Elbert and Bernice live just above Cindy’s house in Holyoke. Their dwelling, which they designed themselves, is one-of-a-kind; an octagon with a round ceiling and lots of odd-shaped windows. We joined them in this house for dinner last night. The couple embody the idea that keeping your mind busy keeps […]
After reading about George Bush’s voracious reading habit, I felt like I had to increase the amount of pages I consume yearly. So I picked up a book I’ve been reading for too long called American Nomads, where the author loosley follows the trail of the conquistador Cabeza de Vaca, […]
We had big news in a teeny tiny package last night, as Valerie Sofia Cosme came into the world. What a little joy she is! My second grandchild emerged healthy and happy at just under eight pounds at Franklin Medical, where Kate works…the ultimate busman’s holiday, on December 26. We […]
Up very early today, delivering Sam to the Northampton bus station so he can make it back to work today. This is a big day in our household: Kate is having her daughter today at Franklin Medical. I’ll spend the day with Nathan, a daunting task to an old guy […]
It’s time for the post Christmas layabout. Time to look at the gadgets and toys and to charge the new devices and digest from the big breakfast by the daytime fire. Outside there is still snow and it’s cold, nice to have a white Christmas once in a while. I […]
It’s a rainy, horrible day, ironically, one in which many people will be traveling up and down the roads and over the snowy railroads to get together with family and friends. I remember before I was a grandfather, I used to make similar treks down to New Jersey. Now though, […]
I’m irritated today as I sit at my desk. Ugh…things going wrong and I am being annoyed by many things that grate at me. Let me recite a few of them. There was a fire in the apartment above the cafe this morning. Old wires connected to about six extension […]
We’ve solved the riddle of who violated Cindy’s house by breaking in and stealing my TV, her jewelry, laptop and camera. The sad thing is, he’s a guy who I hired to renovate my bathroom on Mountain Road! He has been to Cindy’s house before so he knew the layout […]
The snow is piling up outside the cafe window, there is a mountain right in front of the tiny town common with the fountain that never turns off. The snow has kicked up again, it’s now blowing big flakes. Having a four-wheel drive truck is a minor thrill in this […]
I love it when cops come into the cafe. I love having them as our regular customers, and getting to know the men behind the badge. I wish the chief would come in for coffe…I’ve been tempted to give him gift certificates to come, but then thought better of it. […]
Johnny Jet cracks me up. This is a snip of a recent report of a trip to the South Pacific on Frommers.com Black Pearl Farm When we stopped at our guide’s small, company-owned pearl farm and he took a leak in front of the truck on the side of the […]
The play was a hilarious send up of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. There were four actors here, four who handled at least 20 parts. One continuous site gag was a guy shaking hands with himself, flipping between sides, one with a tan coat then one with a black coat. […]