Wednesday, July 31, 2013

New Construction

This is the new Central Middle School, view of the main entrance on St. Ann's Road.  The school is scheduled to open in September . . . looks like lots of work ahead.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Travel Tuesday: Pawtucket, Rhode Island

This Providence Journal photographer is capturing some close-ups of the Paw Sox in action.  That's one serious looking lens.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Memories . . .

The old Quincy High School is being readied for demolition.  I wonder if any of the architectural stonework will be salvaged.  As I was photographing the exterior, I spoke with a couple former students watching the workers.  They wondered whether the old slate chalkboards, the granite steps, or pieces of the roofing copper would be salvaged  and perhaps sold to the highest bidder.  They each thought it would be pretty wonderful to have a piece of the old chalkboards they spent so much time in front of.  I hope some of these items will be salvaged for money for the city treasury and/or souvenirs for those with fond memories of this institution.   Happy Monochrome Monday!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Face-lift

The Coddington School, on the National Register of Historic Places, is undergoing a million dollar plus renovation for future use as school administration offices and other city services.  This colonial revival building was designed and built by Charles Brigham in 1909.  It's great to see these solid structures with so much character fixed and repurposed for many more years of service.  The old Quincy High School in the background is being readied for demolition.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Grey & Green

I really like the dramatic look of the clouds over The United First Parish Church  (Church of the Presidents) in Quincy Center.  Happy Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Thursday is "This Old House" Day

After spending a decade or so shrouded in shrubbery, this 1887 home at 87 Grandview Avenue is now available for our viewing pleasure.  Check out that wrap-around porch!!!  I will be interested to see if "this old house" will be getting some needed TLC.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Novel Night

The Friends of the Thomas Crane Library recently sponsored another delightful author evening.  Bestselling author, B. A. Shapiro, not only read from her break-through novel, The Art Forger, but she also shared her frustrating attempts to get her writing published. The Art Forger takes place in Boston and is based on the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Travel Tuesday: Maui, Hawaii

This hillside on the highway near Lahaina shows how arid the climate is in this area of Maui.  In sharp contrast, rain forests are located on the other side of the island.  There are an amazing number of  climate zones represented on this 727 square mile island.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Anchored

I like this nautical themed fence I spotted in Merrymount.  Happy Monochrome Monday!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Summer In The City

Boston Waterfront is a short boat-ride from Quincy.  The sky helps to make this colorful summer scene.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Net Gain

Blacks Creek is a great place to go mucking about with a net.  I like the high knee move of the girl in the red sweater.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Beach Day!

This Wollaston Beach-goer may have lots of company today as people seek relief from the heat-wave we're in.  High tide is early morning and early evening.  There is an excessive heat advisory for today so be careful if you are out and about. 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thursday is "This Old House" Day

This 1915 house on Quincy Shore Drive has the perfect porch in which to view fireworks and sailboat races across the street from Quincy Bay.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Flower Power

This delightful planter was spotted outside a house near Wolly Beach.  It looks like it is straight out of an old  movie with Audry Hepburn peddling around town.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Travel Tuesday: Pawtucket, Rhode Island

  McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket Rhode Island is home to the Boston Red Sox AAA team.  You can get your Cracker Jacks there and root, root, root for the home team!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Broken Pipe

The foggy view beyond the broken runoff pipe is Quincy Shore Drive.  Happy Monochrome Monday!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Green Crabs!!!

Blacks Creek is teeming with crabs -- green ones that is.  The "Save the Harbor, Save the Bay" environmental advocacy group are doing a great job of educating our future generation about the importance of a healthy marine life.  The green crabs are an invasive species.

Friday, July 12, 2013

"Bernie"

"Bernie" fishes perpetually off the shores of Merrymount.  Constant exposure to the elements has given his complexion an extremely weathered-look.  I wonder if he ice fishes too.   Happy Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Thursday is "This Old House" Day

This 1912 house at 13 Norton Road in Merrymount has a fabulous wrap-around porch on the street level and a 2nd floor porch over the entryway as well -- my kind of place.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Portable Reader

Blacks Creek estuary is a beautiful place to set out your chair and open up a book.

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Travel Tuesday: Boston Harbor

Water transport is an enjoyable and efficient way to get to and from Boston's Logan Airport.  It only takes 7 minutes once on board.  You can see Logan tower along the horizon.  Water taxis are also available from Quincy and Hull.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Shore Walk

These flowering Catalpa trees are a beautiful sight to behold on a walk along Wollaston Beach.  The Squantum peninsula is seen along the horizon.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

One Singular Sensation ...

This image was captured in a pond in the Blue Hills.  I have always enjoyed the layered look achieved in the process of silk-screening.  I played around with this image until I got that look.

Friday, July 05, 2013

Front Row Seat

I like the way the HDR setting on my camera plays up the drama in the sky.  These lifeguards have only the sky to watch on these unsettled days at Wollaston Beach . . . Happy Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Happy Birthday America!

You are looking into the grand archway of the Boston Harbor Hotel where a gigantic flag waves gracefully during this national holiday.  America's independence movement began in Boston more than 200 years ago.   "This Old House" will resume next Thursday.

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Great News!

Hip hip hooray!   The Thomas Crane Public Library will be opened 7 days a week this summer!    This image was made using a creative setting on my camera; it reminds me of an old postcard. 

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Travel Tuesday: Sandwich, Massachusetts


Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod.  Storms from this past winter and spring changed the landscape of Sandwich Town Beach.   The Atlantic Ocean came perilously close to beachfront houses; one is in the process of being moved back from the water.  Many of the trails to the beach have been closed to help preserve what is left of the dunes.  In the picture below new grass has been planted to try and anchor the new sand that was trucked in.  One resident trucked in $10,000 worth of sand to try and restore some of the frontage lost to erosion.  Mother Nature will have her way eventually . . . but meanwhile, what a beautiful place to enjoy on a sunny day.

Monday, July 01, 2013

July Theme Day: Facade




I chose this handsome 1929 Art Deco facade of the Granite Trust Building located in Quincy Center for my July "theme day" post.  This edifice has always served as a bank and a symbol of prosperous times for this city.  Once again it is the beacon of economic hope because the first phase of an ambitious redevelopment project is getting underway right behind it.

You may visit other City Daily Photo Bloggers' interpretations of this month's theme by clicking  HERE.

Summer Attraction

This tiger swallowtail butterfly was a delight to see pollinating the phlox bed along my driveway.