Wow, it’s already August 1st.
We have been fortunate this year. There have been few days over 90 degrees and none of those brutal heat waves of 100 degree temperatures like we had last year.
Still, I can’t wait for fall.
Wow, it’s already August 1st.
We have been fortunate this year. There have been few days over 90 degrees and none of those brutal heat waves of 100 degree temperatures like we had last year.
Still, I can’t wait for fall.
Today is a beautiful day. In fact, today is supposed to be the best day this weekend. Do all of us who are stuck inside working a favor:
Take your dog for a walk. Find a bench and read Game of Thrones in the sunshine. Go to your local park with some friends and practice your light saber dueling. I know we’re in the grip of Marathon frenzy right now so maybe don’t take a backpack anywhere, but go out and do something. Get some of that Vitamin D that we New Englanders lack.
And for the love of all that is good and holy, don’t hole yourself up in a library, museum, mall, or other indoor windowless place. Those of us who are stuck working inside one of these places thank you in advance.
~Kelly
I just received this today. Please crosspost or forward to interested parties. Contact info is below.
~Kelly

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Southborough, MA is in immediate need of an interim Organist. This person will be responsible for playing in the 10:45am Sunday service and for working with the choir. This is an interim position that will serve until a new permanent Organist & Choirmaster is appointed.
For more information on St. Mark’s and this position please contact Rev. Phil LaBelle.
A lot of people hate winter, especially after so many days and nights of snow and cold temperatures. People complain bitterly about it and pray for spring to get here faster.
I am not one of them. I like winter, and I believe in addition to the bad it has much good. Just like any other season. But here in New England it is a very distinct season, and not watered down at all. You get beautiful winter scenes like no other.
That’s one of the things I love most about New England: it has seasons. Four very different, very distinct seasons.
One of my favorite things about New England is the seasons. I love the seasons here, and how we actually have four distinct ones. The ground is now covered with leaves and the trees are mostly bare. We woke up this morning to snow coming down, although not very hard. More like heavy flurries, if that makes sense. It wasn’t really sticking either except for a few elevated surfaces. But it was still kind of cool to see. Just a sneak preview of the winter that is coming. At least for us it won’t last for years, like the poor folk in Westeros. The temperature today is not supposed to get much above freezing. Now, at 1 PM, it is still only 33 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s the sort of day to make you glad to be indoors, enjoying a good cup of coffee.
It is also the second anniversary of our wedding, and my brother Greg’s birthday as well. So happy anniversary, Kelly my love, and happy birthday big brother!
-Geoff
And don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
Seriously, I have been wanting summer to go away for some time now, and not just because fall is my favorite season. Largely because I am tired of being hot all the time. Sure, we have some window AC units at home, but it is still not as cool in the house as I would like. And my major place of employment is an 18th century building with no AC.
But I always try to find silver linings.
Geoff and I have wanted to go panning for gold or gem hunting for a long time. I have had the bug for a particularly long time since I’ve been reading about gems and minerals since I was a wee geek. As yesterday we both had a rare Saturday off at the same time, Geoff planned a day in NH where we could go gold prospecting. Yep, there’s gold in those granite hills.
My Uncle Paul and Aunt Pauline had their 50th Anniversary party this past weekend at the same place where they were married all those years ago. The name of the venue has changed, but the place is still there: OceanCliff.
It was the first time that I had been to Newport since high school, I think. And Kelly had not been there herself in at least a dozen years. So we both managed to get the day off in advance so we could go.
Tomorrow, June 10th, is Portugal Day. It is a big holiday in Portugal in honor of Luis de Camoes, the writer of Portugal’s national epic poem, Os Lusiadas (The Lusiads). Since there is such a big Portuguese population here in southern New England, it is a big deal in these communities. And since my father is Portuguese, I try to remember these important days.
I saw this while leaving work today.

So maybe tomorrow, in honor of the holiday, I will enjoy some good home-cooked Portuguese food, and maybe some wine.
-Geoff
If you haven’t had a good cry lately, here it is. I’m proud that this story happened in my home state and that the individuals involved did what they did out of love and compassion for both the animal and the officer involved.
Rest in Peace, Kaiser.
~Kelly