The joy of Lucinda Williams

I believe I’ve seen Lucinda Williams live 3 times, with my second show being what I had thought would be the final time. That show was at The Egg and I remember feeling that she had definitely gone over and down the hill to a place to which I didn’t want to follow. But, there … Continue reading The joy of Lucinda Williams →

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 →

6/16/26

It stands to reason that someone I first met on an unforgettable day, (9/11/2001), should pass, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s, on a date as distinctive as 6/16/26. We met in the library. It was my first week working in a district where I would eventually spend three years as the high school librarian. … Continue reading 6/16/26 →

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 →

Georgia on my mind

Next up on my travel calendar is a quick visit to Savannah. While the south is generally off my list of places to visit, I had a airline voucher that I needed to use before it expired and honing in on a destination that was within a four of five hour flight, was a challenge. … Continue reading Georgia on my mind →

Dublin digs

Each time I visit Ireland, I revisit favorite haunts and discover new places that delight. I return time and time again to the Vintage Kitchen, Howth (with a meal at Octopussy), and The Cobblestone. Most importantly, I also spend time with my large and extended family. This trip was no exception. Some of the most … Continue reading Dublin digs →