Twilight in Amy's Garden, Bartlett Pond, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Even in twilight, Amy's garden brightens up the world. (Especially after I freakishly manipulate the color in post-processing to create this glow-in-the-dark look).

Birds are special here, too - their bath water is scented and flavored with flowers.

Greenway, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Boston, like most/many world class cities is by the ocean. A testament to the days of old when commerce and goods only moved by ship.  Nowadays, Boston Harbor is a beehive of activity including tourist sailing cruises. And yes, that is a taxiing aircraft in the background at Logan Airport visible through the haze/fog/mist.

The water theme carries onto the nearby parkland.

In the old days before the "Big Dig" (Central Artery/Tunnel Project) was completed in 2004, a six-lane highway of angry, frustrated automobile drivers inched their way through downtown Boston. Today, where that road once stood, a series of parks make up the Rose Kennedy Greenway including the one above with water features in which the kids can cavort.

I use "cavort" loosely. In my mind, walking slowly through the towering columns of water also counts.

"Cavort" can also include a brief rest - sometimes you just need to lie down and feel the warm sun on your back and the cool water flow around you - both kids and dogs seem to know that instinctively.

Adults, on the other hand, must content themselves with these cloud/mist/fog sculptures elsewhere in the park. If that is a little too sedate an activity, you can try........

.....Codzilla! - a tourist speedboat ride through the ocean at up to 40 miles per hour. Roaring wind and loud music and the occasional wave splash add to the thrill. (Note: I have never ridden it nor am I affiliated with the company). I also observed that no one has their head down in their smartphone - that's shocking in this day and age.

Continuing my water references, these bright shiny standpipes are at the ready.

Green space exists now where once the belch of auto exhaust and noise were the main inhabitants.

 And at this time of year, flowers bloom brightly.

The Rose Kennedy Greenway snakes through downtown Boston and even includes free Wi-Fi! Yep, Boston is truly a world-class city.

"Seussical Jr." Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Produced by Bob and Sandy Malone and directed by Theresa Chiasson, this performance of "Seussical Jr." is the third of five children's workshops held over the summer at Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT).  Each workshop involves a couple weeks of rehearsals and then a few public performances. More information is available at this Priscilla Beach Theatre website link. Priscilla Beach Theatre isn't just for kids either. There are performances with young adult and adult casts, too.  PBT is enjoying its 78th year bringing live theatre to our community!  This first group of images were posed at a partial dress rehearsal.

The following images were from a live performance.

Find more information about Priscilla Beach Theatre at this link.

North End, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The city of Boston is made up of almost two dozen distinct neighborhoods, each with a particular ethnic and/or cultural emphasis or heritage.  After my recent trip to Italy (type "Italy" in the search box at right to see all thirty blog posts), I wanted to go back to the North End neighborhood in Boston to relive the experience. The green exterior on the corner building above is aged copper.

The City of Boston says, "Home to American patriot Paul Revere, the North End is one of Boston's most historic neighborhoods. Traditionally a first stop for immigrants arriving in Boston, the North End is most well known as an enclave of Italian immigrants. Today the North End is populated by a mixture of Italian Americans and young professionals who are attracted to the neighborhood's tight-knit feel and access to downtown. Tourists come from near and far to sample authentic Italian cuisine, enjoy a cannoli or a cappuccino, and explore its narrow streets. In recent years, a number of boutiques have opened in the North End specializing in everything from trendy clothing to jewelry. The North End also offers access to Boston's waterfront along Commercial Street. Residents and visitors can enjoy strolling and relaxing in the newly renovated Christopher Columbus Park, and during summer evenings the park is host to a performing arts series." (Source: City of Boston.gov website)

Hanover Street is the North End's main thoroughfare with many shops and restaurants lining the walkway. Workers have been stringing the lights and decorations in preparation for an upcoming festival.

Paul Revere's  former house is down this street and just around the corner. The red brick line on the sidewalk is the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walking route that winds through sixteen historic sites in Boston.

Unlike some places around the world, dogs aren't permitted inside restaurants in the United States as this forlorn pooch demonstrates while his human friends sit inside and enjoy lunch.

Since 1926, Regina Pizzeria has been feeding Boston's hungry diners their signature brick-oven pizzas.  If you are there before opening, there is no line - how profound of me to observe that.

While the architecture is more New England than Tuscany, it was great to see and visit the restaurants and businesses and hear spoken Italian and the associated gesticulating speakers converse in this vibrant area of Boston.