Nor'Easter

I headed off on Thursday morning to join Marv and MeiMei in Boston. They'd been there since Monday and had indulged in shopping, historical sightseeing and bountiful offerings of seafood. As I sped further East along the Merritt Parkway through Connecticut, the trees slowly began displaying their flashy apparel. By the time I had arrived in New England proper, the sharp displays of gold, orange, red and green were vivid beyond description.
I met Marv and MeiMei and we headed out to Salem, home of the famed 17th century witch trials. There we had breakfast at an old tea trading house, now a cafe called Red's. They are famous not for their shrimp and lobster but rather a humble flapjack filled with fresh blueberries and served with pure Vermont maple syrup.
Salem is a delightful place with small cottages on narrow streets and overgrown foliage decorating the centuries old edifices. It's a haunting place at points.
Besides a visit to Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables you can visit the local 17th century cemetery which features the graves of rather prominent folk (Mayflower personages, witch trial judges, Hawthorne relatives). I was rather taken with this grave which dated from 1698.
After touring the sites of Salem, which is a picturesque and charming town, we departed for the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. Marv had in his head that he wanted to see the home of Lizzie Borden.

Once there, we headed for the landmark of Miss Borden's former home. It was here in 1892 that the eldest daughter of Andrew Borden allegedly took a hatchet to her father (10 times) and to her step-mother (19 times). Arrested for the crime, she was subsequently acquitted in court. I know the song suggests 40 and 41 whacks, but let's appreciate the use of poetic license. While never solved, it seems to me that Lizzie did it. Repressed by her father, resentful of her step mother and on a double dose of PMS, the girl went to town. I totally believe she did it.

The house tour was detailed and fascinating. In the parlor (in the precise place Mr. Borden got the proverbial axe) MeiMei illustrated the exact point of impact on the unfortunate Mr. Borden (using the unfortunate Marv as an example). Mr. Borden's left eye was sliced in half during the onslaught. That's gotta hurt!
(Detail)Samantha, the tour guide at the Lizzie Borden house, accommodated my question about the position of the slain Mrs. Borden in the guest room. Not only was she compliant in her explanation, she assumed the exact physical position in the exact spot on the floor. She also allowed us all to photograph her in this prone pose. God bless the Park Service!
It's a fantastic tour with some affable hosts. When we entered a room in the attic, I confess I reeled back in discomfort. I had a suffocating feeling. "I don't feel good in here," I said aloud to no one in particular. Indeed, the room was cold and repressive and most unwelcoming. The tour guide (whom you've just seen above) agreed. "This room is always unwelcoming for people. There is lots of spirit activity." OK, I moved on but my unease never left until I left the house.

Now that's a tour. Check it out at: http://www.lizzie-borden.com/Default.aspx