The week gone by — July 19

When Suzi and I started dating, we lived about two hours apart, me in New York and her in Connecticut.

At first, I had an old car, so I took the bus, but even after I got a newer one that I trusted a bit more, I still borrowed my mom’s cellphone — which at that time was just something to use during emergencies — whenever I drove to Connecticut.

Why?

Thirty miles on the Mass Pike.

Thirty miles between exits in the Berkshires.

Thirty miles seemingly in the middle of nowhere, where I was convinced that if I broke down, no one would ever find me.

As it turns out, there are actually towns relatively close to that 30 miles of road, where an exit might come in handy …

… except residents don’t want one.

“This is the area where the exit is supposed to come out,” he told me as we pulled up to what might have been. “I don’t want the interchange. I think the rural nature would be lost.”

When I asked what he would say to those who argue that it’s time to join the 21st century, he smiled and replied: “I’m saying I want to live in the 18th century! How’s that sound? I understand that progress has to go on. And what’s going to happen by 2040, I have no idea.”

Always remember … NIMBYism is one of the most-powerful forces in the universe.

WHAT I WROTE

Ten years (now 16) — My annual reminder that life is not fair.

Celebrating the small victories — You know what feels good? Eating ice cream in a park on a pleasant July evening.

WHAT I TALKED ABOUT

Florida before “Florida Man” — It may seem like the world headquarters for weird stories, but it’s the state that sparked my love of travel.

STUFF I READ

1884: Richmond Joins The Major Leagues (The Baseball Bloggess) — Based on what became of the ballpark, they should have kept the ballpark.

Things I Learned While Interviewing for Graduate School: Part 2 (Buffalo Sauce Everywhere) — Renata comes to a realization about her future.

Return To Sports Fandom (The Captain’s Speech) — Not like he could have gone if they were in Toronto, but it looks like Paul is going to be watching his Blue Jays play in … Buffalo?

A morsel of normality (Smelly Socks and Garden Peas) — Passing a major milestone.

Morning or Night Person? (Strikeouts + Sprinkles) — Don’t forget … I have the secret to being a morning person. It’s called “Get your a— out of bed.”

Beautiful summer day in the mountains (Sunshine With Savannah) — That looks nice.

Lavender Farm Adventures (Uniquely Cass) — So does this.

Welcome to corporate, kid (Millennial Life Crisis) — I liked having my own office.

5 Things To Do When You Get Laid Off (Rosie Culture) — No. 4 … I suck at No. 4.

If you want to learn about the worst in human nature, work in a service business.

Nature is healing.

TWEETS I LIKED

Me too.

i miss airports!

— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) July 13, 2020

I know the names of more dogs than people in my neighborhood, and I only know a couple dogs.

I just hit peak Massachusetts today when I met my neighbor for the first time, who has been living in my neighborhood for 4 years. I have been here for 7.

— meghan b. kelly (@meghanbkelly) July 16, 2020

Go to Wendy’s. You’ll be all set.

Just delivered Grubhub to this customer, and now I see why Coronavirus is kicking our ass pic.twitter.com/sPZTNIyteG

— decent pigeon (@decentbirthday) July 14, 2020

Sounds like a plan.

What if we built a wall to separate all the people who refuse to wear a mask, from the people who'd like to survive the pandemic?

— Austin (@Austin_Hodgens) July 18, 2020

Edinburgh is nice. Maybe someday I’ll be allowed to leave the country and possibly go back.

And finally for tonight an evening shot of Edinburgh I took a couple of years ago. Have a great weekend and thanks so much for all your comments and thanks to you all for following me! pic.twitter.com/lSAwLWwRAw

— David Oxtaby (@Disc_light) July 17, 2020

Far beyond my meager art ability.

From idea to completion and many stops along the way 😊 pic.twitter.com/Jn6k6q4f7s

— Deborah 🌸🌸🌸 (@nutsaboutknittn) July 15, 2020

Be nice to people. They will remember.

I just looked him up. Dude went on to become a NASA engineer in several shuttle programs and has founded several successful companies in a major city.

He's still the sweet boy from my memory.

— Liz (LT Ward) is doing writerly things (@Ltward2) July 14, 2020

If someone doesn’t laugh at your jokes, you’re wasting your time trying with them.

the secret to writing jokes is to first tell them to a test group of friends. If the test group does not like your joke, they have failed the test and you must find new friends

— Nathan W. Pyle (@nathanwpyle) July 13, 2020

Do people forget this after they learn it in elementary school? (Yes, the answer is yes.)

You know you're a writer when you know when you use your/you're correctly. pic.twitter.com/GKILWP0Pcp

— The Alchemist (@alchemistsart) July 13, 2020

I just wish Liverpool had kept playing so they could have broken all the records.

And then Liverpool finished this far above us ⚽️😏 #LFC https://t.co/SXHh7Cy7oE

— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) July 18, 2020

Yes, things are different now.

My kids are playing "Restaurant" and they've set up a pick up service. Just heard my daughter say "You can't eat in here, you only pick it up to eat it at home."

Apparently, #Covid_19 is changing how they see eating out. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

— Anne Davis is writing #dailyhaiku (@running_shadows) July 19, 2020

Photo by Daniel Herron on Unsplash.

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