Old Keene Road

The road from Peterborough to the small town of Keene where I'm actually from, is dotted with what were once family farms. The small dairy farms have stopped production because it was too labor intensive and the land is now being rented out to larger farmers who plant hay, soy beans and maybe corn. There are also still some farms that raise beef cows. The top farm is a chicken farm and the one below is probably a beef operation. They are across the road from each other and are typical for their green fields, barns, both new and old, and big open sky.

Clock Tower

This is the view my father wakes up to every morning at his nursing home. The Clock Tower at Market Hall is located in the center of town and is one of Peterborough's most recognizable landmarks.

Where Is Our Blogger?

One of our fellow City Daily Photo bloggers is missing in Tehran. Today is a special Theme Day on City Daily Photo to show support for his freedom. Before the elections, he had posted pictures of hope and excitement. After the elections, the tone of the pictures changed from peaceful protests to bloody anguish. A. is now missing along with many other journalists and photographers whose voices are being suppressed.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

On the Road in Canada

Sudbury Daily Photo is on the road in my hometown of Peterborough, Ontario. This is a view of town which I had never seen before and find breathtaking. The Otonabee River runs through town and provides many scenic views.

Peterborough used to be a factory town powered by hydro electric power created by the river. On the right is the towering Quaker Oats factory which used to be a big employer. It is now owned by Pepsico. I was taking a close up picture earlier near its back gate and a guard came out yelling that I was not allowed to photograph it. Ha, just try and stop me. The large building in the foreground is the Ministry of Natural Resources for the province of Ontario. The smaller building on the left is my father's nursing home. There is a lovely park, Millenium Park, which runs along the riverside.

Weathervane Series #3 - Firemen

Atop the Lincoln fire station.

See You in September

School is finally out for summer in Sudbury!! Move 'em on out!

Only in America

If it were not for the American flag, you'd think this was taken in Russia. Believe me, I haven't been to Russia lately, but I did park close by this church while taking yesterday's picture in Maynard. But what is this church doing in Maynard? Back in 1915 a small group of Orthodox Christians from Russia, Austria-Hungary and Poland celebrated a home-service with a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church. The idea of the Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church was born and in 1916 it became a reality. As you can see, it is still lovingly taken care of.

"Ready to Sell"

If you are in the market for a new home, this one is "ready to sell." I wasn't quite sure what that meant. At first, I thought this house was being prepared for a trip to another lot but then I saw that a new cement foundation had been set beneath the house. This must have sat on a stone foundation which finally crumbled. The sign also says "Home Inspection Remediation." I think that's another way of saying "buyer beware."

I especially like the homey touches of the welcome mat on the front step and the catalpa petals strewn about the front yard.
This home is located in Maynard which is adjacent to Sudbury to the west. Back in thee 1600s, Maynard used to be a part of Sudbury. I tend to do a lot of my errands in Maynard which is a very old mill town. The old gun powder mill was converted to the world headquarters of Digital Equipment and subsequently, Monster.com, the job search company.
Thanks to Nancy for sharing this photo idea with me.

Old North Bridge - Monochrome

I accidentally shot the Old North Bridge in black and white. In doing so, I was amazed to see things I had never seen before. Surprisingly, black and white seems to bring small details into focus. I have been over, around and under the bridge but had never noticed the rocks or the extent of the fortification. I believe the extra wooden girders must be there to protect against ice, debris and wayward canoers flowing downstream because they aren't on the other side.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

One if by land, two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex, village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm.

Paul Revere's Ride by, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Nowadays if you want to visit the Old North Bridge you don't have to wait for the alarm to be sounded or Paul Revere. But, you can come by land or water.

Kousa Dogwood

Not only are they a beauty to behold, someone or something finds them tasty as well.

Posing with the Minuteman

Two happy children posing in front of the Minuteman...

Not really because upon closer inspection and from their body language, you see two kids wishing dad would put away the camera and wondering why mom and dad thought they would find this even slightly interesting. Enough with the pictures already!

This really reminds me of my brother and me enduring my father's photography habit.

National Bird of the U.S.?

After 6 years of haggling back in the 1700s, a young Congress decided upon the Bald Eagle as the national bird of the U.S. In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed his displeasure with the choice, claiming that the wild turkey was a much more respectable bird, one who would take up the fight against the red coats if they were to enter its barnyard. He found the eagle to be a bird of bad moral character and lazy to boot.

In Sudbury, wild turkeys are just as likely to cross your path as a deer or a rabbit.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

This one room school house was the scene of a scandal that was immortalized in poem by John Roulstone, who witnessed the deed, and Sarah Joseph Hale.

Mary had a little lamb
It's fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
That lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school.

The plaque on the rock tells how this school house was originally located in Sterling, MA, but was brought to this site by the Wayside Inn in Sudbury by Henry Ford in 1927. The school house was in use from 1798 to 1856.

Gate House

This "modest home" actually appears to be the carriage home for a large country estate. You can see it just to the right of the gates below. The main home cannot be seen from the road. One can just imagine what it looks like.
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Backyard Beehives

I've never been a part of Monochrome Monday, but these beehives begged to be monochrome. I grew up with hives in my backyard so maybe nostalgia comes in sepia.

More Aliens?

Found off the beaten path of the "Old Calf Pasture" in Concord. Not an alien, but part of the 8th annual RiverFest celebrating the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers which run through our communities. The River Stewardship Council seeks to preserve and protect the rivers and watershed. The Concord River can be seen behind the sculpture.

"Who hears the rippling of the rivers will not utterly despair of anything." Thoreau

Strawberry Fields Forever

It's time for strawberries and we're lucky to have several pick-your-own fields nearby. Yes, they are even pricier than pricey, but these babies are packed with flavor, not like those from the large producers who breed for size not flavor. I'll probably only buy a quart or two or maybe even pick them myself. My first paying job ever was picking strawberries for which I got paid a quarter for every quart I picked. I think I ate more than I picked.
I can appreciate the hardships of small local farmers, as the groundhogs leveled my garden this week, including my own strawberries.

Catalpa Tree on Library Lawn

This twisted catalpa tree was probably the result of several small saplings planted closely together back in 1883.

Greys and Blues and Flying Dogs Too

A fabulous Lincoln backyard.

Bemis Hall

I believe this building used to be Lincoln's old Town Hall, built in the 1840s. It was renamed after George Bemis who contributed heavily to it. Today it has a variety of uses including concert hall. I remember one snowy winter's day listening to a string quartet as I watched huge snow flakes falling outside those grand palladian windows. It was magical.

It's Official

The Seniors of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School make their graduation official by throwing their caps (mortarboards) into the air.

What's at Stake?

Tomatoes of course and thousands of them! If you look closely, you can see the small plants at the base of the stakes which were planted last week. Verrill Farm specializes in heirloom tomatoes. Heirloom tomatoes come from seeds that have been handed down from generation to generation. I believe that they have not been hybridized. They come in all shapes, colors and sizes, not always perfectly round, nor without blemish, in fact sometimes quite ugly, but, they are packed with flavor! This year Verrill is carrying over 30 types varying in color from purple, red, yellow, orange and even striped.

Verrill Farm Lettuce

Six luscious choices of lettuce - red and green oak, red and green leaf, Boston and romaine. Local and fresh all summer!

Verrill Farm Asparagus

Every morning on my way to work, I pass the fields in Sudbury where this asparagus grows and is currently being picked. It is a little pricey, but nothing beats asparagus picked just hours before you eat it! It's the time of year for fresh and local produce. Hooray!!! In this area we are blessed with an abundance of farm stands open during the week as well as farmers' markets on Saturdays. Verrill Farm in Concord is one such farm stand.

Aliens Morphed

The aliens from a few weeks ago have morphed into beautiful clematis. Some are now even morphing into mop heads.

Weathervane Series #2 - Bull

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In Concord, the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson, author, philosopher and poet, from 1835 to 1882. He is best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th century.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

This spectacular and illusive bird honored me with his presence at my feeder today. It was a special treat.

June Theme Day - Feet

These feet were watching these feet...


Observed at the Boston Marathon

To see what others are doing with their feet, click here to view thumbnails for all participants