I’m back home again after my repeat pet/housesit in Northampton to share some favorites from this year’s stay. I repeated a couple of spots from 2025, but made an effort to expand my horizons and tried some new things in addition to revisiting some places. There’s a lot to do in the Northampton area, so … Continue reading Pioneer Valley Peaks
Category: Music
Mermaid Parade ➡️ Mermaid Avenue
You know how summers sometimes get dubbed with a name, “hot girl summer” or “brat summer?” Well, as far as I’m concerned, Summer 2026 is Mermaid Summer. And I’m here for it. Last weekend’s adventures were Brooklyn-centric but, for my second Mermaid event in a week, the destination was northeast - North Adams, MA and … Continue reading Mermaid Parade ➡️ Mermaid Avenue
Humans in Savannah – a field report
As I’ve learned to do when I travel, I checked the entertainment listings for the dates I’d be in Savannah to see what I might catch. I didn’t really see much that was appealing, with one significant exception - Brandi Carlile would be performing for two nights of my three night stay. That was a … Continue reading Humans in Savannah – a field report
Hamnot
I should preface this with a confession: I am an English major who has never read any Shakespeare beyond some sonnets. I just don’t feel myself drawn to that type of language, although I have very much enjoyed productions of Shakespeare that I’ve seen. Especially when the setting has been modernized. So, when the film … Continue reading Hamnot
My (highly subjective) best of 2025 picks
Recent days have been filled with some of the worst moments of the year. Multiple acts of gun violence and extreme examples of deranged mental health and family tragedy have occupied the headlines, and my mind, along with the almost unbelievable responses to these situations by the emotional toddler who resides in what is left … Continue reading My (highly subjective) best of 2025 picks
6 things you should know
I’m here to refute every person who claims there’s nothing cool going on around here when the reality is there are actually more fun things to do than there are hours in the day. Here are a few that are on my radar right now: First Friday - at the Eleven. This Friday Tops of … Continue reading 6 things you should know
May Day musings
Yesterday was my middle son’s birthday. Delivering him was one of the greatest physical accomplishments of my life. Today is my mother’s 87th birthday. Being able to navigate to the place where the relationship she and I share resides, is one of my greatest emotional achievements. Once again this year, we have a pair of … Continue reading May Day musings






