The nap was just what I needed—but if we hadn't been going anywhere I would have tarried!

We parked at the mall (note: they don't validate parking anymore; you're stuck paying) and had a grand time walking around. Providence Place is three stories, with a Nordstrom at one end and a Filene's at the other. (I took a photo outside of the Filene's; like Rich's in Atlanta, it's about to be absorbed by the Macy's name. Jordan Marsh is gone, and now so is Filene's. Farewell to the last of the big Boston department stores.) First place we wandered about was the Thomas Kincade gallery where I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful Christmas music boxes; they are only $60.

But I fell in absolute love in Sharper Image: they have a keyboard that actually rolls up and fits in a pouch: the Play'n'Roll Electronic Piano. It mimics 100 instruments. And look at the price! I want.

We also wandered with glazed and covetous eyes through the Sony Store. I remember the old Panasonic stores, Impulse, and this was even better. The LCD screens were gorgeous, and there were two wonderful little notebook computers (unfortunately both over $2,100). Gah.

We had supper in the food court and then tried our first cone of Ben and Jerry's ever. We both had something called "Chocolate Therapy." Oh. My. God. Dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate pudding and chocolate cookie bits. Todiefor.

Just about sunset we wandered out to Waterplace Park and perched on the side of a staircase waiting for the Waterfire to start. With as many people as there were you would have thought the Pope was speaking. As it darkened, the "firemakers" who start the fires in the 97 baskets along the rivers and in the basin began sailing about, lighting each one. The woods are scented and send a delightful odor over the basin. After the fires are stoked, a small excursion boat and the gondolas ply their clients through the water and among the flames. And the music begins.

James was a bit disappointed. I thought myself there were fountains or something among the fires; there aren't. Also, I noticed on the web page that they had a jazz concert; I thought that was the music for the Waterfire itself. Actually, they used a combination of different music, much of it that sounded "new age-y." I like new age, but some of this sounded a big lugibrious. (The website says much of it was Eastern European church music.) I would have preferred the jazz. But I did enjoy sitting with James and watching the fire and the crowd and the boats sailing between the flames.

We left about 9:30 and came home to throw all the shades open—how this house does hold heat!—and watched the second disk on The High and the Mighty DVD, which I had bought for James at the Borders at Providence Place. We had seen the movie on AMC at home, but the second DVD is almost better than the movie: profiles of John Wayne's Batjac productions, Dimitri Tiomkin, William Wellman, Ernest K. Gann, and other cool bits. (A funny note: one of the highlights of this movie is Tiomkin's "High and the Mighty theme," which is not only played, but John Wayne whistles throughout the film. The whistling is actually done by Muzzy Marcellino, who did the classic Lassie whistle theme. This wouldn't be so funny except that appearing early on in the movie talking to John Wayne about his whistling is George Chandler who played Uncle Petrie on Lassie!)

----------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . noted and logged by Linda at 11:06:00 PM

Comments:

Were you in Atlanta at Lenox or Phipps Plaza?

# posted by  Anonymous : 6:16:00 PM

 

You mentioned the Thomas Kincade Gallery and I am looking for one.

# posted by  Anonymous : 6:17:00 PM

 

Post a Comment