CAULIFLOWER MUSHROOM?

 
Bloomfield, CT - This mushroom has been growing in back of our office for the last week or so. It is quite a distance from the building so we were not quite sure what it was, originally we thought it was a McDonalds bag because it is quite large about a foot across. So yesterday we went out to investigate and this is what we saw. It looks like Coral to me but when I looked it up it resembles a Cauliflower Mushroom more. If there are any people in the know, let me know what it is. 

 
On the way back to the office we saw these mushrooms. 

 
And these mushrooms. 

SECOND PLACE - ALASKA STATE FAIR

 
This painting was done by my friends daughter Holly from one of my photographs. She won second place at the Alaska State Fair.

Congratulations Holly! 

 
This is the photo from which she was working from for comparison. 

HOPKINTON MA PUBLIC LIBRARY

 
Hopkinton, MA – This is the Hopkinton Public Library, it appears that somewhere along the line the library and a church were merged together to form a larger library. 

 
Hopkinton, MA – Public Library - This is inside the church portion of the library. 

 
Hopkinton, MA – Public Library - This collection of Civil War photos I assume are residents of Hopkinton that served in the war. Some of these guys look pretty old to be fighting in a war. 

 
Hopkinton, MA – Public Library - This plaque is in the entrance of the library is in remembrance of those residents who served in the Civil War; maybe quite a few from the previous photo. 

STARR STREET - NEW LONDON, CT

 
New London, CT - This street was named for an old prominent family. 

STARR STREET - NEW LONDON, CT

 
New London, CT - This street is lined with Greek Revival and Italianate row houses dating from 1835. The block was restored in 1976.

Info: Exploring New London Brochure. 

 
New London, CT - Starr Street - Here are a few of the houses. 

 
New London, CT - Starr Street - I thought this house was quite interesting with the fancy painting and the colored panels in the window upstairs. 

KOREAN-AMERICAN CENTENNIAL – BOSTON MARATHON

 
Hopkinton, MA – This monument is in front of the Korean-American Presbyterian Church in Hopkinton, MA, just in front of the where the start of the Boston Marathon is. I tried doing some research but I came up short. As far as I can figure, these are Korean’s that have placed very well in the marathon, three first places, a second, and a third. The Boston Marathon was first run in 1897, so I am not sure of the Centennial significance except maybe that was the first year a Korean ran. If anyone knows the whole story, let me know. 

TANGLEWOOD - KOUSSEVITZKY MUSIC SHED

 
Lenox, MA – This is the Koussevitzky Music Shed which is the main venue at Tanglewood. Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. As you can see they have quite the lawn that you can listen to music while sitting on your lawn chair or blanket. Many picnic while listening to the music, some people go all out and put up tables complete with gourmet food, wine, flowers, and even candelabras. 

 
Inside the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood – Lenox , MA

The music shed has quite a few seats which are under cover, good on rainy days, and you can see the musicians. 

 
Inside the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood – Lenox , MA

The view from the other side of the shed. 

WHERE THE BOSTON MARATHON STARTS

 
Hopkinton, MA - In front of that gazebo is where the Boston Marathon starts. This is the Hopkinton Massachusetts Green. 

 
Hopkinton, MA - This is a sign that is right beside the gazebo, I could not find the story behind the sign, I is a cool sign though. If anyone knows, let me know. 

CALM RIVER

 
Around Hopkinton, MA - I was driving around the Hopkinton so I am not sure exactly what town this is, I guess it doesn't really matter. I though this made a nice photo. But I had to take my life in my own hands because this was on a very bad corner and I almost got creamed by fast moving cars.

Note: I broke one of my cardinal rules. NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT MY CAMERA. On the way up to move the last of our stuff from one house to the other I spotted a moose. In this part of the state we have moose but they are few and far between. So, no moose photos, maybe some other time. 

MAIN STREET SPECIALTIES - REVIEW

 
Hopkinton, MA - I was up in Hopkinton, Ma for work last week and drove into Hopkinton looking for some place to eat. I wandered into this restaurant and was pleasently surprised. 

 
Main Street Specialties - Hopkinton, MA - I went up the to counter to order and was greeted by this fine young gentleman, sans broom, and I asked the loaded question, "What's Good"?. He said, "What are you in the mood for, a salad"? I said sure, "What's a good one?" He suggested Grilled Calamari over Arugula with a Tomato Caper Vinaigrette dressing. "Sounds Good", I said. I sat down at my table with a nice can of Diet Coke, July vintage. The chef went to the back to grill my Calamari and prepare my salad. 

Grilled Calamari, Arugula & Tomato Caper Vinaigrette

 
Main Street Specialties - Hopkinton, MA - This is what I served, a generous portion of the most tender Calamari over a pile of Arugula with a very tangy, tasty, Tomato Caper Vinaigrette; I was not disappointed. 

 
Main Street Specialties - Hopkinton, MA - This is the inside of the restaurant, it was very comfortable. It would be a great place to sit and sip coffee with your friends. You can eat inside or out. Hours are Mon - Sat. 7am - 7pm.

I give it three forks out of four. 

TOBACCO FIELD

 
Southwick, MA -This is kind of an oddity in this area where most of the tobacco is shade grown. It is very rare to see a tobacco field with out the cheese cloth type covering over it. In the background you can see some tobacco barns.


Enjoy