The kitten’s names, befitting early Christmas gifts. Charlotte chose the names after one of her favorite books, The Story of Holly and Ivy (by author Rumor Godden). Her second choice was Sparkle Rainbow and Glitter Rainbow so we are delighted we landed where we did.
Any suggestions on how to keep kittens from climbing a Christmas tree would be much appreciated 🙂
Ivy, left and Holly, right
After the loss of our beloveds, Cosmos the cat, and Rosie the terrier, its been almost unimaginable to think about getting another pet. But this drawing of Charlotte’s really pulled at my heart strings. If she could have anything in the world, she wished for a cat.
Charlotte knew Cosmos in the last few years of his life, and adored him, despite the sweetly 21 plus year decrepit grumpy old man cat that he had become. Cosmos and Rosie came to us when our Liv and Alex were very young. My kids were so sweet and loving to Rosie and Cosmos. Why else do we have pets but to nurture another being and to fill our homes with love and delight.
Hopefully, we will be surprising Charlotte tonight with not one, but two, new family members!
Driving in the car with Charlotte while we sing and converse, there is never a dull moment. On a recent trip to Russell Orchards traveling along Rt. 133 in Essex –
Me – Look at that beautiful field of goldenrod honey.
Charlotte – Monarchs must live there Mimi (normal tone of voice). Then she shouts, Monarchs livin’ the dream in the goldenrod patch!
Kid’s brains are endlessly making wonderful connections. She learned that expression from her Bops (my husband Tom), I think. He is always saying thing like “we live in paradise,”, or “we’re living the dream.” It was just funny thinking about Monarchs in the context of living the dream in a field of wildflowers, but of course they are 🙂 
Wishing dear friends and readers Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and a Joy-filled Spring
Beauty everywhere you turn in these first few weeks of spring – the return of songbirds, shorebirds, and Osprey, blossoming trees, beach bunnies, and garden helpers.
Beach bunny, Piping Plovers courting, neighbor Melissa’s flowering plum tree, Charlotte, Osprey, Killdeer eggs, Piping Plover eggs, Cedar Waxwings courting, and male Eastern Bluebird wing waving
How Charlotte dressed herself to come help in the garden <3
Happy Girl in the snow with World’s Best Dad <3 – recent tube fun photos.
Four feet, thigh high snow drifts, and still falling. Stay safe friends <3
Holiday wreath made from supplies purchased at Wolf Hill still holding up!
Because all Christmas elves wear their purple princess crown when helping decorate the house for the holidays. Not seen in the photo are the much beloved gold glitter sparkle ballet slippers.
The World is your oyster <3
Charlotte Pebble Beach
We love Russell Orchards throughout the seasons, not only for their wonderful array of fresh fruit, including peaches, strawberries, raspberries, plums. pears, and an infinite variety of apples, but because they have the sweetest farm animals. Ruth and Rosie have to be the cutest pair of goats, but it it Thunder and Cloud, Russell Orchards resident pair of black and white sheep that have won Charlotte’s heart.
Little Lulu is also a top contender for cuteness (on the rare occasions we see her up and about).
Apple picking at Russell Orchards is at the top of our list of fun things to do in autumn.
Russell Orchards is located at 143 Argilla Road in Ipswich. They are open from 9am to 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, go here.
Artichoke flowers
At the top of my husband Tom’s birthday wish list was a schooner ride aboard the Thomas Lannon. His birthday is still a week away so we had a pre-bday celebration last night. My kids and I treated and we met our friends Jade and Will, and their adorable kids, for the Schooner Challenge.
Although not much of challenge with super calm seas, it was a gorgeous night to be sailing around the harbor with family, friends and the wonderful Captain Heath Ellis and his topnotch crew. Former Lannon Captain Tom Ellis was aboard, making the sail even more perfect.
The night could not have been more magical and I think my husband is super pleased. What a way to start off the 37th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival weekend and husband’s birthday week!!
When you are trying to take a photo of a pair of flower fairies and a Monarch suddenly wings through the garden <3
Stella and Charlotte
So very much missing Saint Joseph Day friends. The following post is from last year, the first St. Joseph Day not shared with friends and family due to the global pandemic. Hopefully, 2021 is the last.
Viva San Giuseppe! March 19, 2020
I think it’s especially difficult for senior friends who look forward each year to ten days with loved ones. I sure missed seeing my “granny” that I’ve come to love while celebrating and honoring St. Joesph at the Groppo home.
Here’s a happy St. Joe story for you – When my husband and I were looking for a home to purchase in Gloucester we were in a terrible bind. We had to be out of rental home suddenly and unexpectedly. I found what seemed like our dream home but then learned It had sold only days earlier. We heard the woman had perhaps purchased the house without the intention to live in it. We approached her and she said yes she would consider selling it to us, but then over the course of the next month, she raised the price three times. The house was wreck, a true fixer-upper, but still it had great bones and I was in love with it.
My friend Claudia gave me a Saint Joseph necklace with the instructions to pray to Saint Joseph and to bury the necklace in the ground of our dream house. Patron Saint of Sicily, of homes, carpenters, artists, and all workers, she said it would bring us luck.
All that time ago, and this beautiful old house has provided us with 24 years of joyous memories, and a place to call home. Happy Saint Joseph Day friends <3
The photos are in no particular order and also include a few snapshots from Ann Margaret Ferrante and Maria Cannova’s beautiful Saint Joseph altars. Click on the first photo to view slide show.
Blessed with my Valentines <3
Our little snow lover built her first snowman, dubbed Genevieve.
Creating joy during the 2020 holiday season hasn’t been as simple as in previous years. Despite all, I am grateful for so much, but most especially for my loving family, and, too, that our very elderly relatives –my husband Tom’s parents , my Mom, and Auntie Joy– have not been struck down by the virus.
I am especially thankful for Tom, who always puts his family first in every way imaginable way. He has been our anchor during the past ten months. Last night we celebrated our anniversary. Usually we would go out to celebrate but instead, Alex and Liv made a wonderfully fun delicious surprise dinner. My favorite is lobster, so they prepared that for the first course. Tender, sweet, and cooked to perfection. One of Tom’s favorite dinners is Alex’s Bolognese sauce, accompanied by Danielle’s pasta. That, along with a super deluxe bottle of Lambrusco from Savour, and a loaf of Virgilio’s bread made extra delicious with buttery garlic, well it was heavenly. The best fun and most memorable anniversary ever <3
Photos by Liv
Wishing all my Friends a peaceful Winter Solstice <3 Today marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. Tragedy after tragedy every day fills our lives but there is hope and light. Praying 2021 will bring peace, compassion, and the best of health to all.
Since Thanksgiving, Charlotte has been back with us full time. Even if one tried, it’s nearly impossible to be sad living with a three year old. She’s at the tender, magical age of wonderment, accompanied by innumerable questions, all the while daily conquering new challenges.
Saturday was her very first time sledding. She sped down the hill countless times with her Dad (our son Alex), and TiTi (daughter Liv) and loved every minute.
The following day, Sunday, Charlotte only wanted to sled down on her own and insisted on carrying her sled to the top of the hill without adult assistance.
Day three, and she was fearlessly snowboarding with her Dad. I think we have another natural born athlete in the family <3
Favorite kind of day and Charlotte’s first Big Snowstorm!
Liv photo
You would be hard pressed to find someone more excited about the pending snowstorm than our whirling dervish Charlotte. Last year you may recall that there was virtually no snow on Cape Ann so this is really her first big storm as a toddler. Hooray for being three years old! 
Our dear friend Jud Gale passed away on November 18, 2020. He was 93 and 3/4 year old. Jud lived everyday to the fullest and was an inspiration to all of we who were blessed to know him. He left behind his beautiful blended family of Gales and Gunns, along with a community of loving friends. Jud had the most remarkable ability to change and grow with the times and always took interest in other people’s stories. He was beloved for his compassion, sense of humor and fun, his ability to council wisely, and kind and generous nature.
Jud’s daughter Emily Gale, who, along with his wife Kari, were with him by his side at his passing. Emily shared his obituary this morning and wrote the following, “Despite outliving most of the mates of his youth, hundreds of people wanted to express how much he meant to them at his memorial service and after, including myself. It was a great gift to be his daughter.” Jud’s memorial service was held virtually at the Annisquam Village Church.
Justin Edgerton “Jud” Gale, 93, passed away peacefully at home in Annisquam, a
neighborhood of Gloucester, MA on Wednesday November 18, 2020. He was
surrounded by love. His passing leaves a giant hole in the hearts of his devoted wife,
Kari (nee Scott) Gunn Gale; his children Henry and wife Susan, his son Peter, his son
Benjamin and wife Kristina, and his daughter Emily. Kari and Emily were at his side
for the past many weeks. Jud also leaves 8 grandchildren (Jessica, Elizabeth,
Bennett, Bill, Sarah, Katrina, Sam, and Juliana); 7 great grandchildren (Isobel, Avery,
Aaron, Emma, Aidin, Riley, and Clara); his brother James and wife Virginia; his brother in
law Edward Reynolds; and Kari’s family Catherine Gunn, MaryHelen Gunn, Matthew
Laurence, and Sophie Laurence. He was predeceased in June 2009 by his first wife of 59
years, Betsy (nee Miriam Elizabeth Peabody) and later by his sister Joan Gale Reynolds.
Jud was born in 1927 in Boston MA, the eldest of 3 children. After graduating from
Phillips Academy Andover, he was enrolled at Tufts University for 2 years in the
Naval ROTC. As WWII ended, he began 2 years at Harvard University, where he was
the stroke for the National Championship Crew team (inducted into the Harvard
Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1973). He was then named the Harvard Fellow
at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, and set sail for England. It was on this
voyage that he met his beloved wife Betsy.
Jud spent 37 successful years working for Proctor and Gamble. He raised his family
in Terrace Park, OH and gave of himself and his time to support St. Thomas Church
and its charitable works and the Terrace Park community. Retiring at age 60, he
went on to a second career supporting HUD based programs in subsidized housing
and the people who lived within. He joined and took leadership positions in
organizations everywhere he lived, and was fully committed to community activities.
Jud was a keen sportsman, successfully participating in many sports throughout his
school and University days. Tennis and sailing were lifelong pursuits which he only
reluctantly gave up at 90. He treasured the early retirement years sailing the
Caribbean on Bynam’s Beauty, a 51ft sloop, with his wife, Betsy.
Later, he retired to Naples, FL and his beloved ancestral home in Annisquam, MA
where he gave of his devoted his time, energy, and life lessons to family and friends.
Many a novice sailor delights in stories of his expert tutelage! Jud also charmed his
friends and competitors at the bridge table.
Jud was blessed with a second marriage to his beloved Kari in 2011. They enjoyed
many active years together, sharing adventures in Hawaii, Vancouver, London, Italy,
and a favorite cruise in the Baltic. He enthusiastically supported the Annisquam
Village Church, the Annisquam Yacht Club, the Annisquam Library, and the Naples
Bath and Tennis Academy.
He filled his life with joy, service, generosity and love. For these and countless other
gifts of his life, his family will be eternally grateful.
A celebratory tribute to Jud was held during the Annisquam Village Church Service on
November 22nd. A private family interment will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions in honor of Justin E. Gale may be made to:
The Annisquam Village Church
820 Washington Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Or to:
Care Dimensions
75 Sylvan Street, B-102
Danvers, MA 01923
http://www.Giving.caredimensions.org
No matter how your candidates fared, we can still all rejoice in the beauty found on Cape Ann –Halloween weekend brought a flower-melting snow storm, surfers in sea smoke at daybreak, wildy winds, Full Blue Halloween Moon, beautiful sunrise and sunsets
Seed pods of Stewart psuedocamelia
Brace Cove- Back Shore sea smoke surfers sunrise
Our little snow-eater
Blue Full Halloween Hunter Moon
No matter your choice of candidate or the results, it’s nearly unbearable to see our nation so extraordinarily divided. How will we ever cross the divide? Heartbreaking, discouraging, and compartmentalizing is necessary for the soul. Our lives go on, our dreams need fulfilling, and our friends and families need us.
Our daughter Liv has been home visiting for the past three weeks. She worked from home the first week and then had a much deserved staycation.
Because of coronavirus, Liv had rescheduled a trip home several times. Eight months is the longest we have ever gone without seeing each other. Her visit was THE highlight of the year and hopefully she is returning at Christmas time. Lots of singing, cooking wonderful dinners, day trips, family game nights, and so much love. Oh how I love my family and for that reason, I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Counting my blessings.
My daughter Liv and I had wonderful day off day trip. We left before sunrise this morning and mostly took the scenic way up to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. Wonderfully delicious to-go breakfast bennies were had at St. Joe’s Coffee Shop in York and divine (classic) lobster rolls at Barnacle Billy’s, Perkins Cove in Ogunquit (also to-go),. Everywhere we stopped along the way, most people were wearing masks and being Covid-safe. Feeling blessed to have my daughter home <3
Charlotte helping with organizing the summer to winter wardrobe transition and very enthusiastically pretending we are having a snow day. This is how we dressed for a walk around the neighborhood on a warm Indian Summer October day.
Of course we had to top off the walk with a cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows <3
