ZjMg475ToNRN4w-2hvVd6zHVuQNcyWMvYLsxCIacNAEU6pfdE-gIm5YGG8roNQY7mbCv54WIMCIHZfbBIxCW8RqWTyYj07sVXGTO1ERorvcQpwapjCeU9ax4/s1600/DSC_4329.JPG"></a></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1eR1YApcc2KO2CArhE5ZjMg475ToNRN4w-2hvVd6zHVuQNcyWMvYLsxCIacNAEU6pfdE-gIm5YGG8roNQY7mbCv54WIMCIHZfbBIxCW8RqWTyYj07sVXGTO1ERorvcQpwapjCeU9ax4/s400/DSC_4329.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPrFm3gWlnesm1GPEH52wdNPdF8oVDddH3xPcobS8ZGOLomd6uGqqhTiZKeUGh2yy1Ne9PhdSWQjZ9oDNXTCTXmD7MbLzxRiRUWpF18_ZMN-vVXxgvEEljgCZaKuGKZk2nxByjN8FDs4/s400/DSC_4346.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; "><br /></span></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">It's a place to bring your camera and cheat winter. To look ahead to the summer.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbejBaq4Vll4sM3DoL5SvYqjvz2YEN3SPA5V-FdYdE7QYb2kwRwXTI9RZYMxKlHh0Z7Jh8LqG1y9IDTDPTodsV939ru9YWQYUiJnPsrfYzYGOauNRYW5nXqA9oN6TcxlF9H4sUvEG6dY/s1600/DSC_4367.JPG"></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguuw1tgH7K_RdpNFg53iSgG14gUBZbA9q-YA-yDU-SA-FhIJXm1pzKUDudlTXTub-jDiuom391eayoxRkjTvB5Nw7LWVguOrAzOwSvZPQFYW9yNt_dj9i24LSBz0EXM48i98t-7d61eg/s400/DSC_4352.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Even while it looks back at you.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccdk5Nrmq852-Psxd3w5QgMAz0Orbc2uqOg7-dBSIiR33Dt8SvT3cMhVBk7BBWL2z1PMX4-AWDMpFw7rZPHHpVb47u9s3bI0v-aKouCrQUBpnviVHNMRkIW1tgFL1f1fV5IkiQKJC05A/s400/DSC_4355.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's always a long slog getting through this darker half of the year, and the fight can at times seem bitter and unending.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLynqmDgyewGSRuWClLmUuZikPtKgKgJyOoSsLQIXid7gNgXsE1oxVZBYOpc1ZjO8DnvQkFxS8SAtS8Mpks54MFkaC4ncrC9gGA_zeRh37ToOn9jn8RHccqAYHVk_Yeg-O01mq658rWw/s400/DSC_4374.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>A break from the battle can be healthy to body and mind. And especially during this particularly 'challenging' January...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpz8-XHUtSvbHbVI0JXoRw5Sp7tzgLVl3UnWgJEloi4FfbXUex8_sPSOrLYs-VREZBDoQ6_sF8pqSJBiU8_h1NQyew3kb9sHcCaUq30pFXWif35s0Zv8xbK59zyFlnPruJ99RwVIeTFg/s1600/DSC_4395.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBHCT6qjr5Mrb9ynhZGdqpKH_r7yflBGZMxy2ca82mCbfcE22IUp7QfmCCOr2tSwxpD6-JqIlnzJF9Hq1izfcMNSR2hyJqzSULabzxUJdoRB34yuW0HMWl459r-NX6aCQlaFYkuKokB0/s1600/DSC_4414.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBHCT6qjr5Mrb9ynhZGdqpKH_r7yflBGZMxy2ca82mCbfcE22IUp7QfmCCOr2tSwxpD6-JqIlnzJF9Hq1izfcMNSR2hyJqzSULabzxUJdoRB34yuW0HMWl459r-NX6aCQlaFYkuKokB0/s400/DSC_4414.JPG" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>...butterflies are a bit of a treat.</div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-61923079093429446482010-12-05T20:53:00.004-05:002010-12-05T21:48:52.873-05:00Run For ItSunday we were en route to Belchertown on some ongoing 'business' that's been taking up a lot of our attention lately (details on that hopefully to come...) But we had some extra time so we routed ourselves via Northampton, to get another look at their <a href="http://safepass.org/HCR/">Hot Chocolate Run</a> for <a href="http://www.safepass.org/index.html">Safe Passage</a> going on that morning.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTaLMnsRed9efR2F4unwHE_GUimFx1ixQBywJN93RctwvyejIdaqKs-5AFY3RzF4c6zTRtA1mmg3IQxPcKzs_tWijRTit-ZBPWZdjcAoBNawRbJI1giK0qWZ3CbVQY25X4h197ZTPA54/s1600/DSC_3033.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTaLMnsRed9efR2F4unwHE_GUimFx1ixQBywJN93RctwvyejIdaqKs-5AFY3RzF4c6zTRtA1mmg3IQxPcKzs_tWijRTit-ZBPWZdjcAoBNawRbJI1giK0qWZ3CbVQY25X4h197ZTPA54/s400/DSC_3033.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTaLMnsRed9efR2F4unwHE_GUimFx1ixQBywJN93RctwvyejIdaqKs-5AFY3RzF4c6zTRtA1mmg3IQxPcKzs_tWijRTit-ZBPWZdjcAoBNawRbJI1giK0qWZ3CbVQY25X4h197ZTPA54/s1600/DSC_3033.JPG"></a>It's an annual 5k run/walk for charity, with proceeds going towards helping victims of domestic violence escape their predicaments. Our own first look at the event was back in 2008, with record numbers of participants that year. And this year...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTaLMnsRed9efR2F4unwHE_GUimFx1ixQBywJN93RctwvyejIdaqKs-5AFY3RzF4c6zTRtA1mmg3IQxPcKzs_tWijRTit-ZBPWZdjcAoBNawRbJI1giK0qWZ3CbVQY25X4h197ZTPA54/s1600/DSC_3033.JPG"></a><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTaLMnsRed9efR2F4unwHE_GUimFx1ixQBywJN93RctwvyejIdaqKs-5AFY3RzF4c6zTRtA1mmg3IQxPcKzs_tWijRTit-ZBPWZdjcAoBNawRbJI1giK0qWZ3CbVQY25X4h197ZTPA54/s1600/DSC_3033.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur2piY31S4TGZNb3w7cfwnRJ-_Dey8-5eSw8dcK9DOXpEkcg8Bx5aAyi5j_-KnszA_b47iIYueieyPI9V_mvfBVtNNMaSVRJpV9xKU2JrVxA6PIK6GW5SeyRgUMa8-smb4YmdyVr01BM/s1600/DSC_3035.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur2piY31S4TGZNb3w7cfwnRJ-_Dey8-5eSw8dcK9DOXpEkcg8Bx5aAyi5j_-KnszA_b47iIYueieyPI9V_mvfBVtNNMaSVRJpV9xKU2JrVxA6PIK6GW5SeyRgUMa8-smb4YmdyVr01BM/s400/DSC_3035.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur2piY31S4TGZNb3w7cfwnRJ-_Dey8-5eSw8dcK9DOXpEkcg8Bx5aAyi5j_-KnszA_b47iIYueieyPI9V_mvfBVtNNMaSVRJpV9xKU2JrVxA6PIK6GW5SeyRgUMa8-smb4YmdyVr01BM/s1600/DSC_3035.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">...it looked to be as big if not bigger.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur2piY31S4TGZNb3w7cfwnRJ-_Dey8-5eSw8dcK9DOXpEkcg8Bx5aAyi5j_-KnszA_b47iIYueieyPI9V_mvfBVtNNMaSVRJpV9xKU2JrVxA6PIK6GW5SeyRgUMa8-smb4YmdyVr01BM/s1600/DSC_3035.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsP3xp_uSlQ0ZpSzijEyOWAlZ-6vVVk8w2CXcnEAQpTjic7nDyWmtQ6ayAXGgGu4aqrZ04neOagdx3eNKfu0A4chYUtvJYcoHQfW88cu6VGKJHCZC253qFecv1SLCvOoyGfgy00Tqgw/s1600/DSC_3037.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsP3xp_uSlQ0ZpSzijEyOWAlZ-6vVVk8w2CXcnEAQpTjic7nDyWmtQ6ayAXGgGu4aqrZ04neOagdx3eNKfu0A4chYUtvJYcoHQfW88cu6VGKJHCZC253qFecv1SLCvOoyGfgy00Tqgw/s400/DSC_3037.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsP3xp_uSlQ0ZpSzijEyOWAlZ-6vVVk8w2CXcnEAQpTjic7nDyWmtQ6ayAXGgGu4aqrZ04neOagdx3eNKfu0A4chYUtvJYcoHQfW88cu6VGKJHCZC253qFecv1SLCvOoyGfgy00Tqgw/s1600/DSC_3037.JPG"></a>Like a good parade, these runs are always fun to watch and/or photograph. As much for the spectacle of so many as the spectacle of a few.<br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVtXO6rjwl1q3GveBsXJb4h73bYN1Wx1YNe6WMxiNXVo6iV0fB2__Du1Lr5rLu8_jLcXaftCgd5S7GeihOgTooFj2k0eluGSwXR-K4jvnirsso1JxzD2wMHqlEfSq_7b6kFTvKhI9qCA/s1600/DSC_3070.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVtXO6rjwl1q3GveBsXJb4h73bYN1Wx1YNe6WMxiNXVo6iV0fB2__Du1Lr5rLu8_jLcXaftCgd5S7GeihOgTooFj2k0eluGSwXR-K4jvnirsso1JxzD2wMHqlEfSq_7b6kFTvKhI9qCA/s400/DSC_3070.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVtXO6rjwl1q3GveBsXJb4h73bYN1Wx1YNe6WMxiNXVo6iV0fB2__Du1Lr5rLu8_jLcXaftCgd5S7GeihOgTooFj2k0eluGSwXR-K4jvnirsso1JxzD2wMHqlEfSq_7b6kFTvKhI9qCA/s1600/DSC_3070.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVZQi-oyv8SN0U6M0jDorofR2cpaBms7M4Aj_g-krLp60wy_ywqMf6SarB4JBSCMRJxRNjMzgEbxKCboRNsE0l0TxKRYZAW_RytBrZhyphenhyphenPQAAmJZMLHNpxQXRTNK4nvAKL3vfE9chp978/s1600/DSC_3072.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVZQi-oyv8SN0U6M0jDorofR2cpaBms7M4Aj_g-krLp60wy_ywqMf6SarB4JBSCMRJxRNjMzgEbxKCboRNsE0l0TxKRYZAW_RytBrZhyphenhyphenPQAAmJZMLHNpxQXRTNK4nvAKL3vfE9chp978/s400/DSC_3072.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some colorful standouts are always sprinkled in with the masses of charity-driven participants. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVZQi-oyv8SN0U6M0jDorofR2cpaBms7M4Aj_g-krLp60wy_ywqMf6SarB4JBSCMRJxRNjMzgEbxKCboRNsE0l0TxKRYZAW_RytBrZhyphenhyphenPQAAmJZMLHNpxQXRTNK4nvAKL3vfE9chp978/s1600/DSC_3072.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwXl5sJXLrz-V0_TfmocFKZjJ2MfSX-xQhfhKEjiRHicmxxetxmDTuNsHtIYXrm9cHImVe0qQbTq4UhgT2IvEMjSMZ8xIy1DyV88uCqt4aZPT9QCdFeZZASktYErOghd441wkUgFapkI/s1600/DSC_3077.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwXl5sJXLrz-V0_TfmocFKZjJ2MfSX-xQhfhKEjiRHicmxxetxmDTuNsHtIYXrm9cHImVe0qQbTq4UhgT2IvEMjSMZ8xIy1DyV88uCqt4aZPT9QCdFeZZASktYErOghd441wkUgFapkI/s400/DSC_3077.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For the spectator, it's a good reason to get out on a cold, crisp December morning. Maybe listen to some drums.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EuhIcG6PIwU?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div>For the participant, it's one of the healthier means of just getting out there and doing a good thing. Something satisfying for the heart and mind; <i>especially</i> on such a crisp December morning.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwXl5sJXLrz-V0_TfmocFKZjJ2MfSX-xQhfhKEjiRHicmxxetxmDTuNsHtIYXrm9cHImVe0qQbTq4UhgT2IvEMjSMZ8xIy1DyV88uCqt4aZPT9QCdFeZZASktYErOghd441wkUgFapkI/s1600/DSC_3077.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2esGdPOuH8rVRVcXzZUMpTHYVe7wpXBq-RrPvItVJkn5SASTXcUiy-H6JTkChhWKCicuA8D-8W8vC9pZGdR97bAWICq0V6pfubU545ef-dUBIdGh2IRue4NaEvXUFTNM9OZ2ruyXWqE/s1600/DSC_3079.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2esGdPOuH8rVRVcXzZUMpTHYVe7wpXBq-RrPvItVJkn5SASTXcUiy-H6JTkChhWKCicuA8D-8W8vC9pZGdR97bAWICq0V6pfubU545ef-dUBIdGh2IRue4NaEvXUFTNM9OZ2ruyXWqE/s400/DSC_3079.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2esGdPOuH8rVRVcXzZUMpTHYVe7wpXBq-RrPvItVJkn5SASTXcUiy-H6JTkChhWKCicuA8D-8W8vC9pZGdR97bAWICq0V6pfubU545ef-dUBIdGh2IRue4NaEvXUFTNM9OZ2ruyXWqE/s1600/DSC_3079.JPG"></a>...a satisfaction by the way, not reserved for humans.<br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xOt33Jd8Fz_iyAeGx0DNoDE2mviU6qA3LJO3USeq5oqiLuSiOSj0or7yz5Nr-RG3thM74LOILqmXchM3p4EWdxERkluxUTtDT4WAYVPl8oM5sU81D3wX2Hmyd3unqnnHCg-f2lFB-xw/s1600/DSC_3088.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xOt33Jd8Fz_iyAeGx0DNoDE2mviU6qA3LJO3USeq5oqiLuSiOSj0or7yz5Nr-RG3thM74LOILqmXchM3p4EWdxERkluxUTtDT4WAYVPl8oM5sU81D3wX2Hmyd3unqnnHCg-f2lFB-xw/s400/DSC_3088.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The run is as popular as ever and as I'm writing this, a tweet just came in over the wire: this year's event netted some $135,000 for Safe Passage.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf4O7NcAnw36qSlLfkgNa00IataDI8B5YvFIMJWXyLGUZ5k05_Db5Bvz16U6j5gzkaY20yRNSyLGZTLxMap0fKYBrGvNMBCCS6a4plnEaiw4QhnxQEKnjU40jKCJo8RuDfaQYLqBXYkM/s400/DSC_3115.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's a lot of folks helping a lot of folks, while helping themselves.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhaMXDHMwvBphJKymbSgpg4nOgbYGw_z9AuG5RC0cTMjC9oK3nEBTX5Xjcm3n3ut4R6LJX7Ao3Az7i2pKwLM35Gis4gBvX6x5txiRrcWbQGV-9esLPh_M-KtJQzP_nGItUeKXFWLK81s/s1600/DSC_3108.JPG"></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhaMXDHMwvBphJKymbSgpg4nOgbYGw_z9AuG5RC0cTMjC9oK3nEBTX5Xjcm3n3ut4R6LJX7Ao3Az7i2pKwLM35Gis4gBvX6x5txiRrcWbQGV-9esLPh_M-KtJQzP_nGItUeKXFWLK81s/s400/DSC_3108.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...pretty sure that's what they call a 'Win-Win'.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10.9953px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10.9953px; ">'.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10.9953px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU6fOd-7relNEupWPyZga0b4UTGdxPeXtUhrzwnp2YFzNdfWDyznvBxpVGkMKJjF0swxnQyrnn29rneR4nPw6uqe2ijR0Rhs9ZwkGZMSeUhtHSzObccvjeDtHdS4fI1e2Va3PxxR51dI/s400/DSC_3124.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></span></div></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-15701391305434553162010-11-26T23:50:00.003-05:002010-11-27T11:26:48.554-05:00Puppets And Giants<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqeZjjY0AvO_8QUTSxEtqYZWtqaOR2QtAbzyTTfAWqSfz_uuzDB37i4bGwPHC3XAtSSk8-i-DO8mtHa4Gsj1yDrGFgA5bHRjxhYX1ALH3jNO32PNjjtd6YUw4Q1B_5eEGoJy-KPQV10o/s1600/CSC_2675.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqeZjjY0AvO_8QUTSxEtqYZWtqaOR2QtAbzyTTfAWqSfz_uuzDB37i4bGwPHC3XAtSSk8-i-DO8mtHa4Gsj1yDrGFgA5bHRjxhYX1ALH3jNO32PNjjtd6YUw4Q1B_5eEGoJy-KPQV10o/s400/CSC_2675.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqeZjjY0AvO_8QUTSxEtqYZWtqaOR2QtAbzyTTfAWqSfz_uuzDB37i4bGwPHC3XAtSSk8-i-DO8mtHa4Gsj1yDrGFgA5bHRjxhYX1ALH3jNO32PNjjtd6YUw4Q1B_5eEGoJy-KPQV10o/s1600/CSC_2675.JPG"></a>We went down to see Springfield's annual post-Thanksgiving <a href="http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2010/11/tower_square_parade_of_the_big.html">Big Balloon Parade</a>. And in typical fashion we made it there a half hour late. We had missed the Cat In The Hat; but caught the Big Wreathe.<br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjrJ-oaoMWMU9OrRGLfRGtV9JUnV9we4YVX7ZVBfVxeTjM11kJz2CgRb6pZ1cXO-oxyv7aQ_syTycFUI8xkiIPU_SvjSqgV1pJdEFI8tvnu7s1zo2CjLebVnzZvVWAuSNaX_VAJQMbww/s400/DSC_2573.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't see the giant Toy Soldier, but did witness Nicholas the Penguin.<br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc-vzl42u0YHmrgI56bPnJH8xgebjpGQ2x5L3zx1vQtSU9somRAlG4pdTTGnidGGNxuh68LMTS3_egDaM7do51u8xiXGJr4UmDPP1bAvY55sGxaLSdJviBrNQ1xD2EBE-vQ4CSrVmJtA/s400/DSC_2579.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br /></div><div>Went without the famous <a href="http://onlyintherepublicofamherst.blogspot.com/2010/11/floating-over-springfield.html">Garfield the Cat</a>. But instead got Raggedy Ann.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7X1mketUbq9HeJGG3XdDKHeWV2ji_qm1nAcSThZKUwQTPU_aKTynPztp8f3bF13E2aqG3maNTq-WMlDei_QQPMx1YCo7N4EitazunsBU-ziO4wXcrBKsOoCOUPPud_tCz1Me1p7tlu4/s400/DSC_2598.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">Good enough.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxks78JyOQDHJ-f9LCDHxkvJG2-7UYJ1cmvyBuojcziBCSREzgPkGgYaktOdoote1HVwsMVjkfFdeVOqu9he-BwWx6p1iErgnBh_4CO4jLQte_Z8_Rq08YGM-vghQEKnQZMwbxIVrCns/s400/DSC_2600.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dwarfed under the floating giants and barely acknowledged by the spectator, were humans scurrying about, tugging at ropes and strings, guiding and animating the otherwise inanimate. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZNy1Nx52_b-JPIqhx9EaKMJrHWl7YsGss5o4LD-YH6yVnUhm9N6scHw5qiPDDFqzM7AHEt1DPq89Sw9z-CcKvWiezI1NQjS_XsAOZuLDljwux1nZ5EdIWHyz-aAXxo6MjZ4WwAv_PsM/s400/DSC_2613.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">Or alternately filling the spaces between, with marching and dance.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrftsCl8qncDqrLbe-yhMkm5IAJFwudB407Nf6O5pXFefi3LciEhPP3qoA6I9pezuec1wnKLeXVtjA0KiDCYHd_-V2wN1cv08uuiNxd3O8iuUKT5Sy1pU_QvuuU8LxblGno4rv3gvUpM/s400/DSC_2605.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjk1ckE676pdFuCdo7Ddbp3nt-S6jbUhMEuEJkT1wvdlG3ZfY_mO_hFxbdbZG0TLYeH45rYJhI1GVdy_s5gtVIlXfR2HH2eAQBW7vzed41OEsFfc4daGwe0PrnIWlIr2-n7unJrZK-Rs/s400/CSC_2669.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Despite the soggy weather it was festive and fun, a great event for the holiday weekend. Just over too soon, but that was our bad. After a waving Santa led the last of the paraders around the far corner, <span class="Apple-style-span">the crowds broke up and everyone went back to their holiday business.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">We headed back to the car and steeled our nerves for some Black Friday traffic and shopping, when the bloggerette suddenly decided she hadn't had enough of the big city and made an issue of it to that affect. So we decided to extend our downtown visit a little and turned around to rejoin the other visitors, a good chunk of which had disappeared into nearby Tower Square...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC8T0G5cGQYhjjiJuwdGv-H8Drg2QIm4bV8X_-4aTU82sUAMpwQtHhPSXxpvEu_NL7RgRkJJ5cgOhW3T8bLvi86gLCRy4z0tGpdv1LDAZm-_k0On5ANhkJZFHoYa8dgom1D7sBmKdrHQ/s400/DSC_2625.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">...where the festivities continued. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nR51dIP7ovHyBjtRKo7Rtk3Z_aBou2VXGM9dhDn7OhxUzJUnDzIofMj5fvZ7Zl9wMRJM-Ecxdpvo-Gxmf3BePFCJwVJsVW_-lIGWne7grbPDxxmDfHkng787pQ1vTE20NMZNtRunMNM/s400/DSC_2645.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">There was a long line to get into the annual <a href="http://thepioneervalley.blogspot.com/2007/12/feelin-lucky.html">Festival of Trees</a> raffle, so we opted instead for a good old fashioned -<i>very</i> old fashioned- marionette show going on nearby. Kelly and the baby found a place to set in the crowd and watch the age old tale of Cinderella, which was already mid-show.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22MqOe7HBOnK9mQbD1apHA1wksLK61xSl3BLLLL1v-arVmqVVf5BtChnhu_opx1ERowuFW055jBJFdHuoHZrN3dr6RTyTStZasUJA-b9_ZPje9lOjQMniGDGGVsNTCYH-c2I-XE9mkew/s400/DSC_2643.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">Hmm. What form of entertainment was this?? No electricity. No lights or special effects. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">No high score, no explosions, no guns., no calvary. Yet all the kids were rapt with attention.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSWp_NVbbJUr4btGrBVQvu70y8_5m7xpm19CpEl0xQfIDN-ysqSwx0PYVn3S4uporNmxJp2WuFauFmPJeBPr9SQNoYkrJRj2FX2e7GuL0CGTEsWVjNHl3c2SD-yRCubGEM9tFqc31IMw/s400/DSC_2652.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">There was no intertubes, no streaming gigabits, no lasers, no choreography. Just a couple folks tugging at strings behind the scenes. Animating the inanimate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-size: 10.9953px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9.16275px; "><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSWp_NVbbJUr4btGrBVQvu70y8_5m7xpm19CpEl0xQfIDN-ysqSwx0PYVn3S4uporNmxJp2WuFauFmPJeBPr9SQNoYkrJRj2FX2e7GuL0CGTEsWVjNHl3c2SD-yRCubGEM9tFqc31IMw/s1600/DSC_2652.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; "><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaG_7qwK3-uzo3u2GbU7GvF7scA96DQ4F021iGdNenx1BnTW-VYix1mroV7iKg0kefDuNLD6C7SfAj4eE68VmNgLJuerhc0aai0na19iKhGR6AYoJnxh49Ng_szUBX9FK6q1Xpc3GH-w/s400/DSC_2641.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">With all the audio-visual-instant-gratification now flashing daily before our eyes, how can some bouncing puppets on strings still be entertaining? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i1tCWQtdIlXfZOiomojkOZKp3oEYt4vLLW5pa1IeDd3p4jRRfCvW6zLuf65AsxORh9s2NE2shyphenhyphennae5BdCb_t3KPrWkySmLLwdo1FzaGIeZIGZ6-vbYLlQnyJB9J5e4bzFe-uPk1v6nk/s400/DSC_2637.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">Where's the fun? where's the challenge?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03U6fmSXItf_aG_ICcqeoX47XxPDh7G3UDCrtDwSlkyot8neU929Ensal9kXZuDRJ07FlSrOkU4Sm7dKUjgwA5irK9btk47P_OByaycK_4qZa1I3Kop-HUkWlKKrxPloyQdPd_nsoXLI/s400/CSC_2670.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">...it must be in the imagining.</span></div></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1092064722783879490.post-66751067198145845392010-11-20T06:54:00.000-05:002010-11-20T06:55:18.001-05:00November 20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCjUFMDFgbtS-Go74dDcnJ1hnH31aPcAsuFJzF3_eZ3Y9vsIgsMLiLau_nc5WDffZWyMQ1Nt9etLPEprY1lu50DvWz0oz0PCpwXoe_pvJtfknGkXQ2lciZl_BIGkLixdrf9q9tDTUi2I/s1600/DSC_2405.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCjUFMDFgbtS-Go74dDcnJ1hnH31aPcAsuFJzF3_eZ3Y9vsIgsMLiLau_nc5WDffZWyMQ1Nt9etLPEprY1lu50DvWz0oz0PCpwXoe_pvJtfknGkXQ2lciZl_BIGkLixdrf9q9tDTUi2I/s400/DSC_2405.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />We miss you and Love you, Mae.<div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16265475275476389339noreply@blogger.com1