Do You See What I See?

I was beyond thrilled last night when I looked out my window and saw that the Star of Bethlehem that has graced the top of the town clock every Christmas for the past 60 years had been installed and turned on; even more so by the fact that it has been returned to its original, simple state (the past couple of years it had been bedecked with strings of colored lights which gave less the appearance of a star and more the illusion of a party hat). (related story, here)

Edgar Anthony Thibodeau

Easter, 1975


I was saddened, and remain so, by having received the news last week of my brother-in-law Ed's passing. I have many fond memories of time spent with Ed and his girls at Grandma Dorothy and "Grandpa" Sam's on Sunday afternoons and holidays when our children were all small - always a festive gathering of cousins (and how right Dorothy was with her oft-repeated, "Enjoy the children now while you know where they are.") - Ed arriving in his classic red Karmann Ghia, and always toting a loaf or two of Jewish Rye bread. Though I was divorced from his brother Paul, Ed and I remained friends. I guess I had forgotten, or maybe never really knew the extent of his job at United Technologies, since most of it was top secret military stuff and he wasn't allowed to talk about it, but I think it's safe to say that Ed was more talented than most of us realized. So today, two days before what would have been your 75th birthday, I say to you, rest in peace, my friend.

From the Hartford Courant (amended only to include his full baptismal name):

Edgar Anthony Thibodeau, 74, was born in Hartford on September 21, 1938, the son of the late Edgar and Dorothy (Viens) Thibodeau. Ed lived in the Hartford area most of his life, and resided in Avon over 30 years. He graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford, and went on to receive a bachelor's degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He later was granted a master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ed worked for many years as an aerospace engineer on behalf of United Technologies in Windsor Locks. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In his younger years, Ed was an avid tennis player. Ed loved the natural world and was interested in American history, and particularly the Civil War, throughout his life. He is survived by his daughters, Heather Thibodeau, Jessica Thibodeau, and Amanda Adams and their respective spouses; his sister, Linda Benoit; four grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; his first wife, Patricia Carlet; and a step-son, Michael Godin. Ed was predeceased by his brothers, Ronnie and Paul and by his second wife, Patricia Godin.
Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center of Avon is caring for the family.

The Town Clock Song, Take II

Okay, due to sound issues in yesterday's recording, I re-recorded the Town Clock Song with proper equipment this time, my 5D/H4N Zoom combo. This should work. One of the many songs I've written in the past year for my young grandchildren (a lot of it on the fly, as requested - "Grandma, sing about fire trucks..."), this one written in particular for the middle guy, headed off to dreamland, here - now 2 1/2 - since he happens to love the Edgartown town clock tower and the bell, having seen it from my window and heard the bell every hour two days a week since he was born.

After Labor Day

After Labor Day, by Alison Boylston Piazza

The same sun slants with summer heat
On beach and field and narrow street,
Gardens bloom in brilliant hue
Beneath the endless, arching blue,
Calm seas reflect the harbor light
And stars gleam in the velvet night.
These could be summer nights and days
But the pattern has changed in many ways:
The beach that was thronged in days gone by
Now knows only the seagull's cry;
The village wakens to the sound
Of bright-faced children school-ward bound,
And fishing boats chug down the bay
Where fleets of pleasure craft once lay.
Now the town folk have their share
Of sparkling sea and clean salt air,
Of time to be lazy in the sun,
Content with summer tasks well done.

Edgartown Fire Museum Open House and Pancake Breakfast

A delicious breakfast and a great Edgartown mid-August happening.

Insta-fair

The Edgartown girl ventured all the way up to West Tisbury this week, to the fair - who can resist? It was fun, but the problem is, I always go expecting to find the old gang just as we were when we were teenagers. Curiously, some of us are dead, some have moved away, some just don't bother to go anymore, and the rest of us are now white-haired, lined up at the kiddy rides photographing our grandchildren. I just can't wrap my brain around all this.

I lugged the big cameras, too, but I think I prefer the Instagrams from the phone, what with life sometimes looking better in black and white, slightly out of focus, and down-rezzed.