BSO

BSO

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Trail

The farm fields of Hadley enroute to Amherst.


This afternoon we parked in the lot by the Amherst Media Center.


Then we walked down the street on the woodland side until we came to this big rock.


Push aside the leaves and you realize you are on an official trail.


The older benches along the trail have melted back into the earth.


One of the benches has this graffiti on it. What inspired someone to write it?


Your reward at the end of the trail is to sit and contemplate this view.



To hell with mellow! Hey let's check out a rave in Holyoke!



Have a fun Memorial Day weekend!


Saturday, May 19, 2012

Wheels

Ms. Maddow in the window.


We have lots of people like this around here.


We also have lots of people who don't see the irony of putting that sticker on something with an internal combustion engine. This was bike week, and there was a little gathering to celebrate at the old courthouse.


The new Mayor of Northampton was there. My sense is that even his critics are pleasantly surprised by the job he's done so far.


Here's a ride you don't see on the road very often.


Here's what it looks like inside.


Someone rode this bike to UMass.


Has 1976 become a date so long ago in the ancient past that businesses use it to boast of their longevity?


I had some very big fun in 1976.


Here are some scenes from a Northampton tag sale.




Saturday, May 12, 2012

Gone

It's been a snowless cold and dreary winter.


Now all the beauty is back on the woodland way into downtown Northampton.


Spring has sprung and romance is in the air.


Took so long strolling along enjoying the way that I had to take a shortcut down an alleyway to get to the bus stop on time.


At UMass the graduations are over....


And the kids are gone.


Empty tables at Raos.


The Haymarket is a ghost town.


But only a brief interlude of serenity until the first big wave of New York City tourists hits town on Memorial Day weekend, keeping the scene going until September when the students return and everything kicks into high gear again.

In the window of FACES.


Now summer in the Valley can begin.


UMassling

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Cinco Day

Today is Cinco De Mayo, a holiday that really doesn't mean anything to me. I've been in Texas during Cinco De Mayo, where it is colorful, noisy and fun, especially if you like to drink, sorta like the Irish try to make every holiday. Yet it has never really caught on among we ole New England Yankees, outside of the Spanish ghettos in Springfield and Holyoke. The only evidence of the holiday I could see in Northampton were these painter's pictures that had a sorta Spanish theme.


Vern and I cooking a community breakfast at the Amherst Survival Center.


John on his head in the parking lot.



You can always get a free meal at UMass, provided you are willing to confine your diet to the three major food groups: hotdogs, pizza and candy. Here's some cotton candy being given out this week at the UMass Gaypril Queerfest.


I wandered over to the Newman Center because I heard they were giving away free food for finals week. You could get sandwiches called "The Seven Deadly Sins" all served with chips.


Give the Catholics their due, whatever their sins they are not humorless. They are also preserving a pair of rare antiques in this cell phone world - wooden pay phone booths!


Advice to graduates on a Newman Center exit.


Politicians were on campus yesterday doing a shuck and jive about student loans. Here is Worcester Congressman Jim McGovern being interviewed.


Retiring Congressman John Olver of Amherst, who dropping the burdens of public service now looks healthier and more relaxed than he has in years.


This rare September 25, 1974 issue of the Valley Advocate in pristine condition is on display under glass at the UMass library. I have mixed emotions about seeing objects relating to my own past displayed as museum pieces. It makes me feel like a museum piece!


This guy at last week's Extravaganja in Amherst is too much



Bartlett Hall UMass