I always check out markers in the cemetery when walking the dogs. I recall this one standing before the ground got soft this spring.

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The Charles River, one side Dover, the other Needham, a reflection in the middle.

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My Google Calendar told me, “Quit today, No matter what.” I had a trilogy of Quit Corporate Days on my calendar, all placed as reminders on October 1st, 2018. The first date was January 3rd, 2020. That one was scary, and I had put a lot of thought into that date. If I had pulled the trigger on that one, COVID would have been much worse for me. The second was on October 1st, 2021. By the time that date came around, there were rumblings of me being laid off, so I would not do them any favors. Seventeen days later, I was notified I would be gone by Thanksgiving on their terms. So I never needed to act on my third date. But the date was real. I knew it when I put them on the calendar. It was all building to that plan. In hindsight, it all worked out. I made it through COVID with some security but did not need to hang around much longer.

Why is this with a photo of gravestones? For no morbid reason, I was thinking about it all while walking the dogs through Evergreen Cemetery. It is a peaceful spot. I am sure all the souls at rest there had plans too. In the end, there is only one plan we all have to act on. It occurred to me, the planning of the dates were never the thing. It was the planning itself that was important. I was ready when the universe picked the date. It all worked out great. I work for myself and have no desire to look back. If I had not sat and added those three dates in 2018, that other date in 2021 would have been harder. Prepare for the unplanned until the final plan.

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The Eight Arch Bridge on Woodland St in Holliston, MA. I learned to fish here, Bagastow Brook runs under the bridge, and Factory Pond is across the street. My Dad worked yards from the bridge in the industrial park, my Grandfather lived down the road next to the single arch version on the same railway, so we were always in the area. I used to pass this all the time without thinking twice about it, but over the last 20 years or so, I find myself in that area less and less. So passing it, I needed to stop and grab some photos, so many memories there with both my Dad and Grandfather. I remember seeing a single-engine pass over it once, and it looked like it was too large for the bridge. That image always stuck with me. That, and I never once caught a fish there, yet we kept going back. Holliston has done a great job incorporating it into the rail trail for bikes and people to pass over it.

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On the South coast of Iceland (my favorite part) is the coolest beach I have ever seen. Basalt sea stacks situated under the mountain Reynisfjall line the outside of this cave. The beach is all black with smooth rocks and the caves are incredible. This photo and the others below are all blown up and look awesome. All ready for next Thursday’s show. I am on track to have at least 50 framed photos, a bunch more matted and about 100 unframed photos to be viewed.

I am working on refreshments, I will have the talent of Kelley McCauley playing music for us. Every person who buys a ticket will get a free matted print when they arrive. Tickets are on sale online (link below) and I will be at my studio 9-noon this Saturday for an open house where you can also stop by and pick up tickets – or drop me a message. In addition to the Iceland photos I hope to display my other work too, as space allows.

Tickets $10/$5 for under16 and seniors: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3033477

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