Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott

Alcott’s short book provides a glimpse into the life of a Civil War hospital in Washington, DC from the viewpoint of nurse Periwinkle (Alcott herself) who came from the Boston area. It shows a contrast between the way various hospitals were run. I loved her descriptions of the towns as she was traveling through them in the early chapters of the book. Very descriptive; good writing. 4 stars.

Boston Diary - June 6, Part 2

This is the "Old Manse." It was built by Emerson's grandfather in 1770. Emerson and Hawthorne wrote here. You probably know Hawthorne's story collection "Mosses from an Old Manse." If not, there are many places online where you can download it for free.
I loved the wildflowers beside the Old Manse.
North Bridge. It was here the "shot that was heard around the world" was fired.
You can see one of the monuments in the background.
Lunch time! It's off to the Colonial Inn in Concord.
I had the Colonial Chicken Pot Pie. It came with mashed potatoes, asparagus, carrots, and cranberry relish! Oh, the rolls they served while you were waiting were wonderful too! Yes, it was tasty! (Of course I added salt and pepper as needed.)

Outside the Colonial Inn. Don't you love these flowers? Can anyone identify them?
Downtown Concord. It's quaint and charming!
Now, it's off to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Here's Emerson's grave. (The marker was hard to read in person too!)
Louisa May Alcott's grave site.
Hawthorne's burial place.

Thoreau's plot.

Orchard House. This is where Louisa May Alcott lived.
Sorry about the flash glare, but it was either that or the power lines in the other picture. This one was shot through the car's windshield. This is The Wayside which was the home of the Alcotts, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney at various times. The brochures says that it is the only home that Hawthorne ever owned.
We went back to the hotel where the ACL board is meeting and had dinner with them. I had soup (clow chowder - which we know is pronounced "chow-dah" around here) and a half sandwich (ham & cheese on wheat). No photos.

Then I took the T back into Boston where I grabbed cannolis from Mike's Pastry for everyone who wanted one. (see this earlier entry in this series for the cannoli description) I brought back a few extra. Yes, they are just as good the second time around! Everyone else who was trying them for the first time agreed!

Louisa May Alcott

Can one tell a cause of death from a painting? Some physicians believe that Louisa May Alcott did not die the way that we have been led to believe--through "mercury poisoning" or "artist angst." Instead, they believe she had lupus.