Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – We only spent a few days in Pittsburgh, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this unheralded city. There are vibrant, bustling neighborhoods, a hip and happening university district, excellent restaurants, and an authentic…
Borderland State Park
North Easton, Mass – The snow has all melted. Spring has sprung. Ski season is officially over, but we’re still hankering for a pandemic field trip (especially during April vacation week). Fortunately, some friends invited us to go hiking at…
Back to School
Somerville, Mass – We’re going back to school! A real school, in a building! I didn’t think it would happen, but these two kiddos are finishing out 5th grade IN PERSON. (Not the professor, he’s been in person the whole…
Tsarina Excerpt in the Daily Beast
An excerpt from The Tsarina’s Lost Treasure appeared in the Daily Beast! “A ghostly shipwreck, a lost masterpiece painting, a lustful tsarina, the news of the Vrouw Maria’s discovery stirred imaginations in the summer of 1999. It also sparked questions, namely:…
A Mighty Mystery
A Mighty Blaze is a cool organization, founded by writers to help writers promote their books in the age of Covid. Many thanks to Sara DiVello for featuring us on her author interview series – A Mighty Mystery! Sara’s invitation prompted…
Hiking at Breakheart Reservation
Saugus, Mass – Continuing our series of pandemic field trips to destinations within a 30-minute drive of our house, we went hiking at Breakheart Reservation, another Massachusetts state park that I did not know existed. At 652 acres, Breakheart is…
Pandemic Birthday Bike Parade
Somerville, Mass – The twins are turning 10 and here we are in the middle of a global pandemic. I know I am not the first parent to confront this dilemma. But I *might* be the first parent to come…
Harold Parker State Forest
Andover, Mass – We took our first pandemic field trip to Harold Parker State Forest. Unlike some other states, in Massachusetts, we are not stuck at home. At least not yet. State parks and some private reserves are still open…
At-Home Yoga Practice
Somerville, Mass – Kids are home from school for the foreseeable future. One of my coping mechanisms is my at-home yoga practice (thanks to be.in Union!). Here I am, sharing it with the kiddos. Cow pose and angry cat pose,…
Phantom of the Opera
New York City – We decided to celebrate Daddio’s birthday in NYC. He has been wanting to come down to visit his sister, so I planned a sort-of surprise and sort-of spontaneous getaway. We love to go to the theater…