The Daily Prep

Monday, February 20, 2012

Essex, Connecticut and KJP

We took a day trip to Essex, Connecticut today to see some spring KJP.

A Very Good Box

Kiel and Sarah took a break from their dying yarn, sewing, and shipping marathon.

I was able to see the new Triton Knot and the Turk's Head Sailing Bracelets.

While he arrived wearing his one-of-a-kind bracelet, he did not leave with it.

The Very Popular Triton Knot Bracelets with the Anchor Fastener

Caskata Beach Nantucket

Cape Knot Hitch

Cape Spencer Approaches

Turk's Head Sailor Bracelets

Tarpauilin Sail Line

Tristram Calm Waters

We started off to lunch...

...but took a quick detour into J. Alden Clothiers...

J. Alden and The Black Seal belong on CR's List!

...a lovely clothing store for men and women.

Essex is Cecil's town and nothing happens without him knowing it. He stopped in to say hello.

With Leather Man/Eliza B./Austin Jeffers' Legendary Owner Cecil Lyon

The J.Alden Store Lab, Winston (with Cecil's Brit Bag)

James D'Alessio, the Charming J. Alden Owner

The Black Seal was packed so we then headed over to The Gris.

The Historic Griswold Inn

After lunch, Kiel spent some time with a few of his fans, all of whom were wearing his bracelets.

I don't know all the details, but Kiel gave them the bracelet off of his wrist.

And he posed for some pictures.

After a great afternoon, we bid farewell to Sarah and Kiel.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Has the blog changed me? Not really.

People have asked me recently if the blog has changed much about me. Sadly no. Exhibit A, this 2001 kind note to me:

My motto should be: "Muffy Aldrich - Giving unsolicited advice to L.L. Bean for over 10 years." (Okay, maybe more like 20 or 30 years...)

Note: I removed Mr. Carleton's email and phone number before posting this card for his privacy.

Real New Englanders...

“Real New Englanders, as we all know, do not wear showy new clothes.”

- Judson Hale, Inside New England

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Your Comments on Companies of Note in 2012

Last year I posted this chart, on this entry.

It suggests that companies follow a journey, from the entrepreneurial crucible stage (on the left) to the all-but-dead company shell (on the right). It further plots where many companies are on this journey today.

Typically, purists shop from the vendors in the Crucible and Precious categories, for example. In contrast, as companies move into New Markets, they typically shed their demanding traditional customers for greater numbers of more capricious consumers.

I have received emails asking:

If I was going to update this chart for 2012, and also
If I would allow a time for comment before a final chart was posted.

So yes, I will update this chart (it has been a busy year and vendors have changed), and yes, if you want to comment on companies, please do. Please share if you believe:

A new company should be added to the chart, and where would you put it.
A company on the chart has moved to the left or right in the last 12 months. Let me know which company, to where, and even any thoughts of specific signs.

Feel free to use these numbers for placement, or just use the more colloquial"a little more the right".

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Birding

I have a thing for birds. It is difficult to fully explain how completely ingrained they have been in my life and my experiences in New England. This includes treks to Cape Ann, Massachusetts to see the snowy owls; to visiting puffins on Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock, Maine, to counting loon chicks on Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Countless weekends in my childhood were spent birding. Even holidays have been defined by such activities as rising before dawn to partake in the annual Christmas Birds Count, and every New Years Eve calling barred owls and screech owls in the woods at midnight with one of the world's greatest ornithologists.

I love watching birds, from the visitors at the feeders in our yard...

...to those circling overhead in search of a meal.

Even the most common birds are beautiful.

As with the ocean, a scene with birds is always changing.

1. Hawk dives into our pachysandra...

2. Hawk flies off...

3. ...with a snake for its young.

And sometimes they even look a bit ominous.

A hawk eyes our chicks.

Birding takes one to some beautiful places.

One can see Ospreys and their nests from the roads, but I prefer being in their world (even on cold days), such as this inlet in Wiscasset.

Missing the Loons on Winnipesaukee, NH