It’s not very often that my BFF4Eva Sean and I get the same days off during our presently hectic schedules, so when we do- we try to make the most of them- especially now that Spring is in the air and spending a significant amount of time outdoors doesn’t feel like a punishment anymore. Case in point? This past weekend where we had a lovely Sunday afternoon driving through small towns en route to Medfield State Hospital (including a pit stop for coffee at Jasper Hill Cafe & Bistro in Holliston.) Sean, in all his travels across the globe, has actually never been- so I thought it would be a nice surprise for him to see it in all it’s spectacular and spooky glory.

Needless to say, he wasn’t disappointed.

Every time I return to Medfield, I always seem to find something new. In this case- spotting a three-legged chair just randomly propped up outside one of the buildings along the perimeter and a fenced in and dilapidated bench-swing near what I assume was a recreational area caught my attention- previously unseen during my last handful of visits. The place is always a mystery- and seeing Sean experience it for the first time was truly a lot of fun. We stopped every ten feet so he could marvel at the buildings or take photos. I didn’t mind, of course- since I was snapping many of my own along the way!

I do have to say that the recent rule changes to the grounds have me a little concerned, however. While foot traffic has always been allowed and encouraged (permitted those visiting don’t enter the buildings- since the floors and roofs have been left untouched and unattended to the mercy of the elements for YEARS and the amount of asbestos still lingering in the wards poses a serious health hazard)– apparently vehicles are allowed on the property now, as well. While Sean and I were walking around- we had to move out of the way for more than one car as clumsy drivers struggled to maneuver themselves over the long-untended roadways- avoiding potholes and other visitors.

Apart from the obvious threat this poses to pedestrians- I’m worried about the property itself, too. Medfield State Hospital is already in delicate condition as it decays. It seems adding vehicles to the mix is just a recipe for disaster and some extensive property damage when someone isn’t paying attention to where they’re going.

Oh well.

Continuing with the rather morbid/macabre theme of this installment of ‘Day Off Date’- I spent Tuesday morning and most of the afternoon running some errands before Sean and I (in another rare instance of having the same day off!) took a stroll around the apartment on one of the many beautiful walking paths along the Mystic River. I cannot stress how lovely the weather has been lately- especially when compared to last year when we were still attempting to shovel ourselves out from underneath mounds of snow around this time. I don’t want to jinx it when I say that it feels like Mother Nature is finally showing New England just a little mercy.

I digress. While passing through Medford en route back to the apartment- I spotted this little memorial for ‘The Black Dahlia’, Elizabeth Short. For those not familiar with the famous unsolved murder, you can catch up HERE (a strong stomach is highly advised.) Elizabeth grew up in the area prior to being murdered and buried in California, and this little stone monument- hidden between an apartment building and a very busy rotary where her home once stood- was an unusual find. Not pictured were the long since dead flowers someone had left by the stone, which I thought was a nice gesture- especially for something that so many people pass by everyday and may not notice. It’s kind of sweet that people remember these sorts of things- no matter how much time has passed.

I swear, next week I’ll try to do something a little more upbeat and less grizzly/dreary during my next days off.

xx