Cindy's Blog

My home on the web since 1995

recent posts

  • Facebook TBT Photos

    As of today, I’ve got 1.32 TB of photos in 8,256 folders and 268,565 files, including scanned photos going back to the 1920s. All organized by year, month, and event.

    Finding a Facebook TBT should be easy, but it’s often overwhelming.  Sometimes I’ll think of some event or person and go looking for a particular photo, which I can usually find, because my photos are obsessively organized.  Other times, I’ll browse and stumble upon a photo worth sharing.

    This adorable photo brings back so many fond memories of our Grafton days.  Somehow, we managed to live in a 3-story townhouse for almost 30 years with 3 kids who use wheelchairs.  I don’t know how we managed, but sometimes you don’t have a choice.  Life is much easier now that we live in a handicap-accessible home, and we love our new house and living in Barre. But sometimes I do miss Grafton. Condo living is not for everyone, but we made it work, and we loved our little townhouse community. It was like the old-time neighborhoods where everyone knew everyone and looked out for each other.  Our kids grew up together, and we made lifelong friends.

    This gem of a photo I just found is from July 2006, so 20 years ago. I don’t remember taking this photo or what was going on, but it brings back memories of two of our favorite Grafton families, the Burke family and the Edgren-Fortin family. Miss you all and think of you often.

  • Stowe, VT

    Road Trip to Stowe, VT with Susan.

    Traveled from Barre, MA to Barre VT to visit the Hope Cemetery on our way to Stowe. Barre, VT is known as the Granite Capital of the World. There are many amazing memorials in this cemetery, and it has become a tourist destination. Most stones were actually designed and sculpted by the graves’ occupants, obviously before they died. This little house was my favorite memorial. Barre, VT was named after Barre, MA. Barre, MA was named in 1776 after Colonel Isaac Barre, a member of the British Parliament.
    Lifesize car memorial
    Here is an appropriate photo for the World Cup. This ball was huge. Definitely not lifesize.
    Many people were buried in this cemetery because of the Spanish Flu of 1918. But also lots of people died from respiratory diseases from granite dust working in the quarries. Lots more amazing stones. Worth a visit.
    Hike to Moss Glen Falls
    Moss Glen Falls. Lots of waterfalls in VT and we stopped to see a few.
    We visited 4 cemeteries on our trip. Yes, we both like exploring cemeteries! But this one was the most fun
    Ben & Jerry’s dearly departed ice cream flavors.
    P.S. The ice cream stones were also made of granite!
    Ben & Jerry’s factory. We also took the guided factory tour, but photos were not allowed inside because of their secret processing. There were many moo-velous cow puns on the tour.
    Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop.
    We visited a couple of old covered bridges. Back in the day, bridges were covered to protect the wooden support trusses from rain and snow. This bridge is the Gold Brook Bridge, also called Emily’s Bridge, because it is haunted by Emily.
    The covered bridges were all decorated with 250th anniversary flags.
    Many beautiful views of the Green Mountains.
    We took a Gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort to the top of Mt. Mansfield. This was my favorite part of the trip.
    We spend some time at the top of the mountain enjoying the view. Very safe trip to the top… 
    Gondolas
    We visited the Austrian-Inspired von Trapp Family Lodge.
    We had lunch at the von Trapp Family Lodge. This was our view. The waitresses were all dressed in traditional Austrian clothing. There is a waitress in this photo, but hard to see her outfit.
    Piecasso restaurant, home of Vermont’s best pizza. They also serve von Trapp beer from the Von Trapp Brewery.
    We were told we had to try cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. We did, and they were yummy. Bigfoot was also there eating donuts.
    On the way home we stopped at Quechee Gorge in Quechee, VT. Also a nice hike down to the gorge.
    View of Quechee Gorge from the bridge.

  • Patriots’ Day

    Some old photos from Patriots’ Day, April, 19, 1985. I had to get up early to watch the reenactment of the April 19, 1775, “shot heard round the world” at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This is an annual event, and I’m sure it was especially popular this year for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The event starts very early to align with historical precedent. Some people begin arriving at the bridge as early as 4:00 am for a good viewing spot. Patriots’ Day has been a Massachusetts state holiday since 1894, but has been observed on the 3rd Monday in April since 1969.

  • 50th Class Reunion

    WOW, a 50th high school reunion is a profound milestone that prompts deep self-reflection on the passage of time. Feeling old, but grateful to be alive and able to enjoy this reunion with old friends and classmates. It’s also a time to remember those classmates who are no longer with us. We are The Waltham High School Bicentennial Class of 1976. We had a rather large class of 852. There were about 175 at the reunion, so about 20% attendance. Not bad for a 50th. A special thanks to the reunion committee, the Z Company band, and the Swoon Booth photo booth. Such a fun night!

    Sons of Italy, Waltham, MA
    Group photo. I’m in the front row, 4th from the right.
    Z Company band
    Photo booth, Lakeview friends.
    In Memoriam

  • America’s 250th Birthday

    Photo of me in 1976 celebrating America’s Bicentennial in my patriot attire.

    The Bicentennial was an extraordinary celebration of our nation’s 200th birthday. Here in historic Massachusetts, the festivities were unforgettable—from the tall ships and Pops concerts in Boston to community events across the state. Revolutionary War reenactments brought history to life in Lexington and Concord, the birthplace of the American Revolution. Towns and cities held parades, fireworks, and gatherings that seemed to unite people from all walks of life. It was an exciting and fun celebration that brought the country together.

    Over the past 50 years, I’ve learned far more about American history than I ever did in school. I’ve come to appreciate many of our nation’s achievements, while also recognizing some of its darkest chapters—starting with the treatment of Native Americans and the enslavement of millions of Africans. We have made progress, but prejudice, discrimination, and division remain part of our national story.

    Recently, political polarization has reached a level I never expected to see in my lifetime. Our differences seem deeper, our institutions more strained, and our ability to find common ground increasingly difficult. The divisions that exist today have exposed weaknesses in our political system that will take years—perhaps decades—to address.

    Despite all of this, I still consider myself fortunate to live in the United States. Yet as our country approaches its 250th birthday, I find myself feeling more reflective than celebratory. I simply do not feel any enthusiasm for celebrating our nation’s birthday in our current political climate.