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Friday, July 17, 2009 - Pittsfield MA

Stand Behind the Weed, Home Farm, Red Rock, East Chatham NY, July 8, 2009
Stand Behind the Weed, Home Farm, Red Rock, East Chatham NY, July 8, 2009

Two nights at Walmart

Spending two nights in a row at Walmart goes against my grain - I don't want to wear out my welcome here. I spent the day today working on some wiring in the rig here within walking distance of Home Depot where I could get parts as I needed them. By the time I was done on this muggy day I decided to just stay another night. After all, tomorrow is Saturday; the Farmer's Market will be on and I can do the laundry I meant to do today before heading back to Red Rock.

Night camp

Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pittsfield MA

Wal-Mart Store #2228, 555 Hubbard Ave./Suite 12, Pittsfield, MA 01201 - (413) 442-1971

Rice Toss

After the dinner our hosts conducted us to the beach. Among the presents was a large supply rice for the fleet. It was put up in straw sacks or bales containing about 125 pounds each. By the pile stood a company of athletes or gymnasts chosen from the peasantry for their strength and size and trained for the service and entertainment of the court. At a signal from their leader, who was himself a giant of muscle and fat, a sort of human Jumbo, they began transporting the rice to the boats. It was more frolic than work. Some of thembore a bale on each hand above their heads, some would carry two laid crosswise on the shoulders and head, while others performed dextrous feats of tossing, catching, balancing them, or turning somersaults with them. I saw one nimble Titan fasten his talons in a sack, throw it down on the sand still keeping his hold, turn a somersault over it, throw it over him as he revolved, and come down sitting on the beach with the sack in his lap. Beat that who can. If you imagine it "as easy as preaching," try it the next time in a gymnasium. But let me advise you, first make your will.

The Logbook of the Captains Clerk, John J. Sewell, Lakeside Press, 1995 pg 256

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