Or, well, Newton, which is a suburb of Boston. And I’m not from there in the sense that I was born there; I moved there when I was 8. But it is the place I have the strongest memories of, the strongest ties to as a childhood home, so I call it the place that I am from.

Home of Crystal Lake (Not that one).

Namesake of the Fig Newton.

Place of Heartbreak Hill, the mile-long uphill climb that comes at Mile 20 of the Boston Marathon.

Former residence of an ABSURD Wikipedia list of famous people. (I’m sure some of these are true. I’m equally sure that not all of them are true. Newton is a very old city and it is right next to Boston, so many of these people may have lived there for a short time — but this list is ridiculous. Needs additional citations for verification, indeed.)

List  of Famous People From Newton, Massachusetts

And because I grew up in Newton, I am proud to say that I can hear this sign out loud.

Also, while I am social distancing as well as I  can, I did have a two-hour videoconference call with two of my best teacher-friends today (And my wife, though that was  more so she could talk to them than so she could talk to me — she was in the other room on her phone. I could hear the bird screaming with echo effect.), and it reminded me, as much of an introvert as I am, and as important (WICKED important, mush) as it is to quarantine to slow the spread and flatten the curve, we need to stay in touch with those we love  and care about. We need to interact. We need to see and speak to other people.

Just do it safely.

Thanks to everyone for everything you are sacrificing for society, and particularly to help those in need, and those who are sacrificing to help all of us. I hope I can give  you a smile. Since I can’t give you a hug.