Never before has the sight of a bucket truck made me so completely giddy.

DSC_7426, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

We're back! Slowly but surely power is being restored to Scituate after Irene roared through. She didn't bring much rain, but she left trees, branches and downed wires all over the South Shore.

This crew was restoring power to my street Monday night; trees pulled down live wires and left them coiled all over the road, creating a hazard for all. We were extremely lucky to get our electricity back after only 36 hours; most of our friends and family just got it back today, or are still going without.

To add insult to injury, the generator at the water treatment plant failed this morning, prompting an emergency 'use water sparingly' order, and several beaches had to be closed after test results for bacteria were through the roof. The town opened up the high school for residents to take showers and charge laptops and phones, and the transfer station stayed open all week long to accept debris and spoiled food.

Hopefully the worst of this is behind us.

p.s. - I was busy avoiding downed wires and calming a rattled child, but I did grab a few cellphone pictures and sent them to my Flickr stream. I did manage to get onto Facebook briefly and update SDP's page there... part of my big plans for SDP involves making sure I'm better prepared for the next storm that roars in here!! We got off very lucky... I watched a 40' tree go down behind my house, falling away from home as opposed to into it, so that helped me keep matters in perspective in the aftermath!!

Boarded up, hunkering down.

DSC_7237a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

These folks on First Cliff facing Scituate Harbor aren't taking any chances and boarded up windows Friday morning as Irene made her way up the Eastern Seaboard. Throughout the harbor yesterday folks were busily, calmly going about the business of preparing for the oncoming weather.

It looks like Irene'll be a tropical storm by the time she reaches our shores - not as bad as a hurricane, but not exactly a boatload of fun, either.

For those who are interested, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary has a webcam running just up the road from these little houses. Visit their site to peek at what the weather is like as the storm progresses.

Stay safe, everyone!

Scituate's First Annual DPW Day - Touch-A-Truck-Palooza!

DSC_7185-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Scituate's Department of Public Works had a special treat for residents this morning - the First Annual DPW Day, which I humbly propose should be called Touch-A-Truck-Palooza.



The email announcement sent out in advance of the event covered it all:


The Town of Scituate’s DPW will have on display Town Trucks and Construction Equipment on Friday August 26, 2011 from 9:00 to 12:00 on the grounds in front of Town Hall. Please feel free to stop by and see some of the Equipment that the Town uses to maintain the Roadways, Waterlines and Grounds. Large and small kids are welcome to sit in the cab of a dump truck, sweeper or an excavator. See how the salt brine is applied to the roadways to fight snow. Get a close up look at the large grass mower that maintains your baseball fields. Take a look at the bucket truck that is used to trim our trees. Admission is free and staff will be on hand to answer questions.



Many thanks to all the staff who pulled together this event - what a great tradition to start!

I feel a little like this flower.

_DSC5135, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Pooped and drooped, that is.

I feel obligated to give Scituate Daily Photo's followers fair warning - the next week and a half is completely overloaded for me, what with this getting-ready-for-school gig I've got going with Miss M. In other words, don't expect any of my finest work before we muddle through Labor Day weekend!

I have big plans, however, for when my free time window opens a little wider again. I'll be posting on SDP's Facebook page in the next couple of days about one of those plans.

And we do, of course, have a little visitor by the way of Irene working her way up the coast... seems like we're going to get a walloping. I'll be doing my level best to keep on top of that as well.

Ah, the dog days of summer....

Hermit crabs!

DSC_7002a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

One of the great joys of living in Scituate is being able to share the joy. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a summer playground like Minot Beach in their backyard and introducing landlocked relatives and friends to finding starfish, collecting hermit crabs and making the perfect dribble castles makes summer all the sweeter....

Kayak Envy: I Haz It.

_DSC4741a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Monochrome Monday: Under Repair

DSC_6987a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Workers have only two weeks to complete work at Wampatuck School before the academic year begins! The front door and others are being replaced with newer, spiffier models - so it's not as alarming as it looks, seeing these huge boards at the entryway...

Moira Monday: Hennessy News

Ethel-DSCN0385a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Moira says, "I like this store because it has lots of toys and fun t-shirts in it. My mum told me that they used to have a whole section in the back where you could rent videotapes and watch movies at home. She also says there were no DVDs back then. She tried to explain something about laser discs but I don't understand it. It must have been a really long time ago if there were no DVDs. Argh!!"

Hush

DSC_5641a, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Summer Scene

DSC_6213a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

While little toes dig deep into the wet sand at the water's edge -

while mothers' hands steady little legs as they stagger towards the waves -

while seagulls hover bright-eyed looking for peanut butter sandwich crusts to snatch -

hold your breath and take a picture of what will not last forever, while the world waits silently for the moment to pass.

Strike up the (Satuit) Band...

DSC_6967a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Today is my family's own personal and special holiday - "Scituate Day." It marks the anniversary of the day we finally moved to town.

It's also World Photography Day. Coincidence? My husband says not!

In any case, we went out for dinner down in the harbor and enjoyed the summer night. It was our good fortune to come across the Satuit Band in concert at the Morrill Bandstand on Cole Parkway - what could be more Scituate than that? As we wandered up, they played "Charlie on the MTA" and the crowd sang along and laughed together.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Charlie's Coming Home!!

Charlie's Coming Home!!, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Back on June 28th I posted a picture of the flier for Charlie, a missing Great Pyrenees who had bolted from his new family's yard. Many, many eyes were watching for Charlie and hoping for a happy ending. Sadly, a month later a dog matching Charlie's description was found by the side of the highway, where he had died of his injuries.

It turns out, however, that this was a heartbreaking case of mistaken identity. After weeks and weeks of being on the run and scared, this big fluffy dog is coming home! Charlie was found a few towns over in Weymouth, where he had been hanging out at a ballfield. It took a while to catch him but he is now safe and back in loving arms.

For the full story, visit Find Charlie's page and Granite State Dog Recovery.

Here's to happy endings!!!

Summer sky

DSC_6931a, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

The sky was perfect for a summer day at Humarock Beach.

Lighthouse Beach

DSC_6651a, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

It's been a rough year for some beaches here on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health regularly tests the waters at each beach to determine its quality and will post an alert if the bacteria levels are too high for its standards. Sandhills Beach in Scituate is closed yet again due to a high count, and this time Lighthouse Beach is closed as well. It's frustrating for residents to have their favorite beaches closed and a reminder that we all need to be good stewards of the world in which we live... Miss M's generation is counting on us.


This photograph was taken at Lighthouse Beach last week during a period of good water quality and no Miss Ms were harmed as a result of this photograph, despite appearances.

The Letter

DSC_6923a, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Letters just like this one showed up in mailboxes all over town today. Kids burned up the phone lines calling each other with the age old question, "Who did you get?"

Only three more weeks until the first day of school....

Monochrome Monday: Raindrops keep fallin' on my head...

DSC_6910a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Today has been all about the rain.

Peggotty Beach

_DSC2762-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Backyard chicken

DSC_6860a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Backyard chickens have become more and more commonplace on the South Shore of Massachusetts, and it isn't at all unusual to spot chickens in yards all across town here in Scituate. This particular hen is one of five who were roaming around a friend's yard tonight.

O for a muse of fire...

DSC_6343a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Summer days at the beach with the waves cresting and flirting with the sun - they have their magic...

But give me a summer night at the beach to lean into and embrace.

An angry - and strong! - crab

photoA.JPG, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Sometimes all you have to work with is your cellphone. ;-)

My friend Jack got into a tussle with this angry crab, who grabbed onto a flip flop and would not be persuaded to let go.

No crabs or children were harmed during the process of capturing this photograph - and the crab is now freely and happily - well, actually, probably angrily - roaming the rocks at Egypt Beach.

Morning rising

DSC_6646a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Luminaria: The Epilogue

DSC_6657a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

After this weekend's Luminaria, most people go home with happy memories and little else. But the fine folks who actually put on the Luminaria - who set out the jugs and light the matches and weave magic into the night - have work to do after the evening is over. A trip out to the lighthouse this morning provided a good reminder of that fact - so if you love the Luminaria, remember to say thank you to everyone who makes it a reality every year!

Monochrome Monday: Minot

DSC_6206a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Moira Monday: Queen Anne's Lace

Ethel-DSCN0339-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Moira says, "This flower grows all around my house and all around Scituate, too. It's called Queen Anne's lace. My mum says people are allergic to it - I'm not!"

...there was music and dancing to be had,

DSC_6614a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

as this couple on the porch in front of Christopher's Irish Gifts swayed and smiled.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Heritage Days weekend - I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming!

...and even as they were packing up the rides in the rain...

DSC_6615a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

There was still food to be had...

DSC_6589a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

But loyal music fans hung in there nevertheless.

DSC_6591-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Alas, the weather gods were not kind today...

DSC_6603a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

... and much of the harbor looked kind of like this for the second day of Heritage Days.

Blue skies smiling at me...

DSC_6497-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Nothing but blue skies did I see - yesterday. Today is a different story altogether. It is pouring and miserable out there... maybe that's why the giraffe looked so cross yesterday, because he knew what was coming?

Is it just me, or does this giraffe look angry?

DSC_6506a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

He's looming over the bouncy house on Cole Parkway and to my eye he looks none too pleased about it. Perhaps a good night's sleep will help!

Sticks and Stones Jewelry

DSC_6580a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

One of the nice things about Heritage Days is that local artisans have an opportunity to show their work in the community they love. Sticks and Stones Jewelry is a wonderful example - made right here in Scituate and inspired by this beautiful town!

A marionette to suit every story

DSC_6549a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

The marionettes draw kids of all ages in, with a character to suit any fancy. Miss M was enchanted by a calico cat, while Mr. Scituate Daily Photo did his best to avoid eye contact with the clowns.

If t-shirts aren't your thing...

DSC_6403-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

... then perhaps a visit to the sign guy on the corner is what you're looking for...

T-shirt time

DSC_6501a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

I know people who look forward to buying new Scituate t-shirts every year at Heritage Days, so it always makes me grin to see them piled up and rifled through.

Early morning at the start of Heritage Days

DSC_6383a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Early in the morning the vendors all start setting up their tents along Front Street and Cole Parkway. Before things have officially gotten underway, pedestrian traffic begins as people scope out this year's layout...

Heritage Days - Pancakes!

DSC_6385a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

It's Heritage Days! And here's the thing... I am not going to be able to pick just one photograph for today and tomorrow. So for the weekend, Scituate Daily Photo is going to be something more like... Scituate Lots of Daily Photos. ;-)

These girls walked up and down Front Street all morning long holding signs for the Rotary Club's Pancake Breakfast. A favorite event for locals, this annual event raises money for local charities.

Lighting up the night

DSC_6349A-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

The dark of the night crept up to the beach and then pounced, filling the sky overhead. Flames in firepits flickered and made the sand around them golden and fierce. Careful hands cupped matches and lighters to shield them from the wind and lit candles in milk jugs - which changed from old plastic empty things to glowing spheres of sweet memories. And children wearing glowsticks danced and painted the shadows with their soft colors.

The stage is set....

DSC_6332a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

.... well, more or less set for Heritage Days in Scituate Harbor! Visitors park at the Greenbush commuter rail station and ride the free shuttle to the harbor, where there will be music, artisans and craft vendors, boat races, amusement rides and food from pancakes to pigs to pies. Events kick off tomorrow night with luminaria along the coastline and First Friday in the harbor - come on down!

Humarock

DSC_6303a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

A beach, a book and an umbrella - looks like a little bit of heaven to me.

Just desserts

DSC_6319a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

This seagull on Humarock Beach stalked his dessert very carefully before lunging in for the grab.

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Postcard-worthy

DSC_6210a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

It's the first day of the month - and for City Daily Photo community members around the world, that means it's Theme Day! This month members voted and chose "Postcard-worthy" as the theme for August 1, 2011.

This scene from Minot Beach just cried out for a little photoshop fun - and thus I take the theme quite literally!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Moira Monday: Sky Scene

Ethel-DSCN0324a-wm, a photo by Ali Crehan on Flickr.

Moira says, "I was looking out the window of my house and I saw the beautiful sky outside. It was golden just like I wanted my photo to be. We thought it was going to thunder but it didn't and it left this behind."