Today I took my walk in JP rather than Dorchester. (That’s because I was on my way to Wegman’s for my first experience with their contactless curbside pickup, which I rated five stars without question.) Take a look at this… Read More ›
Dorchester/Boston
RIP, Douglas (2004-2020)
He was a very good cat. He helped me build my model railroad, and he loved to sit on my lap. He was so affectionate that we often called him Huggie Dougie. He will be missed.
A comfortable pillow?
Vincent is ignoring William, who thinks that he’s resting his head on a comfortable pillow:
Ashmont Grill has reopened!
The Ashmont Grill has reopened! Barbara and I ate dinner last night on the spacious and beautiful back patio. Barbara had their special New England Lobster Dinner (steamers, lobster, chorizo, corn on the cob, potatoes), with Nanny Sheila’s renowned carrot… Read More ›
Think of the veterans. And think of the cats… and dogs.
Think of the veterans who are your neighbors. Think of the cats and dogs who are your pets and your neighbors’ pets. They are assailed by endless illegal fireworks every night. Fireworks can trigger PTSD in veterans, and they can… Read More ›
Tavolo is back!
It was so nice to be able to see our friends at Tavolo last night for the first time dining there (not just takeout!) since the pandemic began. We’re talking safe dining on the improvised outdoor patio on Dot Ave,… Read More ›
Finally venturing out to a restaurant (outdoors, of course)
Yesterday evening was the first time since the shutdown began that we actually went out to a restaurant to dine, instead of getting takeout or delivery! Strictly outdoors, of course, at dbar on the patio. All in all, it was an… Read More ›
Zia Gianna (and a bonus visit from William)
Delicious caprese pasta takeout tonight from Zia Gianna: cavatappi with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and nut-free pesto — all prepared by the owner and founder, native Sicilian and new American citizen Nino Barbalace. Also a bottle of Nero D’Avola. As a… Read More ›
Special dinner from Tavolo
Example of unaware white privilege: A middle-class white guy complains that meals during the shutdown have included too much pasta, too much pizza, too many casseroles. I’m not going to be that guy. We’re not complaining. Still, it was great… Read More ›
Another walk in the neighborhood
It was such a nice day that I just had to take a good walk, this time in the sub-neighborhood next to mine: Ashmont Hill, a diverse place with the slogan “the way city living should be.” Whatever you think… Read More ›
Tavolo again
How excessive! Takeout two nights in a row! But desperate times call for desperate measures, as Hippocrates (supposedly) said. So Barbara and I got delicious takeout from Tavolo last night: stuffed quahogs, margherita pizza, tagliatelle bolognese, flourless chocolate cake —… Read More ›
Kapow!
Unusually delicious takeout last night from Kapow (actually styled “Kapow!”) in Lower Mills, Dorchester: Tom Yum soup, chicken wings, excited eggplant (!), steamed gyoza, udon garlic noodle with duck, and shrimp pad Thai — more than enough for both Barbara… Read More ›
My diverse neighborhood: everybody counts!
As I was taking my walk today, I came across this multilingual sign at the corner of Dot Ave and Park Street. Can you identify all five languages? Remember to fill out your census forms! In order to count, you… Read More ›
The Mechanic
I should have known. Months ago, back on May 4th — OK, OK, I know that it was really just two weeks ago, but it feels like months — I was watching Greater Boston on Channel 2, as one does, and Jim Braude was… Read More ›
Does William fit?
“William, you don’t fit in that box.” “Yes I do.”
Takeout from The Bowery
The Bowery in Lower Mills has just reopened for takeout and delivery, so Barbara and I decided to try their new Sea Shanty offerings last night (no singing included): clam strips, excellent lobster rolls in a toasted bun with first-rate French… Read More ›
The cats know what to do!
William, Flicka, and Vincent — as you can see — were observing proper social distancing as they lined up six feet apart, waiting patiently for their dinner last night. (BTW, William isn’t quite as large as the perspective makes him… Read More ›
Masks
Barbara and I have new masks, hand-made with love by our niece Aviva. (Unfortunately the cats think that they’re cat toys because of the dangly straps.)
What an indulgence!
What an indulgence: two Dorchester restaurants two days in a row! It’s important to support your local small businesses during the stay-at-home orders, so Barbara and I decided to get takeout from Tavolo last night even though we had gotten… Read More ›
The Blarney Stone without any blarney
Last night Barbara and I enjoyed another quarantine dinner that couldn’t be beat: takeout from the Blarney Stone, delivered efficiently and promptly by Caviar. Mostly quoting from the menu now, we had “grilled BBQ marinated steak tips, creamy mashed potatoes,… Read More ›
Learning Strategies 