Last Sunday we took Maura to a concert given by the Dedham Choral Society. The program was “Christmas in Spirituals and Jazz!” It consisted of jazz settings of Christmas music by three contemporary composers and “Shout for Joy (A Suite of Christmas Spirituals)” by Robert DeCormier. We chose to attend this particular event because our good friend Julie Tittler (Auntie Julie to Maura) is in the chorus but for me it was much more than an opportunity to support a friend. I greatly enjoyed the concert. The music was interesting and, to my limited knowledge, very well performed. Hearing it put me in the holiday spirit for the first time this year. The experience for me was worth every penny of the price of the ticket.
Bringing Maura was worth every penny of the price of her ticket, too. I think it is important to expose children to as many experiences as possible. There haven’t been nearly as many chances as I would like for her to experience live musical performances. I don’t know if Maura enjoyed the concert as much as I did but I’m pleased to report that she was very well behaved so she must have gotten something from it. A bored six-year-old is an antsy and noisy one. She had a little trouble sitting still but so did I. The pews of Saint Mary’s Church, where the concert was held, are not the most comfortable seats and it was hard for either of us to sit in one position on them for very long. Even had the seat allowed it, we would have sat still. The strong rhythm of the music called out for movement in time to it.
Maura was certainly fascinated by the architecture and decoration of the church. Because she is part of an interfaith household (Maura and her mother are Jewish, I am not) Maura is probably more aware of religious differences than many six-year-olds. She has a great deal of curiosity and often asks questions about religious imagery that she sees. Her questions are not always easy to answer. Nevertheless I am glad she asks them. My hope is that her curiosity about other faiths helps her become a tolerant and understanding person.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Natural Wonder of Weymouth
Sunday was a perfect Indian summer day here in Weymouth. The weather was sunny with little breeze. The temperature was warm enough that I was comfortable outside without a coat. The weather won’t be better before spring. Jennifer decided that instead of her going to the gym the whole family would take a hike. I couldn’t have agreed more. Because I was late getting home from church because I had meetings to attend after services we decided to stay close to home. We decided to take our hike in Great Esker Park, which stretches along the Weymouth shore of the Weymouth Back River.
We had a lovely hike. The leaves left on the trees were in their fall colors of yellow and russet and the trails were carpeted with the leaves that had already fallen. We hiked over the esker, the long sinuous hill deposited by a long ago glacier that gives the park its name. Then we made our way down to the shore of the tidal Back River. Walking along the gravel beach that separates the open river from the salt marsh behind we got great views of the birds that feed there. Out in the river a flock of diving ducks were feeding, each diving one after another to feed in the depths of the river. A moment later they popped up to the surface, still in line. Behind them a great blue heron fed in the shallow water by an exposed sand bar. Overhead a marsh hawk flew.
Jennifer gave Maura the task of finding all the colors of the rainbow on our hike. She found them in order—red, orange and yellow leaves, green cedar trees, blue sky and purple berries still uneaten on the cat briar.
Great Esker Park is a jewel that the people of Weymouth should be proud of. The esker itself is a rarity. Many eskers have long since been mined away for gravel or leveled for building. The long stretch of undeveloped shoreline is equally rare in a populated area, especially so since the opposite shore in Hingham is also a park. Great Esker has many of the problems of urban parks. It is both neglected and heavily traveled. The paved trails are crumbling and graffiti covered; the unpaved trails are eroding. The busier parts of the park are strewn with trash. It is unfortunate that people don’t appreciate their park more. Perhaps then they would be inspired to keep it clean. Still enough of the natural beauty shines through to make Great Esker a natural oasis in a mostly man-made world.
We had a lovely hike. The leaves left on the trees were in their fall colors of yellow and russet and the trails were carpeted with the leaves that had already fallen. We hiked over the esker, the long sinuous hill deposited by a long ago glacier that gives the park its name. Then we made our way down to the shore of the tidal Back River. Walking along the gravel beach that separates the open river from the salt marsh behind we got great views of the birds that feed there. Out in the river a flock of diving ducks were feeding, each diving one after another to feed in the depths of the river. A moment later they popped up to the surface, still in line. Behind them a great blue heron fed in the shallow water by an exposed sand bar. Overhead a marsh hawk flew.
Jennifer gave Maura the task of finding all the colors of the rainbow on our hike. She found them in order—red, orange and yellow leaves, green cedar trees, blue sky and purple berries still uneaten on the cat briar.
Great Esker Park is a jewel that the people of Weymouth should be proud of. The esker itself is a rarity. Many eskers have long since been mined away for gravel or leveled for building. The long stretch of undeveloped shoreline is equally rare in a populated area, especially so since the opposite shore in Hingham is also a park. Great Esker has many of the problems of urban parks. It is both neglected and heavily traveled. The paved trails are crumbling and graffiti covered; the unpaved trails are eroding. The busier parts of the park are strewn with trash. It is unfortunate that people don’t appreciate their park more. Perhaps then they would be inspired to keep it clean. Still enough of the natural beauty shines through to make Great Esker a natural oasis in a mostly man-made world.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Taking Maura to the Polls
Maura was out of school Tuesday for the election so when I went to vote I brought Maura with me. While my decision to bring Maura along was made for me by a lack of alternative child care arrangements, I am glad that she was with me when I went to cast my ballot. Though Maura won’t be old enough to vote for twelve years I believe it is important that she learn the importance of voting now. By seeing her parents vote and discussing with us the importance of voting I hope that Maura comes away with an appreciation of the fact that participation in elections is a basic duty of all citizens regardless of their political beliefs and affiliations.
I am not very politically active. In fact I detest politics and outside of the voting booth I would rather avoid it all together. I have never contributed to a political campaign or volunteered my time to a political cause. I don’t plan on doing so in the future. I do believe in the duty of all citizens to come to the polls and vote. The right to vote is the most basic political right in any representative government. In the ballot box all citizens are equal (or at least they should be) and each vote carries the same weight. Voting is the fundamental way that citizens influence the behavior of their government. To not vote is to resign yourself to living with a government that does not represent you. While I have often lacked enthusiasm for the candidates among whom I was called to choose, I have chosen to exercise my right to vote in general elections since I was first able to do so.
While I am sure that I will not instill any enthusiasm for politics in my daughter since I have none, I hope that when she is of age she goes to the polls at every election out of duty, if for no other reason. If, unlike me, she finds excitement in politics, then I wish her the joy of it.
I am not very politically active. In fact I detest politics and outside of the voting booth I would rather avoid it all together. I have never contributed to a political campaign or volunteered my time to a political cause. I don’t plan on doing so in the future. I do believe in the duty of all citizens to come to the polls and vote. The right to vote is the most basic political right in any representative government. In the ballot box all citizens are equal (or at least they should be) and each vote carries the same weight. Voting is the fundamental way that citizens influence the behavior of their government. To not vote is to resign yourself to living with a government that does not represent you. While I have often lacked enthusiasm for the candidates among whom I was called to choose, I have chosen to exercise my right to vote in general elections since I was first able to do so.
While I am sure that I will not instill any enthusiasm for politics in my daughter since I have none, I hope that when she is of age she goes to the polls at every election out of duty, if for no other reason. If, unlike me, she finds excitement in politics, then I wish her the joy of it.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Walking with Maura
As the month of October gets close to its end it has been difficult for Maura and me to get out, even on the weekends. Times are tough and there is little money to go new places. We still spend time together, though. One journey we make together almost every day.
When Maura started first grade at the beginning of September I decided that as long as it was practical we would walk to school and walk home. It’s just over a mile and a half each way. I thought it would be a good idea to save gas and both of us can use the exercise. We’ve walked at least one way almost every day since the beginning of the school year.
I’ve really enjoyed my daily walks with Maura, even though we don’t get to talk much. The traffic noise makes conversation difficult. Maura keeps talking but she’s always looking down and away from me to avoid stumbling while she walks and I miss a lot of what she says. Still, just spending time with my daughter makes the walks enjoyable for me.
I am also very proud of her. She walks further every day than many parents would ever ask their six-year-olds to walk and she does it without complaint. I think she enjoys it almost as much as I do. She agrees that the walk is good exercise and as long as we walk I’m not much worried about Maura getting too chubby. As much as she would like to sit in front of the TV when we are home, I know she is getting a fair amount of exercise.
I know Maura especially enjoys the days when we stop on the way home for a treat, usually at the donut shop that is about halfway between home and school. A hot drink and a donut make a nice treat on raw days, and once we left the house early and shared a good breakfast on our way to school.
We may not be walking often for long. Soon we may largely give it up until spring, though I plan on walking in good weather into November, at least in the afternoon. We’ve already mostly given up walking in the mornings. It’s been chilly and it’s hard to get up in the dark to be ready a half-hour early so there is time to walk. For now we’ll keep walking in the afternoon, at least on dry and pleasant days. Soon enough the winter cold will be here, and the winter darkness. The shadows will already be getting long at 3:30 when we are walking home from school and the sidewalks will be icy after snow. Then we will stop walking because it will not be safe or pleasant. I will be eagerly awaiting the light and warmth of spring, and I think Maura will be too.
When Maura started first grade at the beginning of September I decided that as long as it was practical we would walk to school and walk home. It’s just over a mile and a half each way. I thought it would be a good idea to save gas and both of us can use the exercise. We’ve walked at least one way almost every day since the beginning of the school year.
I’ve really enjoyed my daily walks with Maura, even though we don’t get to talk much. The traffic noise makes conversation difficult. Maura keeps talking but she’s always looking down and away from me to avoid stumbling while she walks and I miss a lot of what she says. Still, just spending time with my daughter makes the walks enjoyable for me.
I am also very proud of her. She walks further every day than many parents would ever ask their six-year-olds to walk and she does it without complaint. I think she enjoys it almost as much as I do. She agrees that the walk is good exercise and as long as we walk I’m not much worried about Maura getting too chubby. As much as she would like to sit in front of the TV when we are home, I know she is getting a fair amount of exercise.
I know Maura especially enjoys the days when we stop on the way home for a treat, usually at the donut shop that is about halfway between home and school. A hot drink and a donut make a nice treat on raw days, and once we left the house early and shared a good breakfast on our way to school.
We may not be walking often for long. Soon we may largely give it up until spring, though I plan on walking in good weather into November, at least in the afternoon. We’ve already mostly given up walking in the mornings. It’s been chilly and it’s hard to get up in the dark to be ready a half-hour early so there is time to walk. For now we’ll keep walking in the afternoon, at least on dry and pleasant days. Soon enough the winter cold will be here, and the winter darkness. The shadows will already be getting long at 3:30 when we are walking home from school and the sidewalks will be icy after snow. Then we will stop walking because it will not be safe or pleasant. I will be eagerly awaiting the light and warmth of spring, and I think Maura will be too.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Saturday October 4th
Saturday was the official opening of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway on the site of what was once the elevated expressway. We went down for the outdoor events that took place all day. We had a great time. The weather was nearly perfect for early October and there was plenty to do and see along the Greenway.
Maura and I headed down after her soccer game in the morning. Jennifer was already downtown and met us outside of South Station around eleven, after we had come in on the Red Line.
We decided to do a treasure hunt. By finding the clues to answer a set of questions that in turn gave us letters to spell out a phrase we could win a prize. It was an excuse to wander up and down the Greenway and explore while we searched. Along the way we sampled some food (quite enough for a good lunch), heard some music, watched some dancing and learned a bit about Boston. Maura was able to make several art projects while I tracked down the clues. The neatest project was a flag for a flag tree. Flags made by visitors to the Greenway Opening were hung on lines from a pole. Together they made a very colorful display which grew throughout the day.
At the North End end of the Greenway we saw a display on Boston’s archeology and heard a fife and drum band perform. The Archaeological Institute of America is headquartered in Boston and had a booth where they were highlighting the finds that were made during the construction of the tunnel running under the Greenway. They were also giving away copies of their magazines and Maura picked up a copy of Dig, which is their kids’ magazine. It would make me very proud if she took an interest in archaeology. It wouldn’t surprise me, though. She seems to enjoy many of the things that I do.
From the North End we walked back down the Greenway to the other end, in China Town. In the beautifully landscaped park at the edge of China Town they were putting on dance and martial arts demonstrations. While Maura and Jennifer watched, I finished the treasure hunt and left Maura to collect the prize. I headed home on my own to be sure to make it in time to get to work by four.
There will only be one official opening of the Greenway but I hope that the Greenway continues to see lots of use and that the opening event is a model for things to come. The Greenway needs to have people on it to be fully appreciated. Empty it is still an improvement over the shadowed wasteland that was there before the highway was buried but without events to draw people it could quickly become a place to cross and not a place to stop.
Maura and I headed down after her soccer game in the morning. Jennifer was already downtown and met us outside of South Station around eleven, after we had come in on the Red Line.
We decided to do a treasure hunt. By finding the clues to answer a set of questions that in turn gave us letters to spell out a phrase we could win a prize. It was an excuse to wander up and down the Greenway and explore while we searched. Along the way we sampled some food (quite enough for a good lunch), heard some music, watched some dancing and learned a bit about Boston. Maura was able to make several art projects while I tracked down the clues. The neatest project was a flag for a flag tree. Flags made by visitors to the Greenway Opening were hung on lines from a pole. Together they made a very colorful display which grew throughout the day.
At the North End end of the Greenway we saw a display on Boston’s archeology and heard a fife and drum band perform. The Archaeological Institute of America is headquartered in Boston and had a booth where they were highlighting the finds that were made during the construction of the tunnel running under the Greenway. They were also giving away copies of their magazines and Maura picked up a copy of Dig, which is their kids’ magazine. It would make me very proud if she took an interest in archaeology. It wouldn’t surprise me, though. She seems to enjoy many of the things that I do.
From the North End we walked back down the Greenway to the other end, in China Town. In the beautifully landscaped park at the edge of China Town they were putting on dance and martial arts demonstrations. While Maura and Jennifer watched, I finished the treasure hunt and left Maura to collect the prize. I headed home on my own to be sure to make it in time to get to work by four.
There will only be one official opening of the Greenway but I hope that the Greenway continues to see lots of use and that the opening event is a model for things to come. The Greenway needs to have people on it to be fully appreciated. Empty it is still an improvement over the shadowed wasteland that was there before the highway was buried but without events to draw people it could quickly become a place to cross and not a place to stop.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fall Pilgrimage, Sunday, September 21st
With the school year in full swing and me working on Saturday, Sunday is our day for family outings. This week we headed out to the Nashoba Valley Winery and Orchard in Bolton, Massachusetts, for our annual fall visit. Jennifer and I have been going there every fall since before Maura was born and Maura has made the trip every year of her life so far. Besides having and orchards where you can pick apples and other fruits in season, Nashoba also has a winery that makes excellent fruit wines, a micro brewery and a licensed distillery where they make their own brandy. They also have a restaurant. Nashoba Valley puts on a festival in the fall each year. This year it was Family Day, with less emphasis on their alcoholic products and more on apples and children’s activities. We were joined on our trip by our good friends, Andrew and Julie Tittler and their son Peter.
The trip to Bolton from Weymouth took about an hour, with a quick stop in Dedham to drop off our contribution to the evening’s supper at the Tittlers’. We arrived in Bolton at about one thirty. We started our festival experience with lunch while we waited for the Tittlers to join us. We had hot dogs with shared sides of beans and red cabbage coleslaw. Everything was delicious.
Once everyone had gathered we headed out into the orchard to pick some apples. The apples had some hail damage so it was a challenge to find good ones. Maura played with Peter and picked mostly for the Tittlers’ bag while Jennifer and I filled ours. We picked a peck of Liberty apples, since they seemed to be the best cooking apples that were ready for picking. They make great apple sauce and are crisp and tasty for eating fresh as well. I haven’t made any pies but I plan to try this weekend.
After apple picking we took a rest at the picnic field. A bluegrass band played live and several kids games were set up around the field. Peter wasn’t feeling well so the Tittlers headed home, but we stayed a while longer to enjoy the music and to watch a juggler perform. We shared a fresh made caramel apple and enjoyed the nearly perfect weather.
The only downside to the trip for us came on our way home. We ran into a bad traffic jam on the highway. It took us as long to go five miles to the bottleneck as it had to drive all the way from Weymouth earlier in the afternoon.
The trip to Bolton from Weymouth took about an hour, with a quick stop in Dedham to drop off our contribution to the evening’s supper at the Tittlers’. We arrived in Bolton at about one thirty. We started our festival experience with lunch while we waited for the Tittlers to join us. We had hot dogs with shared sides of beans and red cabbage coleslaw. Everything was delicious.
Once everyone had gathered we headed out into the orchard to pick some apples. The apples had some hail damage so it was a challenge to find good ones. Maura played with Peter and picked mostly for the Tittlers’ bag while Jennifer and I filled ours. We picked a peck of Liberty apples, since they seemed to be the best cooking apples that were ready for picking. They make great apple sauce and are crisp and tasty for eating fresh as well. I haven’t made any pies but I plan to try this weekend.
After apple picking we took a rest at the picnic field. A bluegrass band played live and several kids games were set up around the field. Peter wasn’t feeling well so the Tittlers headed home, but we stayed a while longer to enjoy the music and to watch a juggler perform. We shared a fresh made caramel apple and enjoyed the nearly perfect weather.
The only downside to the trip for us came on our way home. We ran into a bad traffic jam on the highway. It took us as long to go five miles to the bottleneck as it had to drive all the way from Weymouth earlier in the afternoon.
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Quiet Day, Tuesday September 16th
Maura had no school on Tuesday. It was state primary election day and our school system always schedules a teacher development day on election days for the safety of the students and the convenience of the voters. We decided to make a trip to the Children’s Museum. Because of our membership the outing would be very inexpensive. The cost of the museum visit was already paid for, as was Jennifer’s transportation and six-year-olds ride the T for free. Only my T fare had to be paid for, though we had trouble scrounging enough money for it and still leave enough for a few gallons of gas in the almost empty tank of the car.
Once we determined that there was enough money for my T fare we headed for our bus stop. We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our morning. Maura loves the Children’s Museum any time. Weekdays during the school year are the best times for adults to tag along. The museum wasn’t crowded and the noise level was much lower than it is with a crowd. I was saved a headache and Maura didn’t have to wait to have a turn at many of the exhibits. Even the art studio wasn’t packed, though we did have to wait a few minutes when it was closed for lunch. Maura enjoyed her usual favorite exhibits and especially the art studio, always one of the highlights of our visits. On this trip we made paper beads from old magazines. They were easy and fun to make and in no time we had enough for a fairly long string of colorful beads. The only down side to our trip was that Maura was tired at soccer practice and wasn’t in the mood to run or pay attention to her coach.
Once we determined that there was enough money for my T fare we headed for our bus stop. We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our morning. Maura loves the Children’s Museum any time. Weekdays during the school year are the best times for adults to tag along. The museum wasn’t crowded and the noise level was much lower than it is with a crowd. I was saved a headache and Maura didn’t have to wait to have a turn at many of the exhibits. Even the art studio wasn’t packed, though we did have to wait a few minutes when it was closed for lunch. Maura enjoyed her usual favorite exhibits and especially the art studio, always one of the highlights of our visits. On this trip we made paper beads from old magazines. They were easy and fun to make and in no time we had enough for a fairly long string of colorful beads. The only down side to our trip was that Maura was tired at soccer practice and wasn’t in the mood to run or pay attention to her coach.
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