Spring Has Sprung

It was 95 degrees on Tuesday, and in my yard, spring has sprung.

Grist Mill - #2

Another property which Henry Ford built in Sudbury adjacent to the Wayside Inn was this grist mill. In 1924, The Wayside Inn Grist Mill was the first working mill to be built as a museum. Operations ground to a halt after Ford's death but resumed again in 1952 when Pepperidge Farm began grinding flour for it's products until 1967. From 1967 to 1969, they produced flour for the King Arthur Flour Company.

Today the mill is mostly a museum but also produces flour for baked goods sold at the Wayside Inn restaurant. It is also a favorite spot for wedding photos.

Martha Mary Chapel

Henry Ford built this chapel adjacent to the Wayside Inn. He operated a school for indigent boys at the Wayside Inn and these boys built the church from trees recovered from the Hurricane of '38. It was also then used as a school. The chapel is named after Henry and Clara Ford's mothers.

Today, it is commonly used for weddings. In fact, a movie is coming out this Friday, called "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner, and a wedding scene was filmed at the Martha Mary Chapel. Keep your eyes open for it.

Longfellow's Wayside Inn - # 2

I posted a picture of the Wayside Inn late last year. In 1923, Henry Ford, yes, the automobile Henry Ford, purchased the Inn with the idea of transforming the old Colonial Inn into a living museum of American history. Ford purchased 3,000 acres of property surrounding the Inn, added eight new buildings to the site, and collected historic artifacts. In 1930, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. came to Sudbury after buying the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg to learn how to manage a historic site from Henry Ford and his experiences with the Wayside Inn.

Ford brought many prominent vistors to the Inn including Calvin Coolidge and Charlese Lindbergh. He also had a group of buddies, namely Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison with whom he would come to Sudbury and the Inn for his annual "Vagabond" retreat.

The Ford family made a significant impact on Sudbury's place in history.

School's Out!!

Back in Boston again. Northeastern University students celebrating the end of the school year 5 floors above street level. It was a little scary watching them toss a football around. Hope they had a great year.

Parting Shot

A final salute to those who laid down their lives in the Revolutionary War.

Bob

Bob is an avid historian and also a reenactor of the American Revolution. I met Bob early last Sunday morning at the North Cemetery in Sudbury while we were both waiting for the arrival of the Sudbury Fyfe and Drum on their way to the Battle of Concord. He has been a part of this group for 45 years since it began and was the Colonel back in 1952. The march is now too arduous but he greets them when they stop to make a musket salute at the cemetery for those who fell during the Revolutionary War. When I asked Bob why his attire was so different from the others, he said that he was portraying a scout. He said that many of the people involved in the Revolutionary War from Sudbury had also been in the French Indian War.

Turncoat or Spy

No, you are not seeing double, but, is he a regular in the British Army or a Colonist?
At last year's march from Sudbury to Concord, I took a photo of a ponytail on a man portraying a colonist. A few days before this year's event I looked at the photo again and wondered if that pony tail was real or not. Much to my suprise, on Saturday in Concord, I saw that same ponytail but this time it was on a British Soldier. I mustered my courage and asked this man if he was not on the other side last year. That's how I met Bryon. He laughed and told me he would see me again tomorrow in Sudbury wearing his blue outfit. This is Bryon's 43rd year being involved with the American Revolution reenactment. Not only that, he is a 3rd generation reenactor. If you watch New England Patriots football or New England Revolution soccer at Gillette Stadium, you will see Bryon and fellow militia men who are members of the End Zone Militia and in my opinion are more interesting than the cheerleaders. By the way, Bryon does have a day job and he assured me that the ponytail is real.

Team Hoyt

Before we leave the Boston Marathon I want to introduce you to Dick and Rick Hoyt. Theirs is the ultimate story of fatherly love, endurance and a zest for life. Rick was born with his umbilical card wrapped around his neck, depriving him of oxygen. The Hoyts were told he would be a vegetable. They did not believe the doctors. In 1977 Rick asked his dad to push his wheelchair in a 5K. Even though they came in 2nd last, the seeds were sown and they never looked back. The 113th Boston Marathon was their 1000th event. Together they have competed in marathons and the ultimate challenge, the Hawaii Ironman Triathalon six times, where Dick pulled Rick in a dinghy while he swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles with Rick in a special seat at the front of the bike, and pushed Rick 26.2 miles in a specially built wheelchair. They are a truly amazing team. To learn more about Team Hoyt, watch this YouTube presentation.
This photo is from last year's marathon.

113th Boston Marathon - Mile 16

The lead pack of elite female runners. At the finish line it was Kosgei of Kenya beating out Ethiopian, Tune, by one second. Closest finish ever. American Goucher came in 3rd seven seconds later.

The lead pack of elite male runners are just a blur. At the finish line it was Merga of Ethiopia, Rono of Kenya and Hall of the U.S. in 3rd.

Today's photos are courtesy of my friend John. Knowing it was going to be a great photo op day, my camera called it quits and died after taking a tumble out of my backpack. As a result, I am actually in this photo. I am not the lady in the warm black pants and sun glasses. Cheering on the runners at mile 16 on the Newton/Wellesley border has been a tradition of ours now for many years.

Patriots' Day Observed

Two militia men, deep in conversation, as they take a moments rest on their foggy early morning march to meet the redcoats in Concord.

Patriots' Day

Patriots' Day is a civic holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Even though the day is celebrated on the Monday closest to the 19th, Sudbury stays true to the day and the members of the Sudbury Fyfe and Drum faithfully march on that day from Sudbury to Concord. Some of these reenactors have been at this for 45 years since this tradtion began. Our home is along the route and every year we are awakened by the muskets and the fyfe and drum when they are about a mile away. Then we run out to watch them.

American Revolution

Today I awoke early to witness a reenactment of the beginning of the American Revolution at the Old North Bridge in Concord which took place April 19, 1775. Because of the significance of the day, I am submitting five photos to depict the happenings rather than spread them out over 5 days, where their relevance would be lost.

The British had sent 700 soldiers to Concord to destroy military equipment stockpiled there. They sent 96 men to guard the Old North Bridge to prevent rebels from other areas from threatening their mission. The colonial militia consisting of 400 ragtag farmers and the like were waiting. A standoff occurs at the bridge.

The British shoot warning shots and then actually fire into the militia.

The militia, shocked that two of their leaders were felled, return the fire.

The British in disbelief make a hasty retreat.

The militia cross the bridge to save the town of Concord which had been set afire, and lay the groundwork for the birth of a new nation.

The Concord Hymn
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837)

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood;
And fired the shot heard round the world.

Daffodil Trail

The daffodil trail awakens in the center of town.

Vinca

It's hard not to post pictures of flowers that brighten up our lives after a long white winter. These lovely vincas are courtesy of my neighbor who hasn't cut his lawn in ten years. They have crossed over into my yard and have formed a carpet of lavender blue. Though I spend my summers chopping down and fighting back every form of intruder from next door, I allow the vinca to stay.

Orchard House

This is Orchard House, the childhood home of Louisa May Alcott and the setting of her most famous novel, Little Women. The house is now a museum open to the public with many interesting activities. We have visited it both with the Girl Scouts and as a setting for a wonderful little girl's birthday party. You can just imagine the young Alcotts frolicking through the house and its lopsided floors. It seems in need of a new coat of paint.

South Bridge Boat House

At the South Bridge Boat House in Concord, you can rent canoes and kayaks. We have come here often and always had a grand time on the river. For my daughter's birthday one year we even had a catered lunch cruise. I remember driving by one time and saw the lunch cruise filled with ladies with purple hats. Wish I had my camera then.

Scilla

Near the Old North Bridge is a field of blooming Scilla, also known as Siberian Squill. I remember the first time I rode by this field on my bike, it took my breath away.

Giant Cactus

My cactus bloomed for Christmas and is now blooming again for Easter even though it is officially not an "Easter Cactus." Their flowers apparently are different. This plant keeps blooming despite my neglect.

My Tree

Sixteen years ago this tree spoke to me. We had moved to Massachusetts from California and were having a hard time finding a new town and a new home. I drove over the bridge and saw that tree in my rear view mirror and told myself I had to live near that tree. And we do.

Gate

Back to my world.

More from the City

Okay, in Sudbury our tallest building is the High School which is three stories tall. So, to see the top of a building disappearing in the fog is kind of cool.

In the city it seems as though you could find a hundred pictures on every corner and never lack for inspiration.

A Day in the City

This country bumpkin got to go into the City Monday, not once, but twice!! Yahoo. It's only a 40 minute drive from home and my daughter lives only 3 blocks away from here and my husband works in Boston every day but I rarely get in so I was like a kid in a candy shop with my camera.

It was a raw, rainy day and therefore moody. We ate dinner across from the world headquarters of the Christian Science Church located on Huntington Avenue. If it weren't for all the Red Sox fans roaming about, disappointed that opening day had been cancelled due to rain, I could have imagined I was in Paris.

Sherman's Bridge

Sherman's Bridge is a bumpity wooden bridge that crosses the Sudbury River between Sudbury and Wayland. Back in the 1600s, the two towns were one and known as the Sudbury Plantation.
Anyway, I don't mean for this post to be a history lesson. I want you to notice how the monachrome grey and white of a few weeks ago has changed to brown of the barren trees and the deep blue of the sky and water. What is amazing is that in a matter of a couple of weeks, it will change again. This time to vibrant greens.

The Return of the Great Blue Heron

For mom. Every time I see a heron, I think of you.

Old North Bridge

In April of 1775, the course of history changed in America as the Minutemen fought back the British over the Old North Bridge.

Stair Steps to.....

These steps lead to a view of history.

One of My Favorite Resting Spots

Hutchins Farm, an organic farm in Concord since 1973, is one of my favorite places to rest on my bike rides. The splendid view from atop this hill puts on a spectacular show from one season to the next. On a clear day, you can even see Boston in the upper left.
This picture tells so many stories. One, it's very early April, and even though there are huge puddles, the farmer is plowing his lower fields by the river, which some years are still under water. Hopefully he'll be able to get a head start on the season. The manure pile on the right stands ready to be spread across the newly plowed fields. Do the trees in the background look red to you? In early spring, the new buds take on the same color as the dying fall leaves. In a week, the colors will appear even more fall-like as more buds pop out and begin to grow before turning green. What appears to be bright green grass is really winter rye, which will be plowed under as a soil nutrient. Ah, spring!

Chicken Coop with Tire Swing

Theme Day: Yellow

Yellow brings to mind "power" as in the yellow power tie of the Reagan era, or "caution" as in traffic signs and police tape. One candidate in this week's election for LSRHS School Committee chose a very bright yellow for his sign, making him stand out from the red, white and blue of the others. What was he trying to convey with his choice of color? In the end, Marshall and Collins of the blue and white signs handily won.

I think the elderly gentleman is probably telling them he will vote for anyone who will not increase his already sky high taxes.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants