When the weather is nice (which it has been for most of the two weeks I’ve been in Boston), I walk the one mile home from my office. I start in the Boston Public Garden, established in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in America. (Check out more about the history here.)

If you’re lucky, and it’s the right time of year, you’ll get to see the beautiful swans and ducks made famous by the Make Way for Ducklings book penned by Robert McCloskey in 1941.

I even pass the famous statue as I walk through the park, taking pause on many occasion to enjoy the children playing on Mama Duck.

One of my favorite pictures of my sister’s visit a few weeks ago to help me move. The garden is also a great place to rest, relax, and soak in the beauty of the day.

But back to my commute…this time of year, numerous squirrels play, chasing each other, begging for food, and puffing their cheeks out with nuts they are storing for the cold, snowy months. People walk their dogs, feed the animals (even though not allowed), and stroll their children on the beautiful pathways. I also see many tourists with their cameras out, taking pictures of anything and everything.

As an aside, I had a work meeting the other day, and we did a “walk and talk.” My favorite and most influential boss ever taught me that getting outside, moving while you meet and catch up, can be such an effective way to de-stress, collaborate, and really focus on the topic at hand. We walked through the Public Garden on our way back to the office (after sitting on a bench in Boston Common which is right across the street) and I was internally pinching myself that this was my place for a “walk and talk!” Lots about living here is still surreal to me…

In parting, I’ll leave you with a few more “touristy” pics of when my mom and sis were here. I’m so blessed to have THIS as my commute home!

Until next time,
Marley