Concord's Thinking Man

"At first I seem delirious, but once explained, I'm nothing serious."

This Into the Woods quote floated in my head as we were approached by an older gentleman wearing a bright yellow vest with the words Thinking Man on them. I knew we were in for a long conversation that would either be annoying or life altering, but would definitely leave us with a story.

Last year John was interviewed by the local NPR station, WGBH. Reading his transcript sounds exactly like what he told Don and I as we walked from our car, across the North Bridge, on our way to the Concord Historical site. We were pressed for time, but John is very persuasive and he encouraged us to pause and listen to him. As we parted Don asked if we could take his picture, which he readily agreed to.

A decade ago John's cardiologist diagnosed him with congenital heart failure and told him to step away from screens and get out and walk. I feel a smidge of guilt typing this on my screen when I should be following his advice and going out for a walk on this rainy day.

John, a retired Harvard history professor and finance guy by trade, started walking around Minute Man National Park. He decided to start saying "Hi" to strangers. He has a knack for languages and decided to sing their national anthem to international visitors. Sometimes this meant learning their songs. He has a  repertoire of 46 songs from around the world. He sings in the park because his family does not like his singing voice.

He was nervous when he reached out to his first person, a woman from France. After breaking out into La Marseilles, he was afraid she would think he was crazy and he would be banned from the park. Instead, she told him he made her day. He repeated this with the next person, a woman from Mexico. When he meets someone from a country where he does not have a song at the ready he asks them for their favorite song.

"What a dopamine rush!" He says enthusiastically lifting his arms in a cheer as he describes the feeling he gets when people are moved when they hear their song. Each positive experience encourages him to meet more people. The negative ones sadden him, but he continues. I'm glad we stayed and talked, even though my instinct was to press on.

Upon meeting us he asked where we are from. When we said New Jersey he listed positive things about our state, leading with Albert Einstein lived there. 

Reading his story it says he launched a short-lived presidential campaign in 2024. I wish he had won. His positivity is infectious. 

We ended with his eight-word mantra:

Inhale with gratitude.

Exhale with kindness.

Repeat.

I was to mull this over and get back to him in three days letting him know if I agreed with him or had a better one. It has been more than three days, but I am still mulling.

He asked us for our best advice. A tough thing to come up with on the spot.

Mine was: always bring a book; always keep moving.

Don's was: invest early

He rises early each day to write before he embarks on his walks. I am not following his blog.

Boston Road Trip

I've recently started a new blog called Pillsbury Travels. It is where the bulk of our out of area trips will appear. I'll add links here so you can find these posts.

Mid-June 2026 was an exciting time to be in Boston as Scotland's Tartan Army was in town for the FIFA World Cup taking place that Friday at the "Boston Stadium," which is really Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Social media has been filled with their antics ranging from putting traffic cones atop statues to drinking bars drier than has ever happened before. While we did not personally see the antics, we did see some Scotsmen wearing kilts and their team jerseys and walking around in groups, mostly of men in their 20s having the time of their lives. A couple were on our tour. Afterwards, we saw more posing for pictures around Fenway Park.

Our trip to Boston begam with a simple request from Don: he wanted to visit the Boston REI store before it closes next month. Don can spend hours in an REI. I, on the other hand, think they all look alike so I looked for something to do while he was in the store. When I heard Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox) was nearby I knew I found something to keep entertained. The only problem was the tour started at 2, and we live at least five hours away, six or more with stops. Don was determined to make this happen, so we left home at 6:30 am. He let me sleep in the car. We arrived in Boston around noon, parked the car near where we would be meeting up with cousins Martin and Helen for dinner at 6.

We parked on Beacon Street and could have easily taken the Green Line up to Fenway, especially since they have switched to allowing payment by tapping your credit card, but the weather was nice and we needed to stretch our legs after the long car ride.

The REI store is located in the former Sears Roebuck & Co. warehouse and distribution center.  Built in 1928, this 12-story art deco building has recently been lovingly restored, and has received awards for its LEED certification. As with the REI location in New York City's SOHO district, the building alone is worth the visit. They even have a tiny museum dedicated to some of the household goods one could have purchased from the catalogue. It was like stepping back into my youth and the kitchens of my grandparents and in-laws. Even more impressive are the spotlessly clean printer and linotype machines. Many walk by these with the air of not seeing them anymore as we walked around them soaking in all the details.

We walked around the corner to our Fenway tour. After walking around the outside of Fenway, we returned to the Sears Building for one last look before starting the walk to dinner. We couldn't pass a VanLeeuwan ice cream store without a snack. I should try harder to note the flavors. I believe we went with black cherry chip (on bottom), marionberry cheesecake, and chocolate.

Dinner with Martin and Helen was tapas at a Spanish restaurant. The tapas were served family style. Dining with them made us more adventurous. We each ordered three tapas (appetizers) and shared them family-style outside on their sidewalk. We used to take annual trips to Boston to visit their mother, Aunt Elva. This was our first visit since she passed away four years ago a week before turning 106 years old. Fortunately, Helen and Martin travel to New Jersey. Helen, in particular, is not a fan of social media, so I'll leave off their last names and pictures on purpose out of respect.

Seeing the Tartan Army we realized why the hotels were excessively expensive, but when we were making plans we did not know that. We booked a stay at the Garden Hilton in Tewksbury, MA since it was cheaper, and closer to Lexington, MA, which is where we planned to spend the next day.

After stopping to fill the tank, we took backroads to Lexington and stumbled upon Pillsbury Avenue. I made Don get out and pose for a picture.

Our Wednesday adventures took us to Lexington and Concord. A couple of years ago I learned I have a relative, Noah Wiswall, who fought in the Battle of Lexington, or so Claudia from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) told me. Spending the morning on the Green in Lexington, Mary, our costumed tour guide, surmised he was likely part of Parker's Revenge, and not the original battle. After eating lunch in a French Cafe in Lexington, we traveled towards Concord, stopping in Minute Man National Historic Park and again at the North Bridge. We were finding the battle stories very similar, so we time traveled 100 years to the era of the Civil War and visited Louisa May Alcott's family homestead. We shut down the place, so we had dinner at the Concord Inn, a place Cousin Martin frequented with his mother when he took her to Concord.

Across the street was First Church of Christ, Scientist, Concord, a Christian Scientist church about to hold their Wednesday night testimony service. While I admire their complete faith that prayer leads to healing, I still felt uncomfortable in the service every time they put the founder (Mary Baker Eddy) on the same pedestal as God and Jesus. The first half of the service was an assortment of readings from the Bible, followed by Mrs. Eddy's words. The second half was open to the 25 people in attendance to share their (recent) experiences with how prayer changed their lives. These ranged from praying in utter frustration when the man could not find an ingredient needed to make a special meal to a woman whose son's broken arm was healed one summer through prayer (she left us hanging on the conclusion of that story). 

After church we took a stroll through Concord then drove an hour to Sturbridge to put us in position for the next day's adventures: having breakfast with my new cousin Barbara (NCB for short). Barbara and I met through ancestry.com and bonded over being at the same stage in life. Our oldest children were born one month apart. It was great catching up with her.

The drive north we went to Albany and then across. Technically, the long way, but also the more consistent way. The drive south we stopped for a couple of hours in Tarrytown for dinner and a stroll. During the drive home we listened with awe to the dedication of the Obama center in Chicago. I'm considering that my national semiquincentennial celebration. 

We made it home safely, and returned the rental car after hours. It was a quick trip, but much was packed into it.

I'll add links as I create posts about the specific activities.

A Tale of Two Protests

While were in New England Don and I stumbled upon two protests.

The first was at noon by the Lexington (MA) Battle Green. It was a pro-Democracy protest filled with about a dozen people waving handmade signs. We stopped to commiserate about the state of the world with them and thanked them for coming out every week. I was wearing my Run with Ruth (Bader Ginsburg) shirt and fit right in.

The second was closer to dinnertime in Concord. At first I though, Yay! Another protest! Then I quickly clued in that this was a pro-T event. They were waving premade T/Vance 2024 yard signs. Still about the same number of people. I was stunned and even a little gutted to see such a gathering in an area I thought of as solidly blue.

While, yes, I do believe everyone has the right to protest (it is in the constitution), I still felt as if I had landed in the Twilight Zone. The protesters were quiet, but I did not feel comfortable reaching out to them. Maybe another time when I can gird myself first. 

The differences between the two reminded me of the 2017 hats: handknitted pink pussy hats vs. made in China Make America Great Again ones.

I hate that I feel this way.

Lawn signs seen during our adventures.

Princeton's Firestone Library Exhibit

 Around midnight on Friday, I watched as MS NOW livestreamed the scaffolding set up in front of The Kennedy Center in anticipation of 45/47's name coming off of it. That was on just one site. There were others set up. I've heard estimates as high as a million people watching the scaffolding into the wee hours of his birthday weekend, even as a screen went up blocking the view of the actual scraping.

We are hungry for some signs of the tide
turning. It reminds me of this picture at the top of my post currently hanging in Princeton University's Firestone Library of people toppling the statue of King George in New York City's Bowling Green. The statue was then melted down and turned into bullets. The exhibit, Nursery of Rebellion: Princeton and the American Revolution, is running through July 12, 2026. I highly recommend local friends visiting. If you don't live locally, or are busy, the entire exhibit has been digitized.

Back to the image. It is called The destruction of the Royal Statue in New York, circa 1776. It depicts ropes attached to the statue, and men holding each one as they topple the statue. I dream of a day we are toppling many golden images, but for now I am celebrating that his name came off of The Kennedy Center, a performing arts center Congress named in memory of a former president. As one commentator said, it was as if he put his name on Kennedy's grave. The fact that hundreds of thousands of people watching along with me, and more were in person, is testament that I am not alone in my feelings. 

The exhibit has many jaw dropping artifacts, many donated by alumnus William Scheide '36. As you pass the guard's desk there is a copy of the Declaration of Independence. A copy, as in one of the 200 printed immediately after it was signed in Philadelphia. A copy as in only one of the 26 known that still exist. That kind of copy.

At the end of the exhibit is a similarly rare copy of the Constitution, also donated by Mr. Scheide.

In between are other artifacts, some on loan, some donated by alumni. I walked in at the same time as an older couple. The wife had heard an online discussion about the exhibit and just how hard it was for them to narrow down and select artifacts because they had so many.

One example of this was they thought they had the one copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense they wanted to display, only to realize they also had a copy that was distributed in Britain. The British copy (also owned by Mr. Scheide) was censored, so the owner penned in the missing words to match the original one distributed in the United States.

Along one wall is a copy of the Charles Wilson Peale painting of General George Washington in front of Nassau Hall called George Washington at the Battle of Princeton. I saw someone taking a picture of it, so I told him if he wanted to see the original it is on display in the Princeton University Art Museum. At 237 cm. (7 feet 9 inches) it brings you into the scene. It is worthy of the five minute walk to see it in person.

I gave tourist advice to others.

As I was leaving the security guard commented I was very knowledgeable. It felt good to have someone tell me that as often I feel I know a little about a lot, but not enough to feel like an expert in anything.

I recommend either visiting in person or electronically. It is a way to get in the mood for the semiquincentennial. 

Extra Innings

In 2020 Major League Baseball created a new group of teams called the Draft League. They already had Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A minor league teams, with AAA being the one closest to the majors. In the first half of the season, the Draft League is made up of college students wanting to play more baseball after their college season ends, and before training starts up in the fall. In the second half of the season, the league is made up of men in their mid-20s not quite ready to give up their dreams. The first half has scouts at every game watching the young talent. The second half has few scouts visiting.

Behind the scenes, the game is very structured. Players are in the game for a set amount of time so a scout can see them. The goal is less about doing what it takes to win, and more about showcasing the players.

That's an over simplification, but it sets the stage for the next part of this post: what to do when the game is tied.

Ashley and I went to the game last night. A friend's son works for the away team.  He receives some comp tickets. His parents didn't want to go because of the heat and they offered the seats to me. I asked Ashley to join me.

I arrived nearly an hour into the game because I thought it started at 7, instead it started at 6. Fortunately for me, the game was only in the second inning. Thunder was ahead. Some back and forth, and at the end of the bottom of the ninth, Thunder and State College Spikes were tied.

I remembered hearing there were different rules for how they solve a tie. A couple of years ago we went to a game and it started to pour during an early inning. The coaches decided to scrap the game because there was no reason for anyone to get hurt. Along those lines, they want to wrap up a game as quickly as possible when there is a tie.

As of 2022, the rules are:

1) They play a winner take all half inning.

2) Before the game, the home team manager decides at a plate meeting who will play offense, and who will be defense if there is a tie.

3) If offense scores, they win. If they do not score, defense wins.

4) Offense starts with a man on first, the third out from the ninth inning.

5) Offense has three outs.

6) The win or loss counts, but not any other player stats.

There are some other crazy Draft League rules, including games played on Tuesdays in the first half of the season (with the exception of the home opener) are seven innings instead of nine.

On Saturday night, Thunder elected to play offense. With one on base, the first batter walked. Now we have two on base. The Spikes pitcher took too long and those on base sauntered as they advanced to the next base. The second batter hit a line drive. He ran past first base straight into the arms of teammates as the player on third crossed the plate giving the home team the win.

I note this because someday we may return to a traditional team and I'll wonder what the crazy rules were.

2026 Digging Season at Red Bank

This year I graduated from public volunteer to the Trench Team. The Trench Team is made up of professional archaeologists, students doing field work, and avocational archaeologists. My friends and I mostly fall into the latter category, with a couple of professionals tossed in.

The lovely, easy to sift, dirt

The season in four weeks long. The first week the weather was stunning. Dan, James, Mark, Martha, and I kept marveling at how wonderful the dirt is at Red Bank National Park. A scant two months ago we all bonded through the mud and freezing temperatures at Fort Mifflin. I think we spent most of the first week oversharing with the public just how perfect the conditions were. The dirt is dumped on the screen. After three shakes all but the pebbles and artifacts sift out. It felt like magic!

Graphite: my personal most exciting find
of the season

The second week was the same, but warmer. That week has a strong focus on encouraging veterans to participate. It is humbling being with them knowing they have endured more than I ever will. Max, the woman in charge of the Fort Mifflin site, runs Eternal-Soldier in Philadelphia. She told me about how much programs like this help veterans. She is passionate about this program.

The third week I divided my time between screening and metal detecting. I fell in love with metal detecting three years ago on my second public archaeology day. I went back the following year and found a darling pin of a hand holding a tiny flag that likely dates back to the sesquicentennial celebrations of 1926 or 1927 (the Battle of Red Bank took place in 1777).

The third week is Family Archaeology. Lots of small children who are curious, as well as energetic. It is good to introduce them to this field.

The day went well. I was able to do some mapping, which I really enjoy. Max endorsed me to the archaeologist who was going to do it alone. I don't know if it was any faster having me help, but it felt good to be able to use different skills.

Wrapping up this day seemed to take longer. Max wanted to push to where she wanted to finish for the day, which meant us screeners had to keep screening even though we were ready to pack it in. Think of it as the one washing dishes finishes before the one drying said dishes. 

We finished, and started to take things down. In an effort to be helpful, I was
trying to hold up a string so the plywood could be woven under it. I leaned over too far, or the wall was not as strong as I thought it was. In any case I fell four feet into the pit, and caused more damage trying to get out. As far as I know, no pictures exist. Everyone was kind. After making sure I was okay, they helped me out, gave me water and a chair, and a clean washcloth. Wade, the head of the archaeology team, checked in on me. Other than a giant bruise on my arm where I hit the aluminum ladder, and a bruised ego, I seem fine. This morning I found a few more bruises.

On a happier note, here are pictures of some of the finds. I was not as excited about what I found this year. There were a lot of pebbles with a few flakes tossed in. While metal detecting, I worked hard to find a hand cut nail. After two years of digging at Newlin Grist Mill and finding hand cut nails almost every time I dig, it does not hold the same appeal for me. Still, I took a picture because that bugger was down about a foot and I had to work hard for it. The funny part of the experience was having the lead metal detectorist, Dana, patiently showing me the different levels and describing it means when the soil changes. I asked him if he wanted me to "Munsell it," and he realized I understood the different layers of dirt. I found a newer nail near the top of the hole, likely the one that set the metal detector off in the first place. 

Other finds:

A blood letter (for letting blood)
from the late 18th century

There is one more week this season. I am opting to visit Stacy at the Lord Sterling site instead, followed by seeing a different Stacey portray Molly Pitcher. I know the best stuff is always found in the last hour of the last day, but I'll choose to live vicariously instead.

Catching up

Be prepared for a bunch of posts to happen. 

On my to do list are the desire to write the following posts:

1) Trenton Thunder Game from a Suite

2) Philadelphia Museum of Art

3) Calder Garden

4) Firestone Library's Exhibit

5) African American Cemetery

6) Penn Museum

7) Rockefeller Center 

The order will shift around.

I recently decided to split my blog into two parts: 

One for travels that I'll feel comfortable sharing with strangers. Those will be shared on pillsburytravels.blogspot.com

One that is more personal where I'll blog about politics, family, smaller things. That will stay here at Pillspress.blogspot.com.