on the road

Brattcat will be prowling foreign lands for a couple of weeks but fear not. You will still be able to see Brattleboro through the sharp eyes of a very cool cat who will be filling in during my absence. I'll miss you all. Take care.

contemplation

A path through the woods sometimes ends in a broad, open field.

Happy Birthday to my brother, Mark, whose wisdom is vast, whose humor is wicked, whose kindness is profound. Rock on, Bro.

conquering the coldness of stone

These fragile blue flowers have penetrated the joints in this stone wall.

sky watch friday

Our corner of the earth is awakening under active, arching skies.

Have a great weekend everyone.

in the house

Here's a slight variation on This Old House-Thursday. We're inside the Latchis Theatre, an old movie house. Though it is still used primarily to show movies, last weekend Wangari Maathai, Nobel Prize winner for her Green Belt Movement, spoke there to a full house.

Here is an excerpt from the Brattleboro Arts Initiative literature about the theater:

The Latchis Hotel and Theatre Building, completed in 1938, was built as a memorial to the life and work of Demetrius P. Latchis. A Greek immigrant, Demetrius had developed Latchis Enterprises from a single fruit stand in Brattleboro into a family chain that at one time included 15 movie theaters and three hotels along the Connecticut River Valley. After his death, his four sons decided to honor their father with a building that would be incomparable to any other in the region. 
The four-story block on Main and Flat streets featured an Art Deco exterior and an interior that honored the family's heritage with murals of Greek mythology, reproductions of the ancient Acropolis in Athens, statues of Greek gods and goddesses, and a canvas ceiling featuring all of the Zodiac constellations. The Latchis flourished with a screen montage of movies, a stage filled with bands and live performances, and a ballroom swirling with dancing. It was once touted as "The House of Distinctive Attractions," and it lived up to its name.

the lid of the sun grows heavy

Apologies for the poor quality of this photo but it was taken through the window at the Marina restaurant into the setting sun. 

new solar system?

Some of you may remember a photograph I posted this past winter of the Marina restaurant which had closed for the season due to high heating costs. Well, the restaurant has reopened and this is the interior lighting. Outside the windows are waterviews which I'll show you tomorrow.

pennies from heaven

At a local store this penny tray sits on the counter. Usually, in shops, you see a little saucer containing five or six cents to help customers when they run short while paying for purchases. This quantity of helper-pennies really impressed me. 

So, my CDPB friends, a penny for your thoughts? 

high-class housing

Tanya, of Roanoke, frequently inspires me with her photographs and comments. Today she has posted a birdhouse and I couldn't resist saying thank you to her, and happy Easter to all, by posting the back side of this glorious avian abode.

happy paddling

Ice is out now. Time to take down the kayak from winter storage and head for the water. These beauties were photographed at the L.L. Bean outlet in Concord, N.H.

Dueling spires

This morning the honorable blogger from Portland, Maine posted three spires from his fair city. As a tip of the steeple to him, I thought I'd post this trio from Brattleboro.

tucked away

On perhaps the shortest street in Brattleboro this sweet little house sits with another house directly behind it and one more right in front of it.

a rare light

After a gray and sullen day, the clouds, for one moment, lost their solidarity, and the sun poured through the portal like golden honey. A moment later thick banks of batting piled back in and conquered the sky.

How much is that doggie in the window?

Frequently, on neighborhood walks, I am greeted by the four legged residents of our town. The ones who are inside often express a desire to come out and join me...though some seem more inclined to come out and eat me. What do you suppose this little one has in mind?

sulky sunset

We've had typical spring weather. Bits of rain. Bits of sun. Bits of wind. Bits of snow. Sometimes the transition between these bits can be a 'bit' dramatic. This is how it looked two nights ago.

making vroom

Another sure sign of spring: increased activity at this bike shop.

lambing season

I don't know if her name is Mary, but she definitely had a little lamb ( :

bridge to the past

This little stone bridge is tucked away in the shadows off of Upper Dummerston Road.

If you climb the steps and cross over you find yourself suddenly without a clear path to follow.

Once it must have led to a homestead.

Now there is only a forest floor strewn with leaves.

Return of the geese

In autumn the honking of the geese flying overhead fills me with melancholy.

But in the spring their wild cries send a shiver of delight up my spine.

That sound is the most irrefutable sign that winter is giving way.

Golden

Flip some flapjacks onto your plate and drizzle this liquid gold all over. You will be taking in the promise of Spring, of rebirth, of hope with each forkful. If you can, share it with someone you love. Happy April, everyone. And Happy Yellow Theme Day.