Support The One Fund

 

"Never underestimate the charitable impulse of the American people." 

- Ken Feinberg, Administrator of the One Fund Boston.

Our hearts are heavy in Boston in the aftermath of the tragic bombings at last week's Boston Marathon. Most Bostonian have a connection to the bombing, shooting in Cambridge, lockdown of the city, or manhunt in Watertown. Despite the tragedy, there are so many stories of goodness and people coming together.

Today's Boston Globe has a story about how the Lenox Hotel cooked food for the crime scene investigators. When the hotel ran out of food, other restaurants and hotels sent food. The law enforcement officials left money to pay the workers who lost wages and were volunteering to work to feed them. The workers then told their managers to donate the money to the One Fund for the bombing victims. This is just one of many stories of the kindness and generosity of those dealing with this tragedy.

The One Fund has currently collected over $20 million dollars. The bombing victims will need money to pay for rehabilitation, prosthetics, lost wages, psychological counseling, etc. Many will need a great deal of financial help putting their lives back together. Please consider making a donation the One Fund to help the bombing victims.

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's 4/9

 

Three words: free ice cream. Now that I've got your attention. Tuesday, April 9 is free cone day at Ben & Jerry's. If you are an ice cream fan, you can stop by your local participating Ben & Jerry's and enjoy a free ice cream cone.

Bring On Spring

It's that time of year when I look forward longingly to the warmer, longer days of spring. Winter is hanging on strong. Today the temperature was in the 30s with a cold, winter wind. Despite having to still wear my winter coat and gloves, I have seen the signs that spring and warmer weather will be here soon. Patriot's Day, a mere couple of weeks away, is usually the turning point around here where all of a sudden everything blooms and the weather is warm.

To bring on spring, here are the top eight things about spring that I am most looking forward to:

1. Everything blooms. Red tulips blooming in our front yard is the first sign on spring. The green tulip stems have already broken through the ground. The purple crocuses are up in the front yard. In the next couple of weeks, the red buds of the tulips will bloom. We also have a container garden in the backyard with a couple of strawberry plants. Last year, we totally neglected it and we were rewarded with a couple of ripe strawberries a day during late spring and early summer.
2. Ice cream at the Bubbling Brook. Every year on the first warm weekend of the summer, we go to Bubbling Brook in Westwood for dinner and ice cream. They have a take out stand and a grassy area near a bubbling brook (hence, the name) with picnic tables.
3. Volante Farms for fresh produce and ice cream. As the days get warmer. Volantes has more fresh, locally grown produce available. Their home grown strawberries are the best I've ever had. Last year, they opened an ice cream stand that we frequented often. 
4. Longer Days. I so enjoy having the sun stay up until the early evening. I like to go for an evening walk in spring/summer to see the glorious sunset as I walk down the hill back to our house.
5. Dining alfresco. The longer days mean that we can eat dinner outside on our deck. The evenings that we do this seem to be more relaxed. We take advantage of it whenever the weather allows.
6. Baseball. Alex's baseball schedule came out today. I'm looking forward to the evenings when we get to see his games. Also, listening to Jerry and Don's banter during a Red Sox game means summer to me.
7. Iced coffee. I love iced coffee, but I can only drink it when it's warm out. A Dunkin Donuts hazelnut is my favorite summer treat. I also enjoy McDonalds iced coffee and you can't beat the $1 price.
8. Wearing flip flops. Goodbye, boots. Hello, flip flops.

Okay, so come on spring. Get here soon so that I can start enjoying my favorite things about you. Boston.com has a list of 25 things to do this spring in Boston for under $25.