I'm finally getting around to posting my NYC Pride photos. It was pretty awesome having the Empire State building as a backdrop.

I received a phone call about 4:30 Friday afternoon with an invitation to a cottage on Otis lake for the weekend. By 10:00 pm, I'm driving in the dark down little curvy roads in the woods being guided by cell phone. This is what I woke up to the next morning.

It was a pretty awesome time hanging out, getting out the high temps in Providence, relaxing and spending happy hours zooming around the lake on a motorboat.

Beach 1



Beach 2


Some of what I've been working on in the studio. Both oil on canvas, 16"x12"

D and I headed over to the overcrowded India Point Park last night after we returned from the beach to check out the concert and then the fireworks. It was a sultry evening with beautiful skies, a deep red full moon rising, a symphony, an abundance of glowsticks, many boats on the water and then, fireworks. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Yesterday was a beach day. My roommates and I packed up the car and headed to Goosewing Beach yesterday, next to South Shore Beach in Little Compton, about 45 minutes away. I had discovered this beach online a few months before moving to Providence and was looking forward to checking it out. Thus far, it's in my top 5 beaches. It's not packed because it doesn't have accessories such as a concession stand or bathrooms...only a couple outhouses.  It's a gorgeous beach.

The rainy morning didn't dampen our spirits. We were still headed for the beach. I remained optimistic and packed sunscreen and my bathing suit. The pragmatic Capricorn side of me grabbed my raincoat.

The rain stopped as we got in the car and within an hour we were at the beach with a beautiful blue sky. The ocean was warm, compared to the Maine shore, and I spent most of the day happily swimming, laughing and bouncing around in the salt water. I am so an ocean baby and wicked glad to be back.

Diane celebrating her first Independence Day



On our way home from the beach yesterday we stopped at Evelyn's Drive In where their little car is powered by clam cakes. (see the bottom of the website).   My french roommate from Lyon wanted an American lobster roll and we figured the 4th of July after beach time would be perfect.

It's a lovely little place with a/c dining room and a patio with tables and umbrellas out back up to the water.  There's a dock where boats can pull up to eat.    And they have a take out window and many picnic tables under a large roof near the water.  

We had a lobster roll (the smaller one)   They come in small and large.   Massive hunks of lobster meat in a grilled hot dog bun, not dressed with mayo or anything.   They offer choice of mayo or warm butter on the side. It was pure and simple bliss.

Lobster is quickly becoming one of my four food groups. I think I'm simply making up for lost time.


photo taken by Diane Micard

Happy Fourth of July - from Goosewing Beach in Little Compton, RI.

she sells sea shells by the sea shore


I took the photo while at Aquinnah. It makes me smile. Tomorrow I'm planning a beach day with my two roommates. I want to explore Goosewing Beach. It's managed by the Nature Conservancy and is one of the most unspoiled areas in RI.

While I have this blessed gift of time, in addition to job hunting and my return to the studio, I'm trying to grab as much seashore time as I can.

Goosewing Beach photos and more info here.

A sea captain had three loves: sailing, good food and the vineyard. One day in 1969, Captain Douglas became fed up with the stale store bought donut. At the time, there weren't any good year round restaurants. So he sat and sketched his dream of a restaurant on a paper napkin. His sketch took life and he opened the Tavern in 1971.

Like many, I've always had a thing for The Black Dog. Essentially, we almost grew up together. We first arrived at the Vineyard somewhere around 1975 or '76. By the time we first stepped foot on the island, the Black Dog had expanded to a little bakery next to the ferry.

On this trip I researched The Black Dog. I found this beautiful piece on the legacy of The Black Dog. In reading, I saw where my attraction came from. Captain Douglas dared to follow his passion and create his dream. And, as impossible as it feels at time, it is something I continue to strive to do.

The true story of a man and a dog.

The Legacy

"For many men, there is something especially alluring about a sailboat and the sea. It is the bond between a man, a boat and nature - a dream of stepping back to a simpler time.

Robert Douglas had that dream.

At an early age he had escaped the hustle and bustle of his hometown Chicago by summering on the Vineyard. From the cockpit of his fifteen-foot sailboat, he would watch the MV Islander and MV Nobska ferry visitors back to Woods Hole and New Bedford.

It was on such a visit that Robert Douglas made three promises to himself. One day he would build a ship. One day he would get a dog to sail by his side and to warm his feet in the winter. And one day he would call the Vineyard home.

In 1958, now a young Air Force Captain, Robert Douglas flew his last mission and then walked away from the twentieth century and toward his dream.

His vessel would be modeled after the schooner Joe Lane, a revenue cutter (in the 1800s revenue cutters patrolled the US coastline, enforcing import tariffs) built in 1850. Wherever possible, Captain Douglas would incorporate materials and techniques used in the 19th century. This proved to be quite a challenge. Cotton canvas, manila rope, and marlin along with oak frames and hanging knees, white pine decks, double sawn frames, and masts of Douglas fir, all had to be carefully woven together. In February 1964, after two years of careful construction, Douglas' one hundred and fifty-one foot topsail schooner, complete with coal stove, kerosene lamps and hand pumps for water, slipped into the icy waters of South Bristol, Maine. Captain Robert Douglas was at the helm. His boat, christened the Shenandoah, sailed a course for Martha's Vineyard.

A black Lab-Boxer mix would come aboard in 1967. Named The Black Dog after the character in Robert Lewis Stevenson’s "Treasure Island," for sixteen years man, the boat and the dog would be nearly inseparable.

For Captain Douglas, life was good. He purchased an old seaside inn that sat on the beach in Vineyard Haven. From the downstairs library window he could see Shenandoah, swinging on her mooring in the harbor. Sailors from all parts of the globe would walk down the beach, their sea bags tossed over their shoulders, headed for the Captain's house. The Black Dog would greet them at the door. The Captain and the sailors would sit around the fire and drink coffee, and sometimes rum. They compared ships and captains and talked of cargo and foreign ports.

While summer brought many people to the Vineyard, few remained year-round. In fact, the island had not one year-round restaurant. One cold day in 1969, over a bitter cup of coffee and a dry, packaged, store-bought donut, the Captain decided enough was enough. His dream would now include a place where Vineyarders and visitors could enjoy a good cup of chowder and great conversation year-round. That dream began as a sketch on a napkin.

One New Years' Day 1971, the doors to the Black Dog Tavern opened. Everyone said the chowder was just right, and there wasn't an empty seat in the house. In the corner by the fireplace, the Captain and his dog watched with satisfaction. The food was great, and the fire warmed the room with a glow that only a fireplace can impart.

The legacy had begun."

On Saturday, my final day on the island, I spent the afternoon heading to the other side. Checked out a bunch of galleries on the way and picked up business cards for potential connections and then continued on to Aquinnah, where the Gayhead lighthouse and white cliffs are found. From there I looped back because I needed to check out one of my favorite beaches, South Beach.

I love this landscape. It is extreme and serene at the same time.









Walking up the dunes from the road to South Beach. It too is unspoiled, protected area. Windier. Massive waves which look deceptive until you head into them. Strong currents. And nothing but water, beach, dunes and those who love it. There are some trails where, with a permit, you can off road to a more remote area. It's all pretty sweet.

The Flying Horses carousel in Oak Bluffs. Built in 1876 and first operated in Coney Island, it was moved to Martha's Vineyard in 1884 in a red barn where it still provides joy for many. The U.S. Dept of the Interior designated it a national landmark. In 1986 the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust acquired it to prevent it from being dismantled and have the horses sold to antique carved horse collectors. While riding you can still attempt to grab rings with the hope of catching brass ring.

Both were moored in the little harbor near where I was staying in Vineyard Haven. My sister researched the yacht while I looked for information on the schooner.

A tale of two boats - Vango the yacht and the Shenandoah schooner.

Info on the yacht can be found at this link. It was built in Port Angeles WA and named Vango because the owner commissioned faux Van Gogh paintings for the interior. I read that and was immediately squicked big time. The only thing that intrigued me was the little helicopter.

I immediately fell in love with the schooner not only because it was a sailboat...but a tall ship no less and flying the Black Dog. How could I not research it? According to the site it is a 108' sq. topsail schooner with no auxiliary power. Her hull form & rig, anchors and all materials adhere closely to mid 19th cent. practices. More information found at theblackdogtallships.com.

I've been busy immersing myself in the Island for the last final days and so haven't had time to post. But now that I'm back and am going thru bunches of photos, here is one of my lobster rolls. Photo requested by a friend.

Yesterday evening in Menemsha...for lobster, camaraderie and the sunset.

More blue~

An ode to blue...

Yesterday was spent at the beach. It was a perfect day. High 70's, no humidity, loving family and an amazing display of clouds. We were enthralled with the squalls we could see on the horizon. Lightning from afar.

Some of my peeps. We were sitting at the dock enjoying Donovan's cocktails while watching a gorgeous evening sky.

I managed to get on a 6:30 boat which meant getting to the island early. Score! I was the second to the last to squeeze on the ferry. Actually, a freighter. We had to back our cars onto the boat.

As we were pulling into the harbor at Oak Bluffs the sun broke through. It was the perfect way to approach the island.

Have 7:45 ferry reservations but was so tired I didn't dare wait too long before hitting the road. So I left about 3...and have been in Woods Hole for over an hour. Sitting in the waiting line with a good possibility of catching an earlier boat. I love that the Steamship Authority has free wifi in its parking lot.

Got in very late last night. NYC was pretty wonderful. Photo of the old piers in Chelsea. And now..packing to head out to Martha's Vineyard until Saturday evening. Have reservations on the 7:45 ferry but hope to grab an earlier one. I will bring my laptop but may have sporadic access. But there is a kingsize bed with my name on it and right now, I'm so tired I could sleep for days. It will be pretty awesome waking up in Vineyard Haven after almost two decades of not spending time there. Bringing a couple books to read and books to draw in. Many NYC photos to edit and post and some point this week.

Happy Pride weekend everyone! I'm hopping a bus to NYC in a couple hours and will be there for Sunday's festivities. I'm doing it old school: my backpack, my dumbphone, and no computer. So I'll be off the grid.

I also had a really strong 2nd and 3rd interview this morning at one of the colleges. Back to back. I should hear something in a couple weeks.

And when I got out of the meetings, I received a phone call and apparently there is a bed waiting for me in Martha's Vineyard for next week. So I return from NYC late Sunday and off to MV on Monday or Tuesday. Woohoo! First NYC, art and Pride and then a ferry boat, water and more boats.

Life is definitely interesting.

Oh dear, these last two days have been brutally hot. Well, hot for me. I don't do well above 80 - 85. And we've been running in the high 90's. This was the one thing I was dreading with my east coast move. There isn't any a/c in our apt but we are blessed to have a massive tree up against the east side. So, although quite warm, it's much cooler than outdoors.

But it still leaves me slow and sluggish. My head turns into mush and I can't do much of anything.

Today, I finally purchased a bathing suit. I haven't had one since my first year in Seattle. Not that it wasn't warm enough to go swimming, but I just didn't feel like it. This heat is definitely play in the ocean weather.

Sunday morning I had a Skype appointment with my therapist. It was our first contact (other than a few emails) since I left Seattle. The venue was odd, but not too. It was good to touch base and just pour out all that's happened in the last couple months. We'll do another in a few weeks or so.

My job ended on Friday afternoon. I found out just before leaving the office for the weekend. The company was sold about 3 weeks ago and the new owners decided to restructure.

I left the office shell-shocked. It was very unexpected but I understand their reasoning.

I do have a second interview at one of the local colleges on Friday. It would be a position in the Bursar's office. I met with the Bursar and the assistant Bursar in my first interview. Friday, I meet for an hour with the head of HR and then the following hour with the assistant head of HR. I guess it means I'm definitely in the running.

And I applied for three more positions this morning before heading into the studio.

Painting is going fine.

For the last month, my studio has been leaking during rainstorms. It's the section with my bookcase, the carpet and the comfy chairs. I finally moved everything and laid plastic down along with buckets a few weeks ago. I printed some photos I took of the back end of my space covered in plastic and handed it to the landlord Friday morning saying "I can no longer justify paying full rent if I don't have full use of the space."

Seriously. I didn't sign up for a water feature.

Today while painting I heard lots of banging over head. Methinks they are working on the roof.

The weather has been perfect. Looking out the window a little while ago I saw the most beautiful sky. After dinner I sat on my stoop with a glass of sangria and watched the world go by.

Strangers are really friendly here.

Friday I'm headed to NYC with my roommate D. for the weekend. She is going to hook up with friends and I've been given the keys to a friend's space on the lower east side so I'll have my own little nest. We'll reconnect on Sunday for Pride and then hop the bus later in the day.

I'm looking forward to a trip into the city to check out some art.

In the last month, I've been dropping the weight I put on in the last year that I couldn't seem to take off. It was a severely stressful year. I feel better in my body.

Here is my lobster photo because I've been hankering for its sweet flesh.