Autumn Begins

"Autumn Expectations" by Cole Scott Photography

The Autumnal Equinox is Sunday, September 22nd.  New Englanders are preparing for the onslaught of visitors from New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and Canada.  New Hampshire alone is projected to entertain over 7.8MM visitors spending $1.09B.  As I live in a resort area and my income is dependent upon advertising to tourists, I hope it's true.

Just Another Day in the Hood

Yup.  This is for real; taken just up the road from our town by a New Hampshire man.  

Here's his description: 

 "I shot this photograph today (8/29) at the Irving gas station just north of Twin Mountain. The live bear was sitting at the table and appeared to be eating lunch!"

This is all over Facebook (back here).  I've seen some pretty funny comments.  I happen to like this one best:  

      "He coulda had a V8".

It's mine.  :)

The Kindness of Strangers: In Memoriam

This post was originally published May 6, 2009. Today we learned this man, so kind, so beloved by all, died this weekend and we are saddened by his passing.

RIP PHIL KELLY
Another Cup'a Jo by cole scott images

This is a photograph of a man in our town who runs a wonderful little coffee shop. When we first moved here, our entire life savings were on hold for two weeks til the bank "cleared" it for transfer. We had, as I recall, about $110 in cash and we ran through that right away. In those first two weeks, we found office space and set up shop working in the main village. It was lunch time, we were hungry and I took a stroll down the main drag to find a restaurant and order a meal to go. All I had was my credit card.

The first restaurant didn't take credit cards. Only cash. Same with the second restaurant, same with the third. I kept thinking I was in small town hell and I wandered into this fella's place. It smelled like a good old fashioned lunch counter, thick hot cheeseburgers with grilled onions, homemade berry pies, strong coffee. He asked for my order but I told him my story first. No sense wasting his time if his policy was the same as everyone else. He looked me up and down and said,

"I don't take credit cards. What do you want to eat?"

I said "I can't pay you."

He said, "I know you're good for it."

Seriously. He took my order, made our lunch, gave it to me in a paper sack and told me to pay him when the bank transferred the money. I think it was about $11.00.

When the money came in, I was in his place like a shot. We've been friends ever since.

My husband took this photo of him recently in his new place. He is much beloved.

In all the years we've moved around, I've had wonderful encounters with people, particularly in smaller towns. This is one of my favorites.

Book Review: Shirley Jones

In an autobiography that should have been titled "Jack Cassidy  My Sick Passion". three quarters of this book is about her first husband, his womanizing, his bi-sexuality, his indifference to his four sons, his substance abuse.  And she can't get enough of the guy while she recounts his cruelty, egomania, jealousy of her success and his big dong.  

You heard that right.  The guy was well-endowed with a capital "D".

Shirley Jones proceeds to destroy any and all ideals we may have about her...and not in a good way.

My MIL bought the book, read it and gave to me.  As a long time lover of musicals, my favorite being "The Music Man", I thought I'd be reading about Robert Preston, Gordon MacRae, Burt Lancaster, her co-star in "Elmer Gantry" and her Hollywood experiences.  If those are your interests, don't bother to buy the book.  They are all footnotes.

Instead, we get blow-by-blow descriptions of her sex life with Jack and his with others.  No spoilers here.  You'll get an eyeful if you read reviews.  What she does is her business, but some things are not meant to be shared.  She leaves a legacy of embarrassment to her sons and grandchildren.  

Suffice to say, I would have subtitled the book:

"If you want to be disappointed, read this."

Happy Birthday My Son

My son, his girlfriend 2011 Anna Maria Island

My sons are on an extended trip Down Under.  They plan to be away at least one, possibly two years.  This is the birthday email I sent to my youngest who turned 25 last wk.

Son, 

Every birthday, every year, takes me back to the first few years of your life.  I loved my pregnancies and took great joy knowing I was going to have children.  Believe me, once upon a time,  I could have been voted "Least likely to have children".  But you and your older brother are the blessings Dad and I were given.  

The day of your birth I was frightened, as was your father, not because there was anything wrong with you; you were quite perfect.  We just thought ourselves so lucky after the birth of your brother, I think we wondered if lightening could possibly strike twice.

It did.  His name is Fletcher.  He is you.

Twenty five is a benchmark of sorts, but it may not be the turning point of your life.  You'll probably not remember, in later years, why you expected it should be so.  I know I cannot remember my 25th birthday at all.  

You need not have your life mapped.  Twenty five is a compass.  It's pointing you in directions.  You have to choose the road on which to travel and go go go.  I think you and your brother are doing this now on your extraordinary trip to Australia and beyond.  A year or two away from home is a life changing experience.  If it seems haphazard at times, remember, life can be complicated and messy and difficult.  It can also be sweet and simple and it is God's greatest gift.

Use your talent, your brains, your personality and make things happen.  Trust iin yourself, even when you make mistakes.  A mistake is simply taking a path that didn't work out.  Take another!!!  You don't stop hiking when you come to a dead end.

I'm proud of you and the man you've become.  You're generous, kind, loving, smart, artistic and you think out of the box; not an easy thing to do.  For once in my life, I'll credit your father with that trait.

I wish you love and happiness.

Mom