Riding Out the Storm

Boston was lucky & got very little of Hurricane Sandy's impact. Thankfully for us it was not too much different than a good old New England Nor' Easter. There was rain & high wind but nothing major. There was some damage, power lines down, fallen trees, flooding,especially in the coastal areas. There were definitely power outages through out the state. But all in all Massachusetts did not fair badly. My thoughts go out to all of those that took the brunt of the storm & suffered more severe loss.



I got out earlier in the day yesterday before the storm really got started, & took a few photos from the car window.




They are sort of a blur but maybe give some feeling of the impending storm.



The police & first responders were out in force ready for what might lay ahead.


It was starting to rain & the wind was most defiantly picking up.


Already flooding had begun.



What a difference a day makes! Today is lovely & warm & everyone is out cleaning up after the ravages of Sandy.

Waiting for Sandy

We are prepared & waiting for Hurricane Sandy to arrive. Although it seems peaceful here now they say the storm should hit Boston sometime around noon.


Yesterday Gracie & her mom came over to help get ready. Gracie's main concern was that we did not have any Halloween candy yet.


I stocked up on fruits & vegetables as we were advised to do. If there is a power outage we will not be able to cook.


So nuts & apples & peanut butter sandwiches will have to do. I did cook some pasta & rice to turn into salads if need be.


We have plenty of water....or at least I hope we do.....this giant bottle ought to get us through whatever comes.


We moved in plants & patio furniture.


Just yesterday morning the patio looked like this.


Now anything we could not bring inside is laying flat or upside down (the table) in anticipation.



Gracie approved of the homemade oatmeal cookies. So it looks like we are ready for whatever nature brings us.



Stay safe everyone!

Fall Glorious Fall

There is nothing like the fall in New England. The riot of color is spectacular & the cool crisp weather invigorating. I had the pleasure of the company of my two oldest grandchildren yesterday, as they had a break from school. Taking full advantage of the beautiful fall day, we took a hike along the Naponset River. Here are a few photographs of our adventure.


























Thanks for coming along. Have a great week everyone!

A Novel Surprise

It is always a treat to get a gift in the mail, especially one from a blogger friend. Yesterday I received a package from Paulita Kincer of An Accidental Blog. She had sent me her newly published novel, The Summer of France.



Earlier she had approached me & asked if she might use one of my photographs for the cover art. I was honored & of course said yes. I had seen the galleys of the layout for the cover, which she had kindly sent me via email, & yesterday I got to see the finished product. It came out beautifully, Paulita, thank you! Now I am looking forward to a good read.

The Summer of France is about the adventures of a feisty woman from Ohio who decides to take her family off to France to run a Bed & Breakfast. It is available in both paperback & ebook at Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

Wishing all of you a very happy weekend. It is supposed to be rainy here in Boston this weekend, the perfect time to curl up with a good book.

Back in Boston

I am back in Boston trying to acclimate. The city is beautiful & busy.


The crisp autumn weather has been lovely except for the occasional chilly rainy day.


The fall leaves are starting to show their glorious colors.


The days are getting shorter. There is school & sports & best of all my grandchildren!

Saying Adieu

I have had a lovely four months in France & now it is time to say farewell. I will miss the sun baked facades of the old buildings. I will miss the windows with their shutters & flower boxes.



I will miss the beautiful gifts given to me by neighbors from their gardens, each offering resembling an impressionist still life. Below are bowls of late apricots & fresh almonds from a friends trees.


Oh, I will miss the wonderful artisanal breads. Pain aux noix is one of my favorites.



I will miss the countryside, the eternal landscape of green fields dotted with aging pigeonnais .



I will miss the simple way of life, the gardens, the simple act of cultivation. Below my neighbor harvests his grapes.




I will miss the meandering side streets & alleyways.....




......the flowers.....




..... & of course the Sunday market.





I will miss my village, my friends & neighbors & not least of all, my little house.




But it is time to go. France I bid you adieu.