Category Archives: Massachusetts

Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary

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Forever Farm

🐾 Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary: A Place of Peace, Purpose, and Plenty of Donkeys

Nestled in the heart of the community, Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers more than just shelter—it’s a haven of healing for animals and humans alike. Founded by my former supervisor at Redfin, Forever Farm is the living, breathing realization of her long-held dream. Watching her vision come to life has been a joy, and seeing the sanctuary grow feels like witnessing hope take root.

🫏 Make Way for Donkeys

The farm is home to a delightful mix of residents: chickens, goats, pigs (Peppa, Pumba, and Wilma), a tiny horse named Miracle, a big-hearted horse named Toughy, and—perhaps most notably—a growing herd of donkeys. At last count, there were eight: Prima, Gally, Kong, Trevor, Jackson, Jinx, Star, and Sedona. Each one has its own story, personality, and place in the pasture.

There’s something about Forever Farm that seems to call to donkeys in need. Whether it’s their gentle nature or the sanctuary’s open-hearted mission, more seem to arrive each season. No matter the number, each donkey is showered with love, care, and the kind of attention that turns rescue into restoration.

Toughy & Miracle

Photo: Toughy and Miracle – courtesy of Forever Farm

🌿 Events That Bring the Community Together

Forever Farm isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s a vibrant gathering place. Families can celebrate birthdays, stretch into serenity with yoga classes, or join seasonal festivities like Earth Day, Halloween, and Christmas. A recent highlight was “Senior Day,” a heartwarming event for guests over 50.

In partnership with Healing Path Care Farm, Forever Farm also hosts child-focused programs like Little Mindful Farmers and Barnyard Buddies, blending education, empathy, and animal encounters.

💛 Powered by Passion

Forever Farm runs almost entirely on volunteer energy and generous donations. It’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. Whether you’re looking to support, visit, or simply spread the word, this sanctuary is a place where kindness lives—and where donkeys always seem to find their way home.

Learn more about how to support the animals at The Forever Farm here

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Donkey Life at Forever Farm

 

Natural Wonders of Massachusetts

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🌲Closer Than You Think: 6 Natural Wonders Worth Exploring in Massachusetts

Here I am, living in Massachusetts, yet always chasing natural beauty elsewhere—Utah’s red rocks, Costa Rica’s coastlines, the wide-open West. But maybe it’s time to look a little closer to home. I recently stumbled across a list of the six best natural wonders in Massachusetts and couldn’t help but ask myself: how many have I actually seen?

Turns out, not as many as I’d hoped. But that’s about to change.

🏔️ Mount Greylock

The highest peak in Massachusetts towers over the Hoosic Valley, and on a clear day, you can see five states from its summit—Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The best time to visit? Late spring through early fall, when the hiking trails are alive with color and the foliage is at its fiery best. Heads up, leaf peepers—Mount Greylock deserves a spot on your seasonal bucket list.

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💦 Bash Bish Falls

Now this one I have visited—back in 2017. (You can find my post and a short video [here].) I always want to call it “Bish Bash Falls,” and I’m not sure why. There are two entrances, but I opted for the easy route from the New York side—a well-traveled dirt road that spares you the steep, rocky descent from the Massachusetts side. After a gentle walk, I was rewarded with the sight and sound of the falls. Worth every step.

Bash Bish Falls – photo credit Deb Neumann

🌳 Mohawk Trail State Forest

This one had me scratching my head. I’ve driven the Mohawk Trail many times en route to New York—it’s a scenic alternative to the highway, winding through Routes 2 and 2A. But I’d never heard of the Mohawk Trail State Forest. Turns out, it’s a 7,700-acre preserve spanning Charlemont, Hawley, and Savoy, established in 1921 to protect the area’s natural and historic beauty. If you follow the trail all the way to New York, brace yourself for some dramatic switchbacks near the state line. It’s a drive worth savoring.

Sharp Curve ahead- photo credit Deb Neumann

⛷️ Mount Wachusett

The tallest summit east of the Connecticut River, Mount Wachusett is a winter haven for skiers. I always say I’ll go photograph the slopes—but let’s be honest, I hate the cold. Maybe this year I’ll finally bundle up and make the trip. Or maybe I’ll wait for spring and hike instead.

🪨 Natural Bridge State Park

Located in North Adams, this park protects the only naturally formed white marble arch in North America. I think I’ve been here—though I may have just wandered the gorge. I remember massive holes carved into the rock by swirling whirlpools. If that’s the spot, it’s worth a second visit to confirm. Either way, it’s a geological gem.

Photo of dam

Photo Credit Viraj Naik

🌊 Halibut Point State Park

This one’s pure New England coastal charm. Located in Rockport, the park blends granite quarry history with salt air and sea breezes. You can even explore a former World War II fire control tower. It’s close to Crane Beach, one of my favorite summer destinations when I first moved to Massachusetts. The nostalgia alone makes it worth revisiting.

Photo of granite quarry

photo credit Kristy Samuels

🌿 Wrapping Up

Massachusetts may be known for its urban heartbeat—hello, Boston—but its natural soul runs deep. From mountain peaks to marble arches, scenic drives to seaside cliffs, there’s a wild beauty here that’s easy to overlook. But not anymore.

If you’re craving nature, you don’t have to travel far. Sometimes the wonder is right in your backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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Tiny Birds, Long Flight

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🐦 Tiny Birds, Long Flight: The Epic Journey of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

Each September, as the goldenrod blooms and the air turns crisp in Massachusetts, a remarkable migration begins. Tiny travelers—ruby-throated hummingbirds—embark on a journey that defies their delicate size. These winged wonders give new meaning to the term “snow birds,” trading New England’s cooling skies for the tropical warmth of Central America. Some will winter as far south as Costa Rica, a feat that’s nothing short of astonishing.

4,900+ Ruby Throated Hummingbird Stock Photos, Pictures ...

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How Tiny are they?

How tiny are they? Picture a penny. Now imagine that coin sprouting iridescent feathers and a heart that beats over 1,200 times per minute. Ruby-throated hummingbirds weigh about the same—just 2.5 to 3 grams. Yet these miniature marvels fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500-mile stretch of open water, fueled by nectar, grit, and instinct.

photo credit Deb Neumann

At Home in Massachusetts

Massachusetts sees only one species of hummingbird regularly: the ruby-throated hummingbird. Males flash their namesake throat patch like a gemstone in flight, while females sport subtler hues. They arrive in spring, zipping through gardens and feeders, hovering like tiny helicopters. By mid-September, they vanish almost as suddenly as they appeared, riding tailwinds southward in a solo migration that spans thousands of miles.

 

Wave Bye  Bye

Their departure is bittersweet. We miss their aerial acrobatics and the whir of wings that sound like summer itself. But their journey reminds us that even the smallest creatures carry immense strength—and that nature’s rhythms are worth pausing for.

4,900+ Ruby Throated Hummingbird Stock Photos, Pictures ...

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So if you spot a hummingbird this fall, take a moment. Wish it well on its long flight. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll return next spring to hover once more outside your window, a flash of color and courage in miniature form.

 

Once more into the breach

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Dover Demon, The Eerie Creature That Allegedly Terrorized Massachusetts

Dover Demon

Once more into the breach, Dear Friends…

Before we put the cryptid mysteries to bed, I have to share the local tale of the Dover Demon. Who knew there were so many creepy creatures to consider? But this one is right here, in good ole Massachusetts.

👁️ The Dover Demon: Massachusetts’ Most Puzzling Cryptid

In the quiet town of Dover, Massachusetts, something strange stirred in the spring of 1977. It wasn’t the wind, or the rustling of leaves, or even the usual teenage mischief. It was something else—something no one could explain. A creature with glowing eyes, spindly limbs, and a head too large for its body. Locals would come to know it as the Dover Demon.

Sightings

The first sighting occurred on April 21st. Seventeen-year-old Bill Bartlett was driving with friends when his headlights caught something crawling along a stone wall. At first, he thought it was a dog—until it turned its head. Two glowing orange eyes stared back at him, set in a hairless, peach-colored head, with skin like wet sandpaper. Its long fingers curled around the rocks as it clung to the wall. Bill’s friends didn’t see it, but he swore it was real—and even sketched it later that night.

Just hours later, John Baxter, 15, encountered a similar figure while walking home. He called out to it, thinking it was a friend. The creature didn’t respond. Instead, it bolted into the woods, its movements unnatural, its silhouette barely human.

The next night, Abby Brabham saw it too—perched near a tree, glowing eyes fixed on her. Three sightings. Three different witnesses. All describing the same eerie entity.

THE DOVER DEMON Is Back! | Hunter Shea

 

Vanished

And then… nothing. No footprints… fur?…  bones?… Just stories. The Dover Demon vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind only questions.

Was it a cryptid? An alien? A figment of teenage imagination? Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, who coined the name, believes it’s one of the most unique cases in American folklore. Unlike Bigfoot or the Mothman, the Demon appeared only once, never to return.

But in Dover, whispers still linger. Some say it’s watching. Waiting. And if you drive those winding roads late at night, maybe—just maybe—you’ll see those glowing eyes staring back.