Category Archives: Boston

The Storm That set the Record- You be the Judge

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❄️ When They Say the 2026 Storm Beat the Blizzard of ’78… I Have Thoughts

2026

Every time a big storm hits New England, the weather folks rush to compare it to the Blizzard of ’78. And this week, after the February 23, 2026 storm dumped heavy, wet snow across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the headlines started again: “Bigger than ’78!”

Well, I was here for both. And I disagree.

Yes, this storm was a beast. Yes, it broke some snowfall records. But the Blizzard of ’78 wasn’t just a storm — it was a shutdown of daily life on a scale we haven’t seen since. And I’ve got the personal scars (and canceled vacation plans) to prove it.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane — snow boots optional.

🌨️ Snowfall: 2026 Wins in Spots, But ’78 Was No Slouch

2026

The 2026 storm dumped impressive totals, especially in Rhode Island. Some towns saw nearly 38 inches. But in Massachusetts, totals were all over the place — heavy, yes, but not historic everywhere.

’78, on the other hand, buried the region. Boston got over 27 inches, Providence nearly 29, and some areas topped 3 feet. It wasn’t just the amount — it was the way it fell: fast, relentless, and with hurricane‑force winds whipping it into drifts taller than cars.

💨 Wind & Duration: ’78 Was a Monster

The Blizzard of ’78 wasn’t just snow. It was a nor’easter that parked itself over New England and refused to leave. Winds hit 83 mph in Boston and stayed strong for hours. Coastal towns were hammered by storm surge for four high‑tide cycles.

Blizzard of 78

The 2026 storm had some impressive gusts — especially on the Cape — but it didn’t have the same destructive, drawn‑out punch.

Blizzard of 78

🌊 Coastal Flooding: No Contest

’78 flooded entire neighborhoods. Seawalls failed. Homes were destroyed. People had to be rescued by boat.

2026 brought coastal flooding, but nothing close to the devastation of ’78.

🚗 Travel: One Storm Stranded People for

Blizzard of 78- Rt 128

Days

Here’s where the difference becomes crystal clear.

In 1978, thousands of people were stranded on Route 128 for days. Not hours — days. Cars were abandoned. Roads were impassable. Emergency crews couldn’t get through. Forecasting wasn’t what it is today, so people were caught off guard.

In 2026, we had travel bans, flight cancellations, and a whole lot of “stay off the roads.” But people listened. And the roads were cleared in a reasonable amount of time.

✈️ My Personal ’78 Story: The Vacation That Wasn’t

In 1978, I was working as a property adjuster and had a vacation to Florida booked. My flight out of Logan was scheduled for the day the storm hit.

Here’s the kicker:
My flight ended up being the last plane to leave Logan before the airport shut down.

And I wasn’t on it.

My company canceled my vacation and made me stay in Boston “in case I was needed.” The irony? Once the storm hit, nobody could drive anywhere. The entire region was shut down. So I sat at home, watching the snow pile up, thinking, I could be on a beach right now.

Meanwhile, the folks who did get on that last flight were probably sipping something tropical while I was digging out my front door.

⚠️ Human Impact: ’78 Changed the Region

The Blizzard of ’78 caused around 100 deaths and hundreds of millions in damage (in 1978 dollars). It changed emergency planning, forecasting, and how New Englanders respond to storms.

The 2026 storm was serious — two deaths, widespread outages, and billions in economic impact — but it didn’t reshape the region the way ’78 did.

🧭 So Which Storm Was Worse?

If you’re measuring by snowfall alone, 2026 wins in a few places.
If you’re measuring by disruption, danger, and long‑term impact, ’78 still holds the crown.

And if you’re measuring by “storms that ruined Deborah’s Florida vacation,” well… ’78 wins that one by a mile.

🌟 Bottom Line

The February 2026 storm was big, messy, and memorable. But the Blizzard of ’78 was a once‑in‑a‑generation event that shut down New England and rewrote the rulebook.

Feb 24, 2026- the clean up

So when I hear people say this storm “beat” ’78, I can’t help but shake my head.
Some storms dump snow.
Some storms make history.

And some storms cancel your Florida vacation and don’t even let you work.

Were you here for both storms? Which one felt worse to you?

 

Ghosts in the Dutch Room

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Ghosts in the Dutch Room: My Brush with the Gardner Museum’s Lost Masterpieces

When I first moved to Boston in the 1970s, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum felt like a secret garden tucked behind Venetian walls.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — Museum Review | Condé Nast ...

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I wandered its hushed rooms, drawn to the Dutch Room’s moody elegance—dark wood, gilded frames, and masterpieces that seemed to whisper stories if you lingered long enough. I remember standing before Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee, mesmerized by the chaos of waves and the quiet terror on each painted face.

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Vermeer’s The Concert glowed with intimacy, a trio of musicians caught mid-note. I didn’t know then that I was witnessing something that would vanish forever.

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The Heist

On March 18, 1990, two men disguised as Boston police officers entered the museum and stole thirteen works of art worth over $500 million. They tied up the guards, spent 81 minutes plucking treasures from the walls, and disappeared into the night. No arrests. No recovered art. Just empty frames still hanging in place—silent tributes to what was lost.

Visiting the museum now feels like stepping into a mystery novel. The Dutch Room is quieter than ever, its emptiness louder than any alarm. The stolen paintings are gone, but their absence is palpable. I find myself staring at the vacant frames, remembering the brushstrokes that once lived there.

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If you’re planning a trip to Boston, don’t miss the chance to experience one of the art world’s most enduring mysteries. The Gardner isn’t just a museum—it’s a living crime scene, a place where beauty and intrigue collide. You’ll walk through rooms curated by Isabella herself, past lush courtyards and haunting gaps in the gallery walls. It’s history, heartbreak, and high drama all in one.

photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner and Balboa, my feline muses, seem intrigued by the mystery too—especially the idea of cat burglars. Maybe I’ll let them sniff around the Dutch Room in their dreams. After all, every good mystery needs a clever sidekick.

 

 

 

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Travel Tip:
If you’re planning a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, aim for a weekday morning. The museum’s Venetian-style courtyard is especially tranquil when it’s less crowded, and the soft natural light spilling through the glass roof makes the perfect backdrop for reflection—or a moody Instagram moment. Don’t rush through the Dutch Room; linger by the empty frames and let the mystery settle in. And if you’re intrigued by the heist, consider watching the Netflix documentary This Is a Robbery before you go—it adds a thrilling layer to the experience.

 

The Five Frames Left Behind

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Still NO TP

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The TP Shortage Continues

We’re now 3-4 weeks into the quarantine. You’d think the hoarders would have stocked up but toilet paper, facial tissues and other paper products continue to be in short supply. Bottled water is also in high demand. We can add banking to one of the new aggravations. I needed quarters to do my laundry. I always go to the bank on Saturday morning to get two rolls. When I arrived at the bank this Saturday only the ATM was open. The Lobby was closed and dark.  Cars were lined up at the drive through but you can’t get coins in the drive through. The weight will damage the money drawer.

Social Distancing taken a step too far?

While I pondered my options two young women drove up. They arrived in the same car and attempted to go to the ATM together. A bank employee rushed out to tell them only 1 person could be at the ATM at a time. The argument that they came and in the same car and that they were sisters fell on deaf ears. I know we’re all a bit paranoid these day but come on! If one sister had it the other would have been exposed in the car.  What happened to common sense? Anyway as the sister that was booted out complained to me I vented my frustration about the coins. My new friend perked up. Her sister had change and she couldn’t deposit it either. Maybe we could help each other out?

 

Looks Like  Drug Deal Going Down

About then her sister came out of the bank. We explained the situation and she said she had a ton of quarters. She immediately started counting out quarters. She had a baggie in the car so she dropped the change in that. In no time at all I had $20.00 in quarters in a plastic baggie. We all got a good laugh as we exchanged the money for the baggie. We looked like a drug deal going down in front of the bank! With lots of laughing and waving we parted ways. The day suddenly seemed brighter somehow. I guess we’ll all get through this somehow. We just need to keep a sense of humor.

Winter in New England

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Its still Winter

Winter doesn’t respect the calendar in New England.  The first day of spring (March 20) is right around the corner and yet we are in the path of another winter storm. February was quiet but since March 1st its been one storm after another. The worse damage is to our beaches. Beach erosion has destroyed homes, businesses and beaches. There are still homes without power which means without heat. Carbon monoxide from generators is a real risk. Just this morning the news carried a report of a death from this colorless, odorless gas.

snow covered trees

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Snow can make driving a challenge

We lost power at work last Friday. We were sent home to work in hopes that we’d have power at our homes. Getting home was the challenge. The roads were snowy and slippery but the real threat was from falling trees. I only live 12 miles from work but I wasn’t sure I’d get home. The first road I took was completely blocked by a down tree. The 2nd road was closed by the police. I finally found a side road that let me connect to the main street. Street lights weren’t working and it was easy to see where large branches and trees had been cleared to allow traffic to pass.

Home Safe and Sound

waves break over the sea wall

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I was very happy to see my condo complex and even happier to see that the parking area had been cleared. I grabbed my computer and dashed into my condo. It was warm and toasty and my power was on. I was able to get several hours of work in from home before I eventually joined the rest of New England in the dark. The crazy power outages and internet interruptions  are the reason my posts have been slightly off schedule. I thought about going out in the storm with the camera to get some fresh photos but it didn’t take much to make me change my mind and stay tucked inside, warm and safe.

 

Oh No! Where did the Summer Go?

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Summer’s Last Gasp

Picnic table

It’s still summer. August is still summer and it’s only August 31. According to the weather folks tomorrow, September 1, is the first day of meteorological fall. Oh boo hoo! Fall in New England is nice but I miss summer already. Labor Day weekend is the last long weekend, our last chance for summer fun.

Fall leavesSigns of Fall are all around us

The seasons change and the signs are there. School has started. I got stuck behind a school bus on the way to work. The turkeys are getting restless. I saw two big turkeys by the side of the road on my way home tonight. A big maple tree on Route 140 has begun to turn colors! Already! The nights are cool and mornings have a crispness to the air. A sweater or jacket might be in order. I can open a window and turn off the air conditioner. Football is top of mind as the boys of summer fade away. Another fall sign that’s not so nice is the ragweed. Seems like we have a bumper crop this year. Excuse me while I sneeze.

Road trips are callingWaterfall

Along with the cooler nights will be the fall colors. Leaves will be changing. Our roads will be filled with leaf peepers but even I plan to be one of them. Maybe a trip down the Mohawk Trail or back to New Hampshire to visit a place called Diana’s Baths. They are a series of waterfalls and cascades. I have it on good authority that although they are lovely any time of year, fall is especially pretty.

 

Cranberry Harvest Festivals

In Massachusetts, home to Ocean Spray, fall means the cranberry harvest. From mid- September until late in the fall,  cranberries reach their peak of color and flavor. The landscape is dotted with the bright red cranberry bogs as they wait for the harvest. Cranberries can be harvested wet or dry. Interested in visiting a cranberry bog? We’ve got lots of farms for tours or products.

Down on the cape the cranberry harvest season begins around Labor Day and usually runs into the middle of November. The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association has created a cranberry harvest trail guide.

Cranberry bog

I love cranberries. Maybe fall’s not so bad after all!