Blogs from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, United States, North America

Part 1 I moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 2006 to be near my daughter and her family. I am happy here. The kids have grown from needy 2 and 5 year olds to independent 11 and 14 year olds. I have my own little house which is a perfect size (read that as comfy chairs, serene bedroom and a tiny kitchen). I have friends to swim with, write with, speak Spanish with, travel with, go to dinner, movies or plays with...I have a good life here. Still, every year I have a longing and need to return 'home' to Massachusetts where I lived for sixty-four years. Yes, I am a Yankee in the south. My need is centered on the deep friendships I had there, the different terrain- from the mountains to the ocean, and my ... read more

This is another sad story of a beautiful little village. Last week Hurricane Irene decimated Shelburne Falls (pop. 1,800)where I lived for 6 years and many of the other small towns in that area including Colrain (pop 1,500) where I lived for 42 years. Roads, houses, and bridges were damaged, washed away, or suffered structural damage rendering them unsafe. One little town, Hawley (pop. 500 + or -) is completely isolated because of washed out roads. Supplies are being helicopted in to them but since the roads have washed out it is almost impossible to even get to the supplies. There are no stores, gas stations, or ways to get anything. The National Guard is set up at the local high school( 20+ miles away) and using military vehicles to navigate the forests and streams. The ... read more