The 1962 song “Up on the Roof” contains this bit of enchanting lyrics, “On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be.”

To me, that sentence is more fantasy than glimpse of urban bliss. As someone who grew up in a five-floor-walkup in the Bronx, the roof door was gateway to the apocalypse.
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At Third Beach in Middletown, a light and refreshing breeze comforted Karen and me on what was a roasting and humid evening.

The waves were relatively calm and quiet in the cove. Sunset was in about 15 minutes. Although there were boats moored offshore, no craft was in motion except for a kayak.
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This year I’ve followed the serial drama of tadpoles that reside in a runoff pond beside Route 95 in the North Burial Ground in Providence.

Their saga comes via email and video posts from Greg Gerritt, founder of the Friends of the Moshassuck and author of the Prosperity for RI blog. Gerritt videotapes wildlife at the North Burial Ground, posting on YouTube under Moshassuckcritters.
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