Summer sunset

August 4, 2019May 20, 2019 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 2 Comments

Here’s a view from our dorm at Castleton University in Vermont, where New England Yearly Meeting of Friends is gathering for its 359th annual sessions. The clouds stretch back into Upstate New York and Lake George.

They sound like happy fireworks

July 28, 2019May 20, 2019 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

The street drum band aNova Brazil joined us last fall to help celebrate the cleanup of the Charles River two decades earlier. Here they are warming up for the Boston Revels’ equinox RiverSing last fall at the Herter Park amphitheater along the Charles River in Allston. They later fired up the procession down to the stage and performed several unbelievably complex and infectious numbers. They’re a hard act to follow, but we did it. Boston Revels hosts events throughout the year to enhance community through folk traditions.

Whale tail over the indoor pool

June 12, 2019June 11, 2019 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Marti, a 26-foot-long, 10-foot-high whale tail sculpture, is shown being installed last week on top of Dover’s indoor swimming pool. The artwork by Dale Rogers of Haverhill, Massachusetts, is the crowning touch to the city’s Adventure Playground in Henry Law Park beside the Cocheco River..

Be the church

April 21, 2019December 8, 2018 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

These T-shirts worn by members of Durham Community Church (UCC) at a Jericho Walk around the federal building in Manchester uphold the perspective of the church as the body of believers rather than the house of worship or the organizational structure. This was at a vigil opposing the deportation of refugees.

Welcome spring!

March 20, 2019March 19, 2019 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

It’s not yet warm enough for New Englanders to return to the outdoors quite like this, but we’re feeling the stirrings. Many of the Boston Revels’ performances celebrate the changing seasons, and the annual Spring Sing concert just took place in the United Methodist church in Watertown, Massachusetts. This scene with Mother Goose preparing to float toward the stage is from last fall’s equinox RiverSing in the Herter Park amphitheater along the Charles River in Allston.

The kids in the procession were lots of fun. We had two excellent children’s choirs participating.

I’d still take the room atop the tower

March 10, 2019December 8, 2018 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ 2 Comments

I can easily imagine a large extended family like Cassia’s living in a big house like this. Throw in a constant array of guests, too. If it were only pink, like the one in my novel What’s Left!

A view over the barn

February 17, 2019December 8, 2018 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

There are days our world awakens to this.

Lamprey River Band

January 13, 2019October 18, 2018 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

This country dance band has been together since 1983, performing principally in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire. Its first-Thursday-of-the-month New England contradances in Dover’s city hall welcome sit-in musicians and guest callers. That event started out in a neighboring town as band practice … and if the band was practicing, so could the callers … and if they were calling, why not have dancers? It’s a great event, and beginning dancers are always welcome.

BEACON OF THE SEASON

December 20, 2017November 7, 2017 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

The Nubble Point Lighthouse in York, Maine, is decked out for the holidays.

The lighthouse at Cape Neddick in York, Maine, is one of the most photographed in America. Also known as the Nubble Point Light, it has a red beam to distinguish it from other nearby beacons. Each Christmas season, it’s outlined in holiday fare. Here’s how it looks.

It sits on its own island. Watching the darkness grow is a memorable experience.

ESPRESSO FIT FOR THE GODS

December 13, 2017October 15, 2017 ~ Jnana Hodson ~ Leave a comment

Vittorio’s in the North End is famed for its espresso and pastries. With Mercury as one of the coffee makers, you can see why the neighborhood is also renowned as Little Italy.

Boston is a rich and varied destination – the Hub of New England, or the Universe, as they used to say. Living a little more than an hour to the north, we’re well within its orb.