Ourhouse, a cottage sur le mer
Here are a number of photos of our home and gardens in Manasquan. We have lived here for almost 20 years and as you can see the borders are in need of taming. The Rosa Rugosa beds near the road have turned into a thicket, filing in now with primrose and Montauk daisies. Occasional photos on the site as the seasons pile on.
A view of our front yard. The screened porch was added in 1990.
A view from our porch. Stockton Lake in visible in the distance. To the right and over the dunes is the Atlantic.
Our herb and salad green raised beds. The edges are 1″ slate, set in trenches.
Our rather large cat, Muriel, several years ago. She’s now gone on to her reward. Named after L. Francis Herreshoff’s special friend. The foliage to the left belongs to frost bit Hostas.
This is taken on our very own salt marsh. The wood on the bottom is a bench on which we sit and count our blessings.
Early Summer this year.
Poppies and Iris. The white flowers are Beach Roses.
Our back patio last winter. In the foreground is a Henry Lauders Walking Stick; or contourted hazlenut.
This is a view through the bow window in our library/dining room. A great place to watch snow fall.
Here are my sons, Jeffrey and David, sailing on Claire last summer.
[...] Ourhouse [...]
Great pictures! My friend Joe sent me the link to this website…Joe sails an O’Day 22…I used to sail a McGregor 19…miss it dearly!
They Look Like characters from the movie Life Aquatic….
Great stuff, I’m a big fan of clinkers. Your cat named Muriel . . and large. We visited Muriel at the castle in 1981 when we were out that way. L. Francis was gone of course, but all the cats were still around as well as all of his trinkets, carvings, and other little projects. One highlight of the trip were the three large blueprint cabinets that held the most amazing collection of designs – some never constructed. We spent hours just looking and looking. We recognized molds for big Ti’s cleats, chocks and dolphins. Big loud Muriel – I hope your cat lives up to her name . . took us over to the Barnacle for chowder and beer one afternoon, which of course had it’s own entertainment value. We later stayed at the Rockaway House that was spposed to be closed for removations, but after a few hours enjoying the company of locals in the basement bar, we were invited to stay on the top floor gratis – had the whole floor to ourselves!. Of course we had to drive over to Mistic a few days later, to see the just-restored Charles W. Morgan on the hard – awesome. We were fortunate to have had the time there, great charcters all, and what great memories. Give Muriel a scratch for me will you? And tell her I still laugh about the ‘real’ reason for a cutaway keel according to L. Francis.
PS RE: “Special friend” . . . and she never did finish the model.
)
Phil
Phil G,
What a nice Comment. I’ll add your L. Francis story to my collection. I’ve met a few peolpe that knew him. One of my WoodenBoat Forum friends lived next store to the Pharmacy where Muriel worked. Speaking of Muriel, she passed away last year leaving us without a cat for the first time in a while. She was predeceased by her mother, L. Francies and her siblings Bolger and Sidney. See a pattern here?
Thanks again,
Russ
Russ: Do/Did you know Dean Vervoort? I remember him living on the corner where Stockton Lake Rd? bends, then goes toward Main Street. He was a football coach of mine at Wall High in the mid-seventies and also our favorite bartender at the Ship Wheel. Good guy
Hi Dave,
I did know Dean. We’d run into each other gardening and such. Nice guy. They moved away about ten years ago. To the Carolinas?
Russ
Russ & Julia,
Thanks for the tour of Stockton Lake and sharing the nice red. Debbie is in for the next visit. She will have a ball touring the gardens and sharing gardening tips with the grounds keeper.
Between the gardens, steady flow of vintage red and white and easy jazz on the Bose I see why your chi is well in line.
Very best wishes with Stockton Lake Associates LLc.
Peace for now.
Scott & Debbie