random thoughts – Day 2,358 (Saturday) – once upon a time in boston

Spending Friday in Boston has me feeling nostalgic for the city and what was and might have been. When I was in college in my early twenties, my limited thoughts of the future didn’t extend very far. 

The furthest my “vision” extended was to age 27, which, for some reason, was going to the magical year that launched the rest of my life. I pictured myself at 27, working in a posh Boston ad agency and living in an apartment in Boston with brick walls and wood beams. I saw it as the point in time where I would be making headway in a great career and had a busy and fulfilling social life. Basically, I would have my sh*t together.

Janet, Monica, and Me on the dorm roof.

The image was reinforced when I spent a semester at Chamberlayne Junior College in Boston. I just really needed to get out of Fitchburg and applied to a school with a fashion design program that was advertised in the fashion magazines I read. I was starting during the winter semester and the design program started only in the fall, so I studied advertising and retail because I couldn't wait any longer for an escape.

Our classrooms and dormitories were in amazing historic buildings on Commonwealth Avenue. The dorms were between Fairfield and Gloucester and two blocks from The Prudential Center. The female dorm was once a hotel and had a marble staircase in the lobby, tall windows, and fireplaces in some of the rooms (not functional). Bathrooms had a small shower and were shared by two or three rooms.

My room overlooked Public Alley 434 with a view of the back door of the laundromat. It had a sink (very odd feature, but probably a big deal when the place was new). Once, my roommate and I had our illegal hot plate turned on and one of us used the blow dryer and blew out the electricity in the building. Sometimes a few of us went up onto the roof to hang out.

Classmates Heidi and Debi lived on the same floor that I did and because we were all of legal drinking age, we spent time having white wine spritzers and Tanqueray and tonics at Daisy Buchanon’s on Newbury and Fairfield (closed in 2014) and Friday’s on Newbury and Exeter (closed in 2005). Debi worked at Bloomingdale’s. I worked at Casual Corner. 

At the end of the semester, after the fashion show and the ceremony where some of my friends graduated, goodbyes were said and I went back home to Fitchburg and eventually returned to Fitchburg State. A few semesters later, armed with a freshly minted marketing degree, I couldn’t find a job in Boston, panicked, and took a minimum wage bank teller job in Fitchburg. And that was the beginning of the end of the Boston dream.

Every time I have been on Comm Ave in the decades since, (including Friday), I look for the old classroom and dorm buildings of the now defunct Chamberlayne Junior College. The Boston trips have been fewer and farther between and it is harder to remember the buildings each time. Internet searches informed me that my old dorm became part of Berklee College of Music after Chamberlayne’s demise and is now an apartment building.

The pace, traffic, and buzz of the city were a topic of conversation yesterday. Neither my friend nor I think we could live in Boston now. We both live in the same quiet little city 1.5 hours to the west, and Boston now feels a little overwhelming. It’s a wonderful place to visit, but there is no place quite like a home on a quiet street with turkeys in the yard. At least I have the memories of that minute of being young and vibrant in Boston, living on Comm Ave, working in retail on Boylston Street, and visiting the cool spots in between.

random thoughts – Day 2,357 (Friday) – elephants in boston

Elephants on Comm Ave.

Today, on the final Friday of the free Friday MBTA commuter train program, I finally made it to Boston. A friend and I boarded at Wachusett Station, which is a stone’s throw from my house and only a bit further from hers. We chatted the entire 1.5 hour ride to North Station.

Our plan was to see The Great Elephant Migration, an exhibit of 100 life sized elephant sculptures on the Commonwealth Mall (Commonwealth Ave). Options for getting to the exhibit from the train station (1.2 miles) included the Green Line of the subway or walking. We walked. It was 80-plus degrees. There were a few raindrops early into the walking, but not enough to make an impact.

The exhibit is really cool. According to the exhibit sign, each elephant is a replica of a named and known wild elephant of the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. It extends for a couple blocks in the shady stretch of the park that runs up the middle of Comm Ave. There were quite a lot of people, but everyone was cordial and it wasn’t overwhelming.

Bridal party and swan boats.

After seeing the elephants, we popped over a couple streets to the Prudential Center to enjoy some air conditioning and a falafel lunch break. Then we walked over to Newbury Street before heading into The Public Garden and back towards North Station. At 4:00, the Public Garden was busy with people, swan boats on the water, geese on the grass, and two wedding parties having photos done within sight of the bench upon which we rested for a few minutes. It was a beautiful afternoon with lots of sunshine.

On the way back to North Station and in no rush, we saw a lot of stuff. We popped into a store with a store closing sale of Chinese figurines, dishes, jewelry display racks, satin embroidered cushions, and tons of other stuff we liked but didn’t want to have to carry to the train. We passed the Financial District, saw the Old State House, passed Faneuil Hall, and walked through the produce market outside Boston Public Market. It was a large market (and crowded). Every vendor had fruit packaged by the same producer/distributor, which seemed weird. I might have bought some veggies, but just like the stuff in the store closing sale, I didn’t feel like schlepping stuff to the train. 

Outside Boston Public Market.

Without scheduling our time, we still managed to arrive a North Station at 5:15, which was just in time for my friend to get an iced coffee before we boarded the 5:30 train for home. While she got coffee, I noticed a sign posted on the very high corrugated metal ceiling and nearly fell over backward trying (and failing) to get a clear photo of it. It read "Danger - do not walk on ceiling." Ok, no worries. 

At home, I turned on a movie called The Drama with Zendaya and Robert Pattison (HBO). Immediately, the scenery looked familiar. The movie was filmed in Boston and the streets of Back Bay and the Financial District leapt out, as I had just been there a few hours earlier. 

It was so much fun. Even with train fare, it will be less expensive and less stressful than getting into the city by driving and parking. I need to get to Boston more often.

random thoughts – Day 2,356 (Thursday) – bolts and all kinds of jobs

Today was the day for my haircut appointment, which had been rescheduled from July 28 because my hair was on its best behavior and there was no way I was going to mess with it then. My hair stylist is in Worcester, and back in the days when I was sociable and on top of things I would make lunch plans with a friend who lived in Worcester. For the past year (maybe longer) I’ve been negligent in the friend meet-up part of things, and on appointment day, I’m often flying solo and visiting a thrift shop.

Bolts of fabric!

Today, my plan was to visit Savers before the appointment but then I took a detour and landed at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. The store is in the old Building 19 location and still has the old store name in the building, right underneath the new name. I thought the Ollie’s store in Fitchburg was chaotic, but Worcester was a hundred times worse. The anxiety kicked in the minute I crossed the threshold and I nearly turned around and walked back out. But, and it was a big but, allegedly, there were bolts of fabric, lace, and tulle, that were available beginning Wednesday and that is what stopped me from leaving. With so few fabric stores left, the idea of full bolts of fabric was intoxicating. 

In a disaster of retail display, the bolts were stuffed underneath a wood structure that was loaded with a bunch of random stuff. There was some very rugged striped upholstery fabric, aqua tulle with sparkles, white tulle with foil multicolored flowers, plain white tulle, one bolt of green tulle with sparkles, and dark green lace. After pulling out the stuff I liked, I started sending fabric photos to my dance partner.

Ideally, we will be able to coordinate belly dance costumes with some of the stuff, but there is currently no plan. I bought two bolts each of the aqua tulle, white floral tulle, and dark green lace, and the sole bolt of green tulle with sparkles. Luckily, the fabrics are lightweight because I forgot to grab a cart. I headed to the register clutching seven bolts of fabric. Each bolt has eight yards of fabric and cost a pittance at $3.99 each. I haven’t bought fabric at anything close to that price since finding muslin for 39-cents a yard in the early 1990s.

All kinds of jobs!

While crossing town from Ollie’s to the hair salon, I got to sit in Grafton Hill construction traffic. It provided a chance to window shop and there was one shop that especially caught my attention. The window was crammed with figurines and statues and the sign over the door makes some lofty promises. Botanicas Las 21 Division De Haiti claims “We do all kinds of jobs - Good Fortune - Love - Health - Court Cases - We Guarantee Your Job.” 

Hello, come again? The curiosity on this one could send me right back there. I could use some love. Health is important. Guarantees are comforting. We’ll see.  

random thoughts – Day 2,355 (Wednesday) – another day

Another lovely start to the day. It was a coolish morning with sunshine and coffee, reading, and word games.

The mama turkey in the ferns.

Mid-morning, a smaller group of turkeys than usual was spotted in the yard. It was just the female with three littles. I wondered where the other female and the teenager were. Maybe they had already made it to Mom’s yard and I missed them. I’ve been skittish since seeing a young turkey laying on its side, one leg extended, it’s neck looking very odd. It was at the edge of the neighbor’s yard about a week and a half ago. And ever since, the female that used to come through with four younglings now has only three.

The female walked through the ferns and into the woods and the three littles followed. The female was soon spotted atop the big rock behind the shed. It looked like she was surveying her realm or maybe she was playing hide-and-seek from the littles. Then she moved on. Hopefully the littles kept pace.

A trip to Salvation Army for half-off day yielded two blouses and sweaters including a lavender 100% cashmere pullover, a gray pseudo-Nordic style pullover, and a grayish-greenish silk cardigan. All three sweaters had been rejected on Tuesday, but were suddenly more appealing at half-off. Yes, please and thank you.

New used sweaters.

The cashmere sweater had a few small very holes but I can wield a needle and thread, so for $7.50 and a few stitches it was worth it. Everything has been cleaned and is ready for action, though the cashmere and Nordic hopefully won’t be needed any time soon.

Time was spent reviewing descriptions for workshops and classes in the copper foil stained glass method. I always worked with lead came, fumbled poorly with the copper foil, and meant to learn the process. It looks like this may be a golden opportunity to do so.  

Like yesterday, the great day turned on a dime and became less great. This time, it was the news that actor Tim Curry also passed away yesterday. As if losing Dolly wasn’t enough. Two in one day. What the hell?

random thoughts – Day 2,354 (Tuesday) – a day

Alternating headline treatment.

Mom called to say she had newspapers for me. I’m the final stop in the newspaper cycle that begins two streets over with StepDad’s sister. When her house is done with the papers they will drop a couple days worth at Mom’s. When she and StepDad are done with them, they land in my hands. I flip through several days worth in a sitting, wondering why the main headline alternates between screaming in difficult to read all caps and easier on the eyes mixed case. A few days in all caps, then back to mixed, then back to caps. Pick a side, please. I vote for mixed case for readability.

I used to set the papers in my recycling, bin immediately after reading them but lately I’ve been letting them stack up while I decide if they might be useful when the flowerbed is dug along the side of the house after the siding is done. They could still end up in the bin. Or maybe I’ll do a papier mache thing or a collage or something. Anything is possible in the land of this retired person with lots of free time.

There was a quick trip to Salvation Army to scout for fall sweaters. Some of my favorite sweaters have lived in a drawer for several years because they are too small. I thought maybe stress would cause weight loss like it always did before, but that has not been the case and it’s time to accept that I am not an extra-small or even a small anymore, suck it up, clear the drawer, and replenish it with the correct size items for the job-free lifestyle.

Four sweaters were tried on. The butternut squash turtleneck scratched my neck and would require a base turtleneck underneath. A dark green crew neck in a merino wool blend also scratched my neck and had a hole in it. A nice silk cardigan was in a difficult light greenish gray color that coordinates with exactly nothing else in my wardrobe or the store.  The fourth sweater was too big. I saved a fortune by leaving a store empty handed. 

The sun was shining, the air was clear and despite the shopping failure. it was a great day. I won my 20th consecutive game against Oscar, the Duolingo chess tutor. My tires all still have the correct amount of air since being filled a week ago. There was some lovely leftover tortellini with veggies and cheese from last night for lunch. It was dance day. 

As I prepared for dance class by changing out of sit around the house clothes into drawstring waist dance class pants, I saw the sad news on social media that global icon Dolly Parton had died and it was suddenly not a great day any longer. A big cloud of sadness took over and now it was the day we learned that the world lost a true treasure. At least we will still have the songs and the memories of Dolly’s generosity, humor, and greatness. I wonder if the local newspaper will run the headline in all caps. 

random thoughts – Day 2,353 (Monday) – light panels and turkeys

Plastic light panel, ca 1989.

The sun was shining and all was well. At least, until I tried to actually do anything. For the past year, I have intended to remove the textured plastic covers from the ceiling lights in the kitchen and bathroom to clean them. Periodically, over that year, I have tried to figure out how to release them from the frames to facilitate the cleaning. Today, I tried again. Just like before, it didn’t go well.

There are two tiny levers on each frame. I stood on the stepstool and tried to pry the miniscule tab out with the file from a nail clipper. It was a total failure in the bathroom and the tabs wouldn't budge. On one of the kitchen fixtures, the levers actually move and I got them swiveled out. And then nothing happened. I still couldn’t figure out how to get the plastic sheet out. 

They are all yellowed and very crispy and are very likely the original 1989 sheets of plastic. If I break it, how will I replace it? I don’t even know what it’s called or where to find it. 

Turkey dinner party out back.

The female turkeys and the younglings paid two visits to my backyard today. I was surprised on the morning visit. I was out by the recycle and trash bins and the turkeys suddenly appeared from behind the shed. Just a few feet separated us as they sauntered by, and because all I was doing was putting a jar in the bin, I didn’t have my phone and missed the best chance for close-up turkey photos.

During the evening dinner party visit, I happened to be at the kitchen sink and they appeared. One clever little poult wiggled itself through a space in the wire fencing around the squash, basil, and lavender plants and feasted on the ground in peace and solitude while the other birds headed to the far side of the yard. 

random thoughts – Day 2,352 (Sunday) – plans and gentle peaks

Woke up to clouds and rain and no plans for the day, which was perfect because I have books to read. Before I had finished knocking out the last couple chapters of the book I was too tired to finish last night, there was an incoming message about going to the movies today. Yes, please! That is also a perfect wet weather activity. The plan was set – 4:00, chick flick (Spa Weekend).

The time between making and executing the plan was spent on details for a Boston trip on Friday, doing laundry, telling Miss Kiki how wonderful she is, and eating leftover brew pub quesadilla for lunch. The rain stopped and the sun broke through sometime around 1:30 or so.

There was a test run of the “Sharper Image Acupressure Mat and Pillow” with “over 7,000 gentle peaks” (very pointy plastic bits) to stimulate muscles. I bought it Saturday at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet right before meeting friends at Thirsty Robot. I wasn’t looking for such a product, but it found me. It was the only one on the shelf.

Feet activated.

I set the new acupressure mat on the living room floor and laid down with it under my back and the pillow under my head. It didn’t really feel like anything anywhere. I moved the bulk of my hair so the pillow’s “gentle peaks” had more direct contact with my head. I pulled my knees to my chest so my back had more direct contact with the mat. It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant. I wondered if anything was even happening and also if my clothing was too thick as the model on the box was wearing Lycra leggings and a cropped sport bra top and I was wearing cotton twill pants and a long sleeve tee shirt.

When I stood up, my back felt pretty good, as in, not horrible. I stepped on the mat and the soles of my sock-clad feet felt stimulated, activated and ready for action. Kind of tingly and suddenly, immediately alive. Wow. That, right there, was worth the $12.99 bargain outlet price tag.

The movie was good, as in, it was a brief distraction from the ongoing stress and strain of real life – BS politics, war, increasing prices for food that will either sicken us or kill us (salmonella jalapenos, salmonella eggs, cyclospora lettuce, E. coli alfalfa sprouts, E. Coli blueberries, etc.). Luckily, movie popcorn is not on the list (yet) and a large bucket of it was had and called supper.

There were some decent laughs in the movie and my friend and I now want a spa weekend, just not as screwy as in the movie. My body always hurts and my skin is developing all the issues I was spared as a teenager. I want soothing music as I sit around in a fluffy robe sipping cucumber water between a massage a facial and to feel relaxed even if it takes money for someone else’s skill and training to make it happen. Lord knows, I don’t know how to make it happen on my own.

Unfortunately, neither my friend nor I know of a single day or weekend spa in our region. I went a couple times to a lovely place in Clarksville, TN, but that was a million years and 1,100+ miles ago. I detect a research project on the horizon.