Category Archives: Sports

Opening Day at Fenway Park: When New England Finally Thaws Out

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Crowds gather on Landsdown St for the opening day of baseball season

The Sights, the Smells, and the Sacred RitualsIt's Wally the Boston Red Sox Mascot leading the cheers

The roar of the crowd. The smell of peanuts, popcorn, and—dare we ask—Cracker Jack. Does anyone still buy Cracker Jack? Another cherished ballpark tradition may be fading, but in New England, the spirit of Opening Day is alive and well. Fan or not, this is one of the biggest unofficial holidays of the year.

Today is Opening Day at Fenway Park, and Red Sox Nation is buzzing. Another season with the Boys of Summer has officially begun.

Why the “Real” Season Starts in Boston

Sure, the technical first game of the 2026 MLB season happened on March 26, when the Yankees (the Evil Empire, for any troglodytes still living in a cave) faced the San Francisco Giants—formerly the New York Giants, for the history buffs.

But that game took place in Oracle Park, California. And everyone in Boston knows that if it didn’t happen at Fenway, it doesn’t count.

The 2026 baseball season doesn’t truly begin until the crack of the bat echoes off the Green Monster and the crowd erupts on Lansdowne Street. That’s when New England finally exhales and says, “Okay. Now it’s spring.”

A Word of Warning for Non‑Fans

If—God forbid—you aren’t a baseball fan, today is not the day to stroll the Freedom Trail or attempt a peaceful afternoon in the city. Boston will be overflowing with fans who are loud, proud, and fully caffeinated. Give the city a wide berth unless you’re prepared to be swept into the madness.

Ballpark Eats: Fenway Levels Up

Gone are the days when peanuts and hot dogs were your only options. Today’s Fenway menu reads like a food festival:

New Additions

  • Cowboy Up! Burger
  • Clam chowder and lobster bisque in bread bowls
  • Street tacos
  • Gourmet grilled cheese
  • ¾‑lb cookies
  • Sicilian‑style pizza

Beloved Classics

  • Fenway Franks
  • Lobster and crab rolls
  • Burritos
  • Chicken tenders
  • Cheesesteak
  • And yes… Irish Nachos (waffle fries topped with corned beef, queso, and sauerkraut—chaos in a bowl, but who’s complaining)

Wash it all down with a craft beer, then grab a Boston Cream Pie dessert behind home plate or churros with chocolate dipping sauce. One thing is certain: nobody leaves Fenway hungry.

Will Red Sox Nation Celebrate or Sulk?

As of “press time,” the outcome of today’s game is still unknown. Will the faithful walk out with their heads held high, or will they slink off to drown their sorrows in another round of craft beer?

Either way, Opening Day at Fenway is more than a game—it’s a New England rite of passage. And today, the heart of Boston beats just a little louder.

 

March in New England

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The Month New Englanders break from Winter into Spring Chaos

March Madness, Spring Fever, and the Cats Who Run This House

March in New England is a strange, wonderful, chaotic time. One minute we’re shoveling snow, the next minute we’re celebrating the first day of spring, and somewhere in between, the entire region collectively loses its mind over March Madness.

Yes, I knew it was a big deal.
Yes, I knew it involved basketball.
But I didn’t realize just how seriously New Englanders take it until I saw a news story about companies setting up break‑room watch parties on company time.

Excuse me… what
People get paid to watch college basketball at work
Only in New England.

So What Is March Madness

For anyone else who’s been living under a cozy blanket with a box of tissues (hi, it’s me), here’s the quick version:

  • It’s the NCAA Division I men’s college basketball tournament
  • 68 college teams from all across the United States
  • Single elimination — lose once and you’re out
  • It runs from mid‑March to early April
  • It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the country

It’s not a New England invention, but you wouldn’t know that from the way we treat it. Between UConn fans, bracket pools, and the general “we survived winter, let’s celebrate something” energy, March Madness might as well be our unofficial regional holiday.

Meanwhile, Spring Sneaks In Early

I always think of spring arriving on March 21, but this year the equinox showed up on March 20, probably because even the universe is tired of winter and wants to get things moving.

New England, of course, will respond by giving us:

  • one warm day
  • one cold day
  • one rainstorm
  • and a surprise snow squall just to keep us humble

Yes it's March in New England if its not mud its still snow.

But on the calendar at least, spring is here.

Balboa: The Fastest Paw in the East

While all this seasonal excitement is happening, Balboa has declared war on my last surviving computer mouse. He’s the Fastest Paw in the East, and he takes that title seriously.

Today’s crime
I dared to vacuum during his nap.

He stomped out of the room like a tiny, offended emperor, tail flicking dramatically. I had to issue a formal apology in the form of treats. He accepted, but only after giving me the look — the one that says:

“You may continue living here, hooman, but your behavior will be monitored.”

Now he’s back on the desk, supervising this post and occasionally taking swipes at the mouse like he’s auditioning for a martial arts film.

Banner and the Case of the Missing Hair Band

While Balboa is busy waging war on technology, Banner has discovered a new hobby: elastic hair bands.

During a recent bathroom decluttering session, I found an old stash of them.
Banner thought he had won the lottery.

He carried one around the apartment, talking to it like it was his long‑lost friend. Then he took it into the bathtub — his personal gladiator arena — and tossed it around like he was training for the Hair Band Olympics.

And then… it vanished.

I looked everywhere.
Under furniture.
Behind furniture.
Inside the furniture.
Nothing.

The only conclusion I can come to is that once he finished playing with it, he ate it like a tasty little spaghetti noodle.

So that’s it.
No more hair elastics for Banner.
He cannot be trusted with them.
He has lost his hair‑band privileges indefinitely.

March in New England: A Summary

  • Basketball fans are losing their minds
  • Companies are letting employees watch games at work
  • Spring is arriving early
  • My nose is running a marathon
  • Balboa is plotting the downfall of all computer mice
  • Banner is eating hair accessories like snacks

Honestly, it feels about right.