On Hiatus

I have not been diligent in writing for this blog;

Used to do a lot of rhymes but it became a slog.

It's no fun to rhyme about what's going on out there.

America is in a crisis...  I am in despair.

I'd thought Donald Trump an aberration - just a fluke -

Now I see he isn't, and that makes we want to puke.

He attacks the very things that made this country great;

Demonizing every Democratic candidate.

His base loves him for it; they adore his Twitter rants...

Echoing his ugly sentiments in racist chants.

Maybe Trump's just cynical and it's his strategy

But the fact it's working for him is depressing me.

I feel like a dummy 'cause I never understood

How it is that people, even in my neighborhood,

Here, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, are supporting Trump...

My faith in humanity has gone into a slump.

'though I've tried, repeatedly, to see the other side;

Put aside how often his Administration's lied,

Watched a lot of FOX and Friends for what they had to say,

I found myself overwhelmed...  I've had to step away.

Goodbye Adam

 (The McCarthy Middle School talent contest version, Adam in a kilt, was better.)

I spent this year's Mother's Day at Adam Gregoire's wake.

It felt like a nightmare and I thought my heart would break

At the pictures of the boy who used to hang around...

Ate and slept here.  Yet, today, they'll lay him in the ground.

He was such a lovely boy; so funny but so sweet.

Taught our son to play guitar and how to keep a beat.

I can still remember them - in triumph on the stage.

Such a talent gone from us at far too young an age.

Both my sons attended with me and they made me proud

As we stood in line and waited with the massive crowd

Come to say goodbye and offer useless sympathy

And, like all but Adam's mom, thank God she wasn't me.

Dear Mother Nature... Really?

 

More than half way through the month of April and it's cold!

We had snow this morning...  Winter's getting pretty old.

Don't know how much more of cold and rainy I can take.

I've  grown really sick of it.  I need a little break.

Somewhere warm and sunny - near an ocean - would be nice.

Margaritas on the beach?  Don't need to ask me twice.

It's not gonna happen but a girl can always dream...

Still, if I don't see the sun tomorrow I will scream.

Thank You National Grid, et al.

 

Massachusetts just survived a pretty tough two weeks;

Three Nor'easters blew through here, as Mother Nature sneaks

One last blast of winter in - with two more feet of snow

Covering the broken trees that fell six days ago.

 'though there is a lot of shoveling I must complete,

Once I'm done I get to come inside to lights and heat

'cause we got our power back before this latest storm

And we made it through unscathed... I hear we're not the norm.

Lots of people on the Cape are sitting in the dark

As the temperatures descend below the freezing mark.

Thank you to the power crews who came from out of town,

Hard at work replacing all the lines these storms brought down.

I know we'll all get through this because we always do...

Blizzards in New England in the Spring are nothing new.

Doesn't mean we have to like it though - unless you ski -

Most of us are sick of winter here... Including me!

Snow?

Past two days were bright and sunny - in the 70s.

Yet, today, New Englanders are breaking out their skis.

Forecast says it's gonna snow today into tonight...

Makes me want to utter phrases that are not polite.

I know that it's only February here up North -

Where I've seen an inch of hail fall on July the 4th,

Where we've had a foot (or more) of snow on April 1st -

Still, to have a taste of Spring - then lose it - is the worst.

Not So Happy All Hallows Eve

Happy Hallowe'en, my friends.  Enjoy your tricks and treats.

Watch out for the little kids in costume in the streets.

Trick or Treating's been postponed 'til Friday in my town

Due to winds which made some trees and power-lines come down.

Chelmsford's not the only town affected locally,

My sister in Dracut's yard has got a fallen tree.

Schools are cancelled...  Still, I'd bet most kids are feeling sad;

Now they've got no place to wear the costumes that they had.

'though I understand tonight's impossible to swing,

I'm afraid November 3rd still lacks a certain zing.

It is not All Hallows Eve - October 31st...

Just another night for eating candy 'til we burst.

A Chelmsford Autumn

(Photos by Jeanne Malouin)

I don't mean to brag about it, but it would be hard

To find better Autumn colors than what's in my yard

Here in Massachusetts, in my quaint New England town.

Hopefully, the rain and wind won't blow all these leaves down.

Pines have shed their needles while the oaks are - mostly - green,

Adding depth and contrast to the view through my porch screen.

Red and orange sugar maples, almost at their peak...

Layers of colors that I'll be enjoying for a week.

Since October's been so warm the colors came on late.

We're about two weeks behind what's normal for the state.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you... Any time at all

Is the perfect time to see this glorious a Fall.

Castle Rock in Chelmsford?

I had yet to hear the news and so it was a shock

When location scouting agents stumbled on my block.

They were looking here and in some other neighborhoods;

Said they were from Warner Brothers and they liked our woods.

They are shooting Castle Rock - a Hulu TV show -

Based on books by Stephen King.  But, now I wanna know

What is it the scouting agent saw that made her think

Our woods would be suitable?  Now I'm afraid to blink.

Did she see a rabid Saint Bernard or scary clown?

Are there monsters roaming through my quiet, little town?

It's a little disconcerting when somebody looks

At your house and thinks it's like something from Stephen's books.

Up the Creek

I feel bad for people on vacation for the week;

Here, in Massachusetts, I'm afraid they're up the creek.

They don't have a paddle either.  Soon they'll have to bail...

It's been raining steadily: there's thunder, lightning, hail.

I've been in that boat before and so I feel their pain;

(Even though an ocean view is gorgeous in the rain)

If you only get a short time off for summer fun

It would stink to pick a week that's so devoid of sun.

Holding My Nose for Trump

 I am what the media's been calling "the elites:"

Living in my ivory tower on suburban streets,

College-educated, Massachusetts Democrat,

Who - though knowing Trump just won - is still processing that.

Watching as the demonstrators protest through the streets,

Rightly worried over Donald Trump's outrageous Tweets.

Hearing chants of "White Power" as racist bigots gloat, 

Knowing about half of those protesters didn't vote.

When we lose elections we must live with the result

(Unless you're prepared to join some anarchistic cult.)

Seeing electoral maps of red with specks of blue

Tells me that it's only fair to see what Trump will do.

I may be upset but I'm not arrogant enough

To ignore the 60 million for whom times are tough. 

I don't have to like it - and, believe me, I do not -

But that doesn't change the fact that Trump has earned his shot.

Boston 2024 - 2.0

(Courtesy of/theawesomeboston.com)

I feel kinda bad for Boston 2024.

If I weren't so sure the Games are gonna cost us more

Than what they're predicting, I might even change my mind...

They're in need of all of the support that they can find.

Their new plan to spread the Games throughout the Commonwealth

(Hoping local cities see a chance to share the wealth)

Hasn't won them much support; the polls are trending down

'cause it's costly hosting the Olympics in your town.

Holes the size of stadiums appear throughout the plan.

They say they can solve the problems; I don't think they can.

Wish their proposition wasn't such a risky one;

Boston 2024 could be a lot of fun.

Promenade on the Chelmsford Common

My beautiful niece on her way to prom. (Photo/Courtesy of Peter S. Corr III)

 Here in Chelmsford, seniors - who are on their way to prom -

Stop and pose for pictures on the Common with their mom.

It's become traditional and draws a massive crowd;

Couples dressed in finery, their parents looking proud.

I've been there the last few years for nieces and my son;

Love to see the gorgeous gowns and pick my favorite one.

'though the crowds of people make the Center's traffic slow,

Once my own have graduated I still plan to go.

Kudos to Chief Campanello in Gloucester

Chief Leonard Campanello. (Photo/riverhousechronicles.com)

Live in Gloucester, Massachusetts and you want to cease

Using drugs? Now you can turn yourself in to police.

Chief has said he won't arrest the addicts who arrive...

That he'll try to get them into treatment, where they'll thrive.

I applaud his motivation... Wants to save some lives;

Sick of notifying mothers, fathers, husbands, wives

That someone they love has accidentally OD'd.

He's aware it isn't jails, but health care, junkies need.

Problem is facilities are running out of beds

And the Chief has been advised of issues with the Feds.

Those could hamper this new effort by the Gloucester cops...

Still the program's worth attempting if one addict stops.

The Photo That Sealed Tsarnaev's Fate

(Photo/Courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Justice)

There's a picture that's been circulating for a while

Of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev from the Boston Bombing trial.

First time that I saw it, looked my husband in the eye,

Said, that photo guarantees they'll sentence him to die.

In the picture Dzhokhar's lurking there behind a tree

Looking straight at Martin Richards' happy family.

That is when Tsarnaev, standing silent and alone,

Chose to target children - acting, solely, on his own.

I was spared the gory details jurors had to see

But, I bet that if you asked the courtroom, they'd agree;

That's the piece of evidence that sealed Tsarnaev's fate.

Killing children isn't something we will tolerate.

You're Welcome. Sincerely, Fenway's Faithful

'though it seemed like sour grapes, because our team got swept,

(Fenway's Angels looked down on the Red Sox and they wept)

New York's Yankees came to Boston... Beat us all three games.

Fenway's Faithful spent the weekend calling A-Rod names.

Someone had to do it, 'though it's fitting it was us.

Other ballparks might have felt they oughta make a fuss

When the record that's been held by legend Willie Mays

Fell to one whose steroid use affected how he plays.

That would be embarrassing.  In Boston we ignored

Any ceremony for the home-runs A-Rod's scored.

Don't be worried baseball fans.  We booed him for your sake.

You are welcome.  It's a sacrifice we're glad to make.

Kitchen Reno - One Giant Leap

On the day I wrote I thought my builder 'd disappeared

He stopped by to meet with me.  It wasn't what I'd feared;

What with all the winter damage everyone has had

He's been working night and day. The poor guy's looking bad.

But, we got a lot accomplished; called the flooring guy.

Now I have a counter-top and tile I've gotta buy.

I went to A Touch of Tile in Westford where I found

What may be the best selection of fine tiles around.

Bought my new appliances at Hunter's down the road.

Howie worked the numbers and he's saving me a load.

If you live near Littleton it could be worth your while;

Hunter's carried all appliances in every style.

(I owe an apology to those who read my rhymes

As a Seussilitis version of The New York Times;

Here expecting news yet some reviews are all they find.

Sorry...  I don't choose the rhyming voices in my mind.)

Florida's Looking Better Every Day

(Photo courtesy of Scott Erlich of Winchester, MA/via WCVB ULocal)

I cried "Uncle!" days ago...  We got another storm.

Icicles the size of glaciers have begun to form

On the eaves of houses hidden by the mounds of snow;

So much that we're running out of space for it to go.

Only see my neighbors if they're shoveling their roof

(Not because we're trying to be distant and aloof)

Snowbanks have become so high that people disappear.

You would not believe how much snowfall we've gotten here.

Minus 20 with the wind chill, now; it's bitter cold.

More snow for tomorrow - not a lot, we're being told.

Weekend storm's another matter.  That one could be big.

Never mind our throughway; this is Boston's biggest dig.

A Valentine's Blizzard

Valentines in Massachusetts plan on staying home;

Blizzards aren't the best of times for anyone to roam

Far from hearth or home-cooked meal... I'm broiling some fillets.

I just leave my house to shop for groceries these days.

That's not what the local restaurants want to hear, I know...

But, with blizzard warnings up, I've got no urge to go

Anywhere but cuddled up with blankets on our couch

(When it comes to cuddling, my sweetie ain't no slouch.)

Oldest son is coming home.  We've missed him very much.

Happy I'll have my 3 Valentines where I can touch.

Somehow, I have promised, he'll get back to Plymouth State

But, if it's still snowing here, he'll probably be late.

Uncle!

(Photo/Courtesy of Charlie in Stoneham via WCVB's ULocal)

Hearty, old New Englanders like me - 'though born and bred

To the winter season in the region are in dread

Of the 5 day forecast we've been hearing on the news;

It's not good for us or our exhausted snowplow crews.

Thursday into Friday - snow...  More snow Sunday night.

In this tunnel of our winter that oncoming light

Is a train wreck up ahead (if they can clear the tracks.)

No relief in sight for our poor old and aching backs.

I have got a snowbank that's, at least, 1 story high;

Ice dams on our roof have caused a leaky ceiling...  Sigh.

Even old New Englanders (who aren't inclined to whine)

Reach an upper threshold for our winters.  We've passed mine.

Thank You Barry

Made it through the blizzard safely - never lost our heat -

But we got so much snow that they've measured it in feet.

We got over 30 inches...  That's a lot of snow.

We'd begun to shovel it but our progress was slow.

Suddenly, a mighty roar was heard above the wind

And our neighbor (on whose grass our dog has often sinned)

Carved a path across our yard - snow blower set on high -

Coming to our rescue because he's that kinda guy.

Hours worth of digging out...  In minutes, he was done.

His machine's amazing.  I have got to get me one.

Even more amazing is our neighbor, Barry Moore.

Thanks to him we're shoveled out and our old backs aren't sore.