I was in Cambridge this afternoon meeting with a potential new client. I arrived early to avoid being late due to traffic and had a chance to walk around a bit. Pictured here is the Area 4 Story mural by artist David Fichter. It illustrates the rich history of Area 4, which is known for its social reformers like Margaret Fuller, Clement Morgan, and William Lloyd Garrison as well as its technology and inventors like Elias Howe who invented the sewing machine. Area 4, now called the Port, is a high-density residential neighborhood located near Central Square in Cambridge.

While returning home from the Boston Marathon on Monday, I came across this very nice scene in Ashland, MA. Unfortunately, the grey skies that day did little to make the photo pop. Today’s cloudless skies gave me reason to return for the shot above. Earlier in the day, I wrapped up the Purchase and Sale Agreement on our next house. We are on track to close before the end of the month.

I narrowly avoided stepping on this wooly bear as I was headed out to my car this morning. One of the most familiar caterpillars, wooly bears are renowned wanderers. They hatch from eggs in the fall, overwinter in woodpiles, and molt into Isabella tiger moths in the spring. Seeing it reminded me of a photo I took of Maya when she was 5 years old.

The Boston Marathon is normally held on Patriots Day. This year, it was postponed until today due to Covid. When attending in the past, I have positioned myself closer to the end of the race. This year, I decided to try a location closer to the start (1.75 miles). Here I enjoyed generally unobstructed views of the participants and managed to capture images of the winners in the men’s and women’s elite and wheelchair divisions.

The celebration of my 63rd birthday was postponed until we could do it as an entire family. The kids treated me to an amazing Italian diner at Olivia’s Bistro in Waltham. As good as the food was, it was surpassed by the conversation which reminded me how much I admire the adults that our kids have become. Earlier in the day, I was on the soccer pitch in what turned out to be our most challenging match of the season. We emerged with a narrow 1-0 win against a tough Brazillian team. The victory all but secured a first-place finish in our division and a berth in the post-season playoffs.

Today, Jeanine and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary, originally planned for earlier this week (October 6th), we had to postpone when Jeanine’s return flight from Indianapolis was delayed by several hours. Jeanine put me in charge of planning this year and I decided on a lighthouse-themed getaway based on her fondness for them. Our first stop was the Eastern Point Lighthouse in Gloucester Harbor.

While driving through Gloucester we paused to enjoy the magnificent gardens which grace the Stage Fort Park promenade. They are as spectacular as any I have ever seen and an unplanned anniversary bonus. From there, I flew my drone out to Babson Ledge for a closer peek at the Ten Pound Island Lighthouse, built of cast iron and brick in 1881 to guide boats into the town’s inner harbor. The final image is of the Gloucester City Hall, a very lovely building that exudes New England charm. Our final destination was Marblehead where we enjoyed a truly wonderful meal at the Landing.

Gloucester City Hall

Each year, there is about a one-week window when fall color is at its peak in any given area. When that period lines up with great weather it is time to get outside. Today, I drove up to Franconia Notch, one of my favorite places for autumn photography. My first stop was the Squam River bridge, in my opinion, one of the prettiest in all of New Hampshire. Built in 1990, this covered bridge replaces a steel and concrete bridge that was condemned. The state proposed a two-lane steel bridge for this site, but the citizens of Ashland voted for a one-lane wood bridge constructed in the traditional style of covered bridges. Mirror Lake was my next stop and then it was on to the town of Lincoln. By the time I started heading for home, the northbound weekend tourist traffic was backed up for several miles and I was very happy to be going in the opposite direction.

When demolition begins on our new home, we are going to need someplace to live for the year plus it will take to build the new one. Last night, Jeanine and I decided it would make more sense to buy a second home rather than waste money on rent. When the new construction is completed and we move back, we will use the second house as a rental property. This morning we found a 3-bedroom, 2000 sqft home that is less than a mile and a half away that ticked all the boxes. After touring the home, I did a quick but thorough inspection and presented an offer on the spot. It was accepted a few hours later and we are scheduled to close before the end of the month.

Today, I happen on this interview that Nicolai did back in January. Unsurprisingly, he did not mention it to anyone in the family. Fortunately, YouTube has a search function which I use from time to time, to discover what Nico has been up to recently.

Maya is currently touring the California coast with a new friend she met while interning at Rivian over the summer. Judging by the pictures she is sending back, they are having an excellent time. On their recent stop at Morrow Bay, they came upon a group of four sea otters basking on their backs in the calm waters of the bay, each with a baby on its chest. Maya’s spirit animal is the otter and I am certain that this encounter will register as a peak life experience for her.

Jeanine’s nephew, Luke, is among other things a stand-up comic. It was no surprise then that his wedding to Shellie was officiated by a fellow stand-up comic. I laughed so hard that it was difficult to steady my camera. The “ceremony” was more of a roast but as is the case with all good comedy, it exposes the truth. In this case, the love they share for each other. A complete set of the photos I took can be found here.

Because of Covid, some family members had to attend via Zoom. I set up a tripod with a phone holder on it and Jeanine’s sister, Susan, escorted it about the ceremony and reception. Below, Kyle and Jeanine visit with her niece, Erica.

One of my favorite non-wedding pictures of the evening was this portrait of Jeanine’s other nephew, Gabriel, with his son and girlfriend.

I moved to Indianapolis in 1980 to join Bell Labs. It was there that I met fellow engineer Rob Till, with whom I also played league soccer and volleyball. We became and have remained close friends ever since. He is pictured here with his wife Ann and their three Great Danes. Jeanine and I spent several hours visiting with them, reminiscing about old times and catching up on children and extended family. If Maya had joined us on this trip, the Till’s would find themselves short one dog. Thor took a particular liking to Jeanine.

Even though I lived in Indianapolis for twenty some odd years, I don’t think I have been back more than once or twice in the last 18 years. This morning, Jeanine and I flew there for the wedding of her nephew, Luke, to be held on Sunday evening. On approach, we flew past the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and judging from the number of trucks on the infield, there must be an upcoming race this weekend. After gathering our rental car, we visited with Jeanine’s sister Lauren and helped with the preparation of a massive mezze plater under her expert supervision.

We all took time to visit with her dog, Gandalf. Despite his age and a deformed leg, he is absolutely adorble and took an immediate shine to Jeanine.

I found myself in Pembroke, MA this afternoon visiting a showroom for windows and doors. After completing my business, I decided to head over to the ocean, given how close I was. I visited the very quaint Scituate Lighthouse which was built in 1811. It was here, during the war of 1812, that Rebecca (21) and Abby (15) Bates, daughters of the lighthouse keeper, observed a British ship making directly for the harbor. With their father away, the girls dispatched their brother to run for help. As the British ship drew near and began offloading sailors onto barges, the two struck up their fife and drum. Hidden from sight, the two girls sounded for all the world like an approaching army force. The British sailors retreated and the ship sailed away. The sisters became known the world over as “The Army of Two.”