Margery Niblock

A Few Odd Things—All of Them Dumb!

Excuse me . . .

These are twin parking meters located on Myrtle Street, right outside City Hall near the entrance to the Merrill Auditorium.

This is a pole that had one of these parking meters attached to its top. The meters are missing.

Police had received a call about two men tampering with those meters. By an odd coincidence, when they were driving around the area in response to that call, they happened upon two 33-year-old Portland men, who had the meters in their possession.

They were strolling down a street a couple of blocks away, with the evidence handily apparent. Since they didn't have a good reason to be carrying these double parking meters at 1:30 in the morning (or any other time), they were arrested for theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and possession of burglary tools.

Hey, It's Moldy in Here!

Gardening is a wonderful pastime. That's an accepted fact. It isn't too often that it can get someone placed into police custody either.

A 26-year-old whose thinking cap wasn't properly adjusted, called his landlord to complain about mold in the house he was renting. He would later realize the full implications of that phone call.

The landlord showed up at the property with a roofing contractor, in order to find the mold problem's cause. When they reached the basement they came upon the reason: 123 marijuana plants being cultivated with grow lights.

[Example of Indoor Grow]

Police were called and the man was arrested. Two and a quarter pounds of processed marijuana were also found in the dwelling. The indoor farmer was charged with unlawful trafficking in drugs and his indoor grow was confiscated as evidence.

Illiterate Criminal Mischief Maker

The message on the window of my car (the FlameMobile) was discovered upon exiting a restaurant after a delicious Thai dinner. The car had been dubbed with that delightful name by Ed King, the editor of The West End NEWS. There was a period of time when the FlameMobile helped Ed on his newspaper delivery rounds. That was a couple of years ago, before I began writing the "police-beat" articles. So you might say I've worked my way up in the organization.

I sent the photo to a few friends. One wrote back with a possible explanation, which was "Maybe he/she thought you were in HR, and had initiated a round of layoffs." Nice try, Kate!

It was written with some sort of white grease pencil, which comes off very easily. And it reminded me of the first time I'd taken this car to fill up the gas tank. The young man at the service station said "I really like the fire flames on your car." He knew nothing about redundancy, obviously.

And speaking about service stations and filling up . . .

. . . It's My First Time!

I was horrified to see this sign in the station where I normally go to fill up my gas tank. That's because I had never put the gas in myself, nor had I ever planned to. I'd pulled in, seen the sign, and pulled right out. I had to let my mind become accustomed to the idea that this was going to represent a major change in my lifestyle.

I went to the supermarket, which had been my destination, and after purchasing my groceries decided to return to the gas station and attempt to get my own gas.

I read the directions carefully and slowly. Then I thought I'd done what I was told to do. But I hadn't lifted the lever up. So I began pumping "nothing" into my gas tank. I watched the numbers, which did not move. A woman came out of the building and told me what the problem was.

I pumped $15 worth of gas and then made sure I put the pump back the way it was. Whew! I figured it would be easier the next time. Of course anyone reading this has probably been doing this routine since teenage years, so it must seem quite ridiculous. But when you start to do something at age 70, it can be a big deal, especially if you're fearful of the process to begin with.

That evening I was out to dinner with a friend and we were discussing the issue of self-service gas stations. She was not a proponent of the do-it-yourself method either. As we chatted, I said "I wonder if I put the cap back on my gas tank." She thought that I must have, since that would be one of the last things you'd see before replacing the pump. But I just had a feeling that I hadn't.

When I was dropped off a short time later, I headed right for the rear of my car. And this is what I saw.

Thank goodness the cap was attached! Hopefully, I'll remember this final step of replacing the cap and closing the little trap door next time I go for gas.

Clowning Around

A performance artist who had been working in the downtown area called police to say that someone had just stolen his red clown nose and his rainbow-colored socks.

He gave a good description of the would-be clown, and police searched the immediate area looking for a match. They discovered someone walking nearby who fit the suspect's particulars; the man was then stopped and searched.

And guess what they found in his possession?

I don't know which style of rainbow-colored socks they found, but I'm partial to the ones with those wonderful toes. The man had a red clown nose and rainbow-colored socks.

So our street performer was able to get his paraphernalia back, and the wannabe clown was charged with theft.

'Tis the Season

My Latest Toy

I'm a child at heart. I love toys. I think that's one of the best things about being grown up, that I can buy anything I want for myself.

This little felt "monster" came from the Filament Gallery on Congress Street, run by Jill Dalton and Ernest Paterno. I've bought quite a few things there since they opened several years ago.

This is an argon sculpture created by Ernie, who does marvelous things with glass. It's a wonderful addition to my home, hanging on a wall in the living room.

And this delightful clock was also created by him.

A Beautiful Dog

This is Loki, an Akita. In Norse legend, Loki is the trickster god. A young man who lives around the corner owns Loki, and I met them in the park at the top of North Street.

Crushed Mail

This is a mail slot; a big one.

It's on the outside of the front door. It is eleven inches wide. I had it put in when I first bought this house (which I no longer own, although I still live here). I put in a large mail slot because transcripts were coming to me from a court stenographer in Philadelphia several times a week. I'd proofread them as soon as they arrived, make corrections, and drive them down to the post office so that the turnaround time would be fast.

There were also mailboxes on the front of the building, and the mailman was so clever he knew not to try and stuff a large envelope into a small mailbox. He really had an understanding of size and visual perspective. It helps in that line of work.

This is what the mail slot looks like on the inside of the door. It's still eleven inches wide!

The mail carrier who delivers to our building normally places the mail on a chair inside the hallway. I then sort it out for the three apartments and place the mail on the appropriate steps for floor 2 and floor 3. It works very well. The mailboxes outside are a little too small, especially when folks are dealing with Netflix.

I can always tell when we have a substitute delivering our mail. This is what the mail looks like on those occasions. This is my mailbox. Nicely done, isn't it?

This is what confronted me the other day when I stepped outside because I realized the mail hadn't been left on the chair. The young man who lives on the third floor was going out at the same time and when he saw my mailbox he said "What is wrong with this person?"

There was more than just cramming wrong with that person. I don't get Netflix; that was for James, who had just commented on my mailbox's appearance. So what was wrong was that the person either didn't know how to read or just didn't bother. And sometimes it's windy on the hill. Things might blow out of a mailbox loaded up like this. But who cares? Not that particular mail carrier, evidently. C'est la vie.

"Everybody Knows Marge" Birthday Mouse Pad

This was a most clever gift from my friend Kate. She got the idea after I'd told her about the handsome young man I'd been chatting with at the crazy carrots stand, which I'd written about a few weeks ago. He knew who I was and I didn't know who he was. When I'd asked how he knew me he said "Everybody knows Marge."

Kate thought that was pretty funny (and so did I), and she made this mouse pad to commemorate that statement. The flames are like the ones on my FlameMobile. It's all connected in one big circle.

Lots of December Snow

This was our first snowfall this December. It brought eight inches of whiteness and our first parking ban of the season. A few days later we got another four inches, and yesterday we got about a foot. That's a lot of snow for December. It's snowing again today and we may get another six to ten inches. It certainly seems as though we will have a white Christmas, which most people in Maine yearn for.

It's quite lovely to look at; driving is another thing entirely. And walking is quite another matter.

Seasonal Sweater

My son and daughter-in-law (Marc and Maria) got me this sweater a few years ago. I always look forward to wearing it. It is really warm. I've worn it when the temperature was only in the teens, as it was the other day, and it's fine. I get many compliments whenever I wear this. People stop me and say how much they like the sweater. And that's not just women. Many men make comments also. It's a garment that makes people smile, which is a very good thing.

Last year I decided that I could wear the sweater as long as there was snow on the ground. It's a winter sweater, not just one for Christmas. I think there's also a dreidel in one of those gift boxes.

Christmas at Police Headquarters

This is Deputy Chief Joe Loughlin with his boxer, PT. Joe (coauthor of Finding Amy) says the dog is "brave, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, and kind." He looks quite regal also. I would say that Joe has the same qualities. They're well paired.

Cheery Sun

Nance Parker, of the Shoestring Theater, had an exhibit of her paintings and some craft items this past weekend. I went for this papier-mâché sun in a big way and had to bring it home with me.

I've hung it on the outside of the bathroom door. I can see it when I'm working at the kitchen table and I'm really enjoying its bright personality.

Merry Christmas!

It's November No More!

What a Great Find!

I found this in a parking lot. It's two-sided, so I must share the other side with you. The little handle up there actually turns. Quite a clever cardboard whatever.

Yes, yes, I know it's a drill. I wonder why someone went to all the effort to create this. It's really nicely done. And now it's hanging in the entrance to my kitchen. There's still room left here for something that's this narrow.

Surprise Floral Arrangement

I was returning from a walk the other day, when my friend Joe called to me. I crossed the street and he sat down on the steps while we chatted.

When I looked to the left, I saw this lovely arrangement of flowers, which Joe said he'd placed there. It was such a pleasant surprise. I might never have noticed it if we hadn't been talking at just that spot.

Pretty Colors

I may have tortured you with all of my pumpkin photographs, but these colors were so lovely together. Just concentrate on the orange color and forget that it's another pumpkin.

Noel's Impact Felt in Maine

Although the storm generated by Hurricane Noel was not as bad as our April 16 event, its remnants created winds high enough to snap the mooring line of this sailboat, Molly Waldo. This picture was taken at low tide on Sunday, November 5, around one in the afternoon at the East End beach.

Walking toward the boat, I saw a man and his dog approach it from the other direction. He checked certain things and then walked in my direction. I asked whether he was the owner. He said he was, and that he'd owned the boat for 20 years. He said it looked like it was in good shape, that the only problem would be getting it off the rocks and back into the bay. I expect that will be accomplished within a few days.

Healing Field in Deering Oaks

I got a call Saturday afternoon from my wonderful neighbors, Bea and Michele. They said "Get your camera and drive over to Deering Oaks. You'll know why we called when you get there."

Exciting! A mystery assignment. Even though I'd already been out and didn't want to leave the house again, I followed their directive. As soon as I approached the park I saw hundreds of flags; and they were large flags.

The flags were in several locations in the park and it was an impressive display. I ran into a man who knew something about them and was told it was called a Healing Field. The flags are to commemorate Veterans Day, November 11, and it's a national event, sponsored by the American Legion.

Maine is participating by having flags in several locations. There will also be 2,900 flags along the Maine Turnpike and I-95, from Augusta to the New Hampshire border at Kittery. The Deering Oaks display adds over 800 more to that number.

Portland's Official Christmas Tree Arrives

The city's Christmas tree arrived at Monument Square on November 14, accompanied by a police escort. It didn't have far to travel, probably under three miles.

The tree will be decorated and the lighting will take place the evening after Thanksgiving. It's always an event that's well attended.

It's an impressive sight, watching the crane get the tree aligned and secured in place.

It will be a cheerful reminder of a pleasant season, when bright decorations are welcome.

Shopping Cart Peeks

Tell the truth now, do you ever glance into other people's shopping carts? I do. I'm always hoping I'll see something fascinating. I decided to bring my camera with me on my trips to the supermarket, just so I'd be ready if something wonderful presented itself.

This cart falls into that "wonderful" category, as far as I'm concerned. I was at the store a couple of days after Thanksgiving when an announcement was made that all turkeys would be thirty-nine cents a pound until they ran out.

I happened to be right near the turkeys at that time, and two men began hurling turkeys into their carts. They must have had fifteen in each cart. And these turkeys were about twenty pounds apiece. Quite a load!

Another Aspect of Shopping Cart Peeks

They're darling, aren't they? That's Morgan on the left and Brigid is looking right at us.

You see babies and small children in shopping carts quite often. I have never seen the section or aisle of the market where they're displayed for sale though. I guess I'm just hitting the store at the wrong time, after the children have been put into carts.

Costume Party "Triggers" Memories

An e-vite to a Halloween costume party from Geep and Dottie, the delightful couple living above me, caused me to ponder what I could wear to this event.

Aha! I got it! In 1979 I was the first woman to run for Sheriff of Philadelphia, quite a distinction. As a matter of fact, I may be the only woman who ever ran for that position. It was in the Democratic primary held on May 15 of that year. The job paid $26,000, which seemed like a great deal of money at the time. I'd be able to buy out my husband's share of our house and stay where I was if I could get this job. We'd been separated for a couple of years and he wanted to either sell the house or have me give him his portion of its worth. There were no qualifications necessary to run for the position. So I filed the papers.

My friend Arleen Weinstein, a very talented fabric artist, made me a vest, which was my campaign. So that's what I decided to wear to the party. This is the front of the wonderful vest, which is a lustrous satin.

And here's the back, equally spectacular.

I was a "known quantity" at that time because I'd been a major community activist, fighting crime and fighting with judges who were giving probation to violent repeat offenders.

Because of this, I garnered quite a bit of publicity. I got a big kick out of this caricature that the Philadelphia Daily News did.

I didn't win, but I had lots of fun, and I got 7,500 votes. The Daily News sent a reporter to my home (which was also election headquarters) on election night. Several of my friends had come over and we were just sitting around the living room having a good time. The reporter and I became friends, and we're still friends. Robert Strauss is a freelance writer who does a lot of work for The New York Times, covering many New Jersey issues, which is his home.

I remember when it was time for Robert to leave, he said "I hope there won't be anything in the article that offends you." I couldn't imagine what he might be referring to, but I was a bit concerned until I grabbed the newspaper the next day. Here's a quote from his story, which was titled "Woman's Run for Sheriff Was Ill-Starred":

"While the champagne might have flowed like water in the victory celebrations uptown, the wine flowed . . . well, like lava (slowly—there were only two bottles) at Niblock's house as the returns flowed in." It was a delightful article with many other funny twists to it. Of course! Strauss is a good writer. There was certainly nothing in his article that might have offended me. There were many things that made me laugh, however.

This is from a trip Strauss and his wife Sue Warner took to Maine, when their daughter Ella was a little under three. It's been hanging on my refrigerator for a long time. I enjoy looking at it. That's a moose! It's not one that the Strausses caught. The Strauss family has been a group of world travelers for a long time, and they'd just returned from a trip to Australia. We'd gone out to dinner, and when Australia was mentioned, Ella proudly stated: "I saw kangaroo poop in Australia!" It was definitely a worthwhile trip. It's funny, the things that you remember.

I wonder if Ella still recalls what she'd seen in Australia. Ella has just turned sweet sixteen. She has a sister Sylvia who is a couple of years younger. They're both star athletes and their parents take great joy in their accomplishments.

Years later, in 1987, there was another race for sheriff that I became involved with. I was the campaign manager for a man who I came to realize was ill-equipped for the job. So I quit and went over to help the opponent, John Green. John Green was elected sheriff and remains in that office. He just won the primary this spring and there is no one opposing him this November, which will make this his fifth term in the job.

I served on John's Transition Team and was on the Dinner Committee for a Roast and Toast of Sheriff John Green in January 1988, five months before leaving for Maine.

Friends had a wonderful surprise party for me at the Philadelphia Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square, right before my departure for Portland. One of the people in attendance was John Green, who presented me with a cowboy hat and a giant silver cardboard sheriff pin.

On one of my trips back to visit Philadelphia, I stopped by to see Sheriff Green and he presented me with this Special Deputy Sheriff badge, which I treasure. It's all about fun, as far as I'm concerned. That's my basic philosophy. Whatever it is you're doing, if you can't enjoy it, forget it. It works for me.

These items sit atop my huge cowboy boot that I found set out in the trash and immediately brought home. They all go together. It's an "assemblage." That was the word used by a woman who'd written an article about my Philadelphia garden. When she was walking through my home to get to the backyard, that was how she described the way things were arranged in the house. She called them assemblages. That's a word that has stuck with me. I like it. It has a certain elegance to it.

The components of my sheriff story are all in one place.

That was quite a digression, since I began talking about the party invitation. I went to the party and had a terrific time. Wonderful, funny people; delicious food and drink. I stayed up way past my normal bedtime, which I intended to do. I'd taken a nap in the afternoon in preparation. It was an abysmally gray and rainy day, so it was perfect for a nap anyway. And I took my phone off the hook so I wouldn't be disturbed.

I'd been trying to get a picture of a black cat who frequents my garden, but he was very uncooperative. I really wanted a Halloween cat photo before November arrived. Here's one I got at the event.

And what could be better than a black Halloween cat right next to a jack-o'-lantern? I couldn't have wished for a better subject. That's Samson, who lives in the apartment. He has another cat buddy named Santino, whose picture I didn't snap. 

Geep teaches math and this is his pumpkin pi. I'd never seen anything like that. I hope he's brought one to each of his math classes. It's very funny.

Here's Geep as the Joker. I was sorry I couldn't get a front view of his wonderfully made-up face. It was terrific. I didn't want to bother  people and make them "pose" for me, so there are quite a few folks whose photos won't be on here.

Dottie was Cat Woman. She's quite a beauty. Cute little kitty ears!

My favorite costume was the Mad Hatter, John. He was a wild and crazy guy.

This is Masey, Geep's sister. She came as her refrigerator, loaded with pictures of her two children and drawings done by them. It was a clever idea. I've been telling lots of my friends about the refrigerator costume. People are really taken with that idea. I wouldn't be surprised if next year there are lots of refrigerators at costume parties.

I had a great time at the party, stayed up way past my bedtime, and had a marvelous trip down memory lane while getting my costume together and writing about the event.

Thanks for including me on your party list, Geep and Dottie!

October Views

Wishful Thinking

This plot of ground has a long way to go before it might even approximate the word garden.

When I filed this photograph I titled it "wishful thinking." That sums it up, doesn't it? I'll have to check it out next spring and see what's going on there. I have a feeling it won't be anything to write about.

After the Storm

After last night's rainstorm, the trees have fewer colorful leaves. But now the ground is filled with them.

Colorful Vehicle

This extremely colorful van was parked up the street. It had Massachusetts plates on it. I had to check the passenger side to see whether it was the same as this side. It wasn't. I couldn't get far enough away to take a shot of the entire side, so I just recorded the important part. And here it is.

Too bad its owner doesn't live around here. I'd enjoy seeing this more often. It's not suitable for being a getaway car either. So you know whoever owns it isn't up to anything sneaky.

PLEASE!!

Is that request loud enough for you to hear? I would think so. It's also very clearly printed out, and an excellent reason is also given for not slamming the door. This appeared on a building around the corner, comprised of artists' studios. It seems as though a potter is having a difficult time.

Pumpkin with Personality

This pumpkin has one of the longest stems I've ever seen, so I had to bring it home after seeing it at the farmers' market last week. I detest how the supermarkets lop off the stems. I now have nine pumpkins in my home. I hope some of them last until Thanksgiving, or longer.

Henry's Pumpkin

Henry will be ten in December. He's a very talented young man, as you can see from this ceramic pumpkin he made at pottery class.

Friendly Note

I hope the guys had a chance to read this pleasant and informative note, before it ended up in the street. And the best part is they're not even being asked to do anything.

Happy Ghost

I didn't bring this little ghost home. I left him in the grass where I'd seen him. But I'll look for him when I walk, and hope he hangs around until Halloween.

And Then There Was This Eye . . .

I did bring this eye home after it stared up at me from the brick sidewalk. How could I just leave it there? It's in the latest vase, with the 32 cents that also came back home with me after today's walks.

. . . and After That, a Street Face

He's pretty goofy looking, isn't he? Just lying in the street. I found it quite amusing. It's nice having interesting things to look at when I'm walking. I didn't bring that one home; no room. Sorry, fella, you'll just have to stay where you are.

Cleaning Out Drawers

You never know what you'll come across when you decide to get rid of papers in drawers. I hadn't seen this in more than 25 years. I'll never throw it away.

My good friend Michael Kessler, a talented stained-glass artist, took a vacation in Hawaii and brought this back. I think he knew I'd like it. It still makes me laugh. Why don't you check out some overstuffed drawers in your cabinets? Maybe you'll come up with something equally as amusing.

Ooh! Really Scary!

I don't want to walk up this street at night, at least not until after Halloween. This is the creepiest decoration in the neighborhood. And it's big!

Happy Halloween

This says it all. I hope you have a very happy Halloween and that you get lots of goodies in your trick-or-treat bag.

Fall Walks

Seeing chalk drawings on the sidewalk is always a pleasant viewing experience. I thought these two were quite attractive. I came along just after Dawn and her daughter Jenna had completed them. And the nice thing about chalk is that it doesn't remain permanently. It's washed away with the next batch of raindrops.

What Is It?

This was an enigmatic animal upon approach. I couldn't quite decide what it was. I had suspicions that it was a bunny—without ears. Ouch! Who took your ears off? Poor thing. To satisfy my curiosity, I had to bend down and look at the label, which had the word "rabbit" on it. So it's an earless rabbit. He still looks very happy, even though he's lying in the street.

Free Stuff

It's not unusual to see signs that say "Free Stuff" when I'm walking. This little setup remained for many days until it was finally removed.

Upon closer inspection, I was surprised that one of the items was a jar of gefilte fish. That's not something I've ever seen out on the street. I don't think there were any takers for the food, and I'm not surprised.

That's not a brand I'm familiar with. I like gefilte fish, although I cannot imagine anyone who hasn't grown up eating it acquiring a taste for it later in life. That's the only thing I eat horse radish with. Yum!

This box was also available to anyone who might want it. Pretty good deal, I'd say. It's a good thing I don't have room to spare anymore, or lots of these street goodies would have wound up in my place.

This sad little watermelon comes with an attached warning.

No thanks, I don't need that one!

Poor Bird

I think my editor Ed King, of The West End NEWS, will forgive me for this sad photo. I'll explain how these disconnected images came to be merged.

As I was walking down the front steps, headed for a late afternoon walk on a lovely day a couple of weeks ago, I was confronted with this poor bird near the bottom of the landing. I was in a good mood, looking forward to a nice stroll. And I had several copies of the paper, which I was going to give to people along the way.

When I saw it, I thought: "I cannot deal with this right now. Maybe it won't be there when I return; maybe someone else who lives in the building will see it and move it away." Upon my return, the dead bird was still on the step. I now had two papers left and I took one of them and used it to move the bird onto the second one. When I saw the bird on the newspaper, it looked like a photograph worth taking, and so I snapped it before sliding the bird off into the grass.

About a week later, my neighbor mentioned that he'd seen two dead birds in his yard, one of which smacked into his window while he was right there. Why three birds in a week would either mistakenly fly into windows or just die of heart failure is something to ponder.

The "X" Trees

As I walk, I keep seeing what I have come to think of as "X" trees. These are the trees that were destroyed in our mid-April Nor'easter last spring. The neighborhood is filled with these marked stumps.

The little tree in the last picture has just been planted, replacing the "X" tree that had been there. It will take many years for this sapling to reach the size of the previous tree on that spot, but it's encouraging to see that the city has begun the replacement work. Soon there will be trees instead of "X" marks in those locations. What a storm that was! Sixteen hours of unrelenting wind.

Need a Magical Desk?

I can't imagine anyone passing up an opportunity to own a magical desk. When I passed this bonanza, there was no chair there. So obviously someone had taken the magical chair, but must have already owned a magical desk, and didn't need another.

I figured out that the lamp wasn't magical, since it wasn't mentioned in the sign. That's why it was still there. Too bad, there might have been a genie in it if it had some magical qualities. I have no room in my place for any desk, magical or otherwise, so I just kept walking.

Where's the Baby?

It didn't take long to figure this one out. Evidently someone put out a baby in a bassinet and the baby was taken. Whoever took the baby must have already had a bassinet at home. I really enjoy solving mysteries of that type. It gives a sense of satisfaction.

She's at It Again

That Cinderella just has a thing about losing a shoe. This one isn't a glass slipper, but I'm sure it was left by Cinderella. Who else leaves one shoe around? I always have the vision of this poor woman hobbling around with only one high heel, wondering why it's so difficult to walk.

Lost Toys

This was too good to pass up. I brought it home and hung it on one of the vases with my found objects and money. It makes quite an attractive addition to my colorful kitchen. This little duck is also living in my kitchen. How could I possibly have left him out in the middle of the street. It's a good thing it wasn't Friday when he got dropped, he wouldn't have been salvageable after the torrential rains we had.

A child left this purple platypus in Police Headquarters. At least I'm assuming a child left it. It's been there for a couple of weeks. No one has touched it, as though they're waiting for the person who lost it to return and reclaim it. It's sad and sweet at the same time. I hope that the reason a child was in the police station was because a parent had some minor incident to report. And I guess I should mention that I was there for my weekly picking up of the crime sheets for my news articles.

I wasn't there to turn myself in because of an outstanding warrant for my arrest. It's not against the law to be silly—yet. When that time comes, I'll be a goner.

Too Much Work

This pile of wood looks much bigger when you actually see it than it does in this picture. I'm too lazy to deal with all of the work involved with a wood stove. I'll just stick with my easy gas fireplace for an alternative heat source. Flick a switch and it's on.

If you happen to see what appears to be a spiderweb near the pipe at the right, it is just that. I noticed it when I uploaded the photos. You can be assured that it's gone now. (Drives my son and daughter-in-law wild!)

Getting Ready for Halloween

The gals next door never let me down when it comes to decorations. Whatever the season, whatever the holiday, they always have something special to celebrate the occasion.

There's a house a couple of blocks away that has a huge display. The ghost and the witch are just enjoying themselves watching people and vehicles go up and down one of the steepest hills in Portland.

And this witch is climbing the tree to get a better view and a different perspective.

I should walk down this street on a daily basis to see how long the pumpkin will remain without being destroyed. It's possible it will actually last until Halloween.

Sad Sign

This sign was not only sad to see, it was shocking. People leave strollers out all the time and no one bothers them. That's one of the reasons I am so impressed with this city. The stroller referred to had been left behind a gate, toward the rear of the property's side yard. Someone had to walk all the way to the back to take it.

Bring it back!

Mysterious Symbol

When I saw this painted in the street, I didn't know whether it was graffiti or it was a symbol for where some digging will be going on. It's very attractive, in either case.

Pumpkin Time

Here's my living room pumpkin. As of now I have six in my apartment. I may end up with a couple more. They're cheerful!

I've been walking around looking for outside pumpkins and taking pictures. Here's one with an unusual face.

It made me nervous seeing that pumpkin sitting on a fence so close to the ground. I didn't think it would last too long there. When I walked by the next day, it was on a roof above the front porch, which was a much safer place for its perch. I still remember the cutest pumpkin ever from last year's assortment, which wound up crushed to bits on the sidewalk.

The supermarkets all have spectacular displays with pumpkins.

This outdoor pumpkin has its address carved into it. That's something I'd never seen before.

And here are some other outdoor pumpkins that I found attractive.

My friend Kate goes all out for Halloween. Last year she had 16 pumpkins on the roof above her porch. I'm looking forward to whatever she has planned for this year's event. She had this in her dining room when I stopped by the other day.

She also has what she refers to as the "scary lamp." When it's lit, it looks as though the paper inside it is burning and that a breeze is blowing it around. It's pretty cool. Kate found it at a yard sale last year. She also found this pumpkin lamp that lights up.

This is what it looks like when it's not lit. Like I said last year, there are never enough pumpkins for me. 

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Street Undies

Do you think the devil made him do it? Imagine some guy prancing around in these shorts on Valentine's Day!

For some reason the word "undies" captures people's attention. I'm sorry if you're disappointed that I didn't see some lush women's undergarments. I have in the past, though, and I hope to come across some more.

Quebec Street Goes Hollywood

Imagine my shock when I looked out my front window the other afternoon and saw this scene in front of my home. It's wonderful when opportunities like this come to my door. I'd been working at the computer, which is right near the bay window, when I became aware that something was going on outside.

I grabbed my camera, rushed outside, and not forgetting my manners, asked "May I take some pictures?" I got a positive response and proceeded to chat with these two actors.

They were from a company called Rockhouse Mountain Productions, located in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. The movie they were working on was a silent one, and the man was playing Charlie Chaplin. The young woman had just "crashed" her auto into the tree on the sidewalk. They were also planning to do some more filming in the basement of a house across the street, and I assume that's why my street and the tree were chosen to be in the film.

The Relationship Flourishes

I consider this to be a formal portrait of Woody. You might have to call him Woodrow here, he looks so dignified. I guess I told a fib when I said I wouldn't bother you with any more pictures of him. This one was so irresistible, I had to put it in. That's what love does; it affects your common sense.

Buford

Isn't he a handsome dog? I met him last night, after leaving the restaurant where I'd had dinner with some friends. Buford was sitting on the ground next to his owners, who had been dining outdoors at a restaurant next to the one we'd just left.

He was quite well mannered and very relaxed. He's a large dog and he has a soulful look to him. He was a "rescue dog" from Mississippi and he's been in Maine for about six months. He's two and a half years old and he's a very lucky guy to have moved up here. I think his owners are as lucky as he is. It was a nice family outing to have witnessed.

Outside Dining

This seagull was a dining companion a week ago when he settled down next to the railing of the waterfront restaurant where I was having dinner. I was pleased to have my camera at hand. It's an excellent place for birds to hang out; lots of scraps of people food to nibble on.

Different Views

Aren't those little toes sweet? I'm really taken by them. I've had a wonderful summer looking at the two animals living in the garden. It's nice to have had the opportunity to see them at such close range.

These animals (woodchucks and skunks) have lived in the neighborhood the entire time I've been here but I'd never taken the trouble to pay attention to the times that they might be out. That's what made this summer different. I'm checking the yard according to the schedules that they keep, and that's the secret.

I must confess that I've been tempted to just sit on the ground with some sunflower seeds in my hand. I know that the skunk would walk over and eat them. But I've restrained myself from doing that because I don't want to be involved in a skunk "accident."

You don't want to be this close if the creature is upset. Oh, no! That wouldn't be wise at all, especially with his rear facing you.

A Lovely Volunteer

I was never able to grow morning glories with such magnificent color. And the ones I've planted in the past never really did too well. But this plant, which "volunteered" itself by growing in a large pot of geraniums, is a joy to behold. It's thriving. I hope it will reappear in that pot next year. That might be too much to wish for. I have really enjoyed its surprise appearance this summer.

Frogs at the Audubon Society

Labor Day weekend at the Audubon had lots of froglets sitting around on and near lily pads. I had a close relationship with some frogs that I had gotten when they were tadpoles. They moved to Maine with me when they were a year old and lived for another five years in a 30-gallon tank in my kitchen.

Morning Moon

There's something magical about the sky when the moon and the sun are out at the same time. I must confess that for someone who paid so much attention to the times and heights of the tides when I was collecting sea glass, I am ignorant about what time the moon rises and sets. It's one of those things that I tell myself I must look into, but as yet I haven't done so.

Andrew's Future Monarch

Andrew is five, and he's very excited about the monarch caterpillars that he's caring for. He's looking forward to them turning into beautiful butterflies. That's when he'll let them fly into his garden.

Monarch larvae feed on milkweed leaves, which are poisonous, making the monarch poisonous also. Its bold coloration announces the danger to other flying animals, who will keep their distance. The monarch has amazing migratory habits, which are tracked and studied by scientists.

The caterpillar formed its chrysalis within a couple of hours the other day. The photos I took came out blurry. Since this phase will remain for about two weeks, I hope to return and get some good pictures.

I'm hoping that I'll get a phone call so that I can attend the event when the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. That's something I've never witnessed.

Intown Scene

I Did It!

Isn't he a beauty? My patience paid off this past weekend. I spent a lot of time Friday and Saturday evening waiting and watching. We had several photo shoots.

I bought hulled sunflower seeds, since that was one of the food items I'd seen mentioned on the Internet. The other suggested things hadn't worked, so I made a special trip to the supermarket to buy these seeds. Bingo! The skunk loved them; couldn't get enough.

I felt I needed more light than what the headlamp provided, so Saturday night I set the floodlight up near where I'd seen the skunk make its first appearance. I placed the sunflower seeds so they'd be within the area of light. I snapped pictures until I realized the battery needed recharging. I went inside to take care of that and when it was ready once again, I went out and placed more seeds in the lit area.

Then I proceeded to wait. It was only a few minutes before the skunk showed up again for its treats, and we had another photo session. My neighbor on the second floor called me "the skunk whisperer," which I've adopted as my signature when sending these photos to my friends via e-mail.

My editor at the West End NEWS, Ed King, wants me to teach the skunk some tricks. I'm telling you, I run with a rough crowd. Whatever you do, it's not enough.

But I do like the title of "the skunk whisperer." And notice that I didn't capitalize it. I'm being modest. Many of you have probably seen the Robert Redford film The Horse Whisperer, based on the book by Nicholas Evans.

And now there's a TV series titled Dog Whisperer, based on the training techniques of Cesar Millan. I'll be sure to let you know when my series begins.

Caw! Caw!

This is a page from one of my favorite childhood books of nursery rhymes. It's dated "MCMXXXVIII," or in more familiar numbers—1938. The poor man in the illustration ends up shooting his pig instead of the "carrion crow," which was quite disturbing, as you might imagine.

I became totally absorbed by the artwork in my early books. I would enter the scene I was looking at, imagining I was actually there. I'd study the pictures very carefully, especially the ones I admired, and this book fell into that category. It also gave me my first contact with crows, since there weren't many—or any—in New York City; at least I never saw them. Pigeons and starlings were the city birds that I was familiar with.

But I liked crows because of this poem, even though I felt a certain sinister aspect connected to them. And it never fails; whenever I see a crow up here I always think "carrion crow." Those two words have not been separated since I was five years old.

Monroe Salt Works has an entire line of pottery featuring crows. I have this statue sitting in front of my gas fireplace. Hanging over a screen nearby is a tablecloth from the same company. And I also have a couple of mugs and other small dishes with their crow pattern. I find them to be quite beautiful. And each crow on their mugs is different. There's always a variation to the art.

This is one of my scratchboard illustrations of two crows engaged in conversation. No doubt they've just seen Santa traveling in the sky and are discussing what they'll be getting for Christmas.

My friend Kevin came across this unfortunate crow, and since he's done some taxidermy in the past, at the insistence of his young child, he brought the bird home and put it in a freezer. I guess it will be a good project for some of those cold winter days ahead. He's already purchased the glass eyes, which are fantastic.

      

Ravens and crows are very similar. I can't tell the difference between them. If I saw two together, that would be quite helpful.

A Favorite Pastime

In Philadelphia, tossing sneakers over telephone wires was a big thing. I never saw anyone actually doing it, but the results of this sport were hanging all over the city. This sight is a rarity in Portland. And I always would wonder how long a pair of sneakers would actually remain hanging over a wire. Do they just rot and crumble away? Someone must have done a PhD thesis on this topic. And if no one has, then someone should. After all, it's a big thing in a lot of cities.

Some of the Web sites I checked out to see the history of this connected it to gang activity. That was not the case in Philadelphia. It just seemed to be what you did with your unwanted sneakers.

If You Have Some Spare Time . . .

This could be a great project for anyone with the time and inclination to take unwanted T-shirts and turn them into a colorful rug or small floor mat.

On the Brick Sidewalks

It's always fun to see a dog waiting outside a store for its owner.

This little guy was quite relaxed, just enjoying the sights. He didn't have to wait too long.

These two may have been waiting for their owners to bring a cup of coffee out for them. Don't worry. You haven't been abandoned.

An Inside Cat

Myng just moved into a second-floor apartment around the corner. He's a playful, friendly 12-week-old kitten. This is his favorite toy, of the many that he owns at such a tender age.

I like his taste; that was my favorite toy also.

Garden Creatures

It's always delightful to notice something new after you've passed a certain place numerous times. These animal ornaments are on the side of a building. I have no idea whether I'd never seen them or if they're new additions to the side garden.

I'll be on the lookout for them from now on. It seems as though they're doing some important work out there. Who knows? This might be the guy who invented the wheel.

Outside Cat (Angry and Tough)

Take a look at the face on this cat! How would you like to wake up in the morning, look out your kitchen window, and see him glaring at you? That has happened to me on several mornings. I wasn't able to get a picture of him in my garden, but I managed to catch him the other day when I was a couple of blocks away from my home.

Here's another one where he doesn't look quite so angry. Much better, don't you think? This kitty has one of the most interesting faces I've ever seen on a cat. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see this expression on his face. It gives him a much softer look than his usual "tough-guy" stance.

I like this cat a lot. He's one of my favorites because of the way he carries himself—and his marvelous face. What a macho guy!

Another Kind of Cat

This is The Cat, the ferry that has replaced the Scotia Prince, which went from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, for many years.

Scotia Prince

[Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards]       

I happened upon The Cat's leaving Portland quite accidentally. I had been looking for a spot to get close to the water so I could photograph the Casco Bay Bridge. I walked out behind one of my favorite restaurants and was shocked to see these piers and boats. I had no idea there was so much going on at that location.

It was a real treat, and quite serendipitous. We like serendipity, don't we? It's what gives some spice to life.

When the Scotia Prince used to arrive and depart from Portland, which was around 7:30 or 8:00 almost every evening, many people would park their cars at Fort Allen Park along the Eastern Promenade to watch the ship. There was something magical and majestic about the sight, especially when it left, all lit up. It always reminded me of a birthday cake.

Peace Festival

And speaking of the Eastern Promenade, there was quite a spectacle down there a few weeks ago on a lovely Saturday afternoon.

Peace Action Maine put forth an effort to create the world's largest human peace sign. Here's the helicopter that flew over to photograph the attempt.

Quite a large crowd attended the event and there were numerous political views displayed at various booths on the grass. It was a mellow event and the goal wasn't attained, but it was a gorgeous day and everyone enjoyed the great scenery and weather.

That's Doug Emerson sporting the colors of America. He's a very talented photographer, residing in Portland. Nice hat, Doug!

One of Portland's city councilors, David Marshall, a very fine artist (and also a really nice guy), had a stand set up with his wares. He seemed to be attracting a lot of interest during the afternoon, and that's not surprising.

                             I Dropped My Hat

Hey, Mommy, could you please pick up my hat? I need it.

Favorite Garden Flowers

Balloon flowers and the various colored daylilies are some of my summer favorites. I have several different colors of daylilies and when the flowers open I always consider it my "lily show."

Leila Makes Her Entrance

You'd seen a photo of Leila "in the oven," about a month before her mom gave birth. The happy day was July 16, and she weighed in at a lusty eight pounds four ounces.

She's now enjoying summer in Maine with Mommy and Daddy. They're a great pair and she's off to a marvelous start on Planet Earth. Grammy was here to visit from the Southwest and now Tía and Tío (her aunt and uncle) are here from their home in Mexico to become acquainted with Leila. I'll be making lots of stops to see her progress.

What a cutie!

MHNO Garden

This is the new garden area in front of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization (MHNO) office. It was done by volunteers and the difference it makes is astounding. Previously, there had just been a little fence surrounding grass.

This setup adds outdoor art to the area and provides a lovely setting to sit for a while. It's a pleasure to walk by and soak up the view.