Another Big Bang in Lexington

It's bad enough that those kids who blew up the pipe bomb in Lexington live nearby. I'm hoping that the whole thing will turn out to be just a stupid, pre-4th of July prank. And thank goodness, no one was hurt. (Lexington is becoming quite the center for explosions, isn't it?) I'm sure the parents are mortified and furious (it was the mom who called the cops).

But now that it's all over, I'm wondering: Who made the decision to let numerous media vehicles onto the street (close to the house in question) yet at the same time barricade the streets to neighborhood traffic? My husband had to park way down the street, then argue politely with a cop about walking to our house (which sits within the evacuated zone) to get me and our son. They nearly didn't let him come home, but fortunately, a police officer took pity on Jim and let him fetch us, with the promise that we'd walk out of the zone immediately.

Yet at no time during this dickering with Jim about crossing the barrier did any official think to either (a) come and escort from our house or at least (b) call us and ask us to leave. My husband was even there to give them the number.

In other words, it wasn't safe for him to swing by for his family, but it was okay for us to sit like potential sitting ducks in the house. And okay for all the local newsmedia to camp outside Maison de Pipe Bomb, just in case something really juicy happened. Are exploding reporters an even bigger story than the one they came to cover?

This does not exactly make me feel safe and secure.

(Photo courtesy of www.cbs4boston.com.)

Five Years...and Counting!

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of my family moving to New England. Happy to be here, happy to stay.

Regular readers of this blog know that I'm still groovin' on the Blue State vibe of Massachusetts and its environs. As a former child of the South and an adult of the mid-Atlantic and the West, I've learned and experienced many new things.

But if there's one thing I've learned in these last few years, it's this:

With the Sox doing so incredibly, spectacularly well right now (12-game winning streak, 4 games ahead of the Evil Empire in the standings), just how bad will the post-All Star break slump be?

I'm really getting concerned, because the high is so high right now. Are we heading for another World Series win or should I prepare my summer mourning outfit (black cropped pants, black tee-shirt, black Sox cap, black sandals)? Would someone like to pep me up before I worry myself into a tizzy?

Small World--A Little MetroWest in Canada

Much has happened since arriving home from Vancouver. Fifth-grade class play and chorus concert. Fifth-grade graduation. Week-long visit from old friends from Texas (who now live in Maryland). We made lobsters for them, because no one cooks up a lobster like my hubby, thanks to guidance from a friendly local.

Speaking of Canada: Vancouver was an all-around great experience, but showed once again how the world is shrinking, in a kind of amazing way.

I was talking to someone at an exhibitor's booth who lives in San Francisco. She noticed I was from the Boston area (on my name tag) and said, "Oh, I'm originally from Andover!" When I told her I now live in Lexington, she said, "Oh, I have a good friend in Lexington!"

I'm thinking, yeah, right--what are the odds?

Apparently, the odds are excellent.

The person she knows is none other than the awesome Ellen from Commuterrant. With whom I had set up a coffee date/let's meet upon my return.

Said coffee date was wonderful, by the way--Ellen is as charming, funny, and thoughtful in person as she is on her blog.

Sometimes coincidences are creepy, sometimes startling, other times just plain cool. This one worked out really well; I call it cool.

What Is This--Florida?

This rain is unbelievable! This goes way beyond the cats-and-dogs stage. I think we're headed for the good ol' hailing streetcars and buses. Yeesh.

I Heart Vancouver

This is an amazing city--full of nice people, beautiful sites, great restaurants, and lovely green spaces. Flying home tomorrow (Thursday) -- more later.

Oh, and sorry--but the weather's been great, too. I understand that's not exactly been the case in Boston.

Off to Canada

Tomorrow I leave for most of a week in Vancouver, B.C. Lovely city, nice people. Great food, plenty to do and see. Should be wonderful. I am so not prepared I can't even begin to tell you... Better get packing!

P.S. Caesar died. Durn!