Massachusetts is another place that feels like home to me. I know it was the history and the architecture that captivated me when my family visited New England when I was a kid. Then when I went to UMass, I fell in love with all the quirks of the regional culture. I had to be taught a new vocabulary, like the liquor store is the packy, the sub sandwiches are grinders, the water fountains are bubblers. And I had to be taught the correct mis-pronunciation of words like Worcester (“Woostah”). I get sentimental at the sight of a Dunkin Donuts or a Cumberland Farms. I like the clever permutations of the sports fandom, most especially for the Red Sox (which my Dad cheered for all my life, though we lived in the Carolinas). Maple this, apple that, cranberry something else… Okay, I’ll stop now.
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- Red Sox fandom everywhere
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- Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Boston
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- With my smart, thoughtful and effen hilarious friend John at the fancy UMass Club in downtown Boston.
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- Boston Public Garden
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- Boston Public Garden
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- The iconic Make Way for Ducklings statue in Boston Public Garden. If you want to lose yourself for a few minutes on the internet, search “Make Way for Ducklings statue dressed up.”
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- Boston Common
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- Massachusetts State House, Boston
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- In front of Faneuil Hall, Boston
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- Faneuil Hall, Boston
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- Quincey Market, Boston
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- Red Sox fandom everywhere
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- Old South Meeting House, Boston
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- It was SO GOOD to catch up with my college roommate Alex after all these years, and meet her very cool daughter, Marley! Alexandra Oliver-Davila is also the long-time Director of Sociedad Latina in Boston, and they are doing great work. I am always seeking those who are envisioning and creating better alternatives to challenges. I am really in awe of how holistically Sociedad Latina is engaging and empowering young people and their families. I have so much respect for Alex and everything she has become.
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- Red Sox fandom everywhere
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- Reunion with my UMass girlz Stephanie, Laura and Sara!
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- My friend Sean and I successfully conducted electrical troubleshooting on my rig! Solar panels, batteries, inverter, generator – all of it. Me! Electrical systems! And we figured it out! Will wonders never cease??
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- Seeing this statue in person was like seeing someone famous! Minute Man National Historical Park
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- Stone fences without mortar are magnificent works of art. Minute Man National Historical Park
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- Walden Pond State Reservation
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- What a kick in the pants! I went with Laura twice.
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- My alma mater, UMass Amherst. I was fascinated that they are spending billions in major capital building, but the path next to the campus pond is STILL UNPAVED. I love them for so many reasons, but… shake my head and laugh on this one. What a muddy mess.
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- I ❤️ NoHo
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- A sweet, quiet day of talking and walking with my Uncle Richard and cousin Rob in Marblehead
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- From the Old Scituate Lighthouse
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- My buddies Dave and Jacob spinning Hanukkah dreidels.
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- Sunset light over North River Driftway, Scituate
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- Red Sox fandom everywhere
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- Massachusetts Audubon South Shore Sanctuaries, Marshfield
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- Ari had U2 posters on his dorm room wall when I met him at UMass in the mid ‘80s. He’s a grown-ass man now; his U2 posters are framed. ? Foxborough
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- Okay, so this is Patriots fandom. I love this photo so much. Gary, you are the icing on the cake!
