Have you heard about Saturdays in the Park? It’s a new series of events this year in Wollaston’s Safford Park on Beale Street. Every Saturday for the next several weeks, 12pm – 6pm, there will be activities in the park.
In case you’re not familiar with Wollaston, it’s a section of Quincy that has it’s own beach and will soon have a newly renovatedMBTAstation. It’s been closed for over a year and is supposedly on track to re-open in August. Fingers crossed!
It’s also where I’ve enjoyed living for many years. I’ve walked by Safford Park a million times, but have never actually used it. Saturdays in the Park was supposed to start last week, but was cancelled due to rainy weather.
So tomorrow, Saturday, July 6th will be the kick-off event! There will be music, games, a beer garden, food, free yoga and a plant swap!
Since I’ve been intentionally growing my plant family, the plant swap was my suggestion and I’ll be at a table from 12pm to 2pm to help you swap a plant or two.
Bring your potted plants, non-potted but rooted, and cuttings too. Please label what you bring to help others identify the plants. 🌿🌿🌿
Ironically the yoga class is at 12pm, as well. The same time as the plant swap, so I don’t think that I’ll be able to participate, but I will take some pictures.
I have some plants to swap as well aaaand I’m putting out into the universe that I would like a Monstera deliciosa aka Swiss cheese plant, or even a little cutting. It’s a beautiful plant that I first learned about on Instagram.
Hopefully, many of you will come by and say hello. It’s supposed to be a lovely day!
I hadn’t looked at that 2007 post in years. Reading it again now, I noticed my disappointment in Pelosi’s refusal to consider impeaching President Bush. Impeachment was “off the table” as far as she was concerned.
Well, here we are again. Almost 12 years ago to the day. Same Speaker. And shockingly, an even worse president. And that’s saying something. Looking back, Bush doesn’t seem quite as horrifying as he did back then.
I don’t believe that will be the case with Trump, if this country survives as a Democracy for 12 years to look back on with a different president. The horrors his administration has inflicted are too many to name.
For now, let me just say that my heart is breaking for the atrocities being committed in this country. Not that unspeakable horrors against people of color is new in the United States. It’s literally what this country was founded on – the theft of Native American lands and the genocide against Native American people. Then the kidnapping and enslavement of Africans for centuries. Just last century during World War II, the property of Japanese Americans was stolen and they were rounded up and placed in concentration camps.
No. This country does not have a good human rights record. And I am skipping over a lot. But we are supposed to do better. Now it is brown immigrants from Mexico and Central America who are seeking asylum after fleeing violence, that are being rounded up and placed in concentration camps.
This past Monday, I took the picture above and I wrote a letter to Speaker Pelosi. Since it seems to fit the theme of July 4th, I’m sharing the letter below. You can submit a letter to Speaker Pelosi as well by clicking the link here.
Open Letter To Speaker Pelosi
Dear Speaker Pelosi,
The news that I read each day about the people being held in detention shakes me to the core. I have cried over this. We have concentration camps on our soil. The treatment of these men, women, children and babies is deplorable, cruel and seem to be crimes against humanity.
I understand that there is virtually no chance that the Senate would convict and remove President Trump. But I still think that an impeachment inquiry in the House should begin. Please start the process. At least there will be televised hearings, so that more people in this country will see the reality of what is happening.
Soon after President Trump was elected, I remember hearing that his team was looking into the Korematsu decision. Between that, Trump’s greed, racism, lawlessness and the growth and profitability of private prisons, I thought that there could be concentration camps here. It was only a matter of when and who would be in them. Now we are here. I don’t know how we fix this, but as I prepare for the 4th of July, I am taking the words of the Declaration of Independence to heart.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
I live in Quincy, Massachusetts and today visited a memorial to John Hancock, stating that he was the first signer of the Declaration. He was born here. Just a few miles away from where I am writing now. I understand there is much hypocrisy involved with the Declaration. I am a black woman and my rights and humanity would not have been acknowledged at the time of the signing. But we are supposed to be better than that now.
For the love of God, please use your power to ease the suffering of those who have fled violence to come here looking for safe haven and are now essentially being tortured. I beg you.
Sincerely,
Lisa Johnson
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Current events may have many of us contemplating a bit more about what it means to be American. So much happening in this country is heartbreaking, unnecessary, and to be frank, criminal.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We the people can make a difference in very tiny ways. Even if only calling our House Representative and Senators to tell them how we feel. If we each do something that resonates with us, we can make this country better than it ever was.
Along with fireworks, picnics and barbecues, on this July 4th, it’s the perfect day to reflect on this nation’s founding — and think about how we can reset, striving towards a more perfect Union.
Persy’s Place has become a favorite restaurant. My mom, my brother and I have been there a few times and love the food and the service. Everyone is friendly. The menu is gigantic.
We’ve visited the Middleboro location, right near the rotary, when you’re on your way to the Cape. Persy’s Place has seven other locations in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and East Providence, Rhode Island.
Sunday Brunch is my favorite meal of the week. Because you can get breakfast food and everything else too. Something about it is so comforting. Persy’s is all breakfast and brunch all the time! The portions are very generous and we have all taken leftovers home, because it’s so much to eat! Grab a mug of coffee. Try the cornbread too!
As you might have guessed, I tried the clam chowder. It’s the best chowder that I’ve eaten at a restaurant so far since I started this project. Perfect flavor, amount of clams and potatoes, and consistency. I couldn’t have asked for more. Except for another cup!
I highly recommend Persy’s. Since this weekend is the unofficial start of summer, many of you are probably going to the Cape on a regular basis over the next few months. There are many locations in the area and would be a great place to stop for a meal or five. You’ll enjoy it!
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Persy’s Place ~Clam Chowder Location: 43 Bedford Street, Middleboro, MA
It’s been a while since I delved into the world of chowder. But The Chowdah Project is back!
My friend L lives west of Boston. I live just south, and usually we meet in Boston. This time when we decided to get together, I suggested going to her part of the state.
I mentioned that I’d like to try some chowder and asked about some local places. She suggested three, and we decided on Harry’s Restaurant. It’s easy to get to from Boston on the Pike and it’s close to the 495 exit for her. Plus, L said that she had gone by it a million times and always planned to go, but never did.
Harry’s has a great website, so all the information that we needed was easy to find. I was very intrigued by all the different types of chowders (clam, seafood, fish & corn) they have in addition to a variety of foods.
The menu and website invite you to try the food, the same way that you’re invited in person once you arrive – friendly in a way that feels comforting. It’s classic Americana and the type of place that you could return to over and over. I definitely want to go back!
Harry’s is a family owned restaurant that’s been operating since 1946. Not surprising either. The food is delicious! When I was posting pictures on Instagram, I received immediate positive feedback from someone who has been there many times.
It’s a local hangout. Great comfort food!
So the chowder! L had the bowl of clam chowder shown above. She loved it! We both noted that it was the perfect consistency and had nice sized chunks of clams.
I had a cup of corn chowder. Perfection! It made me happy and I would get a bowl next time, so I could have more. So many big chunks of corn. Sweet creamy goodness.
I definitely recommend trying Harry’s for chowder and more!
NOCA Provisions, a Cambridge café, has launched a Wellness Drink Menu featuring lattes infused with CBD, an abbreviation for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabis compound. Even though they have similar chemical structures, it doesn’t produce a high like THC, the intoxicating ingredient in cannabis.
The Golden CBD Latte is made with coconut milk, steeped with turmeric, ginger and black pepper. The Calming CBD Latte is made with chamomile-lavender infused oat milk.
Both drinks are steamed to order with 5mg of CBD oil and are priced at $10.00 each. Guests can also add 5mg of CBD oil to their favorite coffee for an additional $5.00 each.
Along with many other states, Massachusetts has legalized the sale of marijuana. The Cannabis Control Commission oversees the laws in the Commonwealth. This legalization has contributed to the increasing popularity of CBD.
In June 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures associated with two forms of epilepsy. Other than that, no other health claims have been proven. But you know people. We’re curious and want to try different things.
Overall, I enjoyed the coffee and can see myself giving it out as a novelty gift. But it’s not something I’d drink every day, and I’m not convinced I prefer it to regular coffee.
I think when it comes to CBD, it may take a few tries to find the proper dosage that works for you. Talking to your doctor could help.
When I first heard claims about CBD oil, I was skeptical. But after using an oil infused salve, I’m a believer. The FDA may not agree with me, but it has made a real difference in alleviating pain in my back, neck and shoulders.
I love a good latte and am a turmeric fan as well. So I would definitely try these wellness drinks at NOCA Provisions, if in the area. What about you?
+ + + Photography: Courtesy of Image Unlimited Communications, Ltd.
