Thank you, 100 times over, to C. Part of this weekend’s Boston adventure involved breaking down on Sturrow Drive, en route to a dinner party. Have you ever arrived somewhere flustered, distracted and calculating the phenomenal expense of Volvo repairs? When we walked in the group of 10 made what can only be described as an Automotive Love Circle of Support. N. & C. came to the rescue, trudging out into the Cambridge night to assess the situation and, within minutes, identified the problem. A return via Amtrak seemed certain. Except that the following morning C. met us at the car with parts and tools in hand (a thank you to M. for the loan), popped the hood, divined the alchemical repair from his iPhone and the disconnection of a key cable, and had us on our way with time to spare for brunch . I will resist talking about the good looks, intellect and rare fundamental decency of our knight in shining armor.

And speaking of alchemy: I was completely taken by this new sculpture on MIT’s campus by Spanish Artist Jaume Plensa

[Photo: Patrick Gillooly]