Gulls and Tree

Pfizer Campus, Andover, MA

Ice in the Leaves, Bare Stick Morning

West Boxford, MA


This is a fascinating article regarding a man who built a hospital centrifuge from bike parts. 

http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/nigerian-doctor-runs-his-hospital-corn-cobs-and-used-bike-parts

 Today is an incredible one for stories.  This is a skip to the end version of the post by Paul Salopek today, one of the most moving he has written on his trip.

“Solvatur ambulando,” Diogenes proclaimed: “It is resolved by walking.” But do you actually believe that grief can be walked away? It is like these goddamned tomatoes. Given the hands that picked them for $11 a day, you would think they would be inedible—too bitter to swallow. Toxic with pain. But they aren’t. They are good tomatoes. They taste just fine.

http://outofedenwalk.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/09/tomatoes/

Cold Morning Birds on the Pond

Pfizer Campus, Andover, MA

I have to admit that this was taken on a walk from the parking lot to my office, not exactly what I'd consider an outdoor adventure, but a celebration of the birds in any case.

Leaves Under Ice

Pfizer Campus, Andover, MA

Stone Wall, Tree, and House in Mist

North Andover, MA

Trail Junction Monument at Grass Rides

Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA

Stone was an ornament on Gore Hall at Harvard, now standing at the trail junction.

Didn't have my camera when I encountered an entire flock of wild turkeys on a run up water tower hill at dusk.  They were a sight!  Large and numerous, they filled the yard of a ranch house, and flew up over the house across the street when I jogged by.

Mocha Makes Tracks

West Boxford, MA

Snow Day

West Boxford, MA

I'm really enjoying watching birds at the feeder.  Today we started identifying the common birds we are seeing.  This was a nice view for me, as the next 12 hours was views of industrial equipment again.  Patrick had a more pleasant afternoon, exploring in the deep snow with Mocha.

Second Shift Weather

Pfizer, MA

snow blown to our door

My work team has had a confluence of events this week.  New Year's Eve, a winter storm, and an urgent technical challenge.  It was a beautiful snowy day today and I had some wonderful glimpses of snow, trees, birds in the pond, and an assembly of plows in the parking lot - all viewed through the window of the manufacturing suite or our wall of windows at the door.  The rest of the day was spent viewing industrial equipment, drawings of our strategic plan of attack, and faces of  colleagues.  It was the first day back to work for my friend who was on maternity leave since September.  What a day to return. 

My guess is that at least some of these footsteps are from 2nd shifters venturing out for food.  We typically have a limited dinner service at the cafeteria of premade sandwiches and a hearty yet simple cafeteria entree.  Today the cafeteria staff left early so there was no dinner.  Our plant is a 10 min drive from the closest place to buy sandwiches.  If that is closed, the next sandwich place is another 5 min away.  If that is closed, another 5 min to town.  Tonight it appeared that everything in town was closed.  I worked with a mechanic this evening who had arrived provisioned with Campbells soup and a sleeping bag, planning to work through Saturday. 

Sky between walkways at Crane Beach

Ipswich, MA

If you are looking for a new book to read, I think this one would be a good choice.  I listened to most of this podcast this morning and really enjoyed it. 

http://www.onbeing.org/program/a-second-wind/6050
If I met Eve Ensler, I'd show her my favorite trees.