Rants, Raves, Rambles and the Occasional Recipe

Hello World

2012-01-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Nothing....Nada....I got zip. It's Maine, it's cold out, I am 57.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

2011-09-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

It was the day after first hurricane to hit Maine in about 40 years. The winds, waves and fog we're incredible

Quiet Time

2011-07-11T11:57:00.001-07:00

AAAAAAHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

My life was very hetic for a long time. It is now quiet, to quiet...to a point of driving me crazy. I am going to try to schedule some time to do something with people. if any thin transpires I will let ya'll know.
Dale

I knew this man for a short time.

2010-12-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

Ronald Lee Herrick, who donated a kidney to his dying twin brother in 1954 in what's recognized as the world's first successful organ transplant, has died in Maine. He was 79.

Herrick's wife, Cynthia, said he died Monday at the Augusta Rehabilitation Center. She said his health deteriorated after undergoing heart surgery in October.

Herrick made history in 1954 when he donated a kidney to his twin brother, Richard, at what is now the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Because they were identical twins, there was no problem with rejection. The United Network for Organ Sharing said it was the first successful transplant.

The operation on Dec. 23, 1954, kept Herrick's brother alive for eight years. Lead surgeon Dr. Joseph Murray went on to win a Nobel Prize.

This was from an article in the local newspaper.

I really MISS the 70's and Manhattan

2010-11-29T19:49:00.000-08:00

This is amazing..hope you enjoy it.

2010-11-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

No longer the ugliest house on the block.

2010-09-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

I found out that I like to shingle...suprise that...and I am dam good at it. Being a perfectionist has advantages at times. I did most of the work myself with one of the new "date guys" helping out. He seems to be pretty cool and a good work ethic...he may turn into a keeper over time. I still have the trim work to finish on the porch and that will take hours. I know own a bigger compressor, paint sprayer and an array of nail guns. All sorts on new toys are now in my garage. No Corvette yet though...the house cost to much. Cedar shingles are expensive!
Take care of youself and those you love.
DGC

It's been 3 months.

2010-09-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

Evening All
I have not posted at all this summer....just was to busy and never took the time. Nothing wrong, just the opposite. Been doing a lot of work on my house and have jumped with both feet into the dating pool. Murky there to say the least.
On June 17th the city of Augusta where I live started work on the city infrastructure. Through matching grants from the Feds they have installed new sewer, water lines. Also, up until now the storm drains went into the sewer lines...now thet have installed seperate lines into another treatmant system. Thje street has been dug uo since then, the water has been mostly on and mostly clean. Yeah, mostly.
I have lost 30 pounds, have somewhat of a tan and feel great.
Hope you all had a great summer.
Dale

Lilacs and Lobster Rolls

2010-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

It's been a weird spring for Maine. 2 days of 90+ weather in April and a snowstorm in early May. This is from the Memorial Day BBQ at work..gotta love lobster from Maine and corn from New Mexico.

With the early hot weather then a cool down period we have had a 4 week lilac season. Mine came out early in May but there are some a couple blocks away still in full flower. I live in the oldest part of Augusta so the neighborhood is loaded with these...all you can smell for a few days is lilacs Hope you enjoy.

If this doesn't make you smile check your pulse..you prob dead.

2010-05-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Telstar

2010-04-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

A lunar base station, a transplanted Martian snow globe, Mork's egg — whatever it was that was taking shape in the Andover hills back in the winter of 1962 looked like something straight out of an Isaac Asimov

science fiction novel. And in fact the first person to conceive of the idea of relaying beams of information to space and back again from a station like this one was none other than sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke way back in 1945. AT&T, Bell Laboratories, and NASA took Clarke's idea and transformed it into reality, choosing the tiny Oxford County hamlet of Andover for their "radome" because the surrounding hills would prevent microwave radio interference.

Within this sixteen-story polyester fabric structure — literally a huge balloon kept inflated by a series of pumps when this photograph of it was taken — engineers erected a 340-ton, seventy-foot-high, rotating horn antenna to send and receive their television signals from the Telstar 1 satellite orbiting overhead. It was the promise of live international television coverage, even more than the demand for better overseas telephone and radio communications, which had enticed AT&T to gamble three hundred million dollars on this project. The 1964 Olympics was due to take place all the way across the world in Tokyo, and the company wanted the ability to present every race and boxing match for viewers in the U.S.

But the first signal to beam its way across the Atlantic to a receiver in France at 6:45 p.m. on July 11, 1962, was not of heavyweight Joe Frazier, but rather an image of the American flag flying in front of the same white globe shown here. That image and the satellite communication revolution that followed would go on to influence everything from Cold War missile-defense systems to the GPS receivers in our cars and cell phones. In Maine, Andover became one of the state's most surprising destinations, with some 25,000 schoolchildren and tourists every year seeking out the bulbous contraption in the western Maine mountains.

Though the radome and horn antenna were dismantled twenty-five years ago, traces of the region's space-age connection remain, from the local high school that still bears the name "Telstar" to the array of commercial satellite dishes that continue to relay transmissions from this storied spot in a quiet corner of Maine.

Time for a rant...well sort of.

2010-04-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Evening Folks
This is my first rant in a long time. The topic is, dare I say it out LOUD, is homosexuality. I don't get people trying to figure me/it out. It is such a minute part of who I am. True I have been out for a long time and been through a lot of things with "IT" but c'mon people how about if I started asking you how it felt to be hetro? Now that I have started finally started this, it's going to be a lot longer than I thought 3 minutes ago.

Yes I was married once and have a 26 yo son. Yes, my ex-wife knows and so does my son, and her extended family including the ones in Ireland. If they have a problem with it they have not made it know to either one of us. She is a little more fierce and protective than a rabid Tasmanian Devil..you ask her how she feels about me...go on I dare you.

What I do "in bed" is none of your business unless I invite you into it...nuff said.

Yes, and this one has caused me more grief than being gay is I am a Republican. I pay my taxes, vote every election, it's my right to do so and also my duty.

I have never worn a dress and let me tell you I cannot imagine wearing size 14 stilettos....yikes i would be a scary drag queen.

This whole gay pride thing has me confused...are hetro's proud of being that way..well I guess a few are ....Fred Phelps for one.

I am just a guy. I like to cook and do it well. I can use/do all of the mentioned immediately following this.
A chef knife, a lawn mower, a chain saw, a crochet hook { I broke my leg when I was 6, my gram watched me, she taught me to crochet to keep me busy and mostly out of her hair}, a router and a rip saw, drive a standard, run a snow blower..ha ha he said blower, I shingled my own house, seriously suck at plumbing. My electrical skills are basic at best. I used to be able to work on cars...say back in the late 60's when they were mechanical not computer run. I also wash my own dishes, can sew on a button, hate changing diapers, own a nail gun and compressor, ride a horse and change a flat tire, have blue/gray color blindness..don't ever ask me to pick out a shirt for you. I have no fashion sense. Jeans, a tee shirt, and a corduroy/flannel/denim shirt along with a pair of boots complete my ensemble.

I don't like chick flicks, gossip and drama. I have never had a tan in my life..thank you for that white Irish skin...burn, peel, repeat. WHEN I smoked it was Pall Malls and then Marlboro Reds. I like bourbon and good tequila, not so fond of white wine, beer is good. I read constantly and rarely watch TV. I like fast care and drive then the way they we're intended. For the most part I like people with their clothes ON, not off. NOTE TO READERS..there are exceptions..Gerard Butler should never be allowed to wear a shirt and only jeans that are 3 sizes to small. I don't like crowds, have a a fear of snakes and public speaking. Don't like to fight but hurt someone I care about and your in for a world of hurt once I find you.

I listen to country/folk/metal/classical/jazz/R and B/ and a lot of "alternative" for music. Don't do rap or hiphop or top 40.

If I was allowed to get "Married" probably would not. I have been in 3 relationships in my life. 2 were really good, one was okay..my fault not his...the reality is he could never compete with a ghost. I tend to be conservative in my views on most things. I have had an amazing GAY life, I have also had a good share of the STRAIGHT life..both were okay. I fit in both worlds/don't fit in either completely.

I am sure there are thousands of people..gay/hetro/male/female that this would fit as a description so whats the big deal? In some ways it was easier to be gay 20 or 30 years ago. There was a real strength in community then..all we had was each other. Now it's to commonplace and has gotten jaded and way to much inbreeding going on..it's really a good thing we can not reproduce. On that happy visual I am going to close..I vented and feel better. this was brought on by a new employee asking me if I was "sure" I was gay. WTF

I just put a bunch of flowers on the dining room table form my yard....does that make me gay?

Take Care of Yourselves and The Ones You Love

Dale

P.S. I jsut got this in an email and could not resist..it's bound to piss someone off., If that's you , well be glad your alive to get annoyed.....lol

Now before you go bonkers..click on it, blow it up and read it all.

Spring Has Sprung

2010-04-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

Evening folks
These pics were taken last weekend and this week. It's FINALLY warming up here in Maine and things are growing everywhere. A couple of these we're taken in Camden and Rockland, some on my street and a few at work. I spent last weekend in Belfast and took a day ride to Camden and Rockland. It was about 20 degrees cooler on the beach, in the high 40's and windy as hell, but, there were no tourists so it was easy driving and getting around. My yard is turning green and will prob need the first mow of the season by the weekend. I am going to try to get to Lakewood Orchard, they have great cider doughnuts, in time for apple season blooming. It's like walking through a snowstorm as they start to drop their petals.

April 08, 2010

2010-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Morning folks
It seems that I have become a bit of a recluse lately. There is nothing wrong, nothing has happened, I just seem to be in hibernation for some reason. In particular I have been ignoring the computer, I sign on, check my mail and pay a couple bills then shut it off. Days at a time I just ignore this black monster on my desk.
It's spring here in Maine..temps in the 40's at night, 60's to low 70's during the day. Flowers are coming up everywhere, pot holes are being filled and frost heaves leveling off. Road crews are out in force and birds are every where. I just put new batteries in the camera and am going for a walk shortly to document some of this for you.
Personally life is good. A promotion at work...more responsibility and marginally worth it financially. I work 4 long days and 3 off..that I like. I have wanted a early to late 70's corvette and have started looking seriously for one. Took a few out for test rides but none were worth the asking price. Still looking for a Maserati TC but that is a tough one to find around here.
These pics are...Binx had a cyst removed, she's fine..thanks for asking. The other is the parking lot at work last night.

Smile....Think...Mostly Enjoy

2010-04-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

Belfast Maine

2010-02-28T17:51:00.001-08:00

Evening Folks
These are some random shots from my trip to the coast last weekend. Belfast, inside Fort Knox, the new Verano Island Bridge, and stuff.

Not the one you would expect.

2010-02-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
Most people are used to the Donna Summer "classic" of this song. I finally found this on YouTube. It is from the late 60's. Enjoy.

Take Care Of Yourself And Those And Those You Love
Dale

Winter?

2010-02-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
I took these this morning about 10am before I left for work. It was 41 degress and sunny. The sun and last weeks rain have melted 90 percent of the snow cover, I have crocus blooming and lilies and hosta sprouting. The ground is soft, springy and WET in my yard. Usually feb is the worst month of the year in central Maine and this year it has been just warm and rainy. Kinda creepy actually.
As Mick would say
I'm Out
Dale

Jonathan Buck's Curse

2010-02-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

Click on this picture to blow it up and read it..then do the same below with the next one. It's kinda creepy.

I am going to get back to more about Maine, it will still be my view of the world and my opinions and thoughts, but more of a travel and documentiation of this state as well. I found this great deal on a hotel last weekend. 2 people, 2 nights, and 2 full breakfasts for a 129 bucks at a hotel right on the ocean at Belfast Bay. Called a friend and off we went. We hit J Bucks grave site, Fort Knox and some other spots. More to come in the next few days. Thw weather was in the high 40,s. I had the balcony door open most of the time we we're at the hotel just to get the air..it's been winter to long..let me out!!!!

Hibernation

2010-02-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
Its around 9 pm my time. Starting on the forth of Feb I have been on vacation, not going back to work until the 15th. I had plans to do "stuff", however, hibernation set in. I have been out of the house once and that was to much. Tony is off with Chuck and he didn't leave enough dog food for 2 weeks. While I was out I went to Sears and bought a camcorder..not sure why but it will come in handy when Maine thaws out and I can start taking road trips again.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I spent a block of time doing nothing. My last few vacations I went out of state and spent much of my time doing stuff, which was great, just what I needed at the time. I thought I was going to this time but it ain't gonna happen. New York was a plan..nope. Boston was a plan..nope. Taking the train from Portland to DC was a tentative plan..real glad I did not do that.
I have enough food to last till friday or sat without getting boring. 2 more books to read and a bunch of dvd's to watch..then there is Netflix streaming...I'm good.
I do believe I have turned from a bear to a slug...and loving every minute of it.
On the embarassing side I have to go the dishes soon or revert to paper plates. One clean coffe mug left..I knew 6 was not enough. But I have very little laundry to do. Oh well, that's my dirty little secret.

Ya'll that have lives..enjoy them..me, I am crawling back into my office with a bag of chips and some salsa with a couple of cold beers and watch a movie..or two..or three.
Take care Of Yourself and Those You Love
Dale

More on Herbie

2010-01-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

Morning Folks
On yahoo there is a video and slideshow of Herbie's demise. It's kinda sad to watch but amazing at the same time. The trunk alone weighed in at 10 tons..so big that when it fell it shook the ground nearby.
Dale

YouTube Funnies

2010-01-24T20:39:00.000-08:00

A FEW OLD FREINDS

2010-01-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

For a lot of years of my life, my idea of a great night was to spend a few hours at a dance club..we called them disco's back then. Sparks in Seattle, Broadway in Denver, Ice palace and the Monster on Fire Island, Mad Jacks in Key West, 12 West..Crisco Disco..the Anvil..The CockRing in Manhattan and many more. These songs from YouTube never fail to make me smile. It's like looking up and seeing an old friend walk in the door. Most of my friends back then went to sex bars and called me crazy...I am still dancing, their not. You would find me in old faded 501's, a black tee shirt engineer boots, leather jacket and a ball cap, with a tambourine hung over my shoulder.

We Lost Herbie

2010-01-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

In Yammouth Maine there lived a tree named Herbie. Estimated to be from 212 to 240 years old, he lives no more. There were hundreds of Dutch Elm trees in the area till the 50's when Elm disease started ravaging them. The town decided to concentrate on saving one of the biggest..he became Herbie. On my trek to the Desert Of Maine last year I actually stopped and took a couple pics of the old fella..not sure where they are filed so it may be a while till I find them. I found one online and there are some YouTube vids but for some reason they will not upload here. He stood a little over 110 feet tall, weighted in at about 8 tons. 20 feet around..my kinda tree. When you stop and think of the things he has "seen" in that time is amazing. The Revolutionary War, from horse and buggy to 300 horsepower cars. From dark and to bed at sunset, to gas lamps, to a town that is never truly dark due to streetlights and night owls.
Makes you feel kinda young, does it not?
Take Care Of Yourself And Those You Love
Jan 20th, 2010
Dale

I just Googled the average height of a "story" of a house..the average is 11 feet.
1 story 11 feet, 2 story 22 feet, 10 story..110 feet. Next time you drive past a 10 story building think of Herbie.

Snow Snow And More Snow

2010-01-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
It's been snowing since last Thursday morning. It started then at about 8 AM with freezing rain and switched over around noon. I haven't heard a car go past my house in about 6 hours now. My roommate is stuck out in the boonies where he went for a New Years Eve party. The guy that takes care of my driveway says as soon as it stops I am the first person he will clear out..he lives next door so that helps. I have not left the house since wed after work, am out of soda and munchies. It's either bake cookies or go without. I must say I picked a hell of a weekend to take off from work. Well, on a positive note the house is REALLY clean. If I could get to the garage to get to my car I would take some pics of this, but, since it's drifted about 4 feet high...the house and garage are an ell shape so the wind just packs it in..that ain't happening. I keep my camera in the car so I can take pics when I see them..handy up till now. Well I see a pumpkin/butterscotch cake in my future. As soon as I can get out there I will take some pics to post here. Y'all stay warm.
Dale

Welcome2010

2009-12-31T19:06:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
This will be the last post of 2009. There is much I could say but have decided against it. What I will say is I am thankful to be alive and fairly healthy. I am much stronger than I thought and at the same time more vulnerable. I intend to live every day to it's fullest..whether it's working a 12 hour shift or reading a book. I will laugh, smile as much as as I can. Be as helpful to myself and others as I can. Look at my strengths and weaknesses as just that...mine.
I hope all of you reading this, whether it's for the first time or as a follower that you take time to enjoy your life...I fully intend to.

Dale
10:15 pm
December 31
2009

I took this picture last summer of the sun just breaking over Rockland Harbor here in Maine. Sun breaking on a new day to represent a new year.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T04:55:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Great New Year and all the happiness and joy your hearts and minds can hold. Special thoughts go out for Mick, Lynn, Toto, Nate, Debbie, Jennifer, Joe, Alex, Sam and Binx.

This song is dedicated to my Mother, Butch and Danny.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE

DALE GEORGE CAREY
CHRISTMAS MORNING
2009

The "mountains" of Augusta

2009-12-16T05:49:00.000-08:00

Mount Augusta State Airport

Mount Staples

Mount Loews Front Range

Mount Loews

Mount State Armory

And to think..this is only after 2 storms.

It's that time of year. You just gotta love this.

2009-12-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

A historical remodel

2009-10-30T17:36:00.001-07:00

Evening Folks
I had a couple of earlier posts about Old Fort Western...well this new post is about her restoration. Maine has some harsh winters..snow, lots of snow, freezing rain, wind. All of that is very destructive to unfinished wood..so therefore it needs to be replaced on occasion with new stuff. A lot of the corner posts and "main" support posts are cedar. Around here cedar is considered scrap wood and cut down early to make way for hardwoods that are more profitable to harvest. On one of my visists to OFW I started talking to some of the construction crew about their work. One of the problems was finding old stands of cedar that were old, tall and thick and straight enough to be used. One of the people I talked to lived about half way to Albion where I own some property. I told him that there was an old stand of cedar about a half mile from the road and that they were welcome to harvest a few if they were suitable. After much time on the phone and email and going to a lawyers office to give written permission to them they cut down 4 to use on the remodel. I am contributing to a piece of local history. In some of the pictures below you can see how a lot of the old posts had rotted and some had lost more than half their circumfrence..some had rotted from age and moisture. Fortunately cedar is mostly insect resistant/repellant so that won't be a problem.

Not sure what this is but I want one

2009-10-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Whatever this is it looks cool as hell. It must be fun to drive midwinter in a driving snowstorm..pun intended.

I was born in a town in Maine named Albion..small town, about 900 people..real rednecks, God love em. I still own property there but can't imagine ever living there again. It is the highest point in Kennebec County. You can see about a 100 miles on a good day. The downside is the winds hit 70/80 miles an hour during a storm and when they come from the north it's freaking cold. I stayed there a few years back and in the barn the thermometer read 30 below..and that's not including windchill. I tried to get out here for high color but last weeks rain and cold beat me to it.

I recently made friends with Chris, the other guy in the pics below. He moved out here from Seattle recently and had not seen a lot of the country so we had a little 4 hour field trip. If you enlarge the pics below by clicking on them you can see the view.

The reason I bring this up, is because in a soon to be published post you will see some trees off my land that were donated to a local historical landmark for some restoration..kinda cool. I am helping preserve a piece of history.

FEELING GOOD IS CONTAGIOUS

2009-10-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

Evening folks.
I woke up today smiling, and that has been happening a lot in the last few weeks. I hit a wall..HARD..stood back up..hit again..stood back up and took the final full run and broke through to the other side. Was kinda dazed for a while, but that faded and reality set in. I am 55, reasonably healthy, borderline normal. Piss me off..I yell. Ask for my help I give it. Watch my back when it needs guarding and you have a friend for life. I find that I now have absolutely no tolerance for bullshit..absolutely none. I find my religious convictions very shaken but my moral/principle compass is true north where it needs to be. I am much more focused on today than ever before. Plan ahead but live today.

I owe a lot of thank you's to some people and you know who you are. The BIG 3 are in my prayers every night..thanks guys. I still pray but not as strong or as long as I used to and there is an edge there that there was not a year ago..it may change, it may not.

I feel good, relaxed, happy. I went out and shot pool the other night for the first time in 25 years..I was soooo bad and the guy I was with is almost a pro. We both spent more time laughing at my shots than anything else. But it was good laugh, not negative. I have spent more time in bars in the past 6 weeks than I have in the past 3 years and having a ball. All kinds of bars from gay to biker. Meeting some nice people, a few total idiots and the usual collection of hangers on. Rediscovered beer in Santa Fe and continuing the tradition..I found a place that served room temperature Guinness....man I love that stuff. Going out to dinner with Bill and Sue on thursday, Chris and Ryan on tuesday, the movies on wednesday with Courtney to see something about Wild Things. Friday morning I will rest and then it's off to a few Halloween parties over the weekend.

Someplace I read that people attract what they need. Well, Gerard Butler has not called yet but he may be on a plane up here and there is no phone service in the air. However, I have met some great people in the past few weeks. Funny, smiling, happy mostly and glad to be alive and that is what I am.

I hope, no URGE you all to slow down, take a breath, and look around you. This is one crazy world we live in but you know what, what you put in you get back 3 fold..I thinks that Wiccan but not sure. Smile to yourself and others, take care of yourself and those that you love.

Night
Dale

EARTHA

2009-10-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Eartha is a 3-dimensional scale model of earth built in 3-D. It is the largest revolving globe in the world, designed and built by the employees at Delorme in Yarmouth Maine. It is almost 42 feet in diamater. It is built on a mechanical and cantilevered arm so that it rotates and revolves just as the earth does. Her skeleton is 6,000 pieces if aluminum tubing and her "skin" is 729
pieces of map. She tilts at 23.5 degrees just as the earth does.
It's a pretty amazing site to see. If you ever get to Maine it's worth a visit. The admission is free, it's about 20 minutes north of Portland on Rte 295
There is a lot more info at their website..google Eartha or Delorme. Soon as I figure how to add hyperlinks I will start including them.

Not sure what the next post is going to be or when but a while back I said I was going to try to start doing something every week. It may be more "foodie" type things. Or it may not. The weather up here is changing, its down in the 30's every night but it's been suprisingly warm for the last few days..high 50's mostly which is kinda weird for here. Ya'll take good care of yourselves and the people you love.
Dale

Colds

2009-10-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

Evening Folks
I woke up Sunday morning with a headache which seeems to becoming a mild cold. Not sick enough to stay home, just general yuckiness. Have a couple posts lined up and a roadtrip planned this week but that will depend on how my head feeels. On a couple of other blogs I have seen this as a way to say, "My brain is filled with this and nothing is coming out straight". Everyone fron the CDC to nurses I work with say you don't get sick from a flu shot but every dam year this happens a couple days after I get it.
ahhhh ahhhhh choooooooo
Dale

The Desert Of Maine

2009-10-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Afternoon folks
This is a natural event of which there are 4 in the world. It was formed about 11,000 years ago when a glacier "dumped" sand here. It was eventually covered by topsoil and lost. About a 100 years ago, due to clear cutting and lack of crop rotation the topsoil was depleted. Small patch's of sand appeared and eventually over 300 hundred acres of desert emerged. It was pretty much abandoned till the 1940's when a man bought it to make bricks with. The lack of silica made the bricks crumble. Plan 2 was to make glass..compounds in the sand left black spots in the glass. Finally he hit on making it a tourist and family vacation spot. It has been ever since. There is a tug of war going on with Mother Nature. She is slowly creating top soil and taking back her land..it's down to about 60 acres of desert now, but, due to some force more sand is pushing it's way to the surface and spreading but not as quickly. The pond of sand has been measured to be about a mile deep. This is mentioned in The Deserts of America, had been used by movie companies, for military maneuvers to simulate oversears fighting conditions and has been on Ripleys believe It Or Not as well as several documentaries over the years. Not sure what to expect I had a good time. Talked to a couple on their honeymoon from CA, 2 guys from Germany that were players on our team. The guide was Carol 70 years old and sharp as tack. It was down to 38 degrees and I did not bring gloves..that might be why some of the pics are blurry. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
Dale

As you walk through the trees you see where they have been sand blasted from the mini sand storms they get. The temps reach up to 120 on a regular 90 degree day. We averge about 100 inches of snow a year here, roughly 8 feet. In the desert the drifts are sometimes 30 feet at a time. Fortunately the wind in Maine is predominately east to west so it blows away from the buildings here.

OOB...Old Orchard Beach

2009-10-09T03:46:00.001-07:00

Old Orchard Beach was started in 1657 by a man named Thomas Rogers as "Garden By The Sea". It has undergone many changes and been destroyed several times by either storm or fire. It is gerat beach area, amusement park, and family vacation spot. In the summer you will hear more french than english. Quebec and Montreal are only a few hours away and this is a prime vacation spot.
In 1873 The Boston and Maine Railroad opened a stop here and things really took off. In 1892 electric trolley cars connected the resort to nearby towns increasing the popularity yet again.
In 1898 the first pier was built. It was 1770 feet long and 20 feet above the tides. In 1902 the amsuement park was enlarged to include roller rinks, merry-go-rounds, and vendors.
In 1907 a fire destroyed much of the park and downtown. In 1909 a storm took out much of the pier reducing it's length to 700 feet.
The Big Band Era ushered in a whole new scene for the park. Guy Lambardo, Rudy Valle and Duke Ellington were among the headliners to play here.
In 1978 another storm severly damaged the pier and it was immediately rebuilt and opened in 1980. There are an estimated 1.2 million visitors a year here.
It's old fashioned and kind of hokey and man I love this place. It does not have the glitz of Atlantic City, or the gambling, and it has not changed much in all the years I have beem going here..guess thats part of its apeal for me.
There are several websites about Old Orchard Beach or OOB as we call it. Hope you enjoyed your tour.
Dale

P****d Off

2009-10-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

Evening Folks.
While I was parked at OOB taking pics for a new blog entry, on my way back from Boston, some idiot backed into my car and broke the grill in half. Did not wait around, did not leave any contact number just took off. A woman sitting on a bench near by said he stopped, got out, looked at my car and his bumper then got back in his pick up and drove away. I was really pissed at first, still am to a point but it seems less important now than it did then. Since there is nothing I can do except replace it, it does not seem to make sense to stress over it. Holy Cow, is this what they mean by adult behaviour? I will try a junk yard first, I can put it in myself. It's not worth making an insurance claim on. There are some small scratchs on the bumper itself I can buff out.
Hope you all have a great evening. I am going out to get some supper, come back and maybe do another entry..I have about 3 lined up. This is turning into fun as well as getting me out of the house. This next post should be cool. I am not a technophile so this was a suprise. I just found out, entirely by accident, that my camera can be set for color, black and white or sepia pictures.
Dale

Fort Western Addition

2009-10-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

AUGUSTA -- In 1628, Pilgrims built a 20-by-40-foot fur-trading post here that provided a place for commerce between them and American Indians.

The post provided more revenue than anywhere else in New England and helped the Pilgrims pay down the debt they incurred in getting to the new world. The trade also introduced European tools and food farther north than they had been before.

The post was a key piece of the story of how and why the region was settled and of peaceful relations between Pilgrims and Indians.

Now, Old Fort Western officials want to tell this story better by showing it.

They want to construct a replica of the old 800-square-foot trading post on a piece of open, grassy ground just south of the fort.

"After Plymouth, the Pilgrim location here in town, in their history, is the next-most-important place," said Jay Adams, director and curator of the fort. "It's a big story for New England, a big story for Maine, a big story for Augusta. Much of Native Americans' (history interacting with Europeans) is a history of conflict, but it is more than just shooting at each other. There's so much more to the story than that."

The fur-trading post would be built with privately raised funds, Adams said. "We don't intend, now, or ever, to ask the city for any public money" for the project, he said.

Because it would be on city-owned land, however, the project does need the city's approval.

Adams said Pilgrims were in the fur trading business -- primarily in beaver caught by Maine Indians -- from 1628 to 1660.

The fort already has an educational program based on trade between Pilgrims and Indians.

The original trading post was on the present site of the Christian Science Church. The replica's proposed site is just south of the fort, outside of the fence that surrounds the fort.

The original building was a post-in-ground building, with no foundation and relatively rough-hewn wooden beams.

The proposal goes to the Augusta City Council for discussion Thursday, at a meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m. at Augusta City Center.

In the series of pictures in the next post there is one that is kind of fuzzy, the sun was shining right on my and my cameras eyes and I could not avoid it. I was on the other side of the river from the fort and the glare was bright. If you look between the 4 chimneys you will see 2 white building in the background. That is where the trading post stood. Its about a 100 yards north and slightly east.

Dale

Fort Western

2009-10-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Morning Folks

I have been trying to get this post for a couple years but just did not. I have driven past this fort hundreds if not thousands of times. I remember going here as a little kid on a class trip. About 3 years ago I took an interest in it after an article in the paper about it needing help. I sent a donation and signed up as a volunteer..never got called on that one but they did cash the check.
It was built in 1754 making the oldest standing wooden fort in the United States..that suprised me. Watching countless westerns as a kid I just asssumed all forts were out west. If you want more on this check out Land Of The Zia..it's listed on "blogs I follow". I went to a lecture held by the local historical society and their story does not match the web site on some issues. the website claims it has never beeen attacked..the local guy says it was and suffered a major fire and was rebuilt shortly after it was built. It was mainly a trading post and storage place to supply other forts along the Kennebec. Thjere is going to be a festival this sunday I am going to go to..see if I can find anything else out. There may be a part two of this. Benedict Arnold used the fort as a staging point on his attack on Quebec during the American Revolution in 1775. You can see more information at www.oldfortwestern.org if your interested.
If I set this up correctly the last picture will be a brick building across the street from the fort. It is now a senior living building. According to both the historical society and thier website this was an old opera house at one time. The claim to fame is that this is the first place that John Phiplip Sousa performed "Stars and Stripes Forever" for an audience.
I am finally taking time to explore my home state and the town I live in. The city has started a walking tour of downtown with old pictures posted. Going to try to do that one tomorrow morning then I am off to Bostton I think, after work on wednesday.
Dale

Another double header.

2009-10-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

Its a great time of year to be here. Several hundred miles north it is high color for the foliage..they were talking about it on the radio today. Here it will be in a week, 10 days maybe, depending on the weather. One good cold night and it will be bright out there. This is my favorite time though. The leave are just starting to turn. The tips of some, just one branch on another tree, just the crown on another tree and some just spots here and there.

Getting ready for sunday brunch...fresh bacon, just out of the oven cinnamon rolls and corn bread with jalapenos and Granny Smith apples.

Home canned pickles Polly brough to me...very tasty.

I seem to have spent more time on here in the past few weeks than I have in the past 2 plus years. I think that is good. I hope someone out there enjoys it. Tomorrow is an outing before work to Old Fort Western if the weather is decent.
Night All
Dale

Perception Versus Reality and Good Soup

2009-10-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Morning Folks
As a chef I make a lot of complicated meals. I get paid to do this and I have the time so I can, however most people are short of time, energy and have a budget so I am going to give you options once in a while of some short cuts I have picked up over the years. This is going to be a quick tasty meal. Buy a large can of V8 juice, 2 cans of condensed tomato soup like Campbells. While your at the store go to the produce department and get a small bunch of fresh basil..usually 10 to 15 leaves. Either buy stuff for a salad or go to the salad bar and make one there. I am the only one that eats salad at my house so this is much more cost effective and saves time from all that chopping. Next stop is the bakery dept and get a loaf of your favorite bread..I like a good crusty on the outside and soft inside loaf for dunking. Not supposed to dunk but hey, your gonna be at home so I won't tell if you won't. That's should be about 15 minutes so far unless you have more to buy. When you get home open the V8 and soup and put on the stove. Take the basil and separate the leaves from the stem, toss the stems out, and chop the leaves up fairly small and toss into the soup. You want the soup to come to a boil and then simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Open or make your salad, slice the bread and set the table. When your ready to eat, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of your soup and maybe your salad and enjoy. You can put in a can of diced tomatoes if you like a heartier soup but, if you do be careful of the heat. The toms tend to sink to the bottom of the pan and burn/stick so you have to stir it more often. This freezes well if you have some left over so all you have to do next time is grab a salad and bread..which you may even already have in the house. Enjoy and hope you like it.
Perception versus reality is the next one here. I have been seeing myself in a different light for the past few weeks and started to pay more attention to how others perceive me as well. Some of you know me personally and some from online contact only. I am 6ft2, 245 pounds, usually either a flattop or shaved head, goatee and stache, fairly deep voice. I tend to wear jeans and tee shirts, denim or corduroy shirts in colder weather. Work boots, boots or sneakers and once in a while hiking boots. Denim or leather jackets. It is a type of clothing I grew up with and is comfortable for me. I see myself as sort of a big teddy bear. However it seems I scare the hell out of people and that kind of bothers me. I intimidate people and that is not what I want to do. On a recent trip I bought a wind breaker type jacket..sort of a blue/gray diagonal design and have started wearing it. People talk to me more in that, strangers say hello as compared to my leather or denim ones. I decide to push this further so I talked to people I work with about their first impressions of me. Nate, captain of the football team, co-captain of his wrestling squad, all around jock, my height and weight but all muscle, recruited by the marines when he finishes high school. 17 when he started washing dishes, 18 now. He almost quit on his first night cause he was so scared of me, I thought he was just shy. Annie, 5 feet even, maybe 100 pounds. First meeting she walked up to me and call me Scooter..no idea why. She still does and when I asked why and she did not have an answer..just said he seemed to fit..she still does. I recently shave my goatee off and left a fu-manchu/70's porn star stache. So I put on a pair of dress pants, a white shirt and tie, tweed sports coat and went out to do some research. I went to the mall, Sears, Target and Barnes and Noble and eventually Olive Garden. What an amazing difference. People said hello or nodded, some started talking about whatever. This was primarily women of all ages and older folks my age. Now very curios I went home, traded to black jeans and tee shirt, black leather jacket, boots and a Yankees ball cap. Now back to them all except Olive Garden. About 3 times as many men as women nodded as I walked by, sort of a "hey buddy" kind of thing. I was avoided like the plague at Barnes and Noble. Walmart was jackpot of nods and the occasional hello. Almost all men again. Most women would not even meet my eyes and kids would not either. Went to a HallMark card shop and was followed around by 2 employees like there was sign on my back saying shoplifter.
I guess we all are products of our environment, upbringing and what we see on tv. Without making a conscious choice, at least I don't think it was I dress like the bad guy. Being tall and big I have no choice in, same with my voice. My facial hair I like, I am starting to grow my goatee back..it's been prob 40 years I have had one and its to much a part of me to let it go. Guess I will change my name to Snidley Whiplash and get on with it. This may be common knowledge to you people but it was kind of a shock to me. I tend to react to most people with an open mind till they give me something to work with to form an opinion. Maybe being big helps me not be intimidated..don't know. There are rare times when I see or meet someone and all my self defense mechanisms start screaming..those people I watch very closely but that has only happened a couple times and it has paid off. I just had to get away from these people at all costs and I listened to my intuition.
Well folks, I feel great this morning. Going to go for a walk, take some pictures of the foliage for a later post and then get ready for work. I am going to try to go to Boston on my day off and just wander around. If you have any comments leave them here or send an email. You all be safe and take care of yourselves.
Happy Trails
Dale

Randon images from the last few days

2009-10-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

Not much else to say.

Books

2009-09-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

Morning
My grandmother was a school teacher before she married. Reading to her was the most important thing you could do, so, she taught me to read very young. She had books everywhere. On shelves, under shelves, closets stacked form floor to ceiling. Boxes full form way back when, every room in her house had some form of bookcase. I picked up that habit, it became almost a sin to throw a book away. So I found myself in a rut. Well over 2000 books in my house..in the basement bookcases, 3 bookcases in the living room, 10 bookcases in the dining room, 2 in the bedroom and 2 more in the office. Then there are the stacks on either side of the bed, on the stairs..yeah I know never put anything on the stairs you might trip, but hey c'cmon these are books people!
Well since I have started this odyssey to myself I decided to purge some of them. 1100 books later the GoodWill store cried uncle and told me no more. So I put boxes out side on the lawn with a sign saying free..they went away. The living room is empty, dining room is down to 5. A small stack on 1 side of the bed..6 or so. That's it. My back and shoulders hurt..books are heavy. I haven't tackled the basement yet.thats going to be a winter project..most of those we're my grandmothers and may be harder to get rid of.
It's kind of weird not having all those old friends around but I can get more..kind of symbolism there I think..and I kind of like it.
Dale

This Might Get Loud

2009-09-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

Evening Folks
There is a small theater, about 75 seats, a few towns away. I get their newsletter and usually scan it quickly and then toss it. Got it in today's mail, did that, then walked upstairs and stopped. Did I read that right, "This Might Get Loud" was playing here in the boonies? Went back down stairs and dug it out of the trash..it's okay, there was nothing disgusting in there, and sure enough it started in an hour. Scrambled into the shower, got dressed and drove the 22 miles to the place. "Oh Crap", almost empty parking lot, maybe I read the wrong day in the flyer. Walked inside and asked the guy working and he told me it was starting in about 15 minutes. Bought my bottle of water and Skittles..sorry Mick , no pop corn, and there was no one else in the theater. About 2 minutes later this sweet looking little old lady walks in and has a seat. We small talked until the movie started.
COMPLETELY AMAZING..I did not want it to stop. I sat through he entire credits, wishing it was a matinee so I could go buy another ticket and see it again. If you have been listening to music in the past 30 years you owe it to yourself to go see this. This woman and I talked about 15 minutes in the parking lot,turns out she was 71, about how nobody saw this and it was just a great movie. It was a good thing we were alone in the place because we were both stamping out feet and drumming on the seats around and in front of us and just having a good ole time. I will buy it on DVD when it comes out but it won't even be close to seeing it on the big screen.
The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White..quite possibly 3 of the greatest living guitarists alive..talking and jamming and explaining how music affects them and us..MAN-O-MAN-O-MAN..what a movie.
Dale

New Beginnings Entry Two

2009-09-21T20:34:00.001-07:00

I don't mean for this to sound terrible..this is a place for me to vent and maybe suck up a little attention which I need. IT HAS been a rough year but it's slowly getting better.
I got my first vacation in 8 years and had a great time {thanks Pup}, I got to see part of the country that was new to me and fell in love with the high desert. Zozobra night was amazing spectacle onto itself. Santa Fe was buzzing over the 400 anniversary and Zozobra. Taos was not quite what I expected, it turned out to be a little Santa Fe, however, Madrid more than made up for it,I could live there happily I think.
Today was the first day in a week that I felt somewhat back to normal. No highs or lows,just okay. Went for walk in the morning which was nice,about 65, nice sunny day, The flowers seem to sense the impending weather and are out in force as if in defiance of the frost forecasts. Work went well, I made a killer mint choc late chip trifle..went through it all. I know there are going to be off days, you can't lose 3 people in 7 months and not have it affect you, but, I can fight back and reclaim my life. I found out that it really is the simple and sometimes little things that make life good. One of the women at supper called me out to the dining room, a very rare occurrence. When I got to her table she started crying and said "That ham and glaze was so good, it tasted just like my mother made when I was little and I never thought I would taste that again. Thank You so much". I almost started crying at that point..that was the way my grandmother made it..her recipe to the letter.
I haven't prayed much in the past few weeks..make that months but I am going to tonight. Its more of a one sided talk with me and the Big Guy but I think tonight might be the night to open the dialog back up. A couple new people to add to my "please watch out for these people if you can" and the rest I will wing.
Night All..be kind to yourself and those that need it
Dale
This picture was taken from the backdoor of the kitchen where I work..hope it pleases your eye..it took my breath away.

Great Band /Perfect Song

2009-09-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

One of the back singers is Richie Havens.

New Beginnings

2009-09-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

I find myself in a unique position. I am 55, reasonable intelligent and been told not to bad on the eyes...actually it was I was not to shabby..and that is from someone who's opinion I respect. Well read, okay conversationalist, can carry the ball in most areas. I like good food, good beer, good company, most kinds of music. Not much of a tv watcher but there can be exceptions to that. I consider myself a good friend..loyal to the end and then some. Accepting of peoples flaws as well as their strengths. Sometimes stubborn but usually not unreasonable. Don't like to fight, either verbally or physically, but back me into a corner and I am going to defend myself. Somewhat shy, but not enough to stay home all the time. I leave the limelight to those that need it. I fit in most anywhere, tend to be a casual guy..if you find a denim jacket that has a frayed collar and sleeves, a ballcap with a worn brim, I will prob be inside them, but when I have to I clean up well. I just went out, well 5 weeks ago and bought 20 pair of jeans, 4 bags of underwear, several bags of socks so I will have them..my way of saying I hate to shop. I have in the past made rash decisions and most turned out okay. Usually I think things through before I make a decision. Level headed, slow to anger, team player.
Until recently pretty grounded, the one that people called when they needed advise, a place to stay, a loan, help moving.
I now find myself alone in the world and its kind of weird. With the exception of a grown son that lives halfway around the world and some 2nd or 3rd cousins I have no relatives. Due to a responsibility I had until recently I let most of my friends slip away. Some passed awsy, some moves away and some just evolved into people I no longer know.
The question/quandry/decision now is what do I do? I have no ties other than a mortage and my house is in a good market area so selling would not be a problem. Maine is where I am from, where I always come back to so in every sense it is home. I have a good job with all the perks but a chef can always find a job.
Up till now this blog has been kind of a casual whatever kinda place..now its getting personal. I have moments of sadness and loneliness. For the most part I am kind of level..not a lot of highs or lows just kind of a glide ot coast..riding with the current so to speak. Moments or clarity and then it gets cloudy. All of the things I took for granted about family and friends are gone. You know Uncle Billy is going to drink to much on Thanksgiving and embarass his wife. Ma is going to make her pecan pie with the burnt crust on Christmas. Well thats no longer a given.
People around me, the few that know whats going on are being incredibly kind and thoughful..have Christmas dinner with us, come over after work on Thanksgiving and have pie and coffee. Know one has said "man that sucks, you gonna be okay"? and that might just be whats missing.
I am a fighter and will work my way through this. I am kinda leaning on one person and thats a great help, I just hope he doesn't snap under the weight, I'm a big guy. Tried praying and that just pissed me off. Tried yelling at the walls and they ignored me. Going to see a grief councelor next week, that should be enlightening.
I prob should have titled this entry "Lost, season one" but thats been done.
Stay tuned for the rest of the saga.

Its been about 3 hours since I first posted this. I have gotten more and more pissed of about the whole situation. One thing I can guarntee, I sure as hell am not going to curl up in a ball, give up and wait to die. FUCK THAT.

Santa Fe through my eyes.

2009-09-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

The first of these are of my buddy Mick and then one of the both of us,neither one were taken in Santa Fe but they had to be included. He was part of this saga so its only fair he's given kudos for being there. The rest are random shots taken thursday morning, Sept 10. I was wandering around from my hotel up to the Plaza while they were setting up for the 400th anniversary festival.. It was about 8 till 10 in the morning and the sun was at an angle so giving some interesting light. I hope you enjoy them.
Dale

Taking a journey OR a blank slate for an old mind.

2009-09-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Things have a way of not turning out as expected, but I am sure most of you know that. Let me explain.
This is going to sound like an old country song but here goes. I recently took a trip. First vacation in about 8 years other than day trips once in a while. From Maine I headed to the southwest, New Mexico to be exact. A couple of you will think you know the reason why, your partially right but hey, get your minds out of the gutter for a minute and feel the sun on your face. It was kind of a last minute thing. It had been on my mind for a long time but could not do it because of a family situation. Physically the trip went well, better than that actually. Easy flights out with half full planes so I had the entire row to myself on both legs, Continental still gives you breakfast, good weather.
Now what happened is this primarily became a trip of the mind. I have had a lot of stuff happen in the last few years and more in the 6 months and I had not realized how much it had affected me. Through this trip I came in contact with someone almost new to me..myself. I smiled for no reason other than that I felt good. I walked all over town and that is something I have not taken time to do in many years. I bought myself stuff..pottery, a print, a new hat, a hammered tin mirror among other things with no thought other than it was for me..I wanted it, I bought it. I got things for other people but I was always first. I had this weird feeling the first couple days and it hit me like that "good ole boy" whack on the back of the head. This is how I used to feel, that's what was so weird. My only thoughts were what am I going to do today? It helps that I was in an incredible place, amazing vistas for the eye, good weather for the skin and lungs, friendly people everywhere.
I also "met" a friend I have had for 10 years or so but that's another post. He was a big part of it.
I ate like a pig and lost 10 pounds, now that's a diet I can handle.
I am going to try to ad a post here once a week. It is going to become my personal odyssey. If I bore you sorry, start your own blog. This is rants raves, rambles and recipes is it not? I am also going to try to expand on the recipe part..if you want to know how to make something ask..if you want it privately send me your email address.
I am now in a position to be able to help others. My family obligations are nil. I can take a class, take a trip, go to the movies, spend my day off reading a book. I have to figure how to meet people..this is a town of 18,000 people and its not that big, but that will happen in time. I am going to go back to the gym, lose 20 or 30 pounds, shave my head more. Spend more time walking, more time listening, more time trying to rediscover who I am. Its basically a blank slate for an old mind. I no longer have to live in Maine but prob will. Its hard at times but its home.
I get a feeling this is going to be fun, kinda scary at times but fun.
Sept 12th, 11:44 EST, Augusta Maine
Wish me luck.
DALE

Green Grocer

2009-07-24T05:49:00.000-07:00

AUGUSTA -- The world's most environmentally-advanced supermarket opens Saturday at the former site of Cony High School.
The new Hannaford Supermarket, according to Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer, and founding chairman of the United States Green Building Council, is the first supermarket in the world to achieve his organization's highest-rated, Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

"Our review team said it was one of the cleanest, most amazing projects they'd seen in a very long time," Fedrizzi said Thursday while announcing the building had achieved platinum status, at a ceremony in the entryway of the new store. "This store will use less energy, less water, create less waste. It will do tremendous things. But what it does most is educate."

Fedrizzi said the 50,000-square-foot building will use about 50 percent less energy than a conventional building of the same size.

"Why wouldn't we build the most environmentally-advanced supermarket in the world, and why wouldn't we want to build it in the state capital of our home state?" Ronald Hodge, CEO and president of Hannaford, said.

Baldacci praised the leadership of Hannaford for building the store, which he said he hoped would be a model for other businesses.

Its "green" features include:

* A "GreenChill" refrigeration system which uses 50 percent less refrigerant gas than a traditional system;

* Doors on nearly all freezer and refrigerated cases, saving energy and creating warmer in-store temperatures for shoppers and workers;

* Water from two 750-foot-deep geothermal wells, used to help regulate the building's temperature;

* What Hannaford says is the largest solar panel array in the state;

* Numerous skylights and windows designed to bring in natural light, and lights which dim or turn off when not needed;

* Lights on motion sensors on some products, which turn off when no one is there;

* An educational area in the entryway of the store, with environmental information;

* Low-flow, dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow faucets in restrooms, and ice-free cases in the seafood department, together expected to reduce water usage by 38 percent;

* Some parking spots, close to the store, reserved for employee car and van pools, and shoppers driving low-emission hybrid vehicles.

One of the more unusual design features are green and red plants, sedums, on 7,000 square feet of the roof.

Gunnar Hubbard, principal of Fore Solutions, a Portland-based green building consultant who worked on the project, said the plants do not require watering, and the layered system of soil and plants reduces water runoff and helps insulate the store.

Augusta Hannaford Store Manager Ruben Lemelin said the new store will employee 159 people, about twice as many as at the Willow Street Hannaford. All employees, or associates, from Willow Street will move to the new store, Lemelin said.

Lemelin said he could not reveal the cost of the new store. He did say it cost between 20 and 25 percent more to build than a conventional store if its size.

City records filed as Hannaford sought a permit for the project in 2006 indicated it would be an approximately $10 million building.

Weird Dale Trivia

2009-06-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

I own, and these are close aproximations....4000 albums, 2500 books, 800 cd's and a 13 inch television...but it is color!

Odd News

2009-06-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

Having been born and brought up till my mid teens in Maine I am used to a certain way of life and a certain way of doing things. As a collective group...think Borg, this seems to be a pattern here, we are resourceful, fiercely independent, fairly nosy but tend to mind our own business. We take pride in helping others, an example I think I have used before is we have huge number or senior citizens here yet very few are in rest homes...family takes care of family.
I am amazed at the fact that 5 of the 6 New England states have approved and voted on and signed into effect a gay marriage bill. Although I see no reason for it I guess its kinda cool being ahead of the curve. Its my opinion that a strong well written will is enough to keep most families at bay in the event of a death. I have mine set up so that in the event of my death all are provided for, but Tony gets the bulk of my estate and my half of the house. Now the clincher, and my lawyer suggested this, is that if anyone in my will decides to challenges it, he or she will be dropped from receiving anything should they lose the challenge. He has used it several hundred times in his career as an lawyer and to his knowledge it has never been challenged in court. I guess greed is a great motivator.

I stll just don't see the need for this. If you want to get married I am glad I live in a state where you can, but it just seemes kinda stupid to me. If you have something to say please do it here, there is no sense in sending an email to my email account because, more than likely if its got a good point or its truly obnoxious I'm just going to print it here.

Oh well, this tired old gay republication is going to drag his ass to bed.
DGC

Gay marriage and WHY???????????

2009-05-08T19:52:00.001-07:00

This is going to piss off a few people and to bad. As a collective group, why in hell would we want to join the ranks of married hetrosexual people? If you showed me a system that worked I would agree but cmon, according to one site I looked at 65 percent of straight marraiges end within 5 years. I agree with tax breaks and other benefits that are provided by couples should be extended to gay couples but I don't want to be "married". We should be able to, and again this the collective gay community...think BORG..come up with a plan that gives us the same basic rights but is more productive and works for us as a group. Most gay people pride themselves as being different and I have heard the phrase a lot and often as us being the chosen. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN TRYING TO MIMIC A SINKING SHIP. Its not easy being gay, harder being an openly gay republican and now you want me to tie the knot? Whats going to be next. I can see it now, live on LOGO "Gay Divorce Court" with judge RuPaul and Ellen prosiding. I mean most gay men bring a U-Haul on their second date..I can see it now. This is Bob...my 23rd husband.
Sorry Tony and Rick but you pushed me into this tirade.

6 states in 2 days

2009-05-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

I recently got another car. It's bigger and much more comfortable than my ZX2 or the LeBaron and much more comfortable for trips. It was rare time when everything was calm so I decided to take a quick roadtrip. I was originally going to go to CT and drive back..about a 10 hour round trip to get a steamed cheeseburger at Teds in Meriden.
Well that changed as soon as I got on the road. It was tuesday morning as I left Augusta and headed south. The car first took me to Brattleboro VT. Nice town, looked up an old friend, when you chek this out, thanks Adam. There are a lot of old hippies here..their term..and some incredible bakeries and small town craft shops. Side note here..the beginning of May is way to early to skinny dip in a Vermont quarry. Went from there to Springfield Mass, the only person I knew there was gone..imcluding her house, Target strikes again. Went from there south to Meriden, just outside of Hartford and got that steamed cheeseburger. If your curious check out thier website..Teds Resaurant. I have been going to this place for 35 years and had no idea they were famous. Went to pay my respects at a grave site and went to New London Ct from there. Across the bridge from NL is Mystic Ct and Mystic Seaport. I was going to stop and hang awhile but it was to early in the season and they were closed. Headed from there to Rhode Island. Its a amll state with the worst drivers in the country. Stopped and had some killer clam chowder and a lobster roll for supper. It was motel and sleep time.
Wednesday morn I got up and headed into Boston. When I left Boston they were just starting the "big dig" and its pretty much done now. Holy shit, that new tunnel is amazing. Its seems about a mile long on a twisting and banked course. The lighting is yellow so everything seems sort of surreal. Exits from both sides, a posted speed limit of 35/45 and people doing 70 and up all the way through. I had the sunroof open so it was a blast of noise and exhaust smoke and I could not take my hands of the wheel to close it..what a rush that was. Then you come out of tunnel to the spires of the new bridge, it's like changing centuries in a heartbeat. From there north to New Hampshire and lunch..sorry to say it was McD's. Left there and stopped at Ogunquit..Maines own little gay getaway. It was pretty quiet but I had a great meal and walked on the beach a little bit. From there a short trip to Old Orchard Beach. Nice quiet time walking on the beach..some great french fries and I won 200 bucks on a scratch ticket I bought on a fluke when I stopped to buy gas. 15 miles from home and I stopped and got a hotel for the night..not sure why it just seemed right.
I put 1000 miles on the car, had a couple of great meals and got some nostalgia time in. All in all it was a great time and at the end itturned out free because of the lottery win. It was the first time I have been out of maine in about 2 years because of various complications, and it was a great time.
NOTE TO SELF....BRING CAMERA ON NEXT TRIP

Now for the cooking portion of our show

2009-01-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

A few simple rules to make things easier in the kitchen. Simplify...its that easy. When your getting ready to make something, get all the ingredients together first including any utensils you may need. Its most annoying to be half way through making a dish and finding out your out of an ingredient. Also if your baking, and you have to stop and find some weird spice you have not used in a while it will affect quality. Breads, cake and cookies {at least most of them} have yeast or another compound to make them rise..if you wait to long to finish the dough it will affect that. If your going to use a cake mix, and most people do these days, substitute 1/4 of the liquid for applesauce..it makes a much moister cake. This is for you Toto, if your going to make butter cream frosting and thin it with cream you need to refrigerate the cake. Its also a great idea to buy a timer with 3 or 4 different timers you can use at the same time. I found one at Willaims Sonoma store a few years ago that has four separate times with different sounds...if your going to cook several things at once it can be a lifesaver. NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, NEVER MAKE A NEW DISH FOR COMPANY WITHOUT HAVING MADE IT FIRST FOR YOURSELF...JUST BECAUSE THE RECIPE LOOKED GOOD ON PAPER DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL WORK ON YOUR PALATE.
Happy Cooking
DGC

Starting a new Christmas tradition..this on my blog

2008-12-09T18:06:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGwludVZ4jo

The World At large

2008-12-06T05:59:00.001-08:00

I rarely watch tv. There are a few shows I tivo but thats about it. I also don't read papers like I used to. I get my news from conversations at work and online at MSNBC on my breaks or between placing orders. I knew my 403 took a hit, prob a big one but did not actually check it, there was nothing I could do about it.
I had an unexpected day off so I spent it catching up and discovered something odd.
I live in a small town in a sparsely settled state. Its predominately Catholic by religion and french by race and culture. Democratic and religious, odd bedfellows them two. However it is one of the few states that has statewide gay rights, low teenage pregnancy rates and is about average for obesity and smoking. Highest rate of people that own homes versus rent. We have a large KKK population and low hate crine rates. The Christian Coalition has a strong foothold here, but people here are fiercely opinionated and most insist on your/their right to live and let live. I found out that both places I work have small "minority work forces" yet compared to the local population they are have more that their "quota". We have more laws protecting seniors than most states, yet most seniors live with their families than in facilities. A full one third of people here go to bingo/beano but hate the idea of a casino opening here, go figure. The northern part of my state want to separate and form their own state..not sure how that will work our,,I am kinda in the middle.
We are an incedible poor state financially....a recent Monster.com comparison for my job was 3 to 4 dollars less an hour for a sous-chef position in most of the rest of the country. Since we have not had a lot of money I am not sure how the recession is going to hit us. I am sure liking being able to buy gas for 1.69 and fuel oil for 2.20 though. As far as I can tell my job is somewhat insulated from change but that can be disrupted over night,
What I am getting to is, life around here is pretty much business as usual. I have talked to people in NYC and Denver...both seem to be taking big hits financially, but because we never had those kinds of jobs here. All seems to be ok so far.
WELCOME TO VACATIONLAND AND THE HOME OF LOBSTERS
DGC

Ole Yellow Eyes

2008-11-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

tis the season

2008-11-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry folks, things have been very hectic here and I have been neglecting this blog. My only and VERY early NEW YEARS RESOLUTION is to take better care of myself and to carve time out for myself both physically, mentally and emotionally. I will be of no help to anyone else if I am a mess, so, it starts tonight. Mick, Rick, Toto, Angela...thanks for the support and staying in contact even when I did not.

Throwing a fit

2008-06-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are not familiar with that expression, its pretty much having a tantrum. For the last few months I have been fighting with my pc monitor, so, figured it was time to buy a new one. I decided, after much online research to go with an Acer 22 inch flat panel. 3 year parts and labor warranty included, 2500 to 1ratio gives a great pic for both email/pics and watching movies. Now in this area the best place to but it was a big box store. It was going to be about 279 dollars and since I already had 210 in gift cards and birthday cash it was actually going to cost me very little. I get tio the store and there are only 4 cars in the parking lot figured it would be a quick transaction whick was good cause I wanted to see the new Hulk movie in about 40 minutes time. In the store I see there are 4 or 5 people visible but no employees around..bright red shirts are the uniform so very visible. I go to the pc department and find they now have all the monitors locked up. Again no red shirts visible so I go to the service desk and no one there. Okay, I have been known to lose my temper about stupid shit before, I will admit that, but cmon..Friday night..7 pm, where the hell are the people that work here? Digging out my handy little cell phone I call the store and ask the woman where all the employees are she says, "well I suppose they are busy doing thier jobs" to which I reply, "Well if you were standing in front of the service desk and trying to find one you certainly would not think that". Well, this woman pops out from behind a wall followed by 6 people in red shirts. I ask for someone to get a key to unlock a case because I know what I want..okay about 10 minutes later no one shows up so I go back to the service desk and ask why not. "We cant find a key to unlock the case so you will have to come back tomorrow". Now I am getting a little hot under the collar so I suggest she call a manager and get him down here witha key or I wanta name of all the employees in the store because I am going to email the parent company/district manager and tell them whats going on. She says hold on and goes back behind her wall. "I just called a manager who is on duty but out having supper at Red Robin and he will be here in about 20 minutes", nope not good enough. I start to raise my voice about store quality and customer service and pull out my camera phone and tell her I just recorded the conversation and tell her if no one is there in 5 minutes I am going to download the clip and send it to her DM. Back behind her little wall and low and behold this mystery manager appears and has a key.
This little saga is not over yet. I get my monitor and go back to this waoman to pay for it, and now it rings up at 199 bucks..well thats not right my red shirt says so she calls the manager back out from behind that wall. He goes and gets another one and it rings up at the 279 price.
He says that the first one must be mispriced from an old sale and sets the first one behind the counter. Now my shirt collar is getting realll tight and my face is getting red. "Look you make me wait here for an hour, have your epmloyee lie to me about you location and now your not giving me an item that your scanner is reading at a sale price? If youy don't want this crap to go to your boss perhaps you had better rethink your position".
WEll, to end this on a happy note, I got the monitor for 199 bucks, a voucher for 25 bucks my next purchase and he threw in a 20 dollar gift card to "cover your gas money and time".
Those of you that know mw know that I am usually pretty laid back and not one to make scenes but hey..I missed the first showing of the movie and I hate being lied to. Tell me, the boss is out getting laid or smoking a joint in the back lot or off playing a video game or you just don't have clue where he actually is and you will page him but just be honest.
Anyways, the monitor works great, I used my perks to but the Indiana Jones trilogy for my collection and The Incredible Hulk was worth waiting for the second show. I guess that qualifies as a rant and a ramble.
Later
Dale

Its been a long time

2008-05-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not kept this up but its been kinda hectic around here. Those of you that know me, know whats going on, those of you that don't, well, know this, above anything else I respect peoples privacy and expect mine to ne regarded the same.
Mick and Rick..thanks for the email support..its been invaluable.
Know for the new story part of this. When I was younger I went through a kinda wild stage..alochol and drugs fuelled a lot of it. A lot more was loneliness. I spent a lot of time in NYC with a few friends doing what would be called now a circuit. I went to all the right parties on Fire island and the Hamptons and in the City..flew to San Francisco every few weeks. It was a life that I fell into, that I took for granted. I mean hey, does not every high school kid skip school and get the train to Manhattan and cruise The Mine Shaft, The Spike, The Anvil, and hey lets not forget the piers after the bars closed at around 6 am after a couple cups of coffee at The Silver Dollar of Tiffanies. That was in high school mind you. After a 7year break I moved to Chelsea, back then it was SoHo. I did my share of screwing around and thankfully I only got the crabs a couple times and the clap once. Now most, actually all of my friends from those days are gone..some from natural causes, one from a gun shot from a jealous boyfriend but saddly most from Aids. Now, although, I was certainly wild sexually, a lot more, probably 80 percent of my time was spent dancing. 12 West was my palace of choice but the Cockring certainly had my share of sweat on that dancefloor. The Tea Dance at the Boatslip was the same and the Monster on Fire Island had my dna dripped onto that floor many a night or afternoon as I got lost in the music. I almost always danced alone with my eyes closed..don't know why just did.
Thanks to YouTube I have found some of the music I lost then. The only one I posted this time out was an absolute favorite from that part of my life. It haunted me then and it still does now. I hope you get 1/10 of the pleasure from this song as I do.
As Mick would say.....I'm out.
DGC

My Friend Courtney singing Son of a Preacher Man

2008-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

I finally got this to work

2008-03-31T17:49:00.001-07:00

Ice

2008-03-08T18:55:00.001-08:00

PEOPLE >>>>>YOU GOTTA LOVE EM

2008-02-12T06:11:00.000-08:00

I have been listening to 2 women I work with, and I am not picking on women, this just happenens to be the situation. They were formerly married to 2 brothers, got divorced and then remarried the other brother, which will lead to a really funky son/nephew and daughter/niece thing but that is not my point. They have been arguing for the past 3 years about their engagement and wedding rings..which one is bigger and better quality. It has gotten so bitter they have stopped talking to each other right before Thanksgiving, which made the kitchen crew very happy I might add. Both of them have teenage children working in the building,not in my kitchen, I put that idea right out the door with the rest of the trash. The building is slowly taking sides which is going to leave the adminstration in a pickle soon.
Now my point, why do people that should be taking care of each other get caught up in things like this? I am sure everyone reading this knows of a similar situation. I have had this saying/quote on my office wall for years, not sure where it came from or who said it. Both these ladies follow this blog on an occasional basis and it might help them, as well as give everyone a reason to think about it.

RESPECT THE ELDERLY
TEACH THE YOUNG
CO-OPERATE WITH THE PACK
WORK WHEN YOU MUST
PLAY WHEN YOU CAN
REST IN BETWEEN

THIS HAS A SAYING ON THE BOTTOM CALLING IT THE CODE OF THE WOLF

Not sure if this was rant, rave or a ramble but its on the screen so its all good.

January Thaw

2008-01-15T03:31:00.000-08:00

It came, it went and winter is back with a major attitude.

YouTube Goodies

2007-12-30T18:52:00.000-08:00

I was rambling around YouTube and stumbled across this...and thought I would share, Its not for everyone but it worked for me...lol

2007

2007-12-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Evening Folks
All in all its been a good year. Those of you that know me, know what my life is like...anyone else that wants to find out ask!!
I hope you all had a good Christmas, took care good care of your families...both biological and the ones we create with our friends. Take the time to be the person your profile says and be the person your dog thinks you are...old saying but ohh so true. I am leaving you with a picture a friend sent me. I have it on the bulletin board at all 3 jobs and everyone gets a kick out of it.
Happy Trails
DGC

2007-12-16T21:10:00.001-08:00

December 16th again

2007-12-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

December 16th

2007-12-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

Where to start folks, where to start. Things are finally slowing down a bit. I bought a house back in Feb. Due to the outlay of money I have been working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs, upwards of 60 hours a week to catch up and build up a nest egg again. I am down to about 45 hours now and will take time to post more often and update with some winter pictures from here in Maine.
I was also dealing with a condition known as chronic hives and was on a bunch of different medications from my Dr till we found one that seems to work. Allegra made me stupid and put 20 pounds on my already "not to slim to start with" frame. Next Fexofenadine made me grouchy and I broke out worse. Then we tried Famotidine...aka Pepsid in industrial doses...that made me break out and gave me zits, I mean c'mon people, 53 is just to old to have zits on your nose and chin. The old stand by of Benadryl works just fine as long as you can lay down and read the same page over and over. I am now on something called Doxepin at a very low dosage. Funny story here folks, the pharmacy I have gone to for 10 or so years refused to fill it. It seems it is an anti-depressant and they did not think it would work. The called my Drs office and he got cranky with them so they gave me an experimenal batch of 10 days and low and behold they had to eat their words. The dose for an anti-depressant is 15 times higher than I take and seems to be working just great. I have been tested for all kinds of stuff by a dermatologist and allergist and they can find nothing.
Since I last posted a lot has changed at this site and I have to figure out how a lot of it works. I am going to post this and do the pictures I have seperately. Mick and Rick, I may need help figuring this out.

King Stephen

2007-10-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

Evening folks.
Back in the early 80's Stephen King wrote a novella called "The Mist". It was one of his favorite themes. SOMETHING goes bad and the people all get together and fight for the good of the group. It is a very successful ploy and it has kept me a "constant reader" from the beginning. I have, to my knowledge, read all of his books except the Tower series..tried and tried again just can't get into them. I have however, read The Stand from cover to cover 21 times so I guess that makes me hard core. It is now being made into a movie to be released in November I believe
I travel down Rte 17 from Augusta to Rockland 3 times a week leaving at 5:45 am. It is a nice ride for the most part, however, like a lot of people I automatic drive so I tend to be more aware of my OUTSIDE conditions. I drove into this one morning and it got my feverish little mind all fired up.
To end this on a reality note...hey the movie may suck but you have Thomas Jane for eye candy..it can't be all bad.
Night Folks

2007-09-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

A couple of questions

2007-06-25T11:14:00.001-07:00

I will be the first to admit I am not a political man. I vote in ALL nation elections and in most local ones but thats as far as it goes. My question is this....if no one admits to voting for George W, how in the hell did he get elected twice????????? I am an admitted , registed republican, although I vote for the man not the party with usually a pretty evenly split ticket. Sorry Mick, it was the only thing you did not know about me that might make you pause and reflect and say "What the hell is wrong with him" and shake your head in wonder. Try living in Boston and admitting that in public...you want to talk about getting crap from people. I have been listening to people I work with and radio shows...gotta love NPR..and have yet to hear one other person besides myself admiting I did....but only the first time.
Now for the second one. I will also be the first to admit I hate this war were in and the cost in lives it has taken. But, if we had done nothing how much more distruction would have happened by terrorists? Is that even a fair logical question to ask or am I just being selfish? I was around for the Viet Nam Conflict and lost friends and family and saw the whole matter as a teenager in high school and through the rather biased eyes of teachers. I was a long hair and a communist according to them....although none said it to my face. I was also registed for the draft but did not get called.
Not really looking for answers just venting....and ranting.
Good luck all and take care of yourselves and the ones you love.
Dale

All I can say is

2007-04-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

WE HIT 71 DEGREES TODAY.....YA*******HOOOOOO

Rumors Abound

2007-03-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

There is a rumor around here that spring is coming. Well to judge by the pile of snow outside you would never know. Actually thats not true..I can see about a foot of lawn near the driveway and the river going through the middle of town has this little patch of water showing. It will freeze over for most of the winter and then break in the spring. Not as exciting as it is in Cecily where there is that mad-man franticness where all the men run naked through town. Looking from the front porch I can see part of the sidewalks and there something by the basement window brave enough to send up a few shoots. Hey thats Binx, coming out from under the covers..its gotta be true about spring..she never makes winter appearances except for Thanksgiving cause she loves turkey.

Family...real, extended and other

2007-02-19T13:03:00.000-08:00

The mother in mention and her psycho cat
Butch...well in name anyways...lol

Tony and Binx Something sad about a convertible in the snow
Sam..my God girl..lay off the kibbles!!!!

2007-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

This was taken just before Christmas 2006 where I work...the sky in Maine is always beautiful, sometimes scary and at times like this it can just fill you with wonder.

Rants, Raves, Rambles and the Occasional recipe

2007-01-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks
My name is Dale, I live in central Maine and pretty much have a point of view and opinion on everything...however these are not carved in stone and can be changed if you can convinve me I am wrong and/or misinformed. Included here will be lot of information, the occasion picture and lots of "stuff". Feel free to comment on what you read or see of just think about something I have stated. A few friends have told me that I must have a huge ego to want to post my thoughts on the web for the world to see, and maybe they are right. Anyhow....welcome to my world. Pick and choose anything you like or dislike....hey the web is still free as long as you pay your 34.95 a month.
Later on folks..I am off to the IRS to get my tax return done.