Every night for the past week or more, I've sat on the back deck and watched the fireflies. There aren't many because we don't have much of the tall grass that they seem to like. Just a few, though, are enough to make me think of myself as a 10-year-old boy.
There was always more of everything when we were kids, wasn't there. The summers were hotter, the winters colder. Lots and lots of fireflies on warm nights in early summer. Once in a while, I'd tried to catch some and was a few times successful. You learn quickly that they don't light up in the jar on your bedside table. They didn't light up because they had no hope for love as long as they were in the jar.
I was old as a kid, far too serious even in my immaturity, taking myself much too seriously for far back as as I can remember. It's good, and even a bit of a revelation, to be drawn to those times more than a half-century ago, to realize that I was really a kid who caught fireflies on a summer night.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Crime in suburbia
From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 19 suspicious and three strange items this week and five lock-outs]
8:43 a.m. Bear sighting, Bullard St.
10:57 a.m. Possibly sick raccoon, Sycamore Dr.
11:32 a.m. Possible sick raccoon, Putnam Rd.
5:24 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in bank parking lot, Main St.
6:34 p.m. Male soliciting house painting, High St.
8:41 p.m. Report of neighbor screaming obscenities for no reason, Briarcliff Ln.
9:31 p.m. Report of persistent solicitors, Wyoming Dr.
9:52 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot, windows open, Main St.
10:28 p.m. Small terrier running around, Bullard St.
1:31 a.m. Police advised of repossession action, Main St.
3:18 a.m. Female in vehicle in parking lot on Princeton St. Has been asked not to park there
12:55 p.m. Female locked herself out of her vehicle, Main St.
4:15 p.m. Request that police conduct welfare check on female because of strange vehicle in area, Walnut St.
6:30 p.m. Person at station says his neighbor struck his dog with a shovel, Princeton St.
9:09 p.m. Drunk and disorderly person refusing to pay cab driver, Torrey Ln.
11:05 a.m. Complaint about teens hanging around parking lot, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Woman reporting possible Internet scam regarding her rental property in New York, Main St.
10:40 p.m. Person waving his arms trying to flag down motorist, Bullard/Harris Sts.
4:17 a.m. Suspicious vehicle behind business, Main St.
6:04 a.m. Smoking transformer, Wachusett/ Quinapoxet Sts.
5:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area, possibly involved in car breaks, Parker Ave.
6:26 p.m. Small toddler in roadway, Newell Rd.
8:06 a.m. Kids hit ball into angry neighbor's yard and are afraid to retrieve it, Ann St.
11:44 p.m. Police out with five individuals at Industrial Park
4:08 a.m. Shirtless man walking up and down Princeton St.
8:06 a.m. House egged overnight, Autumn Cir.
12:38 p.m. Report of large amount of oil leaked into reservoir, Shrewsbury St.
4:12 p.m. Person left business without paying bill, Main St.
9:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on dirt road, Sterling Rd.
11:14 p.m. Two suspicious males wearing dark clothing and hoodies walking around Fox Hill Dr.
12:35 p.m. Theft of historic Bruins calendar, Main St.
1:28 p.m. Police off with three solicitors, Mountview Dr.
11:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Lexington Cir.
3:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Doyle Rd.
9:21 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
10:46 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
5:38 p.m. Transport lost pedestrian to Timber Ln.
7:17 p.m. Caller heard boy yelling, Main St.
10:38 p.m. Male came from behind vacant house and went into woods, Davidson Rd.
12:09 p.m. Loose dog at business, Pleasant St.
12:14 p.m. Two horses in Hill St.
9:02 p.m. Person complaining about bulldozer noise, Richards Ave.
10:31 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Red Oak St.
4:26 p.m. Caller reporting suspicious incident with person who said they were moving to town, Laurel St.
11:34 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Elizabeth Ln.
10:25 a.m. Missing tortoise shell-colored cat, Sterling Rd.
10:37 a.m. Report of fireworks going off all afternoon on Sunday, Dowds Ln.
11:24 a.m. Request for assistance getting person into car, Beaman Rd.
7:18 p.m. Large orange and white cat hanging around Redwood Dr.
11:22 p.m. Brown and white dog running in and out of traffic, Rte. 140
11:48 p.m. Suspicious silver vehicle parked near driveway for two-three days, Westminster Rd.
3:08 p.m. Dead coyote in Coal Kiln Rd.
7:10 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at end of driveway, Houghton Rd.
10:30 a.m. Someone used daughter's credit card, Town Hall Dr.
12:48 p.m. Person heard something during night and by morning a bike was missing from barn, Main St.
6:22 p.m. Boston terrier and pug running in middle of Rte. 68
6:44 p.m. Strange-acting raccoon in yard, Pommogussett Rd. Caller advised to remove food from area
12:51 p.m. Request for officer to speak with unwanted person, Maple Ave.
1:12 p.m. Request for officer to return, threats made, Maple Ave.
2:37 p.m. Missing Peek-a-Poo, found at Pout and Trout, River Rd.
3:27 p.m. Caller wants to speak with animal control officer about animal on her property never seen before, Fairview Ave.
5:00 p.m. Person in for community service, Main St.
7:09 p.m. Man at station bitten by dog on Main St.
8:55 p.m. 911 caller heard loud bang, picture window hit with possible BB or air gun, Main St.
11:26 p.m. Report of dozen kids throwing rocks at glass window, Barre Paxton Rd. Officer
found vehicle broken down
10:39 a.m. Request for officer for vehicle lockout; vehicle is running and has small child inside, Barre Paxton RD.
11:24 a.m. Report that a wanted person was seen walking on Edson Ave., headed toward Main St.
11:36 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about individuals on Bushy Ln.
12:21 p.m. Request for officer to go to residence and ask person there to call his boss, Main St. Person is retired and does not have a boss
4:33 p.m. Suspicious vehicle sitting in driveway, Pommogussett Rd.
5:02 p.m. Request for welfare check on children, Maple Ave.
5:18 p.m. Police speak with female juvenile walking on Main St.
11:04 a.m. Ex-resident irate and threatening, wants to speak with chief, Oxford
1:13 p.m. Report of barefoot girl walking past Brunelle. Police drove her to Pommogussett
3:58 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Miles Rd.
8:41 p.m. Missing tabby cat, Pleasantdale Rd.
12:39 p.m. Two loose hound dogs in yard, continuous problem, Ware Rd.
6:17 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Main St.
7:15 p.m. Female complaining about male's behavior, Maple Ave.
9:08 p.m. Caller reports gunshots, Wachusett St.
11:52 a.m. Caller wants information about investigation regarding property damage, Main St. Dissatisfied and used vulgar language
5:37 p.m. Child riding four-wheeler up and down Turkey Hill Trl.
9:55 p.m. Female requests assistance with getting sick dog to vet, Beechwood Dr.
1:42 p.m. Report of spent fireworks rocket on rear steps of home, Oakwood Dr. Caller wants officer to look at it
4:20 p.m. Loose German shepherd on I-190
11:45 a.m. Request to speak with officer, Campground Rd.
12:07 p.m. Indoor cat escaped and won't come out from under porch, N. Row Rd. Caller
wants to use Have-a-Hart trap
12:10 p.m. Multiple calls about phone calls and no one is there, Samuels Ln.
8:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle blocking driveway, Maple St.
6:07 p.m. Dead coyote in Chocksett Rd.
11:25 a.m. New litter of kittens found, Goulding Rd.
6:14 p.m. Three juveniles skateboarding down Red Stone Hill Rd.
[Editor's note: There were 19 suspicious and three strange items this week and five lock-outs]
Holden
Monday, June 20
4:45 a.m. Parking violations, four vehicles, Main St.8:43 a.m. Bear sighting, Bullard St.
10:57 a.m. Possibly sick raccoon, Sycamore Dr.
11:32 a.m. Possible sick raccoon, Putnam Rd.
5:24 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in bank parking lot, Main St.
6:34 p.m. Male soliciting house painting, High St.
8:41 p.m. Report of neighbor screaming obscenities for no reason, Briarcliff Ln.
9:31 p.m. Report of persistent solicitors, Wyoming Dr.
9:52 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot, windows open, Main St.
10:28 p.m. Small terrier running around, Bullard St.
Tuesday, June 21
12:44 a.m. Person at station reporting large sinkhole on Rte.31 Street needs to be closed1:31 a.m. Police advised of repossession action, Main St.
3:18 a.m. Female in vehicle in parking lot on Princeton St. Has been asked not to park there
12:55 p.m. Female locked herself out of her vehicle, Main St.
4:15 p.m. Request that police conduct welfare check on female because of strange vehicle in area, Walnut St.
6:30 p.m. Person at station says his neighbor struck his dog with a shovel, Princeton St.
9:09 p.m. Drunk and disorderly person refusing to pay cab driver, Torrey Ln.
Wednesday, June 22
12:53 a.m. Man in bushes by business, Main St.11:05 a.m. Complaint about teens hanging around parking lot, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Woman reporting possible Internet scam regarding her rental property in New York, Main St.
10:40 p.m. Person waving his arms trying to flag down motorist, Bullard/Harris Sts.
Thursday, June 23
3:57 a.m. Police check person walking dogs, Salisbury St./Putnam Rd.4:17 a.m. Suspicious vehicle behind business, Main St.
6:04 a.m. Smoking transformer, Wachusett/ Quinapoxet Sts.
5:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area, possibly involved in car breaks, Parker Ave.
6:26 p.m. Small toddler in roadway, Newell Rd.
8:06 a.m. Kids hit ball into angry neighbor's yard and are afraid to retrieve it, Ann St.
11:44 p.m. Police out with five individuals at Industrial Park
Friday, June 24
2:56 a.m. Male dressed in black taking cigarettes out of can, Princeton St.4:08 a.m. Shirtless man walking up and down Princeton St.
8:06 a.m. House egged overnight, Autumn Cir.
12:38 p.m. Report of large amount of oil leaked into reservoir, Shrewsbury St.
4:12 p.m. Person left business without paying bill, Main St.
9:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on dirt road, Sterling Rd.
11:14 p.m. Two suspicious males wearing dark clothing and hoodies walking around Fox Hill Dr.
Saturday, June 25
10:16 a.m. Raccoon walking in Main St.12:35 p.m. Theft of historic Bruins calendar, Main St.
1:28 p.m. Police off with three solicitors, Mountview Dr.
11:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Lexington Cir.
Sunday, June 26
1:40 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Highland St., school parking lot3:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Doyle Rd.
9:21 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
10:46 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
5:38 p.m. Transport lost pedestrian to Timber Ln.
7:17 p.m. Caller heard boy yelling, Main St.
Paxton
Monday, June 20
6:02 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at entrance to DPW area, Holden Rd.10:38 p.m. Male came from behind vacant house and went into woods, Davidson Rd.
Tuesday, June 21
7:52 a.m. Missing Blue Tick Coonhound, Welch Ave.Thursday, June 23
9:43 a.m. Tree across Rte. 122 approximately one mile from Rutland line12:09 p.m. Loose dog at business, Pleasant St.
12:14 p.m. Two horses in Hill St.
Friday, June 24
1:33 p.m. Loose Pomeranian trying to chase cars, Richards Ave.9:02 p.m. Person complaining about bulldozer noise, Richards Ave.
10:31 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Red Oak St.
Saturday, June 25
10:28 a.m. Complaint about three trucks "strangely" parked, Pleasant St.Sunday, June 26
3:19 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Richards Ave.4:26 p.m. Caller reporting suspicious incident with person who said they were moving to town, Laurel St.
11:34 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Elizabeth Ln.
Princeton
Monday, June 20
6:35 a.m. Loud explosion and subsequent power loss, Laurel Ln.10:25 a.m. Missing tortoise shell-colored cat, Sterling Rd.
10:37 a.m. Report of fireworks going off all afternoon on Sunday, Dowds Ln.
11:24 a.m. Request for assistance getting person into car, Beaman Rd.
7:18 p.m. Large orange and white cat hanging around Redwood Dr.
11:22 p.m. Brown and white dog running in and out of traffic, Rte. 140
11:48 p.m. Suspicious silver vehicle parked near driveway for two-three days, Westminster Rd.
Wednesday, June 22
9:06 a.m. Keys locked in vehicle, Hubbardston Rd.; police gain access3:08 p.m. Dead coyote in Coal Kiln Rd.
Thursday, June 23
6:10 a.m. Dead porcupine in Main St.Friday, June 24
12:03 a.m. Youths trying to take sign chained to tree, Willson Rd.7:10 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at end of driveway, Houghton Rd.
10:30 a.m. Someone used daughter's credit card, Town Hall Dr.
12:48 p.m. Person heard something during night and by morning a bike was missing from barn, Main St.
Saturday, June 25
1:55 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on side of road for long time, Greene Rd.Rutland
Monday, June 20
12:44 p.m. Report of loud screaming, Valley View Cir.6:22 p.m. Boston terrier and pug running in middle of Rte. 68
6:44 p.m. Strange-acting raccoon in yard, Pommogussett Rd. Caller advised to remove food from area
Tuesday, June 21
6:57 a.m. Missing female coonhound, Welch Ave.12:51 p.m. Request for officer to speak with unwanted person, Maple Ave.
1:12 p.m. Request for officer to return, threats made, Maple Ave.
2:37 p.m. Missing Peek-a-Poo, found at Pout and Trout, River Rd.
3:27 p.m. Caller wants to speak with animal control officer about animal on her property never seen before, Fairview Ave.
5:00 p.m. Person in for community service, Main St.
7:09 p.m. Man at station bitten by dog on Main St.
8:55 p.m. 911 caller heard loud bang, picture window hit with possible BB or air gun, Main St.
11:26 p.m. Report of dozen kids throwing rocks at glass window, Barre Paxton Rd. Officer
found vehicle broken down
Wednesday, June 22
10:36 a.m. Report that dog that bit a person has been quarantined, Main St.10:39 a.m. Request for officer for vehicle lockout; vehicle is running and has small child inside, Barre Paxton RD.
11:24 a.m. Report that a wanted person was seen walking on Edson Ave., headed toward Main St.
11:36 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about individuals on Bushy Ln.
12:21 p.m. Request for officer to go to residence and ask person there to call his boss, Main St. Person is retired and does not have a boss
4:33 p.m. Suspicious vehicle sitting in driveway, Pommogussett Rd.
5:02 p.m. Request for welfare check on children, Maple Ave.
5:18 p.m. Police speak with female juvenile walking on Main St.
Thursday, June 23
11:01 a.m. Ex-resident threatening dispatcher, and blaming the town for bombing his mother's house, Oxford11:04 a.m. Ex-resident irate and threatening, wants to speak with chief, Oxford
1:13 p.m. Report of barefoot girl walking past Brunelle. Police drove her to Pommogussett
3:58 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Miles Rd.
8:41 p.m. Missing tabby cat, Pleasantdale Rd.
Friday, June 24
4:12 a.m. Holden PD requests assistance for suspicious male walking up and down Princeton St., not wearing shirt12:39 p.m. Two loose hound dogs in yard, continuous problem, Ware Rd.
6:17 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Main St.
7:15 p.m. Female complaining about male's behavior, Maple Ave.
9:08 p.m. Caller reports gunshots, Wachusett St.
Saturday, June 25
8:58 a.m. Caller has three stray kittens in her yard, Barre Paxton Rd.11:52 a.m. Caller wants information about investigation regarding property damage, Main St. Dissatisfied and used vulgar language
5:37 p.m. Child riding four-wheeler up and down Turkey Hill Trl.
Sunday, June 26
4:54 p.m. Small plane flying very low, Bushy Ln.9:55 p.m. Female requests assistance with getting sick dog to vet, Beechwood Dr.
Sterling
Monday, June 20
9:25 a.m. Loose pitbull in road preventing person from walking home, Jewett Rd.1:42 p.m. Report of spent fireworks rocket on rear steps of home, Oakwood Dr. Caller wants officer to look at it
Tuesday, June 21
9:29 a.m. Dogs cornered baby bunny in wall, found injured, advised to put bunny back where it was found, Pine St.4:20 p.m. Loose German shepherd on I-190
Wednesday, June 22
8:39 a.m. Graffiti on mailbox, Tanglewood Rd. Caller wants officer at scene11:45 a.m. Request to speak with officer, Campground Rd.
12:07 p.m. Indoor cat escaped and won't come out from under porch, N. Row Rd. Caller
wants to use Have-a-Hart trap
12:10 p.m. Multiple calls about phone calls and no one is there, Samuels Ln.
8:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle blocking driveway, Maple St.
Thursday, June 23
6:42 p.m. Complaint about bear walking through yard, Kathleen Ln.Friday, June 24
1:29 p.m. While person was away, someone drained his oil tank to office, Worcester Rd.6:07 p.m. Dead coyote in Chocksett Rd.
Saturday, June 25
10:51 a.m. Small female beagle found, Tuttle/ Sky Farm Rds.11:25 a.m. New litter of kittens found, Goulding Rd.
6:14 p.m. Three juveniles skateboarding down Red Stone Hill Rd.
Sunday, June 26
10:52 a.m. Theft of 200-pound wooden wolf, Leominster Rd.Monday, June 27, 2011
Why we love the web
You wouldn't be surprised that someone who invents this:
 | |
| via bookofjoe: Nose Stylus |
would have more to say about it, along with a video of a guy in a tub with the thing.
While you have the image stuck in your head all day tomorrow, I know that you'll be thanking me.
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