Still decompressing from my trip to Burning Man. My 14 days in the Nevada desert with my son Christopher was a truly amazing experience!
Sailor's Touch
August 16, 2013
"What is it about sailing that so completely captures our hearts, captivates our souls, and enchants us with its magic? I believe this enchantment grows from our sense of touch. When we sail we are constantly in motion. The movement is a form of touch so unique, so intense that we find ourselves wanting more. We're never quite satisfied, never quite full. The constant rhythm of sailing makes us feel alive. For sailors, the memories are endless, the sensations, the touch, the feel unforgettable. And the urge to go again is uncontrollable. The feel of sailing is something once experienced, is always remembered. Nothing else comes close, nothing else compares. That, indeed, is sailings lure, for the feel of sailing is not the feel of the everyday or the ordinary - it's the feel of life itself."
Quote from Chas. Scott, Good Old Boat, Nov/Dec2011
Glenwood in the Kitchen
August 14, 2013
Pictured above is our Glenwood kitchen stove. Glenwood has a history dating back to 1902 when the Old Weir Stove Company was set up at West Water Street on the banks of the Taunton River in Taunton, Massachusetts. The factory building eventually became the Glenwood Stove Company. As you might guess, our "culinary center" here at Camp is not exactly granite & stainless, nor would we want it to be, but on any given Sunday morning you will find our Glenwood faithfully serving up eggs and bacon to family and friends as it has for more than 100 years.
Camp Starfish
August 10, 2013
Many of us have fond childhood memories of Camp Monomonac. Today's successor camp is Camp Starfish. A seemingly odd name. A fresh-water lake, Monomonac has no starfish. This story explains the name and exemplifies the camp's mission;
Camp Starfish fosters the success and growth of children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems by providing individualized attention as part of structured, nurturing and fun group programs.
A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water.
Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean.
As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water.
The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,"I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. "But", said the man, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can't possibly make a difference."
The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied, "I made a huge difference to that one!"
We are honored to have them as our neighbor on the Lake.
History of our Sailboat
August 8, 2013
1978 Tangerine 18
Happiness in Retirement
August 6, 2013
Happiness for many, seems to be an elusive thing. Del Lowery in his podcast "Retirement Talk" refers back to the teachings of Spinoza;
"Well, when it came to happiness, Spinoza claimed that we all desire it, but don’t really know what it is and thus find it difficult to attain. He claimed that every time we pursue something and think it will bring us happiness we are disappointed once we achieve it. Once we get to our goal and receive the applause, the money, the big house, or the large screen TV, we find ourselves discontent in short order. The happiness we thought would be ours is not. We feel let down, disappointed: “Now what”?
Our problem lies in defining, or thinking of happiness, as a solid state; or as a position or place. It isn’t. Spinoza claimed that happiness really is a transitory state. It isn’t in having a better garden than we now have, but it is in the act of creating, or moving towards, having a better garden. Happiness lies in making the transition; moving towards a greater state of perfection."
I will never be the world's greatest sailor, but happiness can be found in the joy of sailing just a bit better each day.
Panoramic Photography
August 5, 2013
For several years I have been taking panoramic photographs as I travel. I hope to begin to use this technique to record scenes from Lake Monomonac. These linked photos are interactive and can be controlled with your mouse.
Find Your Favorite Place on the Lake
August 4, 2013
2013 marks my 60th year of summers spent on the Lake.
During the summer of 2008, while recovering from cancer surgery, I spent a reflective few days paddling around the Lake trying to capture on film as many of my favorite Monomonac locations as possible.
With almost 300 pictures in this album, the chances are good that I captured your favorite place or cottage as well. You are invited to take a look:
Individual pictures are available for free, high resolution download.
Your comments would be welcome.
Chipbull.blogspot.com
"Lived Reputably and Died Hopefully"
August 3, 2013
The NH communities near the Lake offer so many interesting and worthwhile activities, especially in the summer. Last night we had a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite spots; Sunflowers in Jaffery.
Afterwards, we traveled to Jaffery's old center to attend the Amos Fortune Forum presented each Friday night during the summer in the 1763 Meeting House. Last night's speaker was the daughter of a covert Cold War era CIA agent. She discussed her life growing up during this dangerous era of world history.
The benefactor for these events; Amos Fortune, was an African slave who bought his freedom as well as the freedom of numerous family members through sheer perseverance. Self educated and community minded, he left the bulk of his estate to further education in the town he loved. His gravestone is behind the meeting house and reads simply;
Sacred to the memory of Amos Fortune, who was born free in Africa, a slave in America, he purchased liberty, professed Christianity, lived reputably, and died hopefully, Nov. 17, 1801, AEt. 91
Weather on the Lake
August 2, 2014
Local Rindge and Lake Monomonac weather from my newly installed weather station.
Good Old Boat Turns 35
August 1, 2013
"Out-Call" our 1978 Renken shallow keel pocket cruiser turns 35 years old.
Her name comes from the tradition of throwing the money I received from
going out on emergency service calls when I owned Petersham Oil in
a jar on my desk at work. When the jar was full....... I purchased the boat.
Hard earned - and dearly loved.
The Family Tradition of TAPS
July 31, 2013
It has become a family tradition at Camp, to play an amplified
rendition of the military tune "TAPS" each night as the sun sets
below the hills directly across the lake.
Yesterday, a veteran of the 82d Airborne Division, walking along the forest
path behind Camp stopped to thank us for this evening salute.
We are proud to honor all who have served our country.
Link to TAPS:
http://www.armystudyguide.com/downloads/Taps.mp3
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.
One of the stories that documents the history of TAPS
A Union Captain in the Civil War named Robert Ellicombe hears the moan of a soldier in the distance one night near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. He decides to investigate and discovers that the solider, who is wearing a Confederate uniform, has died. By the light of his lamp, he realizes to his surprise and horror that the dead solider is his own son. The son had studied music in the South and without telling his father, had enlisted in the Confederate army. The grief-stricken father requests a military burial for his son, complete with an army band. His superiors decline, however, because his son was an enemy soldier, but give him the choice of one musician. The captain chooses a bugler and using a short piece of music he found in his son's uniform, the tune for "Taps" comes into being and has been used ever since for military funerals.
Loons on the Lake
July 30, 2013
Last night as the sun was setting, in a quiet cove across theLake came the sound of a pair of Loons.
Link to learn more;
Rain On The Roof
July 26, 2013
Cold front came through last night bringing with it the need for blankets for the first time this summer.
We were all snuggled in and the rain on the roof made for a really wonderful night's sleep.
Camp does not get much better than this!
Directions to "Camp"
Directions to “Camp” (Approx. 35 minutes from Petersham)
From Route 2 (East or West) take Route 202 North.
Rt. 202 North through Baldwinville and the center of Winchendon.
Route 202 bears right at the far end of Winchendon’s main street at the CVS store.
Continue on 202 for approximately 1.5 Mi. At a Stop Sign, you will be facing a large brick factory building. Route 202 turns left towards NH. At this point you have gone approximately 10.5 miles since leaving Route 2.
Continue on Route 202 North for approximately 1/2. Bear Right onto Monomonac Drive West. There’s an antique shop sign there. (If you go into NH on Rt. 202, you’ve gone too far.)
Continue on Monomonac Drive West for approximately .8 miles, turn left onto Second Street.
You will see a list of cottage owner’s names on a pole where you turn. (fire pole #260).
Now go straight on 2nd St. for about ¼ mile, (a very bumpy dirt road), and at a small yellow house on the right that is for sale, bear right up the gravel drive (at Fire Pole 270).
At the top of the drive, you will see “Camp” (cedar cottage, with tree house) is at the bottom on the Right.
The actual address is 254 Fourth Street, Rindge, NH, but you won’t find it using GPS or Google Maps. Our cell phone, which is the only phone we use at camp (replaced a party-line) is 603-831-8306.
From Route 2 (East or West) take Route 202 North.
Rt. 202 North through Baldwinville and the center of Winchendon.
Route 202 bears right at the far end of Winchendon’s main street at the CVS store.
Continue on 202 for approximately 1.5 Mi. At a Stop Sign, you will be facing a large brick factory building. Route 202 turns left towards NH. At this point you have gone approximately 10.5 miles since leaving Route 2.
Continue on Route 202 North for approximately 1/2. Bear Right onto Monomonac Drive West. There’s an antique shop sign there. (If you go into NH on Rt. 202, you’ve gone too far.)
Continue on Monomonac Drive West for approximately .8 miles, turn left onto Second Street.
You will see a list of cottage owner’s names on a pole where you turn. (fire pole #260).
Now go straight on 2nd St. for about ¼ mile, (a very bumpy dirt road), and at a small yellow house on the right that is for sale, bear right up the gravel drive (at Fire Pole 270).
At the top of the drive, you will see “Camp” (cedar cottage, with tree house) is at the bottom on the Right.
The actual address is 254 Fourth Street, Rindge, NH, but you won’t find it using GPS or Google Maps. Our cell phone, which is the only phone we use at camp (replaced a party-line) is 603-831-8306.
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