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There are some thing around here that can't be fixed unless you get out real tools.One thing I like about near-urban life is the everyday sounds. From most of our houses in Belmont we can hear a wide range - nature, people, machines.Among my favorites in Belmont is the sound of church bells, like from the Methodist and UU churches. It reminds me of generations before, grounding us all to something more solid than any of us as individuals. My childhood neighborhood was missing that, so perhaps I'm filling in something from the distant past.Another favorite is crickets. The best time for these is late August and early September, when their numbers (and mating urges?) are at …
I like to walk. It doesn't matter where, any place or any time will do. It usually does not need a purpose. It could be at a slow and leisurely pace, to not break a summer sweat, or at a quick and determined pace, to avoid winter's biting chill and catch the bus. Luckily, this fits in well with my daily routine: On the way to work, I walk to the bus, then from the T to my office. After dinner on a summer evening, a walk with my wife and kids is a pleasure, whether we have a destination in mind, like ice cream or just spending an aimless twenty minutes talking about anything or nothing.We in …