Getting a do-over
At some point after our stunning Chicago architectural river tour, LBC and I were marveling at the sheer number of gorgeous buildings that lined the river and well-planned grid of streets and squares.
We learned that after the Chicago fire, the world’s best architects flocked to the windy city to rebuild it, literally from the ashes. "Basically," LBC remarked, "they got a do-over."
By chance, I checked the Boston Public Library's flickr stream today, and they have just uploaded a set from the Great Fire of 1872, which similarly devastated blocks of city buildings.
Essentially, Boston got a "do-over" as well, but apparently we decided to just rebuild the chaos on cow paths, as it was before.
We learned that after the Chicago fire, the world’s best architects flocked to the windy city to rebuild it, literally from the ashes. "Basically," LBC remarked, "they got a do-over."
By chance, I checked the Boston Public Library's flickr stream today, and they have just uploaded a set from the Great Fire of 1872, which similarly devastated blocks of city buildings.
Essentially, Boston got a "do-over" as well, but apparently we decided to just rebuild the chaos on cow paths, as it was before.
farmer's market surprise
Oh baby watermelon, at $0.80 / lb, you fit the limitations of both my purse and my shopping bag. Little did I know that underneath your perfect, zebra-striped skin, you were hiding yellow flesh speckled with the familiar dark seeds. This farmer's market find has me Loving Local all over again.
Beware the sidewalk grates.
Prior to our family's move from Pennsylvania to Florida when I was five, we would occasionally drive to New York City to visit our relatives. I categorized these trips as long journeys (compared to the drive to our grandmother?s in Baltimore). Upon arrival, I noted none of the sights of the big city, but I did pay careful attention to the endless landscape of sidewalk grates and plates, which I carefully sidestepped.
When you're just over three feet tall and closer to subterranean terror than tabletops, this is your perilous universe. Toddlers in Harvard Square, you have your work cut out for you.
When you're just over three feet tall and closer to subterranean terror than tabletops, this is your perilous universe. Toddlers in Harvard Square, you have your work cut out for you.
Welcome back, Sacco's
Bowling + pizza + beer = Friday night haven; heaven.
Goodbye, vacation
The smell of diesel / sea air and the sight of the New London harbor certainly are sweeter going rather than coming back.
Impressions from Chicago
Kind of like New York, except the people are nice.
The question isn't what *are* we going to do today...
Coupe du monde finale
Bastille Day celebration. The crowd favors Spain.
Candy freaks, rejoice!
In Candy Freak, Steve Almond's homage to those of us with a somewhat unhealthy obsession with certain types of candy, the author referenced the Kit Kat Dark, which briefly graced the shelves of America before disappearing into the ether.
For years, I scanned the candy aisle in vain, searching for this dark unicorn, discovering lesser gems like dark M&Ms, Raisinettes, and Reeses cups along the way.
Last night, I did Almond proud, emitting what he would call a freak-like squeak when I stumbled across the fabled KKD in my local Walgreens. I thought about buying the whole box, but stuck to the 3/$2 special. Knowing that a scoop of Christina's Taza 80% dark lay in my future, this freak maintained some decorum.
For years, I scanned the candy aisle in vain, searching for this dark unicorn, discovering lesser gems like dark M&Ms, Raisinettes, and Reeses cups along the way.
Last night, I did Almond proud, emitting what he would call a freak-like squeak when I stumbled across the fabled KKD in my local Walgreens. I thought about buying the whole box, but stuck to the 3/$2 special. Knowing that a scoop of Christina's Taza 80% dark lay in my future, this freak maintained some decorum.
July 4 dispatch 4
Cue the ice cream, glow necklaces, and "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
