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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

A Perfect Getaway to Nantucket: Where Ferries, Flavors, and Fresh Air Meet

If you’re looking for an idyllic New England escape packed with seaside charm, culinary gems, and stylish comfort, look no further than Nantucket. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifteenth, this island delivers every time—with breezy beaches, buzzy restaurants, and the kind of small-town magic you wish you could bottle.

Getting There: Ferry Fast









Start your trip with the Hy-Line High-Speed Ferry, widely regarded as the best way to reach Nantucket. Departing from Hyannis, this ferry is efficient, comfortable, and gets you dockside in about an hour. Be sure to reserve your trip and parking ahead of time—summer spots fill up quickly.

Where to Stay: The Nantucket Hotel









Once on the island, The Nantucket Hotel is a top-tier stay just a short walk from the ferry terminal. This newer property combines classic coastal charm with modern amenities—think cozy fire pits, spa treatments, and a vintage trolley on standby.


Sips & Sounds: Cisco Brewery









No visit is complete without a stop at Cisco Brewery—the island’s triple threat featuring a brewery, winery, and distillery all in one laid-back outdoor space. A free shuttle makes getting there easy, and the local music and food trucks turn it into an afternoon party.


Dining to Remember


Lola 41 serves up a global menu with standout sushi and dishes inspired by countries along the 41st parallel—yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.


For a high-end waterfront experience, book ahead at Cru Oyster Bar on Straight Wharf. The mussels and scallops are local, luxurious, and unforgettable.


New this year is the Brant Point Grill, offering covered, heated outdoor dining in a gorgeous bar setting.



Don’t miss The Proprietors Bar & Table, where we shared a roasted half chicken with grilled ramps, sweet-and-sour onions, and a savory jus. A perfect blend of rustic and refined.

Casual Bites and Treats









Craving comfort food? Something Natural is your go-to for thick, fresh-baked bread and sandwiches. The turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing tastes like Thanksgiving on vacation.









At Born + Bread you get fresh coffee, bakery, and sandwiches. Fresh sourdough is made here and restocked regularly. I had a delicious avocado, egg and cheese, grilled Panini, and a blueberry scone.









At B-ACK BBQ on the wharf, you’ll find Southern-style barbecue and a solid beer list with waterfront views.











For dessert, follow the scent (and the line) to The Juice Bar. Their homemade waffle cones are worth the wait—even when the line stretches down the block.


Shopping and Sightseeing









Wander to the charming Brant Point Lighthouse, a postcard-perfect stroll from town.










Stock up on Nantucket Crisps, locally made chips with unique flavors that make great souvenirs—or car snacks.











Stop by Ellsworth + Ivey, a boutique offering creative sweaters and island-exclusive designs including "ACK" and "Grey Lady" sweaters.


Final Thoughts

Nantucket balances its classic maritime history with modern sophistication. Whether you’re sipping cocktails by the harbor, digging into a gourmet meal, or just watching the sun dip behind the dunes, the island casts a spell. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s another sandwich shop, sunset, or sweater shop waiting to charm you.


Wednesday, April 02, 2025

How to replace GE Café Profile Refrigerator Chrome LED lights

One of my GE refrigerator LED lights started intermittently going on and off so I replaced it and now it works like new.


STEPS

1. Turn off Door Alarm

2. PRY OFF existing LED








3. LIFT tab on top of LED and REMOVE








4. SLIDE in new LED









Buy on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/gTRUK6p




Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Amazon Prime Video email: Your $6 credit is waiting.

Amazon Prime Video sent me an email saying, Your $6 credit is waiting

It would have been less spammy if they’d just sent an email saying: Your $6 credit has been applied to your account.

It worked after I clicked Activate now.

Note: Email was from no-reply@primevideo.com



Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Mail from Laser Substrates, Inc. is USPS Certified Mail

When you see mail from Laser Substrates, Inc. in your USPS Informed Delivery email, it is USPS Certified Mail that is generated using software from Laser Substrates, Inc. 

I’m not sure why the software can’t send the actual sender info to USPS to display in Informed Delivery emails.



Friday, January 10, 2025

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Out My Old Cameras

This year I am embracing The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. 

This “process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you.”










In the photo, I’m with Omer Hecht of CatLABS of JP (Jamaica Plain), a local camera store that buys and sells cameras and also provides film processing. 

I’m holding my Minolta SRT-101, the camera I used when taking photos for the yearbook in high school and the student newspaper at UMass Amherst. It had a lot of years of good use. Omer is holding my Canon Powershot, the camera I first used when in addition to taking photos, I used to take videos back in the day. 

I used it when teaching as an example of using the camera that you have with you to shoot video. Back then, people didn’t even know that their cameras shot video. I also turned over my faithful Canon GL/2 miniDV video camera that was a mainstay of my video production and steaming business. 

Surprisingly I was fine with handing over all these cameras and more. Omar gave me what I consider a fair price and was a joy to work with and talk to. If you go in to CatLABS tell Omer that Steve sent you. 😉

Friday, January 03, 2025

National Grid has been repeatedly calling me from 617-469-2300

National Grid has been repeatedly calling me from 617-469-2300 with automated calls and hanging up on no answer, without leaving a voice mail. 

I Googled the phone number and got the image below. 

I deduced that it was time to replace my gas meter so I called them at their main phone number, 1-800-233-5325. After waiting 10 minutes, I spoke with a representative and scheduled my meter replacement. Gas meters are replaced every 7 years. It’s been 7 years. 

I left them feedback saying that the automated hangup calls were not helpful, and I would have appreciated an email notice that it was time to replace my meter. Also, they could have put a note on my online account. In addition, they could have sent me paper USPS mail. 

Also, it would be easier to schedule if they had an online scheduling system.