Category Archives: Massachusetts

Hot Time Summer in the City

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Swan boat cruising the Public Garden lagoon on a sunny day, passing under the little suspension bridge everyone loves to photograph.

Summer Finally Arrives in Massachusetts

The weather is beautiful. Summer is finally here. Massachusetts has finally shaken off the dreary, rain‑filled days, and everything feels fresh again. The Public Garden is in bloom, the trees are lush, and the Swan Boats are once again cruising the lagoon. It’s the perfect time to explore the city.

Planning a Trip to Wolf Hollow Sanctuary

I’m trying to arrange a visit to Wolf Hollow Sanctuary in Ipswich. That’s a bit of a hike from Taunton and may turn into a car‑rental day, but I’m exploring my options.

One avenue I’m checking out is a Custom Tour with GoWithGuide US — which is exactly what I’d need for a Wolf Hollow trip. I checked the web page for their Boston Guides and they have options but nothing like Wolf Hollow. I’ve sent off an inquiry and will keep you posted on what I find out.

My Long Quest to Photograph a Wolf

I first heard about Wolf Hollow a few years ago when I was on a photography quest for wild animals. I’d photographed deer, bear, moose, and of course the little guys — chipmunks and squirrels. In Wyoming I added pronghorn and bison to my collection. South Dakota gave me those adorable prairie dogs.

 

After much chasing and tracking, I stumbled onto the elk migration (again in Wyoming) and got one of my favorite photos.

A pair of Bull elk

 

But I never even spotted a wolf. While in Yellowstone, I always seemed to be one day behind the pack.

The New Jersey Detour That Never Happened

Eventually I heard about Lakota Wolf Sanctuary in New Jersey of all places and started planning an overnight trip: drive down one day, take a photography tour the next, then drive back to Boston.

It never happened. Severe winter storms shut down the sanctuary, and after several attempts the trip got pushed to the back burner — where it stayed.

Discovering Wolf Hollow in My Own Backyard

Then someone told me about Wolf Hollow — a sanctuary right in my own backyard! I actually drove up there once and found it, but they were closed. Always do your homework — check times and days so you aren’t disappointed.

Then life got busy, COVID hit, and I just never made it back.

Time to Try Again

Now feels like the right time to look into it again. This is how my trips and explorations usually start: slowly, with a spark of curiosity, and sometimes they take forever to get off the ground… but eventually, I get there.

I’ll keep you posted on the progress — if any — on this adventure.

Affiliate links are included in this post. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for helping keep my adventures (and this blog!) going strong.

 

Bagpipes, Kilts, and a World Cup Win: The Tartan Army Arrives

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Boston, the World Cup, and a Surprise Scottish InvasionPlayers from Scotland and Haiti battle for possession in midair during their World Cup match.

A few days ago, I posted an essay on Boston sports and our wonderfully chaotic mix of teams and traditions in Wicked Good Reasons to Love Living in Boston.
>I somehow managed to leave out two things: our Scottish heritage and Boston’s long, stubborn relationship with soccer — or as the rest of the world calls it, football.

Ask any soccer fan and they’ll tell you American football is the upstart, the imitation, the knockoff.
The real thing — and yes, that’s Coca‑Cola’s line — belongs to the rest of the world.

Well, the “real thing” arrived in Boston (okay, Foxborough) on Saturday, June 13, when Scotland beat Haiti 1–0 at Gillette Stadium in their first World Cup match on U.S. soil.

Soccer in Boston: Older Than You Think

Soccer didn’t just show up for the World Cup.
>It’s been here since the 1800s, brought over by Scottish immigrants who played in mill towns, factory yards, and open fields long before anyone thought to build a stadium.

Fast‑forward to 1996:
Robert Kraft — already owner of the Patriots — became the founding investor of the New England Revolution, one of MLS’s ten original clubs. The Revs had a rocky start (including the dubious honor of being the first MLS team to lose to an amateur club), but New England fans stuck with them. Even in the lean years, crowds of 15,000+ proved that soccer wasn’t going anywhere.

June 13: The Cheers Heard ’Round the World

So when the World Cup finally landed at Gillette, Boston showed up — but the Scots showed up louder.

The Tartan Army, Scotland’s legendary fanbase, marched in wearing kilts, waving flags, and playing bagpipes like they were soundtracking their own parade. Young, old, men, women — all proudly tartaned up for the match and for Scottish Heritage Night.

Their cheers didn’t just echo around Foxborough.
>They felt like they traveled the globe — a modern twist on “the shot heard ’round the world,” but this time it was the cheers.

Welcome Back, Soccer

Boston already has Red Sox Nation and Patriots Nation, but on this weekend, the city gained something new:
a joyful, plaid‑covered, bagpipe‑powered visiting nation — the Tartan Army.

And honestly?
They fit right in.

Scottish Update

Boston has officially been adopted by Scotland. Bagpipes on the T, the wave at Fenway, Sweet Caroline sung like it’s a national anthem — and everywhere you look, pure joy. I’m soaking up every second of it.

 

Wicked Good Reasons to Love Living in Boston

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A swan boat carrying passengers across the pond in the Boston Public Garden on a sunny day.

Boston is my Home Town

Back in March, when I was contemplating making a life change and moving, I wrote about why I changed my mind and decided to stay in Massachusetts. (Why I Might Just Stay Put in Massachusetts) After all, Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states to live in and our weather is questionable at best — cold and snowy three‑quarters of the year and hot and humid the rest.

Spring and fall? Look quick or they’re gone. Sometimes you only know it’s spring because your car, walkway, and deck all turn yellow from the pollen. Hello allergies.

But as I said in that March post, there are some reasons to stay. And recently I saw a list (you know I love lists) of reasons living in Boston is the best and everyone should move here. Let’s see if I agree with them.

1. The distinctive and gorgeous skyline.

Yes, Boston is a beautiful city, sitting as it does right on the harbor. There’s nothing quite like taking a boat ride around the harbor and its islands. From lighthouses to forts to the skyscrapers shining in the sun, Boston mixes the old with the new. You can even spot the Old North Church spire while you cruise.

 

 

2. Boston is loaded with landmarks.

From Faneuil Hall (built in 1742) to Fenway Park (the oldest ballpark in the MLB), from Bunker Hill to the Freedom Trail (you can visit Paul Revere’s house), or even the Charlestown Navy Yard where you can tour the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).

3. History buffs will love exploring.

If you want to go beyond the usual Freedom Trail stops, Boston has some wonderfully under‑the‑radar historic gems. One of my favorites is Fort Warren out on Georges Island. I went there when I first moved here in the 70s, and it still has that same windswept, slightly spooky charm — Civil War history, granite walls, and the legend of the “Lady in Black,” all wrapped up in one ferry ride.

And while you’re in a historical mood, wander over to The Warren Tavern in Charlestown. It’s one of the oldest taverns in Massachusetts and still operating today. Paul Revere and George Washington once stopped in, and more importantly, they serve popovers — one of the only places besides the old Anthony’s Pier 4 (now closed) where I’ve ever had them. That alone makes it worth the visit.

4. Our scenic waterfront.

Follow the Harborwalk and enjoy a relaxing stroll along the shoreline. It leads you past Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and the lively piers that frame the harbor. It’s one of the prettiest stretches in the city.

5. We’re wicked smaht — or at least well‑educated.

Boston is a city of learning. The Boston Redevelopment Authority says there are 35 colleges in Boston — which tells me they’re counting the Greater Boston area. And honestly, that makes sense. We have a plethora (like that big word?) of universities to choose from, including:

  • Boston University (BU)
  • Northeastern University
  • Boston College (technically Chestnut Hill, but part of the campus sits within Boston city limits)

And if we’re counting Greater Boston, then of course we have to include Harvard, sitting stuffy and pompous in its Cambridge shrine. Right across the river is MIT, the youthful upstart of the computer world — the place where geniuses seem to grow on trees. Add those two heavy hitters into the tally, and suddenly 35 colleges doesn’t sound far‑fetched at all.

6. Oh, we have the best Italian food too.

Just take a stroll through the North End. The narrow streets are lined with pizzerias and local grocery stores — not 7‑Elevens. Stores with olives and marinara and fresh pasta. And for a real treat of gluttony, visit during Saint Anthony’s Festival. Mama Mia!

7. When foodies die, they go to Boston.

If there’s one thing Boston knows how to do, it’s throw a food festival. Ice cream days in the summer, Oktoberfest in the fall, seafood festivals all over the area. And let’s talk cultural events — Irish celebrations with plenty of food and drink, Haitian and Jamaican festivals like Boston JerkFest, and even a “Fluff Fest” to celebrate Marshmallow Fluff.

8. We’re no slouches when it comes to inventing dishes.

Boston Cream Pie and Parker House rolls were first dreamed up at the Parker House Hotel. Boston baked beans harken back to the 1600s and the Pilgrims. And cookies? The Boston area is the gold standard for chocolate chip — the original Toll House cookie started here. Then the Fig Newton jumped in. Are we good or what!

9. We’re a wonderfully diverse bunch.

It’s well known that Boston’s roots include the British (remember those Redcoats/loyalists), the Irish (hello Southie), and the Italians in the North End (ciao!). But we’ve also got Haitian, Jamaican, Cape Verdean, and even Moldovan communities. I’m sure we can find more if we dig a little deeper.

10. This is a creative and artistic city.

We have concerts on the Esplanade and the Boston Pops. There’s the beautiful Gardner Museum and the MFA. Even our library is a thing of beauty.

Boston Athenæum

11. Boston offers world‑class healthcare.

Let’s be honest — we can’t all have perfect health. If you must get sick, what better place than Boston, where we have some of the top doctors and surgeons in the world? And we’ve been sedating patients for surgery almost forever. Boston gave the world anesthesia — right in the Ether Dome at Mass General — turning surgery from a horror show into something survivable.

12. Like shoes? Specifically athletic shoes?

Then Boston is the place for you. Reebok, New Balance, and Converse are all headquartered here. Makes sense when you think the world’s oldest marathon is run here every April.

13. Boston is extremely walkable.

Boston has a walk score of 81/100 — third in the nation. Many of our streets are still paved with cobblestones, so walking is the preferred means of travel. A lot less bumpy. So strap on that Fitbit and hit those 10k milestones.

14. Parks and green spaces.

Boston is surrounded by the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks that cover 7 miles from Boston Common to Franklin Park. It’s a 1,100‑acre chain of parks linked by waterways and parkways. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, it is the only fully intact linear park system he ever created. Almost anyone who lives in Boston is within a 10‑minute walk of a patch of green.

15. The T.

That’s MBTA to you non‑Bostonians. We were first in the nation, but as I’ve told you in the past, we always seem to arrive late. We ranked 3rd in the nation for our public transit system. When you figure that’s an assessment of 136 cities with populations over 175,000, that’s really a win.

16. Sports… what can I say?

Boston is sports‑crazy. Even if you weren’t a sports fan when you came here, you’ll get caught up. We love our teams — the Sox, Pats, Bruins, Celtics — we’re a city of champions. Just look at the banners hanging from the rafters in the Garden. We stick with them through all the ups and downs. We’re not fair‑weather fans.

17. Neighborhoods.

This was one of the things that hit me when I moved here in the 70s. Boston was a city, but it didn’t feel like one. It wasn’t like New York City. Boston was more like a cluster of little cities and towns all rolled into one. Neighborhoods had a flavor, and you knew your neighbors — at least enough to offer a friendly wave.

18. The sight of the city after dark.

This has always been a big one for me. When I first moved here, I’d go back home fairly often. I’d drive the Mass Pike back and forth on weekends. There was nothing like the feeling I got as the skyline of Boston came into sight when I returned. I’d come barreling down that section of the Pike past Belmont and the Mormon Temple, and there were the lights of Boston spread out before me. I never drive that stretch at night without getting an overwhelming feeling of I’m home now.

I know this has run long, but there was just so much to say about life in Boston. Special thanks to Juliet White for her essay 18 Reasons Living in Boston is the Best and Everyone Should Move Here. It was the launching point for this post. I’ve tried to stay true to her headings while putting my own spin on it. I hope you enjoy it and welcome any of your thoughts and observations.

 

Trying Out Car‑Free Living in Massachusetts

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Public transit bus on a quiet road surrounded by trees.

Trying Out Car‑Free Living in Massachusetts

For most of my adult life, having a car was just… normal. It sat in the driveway, ready for short errands, grocery runs, and the occasional appointment. But over the past year, the math stopped making sense. Between rising medical co‑pays, insurance rates that seem to go up just because they can, and Massachusetts’ infamous excise tax, I found myself paying more to own the car than I ever spent to drive it.

I was only putting a couple thousand miles a year on the odometer. A few trips to the store. A doctor’s appointment here and there. Nothing that justified the monthly insurance bill, the gas, the maintenance, the taxes, and the general “just in case” expense of keeping a vehicle I barely used.

And now that I’m retired, we can scratch the commuting part right off the list. Suddenly the car feels far less necessary. What used to be a “must‑have” has turned into an expensive convenience.

So I made a decision:
I turned in my car.

Not lost it.
Not had it taken away.
I chose to let it go.

And once I said it out loud, the reactions came pouring in.

Friends, neighbors, and even a few casual acquaintances had opinions — strong ones. Some thought it was smart. Others thought I was out of my mind. Joe told me about a woman he knows who ditched her car years ago and now uses Uber for everything. According to her, she saves a fortune and never has to worry about repairs, inspections, or surprise breakdowns. That story stuck with me.

So here I am, trying out car‑free living in Massachusetts to see how it goes.

Getting Around Without a Car

Massachusetts isn’t exactly known for smooth, seamless public transit, but it does have options — you just have to know where to look.
Don’t believe me? Just read my earlier post,
“Boston Transit – First in the Nation, Last to Arrive”
and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Cabs, Uber, and Lyft

These are the obvious choices. They’re not cheap, but they’re reliable, and for short trips they’re still far less expensive than owning a car I barely used.

Dial‑A‑Ride

This one has already become a favorite. For $3.00 round‑trip, Dial‑A‑Ride will take me to the store and pick me up again. They send a text when the driver is on the way, and another when they’re one minute out. There’s a 15‑minute pickup window, but you can text “ETA” and get an instant update telling you exactly where you fall in that window. It’s surprisingly efficient and takes a lot of the guesswork out of waiting.

GATRA Bus System

The bus literally picks up on my corner and goes straight to Hannaford. Right now, the buses are free until June 30. After that, we’ll see if the politicians decide to renew the program. I’m hopeful, but I’m also realistic.

Delivery Services

Between Hannaford To Go, DoorDash, and Instacart, Uber eats, etc.  I can get groceries and essentials without needing to leave the house. It’s not something I want to rely on all the time, but it’s a great backup.

What About Travel?

Honestly, the only time I’d really need a car is if I start traveling again. And if that happens, I won’t be driving around Massachusetts — I’ll be renting a car somewhere far away, preferably somewhere warm, sunny, and blissfully free of excise taxes.

If I’m in a tropical paradise, I’m not bringing a Massachusetts car with me. I’ll rent one at the airport like everyone else.

And for the occasional local need, there’s the new kid on the block: Flexcar. It’s expensive, yes, but it doesn’t lock you into a long‑term lease or a car payment. Insurance is included, so there are no surprise bills. It’s a “use it when you need it” option, and that flexibility is worth something.

My First Dial‑A‑Ride Experience

I’ll admit, I was nervous the first time I scheduled a Dial‑A‑Ride trip. It felt strange to plan ahead for something I used to do on autopilot. But the process was easier than I expected. I called, booked the time, and waited.

The van pulled up right on schedule. The driver was friendly, the ride was smooth, and for the first time since turning in my car, I felt a little spark of confidence. Maybe this really can work.

 

So What’s Next?

Car‑free doesn’t mean light‑traveling. Some days I’m my own pack mule.

I’m not declaring myself permanently car‑free. This is an experiment — a practical, budget‑friendly, sanity‑preserving experiment. I’m learning as I go, adjusting where I need to, and discovering that life without a car isn’t the catastrophe some people imagine.

It’s different.
It takes planning.
But it’s doable.

And who knows?

Maybe this will be the start of a whole new chapter.

 

 

 

 

A Local Gem! Happy National Donut Day!

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🍩 Happy National Donut Day!

Do you know what today is? Not Hump Day — National Donut Day.
And you know what that means: free donuts. Yes, Dunkin’ is handing them out today. Is this a great country or what.

There is one tiny catch: you need to buy a beverage. But honestly… who eats a donut without something to drink?

 

 

⭐ A Donut Lover’s Confession

I’m a true donut fan. If I weren’t on a permanent diet, I’d happily eat one every day — though I doubt it would keep the doctor away. Still, I consider myself a donut connoisseur. I know a good donut when I see one.

And this week? I didn’t just see one.
I came, I saw, I tasted, and I ascended straight to donut nirvana. These donuts were better than my mom’s (sorry, Mom), and hers were legendary.

Where did I find this bliss?
The Colonial Do‑Nut Shop kiosk inside Morton Hospital.

A police officer stands at the counter of the Colonial Do‑Nut Shop kiosk inside Morton Hospital, with staff preparing donuts behind the counter.

Colonial Do‑Nut Shop – Morton Hospital Kiosk

 

 

⭐ Colonial Do‑Nut: A Taunton Classic

Colonial Do‑Nut Shop has been serving Taunton for more than 70 years. The pandemic forced them to close, but they came back strong, reopening under new ownership in 2024.

The flagship shop at 91 Broadway is still right where it’s always been — turning out fresh donuts, crullers, and breakfast sandwiches. Just get there early: they close at noon.

So how did I get mine at Morton Hospital?
When the new owners were preparing to reopen Broadway, the opportunity came up to open a satellite location in the hospital lobby. The donuts are baked fresh on Broadway every morning and delivered to the kiosk.

⭐ The Old Fashioned That Stole My Heart

I’m an “Old Fashioned” girl — plain, crispy outside, tender inside, with a whisper of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg. And these? Hands down the best.

I meant to take a picture, but… well… I started eating it. You understand.

 

 

Happy National Donut Day!
It may not be free at Colonial Do‑Nut, but if you can get there, it will be so worth it.