Scallops over Linguine…technically not grilled, but no one seemed to care…

Smoked Garlic and Herb Sausages in the Mist…

And sausages in the clear…

Refreshments…

Lots of toppings for the hamburgers and hot dogs…

A hot dog teepee…activities for when you are bored waiting for the grill to heat up…

What started out to be an experimental BBQ for a few turned into a small gathering of neighbors and friends. Good thing, because we had enough food to feed an army and it was a sunny and beautiful day in Magnolia.

The chair of the year

I don’t know why i bought a Weber grill when I could have done this…

You can read more about Mason Walton and his experience in the woods online at www.openlibrary.org. Just put the words Mason Walton or the title of his book “A Hermit’s Wild Friends” into the search box. Also, on April 20, the park will host a Mason Walton Nature Walk. Learn more about it here http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/northeast-ma/hermits-tales.html.

Here are just a few photos of Ravenswood today…..

Fernwood Lake, look how blue!

Can you find the snake in this picture? Look carefully...

There she is, or he is!

Eli from Manchester, who can't be more than 4 years old, learning to mountainbike!

In 1873, French writer Jules Verne published Around the World in 80 Days. The main character Phileas Fogg and his traveling companion attempt to circle the world in 80 days  motivated by a $$$ bet. At the time, they could not hop on a plane and had to travel by railroad, boat (steamer), horseback or other animal, or by foot.

Now I have not read the book since middle school but I do remember the feeling of adventure as Fogg encountered brushes with the law, saved an Indian woman from death, rode an elephant, and survived attacks by natives.

With the book in mind, I started thinking where I might visit if I were lucky enough to travel round the world. The start of my list is below.  

Of course, if I had an unlimited budget and lots of time, I would go everywhere. So to make this exercise more manageable, I set some simple parameters.

• I must pick the top 10-15 destinations to set my trip framework; this allows for 5-8 days in each spot
• I must start the trip in Boston and head east
• I must never be on a plane for more than 6 hours at a time. That is my limit.
• I must strive to see each continent
• I must complete the trip in 80 days
• (I won’t worry about cost at this stage)

Phileas Fogg’s Itinerary in Round the World in 80 Days

Bear in mind, Fogg’s goal was to get around the world, quickly and efficiently in somewhat of a “straight” line. His goal was not necessarily to enjoy himself!

• London to Suez, Egypt: rail & steamer
• Suez to Bombay, India: steamer
• Bombay to Calcutta, India: rail & elephant
• Calcutta to Hong Kong: steamer
• Hong Kong to Yokohama, Japan: steamer
• Yokohama to San Francisco: steamer
• San Francisco to New York City: rail
• New York to London: steamer & rail

Below is the start of my itinerary, just my initial thoughts. You could start your own list, but I would love to hear your recommendations for the most awe-inspiring places you’ve ever been OR, the more ‘simple’ locations that give a traveler a peek into someone else’s culture.

My Starter Itinerary  (See my Round the World Project page for an updated map which plots my route). 

1. Boston to Ireland
2. Ireland  to Rome
3. Rome to Greece
4. Greece to Jerusalem
5. Jerusalem to Africa for a safari (don’t know where yet)
6. Africa to Antarctica?
7. Antarctica to New Zealand
8. New Zealand to Thailand
9. Thailand to Hong Kong
10. Hong Kong to South Korea
11. South Korea to Japan
12. Japan to Tahiti
13. Tahiti to West Coast, U.S.
14. West Coast to Colorado
15. Colorado to Boston

You might notice that for now, I left out Australia and South America. I have nothing against those continents! I also left out northern Alaska and the Northern territories of Canada that I’ve always wanted to see, only because I couldn’t fit them easily into my parameters. Because this trip has a worldwide focus, I feel I can pretty easily get to see Canada and Alaska on another trip.

Is this a dream or potential reality? Send me your thoughts and your must see places. I will be updating my itinerary, adding more details including costs. We’ll see if if this trip is possible, or just a fun fantasy!

See my Round the World Project page for more updates. 

Or, watch  the video “Someone Like You” below…the way she looks at the camera looks like she is talking to someone specific.   As you can see from her NPR performance and this video, her voice can carry itself without a lot of help. You can actually hear music coming from her soul, instead of the manufactured ‘noise’ that is too common on the radio.

To best view this video, click on the Full Screen icon on the bottom right corner of video and just close out those annoying ads.

According to the story, she did not use any fertility drugs. These days, that is big news. Remember when John Travolta’s wife got pregnant at 47?  And it was headline news?

What’s strange is, before the days of birth control and accessible abortions, more women did have children in their 40′s and early 50′s, but no one made such a big deal out of it. It may not have been commonplace, but it certainly wasn’t considered to be headline news. Now we are programmed to think that having a baby after 35 is dangerous, and in the 40′s, a potential disaster. The woman in the story has been called “selfish” and been told to “get an abortion” by perfect strangers.

My opinion, not that anyone asked, is “God bless that cute little baby and both his parents.” Both parents seem to be happy with their new arrival, have jobs, and seem intelligent enough to have a back up plan for their baby should something happen to them.

What is YOUR opinion?

Read the Full Story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2091336/Debbie-Hughes-Grandmother-whos-mum-53.html

You can comment directly on this blog, by hitting the comment button at the top left of this story, or if you have no time, take this poll

Surprise!

Ronnie is the heart of Magnolia, he knows everyone, and everyone knows him to be warm, sweet and occasionally funny. He would give you the shirt off his back,  he’s a good friend to all, and I hear he’s not a bad brother either! 

So, everyone was eating, drinking and chatting, when suddenly, Elvis popped up from out of nowhere! I think he’s been living in the basement of the Patio Restaurant, and he occasionally comes up when he smells a good meatloaf cooking, to sing a song, or flirt with women…

From left, JoAnn, me, Cathy, Linda and Elvis!

The King never stops flirting. Here he is with Debbie and family!

Carolyn and Mike have a few laughs, I think Mike might be attempting to dance...

When Elvis left the building, we turned our full attention to Ronnie celebrating his milestone birthday.  Here he is with his brothers and sisters…

Sometime soon I will post something about people turning 50. If you want to contribute any thoughts or short stories on the topic, feel free.

Click on the pictures below to make them larger…more pics of Ronnie’s birthday bash!

…can capture beauty,  of the more exotic,  earthy, and natural kind…

…often has a dream-like quality which expands our minds…

…can lift our spirits and make us feel anything is possible…

…or evokes emotion including fear…

…can give us a moment of peace…

…or can make us willingly get lost, in a universe turned sideways.

and here is a lovely picture of my friend Cathy, sister of one of the crew who was lost at sea.

Jacob and one of his Striper catches. He also caught the most amount of bait (mackerels?) for the day.

The boat fit 4 passengers and Captain Steve. He let Jacob steer us back to the harbor, and Jacob was a natural captain. The boat was meant for fishing but for me, it was a speedboat, because I don’t think I have ever moved so fast on the water in a boat that size. At points when we hit waves it was like being on a roller coaster–fun!

Noah, after he reeled in a Striper, all by himself

I did catch a few, and Noah reeled most of mine in.

To learn more about taking a private fishing trip in Maine with Captain Steve, click here. http://stevebrettell.com/index.html

For more pics and videos, click on the “More” button just below this…