29 Days-The past is alive...

Daughter Allegra works part-time for the Derby Historical Society at the David Humphreys House in Derby. Local schools bring fifth-grade students for the program A Day in 1762.

She portrays a local figure in that year, that being Elizabeth Clark Hull. Standing in back of the old house and in costume, she looks like she is in 1762, except for the modern vehicles and paved driveway, utility lines, etc.

She loves this job! 

29 Days - Sepia Span

Under Route 8 northbound, looking toward O'Sullivan's Island in Derby CT. Photo by Patti

This is the underside of a six-lane wide span - more specifically the Connecticut Route 8 Commodore Hull Bridge that spans the Housatonic River. As this view is from the river edge, It feels quiet here, with no signs of people or sprawl to allow us to believe we are in the country, far away from it all.

Yet we are not. The bridge above actually carries about 85,000 vehicles per day. The urban landscape is all around us. But here, on a summer day with a slight antique edit, it looks calm, and we hear no noise - it looks as if we really escaped...

Tina's Pic Story - Briny 'B'

Tina's Pic Story is back this week, and we adhere to the simple and basic premise: We provide the pictures, she thoughtfully provides the weekly theme. This week is the letter 'B'

For this theme, what can be more in tune with that letter than the Beach?

This could be a perfect B, as on the left I am seated on the beach wheelchair, on the sandy Beach, with the kids floating above the Briny saltwater Nantucket Sound. In one of our favorite towns on Cape Cod, that being Barnstable. I am in a beach wheelchair, under a umbrella.

I do wish it were summer!

Ruby Tuesday 2 - Super Bowl Pizza

Ruby Tuesday 2 reappears for the week. We all follow the one rule: Any red will do, a lot or a little. Toady it is the latter…Ah, what can one say about that unique US (secular) holiday, the Super Bowl. At its essence, it is an (American) football game. It seems to be a day of parties and food – Patti, Allegra and I concentrated on the food part. 

I once had at Zuppardi’s in West Haven, what was referred to as a Antipasto Focaccia. We tried to replicate it at home, and it included the pizza crust, salami, artichoke hearts, pancetta, and copa ham in a vinegary dressing, mozzarella on top. And, tomatoes for the requisite ruby. It turned out to be special eats on our dinner party for three.

Yet, at its essence, it was merely a game. I like both teams, the Patriots and the Giants, as do many people in Connecticut, many the same distance from Boston and New York. I would say that the Giants were the better team today - hence, the four point win. As foodies, looking for a unique and tasty treat, we three found it! 

Also posted as part of Tina's 29 Days meme

Whimsical Windows - Old Hotel

Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors is a fun meme hosted by Toby. And these pictures have a whimsical family history behind them.

Grandpa liked to take lots of pictures at vacation time, and that included this hotel in the old (pre-Casino) Atlantic City, long gone Shelburne hotel. Today the Boardwalk is full of glass and steel casino hotels, and portals like this are not included. I guess each photo was taken from the mid-1950s (R) to the mid-1960s (L). I remember our large family of kids were witness to this phenomenon.

I never knew what the fascination was for Grandpa. However, a couple of years age my Aunt Terry explained it to me: “Grandpa liked to think that he could hang with the wealthy. The Shelburne Bar was a wealthy hangout. So, he always had his picture taken there, but didn't always go in to have an expensive drink”. So that explains it! I kind of wish the old seaside resort town were there now instead of the new…

Also posted as part of Tina's 29 Days meme