French Tarte strikes again

Just so I don't forget what Florence looked like

Columbus Day Weekend in New England

It was a gorgeous weekend here in New England, just about perfect to celebrate the landing of Christopher Columbus somewhere else and very far away. Nope, I have no idea why it's such a big holiday here -- and believe me, it is BIG!

I suppose the locals consider it an opportunity to enjoy one final look at summer before the snows begin and winter grips us by the throat, refusing to let go until spring wrenches the planet back to normalcy.

So, we joined the crowds and headed over to North Scituate, just west of Providence for their major art festival for the year. Then, on Sunday we drove to Cambridge and strolled through Mount Auburn Cemetery, stopping for a snack at nearby Sofra (a place once near and dear to Rosemary's heart, eh?)

the festival was located right next to Smithfield Cemetery

something to do with cats

Kiss lookalike competitors, obviously

Sofra

whatever it was it was scrumptious!

Now THIS is a garden cemetery

that's right! Boston in the distance

Urban transportation in Gritworld

Even though we cut our eye teeth on public transportation in Paris, we're continuing to adapt to urban living in Providence. And since local public transportation remains firmly rooted in the early 20th century, we've had to adjust to that reality as well.

So, looking to up our fuel efficiency -- and since the lease on our Audi was up -- we reverted to those glory days of driving a Mini Cooper (our third one since 2002).

Susie keeps the car since her shop is some five miles or so from home -- plus she often needs to run out to get supplies. I occasionally walk to work  when possible but before long that will no longer be an option. . . .

. . . and I've bought myself a Honda PCX-150 motor scooter, with a 112 mpg:

Susan in the Mumma Cemetery, Antietam National Battlefield Park, Maryland

Sonic Drive-in in Hagerstown, Maryland

Where the orders are placed through a box at curbside and kids on rollerskates bring the food to your car on trays -- remember those days? We stopped for a malted. . .

Cemeteries in Sharpsburg, Maryland

Mumma Cemetery in the middle of the battlefield

Mumma Cemetery

Mumma Cemetery

20th New York, German Turners, Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam National Cemetery

Lutheran Church, on present-day Route 34 into Sharpsburg, shortly after the battle - now gone, only the cemetery remains

Lutheran Cemetery

Lutheran Cemetery

Lutheran Cemetery - just in case you needed more history

Lutheran Cemetery