3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Connecticut

Day 217/365: Tag Sale vs. Garage Sale

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Tag Sale : East Coast Slang
Tag Sale : East Coast Slang

It’s amazing how in just one country the vocabulary can be so different. For instance I had a Giant “Tag” Sale in Connecticut where in Massachusetts, and the Midwest it would be called a “Garage”  Sale.

My primary purpose of going to East Hartford Connecticut was to empty my Mothers house and get it ready for sale. I never intended to have an “estate” sale, but a very good friend suggested her sister who was starting an estate agent business and said she would help out.

So out of the closets and out of the basement came more and more items. My Mom collected everything from cookie jars to nutcrackers and commemorative plates. Anyone interested in some Princess Diana memorabilia?  What about an Apollo 11 Poster from 1969. What about Batman Action Figures in original packaging?

Many items we didn’t put out for sale as they needed to be photographed, inventoried, and offered to collectors, but the cookies jars they went out on the “Yard Sale”. What is your name for a sale to sell all your junk, or precious items?

Garage Sale: Midwest Slang
Garage Sale: Midwest Slang

Day 216/365: Trip To Connecticut

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My apologies for being away so long. In the past three weeks I have sent my youngest son off to Marine boot camp, and took a trip to Connecticut to empty and clean my Mothers house so it could be sold. A side trip to recover from such an endeavor was to Block Island, RI.

So be prepared for several postings per day until I catch up.

Estate, Tag Sale
Estate, Tag Sale

I had ten days to completely empty and catalog the belongings of my Mothers house, she passed in January, and it would not have been possible without a small army of wonderful friends who gave their time and friendship during my stay. Looking back on the pictures it was a huge undertaking, but we had a wonderful time, laughed and strengthened friendships that will last for a lifetime.

After the house was empty I rewarded myself with a four day trip to Block Island, Rhode Island for a “girls weekend”, a trip that was twenty years in the making. Here is a sneak preview.

Block Island Beach, Graces' Cove
Block Island Beach, Graces' Cove

Day 98/365: McDonalds Shamrock Shake

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Day 98: The Shamrock Shake Has Returned
Day 98: The Shamrock Shake Has Returned

This year my Connecticut friends on Facebook have been talking about the Shamrock Shake, I bet few knew it was invented in 1966, in a Connecticut McDonalds.  I didn’t. But it didn’t get it’s nationwide acclaim until 1975. I love milkshakes and the thicker the better, give me a different flavor and I’m right there. (Eggnog shakes at McDonalds are also one of my favorites)

The  Shamrock Shake bring back memories of childhood, when there wasn’t a McDonalds in every town and going to eat at the Golden Arches was a treat. Once a year, for a very short time, the traditional chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shake flavors would give way to minty green wonders that made your teeth hurt and give you a brain freeze if you drank it too fast.

There is quite the cult following on social media circles this year the humble shake has over 35 Fan Pages (I stopped counting) on  Facebook  and even it’s own website, Find the Shake, as people track it’s appearance at various franchises.  It appears that not every McDonalds carries this much loved shake and in 2010 there was the Great Shamrock Shake Crisis, as well as the great shake hunt.

The appearance has been enhanced over the years, and I’m sure to some traditionalists that is pure sacrilege. But, I really like the added Redi-Whip and the cherry on top.

What people will do to go back to their childhood. Since we’re going down memory lane, enjoy a video from the early 1980’s

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkQvhOtZzI]

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Significance of Red Doors in a Church

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I didn’t know of the significance of red doors on churches  until I read, Finally A Red Door, on another  Project 365 blog.  Although this door is of a Catholic church in Connecticut the symbolism of a red door in churches spans many denominations. It is definitely a more popular tradition in older churches.

Catholic Church in Connecticut

According to Dr. Richard C Hoefler, dean of Christ Chapel at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, “Christians have entered into worship, into the presence of God, through the blood of Christ.” It is also said that a red door in the Lutheran Church harkens back to the time of Martin Luther, who posted his 95 Theses on the red doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany—the crimson color symbolizes the church as part of the Reformation. (Pastor Kuhlman, can you confirm?)

On the website St. David’s Episcopal Church  in Laurinburg, NC it explains: “Red Front Doors. The red doors symbolize the blood of Christ, which is our entry into salvation. They also remind us of the blood of the martyrs, the seeds of the church.”

Historically a church has been a place of sanctuary, a place where a soldier could not pursue an enemy, much like when one takes refuge in  Christ the enemy, the devil and evil,  cannot pursue and destroy you. Thank you Bonnie for bringing this little known history to my attention.

By the way, this door is at St. Francis Assisi in South Windsor Connecticut.

I am now on a quest for other Red Doors around the country, here is one in Nebraska City at an Episcopal Church

Symbolism in Churches

If you are interested in learning more about symbolism in churches and the meaning of certain design elements in architecture of a various churches the books below are full of interesting information of Christian symbolism.

The Secret Language of Churches & Cathedrals: Decoding the Sacred Symbolism of Christianity’s Holy BuildingsHow to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and CathedralsSymbols of the Church


Day 48/365: Random Act of Kindness

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Day 48: Random Act of Kindness

Sometimes it’s a random act of kindness from a stranger touches you in a way that is indescribable and affirms the belief that yes, God is listening, someone cares, and here is a small message that you are being taken care of and loved. In this instance it was a simple validation ticket from a parking garage and a perceptive, compassionate gate attendant that gave this glimpse of grace.

At a little before midnight I gave the parking attendant at Hartford Hospital my ticket. He must of seen something in my face, shock, stunned incomprehension, numbness, or a vacant look because he asked what floor I had been visiting. I numbly responded “Neuro Intensive Care.”

What he did then I almost didn’t understand. He handed be back the ticket, told me to fold it up, forget about it, and be careful driving home. I looked at him and a shiver went through my body, my eyes welled up, and I said thank you. I took a deep breathe, probably the first of the evening and carefully pulled out of the garage.