We may have the Yankees, but Massachusetts has Tanglewood

It’s been a few years since I found myself on the lawn at Lennox’s beautiful Tanglewood, a reality that I state with great regret. My visit there Labor Day weekend was a tremendous reminder of how superior Tanglewood is to any other large outdoor venue within an hour’s drive of Albany. Yeah, I said it. … Continue reading We may have the Yankees, but Massachusetts has Tanglewood

Pioneer Valley Peaks

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

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

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