These peony tulips form a nice bridge from the early spring bulbs to the later spring offerings of the peonies, poppies and Iris coming up just around the floral season corner. It’s a grand time for the gardens – enjoy it while it lasts, because it never does.
Rain was forecast for parts of Saturday, but when we were ready to head over to Shreve, Crump & Low for the annual washing of the rings, the clouds had cleared and the way was revealing glimpses of sun and peeks of blue sky as we neared the Boston Public Garden.
The trees hadn’t fully leafed out yet, aside from the brilliant chartreuse of the weeping willows, but this always give the area the look of possibility, room to expand and fill in as the summer season ushers herself in.
On this morning, we walked around the Garden, surveying the beds of tulips and flowering apple trees. Families of ducks and Canadian geese patrolled the water, but no signs of the swans this year.
This little Boston oasis is one of my favorite parts of the city – a space that completely takes you out of the concrete gray surroundings, and a welcome relief of green tranquility seen through the curtains of elderly willows.
We had a lunch at the Four Seasons, still missing the Bristol Lounge and its heavenly burgers and 12-layer chocolate wedding cake that brought us so much joy over the years (happily we were told a new restaurant was opening in that space in the next year or so). As we made our way back to the condo for an afternoon siesta, the rain returned – nothing heavy, just enough to keep us happily indoors for an afternoon nap until it was time for dinner.
For our second and last dinner of the weekend, we had reservation at Avra Estiatorio, where a crazy-good Greek menu found us partaking of the best octopus appetizer we have ever had – and so generously portioned that for the first time in decades we couldn’t quite finish it all. (I was hellbent on saving room for dessert, and they had a 16-layer chocolate cake that rivaled the elusive one we had at our wedding lunch in the Bristol Lounge 16 years ago).
It was a very sweet ending to a wonderful weekend of meals, and as the night had turned into a lovely one, we walked some of it off as we made the journey home.
The next morning, our bunny friend stopped by to see us off – a fond adieu from a favorite denizen of my favorite city.
Another anniversary weekend in the books, as a peony bashfully winked at us from behind its pink petals…
Like certain quieter lilac bloom seasons, some anniversaries are low-key and on the quiet side, and all the more enjoyable for it. Such was our 16th as we arrived in sunny, brisk Boston for an early weekend (that can now be posted on our actual anniversary date in the way these things generally do not work out). We open with a bouquet of peonies found at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, a neat way of tying in where we left off last year at this time…
Boston bedecked herself in her usual May splendor – and all the city seemed to be in bloom – big, puffy clouds of Kwanzan cherry trees, all sorts of sweetly-scented ornamental fruit tree flowers, and mysterious lilacs that couldn’t always be detected but for their delightful perfume around every corner.
While our lilacs at home were taking a year off, Boston’s lilacs were putting on a proper show. Along the Southwest Corridor Park, all the flowering trees seemed to be conspiring to join in the parade of beauty, beginning with the American dogwood, showing off its sepals against bare branches for an ethereal effect that only the American dogwood can pull off.
Echoing its white elegance, the Korean spice viburnum perfumed the proceedings. Caught on the slightest breeze, this fragrance embodies spring, joining the lilacs for an olfactory explosion of merriment.
After decompressing at the condo for a while, it was time for an early dinner – early being the only available time lot for reservations at Maple & Ash in the Seaport. It was worth the change in schedule because the meal was fantastic – and this personalized menu joke was hysterical.
A lavender lemon mocktail fronts Andy’s more traditional cocktail – a match made in splendor.
The filets were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, tender enough to cut with a fork, and Andy said it was one of the best he’s had in years. Capping it off with dessert (I chose an elongated slice of chocolate cake that wouldn’t fit in a single photo no matter how much I tried) and Andy had this strawberry Chantilly lace cream concoction.
A sweet early ending to the first part of our anniversary weekend found us back home, cozily ensconced in warmly-lit rooms looking out over the fountain at Braddock Park… Boston’s enchantments enshrined once again in their magic…
Some years aren’t spectacular when it comes to the lilac bloom, especially when late winter storms kill off the trusting buds that showed too bravely and too early. It used to break my heart when that happened, especially considering how many winter days we spent waiting and watching for these precious blooms. After a few years, I learned that even when the weather conditions were kind and gentle, some springs simply didn’t produce a banner crop of blooms, as if their shows were too grand to produce every single year. That only made us love the ones that did appear a little more, taking a few extra moments to take in their exquisite perfume in ways that we might have foregone in more floriferous years.
This is one of those light springs, due to the weather and a decent crop last year.
And that’s ok, because the perfume is true, the color is as lilac as we remember, and it sets things up nicely for next spring.
A brief bridge of redbud flowers, currently lighting up the sky in this glorious color and form.
This website needs more brief blog posts like this.
Telling stories has always fascinated me, as much for the sharing of knowledge and understanding and something that might resonant with another person, as for the relief and lifting of a burden in the act of telling and sharing. Difficulty shared is difficulty halved, or some such shit. Certain songwriters share a love of sharing stories through their music. Mitski is one such artist, and this song says so much in just a few chords and lines. I love the way it opens up on so many levels, how it could mean so many different things.
I won’t leave you ’cause I still love you
So it’s up to you if you choose to go
In the meantime, sleeping by my side
Our two cats, making sure I’ll be alright
As spring deepens, as the weather turns (please God maybe just a little warmer?) and as this space becomes more of an escape and an escapade in a world gone completely bonkers, I like the idea of trying out different stories, tales to take the burden off living this life. Fictional flights of fancy with some gems and jewels of the human condition to keep it all grounded, tethered to the heart of our emotions. Let me entertain you…
You say, “It’s so hard”
But it feels simple to me
It feels so simple to me
So I’ve been trying to stop trying
To be like someone you’d still like
Maybe if I could, you already would
‘Cause I still love you, so I won’t leave you
Guess it’s up to you if you choose to go
In the meantime, rescues at my side
Our two cats, both asleep by me tonight
The best part of storytelling is that you have all the power to change course at any time, especially when things aren’t going the way it feels right or natural. Sometimes there’s a heaviness of heart that signals the wrong path, sometimes there’s a light in a dangerous space that guides you out of the darkness. Sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing what is bearable at any given moment. The universe gives its subtle nudges and hints when you open yourself up to the vast expanse of opportunity and possibility, especially in spring.
Maybe tomorrow night
The cats will be nowhere in sight
But I’ll be glad to know
Th?y’re out following their heart’s d?light
Non-functional decorative buttons are often the sign of a hobbled mind.
When an artist combines music, beauty, and the natural world, it’s an alchemy that often results in the crowning of a Dazzler of the Day – which is why Ben Cosgrove is today’s Dazzler. A composer, pianist, and performance artist, Cosgrove creates and makes music that speaks to the landscape, geography, and the environment – weaving these worlds into an artistic creation that brings tender expression to how humans relate to the environment around them. Check out his website here for additional genius.
Soothsayers and magically-inclined thinkers had indicated that the burning of a red candle on the day of the full Flower Moon may result in abundance and clarity and all sorts of good stuff. Hedging my bets, I burned one during my meditation on that precious day. No word yet on abundance or clarity, but maybe these things take time. I suppose that’s a pretty safe bet in general – the older we get, the more we tend to gain both of those things, and I doubt very much that the burning of a candle, red or otherwise, plays much of a direct role. At best, it might give some sort of placebo encouragement to compel me to get off my ass and make them happen for myself. Chicken or egg, sometimes it doesn’t matter what came first, just what’s for dinner or breakfast.
My favorite month is in glorious swing, so rather than spend my time writing out a tedious introduction to the weekly recap, I’m going to get right into it…
Wrestling with demons that refuse to remain dormant is always fun.
A spring star set to florals and music.
A confessional in more ways than one.
What even is real anymore? Am I real? I’m the OG AI.
I can see the heaven in your eyes. Wrong song, wrong artist, wrong story…
At April’s end, lilacs in the rain.
A midnight morning meditation. You do the math.
Rosemary: protection at the entryway.
Cherry popping season is at hand. Stop the bleeding.
Dipping the dick into a lady’s pond.
Dazzlers of the Day included John Lam, Ilana Glazer, LJ Benet, and Rochelle Jordan.
Rumor has it that Rochelle Jordan has provided inspiration and possible samples for Madonna’s upcoming ‘Confessions 2’ dance album, and for that alone she would earn this Dazzler of the Day – more impressive is her mesmerizing aural mix of R&B, house, and dance-pop music. Check out her website here for further info, including upcoming tour dates, and then listen to her latest release, ‘Through the Wall’.
Some may be surprised to find out that I’m not a gold-star gay. I’ve dipped my dick into more than one lady’s pond over the years – though the statute of limitations has long since run out.
This area (Albany, NY) has a strong influence from its primarily Dutch settlement origins, resulting in several large tulip plantings that have finally been coming into their own after a slightly late start. Nature tends to catch up in just a few short days of warmth and sun, righting whatever winter obstinance derailed the typical timing of blooms. These visions of tulips were seen on a lunchtime stroll I took this last week – a happy visage to break up the day and remind me that there is more to an afternoon than office meetings and paperwork. It’s also a helpful prompt to slow down and smell the flowers when given the opportunity – and if you’re not given the opportunity then it’s important to make one. To that end, I’m going to allow these pretty pics to speak for the rest of this post – get out and enjoy this Sunday, rain or shine.
Joining his current ‘Lost Boys’ co-star Ali Louis-Bourzgui on Broadway, LJ Benet earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning thanks to his moving portrayal of Michael Emerson and a stunning rendition of ‘Belong to Someone’. We are set to see a performance of this on our annual Mother’s Day weekend on Broadway (more on that later). For now, check out LJ Benet’s Instagram page which is a living testament to all that is ‘The Lost Boys’ on Broadway right now. (I cannot wait to see this show!)
