WITCH PLEADINGS

Salem, MA - Just as you walk into the Ancient Cemetery in Salem, there are these stones in the ground with pleadings of the people accused of being witches. You could imagine how they must have felt.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Hartford, CT - On No! Not more fiberglass animals. Yes, I can't pass these up. I saw this dog behind the Old State House in Hartford. This is one of the dogs from the "UCONN (University of Connecticut) Husky Trail. These dogs are spread around the state to commemorate the 125 anniversary of U of Connecticut. They will be auctioned off to support the UConn Alumni Scholarship Fund.



This is the back of the dog, painted to be a service dog. The artist is Lucy Sander Sceery

For more information: www.UconnHuskyTrail.com

BEFORE AND AFTER – U.S. CUSTOM HOUSE – SALEM MA

Eagle atop the Custom House.



Salem, MA - This is the U.S. Custom House in Salem, MA. It was built in 1818 and in the early 19th century, between 8 and 12 percent of the U.S. revenue was collected here.
Nathanial Hawthorne worked in this building between 1847 and 1849 as a Customs Surveyor.

Info and early 1900’s photo.

PHOENIX LIFE INSURANCE BUILDING

Hartford, CT - This building is an elliptic lenticular cylinder; most people just call it the "Ship Shaped building". This uniquely shaped building is a major architectural landmark in Hartford. It was designed by Max Abramovitz; building was started in 1961 and completed in 1963. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; I believe because of its unique style.

Info: http://www.phoenixwm.phl.com/public/about/history/boat.jsp

FLAG POLE STATUES

Hartford, CT - Around the Old State House in Hartford are flag poles. On each of these flag poles is a gold statue. I did not find any information on these but they appear to be a part of Connecticut history. I'm not sure if many people even notice them but I think they look cool. Enjoy

HARBOR MASTER

Kittery Point, ME - This is the Harbor Master's shack in Kittery Point.

SAILBOAT ON THE SEA

Off the Coast of Maine - OK, we need to get away from the graveyards for awhile. Nothing like a sailboat on a calm sea to relax after eating all that turkey and fixins. So sit back and relax.

Capt. RICHARD MORE - PILGRIM

Salem, MA - This is a monument to Capt. Richard More the only Mayflower Pilgrim to settle in Salem, MA. I thought it appropriate for Thanksgiving.



This is Capt More's grave.



and Mrs. Jane More, Richard's second wife. Notice how fancy her stone is and how plain his is.

AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCIENT GRAVES

Hartford, CT – Ancient Burying Ground – I was walking through the burying ground and came upon this gravestone. Even though it has a death head on it I think that it is a recent stone. I don’t think the term “African Americans” was used in the 18th century. What caught my eye was “Five Black Governors”. I Googled the term and found out that African American slaves in New England elected their own Governor or King. These Governors were local leaders in their community and were often slaves of influential people in white society. The first black governor was London, a slave of Captain Thomas Seymour. He was elected in Hartford in 1755. The last black governor in Connecticut was Wilson Weston who served as governor in the town of Seymour in 1856.

It was thought that Connecticut supported the elections because it was a way to make sure that the African American population conformed to the colonies rules and regulations. If a black governor was responsible for carrying out punishment on his fellow citizens, the threat to the colonies authority was minimized.

Info from: Connecticut State Library

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, America's Oldest Candy Company

Salem, MA - The company dates back to 1806, when an English woman named Spencer was shipped wrecked and ended up in Salem. When her neighbors learned that Mrs. Spencer knew how to make candy they all got together and purchased for her a barrel of sugar. Her first candy was the "Salem Gibralter," said to be the first candy made and sold commercially in America and carried around the world by sea captains and their crew.
She originally sold her candy on the steps of the First Church but as the candies popularity grew she started selling to the surrounding towns by horse and wagon.
When Mrs. Spencer died her son carried on the business until about 1830. Her son decided to return to England and the company was then sold to a John William Pepper. John Pepper added Black Jack (an all natural stick candy made from black strap molasses).

Info: http://www.yeoldepeppercandy.com/

This is the oldest commercially sold candy in America.



They said that they don't go bad. Here is 174 year old candy...want a bite?



Blackjacks, the first stick candy manufactured in America. Not to be confused with Blackjacks gum which is the oldest gum.

SALEM WITCH MUSEUM

Salem, MA - This is the Salem Witch Museum. Inside your can watch a narrated display of the Salem Witch Trials. These trials went on for less than a year, March to September 1692. Over a hundred were accused but only 14 women and 5 men were hanged and one man was pressed to death; they did not burn witches in the Colonies, just in Europe. The whole thing started when young girls went into fits and started to say names during these fits. These are the people that were hanged. These fits might have been from a reaction to bad grain, ergot poisoning. It was found out later that a least one girl faked these fits and falsely accused a few people who were hanged.

A word of caution, this is not a museum for very young children. We saw one father that brought his young daughters(no mother with them); they looked terrified. It was a PG13 program with Satan, stories and drawings of witches eating children, etc.

WE'VE BEEN "OUTTED"

Granville, MA - As a fund raising event in town the people from the "Fireworks Fund" plop this outhouse on your front lawn and you pay a "fee" to have it removed. It is a very unique way to raise money. I hope some people in town don't get upset when this shows up on their lawn. (They actually called us to ask first, but I don't think that is what they orginally were going to do). I guess it would make a great place to hang out when waiting for the school bus.

This is what is inside the outhouse. You can decorate it when it show up on your lawn.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - LEE MA

Lee MA - I like the way the sky looks with the church. The church is on the green in the center of Lee, MA.

CANINE CUPBOARD

Portsmouth, NH - I told you this is a very dog friendly town. This is a dog treat bakery. My wife and I stepped in to see what is was all about and it was full of people and dogs buying these fancy treats.

This is the bakery case where you can choose some of those fancy treats. My dogs would swallow those whole. The dogs I saw seem to really like them.

DOGS AND BEAUTIES

Portsmouth, NH - This city is very dog friendly, they are everywhere.

1000 th POST

Yes, another milestone. This is my 1000th post and hopefully many more to come. Thank you all for visiting.

Portsmouth, NH - This is a barn owned by Strawberry Banke, I remember seeing a craftsman in there one time. Strawberry Banke is an area of restored houses and museums. If you have a chance to visit this museum you should.

Enjoy

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY...

I was born 50 years ago today. So what better place to party than at a brew pub. This is a photo of the Portsmouth Pub and Brewery.

MUG SHOT

Portsmouth Pub and Brewery - Portsmouth NH.

I WANT CANDY - PORTSMOUTH NH

Portsmouth, NH - "I want Candy" - My wife and I took a road trip up to Portsmouth this Saturday and this is one of the places I stopped. This candy shop looked very interesting from the outside and even more inside. I'm not sure how long it has been open, earlier in the year I think, but it is off the beaten path so I hope it makes it throught the winter with less tourists in town.



As you walk in the door you are greeted with this whiteboard with candy trivia on it.



This is one of the rooms with all kinds of candy.



Here is another room full of candy. They even have a lot of imported candy, I've seen on other peoples blogs they are always looking for candy from home or a candy they had when they were on a trip. So if you are in the area stop in, I Want Candy is located on Chapel Street in downtown Portsmouth, NH. For information, call 603-373-8211, maybe they can hook you up with that hard to find candy.

One reader who went here said that they are CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY'S.

CAT DRUGS

Portsmouth, NH - Please talk to your cat before it is too late.

These are signs from my trip to Portsmouth New Hampshire. Many photos to come.

NO TRUCKER HATS

Portsmount, NH - This sign was in front of Macro Polo store.

PURPOSE OF LIFE

Portsmouth, NH - In the window of Macro Polo.

VETERAN'S TRIBUTE

I decided to post some of my photos, one from each war. I don't think I have anything from the Korean War, I guess they don't call it the "Forgotten War" for nothing.

Vietnam Monument - Winsted, CT



Iwo Jima Monument - Newington, CT



WW I Doughboy - Hopkinton, MA



Civil War Soldier - Brooklyn, CT



Revolutionary War Soldiers - New Haven, CT

GRAVES STONES AND DEATH HEADS

Helen from Just Playin' put a comment on my blog about Mr. Eko from "Lost" needed a gravestone since he was buried on yesterday's episode. So, that gave me an idea of what to post today...Gravestones. These are all from the 1700's. One thing I like about the stones from that era is the figures on the top of the stones called "Death Heads".

This guy looks like he has a lichen beard.



Aged 14 years, 7 days.



Cool closeup of the death head.



It is a wonder that the stones last this long. They are mostly made from soft stone. This one is in bad shape.



Who ever carved this needs more practice. Bad spelling a the words don't fit on one line.

OSBORNE HOMESTEAD MUSEUM

Derby, CT - This is the Osborne Homestead Museum. It was originally built in the mid 1800's and remodeled in the 1920's. The museum is dedicated to Frances Osborne Kellogg who was a conservationist and business women. In 2003 the museum joined the Connecticut Women's Heritage Trail.

For more info: http://dep.state.ct.us/educ/kellogg/osborne.htm

Osborne Homestead Museum - Derby, CT - These are photos of some of the gardens around the museum. It was late in the year when these photos were taken so most of the summer flowers were gone. But, you can envision how nice they must have been.

OLD FASHION VOTING

Granville, MA - No hanging chads or computer glitches here, just good old fashion paper ballots. I especially like the voting box; you put your paper ballot on the slot on the top and crank the handle on the side until you hear, "DING" and your done. The ballots cast are recorded on the counter on the front of the box.

ROSEDALE FARM AND VINEYARD - GRAPES

Simsbury, CT - I've had these photos for about a month, I was going to incorporate them into photos of the winemaking, but somehow I missed that. You can see the white grapes here.


The purple grapes. You can see the netting to keep the creatures out I suppose.


Here is a close-up of the grapes soon to be pressed into wine.


This bad boy is a propane canon to keep the birds away. When I was there every few minutes I heard this loud BOOM. I bet the neighbors love them. I wonder if they pay them off with wine?

DR RODERICK A WHITE MD FOUNTAIN

West Weatogue section of Simsbury CT - This fountain was erected for Dr. Roderick A. White M.D. by his wife. He was a doctor for nearly 50 years in the hamlet of West Weatogue, CT, which is now a section of Simsbury, CT. The good doctor died December 2, 1887. On the sides are a relief of Hippocrates on one side and a Caduceus (that staff with the wings and snakes on it) on the other side.

MOSSES AND MUSHROOMS

Just some photos along the riverbank.

MUSHROOM MADNESS

This is one serious bunch of mushrooms. I know. I know, here he goes with the mushrooms again. Well, for some reason I think mushrooms are interesting subjects and they don't move much. I don't think I've ever seen so many different kinds of mushrooms in one place.

This is the tree that the above mushrooms are growing on. I would say that this tree was about two feet in diameter. Obviously, it is in bad shape.

JUST RESTING

Bloomfield, CT - It's coming on winter and the geese are on the move. I caught these geese resting around this pond before the big trip.

GRANVILLE MA - 2006 PUMPKINS

These are some of the pumpkins that are on display on the Granville, MA green. I especially like this pumpkin.

Granville, MA - Pumpkins on the Green - Here is someone's German Shepard.

Granville, MA - Pumpkins 2006 - I find this pumpkin very scary for some reason. I really like the photo in Black and White also.

PUMPKINS AT THE READY

Pumpkins ready for the slaughter.

OK, I had to post at least one Halloween photo.