September 9, 2008 Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

This morning we awoke again lazily, somewhere around 8am. Tuesday mornings are a little hectic now that football season has started since that's when all the scores are tallied and the winner announced. Thankfully Mikey's been helping me with the task as the games are played. We have 19 players this year and it's a good hour or more worth of work a week. After computing all the scores Mikey won. $57 in the bank, one more win and he'll pay off the cost of playing for the season!

Since the morning was once again beautiful and Em wasn't working I suggested a trip out to Brewster to visit the Cape Cod museum of Natural History. http://www.ccmnh.org/ .Laurie had said in the past that she was interested in going, so we called her to join us. A quick trip to Sandwich library to pick up a pass and we were on our way. We arrived shortly before 11am, payed our $4 per person fee and started exploring.



They must keep the local taxidermist busy because there were loads of stuffed animals. Rabbits, coyote, badger, owls, hawks, fish and all kinds of assorted birds. Dan's favorite part, by far, was the simulated tide pools. We watched a sea and bay scallop shoot water, a flounder camoflage, sea urchins move. We learned that a horseshoe crab sheds it's skin so when you pick up one that you think is dead, likely it's just a shed. Star fish are now called Sea stars because they are not really fish. We watched 10 jellyfish gently float through a tube of bubbles.
Suddenly, the loudspeaker crackled and an announcement was made that one of the osprey chicks had just returned to the nest. There's a camera secured at the nest that broadcasts to a TV in the marshland room. We could see the nest from there as well, but it's was far off in the distance. The chick had a fish and seemed to be doing a pretty good job taking care of itself.

Next we decided to hike out to Wing island for a picnic. It was a short walk and we found a nice spot under a cedar tree. I'd packed chicken, mashed potato and cranberry sauce sandwiches for Laurie and the kids, I had red kidney beans with straw mushrooms and eggplant spaghetti sauce. We finished lunch in time to get Laurie home to pick up Matt from school, Em and I in time to study and Dan to take a much needed nap just as the rain began to fall.


A few nights back Laurie, Em and I made a plan to see Mama Mia tonight, so Mikey came home a little early so we could make the 6:40pm show. Laurie and I had a great time, Em said it was just ok.

September 8, 2008 The perfect September day

If ever there was a perfect September day this was it. Mike quietly exited the house this morning without waking anyone up. I lazily awoke just before 8am. Dan followed at 8:30 and declared he was starving. As I was making French toast we slowly heard sounds from Emily's room. She can't resist the smell of breakfast, and joined us as the first batch was hitting the table. Dan and I enjoyed some frozen raspberries that Mom brought up with her last week, Thanks Mom!

I couldn't resist taking this picture. I love waking up to this view!

We decided since we had errands to run in Sandwich, we'd hurry through them, then go over to the tide pools at Town Neck beach for low tide at noon. It was a beautifully clear day and we imagined what it must be like traveling the seas on a yacht called Resilience, a 200 footer, pure white and amazingly beautiful that was making it's way up the canal. We made a quick stop at Joe's lobster mart for some steamers, mussels and a crab just in case our tide pool scavenging didn't amount to enough for dinner and headed over to the pools.














Dan and Em didn't waste any time going in. Emily focused on finding sea urchin shells, Dan was more intent on crabs. We arrived at 11am and the tide was still going out. We had a blissful 45 minutes before a bus pulled in and our solitude destroyed. We weren't the only ones who thought it was a perfect day for the tide pools. On the way home we decided to follow an animal control vehicle that we saw drive by. He went down to the Boardwalk parking lot and turned around...nothing really exciting about that, but on the way out we spied a Blue Heron hunting for a meal. We headed home and put together a picnic lunch for the back yard, followed by a dip in the pond and rest time.



We're still working out the details of homeschooling, particularly when it comes to Dan and finding consistent time to work. Em's doing well on her own, I'm assigning chapters and she's working her way through them, I'm happy with her progress. I'm finding time when I can, but today stumbled onto a little gem that may make it much easier on all of us. After their swim I sent Dan up for his rest, that frequently turns into a nap. After about 40 minutes upstairs, he came down to go to the bathroom. He saw both Emily and I working and asked if he could "work" too. I said sure, he grabbed his workbook and joined us on my bed. Em was working on fractions, I was learning how to do societal research and Dan was working on writing the letter I in capital and lowercase.....as we all sat there working independently I thought...this could work...

I put a chicken in the oven, glad that it's cool enough out to use it again. It'll be the meat in our otherwise seafood dinner. Emily is working Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week. I'm on Sunday (last night) and Thursday. I'm much more appreciative of my nights home with the family. It's amazing what a little perspective will do.
Mike arrived home at 6:30 with our first ton of wood pellets in the truck. Em and I cleaned up dinner while Mike and Dan cleared a spot in the basement, then we all spent the next 20 minutes unloading 50, 40lbs bags of pellets. Dan moved them to the back of the truck, he was so happy to be able to help, and Mike, Em and I carried them down stairs. One third of the winters heat is in house, two thirds to go. Em was all over the fractions!

Mike brought me home a present today from work, In a small plastic container was this huge insect I'd never seen before. After only a few clicks I identified it as a female Dobson fly.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/dobs.html



Homeschooling
Emily- Math - Chapter 5 & 6 Fractions, Ratios and proportions
Social Studies - Chapter 1 United States History - European Colonization North America
Language Arts- Chapter 1 Sentence Structure
Dan - Writing the letter I in upper and lower case

September 7, 2008 Woodturners Picnic continued...

The Woodturners party was great, even though it was wet we made the best of it. I was thrilled when many of the guests arrived with vegetarian dishs. We had a fresh vegetable and bean salad that was terrific, a mixed green bean salad, and for dessert one of our guests made a peach, nectarine & raspberry cobbler that was incredible. Definitely a benefit of hanging out with the older crowd...they know how to eat! After lunch, Mike led the "meeting" where someone nominated him for president forever... I think Mike might have blushed! They did a lottery, show and tell and just general woodturners news. Then it was time for dessert, and the parties end.



Homeschooling:
Emily studied England's history, government and landmarks.

September 6, 2008 Woodturners Picnic

Since we're expecting Tropical Storm Hanna tomorrow and the rain bands have already begun moving in, we've decided that we'll have to hold the picnic inside today. We're expecting 25 or so people, but since they are woodturners we can also utilize the basement shop, so it should be fine. This party will take the place of this months meeting. They're a great bunch of people and it should be fun!

Homeschooling
Emily is up to Chapter 5 in her Math GED prep and chugging along nicely.

September 5, 2008 Tattoo Day!

So today is the day I'll get my lower back tattoo and I'm very excited, I've been planning this one for many years but because of my weight was unable to have it done. I think I've lost enough now that with continued weight loss the tattoo will not be distorted. Today's Lily tattoo will be the begining of a larger one. It's my favorite flower and remarkably on the day of our wedding, 7 years ago one bloomed in our front yard. I love the way they smell and marvel at their beauty. This flower will signify me. Eventually three roses will be added. A rose bud for Emily, one open slightly to represent my mother, and the last splayed in full bloom for my grandmother...all three are Rose's. I'll also include an impatien for my Aunt Fran who has been a steady presence in my life, and holly leaves and berries for my cousin Holly who is more like a sister.
My mother is showing some real age of late and is adamantly insisting I don't go forward with this tattoo. Mom, all I have to say is don't look!
Emmy is old enough to go with us so (if she doesn't get squeemish) she'll take pictures during the process. Considering the placement I'm expecting the actual tattooing to be pleasureable! As always...time will tell.


This is a picture of a stargazer lily that I'm taking with me today, this one bloomed in our yard the end of July


Outline...painful

Shading...painful


Details...numb!


The finished tattoo...I love it!


The only time I'll ever see my tattoo and face at the same time

The tattooing went great. Moderately painful to start, but by the end I could barely feel it. My best explaination of the pain would be if someone was poking you with a toothpick on a sunburn. It's painful, but not excrutiating. It took just under an hour and Lorna was great. I look forward to working with her again. The lily was placed so that the other flowers will rise from it on either side. Janni was next in line and had musical notes of a favorite verse tattooed on her wrist. She was pleased with hers as well. Emily took some really great photos!


Today we also started homeschooling. Emily did 2 math chapters, Dan practiced writing the letter C and I read the first chapter in my sociology book.















Finally, since were expecting Tropical storm Hanna this week and the rain is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Nettie decided to pickup the puppies today. They've been fun to have around, and we'll miss them but we're happy they'll all be going to good homes.




Bye bye puppies!!!

We're certainly glad to have the 4.5 * 6 foot whelping box out of the house, just in time for the Woodturners picnic!

September 4, 2008 My first annual Cicada exuvia & Dan rides a bike.

Things here have been pretty good. Just catching up on errands, shopping, cleaning up the house, and what we spend most of our time doing now....cleaning up after puppies!


The puppies needed to get out for a bit, after taking lots of pictures of them, Dan wanted a turn with the camera!

Marley doesn't seem to mind the pups climbing all over her!

Our other big news this week is that Dan has learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He's still a little shakey starting and stopping, but he can ride like the wind when he gets going!

Dan riding his bike in the Remsen's yard

Last night I had my first class. Being a little nervous I left early....like 5:30 for a 6:30 class with a commute of 18 minutes. I needed to get my student ID at the library and since I didn't know where I was going I was glad I allowed extra time. I quickly made my way to the library, walked in the door and found that the receptionist at the desk was making ID's. I sat, took a picture and two minutes later was on my way. Since I was there I decided I'd see if I could find any information on Cape Cod Cicada's and saw a sign that said Cape Cod History with an arrow pointing down stairs. I came to a set of double doors, began to pull and realized the door was locked. Will have to go back another day when the Nickerson Library is open to do that research. I walked to South hall and began walking up and down the hall looking for room 111. The low numbers were on one side, the high numbers on another. An older gentleman was walking my way and since he looked like a professor I asked him directions feeling like a lost 1st grader on my first day. He directed me to the room directly ahead with no room number. I felt better. I sat, our teacher introduced himself and proceeded to school us on Sociology....and so forth...his favorite phrase. Since it was our first night he didn't want to stress us too much and let us go at 8pm. Nice way to start a semester...with a nice short class. I made it home to Mike, Em and Dan eating dinner and enjoyed sitting with them for the first time in a week.

Jen called yesterday afternoon and asked if we'd like to go apple picking with them today. I said sure, although it seemed a little early in the season. We hadn't seen them in a while and I thought it would be good to get together. I went for a short 30 minute walk this morning, trying to stretch out a pulled ankle muscle from Sleeping Giant. Then came home, showered, started laundry, packed a lunch and headed out to Walmart to pick up a few things before meeting the Harmon's in Acushnet. At 10:30 Dan and I were just leaving Walmart when we got a call from Buzz saying that the apple picking place didn't open until next week. With no other ideas we ended the call and were on our own. Dan's been asking about Water Wizz http://www.waterwizz.com/ so we looked in from outside the gates...too bad they don't stay open past labor day, we'd have been game for a September morning splash in their pools! We left there and decided we'd try to find some place to have lunch, thinking a beach, playground, park or cemetary. We drove toward Onset and made our way to Little Harbor Beach, it was breezy so we went to the marsh side and enjoyed lunch while watching 4 beautiful white cranes hunt for food. We went for a short walk along the water line, saw many fiddler crab holes and lots of poison ivy! We'd passed a cemetary on the way there, so I asked Dan if he wanted to do some poking around. Gerry swears by cemetaries for Cicada hunting, but admittedly they're not my favorite places....I thought I'd suck it up in the name of research. Dan said sure. Just as we were pulling into Agawam Cemetery in Wareham I heard a T. canicularis, that's a good sign I thought. We parked and started looking around. On the second tree we searched we found an exuvia, third and fourth tree two more. I was pretty excited with my first annual exuvia found on my own. As Dan and I made our way to a grove of pine trees I noticed large piles of sand and wondered if they could be Cicada killer burrows. Sure enough, finger sized holes on the edge of a pile of sandy soil. Looked just like what we saw in Wellfleet and I promptly called Gerry. He was interested enough to ask for a data point. We didn't see any Cicada killers and the mounds looked old (no new excavation) but you can bet I'll be checking it out next July! Here's the data point. Section A-3 & A-5 at the Agawam Cemetery, corner of RD Stillman Memorial Drive and Great Neck Road, Wareham, MA http://www.warehamhistory.com/AgawamCemetery/MapsectionA.htm

I had a GYN appt. at Wareham Nurse Midwives, and although I initially didn't want to take Dan with me, he behaved very well. Louise was very impressed with my new found health regimen. and encouraged me to continue with all the changes I've made. I weighed in at 175.4 lbs. Another 2 lbs lost! Blood pressure 120/70 pulse 72. I left there with an incredibly clean bill of health.

September 1st Sleeping Giant State Park

Group picture from Sleeping Giant State Park
From left to right Chris, Barbara, Elias, Me & Gerry

What a terrific Day!
My day started at 3:15am when my cell phone alarm rang. I hopped out of bed, drank the garden patch juice I already had ready in the fridge, popped a couple of multivitamins and climbed into the shower. I left the house at 3:45 and headed over to Green Briar nature center to feed the animals, since I didn't have any idea what time I'd be back, I thought I'd get them taken care of first. I got on the road at 4:15 and headed West. The sun rose in my rearview mirror just as I was crossing over the Connecticut state line. It was a pleasant and uneventful trip and I arrived in Hamden Ct at 7:15. Quickly found Sleeping Giant State park and went in search of a bathroom. While exploring I found a couple of trail maps and tucked them into my bag, thinking it could only be a good idea to have these with us. Gerry pulled in with his friend Chris a little after 8am and suggested we take a ride over to the University to do a little nymph hunting. Gerry, Chris and I searched 300 hundred or more trees before Gerry found a nymph just beginning to eclose. I ran down to the Hummer to grab our cameras then we sat. It usually takes a nymph over an hour to complete the eclose process so we waited.


This is a female Tibicen canicularis nymph just starting the eclose process, you can see the pink flesh just starting to emerge from the slit in the exuvia.


This little lady has wiggled her head free from her shell.


This is a shot looking down on her pretty face, amazing how camaflaged she is with the tree bark


She's free of the upper portion of her shell, she'll hang out this way for quite a while until her legs harden


Good view of her wings here, still all crinkled


She doing the "sit up". She uses her legs to pull herself up so she can free her lower extremities


She's free and begins to pump "blood" through her system to inflate her wings


She's done, fully teneral and now needs time for her wings to harden, which will then lay down like a tent over her body.

Elias and Barbara met us at the University after some directional difficulty, and within minutes of arriving Barbara had secured another nymph. The girl has eyes like a hawk! Once the Tibicin canicularis was out of danger and able to be moved Gerry put her in a jar and we headed back over to Sleeping Giant State park. Our first path was a nice wide switchback, with a few rocky steep paths thrown in for good measure. We easily made it to the tower and enjoyed the view from the top.


Gerry, Chris and I at the top of Sleeping Giant Tower


Elias and Barbara with their home of Long Island in the background

We decended the tower, then after taking an amusing and "unmoving" wrong turn, decided to consult the trail map that I brought along.


Gerry and Elias trying to figure out where we are and which way to go!

After several wrong turns our fearless leader found the way and directed us to an amazing bluff. Along the way we heard several species of Cicada including Tibicens lyricen, linnei, and canicularis. One was just out of reach and Gerry was itching to climb the tree, which we thankfully talked him out of.


Here we are at the summit of Sleeping Giant, it's a great view....but we're hearing the Cicada's on the other hill!

Instead of going back the way we came, Gerry led us down a path that he and Elias had climbed up just a year earlier. It was very rocky and very steep in some places. Chris was swearing at Gerry and vowed at this point to never go on another Cicada hunting expedition. Here are a few pictures of us making our way down...




This is the view to our immediate right coming down Sleeping Giant

We finally made it down, probably took a half hour. We followed the blue (expert) trail for a while until the trail split and we had our choice of going up another rock (the blue trail) or going down (on the red trail) Since Barbara and I were in the lead and her knee was bothering her we chose down. I found a pretty cool big green caterpillar (that I failed to photograph) but that Elias took home. We followed the red trail until we came upon a shallow stream bathed in mid afternoon dapled sunlight. Barbara and I found a place to sit and relax until the guys caught up. Elias arrived and was immediately curious whether they're might be crayfish in the stream. Being a veteran crayfish catcher, I took off my sneakers and went in. After lifting a rock or two I found a very small one and presented it to Elias. Mission accomplished, I went and sat under a tree with Gerry. Elias headed back out to find some more, and Barbara showed our find to some little friends.


We spent a half hour or so here then walked along the stream back to the parking lot. Everybody was hungry and since Barbara and Elias didn't pack a lunch they headed out in search of food. Gerry, Chris and I settled down on the park lawn to have our lunch. We talked for a while. Chris seemed pleased with himself, he'd kept up despite his lack of regular exercise and his smoking habit. We wondered about a family that was acsending the summit as we were descending. This family worried us because there were two older people with dual walking sticks and two young children, one girl of maybe 7, the other a boy of maybe 4. At the bottom the boy was crying that he didn't want to go up. So when we heard sirens we immediately thought of them. Thankfully we saw them coming down another path and were glad they made it up and down safely. The emergency vehicles continued to pile into the park. Two fire trucks, an ambulance, an ATV, multiple police and environmental police cars. At the height of the activity there were 11 emergency vehicles on site. Elias and Barbara made it back and joined us relaxing on the lawn for a while. Gerry wanted to check out some short trees and brush along the road, but since it was nearing 5:30pm and I had a 3 hour drive home, I decided it was time to pack it in. We hugged goodbye and I was on my way.
The ride home was uneventful and I made good time. I watched the sun set in my rearview mirrow going through New Bedford. I pulled in the driveway at 8pm to a family happy to see me, my pictures and my exciting tales from Sleeping Giant.Chris, you can almost seeing him saying...."can we go home yet???"

What I learned this trip? Well Gerry's friend Chris is quite a character, I wouldn't mind hanging out with him agai. Gerry is far more mysterious then I ever imagined and I look forward to getting to know him better, and Elias and Barbara are truly a match made in heaven...I wonder if we'll be invited to the wedding!

Here is the link to Sleeping Giant State Park
http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325264

And a brief news paper article about the emergency on Sleeping Giant
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=8933267&nav=menu29_2_9