Postcard From Boston

Hello, Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea.  This is Sam Tofias, your roving cub reporter, checking in from Boston, Mass.  I’m writing this blog post today because my Gran is still recovering from her whirlwind Christmas trip.

It all started the moment we picked her up at Logan Airport.  I had caught forty winks in the car and I was rarin’ to go… to lunch.  And what do you know?  My favorite pizza place is conveniently located right near the airport so…

It was off to Santarpio’s for us.

My celebrity status as a star journalist rated us a very good table in the bar.  As we were waiting for our pizza, two men next to us starting talking in a funny lingo.  I’m seventeen months old now and I promise you, I have never heard such noises in all my born days. But my Gran understood it and guess what?

She started talking it to them.  And soon the two men came over to our table to continue this conversation.

I was confused.  My Gran did seemed pleased, though.

(It’s my duty as as reporter to tell you that one of the gentlemen kissed my Gran’s hand as he said something to her in the strange language.)

When they left, she told us that he had wished us all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

They were real Italians from Italy, Gran said.  Not from the North End.

Gran said their sudden appearance made her think of one of her favorite movies.  She wanted you all to see this clip.

After lunch, we headed back to my house.  Gran hasn’t been here since March, and of course I had to show her my new car.

We played soccer for a while and then we did some yard work.

Did I mention that weather was balmy? Not like December at all. That was okay with Gran. The last time she was here she got evacuated two days early due to blizzards. She felt that Mother Nature owed her one.

I felt convivial until about five.  Then it was time for my dinner and a bath.

And so to bed.

(A little birdie told me that later that evening, Gran and Mom were spotted at Casey’s Diner.  As it only has eight bar stools and is not high chair friendly, I can’t feel too badly that I was not included.)

Day Two found us bright and early at the Discovery Museum in Acton.  This place was neat.  It had everything!

You could say it was right in my wheel house!

All that playing gave me quite an appetite.  Gran and I agreed that our next stop should be  Zaftig’s Deli.  She loves their turkey and I like everything on the menu.  (Especially if it has catsup on it.)

After lunch, it was back to the family manse for more soccer, block-building, driving, a couple of episodes of Daniel Tiger and a light dinner.

And so to bed.

The rest of the visit went swimmingly.  The time just flew by.  On the second-to-the-last day of Gran’s visit, we all went window-shopping on Commonwealth Avenue.  Mom wanted to go to Flour and we heartily concurred.

Yum.

Gran had their special Christmas gingerbread.  Very tasty, she reported.

I just love strolling around downtown with Mom and Dad.

Yes, I know, this whole visit seemed to revolve around me- and eating.  Well, it’s true.  I won’t apologize for the fact that everybody was on my timetable.

Gran assured me that is was ok by her.  She’s been to Boston lots of times.  (Besides, she’s a good sport.)

Well, I feel a nap coming on.  Sure hope you had a swell holiday wherever you were.

Happy 2016, Mr. and Mrs. America.

Next time, you’re in my neck of the woods, give me a call.

Best, Sam.