Photos from Quarantine #2: Signs of Spring

It took a few April snowstorms to get here, but finally it’s spring in New England. Grass is growing, trees are budding, and I’m more than a little antsy for my neighborhood basketball court to reopen.

Took my “just a sweatshirt, thanks” walk through town this morning and saw some great images I wanted to share.

I live in a classic little New England town with a town square and bandstand. This masked teddy bear currently sits in the middle of that bandstand, a symbol of the security – and safety – we all need to hold close:

Across from that bandstand is an old 20th century movie theater, the Ioka. This is where I saw Titanic when it opened – there was a lifeboat atop the marquee, and theater workers dressed as ship’s crew. The Ioka has been closed for nearly a decade now, but someone still maintains the sign:

Next door to the Ioka is a fine little used bookstore and frame shop. It’s closed, of course, but the owners have set up a small bookshelf outside with free books for passersby:

On the next block is a large gift shop with an enormous storefront window. The shop is closed, but the owners are encouraging community members to post hand-made signs of their own. Here are some of the latest selections:

Down the street is a bakery/coffee shop that is open for weekday takeout, and it’s repeating the bear image in its window:

Across the street from the bakery is a museum dedicated to Revolutionary history, and on the lawn of the museum is a sign - one that you can see elsewhere around town - that honors those whom we might consider our new Minutemen:

And then there are the churches. There were no cars parked at any of them this morning, although I could hear an organ and choir inside the Catholic Church. Presumably the service was being streamed online for worshipers. Down the street at one of the other churches, this bin was outside on the steps. I don’t need to open this to tell you what’s inside. Hope – lots of it.

Here’s hoping the images from your town today are just as hopeful.