Posts
Thursday, August 06, 2026
Words create sentences; sentences create paragraphs; sometimes paragraphs quicken and begin to breathe. Imagine, if you like, Frankenstein’s monster on its slab. Here comes lightning, not from the sky but from a humble paragraph of English words. Maybe it’s the first really good paragraph you wrote, something so fragile and yet full of possibility that you are frightened. You feel as Victor Frankenstein must have when the dead conglomeration of sewn-together spare parts suddenly opened its watery yellow eyes. Oh my God, it’s breathing, you realize. Maybe it’s even thinking. What in hell’s name do I do next?
STEPHEN KING
Make your own Pumpkin Spice
Core Spices
Cinnamon: Provides the sweet, woody base of the blend.Nutmeg: Adds a nutty, sweet warmth.Ginger: Brings a sharp, earthy kick.Cloves: Offers a strong, pungent, and sweet flavor.
Common Additions: Allspice: Adds a complex flavor similar to a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.Cardamom or mace: Sometimes included in small amounts for extra depth.
Wednesday, August 05, 2026
Fall River shop claims title as world’s largest dollhouse store, with 100-plus homes
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WJAR) — A Massachusetts man turned his passion for restoring old dollhouses into a career and now runs the world's largest dollhouse shop.
Flip This Dollhouse in Fall River is the world's largest dollhouse shop, with more than 100 dollhouses and thousands of miniature furniture pieces.
"When I was a little boy, I wanted a dollhouse more than anything," Flip This Dollhouse owner Nathaniel Ellis said. "I pinch myself that this is what I do for work."
Ellis began flipping used dollhouses in a laundry room 24 years ago as a hobby.
"I would fix them up and figure out what their story was," Ellis said.
After 15 years in business and restoring hundreds of dollhouses, Flip This Dollhouse has become known around the world.
"I didn't think it was going to end up being the largest dollhouse shop in the world. But here we are, and I couldn't be happier," Ellis said.
The shop has more than 100 dollhouses for sale, ranging from $99 for smaller homes to $25,000 for its largest mansion.
"That one is pretty big. It's like 22 rooms, and it's the size of an elephant," Ellis said.
Each house has its own story, filled with intricate details.
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"I figure out what speaks to me about the house, what's going to be the story or the theme or the design style," Ellis said. "Sometimes I like to make it look lived in and like something's happening — maybe a party or some sort of event."
Ellis said restoring some of the dollhouses, which date back to the 1880s, can take months.
"Flooring, wallpaper, furniture, rugs, curtains, lighting — everything has to coordinate," Ellis said.
The dollhouses and antique miniatures have attracted visitors from around the world. Some pieces from the shop were even featured in the backdrop of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The backdrop showed miniature pieces from the Fall River shop on fire as part of the show's visuals.
"I actually went and saw her concert in the theater, and it shows the dollhouse burning down, and I was so excited," Ellis said.
The shop gives people of all ages the opportunity to experience dollhouses.
"The little boy in me wanted a dollhouse growing up. Now I get to see little boys and girls come into my shop and get a dollhouse at 4 or 5 years old. So that is very rewarding," Ellis said.
Paul Delvaux on East School Street Woonsocket
We were heading out to the North End with our two dogs for a stroll and I said to my husband "look it's a woman out of a Paul Delvaux painting. Her hair was in a bun and she walked as if in a trance. Her profile was sheer Delvaux!!!
When we came back home I made supper. Home made pesto on whole wheat spaghetti noodles with stir fried red and green bell peppers, red onion, chopped carrots and garlic. Delicious and colorful.
I let the dogs out to pee and the Delvaux woman was back at the end of our driveway. She was doubled over on the street. We phoned for help. Meanwhile her dealer who was making deals on the street wearing a cobalt blue T-shirt while on a ruby red bicycle shouted POLICE POLICE and everyone scurried into the shadows.
Carmen Suite: VIII. Danse boheme COMPOSER: Georges Bizet ALBUM: The Atlantic Brass Quintet Picture This.... ARTIST: Atlantic Brass Quintet
11:58 AM This morning I heard this on WCRB and LOVED IT!! I had to write down everything so I could find it.
Liability City Rectory
The heroin addicts discovered the pastor's house. Now it's boarded up. The 20 minute Mayor had the City buy the church so he would have front row seat in heaven. Now it's a total liability. People actually have yard signs to elect this guy. It's disgusting.
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
Sandra Oh
“Spending time with friends and family, growing and nurturing relationships—that’s what fills my cup,” Oh says. “It’s also about doing work on yourself so you can show up for people. Nothing changes in this world until you decide to treat someone better, and that person could be yourself.” Article
"Let every workout be the best therapy for your life" Franklin Ortega GLADIATOR GYM Alausi Ecuador
We miss you all!
Luz Franklin Frank Matteo Our Franklin Massachusetts YMCA friends!
Monday, August 03, 2026
Sourdough Waffles, Vietnamese Coffee and Pumpkin Ice Cream
Playing in the kitchen on this Monday morning while I wait for the dentist to call me back.
“Pity the dark: we're so concerned to overcome and banish it, it's crammed full of all that's devilish, like some grim cupboard under the stair. But dark is good. We are conceived and carried in darkness, are we not?”