January 1st, 2025 | Architecture and Design, Boston, Changes, General, Holidays, Popular Culture
First Night in Boston is a venerable event. Forty years ago, I was never motivated to brave the cold—it was always very cold. The temperatures, however, were mild this year and the ice sculptures—one of the most popular traditions—weren’t going to keep their...
December 27th, 2024 | Architecture and Design, Boston, Changes, Family, Friends, General, Holidays, Massachusetts, Pets
A new home, a new address, a new life. New Roommate Ping. She arrived at the Costco parking lot in Newington CT from Texas, late at night on August 23. The cheek swab says she is 67.3% Shih Tzu, 19.5% Lhasa Apso, and 13.2% small Poodle. A “shapsoodle.” I named her for...
November 30th, 2023 | Family, General, Holidays, Loss, Time Passes
The most difficult change has occurred, as I have pondered for the last six months in this blog. Dan’s struggle with kidney failure and other chronic illnesses came to an end on June 6. It wasn’t something unexpected. I had a sense of being ready. I don’t think,...
November 27th, 2023 | Cooking, Kitchen and Table, Family, General, Holidays
One waits and knows they’re coming. The holidays. Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Hew to the old rituals or devise new ones? Or maybe just ignore the events altogether? Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is an excuse to eat good food and too much of it. Once upon a time, it...
December 15th, 2022 | Family, Friends, Genealogy, General, Holidays
Best news first. my Dear One’s grandson Miles proposed to Holly, apparently in a New York City photo booth, and she said yes! While last year’s missive announced the nuptials of my nephew Dan (a brother’s middle son) and Lish out in Minnesota, this year I am...
November 15th, 2022 | Cooking, Kitchen and Table, General, Holidays, Popular Culture
I noticed the post on Facebook suggesting that you remove the bottom of the pumpkin and not the top. While I didn’t pay attention to the details, I grasped that the seeds and guts would be easier to clean and that the candle or other illumination would be more firmly...