Boston, Mass – We don’t get to the Museum of Fine Arts as much as we used to. But as soon as I learned we could see the whimsical flowers created by Takashi Murakami at the MFA, I knew I…
Mini Dollar Tree
Somerville, Mass – On Saturday mornings, S has started hosting a pop-up Mini Dollar Tree. It all started a few weeks ago, when he got the brilliant idea to sell some pencils and other trinkets he had found around the…
Great White Shark
Boston, Mass – Martha’s Vineyard celebrated the 40th anniversary of Jaws in 2015. But Cape Cod stole the limelight from the island, when real live great white sharks started making regular appearances near beaches from Chatham to Truro. The town…
What the Fluff? Festival
Somerville, Mass – Some places host oyster festivals, wine festivals or even street food festivals. Here in Somerville, we have a fluff festival. What the fluff? That’s right, marshmallow fluff originated right here in Somerville way back in 1917, which make…
Last Hurrah
St Clair Shores, Michigan – Our annual trip to Michigan is always the last hurrah of summer. For two weeks, we escape from the city and bask in the attentions of the grandparents. There’s always a trip to the Henry…
Heidelberg Project
Detroit, Michigan – Sometimes, out of poverty and desperation comes creativity and inspiration. This idea is at the foundation of the revitalization of Detroit. And no place embodies it more than Heidelberg, a devastated street on the city’s east side.…
Dequindre Cut
Detroit, Michigan – In case you haven’t heard, Detroit is experiencing something of a revival. This is my hometown, and I feel like Detroit’s imminent comeback was supposed to happen throughout my entire childhood. (Ie, since the construction of the…
Secret Marvels of the World
“The cave was black. The weak beam of my headlamp lit only as far as my next step. But when our guide shined his powerful light on our surroundings, the space suddenly opened up. It was a vast cavern, hanging…
Ravintola Savoy
Helsinki, Finland – View from the rooftop terrace at the Ravintola Savoy in Helsinki, where we are celebrating our last day in Finland. Kippis! This restaurant is another Alvar Aalto masterpiece and it’s a beaut. Most impressively, we brought our…
Sammallahdenmäki
Rauma, Finland – Did you get the title of this post? Sammallahdenmäki. Easy, right? It is a Bronze Age burial site in the midst of the Finnish forest. And if you’re not sure when the Bronze Age is… oh, it’s…