SKUNK CABBAGE - ANOTHER SIGN OF SPRING

Here is a big ole Skunk Cabbage plant. Leafy and doesn't smell unless you break the plant.


This is a plant with the seed pods,


A patch of Skunk Cabbage. These plants are found in very moist areas. When I was very small in a time where kids used their imagination more, at least that's what I think, I used to pretend that I had a Skunk Cabbage Plantation. There was a patch of Skunk Cabbage of about a half acre in the woods behind my Uncle's house. Hey, it looked like a field of tobacco, so it was not that far off. I'm not sure what I did with it, I am not every sure I "harvested" it.

FIRST FROG SIGHTING OF THE YEAR

This was my first frog sighting of 2008.

HISTORIC SOUTH LEE SCHOOLHOUSE

Lee, MA - I've driven by this building many times and it is always in this same condition. I see by the sign out front that it is going to be restored and sold as two 3000 ft residental units. I went on the website of Lanoue Inc to see what I could find out and they have a video of what they plan the building to look like.

So why don't you be the first one on your block to have a home in the Berkshires, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Tanglewood. I really would like see what this building would look like when it is done.

LENOX DALE FIRE COMPANY

Lenox Dale, MA - I was driving around Lenox Dale, which is beside the better known Lenox and came across this firehouse. I thought it had a lot of character so here it is.

FORGOTTEN FARM

Lee, MA - This farm has seen better days, all that is left is this shed and silo.

SUFFIELD BIODIESEL

Suffield, CT - While driving through Suffield I noticed all these signs along the main street. I was wondering what these people had against biodiesel. I did some research and I think I found out, someone wants to build a biodiesel plant in town.




*Please don't use this as a forum for or against biodiesel I just document...thanks.

NESTING MATERIAL

While my dog Thatcher was sleeping in the back yard a bird decided that his fur would make fine nesting material. He slept through the whole thing. The bird sent about five minutes plucking fur from him.

This is my first video post and I took it through two windows so the quality may bit be the best but you get the main idea.

CROCUSES

Every year about this time I post a photo of these crocuses in my garden. Another sure sign of Spring and the 80 degree tempature today helped also.

TOBACCO BARN

Suffield, CT - One of many tobacco barns in Suffield, CT.

CIVIL WAR MONUMENT - SUFFIELD CT

Suffield, CT - This Civil War Monument sits at the end of the town green.


Close-up of some of the text.


Close-up of soldier.

Info: Civil War Monuments of Connecticut

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SUFFIELD CT

Suffield, CT - This church was the earliest Baptist Church in Hartford County Connecticut and one of the earliest in the state. Joseph Hastings organized the First Baptist Church in 1769.

Info: Town of Suffield

MRS. MURPHY'S DONUTS

Southwick, MA - Mrs, Murphy's is an institution in Southwick Massachusetts. I went there on Saturday morning and the place was hopping.


This is the front of the building, well kind of the side but there were too many cars coming in and out for me to safely stand in front.

Here are three of the workers mugging it up for the camera.


I'm afraid I didn't ask but I think this is Mrs. Murphy(?)standing in front of the pastry case; yes they have a lot more than donuts. On the menu is soup, sandwiches, salads, and egg sandwiches(served all day). The also have espresso drinks just walk in and ask one of the baristas/donut dames to serve you up a cup.


I couldn't leave without trying something so I ordered up an eclair. I was not disappointed, the eclair was approximately 7.5 inches long, filled with a smooth custard and topped with a thick chocolaty frosting. WARNING:Eat with plenty of napkins, it is just bursting with goodness. It took two napkins to clean the frosting and custard off my face. I give it four forks and two thumbs up. In the past I have had their donuts and they are fantastic, not those tiny ones they serve at Krispy Kreme.

JOHN SARGENT MEMORIAL TOWER - STOCKBRIDGE MA

I couldn't say it better myself.


Memorial Tower


Bells and Clock on top of the tower.

THIS OLD SHED

I saw this old shed on the side of a field all by itself; I wonder what story it has to tell? Was it a tool shed, an animal barn, or maybe a house was near by and it burned down? I might never know.

SPRING IS COMING - THE PUSSY WILLOWS ARE OUT

The pussy willows are starting to pop out. Don't they look soft?

MAPLE SUGARING MAZE

I drove by this maze of hoses on the maple trees gathering sap to make maple syrup. I had to back up because I couldn't believe how many hoses were going from tree to tree. I don't think the photo does it justice, it was a labyrinth of white and blue hoses for a few acres. I just wonder how much sap they collect per day?

PASTICCERIA ITALIA

Southwick, MA - My dogs and I went for a short ride today to see if we could find to photograph. On our way back, we passed this bakery, and you know me, not one to pass up a bakery, we stopped in.


The cases were filled with acres of pastries of all varieties. Believe it or not, I did not partake this day, I did buy a loaf of bread, delicious I must say. I have had pastries and they were scrumptious, four forks!


This young lady was badgered into posing for my by Giovanni Botta, one of the family that owns this bakery, they also own one in Bloomfield, CT. The guy who sits next to me at work goes there every day and has their Foccacia Pizza, made with sausage, spinich, potatos, cheese and who knows what else, it is very good, I have had it once or twice myself; I just found out today that these are owned by the same family.

For more info CLICK HERE

STOCKBRIDGE TRAIN STATION - PART 2

Stockbridge, MA - A continuation of yesterday's photos of the Stockbridge Massachusetts Train Station.


Trackside of the station.


Benches waiting to be filled.


Looking down the tracks.

STOCKBRIDGE MASS. TRAIN STATION

Stockbridge, MA - While in Stockbridge I stopped at the train station. I was there on Sunday and it was not open. I am not sure if it is still used as an actual train station or it is just the stop for the Berkshire Railway. A few years back I remember a sign out front for a Japanese Restaurant. No matter what it is now it is a very nice stone building.




If anyone knows anything about this train station, let me know.

More tomorrow.

OTIS BARN

Otis, MA - This barn is beside Old Rte. 8. I thought it made a nice photo so here it is.

THATCHER ON PHOTO TRIP

This is one of my dogs Thatcher. We were out taking photos while my wife took Sophie our other dog to meet a friend and her dog, they spent a nice day at the Puppy Park. We had a nice day roaming Western Massachusetts looking for the elusive photo opportunity.
A good day was had by all.

SANDISFIELD LIBRARY

Sandisfield, MA - This is the library and something else. There was a solid wall of ice in front of the sign so I could not see. I did notice playground equipment behind the building.