Art in Massachusetts

One afternoon after a rainy morning, a former acquaintance and I were driving around somewhere near Boston;―looking for Walden Pond, I think,―and accidently drove up into an estate.

And after a bit, there was this huge column, 25 feet tall, of garbage. Multicolored, plastic, mostly laundry bottles,—garbage.

Me: That's art.
Her: No, it can't be.
Me: Yes, they mean it to be.
Her: Don't be ridiculous, it's garbage.
Me: I know, but they think it's art now.
Her: You're pulling my leg.
Me: Well, what else can it be? It's not recycling.
Her: Stop it, it's not art. They haven't sunk that low yet.

So, we looped the house, realized it was closed and that we probably shouldn't be there and that there were several other piles of arranged garbage on the property. When she saw the other piles, she started giggling that she thought I might be right.

On our way out, we passed through the gates, where there was a sign, "DeCordova Museum."

And we laughed all the way to Walden Pond.

Rhode Island, New York and Connecticut

Napatree Point, Rhode Island, on August 10, 2008. The point is in the center, Fisher's Island, New York, on the left horizon, Stonington, Connecticut on the right horizon.

College Class Reunion Notes

---------- Message ----------
From: jsmith@wam.ubc.edu
Subject: Anything for the class notes?
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:40:58 -0700

Hello, classmates!
Since we all donate on line now, I never get sent those little envelope flaps with our news. While I'm perfectly happy to update you on my former housemates, I'm sure that you have some hip happenings of your own that need to be reported to the class at large. So send me some news. Of course, the deadline looms, so drop me a line today or tomorrow.

Remember: you don't need to have gotten a promotion or been made partner to submit class notes! Run a race? Bumped into a friend? Read any good books lately?

Thanks! Caroline

---------- Reply Message ----------
From: Jaime Souviens
Subject: Re: Anything for the class notes?
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:21:33 -0700

I am currently hiding from Provincial authorities in the vicinity of Stony Plain, Alberta. They are interested in me for three branch bank holdups in the greater Edmonton area, (well, three banks and a Wawa convenience store, which I swear I was never near). Other than that, I'm fine as long as the cash holds out.

Jaime Souviens.

Archaeological Expedition to New York, (II - 2008)

The Taconic State Parkway; Ghent, New York. This is a panoramic view of the Catskill Mountains, seen on the horizon across the Hudson River Valley.