Longings for beauty in New England (and in my homeland of England).

Just before the election; in a grumpy mood because of Florida's retrogressive politics; and our flat, dull and boring landscapes.  I ventured to my friends John and Rick that, (if I could afford  it), I'd return to New England. 

Even our Florida cemeteries are flat and  dull, designed for utility and not for beauty.

In New England, the politics are half-way decent (with Massachusetts and New Hampshire having pretty good Republican Governors).

New England landscapes can be stunning.  I know because  I lived in the beautiful Western Massachusetts Berkshire Hills for sixteen years

Even the cemeteries, and hilly graveyards in New England have a beauty all their own.

John and Rick reminded me that it can be bone-chillingly cold "up north" in winter.  'Tis true.  But y'know, the homes have central heating; and the auto's have efficient heaters!

What I miss most are the four seasons.  

If Vivaldi had lived in Florida he'd have been compelled to write "the one minus twenty days season"!

No autumn here.  I miss the beauty,  It has no price tag.

Early snow in Ludlow, Vermont (via Bruce L)



Old England not New England. Misty autumnal day near Salisbury, Wiltshire.  (photo via "Pictures of British Life" web group).



Autumn beauty at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge/Watertown MA   (Photo' by Tim Lindgren, used with his permission.)




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shoe insults

Last year I consulted with a local podiatrist: Dr. Robert F Herbold Jr. D.P.M. 4717 Swift Rd., Sarasota , FL – 34231  because I was being bothered with a couple of bunions  (yes I am at that age). I was very impressed with this Doctor.  He agreed that I had bunions, but he ventured that it was much too soon for surgery. (Now there’s a first). Instead he recommended some “arch supports” to relieve the tension for my feet, a tension which was exacerbating the bunions. What’s more -  he told me that he sells these arch supports at the miserly sum of $2.50 each (about 1/5 of the price in the local pharmacies). He is an honest man, and I recommend him to anyone with foot problems. So, a couple of weeks ago, having purchased some new walking shoes, I knew that I needed to buy a couple of new arch supports I took myself to his office. Once there, my mind went blank. I wanted to ask his front desk Clerk if I could buy some “shoe inserts” , as I could not rem...
Read more

It began in Bristol U.K. "A man dies" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Image
I well remember the swirling controversy in Bristol, U.K. when a (Presbyterian) Minister the Revd, Earnest Marviin created a ":Rock Opera", called "A Man Dies"  in and for his congregation in the Lockleaze area of Bristol, U.K. Earnest Mrvin I was a sixteen years old member of the Plymouth Brethren Church back in those days, so I most likely disapproved of "A Man Dies" .  We, (the Plymouth Brethren),  disapproved of everything! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had forgotten all about "A Man Dies" until earlier today when saw these pictures on the "Bristol, Then and Now"  Facebook page.   St. James Presbyterian Church, Lockleaze, Bristol  The Bristol Then and Now page includes the following commentary: Lockleaze, Bristol  -  'Jesus Christ Superstar' began at St.James (Presbyterian) Chur...
Read more

The background, the couple, my friends, the wedding ceremony, the Shaykh, the Priest,

Image
The background   I have known the Keller/Bonsey family since 2000 when I became the Rector at St. James's, Cambridge, MA. They (Elisabeth Keller and the Revd. Steven Bonsey with their four children Noah, Sam, Josiah and Annie) had come back to Cambridge from Hawaii where Steve had been the Rector of an Episcopal parish. Steve had just been appointed as a Chaplain at Tufts University (no Sunday morning duties) so the entire family was able to enrich our common life at St. James's - which they did with great love and joy. I count them as friends and have stayed in touch with them since my retirement.  Noah, the oldest son is eloquent in Arabic (he spent a year in Damascus when Syria was a safe place).  He has developed a super career as an analyst of social media in the near East.    Noah worked in Tampa for a while a few years ago, so he and I were a...
Read more