Romancing of Lighthouses

It has been awhile since my last installment of my Lighthouse series. While I was visiting relatives in California we took a ride down the coast to see the Pacific Ocean. On our travels we came upon this gorgeous lighthouse. Pigeon Point Light Station or Pigeon Point Lighthouse was built in 1871 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California. It is still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Pigeon Point Light Station is located on State Route 1, south of Pescadero, California.

Besides looking after the light and fog signal, keepers at Pigeon Point also served as tour guides several days a week for visitors who came to get a look at the lighthouse. At least one keeper found some entertainment in this distraction as evidenced by a reporter’s account of his visit to the station recorded in an 1883 edition of the San Mateo County Gazette. "Our escort was of a very talkative disposition and took great pride in dilating upon the wonders of the establishment. As we stood inside the immense lens which surrounds the lamp, he startled us by stating in impressive tones that, were he to draw the curtains from the glass, the heat would be so great that the glass would melt instantly, and that human flesh would follow suit; we begged him not to experiment just then, and he kindly refrained."

Jesse Mygrants requested a transfer from Point Arguello to a station where his daughters could attend school. The Lighthouse Service complied and assigned him to Pigeon Point in October of 1924. One of these daughters, Jessie, recalls her father helping her with homework at a small desk in the watchroom as the giant lens slowly rotated just overhead.

In December of 2001, two large sections of a brick and iron cornice located high atop the tower fell to the ground, prompting the closure of the tower and the area immediately around its base. The following year, the lighthouse was listed for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. California State Parks and Peninsula Open Space Trust filed a joint application for ownership of the lighthouse and received the National Park Service's recommendation in 2004. Two non-profits appealed the decision, but Pigeon Point Lighthouse was officially transferred to the state in May 2005. The California State Parks Foundation is currently spearheading a multi-million dollar fundraising campaign, in partnership with State Parks and the San Mateo Natural History Association, to restore and reopen the historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

This lighthouse was a surprise for me in my visit. Being from Massachusetts we have many many lighthouses but nothing as grand as this one. As all have wonderful romantic stories I’m sure this one holds many many also.

references:

lighthousefriend.com and wikipedia

Uncle Steve’s Homemade Pizza

When visiting my Aunt Ellen and Uncle Steve, the one thing you can depend on is good food. Whether it is a huge Brisket meal or homemade pizza. Today we chose homemade pizza baked by Uncle Steve.

Fresh ingredients from the market today.

And the process begins.

Now comes the kneading of the dough. So glad I was watching.

Now for a little surprise.

Did you catch that…….its the surprise. Pepperoni and fresh mozzarella cheese wrapped inside the crust…….Oh I can’t wait until its done.

Add the shredded mozzarella and the pepperoni.

(said with an italian accent)

Ready for the oven on 475 degrees. My mouth is salivating. A few minutes later, DONE.

Can you see the surprise….its there in the crust. Let me tell you, it was scrumptious.

Lets not forget the delicious salad my Aunt Ellen made….tasty orange flavored virgin oil and lemon vinegar with baked beets too. Very different and very tasty.

Traveling across the country to visit family is awesome, and the food that comes with this visit is even better. Thanks Auntie Ellen and Uncle Steve for making me feel at home and for feeding me all these wonderful foods. I’ll be back in a hurry.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

I'm speechless

Still Celebrating 3rd Prize

The Art show was this weekend and there was my photo with the third place ribbon.

When I photograph and someone compliments my work I sort of brush it off.......not actually believing it.  I'm sure all artists are like this....this gives me some nice recognition and a quick thought that maybe some people do like my work.

Yellows my favorite color this month.

This was posted along with my photograph.  All the artwork that was in this show was beautiful.  I was so happy to have one hanging amongst the others. 

3rd Place

Sometimes 3rd place is awesome. 

I usually like to blog about others but today its all about me.  I just received a phone call letting me know that I won 3rd prize in a local Artsfest.  I was shocked and elated at the same time.  I've entered my work for the last two years just hoping to sell some pieces but never won anything.  Now my photograph will be hanging at the Art Show with a big fat ribbon on it.

Here's the photograph.

This was taken on the Jetty on Martha's Vineyard.  The little boy is my nephew who happened to be doing a little jig on the rocks.  I didn't notice the sailboat in the background until I looked at the photo on the computer.

Of course my parents thought it should have been first place, but 3rd place is fine with me.

Wordless Wednesday