Paging Dr. Hibbert

Paging Dr. Hibbert, originally uploaded by doctorhectic.

I forgot the fantastic piece of garbage that Ms. Cupcakes found for me. We were just leaving Sit 'n' Knit 2, and she picked up a small plastic bag from the curb before we go in the car last weekend.

I: Is that some garbage for me?
Cupcake: Yes, yes it is. More than you know.
I: [speechless]

...for in that garbage of little plastic bag was a small plastic Dr. Hibbert that laughs when you press a button on his back.

Open Air/Return of the Mantis

Sunday, SUNDAY, Sunday! we went to the 5th annual Wadsworth Mansion Open Air Market & Festival with Bethany and Rebecca. There were some goats...



...some banjo...



...and sweet mercy, Cato Corner cheese...



We bought some cheese, and some other great things, and then headed off to lunch at ION downtown, where I tried a sorghum beer, which is brought to you by Anheuser-Busch. Better than a Bud, I gotta say.



After lunch we walked over to Vecchitto's Lemon Ice for dessert. I had a root beer ice, and it tasted just like a float.





When we got home...RETURN OF THE MANTIS!

Muggy Buggy

This weekend we're seeing a last gasp of summer, with humidity and temperatures in the upper 80's. Also, bugs. For example, this praying mantis.

The fallen

I'm off the wagon. Due to the overwhelming appeal of a Saturday afternoon at Eli's with some Avery's White Rascal,

and lady friends Heather,



Bethany,



and fiancée!



We ended up watching Snakes on a Plane...



...and calling it a night so we could go to Rose's for breakfast the next morning.

On the way home from Rose's we stopped at Old Maid's Farm to pick up a case of their salsa, among other things.









That was all a week and a half ago when Heather was visiting. This past weekend the Cupcakes went shopping with Beckers. We all bought back-to-school clothes and took in some MA scenery. Featuring...


Powerwagons in Lenox, MA!


Awaiting lunch in Lenox, MA!


Magic donut machine in Lenox, MA!


"Marshall Brown" Ale at the Opa-Opa Steakhouse and Brewery!


Molasses bread at Opa-Opa!


Beer cheese soup at Opa-Opa!


Dragonfly at Becker's house in Easthampton, MA!

As promised...

...vacation highlights.


The drive from CT to Baltimore.


A thing on a truck.


Driving through Mos Eisley.


Back in NC.


Waiting for the ferry to Ocracoke.


Tire shark at the bookstore.


"Henry" (Henrietta), our temporary cat for the week at the Crew's Inn.


Tomatillo Shrimp w/avocado.


Thousands of tiny clams, coming in with the tide.


An east coast baja bug.


Val with a shell collection. (Moments before the question was popped...)


Val and the ring wait for dinner.


Celebration dinner.


A talk at the Preservation Society by local fishermen, including Morty, who at 13 is the youngest commercial fisherman (ever?maybe?) in the area.


Ocracoke figs.


Some of my table art, and the pearl I found in my fried oysters. The street value wouldn't have covered the dentist bill, but luckily I found it without chomping it.


Ocracoke lighthouse.


Val and her adopted Ocracoke pony, Oops.


Goodbye to the island.


Hello to Chapel Thrill!