Bobolinks!

On Sunday morning three friends and I went to visit the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, MA. It was my first time there, though all three of my friends had visited before.

We started down a trail leading through a field of tall grass, purple flowers, rows of trees on one side, and the Webster Pond on our right. In front of us was the entrance to a dense, woodsy area. This path, the Pond Loop Trail, seemed the lesser traveled of the various trials.

Almost immediately we came across a purple martin colony, consisting of man-made, round, white bird houses. Hoards of purple martins were flying around feeding their young. Occasionally we spied the little fledgling heads popping out to greet their mamas and papas. Though the day was overcast, and it was difficult to see the iridescent purple of the birds, it was a awesome sight nonetheless. 

Purple Martins

After continuing to look around, I spotted another bird on top of the tall grass stalks to our right. After peering more closely, my friend Willy exclaimed, "It's a bobolink!"

I was very excited!

Since it's only within the past few months that I've have taken up the hobby of bird watching with any seriousness, I am a novice. I've diligently recorded the more common New England birds in my 'bird' journal, such as the cardinal, robin, tufted titmouse, nuthatch and chickadee. 

Lately I have been eagerly scouting out more rare sights, such as cedar waxwings, redstarts and yellow warblers. The bobolink has been on my 'must see' list since the beginning, mostly because of my love of Emily Dickinson, and a particular poem she wrote about the bobolink.  

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –               

I keep it, staying at Home –

With a Bobolink for a Chorister –

And an Orchard, for a Dome –

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –

I, just wear my Wings –

And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

Our little Sexton – sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman –

And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –

I’m going, all along.

Emily Dickinson

Somerville Massachusetts in the Olden Days

Lately I've been gathering photos and postcards that I see posted on the Facebook group 'Somerville in the Olden Days.' I particularly like the 19th century photos, but the ones from the 1940s thru the 1960s are interesting too. My family's history in Somerville begins in the 1930s. 

St Ann's Church Winter Hill

Broadway

I'm pretty sure this is Highland Ave., right before Cedar St.

Prospect Tower

Somerville Theater, Built in 1905 or so

Davis Square 1940s

Davis Sq. 1960s. My mom's first job was working in Gorin's

Be Chairful Where You Sit

This year several friends and I participated in a fundraiser for the Arlington Public Arts, "Be Chairful Where You Sit." This event was held in Arlington, Massachusetts, on July 22-24 in Whittemore Park, Arlington Center. 

     My friends Amy, Jen and Jonathan had participated before, but this was my first time!

     The idea is to find an old chair, even trash, and re-purpose it into a work of art. In past years there have been some great chairs. In fact my friends Steph and Amy won the 'People's Choice' in 2014 with their "Throne of Games" chair.
     

"Throne of Games"

     
After viewing all the entries over the years, I wanted to participate. 

The genesis of my idea was to create a feminist statement about women's work. In other words: "Have a seat. You work too hard." I thought about doing a collage of women's work, mainly from yesteryear. The inspiration for my theme was the cover of an IKEA pillow I had, with a photo of a woman from the late 1800's. I turned this pillow cover into a seat cushion. 

My Chair "A Woman's Work is Never Done."

I had fun creating my chair, and spent many 'zen' hours. I was dis- appointed, though, that my chair did not sell.   

After the exhibit two friends made the comment that 'sitting on her face'  would be awkward.


LOL!  I was so enthused about using her in the piece that I didn't even think of that, but I guess it's a good point! 

  

Jonathan with his 'Merritt Parkway' chair

Whale Watch Off Cape Ann

     Took the kids on a whale watch last week off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. We had a long boat trip- six hours. I wish I had brought my books and writing material. Why did I not anticipate down time? I did bring water, snacks, and sandwiches, which the kids scoffed up like vultures.

 

The Salty Seafarers

     After two hours at sea we observed a wonderful display of humpbacks, many pairings of two and groups of four. In the distance we saw some fin slapping and breaching. It was awesome. Of course these creatures are nothing but awesome and splendid. I think the kids enjoyed it, and hopefully will be up for another whale watch in the future. I'd like to arrange a trip off the Maine coast at some point. 



     We also experienced 'whale breath,' which is emitted from the blowhole. A literally death-like bacteria smell that will take your breath away and turn your stomach.
      I learned a few tidbits that I did not know before the trip. The educators on board were grand. All young women enthused about whales and nature. 

1. Humpbacks go to the Caribbean in the winter, but do not feed at all during that time. They live off that blubber ya all.
2. Humpbacks can live 50 to 70 years. 
3. Humpbacks will hang out together in pairs called 'associations.' These associations may last days or months. 
4. Humpback females appear to be fertile way past middle age, not like humans. You go girl. 

The Sasquatch Boogie

Sasquatch, or Big Foot, is not known for his flexibility and grace. 

When you think of yoga poses and ballroom dancing, the Yeti man does not come to mind. 

That's why these unearthed photos are so amazing! Big Foot can display some impressive moves!

Usual Hunched Look

Stretched Forward Walk

Side Plank- Impressive

 Headstand with Legs Loose

Back Arm Stretch- With Secure Footing

Parachute Pose

Other Items Found at Montpelier

Many other items were found during my experience digging at Montpelier. Here are a few photos of some other typical finds. 

1.Bottom of Wine Glass

2. Jane holding the bottom of an iron pot

3. Various buttons

4. Pieces of Wine Bottles

 I found many nails and a huge chunk of a wine bottle, and the bottom of a wine glass. I couldn't help thinking: "Did Thomas Jefferson, Dolly Madison, or James Madison drink from this glass or bottle?"

5. Iron Nail

6. Coin From 1765

 
Unfortunately we did not find any coins, but previous excavations have found coins. On this coin you can clearly see the date: 1765.

Ceramics and Pottery at Montpelier

     During my volunteer archaeology trip to James and Dolley's Madison's Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, I was introduced to the different kinds of pottery, china, or earthenware that we were likely to find. It was mind boggling and I have to admit I did not commit the variations to memory. Since the Madison family owned the property from 1723 to 1844, and finds also included pieces owned by the enslaved peoples as well as freedmen, the possibilities were diverse.

    

Digging out

The highlight of the week for me was when I found a piece of English delftware (?) which was the largest piece found this summer! This type of ceramic most folks consider ugly, but apparently it was quite popular in the 1740's. The piece likely belonged to the

senior Madisons, James Madison's parents, during their Mt. Pleasant years. Mount Pleasant was the house that James and Nelly Conway Madison lived in, and where James the president grew up. James Sr. built the Georgian mansion in the early 1760's.

     Dolley Madison would have owned 'prettier' tableware sets. Many of the archaeologists joked that Dolley Madison likely despised her mother-in-law's choice of decor and tableware. Nelly Conway Madison (1731-1829) lived to the age of 98, and had her own southern side of the mansion duplex. She continued to maintain a rural lifestyle Dolley would have considered 'outdated.'

    

In fact Dolley was very much a 'fashion queen' of the times and greatly influenced by high society living. She frequently shopped in Philadelphia and Washington, and ordered hats, turbans, gowns, and furniture from Europe, even during wartime! Dolley is famous for her low cut, bosom revealing dresses, and colorful, feathered

turbans.Too bad I didn't find any jewelry or buckles!

Books Acquired During My Trip to Virginia

The following list contains some of the books I acquired during my trip to Virginia. Of course I went to every gift shop available and bought several books. A few other books I saw that I wanted, but I thought they would be cheaper on Amazon. A few are signed by the author, and unavailable elsewhere!
 

1.  "Those Who Labor for My Happiness": Slavery at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (Jeffersonian America) by Lucia C. Stanton

2.  James and Dolley Madison: America's First Power Couple by Bruce Chadwick

3.  The Virginia Adventure: Roanoke to James Towne (Virginia Bookshelf) by Ivor Noel Hume

4.  A Woman of Honor: Dr. Mary E. Walker and the Civil War by Mercedes Graf

5.  Mathew Brady's First Manassas A Biography & Battlefield Tour by Dennis Hogge signed by author!

6.  Uncommon Ground: Archaeology and Early African America, 1650-1800 by Leland G. Ferguson

7.  Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave by Jennifer Fleischner

8.  Home Life in the Colonial Days by Alice Morse Earle

9.  Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland (Exceptional Social Studies Titles for Intermediate Grades) by Sally M. Walker

10.  Woman's Life in Colonial Days [Paperback] [1999] (Author) Carl Holliday

11.  Pocahontas's People: The Powhatan Indians of Virginia Through Four Centuries (Civilization of the American Indian) by Helen C. Rountree

12.  Strange New Land: Africans in Colonial America by Peter H. Wood

13.  Jane: Starvation, Cannibalism, and Endurance at Jamestown by WILLIAM KELSO, DOUGLAS OWSLEY, BEVERLY STRAUBE JAMES HORN

14.  Jamestown, the Buried Truth by William M. Kelso signed by author!

Chimerism

Chimerism is a very odd biological phenomena that can occur in humans, and I assume animals as well. It is when a person has the genetic code of two people. In Greek mythology the Chimera is a monster figure that is part lion, goat, and snake.

Chimerism is rare in humans. There are few medically documented cases. Throughout history there were likely more incidences, but usually people do not discover chimerism. DNA testing and knowledge is so recent.

A famous modern case involves a woman named Lydia Fairchild. In 2002 she was in a custody dispute for her children, and discovered that her three children, that she gave birth to, did not share her DNA. Doctors and lawyers were flabbergasted, and Lydia almost lost custody of her children.

Eventually it was discovered that Lydia was meant to be a twin, but in utero the two eggs fused into one. As a result Lydia's twin's DNA lived on inside her. Remarkably, Lydia's children were essentially her sister's children as well. Certain organs had Lydia's DNA, and other organs had her twin's DNA.

Microchimerism is far more common, but it is difficult to detect because it is at the cellular level. Microchimerism is when the fetus' and the mother's cells get transferred during pregnancy. Many adult children have their mother's cells inside certain organs. Mothers also have their children's DNA.

Fraternal twins and identical twins also exchange DNA in utero. In fact with fraternal twins, there sometimes can be sexual development complications (or differences) at puberty, because male or female chromosomes have been exchanged. Pretty fascinating.

Scientists are studying microchimerism, as this phenomena has affects on the development of diseases and autoimmunity, both positively and negatively.

**Disclosure. I'm not a biologist, just a curious person! If you are looking for medical info.,  should find other sources.

Zach Playing Drums at the Barn Bash

Check out how Gemma walks over and plops right next to Zach. And also note my mom, Pat, and Paula in the audience.

Barn Bash 2014

This year's 9th annual Barn Bash was a great time. The weather threatened to be rainy with showers, but by the afternoon it cleared up and we had sun! The temperature was perfect. 

Highlights for me were Zach playing the drums again to a great jazz tune, and Paige singing a song she wrote. The Hansen sisters were so kind to help Paige with her song, and it was Paige's first time performing in front of an audience! Marty and Kristen Hansen encouraged her. 

My parents were there, along with my mom's cousin Pat and her daughter Paula. Jonathan, Stacey, Paige, and Eve drove up with me for the day.

Hey Youse Guys

     Last week I saw reference to several dialect tests on Slate Magazine. I've taken a few in the past, and the results usually aren't surprising. Of course my results indicate a Boston, Providence, Maine dialect. (See the dark red area?)

     I always think it's fun to take the quiz anyway. I remember kids saying "youse guys" when I was young. I never used that phrase, but other words are deeply embedded like 'rotary' and 'firefly' and 'highway.' Mainly I still use these words because I wasn't aware of alternatives. I never heard 'roundabout' or 'traffic circle' or 'freeway' until adulthood.

Interestingly, my dialect is least like Detroit and New Orleans.

     Other words I did use as a kid, mainly 'tonic,' for 'soda,' but I don't use them anymore. I would never call 'soda' 'pop' though! Also, I would NEVER say 'ant' for 'aunt.' (I think Bostonians are correct about this pronunciation). Other curious Bostonian words are 'spa' and 'packie.'

Cathrineholm

     Cathrineholm is not a person, but a factory that existed in Halden, Norway from 1907 to 1975. It is most famous for making a fabulous line of cookware, designed originally by Grete Prytz Kittelsen and others. Grete worked at the Cathrineholm factory from 1955 to 1972, and was known as a leader in Scandinavian design. She also made jewelry and silver pieces.

Apparently Grete was responsible for the form and colors of the bowls and plates, but another designer, Arne Clausen, is credited for the lotus flower pattern. Grete did not care for the lotus pattern, believing it distracting. 

     Cathrineholm made bowls, plates, coffeepots, and, best of all, fondue pots. I bought a fondue pot the other day at the Cambridge Antique Market and I love it! What better representation of mid-century design than a fondue pot? My pot seems unique because it is not the typical Cathrineholm lotus pattern. Researching online, it also appears that black and white was a less common color than orange, yellow, or blue.

     
Grete Prytz Kittelsen was an interesting woman.

She married the architect Arne Korsmo and they lived in a very modernistic house he designed. He died in 1968, but she lived on working for many years. Grete lived to be 93, just passing away in 2010.